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Located just 1.5 miles west of this year’s NBA All-Star celebration is the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boys and Girls Club of Chicago. Founded in 1953, the club has played an important role in supporting underprivileged children in the city’s west side communities. And their efforts haven’t gone unnoticed.

In an effort to provide a safe place where kids can stay active, Nike and the Boys and Girls Club partnered together to refurbish the club’s basketball court. But they didn’t stop there. The partnership also includes the launch of the Nike All-Star Academy, which will provide both on and off-the-court programs to members of the Boys and Girls Club. Nike officially announced the renovations this past Wednesday, and the results are breathtaking.

The New Court

To design the new basketball court, Nike teamed up with the founder of the NikeLab Chicago Re-Creation Center, Virgil Abloh. The court highlights the commitment Nike and Virgil made to the community while shining a light on the city and its youth. Virgil commented on the new space, saying, “This new court and programming not only extend our community work with the NikeLab Re-Creation Center, they provide a positive, free space for kids to engage in activities rooted in sport that will lead to an active healthy lifestyle and teach teamwork and the determination to succeed.”

Nike All-Star Academy

After the NBA All-Star weekend concludes, members of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boys and Girls Club will have access to the Nike All-Star Academy. At the academy, children will learn through the game of basketball and beyond it. The programming includes skill-building on the court as well as hands-on learning in the areas of sport design, sport science, coaching, and journalism.

The NBA All-Star weekend will tip off tonight with the All-Star Celebrity Game and Rising Stars game. The skills challenge, 3-point contest, and dunk contest are all scheduled for Saturday and the NBA All-Star game is set for Sunday night!

At UrbanMatter, U Matter. And we think this matters.

Tell us what you think matters in your neighborhood and what we should write about next in the comments below!

Featured Image Credit: Nike

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See over 80 life-sized dinosaur models, including a T-Rex and a Megladon, on display at Navy Pier from March 6 – 8, 2020, when Jurassic Quest takes over Chicago. The largest and most time expansive dinosaur exhibit in North America features walking dinosaur animatronics from the Triassic, Jurassic, and Late Cretaceous eras.

You won’t believe your eyes when you embark on this Jurassic Quest; life-like dinosaurs, like the adolescent T-Rex and Spinosaurus, tower over you as they walk by. You can pet and cuddle interactive baby Triceratops, Camarasaurus, and more, at the Baby Dinos exhibit, and even get a ride on one of the special animatronics dinosaurs, designed to walk on their own! Jurassic Quest now also features an Ancient Oceans attraction, which gives you a first-hand look at now-extinct, prehistoric sea turtles, the earliest discovered dolphins, and, the crowning jewel of the exhibit, a 50-foot Megladon, the largest shark known to mankind.

Raising a future paleontologist? Get your young ones interested in fossils at the dig site, where they can uncover dinosaur bones in the sand. If you’re interested in a guided tour around Jurassic Quest, one of the many dinosaur experts on site can give you the inside scoop on these prehistoric beasts, including the most complete T-Rex skull ever found. There are plenty more attractions for your kids to enjoy at Jurassic Quest, including craft and science stations, face painting, a bouncy house, and more!

When you buy a regular kids ticket, your child gains access to The Dinosaur Exhibit, The Baby Dinosaur Show, The Walking Dinosaur Show, The Dino Tour, Dino Cinema, Science Station, and Crafts & Coloring Station. But, if you upgrade to the VIP ticket, your kid gets unlimited access to rides and activities, and includes a whole lot: The Dinosaur Exhibit, The Baby Dinosaur Show, The Walking Dinosaur Show, The Dino Tour, Dinosaur Rides, Dino Bounce Houses, Bungee Pull, Fossil Dig, Jurassic Jeeps, Dino Scooters (for ages 3 & under), Excavation Station (One Turn Per VIP Ticket), Dino Cinema, Crafts & Coloring Station, Science Station, and more! The only activities NOT included in the VIP ticket are Face Painting and Green Screen Photography, which require Activity Tickets that are purchased at the Tickets For Activities booth inside the event.

