The Time Out Chicago blog

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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7 hilarious comedy shows to check out this weekend

The Chicago stand-up comedy scene is the best. I say that a lot. There are a ton of great performances happening every day of the week, so there's no excuse for missing out on some of the city's best laughs. Some folks will get hooked right away and some might take a while to find the right show, but there is a perfect show for everyone's own taste. With that in mind, here are seven hot shows happening in Chicago this weekend (yes, Chicago comedy weekends start on Thursday).  This Week's Show at Bar Celona This popular Thursday showcase comes with a solid comedy lineup each week. The price is right and great drink specials that keep the crowd lively. The hilarious Chris Redd headlines this week. Thursday at 8pm. I SHIT YOU NOT! at the Logan Theatre This popular monthly showcase is an evening of "stories not for the faint of fart." The basic premise is comedians and storytellers retelling their most embarrassing story's of bodily "accidents". Thursday at 8pm. The Lincoln Lodge at Subterranean Little know fact: the Lincoln lodge is the longest running independent comedy showcase in the country, and some of the best comedians in the country like TJ Miller, Kyle Kinane and Hannibal Burress have graced its stage. Junior Stopka, Chicago's number one weirdo comedian, features this week. Friday at 8:30pm. The Blackout Diaries at High Hat Club Comics and regular people tell true drinking stories at this showcase, which is one of the funniest in town. The host, Comedian Sean Flann

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5 insanely expensive high-rise homes that hit the market this week

Anyone who's gazed in awe at Chicago's skyline has dreamed of living atop one of the city's giant buildings, looking down upon the commoners with a glass of scotch in hand. Alas, it is incredibly expensive to own such a lifestyle. This week, several of those luxurious downtown homes in the sky went up for sale. 132 E Delaware Place, Unit #6302 — $6.4 million Believe it or not, this 63rd-story space perched above the Four Seasons hotel just slashed its price by more than $5 million. In 2010, the home was listed for an ambitious $11.5 million. A grand staircase, 2,000-bottle wine cellar and a limestone fireplace are nice, but not eight-figures nice. 800 N Michigan Ave, Unit #5702 — $4.5 million This Mag Mile condo boasts the most expensive price per square foot on this list at $1,139, which is close to the city's median monthly rent. 55 E Erie St, Unit #5201 — $4.5 million This penthouse seems like an ideal fit for a 21st century power couple. A steam shower, updated kitchen and two Streeterville parking spaces are probably conducive for the lifestyles of a pair multi-millionaire executives. 11 E Walton St, Unit #3301 — $3.69 million The owners of this Gold Coast pad are looking to squeeze a profit out of the 2008 housing market crash. The place sold for $2.45 million in 2009, and now it's listed at a 150 percent markup. 60 E Monroe St, Unit #6701 — $2.15 million This 67th-story Loop home is also at a reduced price — it was listed at $4.5 million la

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Caroline Neff, Carolyn Braver take Airline Highway to Broadway

Chicago actors Caroline Neff and Carolyn Braver will reprise their roles in Manhattan Theatre Club's transfer of Steppenwolf Theatre Company's production of Airline Highway, it was announced today. Neff, in an aching, marvelous portrayal of a struggling New Orleans stripper, and Braver, as a privileged teenager visiting from Atlanta, will both make their Broadway debuts in the new play by Lisa D'Amour about the residents of a run-down motel, which also marks the first Broadway production for the playwright. Other Steppenwolf cast members making the move with director Joe Mantello include K. Todd Freeman, in a scene-stealing performance as self-professed "super tranny" Sissy Na Na, as well as Scott Jaeck, Tim Edward Rhoze and Judith Roberts. New additions for the Broadway production include Ken Marks, Joe Tippett and Tony winner Julie White, taking on the roles played at Steppenwolf by Gordon Joseph Weiss, Stephen Louis Grush and Kate Buddeke, respectively. The remainder of the 16-person ensemble remains to be announced. Airline Highway begins previews April 1 at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.

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Bob Dylan was all over this year's Oscar-nominated movies

It's been a good month for Bob Dylan. His latest album, Shadows in the Night, was released on February 3 and he received the Grammys' MusiCares "Person of the Year" award on February 7 (where he stunned those present by giving a 35-minute acceptance speech, the longest he’s ever spoken in public). But an intriguing trend not much commented upon is that Dylan also figured prominently in this year’s Academy Award-nominated films. Boyhood Richard Linklater’s masterpiece, which undeservedly lost the Best Picture Oscar, is the most Dylan-centric film of the bunch. Dylan’s longtime lead guitarist, Charlie Sexton, turns up in a supporting role, and among the songs on the superb soundtrack is “Beyond the Horizon” from Dylan’s 2006 Modern Times album. Linklater was astute in associating different pop songs with different characters in the film and “Beyond the Horizon,” with Dylan in romantic-crooner mode, is clearly meant to be a Mason Evans, Sr. (Ethan Hawke) jam. Selma Several songs from Dylan’s early years (e.g., “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “The Times They Are A-Changin’”) served as unofficial anthems of the Civil Rights movement and so it’s fitting that one of the key scenes in Ava DuVernay’s Martin Luther King, Jr. biopic would feature Odetta’s haunting rendition of Dylan’s anti-war classic “Masters of War” from 1962.  Foxcatcher Bennett Miller’s dramatization of the real-life tragedy concerning the murder of Olympic wrestling coach Dave Schultz (Mark Ruffalo) by multimillionair

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