Chicago Neighborhood News: Streeterville, Virtual, South Loop, Museum Campus, Logan Square

Streeterville: It’s been a long time since Friends‘ final season, but if seeing reruns twelve times a day isn’t satisfying your fix for this beloved TV show, we have great news: The FRIENDS Experience: The One in Chicago is here! Located at The Shops at North Bridge at 540 North Michigan Avenue, this immersive setting features 12 rooms stuffed with nostalgia and enables visitors to recreate many of their favorite Friends moments. Even Central Perk, the legendary fictitious coffee house from the hit show, will be recreated along with tons of photo ops and trivia. Tickets cost $35, and the attraction runs until January 3, 2021. Find more info here

Virtual: The 56th annual Chicago International Film Festival kicks off Wednesday, October 14, and runs until Sunday, October 25. This year due to the pandemic, the festival will be operating differently than in years past. Ticketholders will be able to view many of the films via streaming and have 48 hours to finish their selected film once they press play. In addition to streaming movies online, there will be select drive-in showings at ChiTown Movies, located at 2343 South Throop Street. Some flicks to check out include Belushi, a doc chronicling the life of legendary Chicago comedian John Belushi, Spike Lee’s film adaptation of David Byrne’s American Utopia, and Nomadland starring Oscar-winner Frances McDormand. Find more info here.

South Loop: It’s not every day you get a chance to spend some time with sea lions, but throughout October, you can experience them virtually with the Shedd Aquarium’s first-ever Virtual Sea Lion Encounter. This 30-minute online event occurs on Mondays and Saturdays at 3 pm until the end of the month. Each Zoom timeslot features one of four rescued sea lions you can see up close and learn the story of how they came to be saved. Tickets are $49.95 for non-members and $44.95 for Shedd members. You can also purchase two links to the show for $69.95 ($64.95 for members). Find more info here.

Museum Campus: It hasn’t been easy seeing live music due to the pandemic, but you can check out a great socially distanced show on Saturday, October 17, when Fitz and the Tantrums take over the stage as part of the Lakeshore Drive-In concert series. Happening at the Adler Planetarium parking lot located at 1362 South Lynn White Drive, the multiplatinum group will play hits, including “HandClap” and “Moneygrabber,” among others. The show kicks off at 7 pm with opening act The Unlikely Candidates. This socially distanced event will allow up to six attendees in each car with spacing to ensure safety and, of course, masks must be worn at all times. A car pass, which includes four tickets, costs $275, and any add-on tickets will run you $50. Find more info here.

Logan Square: The 20th anniversary of Logan Square’s Pumpkinfest takes place Saturday, October 24, at Unity Park, located at 2636 North Kimball. This year things will be a bit different in order to be COVID-compliant. The 2020 edition is billed as “Pumpkinfest To Go!” and starting at 10 am, you can pick up your free pumpkin while supplies last. While this year will feature no pumpkin decoration stations, craft bags stuffed with decorations will b you can use to enhance your pumpkin at home. Free popcorn, treats, and some surprises will be on hand for this socially-distanced event. Find more info here.

ERIC KAPLAN AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO