weekend
Six Flags Great America launches new season with X-Flight
As they zoom along on the Gurnee park's newest coaster, riders dangle their legs from seats outside the track. "It's like a feeling of flying on the edge of a plane," a spokeswoman says.
Andrew Bird, Maps & Atlases tap into new creative inspirations
THOMAS CONNER: The two acts, both playing in Chicago this weekend, are having more fun by listening to the band’s natural flow.
Speaking With ... Under the Streetlamp 05.11.12
Talk to members of the quartet known as Under the Streetlamp, and invariably the guys will refer to their success as nothing short of a dream coming true. That might be over-simplifying the journey that Michael Ingersoll, Michael Cunio, Christopher Kale Jones and Shonn Wiley …
MCA spotlights its original collection in ‘First 50’
Because visitors can usually count on signature paintings and sculptures being on view each time they return to most art museums, it is easy to think of permanent collections as static. But they are actually in constant flux, with new acquisitions regularly coming in, and, …
Andrea Martin is taking her one-woman show on the road — with plenty of familiar faces in tow
During her decades-long career Andrea Martin has snared a Tony award, two Emmys and numerous other honors for her work on stage and screens. Recent Broadway-goers might remember her Tony-nominated portrayel of housekeeper Frau Blucher (cue neighing) in Mel Brooks’ hit stage adaptation of his …
Kirill Gerstein hitting all the right notes
The classical music world had already recognized Kirill Gerstein as a promising talent, but three events in 2010 supercharged his career and almost instantly transformed him into one of the most sought-after pianists around.
Now 32, Gerstein received an Avery Fisher Career Grant in April …
Club Hopping 05.11.12
k.d. lang
Whether reaching back to her country roots, adding smooth stylistic twists to pop music or going toe-to-toe with the best singers of standards, k.d. lang remains a quintessential vocalist. Last year’s album “Sing It Loud” mixes up all three strengths in one set, …
‘My Kind of Town’ takes theatrical look at Chicago’s brutal police scandal
John Conroy would be the first to admit that for more than two decades he has been a man in the throes of a serious obsession.
The object of his obsession is what is referred to in shorthand terms as Chicago’s “police torture scandal” — …
The Big Deals 05.11.12
From upscale to low-cal, the Sun-Times’ “Big Deals” column brings readers the dish on food and drink specials that will not break the bank. Birthday present Frasca Pizzeria and Wine Bar, 3358 N. Paulina. The eatery celebrates its 6th birthday May 15 by offering $6 …
Botti making a big impression with new CD
Never let it be said that jazz trumpeter Chris Botti rests on his laurels. He never rests — period. Especially when it comes to touring (he still plays about 300 dates a year ) and making music (he just dropped his 14th album in 17 …
Eric Church happily avoiding the mainstream scene
Country music rebel Eric Church plays what he wants and says what he thinks. Always has — always will.
It’s this raw and oddly refreshing attitude that has been evident both through his music and his interviews since he crept onto the country music scene …
Ticket Line 05.11.12
GOING ON SALE:
NORAH JONES
8 p.m. Oct. 9, Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State. Tickets, $48-$65. On sale a 10 a.m. May 12. Call (800) 745-3000; ticketmaster.com.
MAY 11
“American Ido Live! Tour 2012,” 7 p.m. July 7, Allstate Arena; $29.50-$65. On sale at 10 …
Sushi Station revolves around you
A meal at Sushi Station in Rolling Meadows can be a whirlwind affair. Though the waitstaff will take orders for items such as vegetable tempura, soft-shell crab and specialty rolls, most dishes are prepared assembly-line fashion and whiz by on a brisk-moving conveyor belt from …
Sonia Manzano still feels at home on ‘Sesame Street’
WESTCHESTER, N.Y. — Thanks to her long-running role as Maria on “Sesame Street,” Sonia Manzano is used to being in the company of puppets.
“I can imagine myself having dinner with Oscar the Grouch,” the actress says matter-of-factly, as if a dinner date with a …
Chicago gets central role in National Train Day
Americans of all ages have an ongoing love affair with trains, which isn’t surprising when one considers the role trains have played in our collective history — particularly in Chicago, the nation’s leading railway hub to this day. So it’s fitting that Amtrak chose the …
Cybill Shepherd is one happy TV mama
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — For Cybill Shepherd, her role on “The Client List” is all about happy endings. After a career as a teen model in the late ’60s, she made her transition to film as the muse to boyfriend-director Peter Bogdanovich in his critically …
