Last weekend, I came back to a vintage venue in Lakeview where I spent a lot of time when I lived on the North Side, The Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Avenue.

Memories flooded as I walked up the stairs to a balcony I remembered well…I used to go to dance at ‘The Vic,’ then known as Clubland, in the mid-80’s, catch a double feature and an adult beverage for $10 in the 90’s, and most recently, attended a kickass concert by Herb Alpertand his wife, Lani Hall. 

But as I found out, The Vic Theatre has been entertaining Chicagoans for more than a century. 

Through The Decades… 

According to theEncyclopedia of Chicago History, from 1900 to the 1920s, Chicago enjoyed an explosion of popular culture. Movies, amusement parks, vaudeville, cabarets, dance halls, and music deeply influenced the Jazz Age. 

The Victoria Theater,  according to The Vic’s website, was one of those entertainment venues, opened in 1912 as an alternative to the more expensive fare playing in Chicago’s notorious downtown venues, and built to host vaudeville and touring stage shows. The luxurious, five-story vaudeville house held 1,550 polished mahogany seats, and the lobby floor and staircases were set in Italian marble, according to their website. The theater was designed by John E.O. Pridmore, an immigrant from England who came to the United States in 1880 and eventually settled in Chicago in 1883 at the age of 16. Handmade English quarry tile lined the walls.

Decline and Rebirth

The Victoria Theatre, or ‘The Vic”– as it’s now known – would prove to be one of the more adaptable and resilient buildings in town. As their website notes, the eventual decline of touring vaudeville shows in the 1920s led to the sale of the building to new owners who, in an attempt to cater to a recent influx of German immigrants to the neighborhood, changed the name to The German Theater and began presenting German operettas. The end of the 1920s coincided with the onset of The Great Depression. During the Depression and beyond, the  Plasterers Institute kept the space in operating condition during otherwise lean years. 

But until the 1980’s, the venue alternatively stood vacant, then was a movie theater, showing X-rated, Spanish, and Indian movies, and in 1984, was turned into a dance club venue called Clubland. 

Rebirthed for a new generation 

In November 1988, Michael Butler produced the musical “Hair” at The Vic to celebrate the show’s 20^th anniversary. The production ran until February 1989. In the mid-1990s, on nights without a concert booking, Brew & View was added showing second-run and cult films which allowed customers to enjoy pizza and cocktails while watching films. This incarnation of The Vic lasted more than 20 years. 

Today.. An eclectic mix for all 

In 2000, Jam Productions took over management and vowed to book “all kinds of acts.” A short list of those who have performed include Jerry Seinfeld, Kenny G, John Prine, Pat Metheny, 10,000 Maniacs, Laura Nyro, Bonnie Raitt, Johnny Winter, Basia, Louie Anderson, Lyle Lovett, Richard Lewis, Randy Newman, David Crosby, Joan Baez, Billy Squier, Meat Loaf, Todd Rundgren, They Might Be Giants, Joan Armatrading, Dead Can Dance, and Sonic Youth. For upcoming performances and tickets, click here. 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Everything you would ever want to do in your home now has a video on You Tube. It’s all well and good until you make a mistake, and it winds up costing you more in the long run. Here are a few tips to help with that DIY project. 

Make sure you use the right tools. Using wrong or improperly sized tools can be downright dangerous, not just to your project. There are many home improvement and hardware stores that will rent tools and even offer classes and advice for DIY projects. 

Be careful with the surroundings. You would hate to install a ceiling fan and discover too late your ladder scratched your beautiful hardwood floor! There are inexpensive ladder covers or you can make your own with pool noodles. For large room projects like painting, drop cloths are good if the room is carpeted. Use rosin paper and painters’ tape to cover hard surface floors. If you are doing a dusty job like drywall, it’s a good idea to seal off the room with plastic and duct tape. You will be surprised at how much of that dust will permeate through the house if you don’t take precautions. It can wreak havoc with your HVAC system. 

Always make sure to properly turn off the electric or water supply when working on these systems. It seems like a chore with your busy schedule to figure out which circuit in the electrical panel needs to be off to change that light fixture, but it’s definitely worth it. Unless you want an exorbitant repair bill, or worse, cashing in on your life insurance!

Prep before painting. Painting is one of the least expensive projects and can really transform a room but if you don’t prepare properly it can result in a big mess. Especially if you are painting over old glossy paint. Fix any imperfections and sand well. Use a high-quality primer and your project will have beautiful long-lasting results. 

Be careful when nailing or drilling into a wall. It can be a disaster if you drill into an electrical cable or cause a water or gas leak. Invest in a stud finder. This will ensure proper attachment and if you have one that detects electricity also it will prevent injury. If you feel any resistance, stop! You most likely hit a pipe or metal strapping around electric cables. Always measure when using fasteners, especially on floors and ceilings. Using too long of ones can protrude through. 