Jurassic Quest Information

Dates: March 6 – 8, 2020 | Friday 3pm-8pm; Saturday 9am-8pm; Sunday 9am-7pm

Location: Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

Tickets: Kids & Adults, $24; Kids VIP, $38; Seniors, $22. Buy your tickets before they sell out!

This is expected to be one of the most epic displays in Chicago this year. Don’t believe us? See for yourself.

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Chicago is home to some of the most outrageous, delicious food in America, not all of it being healthy. It can be hard to find food that’s tasty and good for you but more options continue to pop up and below are some of our favorite healthy places to eat near you in Chicago.

Left Coast | Multiple Locations

The owner of Left Coast came up with the idea of a convenient, healthy spot after noticing the lack of flavorful, healthy restaurants in Chicago. The California-inspired menu includes plenty of greens, grains, and juices.

Clever Rabbit | 2015 West Division

You’ll find no lack of flavor in the food at Clever Rabbit. This healthy place to eat near you in Chicago makes healthy dishes that feature ingredients such as Thai chili, cilantro, mint, miso, and lemongrass.

Fare | 205 West Wacker Drive

With one goal in mind, to create flavorful dishes with clean ingredients, Fare is a great quick-service healthy restaurant option when looking for meals that support a healthy lifestyle.

Centre Street Kitchen | 1224 West Webster Avenue

Centre Street Kitchen not only uses locally sourced ingredients to create delicious dishes, but also has a focus on philanthropy in addition to eating well, doing well, and being well.

Handlebar | 2311 West North Avenue

Handlebar specializes in making vegan and vegetarian comfort food from scratch. We recommend visiting this healthy restaurant to try their Nashville Hot Fried “Chicken” served with mushrooms, pickles, hot sauce and slaw on a ranch brioche bun.

Range | 1119 West Webster Avenue

Range is the epitome of farm-to-table. Using only the most sustainable, locally sourced ingredients, this healthy place to eat near you in the city creates seasonal, small-batch, fresh meals for dinner and brunch.

Chicago Diner | Multiple Locations

Don’t let the name fool you, Chicago Diner is meat-free, serving healthy, delicious vegetarian meals. Try the Cajun Black Bean Burger at this healthy restaurant or the Buddha’s Karma Burger made with a curried sweet potato-tofu patty, grilled pineapple, and chimichurri sauce.

At UrbanMatter, U Matter. And we think this matters.

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When it comes to Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame inductees, few artists seem to be as beloved by fellow inductees as Cheap Trick. A true rock band’s rock band, the music of Cheap Trick has been covered by dozens of notable artists, including Pearl Jam, Marilyn Manson, Kid Rock, Green Day, and the Foo Fighters. It has been over 45 years since the group formed in Rockford, Illinois, and Cheap Trick remains one of rock’s hardest-working touring acts, having played over 5,000 gigs and counting.

Yet Cheap Trick guitarist and principal songwriter Rick Nielsen still stays busy as a musician in his off time. During a rare month or so off, Nielsen will be hitting with the roading with The Nielsen Trust. A true “family band,” The Nielsen Trust also features the talents of Daxx Nielsen (Cheap Trick’s stellar full-time drummer since 2010), Miles Nielsen (frontman of Miles Nielsen & The Rusted Hearts), and singer/songwriter Kelly Steward, wife and frequent musical collaborator of Miles Nielsen. That tour kicks off in a few weeks in Wisconsin Dells, just outside of Rockford:

• March 6 & 7, 2020 – Monk’s – Wisconsin Dells, WI
• March 19, 2020 – Shank Hall – Milwaukee, WI
• March 20, 2020 – Hi-Fi – Indianapolis, IN
• March 21, 2020 – Brauer House – Lombard, IL
• March 25, 2020 – The Ready Room – St. Louis, MO
• March 26, 2020 – The Rust Belt – East Moline, IL
• March 27, 2020 – Tanners – Kimberly, WI
• April 1, 2020 – Venue 720 – Flora, IL
• April 2, 2020 – The Castle Theatre – Bloomington, IL
• April 3, 2020 – Chop Shop – Chicago, IL
• April 4, 2020 – The Apollo Theatre AC – Belvidere, IL

I had the pleasure of speaking with Rick Nielsen by phone on February 14, 2020, about the upcoming dates for The Nielsen Trust, future recording plans and more, as embedded below; the chat will also air on a future edition of the Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz podcast.

