The Time Out Chicago blog

A first look at The Laboratory, a new kids' learning space in Bucktown

Thanks to people like Neil deGrasse Tyson, science has never been cooler, making it a great time for the debut of Bucktown's The Laboratory, a learning space where kids can take classes on fun topics like how to make a robotic monster.  Ed and Amy Kang, both National Board Certified Chicago Public School teachers, have taken their individual strengths (him a Ph.D. in neuroscience and a science teacher, her a focus on the language arts) and developed fun and creative classes based on the principles of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) and many of the standards expected in schools. The result are courses like "Frozen: Welcome to Arendelle," where kids will do experiments that connect to the beloved movie Frozen, and "Spa Chemist," where kids can learn about fragrances and make their own bath bombs. Most classes will run as a series but there may be individual drop-in classes based on interest. Classes will start on March 7. The space itself is bright and open with chalkboard and dry-erase walls where doodling is encouraged and high top butcher block tables that encourage teamwork. Kids even get to wear tiny lab coats and see things like a 3D printer in action. Because the Kangs are still teaching, classes for kids will be weekends only and during CPS school breaks (check out their Hogwarts spring break camp!). Most classes are geared toward elementary school age, but they plan to add toddler classes as they see a desire in the neighborhood. Don't worr

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Cocktail Courier delivers cocktails from top Chicago bartenders

I thought delivery from Lao Sze Chuan was life-changing, but a new delivery option will bring cocktails from some great Chicago bartenders right to your door. Cocktail Courier, which started in New York last year, launched in Chicago last week, so I ordered a box to try it out in the office. Cocktails are available in single boxes or as part of a weekly or biweekly subscription, if you constantly want a new cocktail arriving at your door. Currently, there are five options, although new cocktails will be available each month. There's Botanical Beach from Matty Eggleston (Nico Osteria), Pinup Sailor Daiquiri from Liz Pearce (The Drifter), Southern-style Old Fashioned from Peter Vestinos (The Betty), a Moscow Mule, and Date Nite, a cocktail from a New York bartender. Since I wanted to keep it local (and daiquiris are one of my favorite cocktails), I ordered Pearce's drink. I placed the order on Thursday for Friday afternoon delivery between 2 and 4pm, but make sure you're available early—my delivery came at 1:20pm, and the delivery guy had to check my ID before he'd hand it over. The box comes with every ingredient you need, so I received Sailor Jerry spiced rum, Combier Pamplemousse Rose (a grapefruit liqueur), fresh lime juice, jalapeno simple syrup, celery bitters and a lime. When you place the cocktail order, you can also purchase the necessary tools, and the recipe clearly states what you need. Since we keep a shaker, jigger and cocktail glasses on hand at the office, I d

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Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival rebrands and moves back to the Square

One of the more popular street festivals in Logan Square is changing its name and moving back to its original location, according to a report from DNAinfo. The Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival will now be known as the Logan Square Arts Festival, but the event will still offer up a mix of exciting music, local vendors and pop-up art galleries. After taking place on Milwaukee Avenue between Logan Boulevard and Diversey Avenue for the past three years, the festival will move back to its original location in the park and streets surrounding the Illinois Centennial Monument at the center of the neighborhood.  I AM Logan Square, the non-profit that organizes the event, revealed that Whistler co-owner Billy Helmkamp has joined the festival's board. Perhaps this could signal return of the cocktail program that debuted at (and then quietly disappeared from) the event a few years ago? We'll find out more as we move closer to the Logan Square Art Festival, which will occur on June 26–28.

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Uber introduces new luxury ride service

Starting today, Uber riders in Chicago will have the option to ride in luxury vehicles by the likes of BMW, Lexus and Mercedes. The company's new uberSELECT program will offer rates comparable to a city taxi with the added luxury of a fancy car that few people can afford.  The new option is almost twice as expensive as UberX, but is still significantly cheaper than the suit-wearing chauffeurs of UberBlack. The program looks to be an attempt to attract riders who are turned off by the crusty back seat of a random person's Toyota Camry.  Last month, taxi drivers protested in the Loop after the city granted Uber a transportation network provider license, and uberSELECT looks to be a slight twisting of the knife. City cabs might be able to offer a better ride than UberX, but you'll never be able to hail a Benz for a cruise down Lake Shore Drive.

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43 exciting things opening in Chicago in March

There's more to March that wearing green and celebrating St. Patrick's Day, though you'll certainly find plenty of great Irish events around the city. The third month of the year marks the official start of spring, a season that brings the promise of new life and fewer snow days, as well as plenty of great events and openings. Even if Chicago's temperature remain below freezing, you can still take a trip to Navy Pier to see plants in bloom at the Chicago Flower and Garden Show. There are also plenty of upcoming concerts, including a plethora of psych rockers at Levitation Festival and appearances by the Alabama Shakes and the Decemberists. Shake off the winter blues with our guide to the most exciting things opening in Chicago in March. THINGS TO DO Mar 1: The month starts off on a cold note as Vince Vaughn joins hundreds of brave souls for a dip in Lake Michigan at the annual Chicago Polar Plunge.Mar 7: Load up a shopping cart and compete in a wacky, costumed race through Wicker Park at the cleverly named Chiditarod X.Mar 7: The Laboratory, a new learning space opening in Wicker Park, counts a PhD neuroscientist among its brainy staff that teaches kids everything from how to make perfumes and bath bombs to a robotics course on making mechanical monsters.Mar 14: Head downtown to the Chicago St. Patrick's Day parade to see a green river and marching bagpipers.Mar 14–22: The Chicago Flower and Garden Show brings picturesque displays of flora to Navy Pier.Mar 15: The South Sid

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Chicago record store owners and distributors react to music release day change

