Culture Archives

To those who grew up in the Chicagoland area, Kiddieland in Melrose Park has been a staple of classic, low-cost family fun. 

Ernest Wilkins of RedEye is conducting a social experiment to re-create the events of "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." He posted a schedule on the RedEye blog hoping for people to tweet and Facebook the link to spread the word.

By: Tim Healey and Natasha Roman

Chicago residents might be noticing an unusual sight in the sky: Fighter jets. That's because it's almost time for the annual Chicago Air & Water Show, which is entering its 51st year.

By: Natasha Roman

Let the neighborhood partying begin, Wicker Park Festival starts this Saturday! On north Milwaukee Avenue (between North Avenue and Wood Street) the two-day fest will feature performances from over twenty different indie music groups, some of the tastiest foods from local eateries, arts, handcrafts, and family activities.

The Sears Tower has officially become the Willis Tower. This morning, Mayor Richard Daley and Joseph Plumeri, CEO Willis Group Holdings, unveiled a new sign in the lobby of the Tower indicating the name change had been completed.

Chicago Magazine's Jeff Ruby considers himself a Chicagoan, but friends and family say he doesn't make the cut.

Rap mogul Shawn Carter, better known as Jay-Z, performed at Charter One Pavilion with female hip-hop artist Ciara.

Breaking Tweets Chicago Correspondent Gia Teolis gave us the "blueprint" of the concert from traffic in the parking lot to funny, but familiar smells in the midst of the crowd...

Posted by @Willie_Day26 with the caption, "New MJ Tattoo"

Chicago, what exactly happened last night? Do tell...

The Sears Tower Skydeck Ledge will officially debut at 9 a.m. tomorrow, July 2.

Or is that the Willis Tower Skydeck Ledge? Regardless, The Ledge will give visitors an opportunity to view the city from the sky by stepping onto one of two glass boxes - 1,353 feet from the surface on the 103rd floor.

PRIDE Chicago had a successful weekend of activities for the GLBT community that was capped by the 40th annual Pride Parade on Sunday.

Twitterers post their best views of today's Gay Pride Parade on Halsted.

GenArt's 3rd annual Indie film festival at the Music Box Theatre and AMC Piper's Alley began June 23 and its finishing up, but there's still time to participate. Closing night is tomorrow Saturday, June 27.

The Chi Guide explains that each day since June 23 GenArt features a new Indie film and throws an after-party at various lounges all over the city. Saturday it will feature "Shrink" with an after-party at Loft Six Ten, 1332 N. Milwaukee Ave.

"This year's slate features outstanding performances by actors Kevin Spacey, Zooey Deschanel, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Saffron Burrows, Dallas Roberts, Justin Long, Emmanuelle Chriqui and Scott Caan," according to ChiGuide.

Chicago locals have been tweeting about the festival since it began.

1. 
   wickerparkliz Liz is going to the GenArt Film Fest. Should be pretty cool . 23 Jun 2009 from TweetDeck
2. 
   mikehernalsteen Anyone in Chicago headed to the opening of the GenArt film festival tonight? 23 Jun 2009 from TweetDeck
3. 
   KelliZink tonight begins the GenArt Film Fest- I will be watching all 4 films as a juror. Getting my popcorn ready as @terrellowens81 would say... 23 Jun 2009 from TweetDeck
4. 
   kathrynswartz Spent tonight at @ GenArt's Chicago Film Festival opening night for (500) Days of Summer and after party #fb 24 Jun 2009 from web
5. 
   iamBolaji dang! had an email for comp admit plus guest 2 GenArt film fest and afterparty and completely missed it 24 Jun 2009 from TweetDeck
6. 
   billyrood Photo: So I just did the opening night of the GenArt Film Festival on Tuesday and was there to photograph... http://tumblr.com/xaa25gyd6 25 Jun 2009 from Tumblr
7. 
   MerrittPR Excited for the Baby Shower for one of our marketing and sales team members after work today! Then tomorrow night is GenArt movie premier! 25 Jun 2009 from TweetDeck

By Natasha Roman

The Taste of Chicago is back. It starts today at 11 a.m. in Grant Park.

As one of the country's largest food festivals, Chicagoans and tourists alike look forward to sampling some of the best cuisine the city has to offer, but this year the Taste is slimming down. According to WGN Radio, there will only be 54 food vendors this year compared to last year's 63.

Festival organizers say vendor participation decreased in an effort to better control city traffic and was not related to the economy.

Per Chicagoist.com, all 54 food vendors are required by the city to "serve a minimum of two 'taste-of" portions,'" as part of the festival's emphasis on healthy eating. Some vendors will even team up with festival sponsor Humana, and display a "Healthy Choices" logo on their tents to promote the cause.

The Twitterverse doesn't seem to mind any of the changes. It's been buzzing about the return of the Taste of Chicago since yesterday.

1. 
   aeturnus In the louisville airport on the way to The Taste of Chicago! 25 Jun 2009 from txt
2. 
   MissCocoT Im ready to be in Chicago TODAY for the taste of Chicago....I cant wait for Friday! 25 Jun 2009 from web
3. 
   jay_sicat Taste of Chicago opens up tomorrow, gimme gimme food and hot sweaty weather. 25 Jun 2009 from web
4. 
   QueenLS im ready to hit up da Taste of Chicago tomorrow...FINALLY GEESH!!! 25 Jun 2009 from web
5. 
   XtremeNights So excited we are loading the plane for a trip to Chicago for the taste of Chicago starting this weekend!!!! Come and join us!!! FOOD!! 25 Jun 2009 from web
6. 
   MCapp22 Stocked up on tickets for Taste of Chicago today! Get them ahead of time at Dominick's to avoid the lines and get a discount! Woot! 25 Jun 2009 from web
7. 
   RoroGoNono sitting at school not doing work, but salivating at the potential for Taste of Chicago eatings for tomorrow...mmmmmm 25 Jun 2009 from web
8. 
   ciaramichelle Checking out all the booths for Taste of Chicago... I need to be prepared! 25 Jun 2009 from web
9. 
   erinlthiele @spickney cool! Thanks. We're definitely hitting up Taste of Chicago. Love it!!! 25 Jun 2009 from Tweetie in reply to spickney
10. 
    prisnBfan2 waiting for the taste of chicago to start this weekend! 25 Jun 2009 from web

Here's some of the first Taste tweets today.

1. 
   faliec getting ready to take my kids to the taste of chicago 26 Jun 2009 from mobile web
2. 
   funsherpa Prevent food coma, go early! Taste of Chicago opens today, 11am $8/strip of 12 food/drink tix. Grant Park, can't miss this! 26 Jun 2009 from web
3. 
   HomeRunInn Anyone attending the Taste today? Check out HRI at Booth 23 and tweet us your experience! 26 Jun 2009 from web
4. 
   MzFabRicia THE TASTE starts today....who going with me????? I wanna eat up everything;-P 26 Jun 2009 from web

@janrx posted this TwitPic of the soon-to-open scene, which he encountered along his bike path:

Related link: Taste tips for parents at Wee Windy City

Are you going to Taste? Tweet your thoughts from the event or afterward to @BTChicago. We'll be compiling tweets as the event goes on.