Expect lots and lots of Shakespeare on Chicago stages in 2016, with a yearlong festival celebrating the Bard’s works. Meanwhile, the Marriott is trying something a bit more daring than usual, and the Goodman is creating a five-hour epic about evil. Shakespeare 400 Chicago Throughout 2016 Chicago Shakespeare Theater is spearheading this big festival honoring […]
When you consider your vacation plans this year, think outside the box. These alternatives to tourist favorites offer experiences that are more affordable, less crowded, more intimate or less stressful. Sometimes all of the above. For Mexican beaches, head to Riviera Nayarit instead of Cancun Although its airport is the busiest in Mexico, Cancun has […]
Start your weekend at a Winter Wonderland in Glenview before heading to Chicago for a new exhibit at The Field Museum and a new show at Goodman Theatre. You can also hear from a Holocaust survivor at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy with multiple events around Chicagoland. Winter Wonderland […]
What better way to celebrate Poetry at Work Day (Jan. 12) than with reading poems about – you guessed it – work! We asked our poetically immersed friends at The Poetry Foundation to recommend some poetry of this ilk. What follows are 26 poems about the ups, downs and in-betweens we experience in pursuit of a living. Honoring […]
We came. We saw. We conquered … the gift shop. Family vacations are an investment in experiences, providing an opportunity to relax, reconnect and make new memories through exploration and togetherness. After spending the time and money to get to your destination, souvenirs such as overpriced T-shirts or yet another stuffed animal seem like a […]
A new year brings new theater, but it also brings annual winter favorites. Here are five things to do around Chicago this weekend. “Botanic Garden” Opens Jan. 7 Lake Forest “Botanic Garden,” a play written by local author Todd Logan about a widow going on her first date since her husband died (who is also […]
Trade today’s stresses for the charms of yesteryear with a quick getaway to picturesque Galena, Illinios, a three-hour drive from Chicago. With 85 percent of this quaint, tiny town listed as a national historic district, visiting is like stepping back to a calmer time. While the eclectic shops, spas and wineries make for a fun […]
Listening to opera is not for everyone, this much is true. But far too many people exempt themselves from the glitz and glamour of a live opera performance because they’re afraid they won’t like it — or worse, won’t understand it and risk looking like a hayseed. Use this helpful guide to find out which […]
Updated Jan. 10, 2018 Sometimes it’s hard to get out of that winter blues funk. Without the excitement of the holidays, snow and sub-zero temperatures lose their appeal and winter quickly becomes monotonous. Luckily, Make It Better has a wealth of ideas to keep you occupied — some indoors, some outdoors, some a little out there, and some that take no […]
Fill up a bowl with popcorn, grab a blanket and settle in for a movie session. Make It Better staffers share their favorite films to get lost in on a cold winter’s day. “The Sound of Music” My all-time favorite movie. I grew up wanting to be Maria — and practically achieved it with my large family who […]