For as long as anyone can remember, Tuesday has been the day when new music is released. That will change this summer, thanks to a decree by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), an organization that represents music labels around the world. After a "long consultation involving retailers, artists and record labels," the IFPI has deemed Friday as the new international release date for all records under their purview.  Reaction to the change has been polarized, with some—mostly the major labels—applauding the move and hoping it increases sales. Others, like Beggars Group chairman Martin Mills expressed feat that "this move will also lead to a market in which the mainstream dominates, and the niche, which can be tomorrow's mainstream, is further marginalized." The sweeping decision isn't boiling the blood of every independent record store manager, however. Patrick Monaghan, owner of music and book store Saki and Carrot Top Distribution, can see both sides of the issue. "As a label, having consistent street dates around the world may cut down on some grey area import-export that goes on and can undercut sales by licensees when copies from a different territory leak in," Monaghan said. "This is not a huge problem for small labels, but can be annoying for larger releases." From the perspective of a distributor, Monaghan could even see the change making things run smoother. "I think it will make life a little easier once we get used to the change," h

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8 art gallery exhibitions to check out in March

In the words of the philosopher Homer Simpson: “Lousy Smarch weather.” There may be a ways to go until it actually feels like spring in Chicago, but—fortunately for us—great art waits for no one. Here are eight art show recommendations for the month of March. Achromatic Vibrancy By featuring works in only one color, this group exhibition hopes to inspire conversation on the aesthetic strength and complexity of the non-color elements of art, whether it’s the texture of manipulated plastic, the line of cut paper or the form of painted burlap. Elephant Room, 704 S Wabash Ave. March 6, 5:30-8pm. Free. HATCH Projects: Extraordinary Effort, Spectacular Failure Inspired by David Foster Wallace’s depiction of the “anti-rebel,” one who values sincerity over irony, the artists and curator embraced earnest creative struggle during their year-long HATCH residency. This cumulative show reflects the unattainability of conventional success in artistic practice. Chicago Artists Coalition, 217 N Carpenter St. March 6, 6-9pm. Free Aufstecken Female pin-ups are the inspiration for German designer and illustrator Lars Krause’s first stateside solo exhibition. Galerie F, 2381 N Milwaukee Ave. March 6, 6-10pm. Free. Spring Open House Re/discover “The People’s Palace” with art, music, film screenings and more, including a preview of the "Archibald Motley: Jazz Age Modernist" exhibition and a bonus Chicago WinterDance featuring Charleston lessons and live 1920s-style jazz. Chicago Cultural Cente

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Lincoln Park Zoo welcomes newborn gorilla

A female gorilla was born at the Lincoln Park Zoo on Tuesday, and she's as adorable as anyone could hope for. The little primate joins a medley of cute animals to arrive in Chicago during the past few months. Last November, the city melted over a rescued baby sea otter at the Shedd Aquarium, and then named her Luna. When the doldrums of winter began to test our collective will, a group of Japanese snow monkeys showed us how to properly enjoy a hot spring. It's hard to say which of these mammals is most adorable. Either way, Chicago has some catching up to do with the Cincinnati Zoo on this front. Their combination of of red pandas and snow is downright precious.

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Five things we learned at Kim Gordon’s interview at the Music Box

Former Sonic Youth bassist-guitarist Kim Gordon has been in the spotlight lately, as details and quotes from her new memoir Girl in a Band continue to light up the Internet. Last night, the 61-year-old (no, really) queen of cool appeared at the Music Box for an interview, presented by the Chicago Humanities Festival and hosted by Alison Cuddy. Here are the most interesting takeaways. 1. “Visual art is my primary medium” was one of many surprising answers. 2. When asked about some of her former flames including Larry Gagosian and Danny Elfman (with whom she remains friends) she said jokingly that rewriting Danny Elfman’s Simpsons theme song was the best revenge. 3. Gordon’s first band, Below the Belt, was inspired by the Fluxus art movement and included former members of '70s cult prog band Los Blops and future members of Oingo Boingo. They played two shows. 4. Bikini Kill's Kathleen Hanna ended her “media blackout” by appearing in Sonic Youth’s video for "Bull in the Heather". 5. Allison Cuddy did not ask about Gordon’s breakup with Thurston Moore, but an audience member mentioned that at Sleater Kinney’s recent Chicago performance the lyrics to “I Want To Be Your Joey Ramone” were changed from "I wanna be your Thurston Moore" to "I wanna be your Kim Gordon." Kim demured, “I don’t know what to say about that—I wish I was at the show.”

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Mayoral candidates: What color is the dress?

On Tuesday night, Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia successfully forced a runoff election for mayor against incumbent Rahm Emanuel. In the next six weeks leading up to the April 7 election, both candidates will field questions and hold debates about a myriad of issues facing our city. However, one question in particular holds greater significance in the minds and lives of Chicagoans, and we need to know each candidate's position in the issue before deciding who we will place our trust in to lead our city: What color is the dress? Sure, Chicago has several other problems that need to be addressed, but those issues seem so trivial compared to what is unquestionably the most important debate of our lifetime. I for one cannot live under the tyrannical rule of a man who believes the dress is white and gold. Hell, Garcia could possess a magic wand that could turn Chicago into a perfect, tropical-weather utopia that only works if he's elected mayor, and I still wouldn't vote for him if he thought the dress was white and gold. In the unfortunate situation that both of them incorrectly think the dress is white and gold, then it's time to bring anarchy to Chicago. So in this crucial election season, I am calling on the media and you, the good citizens of the people of Chicago, to press our mayoral candidates for their stance on what is undoubtedly the hottest issue our society has ever debated. We deserve the best, and only the best know that the dress is black and blue.

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