The Chicago Outdoor Film Festival Kicks Off Tonight!!!

Megan Bowers, NBC5 Street Team

Tonight is the official kick-off to the Chicago Outdoor Film Festival. They place a big screen in Grant Park and showcase different classic movies every Tuesday night through August 26th. It’s like going to the drive-in without the exhaust fumes and privacy to snuggle up on your date.

However, NOT watching the movie should not be your intention this week because they are showcasing, All About Eve. This 1951 film is an all-time classic and is #16 on AFI’s 100 Best Movies in 100 Years. I’m not sure if you know this or not — but that’s a big deal, a very big deal.

I’m sure you may be asking, “Megan, what is this movie about?” Or even, “Megan, this film was made 36 years before you were born, shouldn’t your classics be considered Austin Powers or Independence Day?”

Well I will answer both of those questions:

1. This drama stars Bette Davis, as Broadway legend Margo Channing. Miss Channing has everything: a successful career, close friends and a man who loves her. She also has a ‘fan’ named Eve Harrington (Anne Baxter). Eve is an up and coming actress who manages to worm her way into Margo’s life, in order to “study her like a blueprint”. Eve’s sweet facade is soon seen through by a number of people, but ultimately achieving her goal of Broadway stardom, leaving a trail of unhappiness, and contentment, behind her.

The film won 6 Oscars, including ‘Best Picture,’ so it’s certainly worth your time. Plus, this is one of Bette Davis’ best performances.

2. I love old films and I don’t think they make them like they used to. I’m talking back in the days of Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn, when actors had to act and actually (GASP!) be good at it! These days, anyone with a pretty face that looks good half naked can make a movie, and in my opinion, they’re just not worth my $8.25 in the theatres on a Friday night.

It’s over at Grant Park between Lake Shore Drive and Monroe Street and it starts at 8:57 p.m. Get there early to confirm a spot near the front and bring some snacks! You should definitely bring a blanket, but I suggest taking a chair because the film is a little over two hours. For more information on the event, including the movie itinerary, check out cityofchicago.com.

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Word On The Street: July 12, 2008

Marcus Riley, NBC5 Street Team (video)

Watch the weekly “Word On The Street” segment on 24/7 Chicago: Secrets of the City,” at 12:05 a.m., immediately following Saturday Night Live on NBC5.

Bastille Day

We taped this week’s segment at the Sofitel Chicago Water Tower, a beautiful, swanky hotel in the heart of the — well, Viagra Triangle, but don’t hold that against it. Everything about this spot is French-themed, which presented some challenges for our report. Needless to say, my French needs some touching up, despite the fact that my passport says I’m still Canadian. Time to turn in my card.

Anyway, this week the Sofitel has been celebrating Bastille Day, the uprising during the French Revolution that led to the creation of modern-day France. Their restaurant, Cafe des Architectes, is offering a traditional French-themed lunch and dinner fixed priced dinner. Make sure you also check out Le Bar for some lighter bites and jazz after 6:30 p.m. on some nights.

Chicago Outdoor Film Festival

You know it’s summer when the Chicago Outdoor Film Festival kicks off.
Starting this week, every Tuesday night until August 26th, the movies kick off at dusk rain or shine. They’re held in Grant Park at the corner of Lake Shore Drive and Monroe Street.

Old St. Pat’s World’s Largest Block Party

Oprah has called this one of the best places to hook up … or meet your mate … or something like that. Anyway, I haven’t been to this party yet, but I’m told it’s a whole lot of drunken fun. We’re talking about thousands of people, music, food and raffles.
Grab your tickets now because this puppy has been known to sell out.

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Get A Bang Out Of Your 4th Of July

Megan Bowers, NBC5 Street Team

As a newbie to the Second City, I knew I had to do my research when it comes to having a spectacular 4th of July. I thought I should go ahead and let you reap the benefits of my labor, so here’s the lowdown on what to do and how to do it…

Thursday, July 3:

The Grant Park Orchestra is performing at the Petrillo Music Shell at 8 p.m. to set the red, white and blue mood. Selections will include Chadwick’s “Jubilee” and Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture.” (I’m keeping my fingers crossed for “Yankee Doodle Dandy.”)

Fireworks will commence at 9:30 p.m. and will last about 20 minutes long. The fireworks will broadcast live on WGN-TV as well. For more info on the event and a list of songs scheduled to be played, check out cityofchicago.com.

Rumor has it, more than 1 million people will show up to this event so luckily CTA is adding extra trains to accomodate the patriotic masses. I’ve also heard that you should get here pretty early to stake out your spot. As of writing this on 1 p.m. Thursday afternoon, there are already people staking out spots.

Friday, July 4th:

Navy Pier will have a 10-minute fireworks display over Lake Michigan starting at 9:30 p.m.

If you can’t make it to these locations, no worries. NBC5 has a complete list of all the firework displays in your neighborhood. After the light show, you can check out the club scene to show your independance. For a list of places offering holiday specials, check out metromix.com.

