THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – We’ve Made It! Spring has Sprung!!

We’ve made it! This weekend Chicagoans officially welcome the spring season on Saturday. And although we’re still not out of the woods completely with the pandemic, there’s lots to look forward to if we play our cards right. In the meantime, here’s a sampling of activities to make the most of your first spring weekend!!

There’s no better time to experience Chicago’s acclaimed dining scene than with Chicago Restaurant Week. This annual food fest will take place through April 4 and offer diners the option to dine-in, order takeout, or have it delivered! It’s the perfect time to not only visit your favorite places you often don’t frequent but also to explore the newest additions to the city’s culinary scene. 

Over 50 restaurants are making their Chicago Restaurant Week debut this year! Here are 13 of those to help get you started: Avec (Mediterranean, River North); The Dandy Crown (Cocktail Bar/Dining, West Town); Miki’s Park (Korean, River North); Azul (Seafood, located right on the Chicago River); Dear Margaret (French, Lakeview); Gaijin (Japanese/Sushi, West Loop); Marvin’s Food and Fuel (American, Fulton Market area); The Perch (American, Wicker Park); Lil’ Ba-Ba-Reeba! (Spanish/Tapas, River North); UpRoar Chicago (American, Uptown); Rye Deli + Drink (Bakery/Café/Deli/Diner, West Loop); Andros Taverna (Greek, Logan Square); and FireLake Grill House and Cocktail Bar (Italian, The Loop).

The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle is once again kicking off the outdoor running season here in Chicago. For four decades, participants of all abilities have come together on the streets of Chicago to enjoy a fun and healthy day of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. This year though, participants can take part in a virtual 8K run, a 2-Mile walk, or The Mile this race weekend. Plus, all Shufflers across all distances will receive a Shamrock Shuffle Nike Dri-FIT shirt, a Shamrock Shuffle running belt, a digital event bib number, access to the Shamrock Shuffle Spotify playlist, and more!

This year, the Porchlight Theatre’s annual fundraiser benefitting the theatre’s educational and artistic programming hosts its Chicago Sings Rock & Roll Broadway premiering this Saturday (7 p.m.) and streaming live through April 18. This virtual concert celebrates two American creations – Broadway and Rock & Roll – from Bye, Bye Birdie to Dreamgirls to Rent to Jagged Little Pill and a variety of other productions in between. Not to mention a great cast of musical talents performing the songs!

In the mood for an interactive game show extravaganza? Then check out Pivot Art’s What Next? this Saturday at 7 p.m. The evening promises to be a ridiculous and wild game show ride where players can determine What Next? and is hosted by performers Cheryl Graeff and K.F. Jacques. Plus, DJ Oliver Fade will be spinning tunes, and there will even be special guest appearances with your favorite artists! You also have the choice of playing or sitting on the digital sidelines to watch this interactive game show!!

Three actors and a stage manager from Theatre in the Dark assemble to create a live online audio theatre of Moby Dick in the Dark now through April 10. After losing his leg in pursuit of the elusive and vengeful white sperm whale Moby Dick, Captain Ahab vows vengeance at all costs, but to what lengths and at what cost to his crew? To find out, just purchase a ticket online, build a dark, cozy space at home, mix a measure of grog, and pop-up some popcorn. Then log on, crank up your speakers and listen in the dark!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago