House party: The Chicago House Music Festival & Conference will take place Aug. 27-30 with free performances, dance, education and community programming at Millennium Park and across downtown Chicago.
The 2026 festival will consist of a citywide kickoff at Daley Plaza, SummerDance in Grant Park, the Chicago House Music Conference at the Chicago Cultural Center (with panels like “AI in Music: Don’t Get Played”), the return of the Chicago House Dance Summit and a closing celebration along the Chicago Riverwalk. Participants are slated to include Bruno Blaque, S&S Chicago (Steve “Silk” Hurley & Shannon “Skip” Syas), Jamie Principle, BraveSoul Movement’s Taraja Mumbeja, Maurice Joshua, Emmaculate and many others.
—Dance, dance, dance!: The Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance announced the return of the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project in a one-night-only performance-themed Dancing the Archive: Embodied Histories, Collective Power.
This epic performance will take place at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 East Randolph Street, on Friday, Aug. 28, at 7 p.m. Showcasing a diverse range of artistic genres including African, traditional, contemporary, ballet, jazz, tap and more, Dancing the Archive will feature repertory performances and world premieres by Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project’s third cohort: The Chicago Multicultural Dance Center, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, The Era Footwork Collective, Forward Momentum Chicago, Joel Hall Dancers & Center, M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Move Me Soul, Muntu Dance Theatre, NAJWA Dance Corps and Praize Productions Inc.
Tickets, starting at $46 each, are now on sale online here or by phone at 312-344-7777.
And now, on to culinary items…
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SPOTLIGHT: Here are more Fast Foodie Facts, courtesy of Terri Schlichenmeyer and yours truly:
- According to Good Housekeeping, among the most sustainable fish to eat are striped bass, flounder, salmon, perch—and lionfish (among others). But seafood to avoid include imported farmed shrimp; sharks, skates and rays; imported catfish; orange roughy; and Atlantic cod, which has a decimated population (among others).
- Chef George Geary—who baked the cheesecakes featured on the iconic TV show The Golden Girls—revealed that Bea Arthur was the only cast member who didn’t like the dessert. In fact, according to him, she only took one bite during the series’ entire run.
- June, among many other things, is National Okra Month. Yay?
- The first barcode ever used was on a simple pack of Wrigley’s gum.
- Long Grove’s Village Tavern—which serves Reuben quesadillas, drunken chicken, beer mug sundaes and Texas toast BLTs, among other dishes—has been in business continuously since it was established in 1847 and is among the oldest restaurants in the country.
- St. Rest #2 Country Kitchen is no slouch in the longevity department, either, having operated for more than 50 years. It’s considered the oldest soul-food restaurant in Chicago, and is only open Friday-Sunday at 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
—Moving on: Letisha “Tish” Steele has ended her tenure as CEO of Green City Market, a year after assuming the mantle.
In a statement, the market said, “We are grateful to Tish for her leadership, passion and many contributions to Green City Market and the community it serves, and we wish her continued success.” Originally from the Appalachian Mountains and currently based in Denver, Steele (a member of the queer community) has dedicated her career to removing barriers to food access for underserved and underresourced communities. Before this job, she was executive director of Denver Food Rescue and co-chair of the Denver Sustainable Food Policy Council.
Green City Market has started searching for Steele’s successor.
—Job search: The team behind Kinzie Industrial Corridor restaurant Maxwells Trading is looking for front-of-house leadership to join its opening team for a new Chicago-based concept, including a general manager, maître d’ and beverage professionals. (The concept seemingly will be in the Fulton Market area.) Send your resume to jobs@underscorehospitality.com.
SPOTLIGHT: See why Kylie Minogue is in the SAVOR with Andrew spotlight this week by clicking on the link.
—SHŌ business: As SHŌ approaches its one-year milestone, the Old Town omakase counter is debuting two new tasting experiences—Shōjin, an entirely plant-based omakase inspired by the ancient foodways of Japanese Buddhist monks; and Summer Menu Vol. 4, the latest evolution of SHŌ’s seasonal tasting menu.
According to a press release, “Shōjin Ryōri is more than a way of cooking without animal products; it is a philosophy grounded in mindfulness, gratitude and reverence for the natural world. Seasonal vegetables, grains and tofu are approached with care, allowing each ingredient to express its essential character.” The summer menu includes items such as corn kakiage; niçoise-inspired tataki; chawanmushi; oshizushi-style hand rolls; and summer blueberry soft serve with housemade cornbread, koji-sweetened condensed milk and buttermilk ice, finished with fresh herbs and candied lemon.
—Simply the fest: Chicago will become the epicenter of Latin American cocktail culture as La Licor Fest brings together 15 acclaimed Latin American bars and beverage leaders on Aug. 24-30.
Taking place at La Licor Panamericana, (2521 N. California Ave.), the festival will welcome internationally recognized talent representing Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay, Peru, Chile, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Costa Rica and beyond. One of the festival’s most anticipated presentations will come from Brazil’s Eximia, which will introduce guests to Amazonian ingredients that have never before been served in cocktails in the United States.
La Licor Fest will open with an all-star lineup of Chicago cocktail destinations, connecting the city’s bar community with international guests and setting the stage for a week of collaboration. The hometown lineup includes Bar Bambi, Best Intentions, Caña, Culebra, Estereo, Press Room, Sparrow and Sportsman’s Club.