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Word On The Street: June 7, 2008

Marcus Riley, NBC5 Street Team (video)

This week’s Word On The Street segment took us to Frasca Pizzeria and Wine Bar, located at 3358 N. Paulina St.

Frasca is a cool little neighborhood spot that is perfect for a quick bite or dinner with friends. They offer a wide variety of pizza, bruschetta, and of course, an extensive wine list.

They’ve just kicked off a weekend brunch service with bottomless mimosas for $10. Of course, I had to try something during our visit, and I was intrigued by the breakfast pizza. Think of a normal pizza, only this one has sausage and a few eggs on top sunnyside-up. Good morning!

We also touched on the Chicago Summerdance Festival, which kicks off this week. The free group dancing events are held in the Spirit of Chicago Music Garden in Grant Park, every Thursday until Aug. 24. Bands play until 10 p.m., so you can practice what you just learned!

If you’re looking for something to do next weekend, consider the 59th Annual Old Town Art Fair in the historic Old Town Triangle District. Around 260 invited artists will display paintings, sculptures, ceramics and more. Factor in the live music and kids activities and you have enough to keep you busy for an entire day.

My time is up. And that’s the Word on the Street.

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Save Grant Park Anyone?

Fayth (aka Relaxocat), NBC5 Street Team

Many of you have heard by now that the Children’s Museum is attempting to move into Grant Park at a leased land rate of $1 per year for the next 99 years. The museum is planned at over 100,000 square feet on tax-payer owned land, and admission will be charged to enter the museum. Grant Park has been protected from privatization by the “Burnham Plan” for over 172 years and is owned by the City. Hence, it is tax-payer owned land. If this plan goes through, you have paid to let a private organization have the land virtually rent-free.

I spent my childhood here in Chicago. In the time between then and now I’ve spent a lot of time in other major metropolitan cities and lived in Los Angeles most of my life until moving here and calling Chicago home for over a decade. It is important to appreciate here what most major cities do not have – beautiful parks in an urban area. I hope all of you appreciate what we have, and if you oppose the privatization of part of Grant Park, please visit www.savegrantpark.org where you can sign the petition opposing the move or find out other ways in which you can help preserve Grant Park.

The proposed plan was approved by the Planning Commission earlier in the month, but the plan still needs Zoning approval before it can be fully executed. This is currently scheduled for review at the City Council meeting to be held on June 5, 2008. It should be noted that should the plan be approved, the City is going to be sued based on the aforementioned privatization of public, protected land. This will mean more tax dollars spent to protect what is already protected. For more info you can visit my blog, Relaxocat Says.

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Chicago Summer Music Festivals

Kaylee King, NBC5 Street Team

I think we’ve all heard about the 2008 Lollapalooza lineup — which is SO rock&roll, by the way — but there are a few of my favorite Chicago summer festivals that haven’t really been talked about yet. So, I’m going to try my hardest to not say Lollapalooza for the rest of this entry, and let you in on some of the great acts and festivities that are going down in the upcoming warm months.

Green Apple Music Festival April 18-20
Celebrate Earth Day this weekend listening to music and chillin’ out on the lawn at the Lincoln Park Zoo. This year’s Green Apple Music Festival welcomes Bill Kreutzmann (Grateful Dead), Oteil Burbridge (Allman Brothers), Scott Murawski (Max Creek), Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Chicago Afrobeat Project and many more bands. The event is free and make sure to say hello to Chicago Bear’s player, and emcee of the festival, Kyle Orton.

Manifest Urban Arts Festival May 16
I have to show love for my fellow Columbia College Chicago students and invite you all to our end of the year art show, Manifest. From film to music, reading to paintings and a live performance by Chicago natives OkGo, this free event is going to be a riot. Make sure to check out the Spectacle Fortuna, where puppetry students put their art on parade in an event that has been called “a mix of Mardi Gras and Halloween imagery.”

Taste Of Chicago June 27 – July 6
Yay for Grant Park festivals! The staple of a Chicago summer, the Taste of Chicago will tickle your tastebuds with all the different foods of the city that you can try. Performing on the main stage this year are Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder, The Plain White T’s, Joss Stone and more!

Pitchfork Music Festival July 18 – 20
Spawn of the ultra-popular music review www.pitchforkmedia.com, the Pitchfork Music Festival has some of the hottest indie bands on this year’s lineup. Public Enemy, Animal Collective, Jarvis Cocker, Dinosaur Jr., Ghostface and Raekwon, the list goes on!

30th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival August 28 – 31
What a way to finish out the summer concert season with a hot mix of Sonny Rollins and Ornette Coleman. Spend an easy-going night at Millenium Park listening to jazz, enjoying the skyline and taking part in the Chicago Jazz Festival.

I told you I could make it through without saying the ‘L’ word. 

Have fun this summer!

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