On the rumor of him being involved with bringing a Hard Rock Hotel to Rockford:

Rick Nielsen: I’ve been working on that for 12 years. I went down to Springfield and tried to let the state know… Firstly, I don’t need a job but a lot of people where I live do. To have some company as big as the Hard Rock willing to come there, I hoped to be a good spokesperson for them, and it worked.

On having his own chair at the Coronado Performing Arts Center:

Rick Nielsen: I helped raise the money to help rehab that place. I think we raised $17 or $18 million dollars a number of years ago. Being on the National Register, you couldn’t actually install something like that. For my work in helping organize all that, they said, “Rick, we’d like to have something for you. Would you like a front-row seat?” I said, “Heck no, if I’m going to get something, I’d like one where I used to sit, next to the last row up on the balcony.” It’s a regular seat, but I go, “Make a checkerboard seat.” It fits over and they had to lock it because someone tried to steal it. That’s where I wanted something and that was my “thank you.”

On being on the latest and greatest of Rockford like the Urban Forest Craft Brewery, Fire Dept. Coffee, 15th & Chris, and Pigs Mind Brewery:

Rick Nielsen: I’ve been to 15th & Chris a bunch of times. I don’t want to have a big article about me, but I’ve promoted the stuff in town for years. The Nielsen Chorale is a vocal thing that my father [Ralph Nielsen] started from the Mendelssohn [Chorale] Club which he helped years ago. So that’s now been named the Nielsen Chorale. It’s not like a cowboy corral, you know?

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Fun Chicago Events, Festivals, & More This Weekend

It’s no secret that every month, Chicago puts on amazing events that will seriously upgrade your weekends. But it’s not always easy to decide what to do and where to go! What are a couple of fun things to do in Chicago this weekend? That’s where we come in.

We have the inside scoop on all of the latest events, festivals, and parties happening this February. Finding parking can be a hassle, but we got you. Other than that, we’re just here to show you fun Chicago events this weekend, which happens to hold a lot of festivals related to theater!

Chicago Theatre Week

February 13 – 23 @ Various Locations

Returning for its seventh year, this week in February celebrates the city’s amazing theater scene with over 100 different productions taking place throughout the city at discounted prices. Tickets start at just $15 and will be announced soon. Don’t miss one of the best things to do in Chicago this February!

wndr After Dark: Game Night

February 21 @ wndr museum

Cider Summit

February 22 @ Aon Grand Ballroom

The region’s largest cider festival featuring artisanal ciders from around the world takes place at Navy Pier, with general admission and VIP tickets available online. The festival takes place in two sessions, from 12 pm – 3 pm and 5 pm – 8 pm, with VIP passes extending that session another hour. Attendees must be 21 and over.

Tim And Eric: 2020 Mandatory Attendance World Tour

Winter Wine and Whiskey Fest

February 22 @ Brookfield Zoo

From 4 – 8 pm, enjoy wine and whiskey tastings, live music, small bites, and meet and greets with Animal Ambassadors at the Brookfield Zoo. Tickets for general admission start at $95.

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Nightmare or Nightclub? Rumor has it that TAO Chicago is haunted by ghosts.

If you frequent the club scene in Chicago, you’re bound to have heard of TAO or at least seen the red-carpet entrance and line. You can’t miss this gargantuan stone building with spire-like posts on its four corners.

TAO is not just another hip, nightclub of the present day. It’s also the home of a couple of ghosts. As some would say, TAO Chicago is haunted. 

Let’s back up here. Before this granite building was TAO, it embodied a different venue for various nightclubs from the 1980s through the mid-2010s. From nightclubs like Castle Chicago (where there were three nightclubs housed under one roof) to other clubs like Excalibur and Vision, this place has always been where trendy socialites dance, drink, and climb the social ladder. 

But what if we went even further back in time? All throughout the 1900s up through the ’60s, the building traded many hands. This all-purpose structure has housed publishers, design institutes, and even recording studios. Let’s put it this way: TAO’s building is like the hot potato of Chicago. 

But why? Could it be the tumultuous economy from the ‘80s through the mid-2000s? Or shifting trends in nightclub-goers preferences? Or might it just be the ghosts of Chicago’s past?

All those theories sound like the perfect start to an economics class. But the ghost theory is particularly curious (and doesn’t require as many graphs with supply and demand).

In 1892, this granite building was home to the Chicago Historical Society—you know, since there was a fire, architect Henry Ives Cobb constructed a fire-proof building. Fast forward to the Eastland Disaster of 1915. Legend has it that 632 N. Dearborn was a pop-up-morgue (if you will) for the bodies that had drowned from the sinking of the SS Eastland. This theory is plausible, but considering that no bodies were actually ever brought there, it’s a little far-fetched. However, in 1931, just 16 years later, the Chicago Historical Society moved to Lincoln Park — for no known reason.

Years passed before the whole nightclub era of this historical society building-turned-pop-up-morgue takes over. When Excalibur was in business was the first hint that something was off about this place. There are plenty of stories from previous employees speaking to the usual ghost-stuff, i.e. candles being lit and then extinguished… Faucets or taps running — without any cause. Things, like bottles, breaking. Maybe an apparition here or there. 

Turns out, one of those apparitions happens to be Mary, a girl from the Southside of Chicago who dances with people and then suddenly disappears upon catching a ride. 

Enter: Neil Tobin. Neil is a purveyor of all things paranormal, specifically in Chicago. He used to host a Supernatural Chicago show on Fridays back in the mid-2000s. During these shows, Tobin would share the infamous stories of this famed granite-building. Note: there are some stories that don’t line up chronologically speaking with this building (i.e. the Chicago Fire happened before this building was constructed). That being said, the story of Mary is extremely enticing (and maybe even believable).

Here’s how the story of Mary goes: Mary’s proper title is Resurrection Mary. Supposedly at a Supernatural Chicago seance with Tobin, a volunteer would hear two whispers: a name and a number. The name, in this particular seance, was “Mary” and the number whispered was “8.” 

Don’t worry. It goes on.

With an envelope in hand, Tobin explains that there should be a message. Upon opening this letter, there’s the exact prediction of this seance’s events: the spirit of Mary, who died eight years before, would contact Tobin that evening.

All you need to know is to look out for yourself when you walk down the stairs (as previous employees have said they’ve fallen down without reason). And if candles start extinguishing themselves or Mary dances with you and then disappears, perhaps you should lay off the absinthe.

What do you think? Is TAO Chicago haunted? Let us know if you have a ghost story to share in the comments below!

At UrbanMatter, U Matter. And we think this matters.

Tell us what you think matters in your neighborhood and what we should write about next in the comments below!

Featured Image Credit: TAO Chicago

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Winter may have been fashionably late this year but that doesn’t mean you have to be to these cocktail bars across Chicago! Check out these cocktail lounges from every nook and cranny of the city. You’re sure to recognize a few and meet some new ones along the way. What’s more: cocktails are the perfect companion for this frigid winter!

The Heavy Feather | 2357 N Milwaukee Ave

A blast from the past! The ‘70s are back and better than ever in this Logan Square favorite. Located on the second floor, above the dancing and skeeball extravaganza that is Slippery Slope, is this dimly-lit, groovy yet sophisticated and cozy cocktail bar: The Heavy Feather. Taking inspiration from one of the more groovy decades, The Heavy Feather serves imaginative cocktails of yesteryear with a modern interpretation. Complete with a stuffed bear on the mantle and peacock-feather-decor, you’re sure to find some form of solace in this relaxed and throwback of a hangout. 

The Violet Hour | 1520 N Damen Ave

Speakeasy vibes, enough booze for a library, and plenty of inventive cocktail creations complete the experience at The Violet Hour. The Violet Hour is a wholesome lounge experience for those who want a robust cocktail without the flash of a cell phone. When you find this modern yet classic hub (discreet entrance, i.e. no sign, just a door and a line!), you’re instantly invited into a warm and charismatic space. Feeling inspired by the panache yet not confident enough to order beyond the classics? Don’t hesitate to ask questions should you need any advice. Your server and the cocktail bar staff are there to guide you as you enter the world of modern speakeasy bliss. Thirsty for more? Be sure to check out their 30-minute cocktail demo prior to your evening!

