Weekend 101: March 22-24

Two annual spring shows return to Chicago this weekend as a new tasting event makes its debut in the suburbs. Plus, The Second City celebrates its past. Chicago Flower & Garden Show March 20-24 Chicago Start thinking about spring with a trip to this annual show at Navy Pier. Enjoy kids activities, seminars, cooking demos, […]

Introducing Make It Better's 2019 Spring Issue: Art and Culture

Welcome to our spring issue. You may have noticed over the past couple years that we’ve used this issue to step away from annual themes like “Dining” and “Home” to dig a little deeper into something that’s been moving us lately. In 2017 it was “Water;” last year, “Sustainability;” this year, it’s “Art and Culture.” Pablo Picasso said, “Art washes away from the […]

8 Good Books by Irish Women to Read This March

While January felt like the longest month since the creation of our solar system, February whizzed on by, and here we are suddenly in March: the promise of spring and longer days, and St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner. Hailing from Chicago, a city that’s very proud of its Irish heritage, I thought […]

Weekend 101: Feb. 22-24

It’s a busy weekend ahead with a new exhibit at Northwestern, Andersonville Restaurant Week, a wine and whiskey festival at Brookfield Zoo, a new event at Chicago Children’s Museum, and more. “War Games“ Opens Feb. 20 Evanston Artist Céline Browning presents this exhibit, a look at the overlap between children’s toys and violence, at Northwestern […]

Weekend 101: Feb. 15-17

It’s almost time for the world premiere of Joffrey Ballet’s highly anticipated “Anna Karenina,” and don’t miss a new Evanston festival, a City Winery concert, the end of Chicago Theatre Week, and more. “Anna Karenina“ Feb. 13-24 Chicago Based on Leo Tolstoy‘s novel, Joffrey Ballet, in collaboration with The Australian Ballet, presents the world premiere […]

Weekend 101: Feb. 8-10

Two favorite annual events return this weekend as a local museum opens a new exhibit and a family-friendly show comes to town. Love Conquers All Valentine’s Day Party Feb. 9 Evanston Shop for your Valentine at Eve J. Alfillé Gallery and Studio, which features one-of-a-kind jewelry, while enjoying wine and small bites. You might even win […]

Weekend 101: Jan. 18-20

Pretend it’s summer at Chicago’s newest interactive public art installation or dream of baseball season during an author event in Wrigleyville. Or if you love winter, celebrate the season with a family-friendly event at Kohl Children’s Museum. Families can also get an up-close look at the moon, learn about the Civil Rights Movement, and much […]

Disney Legend Alan Menken Dishes on Live-Action ‘Aladdin,’ ‘The Little Mermaid,’ and That Time Lin-Manuel Miranda Begged for His Autograph

Think of the greatest Disney films and songs in recent memory and chances are you’ll find yourself humming an Alan Menken melody for the rest of the day. From “Under the Sea” to “Be Our Guest” to “A Whole New World,” to name a few, the eight-time Oscar-winning composer and pianist (who also happens to […]

31 of the Best Things to Do in Chicago This January

Don’t let Chicago’s chilly temps keep you inside all winter. Here are 31 events happening in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs this January that will make it worth venturing outside. Theater Opens Jan. 17: “Don’t Dress for Dinner” Nothing is quite as it seems at this dinner party. Oil Lamp Theater, 1723 Glenview Road, Glenview […]