We've had a lot of fun working on the On Ramp, but with the new year comes new challenges, and we'd decided to cease publication on this blog so we can concentrate more of our efforts on new and exciting developments on Gapers Block proper.
Thanks for reading, and look forward to seeing you around town. Meanwhile, don't forget to slow down and check out Chicago!
Next Stop: A Right Good-will Draught
Happy New Year! Start it off right with Tom Waits covers, a benefit show at the Hideout benefiting Holiday Panto cast members left homeless by a house fire, and a free Canasta show at Simon's.
Next Stop: New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, New Year's Week
- Round out 2009 with parties at Bikram Yoga, Kaplan's Liquors and Reversible Eye Gallery.
- Malcolm X College hosts the last day of the 15th Annual Kwanzaa Observance Program.
- Start the first week of next year with Naked Girls Reading. Hot!
Drive-Thru: NYE Plans, Gingerbread Houses, Coq at Riesling and Cheese Balls
Hope everyone had a happy and merry whatever!
- A little mini-guide for your New Years planning from your friends at Time Out, Centerstage, and Metromix.
- If you're too broke or fed up with the festivities to celebrate New Year's, stay home and make some lentil soup with spicy greens.
- This is what a holiday eating spread should look like, dammit.
- Pro Bono Baker makes a mean-looking peanut butter and black sesame seed cookie.
- Rachel's Bite makes a delish coq au Riesling.
- Bon appetit! Cooking and Eating in the Windy City pulls a Julie/Julia Project and makes Poulets Grilles a la Diable!
- In Good Taste has balls. Cheese balls.
- Chicago Originals restaurant week returns January 18 with $29.10 menus at a bevy of local spots.
- Time Out calls shenanigans on several restaurants that have appeared on Check, Please!
- The Reader gives a list of its best bites of 2009.
A/C: Lots of Books, Public Art, Wrapping Up the Year
Photograph by TheeErin
- It's the end of the year, so that means its time for The Reader to release its annual fiction and photo issues, while New City's posted its Top 5 book list.
- Ever wonder how busy the Chicago Public Library is? A record 9.2 million items were checked out this year.
- Speaking of the library, if you haven't played around on its website, you might enjoy its Digital Collections.
- Another high-end movie theater complex has opened in Chicago, and this time it's on the near South Side.
- It's time to view some public art in Chicago.
- The Art Institute's Apostles of Beauty digs into the design archive to explore the Arts and Crafts movement.
- Lee Bey guest blogs for the WBEZ to give his take on Chicago architecture of the decade.
- Randall Colburn runs down his theater opening picks for the coming month.
- If revolutionary art is your thing, you may want to check out All Power to the People! The Revolutionary Art of Emory Douglas before it closes on Saturday.
- Lastly, Happy New Year! If you're still looking for something to do tonight, we'll be at The Op Shop's Sylvester shindig.
- Thanks for reading!
Next Stop: Surly Dinner, Free Cake
- Leave 2009 on a tasty, beery note with a four-course dinner sponsored by Surly Brewing, taking place at Rodan.
- Sunday, Brasserie Jo celebrates the French holiday King Day by offering complimentary "King's Cake" to all dining guests, prepared by Chicago's French Pastry School.
Next Stop: Hit the New Year Running
Break into 2010 fast (or at an even pace) with the 25th Annual New Year's Day 5K Run/Walk.
Tailgate: The Bears Did What?; My Scapegoat Vinny
- In case you opted again tuning in their Monday night clash again the Vikings, figuring you've seen enough bloodshed and ineptitude for one season, yes, the Bears did in fact win. It doesn't mean they've turned any corners with regards to coaches and players, but even the Minnesota papers had to give them their props. Now comes the season finale, the Brawl For Nothing At All, if you will, against the equally frustrating Detroit Lions. And after that? Well, the real Bears challenge begins.
- As Vinny Del Negro twists slowly in the wind, amid rumors the Bulls head coach is thisclose to the unemployment line, is he really to blame for all that is wrong with the team? And in a similar vein, is Tracey McGrady the answer?
- For those keeping track, the Cubs are involved in their 137th trade rumor of the offseason. One scenario has former White Sox pitching warhorse Jose Contreras moving back to town and working at Wrigley Field.
- The Hawks move to the top of the NHL power rankings. At least according to the National Post...and the hearts of Hawks fans.
- The Harlem Globe Trotters heat up the Chicago Sports Fest. You gotta hurry but you can stll catch it today.
- The Chicago Fire may have a new head coach.
- The best Chicago sports game of the decade? Scott Podsednik's walk off homer in the 2005 World Series. The worse? Some game involving a guy with a Walkman...
Transmission: Memories of the Lounge Ax and Christmas Continues
- We took a look into the past and Chicago music venue Lounge Ax.
- A review of the Chicago Afrobeat Project.
- The Year in Pop according to Pop Matters.
- Vote for your favorite for the Schubie Awards!
- Singer-Songwriter Vic Chesnutt isn't dead as rumors have said, but he is in a coma after a suicide attempt.
- Alarm Magazine puts the Russian Circles show at Lincoln Hall as its year's best.
- If you missed it in July, download What to Wear During an Orange Alert's mix of literature and music now for free.
- Avant/Chicago's Best Albums of 2009 list is up.
- Still need a Christmas music fix? Seriously, get over to Big Rock Candy Mountain before the tunes disappear like a plate of cookies.
- And what might put you over the edge on Christmas: Tom Skilling karaokes the hits.
- At Fake Shore Drive, a Christmas mixtape by The Cool Kids and Don Cannon (album pictured above).
- Greg Kot picks his choices for the top NYE concerts in Chicago.
- Also, check out Greg's picks for Top Albums of 2009 (and his top 10 moments of the decade in music).
- Looking for a party (or just an excuse to get away from the family)? Head over to UR Chicago's shin dig on Saturday at the Hideout. DJs and dancing can work out the kinks and the taste of old egg nog.
Next Stop: Visions of Unicycles, Mysteries and Furnaces
- Party it up in single-wheel holiday style with Unicycle Loves You at the Empty Bottle. 10pm, $10, 1035 N. Western.
- Bring in a new year and a new album with Fiery Furnaces at Lincoln Hall.