The Tack Room | 1807 S Allport St

Nestled in Pilsen’s Thalia Hall, once a literal tack room for horses, is a reinvented cocktail lounge. The Tack Room is an inspired concept from the folks who brought you other bars in Chicago, like Longman and Eagle or Beauty Bar. The Tack Room hosts live musical performances by pianists Thursdays through Saturdays and invites you to converse with friends or listen to the melodies. Let your senses come alive at this corner, cozy cocktail bar. 

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The Up Room | 2018 W North Ave

Located atop the Hotel Robey is The Up Room. Art Deco, sleek, and timeless, The Up Room unites the nonconformist spirit of Wicker Park hipsters with the clean lines of mid-century modern design. Come for the views and stay for the drinks on the 13th floor of this once famed office building-turned-hotel. Once you’ve delighted in the spirits, you’ll see why number 13 isn’t so unlucky in Chicago.

The Aviary | 955 W Fulton Market

If Nancy Drew were a cocktail bar, she’d be The Aviary. It’s like puzzles and mysteries — with booze! Can you crack the code to unlock the joys of your cocktail? Let the thrill of the chase inspire you and your cocktail excursion and don’t forget to bring your trusty pals to solve the case!

* Be aware of the reservations and the cost, as this isn’t the most budget-friendly of places. Don’t let that scare you, though; The Aviary is well worth every minute of your luxurious evening!

Drawing Room | 12 S Michigan Ave, Floor 2

You all know about Cindy’s of the Chicago Athletic Association’s rooftop… but have you heard of her second-floor sister, the Drawing Room? Modeled after the World’s Fair decor in the 1890s, the Drawing Room is a nod to Chicago’s old architecture with a cozy flair. The woodwork is dark and ornate while the seating is sprawling. Play shuffleboard or listen to the fireplace crackle while you sip your cocktail. 

Billy Sunday | 3659 W Armitage Ave

Don’t forget to come home for Sunday dinner. Well, make the home Billy Sunday in Logan Square. And make the dinner a hand-crafted cocktail (or two). With house-made wormwood and bitters, Billy Sunday creates some of the more memorable cocktails for your evening (any day of the week). This cocktail lounge is ironically named after the once famed baseball player-turned-evangelist preacher of the Prohibition Era, Billy Sunday. Not a worry though — Billy Sunday, as a cocktail lounge and gastropub in Logan Square, hits a homerun with concoctions featuring iconoclastic ingredients, from goat’s milk and ginger amaro to star anise and Peychaud’s bitters. You might not be able to pronounce these ingredients but you’ll be able to enjoy them!

Sparrow | 12 W Elm St

Let’s say T. Pain or any mid-2000s pop-rap song isn’t the exact mood you’re going for this evening… Well, skip The Hangge Uppe and head next door to a cozy yet sophisticated, Cuban-inspired cocktail bar. Sparrow serves some top-notch cocktails in a non-pretentious, dimly lit space. The hum of conversations and mixing of drinks will instantly bring you warmth and comfort. Maybe you feel adventurous on a Monday? Join Sparrow for their happy hour, featuring daiquiris.

Vol. 39 | 39 S LaSalle St #200

For anyone who wants to feel rugged and intellectual while indulging in a refined cocktail, look no further than Vol. 39. Dichotomy at its best, Vol. 39 brings you the ambiance of a law study with the sophistication and elegance of crafted cocktails and small plates. Savor the delicacy that is deep dish potato chips whilst drinking a classy negroni. You’re sure to embrace both the wild and refined sides of life. 

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Love Street | 1325 W Wrightwood Ave

Any Doors fans out there tonight? Well, if you’re not, that’s okay — you’ll be one now. Welcome to Love Street in Lincoln Park. This cocktail lounge is 1960s chic without the overwhelming flower-child vibes. Not to worry, as there are elements of lighthearted fun amidst the dark walls and pictures of iconic musical artists. The psychedelic lettering, a hot-pink-booth, and ornate light fixtures give Love Street a sultry yet elevated vibe that’s perfect for enjoying a classic or inventive cocktail without the River North crowds. 

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