Finally, be careful when replacing water pipes. We know plumbers are crazy expensive, but you can run into real trouble here. Plastic pipe is sometimes not rated properly for hot water. Mixing galvanized pipe with copper can cause a corrosive reaction that will cause more problems than the one you are fixing. So go into those DIY projects prepared with as much knowledge as you can find. 

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago

Chicagoans will be kicking off the unofficial start of yet another fall season this weekend with some new fall festivities and other events sure to please everyone!

Kick off another fall season with an all new, adults-only evening at Lincoln Park Zoo’s Oktoberfest at the Zoo this Saturday (6:30 p.m.-10 p.m.) in the Lincoln Park neighborhood.  Get ready to enjoy the local German band Die Musikmeisters live on the Main Mall or dance the night away on the South Lawn with a live DJ playing pop and party hits.  Plus, pop-up bars serving beers and other adult beverages will be set up throughout the zoo, while concession stands serve up giant pretzels, bratwursts and other zoo food to quell your hunger.  And of course, there’s more such as lawn games, after-hours access to the zoo’s gardens and animal habitats, and more!  There’s no better way to take a break than to spend a well-deserved night out with your friends!

Another all new, adults-only evening taking place at Lincoln Park Zoo is Oksoberfest this Sunday (6 p.m.-9 p.m.) which is a non-alcoholic version of Germany’s Oktoberfest.  Unlimited samples of non-alcoholic beers and zero-proof craft cocktails will be served along with a special menu featuring bratwurst, jumbo soft pretzels, and other German treats for purchase.  Plus, live polka music from The Dirndolls, other entertainment, lawn games, and more will complete your evening – just without the booze.  Willkommen zum Oksoberfest!

Come join us at Chicago’s first sober friendly Bavarian Block Party this Saturday (12 p.m.-10 p.m.) and Sunday (12 p.m.-8 p.m.) at Washington Boulevard and Sangamon Street in the West Loop neighborhood.  This event features German foods like brats and soft pretzels, plus non-alcoholic beer and mocktails, a regular bar offering a variety of German beers, and an amazing lineup of Oompah music provided by German polka bands as well as local rock and pop groups, kids’ activities, and more!  Don’t forget to don your Lederhosen and your Dirndl!

For those who aren’t quite ready to kick off the fall season yet, head on over to Gallagher Way in the Wrigleyville neighborhood for its weekend events:

Saturday’s event (10 a.m.-6 p.m.) is the Bags Brawl 2023 offering $3,000 in payouts at the biggest and best cornhole tournament in Chicago!  The tournament will have two phases and all teams are guaranteed a minimum of 5 games.  Show us what you’ve got!

Sunday’s event (11 a.m.-3 p.m.) is the Bringin’ Trashy Back Market which showcases artisan vendors that have transformed blast-from-the-past trash into one-of-a-kind wonders.  This is a free, all-ages, dog-friendly event presented by Nowhere Collective.  Plus, enjoy tacos from Big Star, live jams by School of Rock, and other waste-away activities and crafts.  And you thought you couldn’t be dazzled by debris!

Take a stroll down Ravenswood Avenue from Lawrence Avenue to Irving Park Road for the 21^st annual Ravenswood ArtWalk this Saturday and Sunday (11 a.m.-6 p.m.).  This local festival features open studios and galleries, an outdoor arts market featuring 60+ local makers, two stages of live music, pop-up performances, food trucks, a pop-up beer garden, kids’ activities, and much more!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

Black Restaurant Week Midwest runs from September 10-24 as “part of a nationwide effort to boost the visibility of and support for Black-owned eateries,” as reported by Block Club Chicago. 

Please note that this event is unaffiliated with Chicago BLACK Restaurant Week, which runs February 11-25, 2024, and is sponsored separately by a local organization. 

Black Restaurant Week Midwest’s fourth annual campaign is an opportunity to focus attention on the many black-owned restaurants, food trucks, and other vendors providing delectable edibles throughout Chicago. 

According to their website, Black Restaurant Week® Midwest was founded in 2016 by Warren Luckett, Falayn Ferrell, and Derek Robinson, the week is dedicated to celebrating the flavors of African-American, African, and Caribbean cuisine nationwide.

You can see a full list of participants by clicking here. 

One participating restaurant, relatively new to the Chicago scene, is River North’s Dozzy’s Grill. Chef and owner Dozzy Ibekwe has brought the flavors of West African soul food to a much wider, eclectic audience in River North. 

I was fortunate to experience Dozzy’s Grill as they catered a conference I attended recently. If you haven’t had his fresh take on West African cuisine, I urge everyone to visit Dozzy’s River North storefront location. 

