Chicago Neighborhood News: River North, Blue Island, Old Town, Lincoln Park

River North: After a winter hibernation, Art on theMART returns to project amazing visuals on the side of the Merchandise Mart, located at 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, with a completely new installation entitled the Spring 2021 Projection Program. Visitors will witness stunning eye candy thanks to the collaboration with Adler Planetarium, whose Astrographics projection beams viewers from our planet to the rest of the solar system and beyond on a 25-foot screen. The ocular experience also features the Art Institute’s Monet and Chicago and Bisa Butler: Portraits projections that are sure to entice and astound visually. This free event occurs every night at 8:30 pm and 9 pm until April 30 before changing to 9 pm and 9:30 pm through Sunday, July 4. Find more info here.

Blue Island: Now that the weather is finally welcoming, it really is a great time to get out and enjoy a dive-in movie with friends and family. Head over to Rock Island Public House, located at 13328 Olde Western Avenue in Blue Island, for their Drive-in, Dinner, and Drinks for baseball-themed flicks as well as new and old classics. The free screenings kick off Friday, April 9 at 8:30 pm with a showing of Major League. On Saturday, April 10, check out A League of Their Own at 8:30 pm. Other films showing throughout the month include The Sandlot, Citizen Kane, The Crow, and Lost Highway. Be sure to arrive early to get a good spot for enjoying the films from the comfort of your vehicle. Find more info here.

Old Town: If you haven’t had a chance to check out the Immersive Van Gogh experience, you should definitely set aside a day to Van Gogh to this extraordinary event taking place at Lighthouse ArtSpace, located at 108 West Germania Pl. This visually awe-inspiring and socially distanced exhibit lets viewers step inside classics like Starry Night, Sunflowers, The Potato Eaters, and The Bedroom, thanks to 500,000 cubic feet of projections bringing these masterpieces to life in a way never seen before. Having just gone this week, I can attest that this presentation was well worth it, mixing visuals and music that results in a stunning tribute to the great master painter. Tickets range from $40 to $50, with extras available at the time of purchase. Find more info here.

Lincoln Park: Did you spend the pandemic binging on every season of The Office for the umpteenth time? Same here. If Michael Scott, Dwight Schrute, and the rest of the employees from the hit NBC sitcom feel like the co-worker you wish you had, then come out to Replay, located at 2833 North Sheffield Ave, for the Back to The Office pop-up. The arcade bar transforms into loveable locals from the show, including Dunder Mifflin, Schrute Farms, The Michael Scott Paper Company, and more. They even have a space for the warehouse where you can purchase art, t-shirts, and more. The menu features themed cocktails and food, so you expect some concoction with beet juice to be available, as well as Michael Scott’s beloved Scotch and Splenda. The socially distanced pop-up is 21 and over and runs from Friday, April 9 to Sunday, May 16. Find more info here.

ERIC KAPLAN AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO