Weekend Plans: Architecture tour, cat fest, and a thank you
By Sidney Madden | @sidney_madden_
Happy Friday, friends!
Anyone else feel like March went by in a blink? Masks came off. Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan was indicted. Self-made millionaire Willie Wilson gave away a lot of gas (and caused a lot of traffic.) And City Cast Chicago won best local podcast and celebrated our first birthday.
But in this busy season, I haven’t stopped to really soak in those milestones.
And I haven’t thanked you all. For reading. Responding. Playing trivia. My favorite part of this newsletter we’ve built is hearing from all you readers — from sharing your Chicago love stories to hidden gems around the city.
So whether you’ve been here since day one or you’re new, thank you. I’m excited for more stories — from both me and you — ahead.
📝 If you have ideas to make this newsletter better, fill out our survey. (There may be a $100 Visa gift card up for grabs. OK, there definitely is 😄)
📰 NEWSFEED
▪️ The family of a Roseland teen wants $2.1 million after a Chicago police SUV ran over her during summer 2020 protests, newly obtained footage shows. Listen to the podcast to hear more. [City Cast Chicago; The Triibe]
▪️ The city will give away $150 gas cards and $50 CTA passes as gas prices and inflation remain high. Residents can apply later this month. [Block Club Chicago]
▪️ CPS removed a white Whitney M. Young High School teacher after he hung a Black doll from a cord in his classroom. [Chicago Sun-Times]
▪️ Street sweeping season starts today. Check out the schedule here.
▪️ A new documentary about Chicago’s first woman mayor, Jane Byrne, premieres on WTTW at 8 p.m.
▪️ This week’s must-read.
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🗓️ WEEKEND PLANS
Today
+ Chicago Architecture Center river cruises start. Take in the breathtaking views of the skyline aboard Chicago’s First Lady, and learn about the city’s many architectural styles downtown.
Saturday
+ Black Creativity Family Day at Museum of Science & Industry. Bring the kids to check out the Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibit at the Hyde Park museum, and create boutonnieres from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
+ Oddities & Curiosities Expo at McCormick Place. Shop everything from skulls to antiques, and take a taxidermy class at the Museum Campus event from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
+ Ramadan prayer, potluck in Old Irving Park. The Muslim Community Center is inviting women community members to pray and break fast Saturdays during the sacred month from 9–11 p.m.
Sunday
+ The Love Juice Co. launch party in Roseland. Celebrate the new health business at 10300 South Corliss Avenue from 3–6 p.m.
All Weekend
+ Cat–themed fest in Ravenswood. Play in cat playgrounds, watch cat films, get cat tattoos, or adopt cats at Artifact Events Center Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Need more ideas? Check out this list from TimeOut Chicago!
🎵 BEST SUMMERTIME CHI MUSIC FEST?
You’ve been voting all week, and we’re in the finals of our little bracket!
The Blues Fest vs. Riot Fest. Which are you most excited for?
Vote here, and we’ll be back with the results Monday ahead of the final March Madness game.
Happy anniversary to my parents! They eloped in Vegas on April Fool’s Day after a quick proposal at the Art Institute. Cheers to 26 years 🥂