Single-day tickets are $100 each; visit this link.
—Chop, chop: Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille will celebrate National Pork Chop Day on Thursday, Aug. 27, with a special four-course menu available for $44 at its three Chicago-area locations in Oak Brook, Schaumburg and Vernon Hills.
The menu, available for dine-in only upon request from 4 p.m. to close, includes all of Perry’s pork chop favorites plus more. Guests can select one dish from each of four individually sized courses—starters, soup/salad, entrée and dessert—built around Perry’s signature 18 oz. Famous Pork Chop, along with pork-inspired starters, soups and desserts. Suggested pairings include the Perry’s Hog-Hattan and Perry’s Reserve Pinot Noir.—”Dance” fever: Details have been confirmed for this year’s Chicago Gourmet, powered by Invesco QQQ—a series of events over Sept. 23-27 that has the theme “Let Your Tastebuds Dance.” Here’s a rundown of what’s happening (and ticket prices are exclusive of taxes and fees):
- However, before the main slate of events, there will be the Gourmet Tailgate, taking place Sunday, Sept. 13, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., at Utopian Tailgate, 1608 N Wells St. Hosted by Kindling’s Jonathon Sawyer and featuring chefs/personalities such as Buttercup’s Alexander Carnovale and Israel Idonije (among others), guests will watch the Chicago Bears in action while sampling gourmet spins on tailgate favorites. Tickets are $110 each and guests have to be at 21.
- Then there’s the Dine Around Series, powered by Invesco QQQ, that will take place Sept. 1-18. Food lovers can visit nearly 80 restaurants (including The Dearborn, JR Dessert Bakery, Tacotlan, Ambar, Soul & Smoke and many others) to experience exclusive, festival-inspired dishes, tasting menus, cocktails and wine pairings. As an added bonus, guests who spend $50 or more at these spots during the series can enter to win an ultimate Chicago Gourmet VIP experience, featuring a two-night stay at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, four tickets to the Hamburger Hop, and four tickets to the Grand Cru, Session 2.
- The Global Stage Dinner, presented by Square, is a new item that will take place Wed., Sept. 23, 6-9 p.m., at Pritzker Pavilion Stage at Millennium Park. Headliners include chef/TV host Lorena Garcia; Kwame Onwuachi, of NYC’s Dōgon by Kwame Onwuachi; Piccolo Sogno’s Tony Priolo; and The Loyalist’s John Shields. Admission is $250 each.
- Also new—and on the same night—is the Asian Night Market, 6:30-9:30 p.m., at the Zhou B Art Center, 1029 W. 35th St. Hosted by Thai Dang, HaiSous, Cà Phê Dá and Crying Tiger, among others, the 21-and-older Asian Night Market ($99 each) will feature bites and cocktails from “performers” such as Michael Morales (Sunda New Asian); Helen Nguyen, Saigon Social/Cô Lạc (New York City); and Joe Fontelera, Boonie’s Filipino Restaurant.
- On Thursday, Sept. 24, 6-9 p.m., on the Harris Theater rooftop, Tacos & Tequila, presented by Square and US Foods, kicks off Chicago Gourmet weekend with a celebration of Mexican cuisine, agave spirits and dance. Chefs Diana Dávila and Rick Bayless will host the 21-and-older event; tickets are $130 apiece.
- Somm Sessions will be Friday, Sept. 25, noon-2 p.m., at Adalina Italian, 912 N. State St. Guests will slip away for an upscale, lyrical luncheon hosted by Chef Soo Ahn and sommelier Serafin Alvarado. Admission is $250 each.
- Called “The Dance Battle Breakdown” (as we keep the musical theme in mind), Hamburger Hop will return Friday, Sept. 25, 6-9 p.m., on the Harris Theater rooftop, 205 E. Randolph St. Chefs from Smash Jibarito, Torali Italian-Steak at The Ritz-Carlton, Kuma’s Corner, Empire Burger and other spots will compete. Tickets ($130 each) are available on Eventbrite.
- The main event, Grand Cru, Presented by UnitedHealthcare®, will return Saturday, Sept. 26, in two sessions (2-5 p.m.; 7-10 p.m.) at the Harris Theater rooftop. Per the press release, there will be “an elegant choreography of standout cuisine from 30+ award-winning chefs paired with an exceptional lineup of premium wines and spirits—all in a gorgeous setting.” Pioneer Tavern Group’s Brian Jupiter, Naia’s Athinagoras Kostakos and avec’s Natalie Saben will be among those offering sumptuous samples. Passes are $255 each at the 21+ event.
- Also new this year will be Chef Demos, taking place Sept. 26 at various times throughout the day at the Pritzker Pavilion Stage at Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St. Stephanie Izard, Art Smith and Sarah Grueneberg will be among those presenting tips and tricks to recreate some of their most popular dishes. Passes are $20 each, but a Grand Cru ticket is required.
- The closing act is the Rise & Shine Gourmet on Sunday, Sept. 27, noon-3 p.m. at the Harris Theater rooftop. Hosted by chefs Art Smith (Chef Art Smith’s Reunion) and Erick Williams (Virtue), this gathering features sweet and savory bites from top-tier chefs, refreshing cocktails and feel-good energy. Tickets are $115/person.
Until next time, check out a LOT more Chicagoland culinary news (as well as reviews and interviews) at SAVOR with Andrew.