For example, I never thought oranges and red onion would be compatible in a salad, but combined as an AFROBEET SALAD, it is. When paired with organic red beets, cherry tomatoes, fennel, toasted walnuts, and an orange paprika vinaigrette, it’s a tasty mix as each flavor unfolds, one right after the other.  Pair the salad with a traditional JOLLOF RICE, which is long grain rice in tomato sauce. PERI PERI CHICKEN, a chicken thigh bathed in a Peri Peri Sauce, a hot pepper that’s a close relative of the tabasco pepper. When I’m in the mood, I mix the jollof rice and peri peri chicken together for a tomatoey, savory, hot bite. For dessert, a yummy NYANGBO CHOCOLATE MINI CUPCAKE is made with single-origin Ghanaian chocolate, gold dust, and Calabash nutmeg. 

Several other Google reviewers agree with me. 

“I’ve had Dozzy’s Grill on several occasions,” said a recent reviewer. “Being Burundian, it’s always great seeing fellow Africans showcasing the culture through food. Dozzy’s Grill is an experience.”

“We recently had Dozzy’s Grill cater our company luncheon. I cannot compliment them enough for going above and beyond with providing us the most delicious lunch,” wrote another. “From the Peri Peri Chicken to the fried plantains, every menu suggestion provided was extremely flavorful and delight to all. They should be a ‘must try’ on anyone’s list.

Dozzy’s Grill is located at 736 N. Clark Street. They are open Monday-Wednesday, 11am–5pm, Thursday, 11am–9pm, and Friday, 9am–9pm. They are closed on Saturday and Sunday. For information, reservations, and hours, click here. 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Having poor credit isn’t a good thing, but neither is having no credit at all. Getting approved for a mortgage – or any other type of loan, for that matter – is pretty much an impossible feat if the lender has nothing to go on. How will your lender know if you’ll be good for the money if you don’t have a history of responsible repayment? While you may be avoiding debt like the plague, you’re also failing to build up any sort of credit whatsoever.

If you currently have no credit, here are a few ways to build it up from scratch.

Apply For a Secured Credit Card

You may have been paying for everything in cash up to now, but it’s time to get some credit on the books, and you can easily start by applying for a secured credit card. These types of credit cards are backed by a cash deposit that you make upfront, which essentially acts as your credit limit. That means you must have money in your account equivalent to your credit line. If you want to spend $500 on your card, for example, you need $500 in your account to cover that amount.

Like a typical credit card, monthly payments are made, and interest is incurred if you don’t pay your balance off in full and on time. Every purchase you make with the card is deducted from your remaining balance. That initial $500 stays as is, and is used as collateral if you don’t make your payments.

Using a secured credit card will help you build up enough credit to be eligible for a traditional credit card.

Take Out a Loan With a Credible Co-Signer

You likely won’t be approved for a loan on your own without any credit, but you have a good chance of approval if you can get a co-signer on your loan application. The key is to make sure that the co-signer already has excellent credit. Basically, the co-signer agrees to cover the loan amount in the event that you don’t make your payments. That’s the guarantee that a lender would get with a co-signer.

By taking out a small loan in this manner, you’ll have an opportunity to prove your ability to make regular payments in full and on time. Just make sure you’ve got the income and the discipline necessary to comfortably make your loan payments, or you’ll be putting your co-signer in a very precarious position.

Add Yourself as an Authorized User on Another Person’s Credit Card

Ask a close friend or family member if they would be willing to allow you to be added as an authorized user on his or her credit card. This will allow you to use that person’s credit card without being legally responsible to pay for the charges, and you’ll be building credit at the same time. The other person really needs to have full trust in you, so make sure you’re up for the task before you ask and agree to put your name down as an authorized user.

Before you take this route, however, you should first make sure that the credit card company sends authorized user activity information to the credit bureaus. If it doesn’t, there’s no point continuing with this option.

Apply For a Credit Builder Loan

This type of loan is specifically designed to help people build credit, as all payment activity is reported to the credit bureaus. They are small loans made by some credit unions and community banks which basically act as a type of forced savings.

The money borrowed is deposited in a savings account by the lender, and can’t be accessed until you fully repay the loan. Once the loan term expires, you get the money, as well as a good credit score.

The Bottom Line

The key here is to make sure the credit you build is a good one. Be sure to make all payments on time and in full, and keep your credit card debt low. Don’t open too many accounts within a short period of time, and get a copy of your credit report once a year to see if there are any mistakes or discrepancies on there that could be bringing you credit score down. There’s no point in trying to build credit if you’re just going to be irresponsible with your efforts. A bad credit score is just as bad as no credit at all.