Eat. Watch. Do. — ‘Wuthering Heights’ review, Canaryville BBQ, plus Sueños festival returns
It’s Thursday, Chicago.
And it’s Groundhog Day! Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of winter this morning (the jerk). If warmer weather still beckons your spirit, a Baja seafood-inspired pop-up is here to stay, a “White Lotus”-esque horror movie opens this weekend in theaters and an outdoor festival featuring a lineup of reggaetoneros is returning to Grant Park this spring.
Or if you want to embrace the snow life while it’s still chilly, delve into the essence of hygge lifestyle at five local restaurants serving up Scandinavian classics such as mørrebrød sandwiches and pancakes with lingonberries.
Also hitting the stage for the first time since before the pandemic is Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s WorldStage, featuring a production of “Wuthering Heights” by Britain’s Wise Children theater company, which drew a favorable review from theater critic Chris Jones.
Enjoy the weekend, we’ll see you here next week.
— Lauryn Azu, deputy senior content editor
‘Pamela, a love story’ review: Here’s Pamela Anderson in her own words, never mind the exploitative Hulu series
Model and actor Pamela Anderson looks back on her life in a new Netflix documentary, in the wake of the Hulu limited series “Pam & Tommy” that premiered last year, which she chose to have no involvement in.
“If something about that feels off, the Netflix documentary is an opportunity for Anderson to sort through some of these feelings on her own term,” TV critic Nina Metz writes in her review here.
New Black-owned Bell Heir’s BBQ opening with brisket burgers, smothered turkey legs in Canaryville
Bell Heir’s BBQ opens tomorrow in Canaryville by chef Tyris Bell, who previously helped his brother open and run Luella’s Southern Kitchen in Lincoln Square. It will serve Chicago-style rib tips, brisket burgers, pizza and smothered turkey legs, with meat sourced from Slagel Family Farm. Read more about what to expect here.
Review: Finally, international theater returns with epic ‘Wuthering Heights’ at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Emma Rice’s acclaimed adaptation of “Wuthering Heights” is in residence at The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier. After a few years of watching Chicago theater struggle to return to its full strength, “to watch an international artist of Rice’s stature, and her full ensemble-driven company, wrestle with a masterpiece as multifaceted and complicated as ‘Wuthering Heights’ is a delight,” writes theater critic Chris Jones.
Read what else he had to say about the show in his review here.
Cozy up with Scandinavian comfort foods at these 5 Chicago restaurants
Embrace the chill Scandinavian-style this season at restaurants serving Nordic cuisine in Chicagoland. Read where you can get a “Viking Breakfast” or sip on glögg here.
‘Infinity Pool’ review: Vacation-set horror thriller goes right to the deep edge
Brandon Cronenberg’s third feature “Infinity Pool” opened in theaters last weekend and is his most confident sci-fi horror film to date, film critic Michael Phillips writes.
Starring Alexander Skarsgård and Mia Goth, wealthy vacationers meet absurd ends in a country where the punishment for any killing is death, but a body double can be created at a cost and take the place of the human criminal. Read Phillips’ review of “Infinity Pool” here.
Stephen Sandoval’s acclaimed pop-up finally lands permanent location in West Town
Chef Stephen Sandoval’s restaurant pop-up in Soho House has finally found a permanent home, set to open this fall. Food critic Nick Kindelsperger named its ceviche one of his favorite dishes of 2022. At the new restaurant, Sandoval will operate two concepts in the same building, one that is seafood-focused and another that will explore casual dishes like burritos and tacos. Read more here.
But is it a book? What if it’s encased in concrete? New UChicago exhibit asks just that question.
“But Is It a Book” is a new exhibit at the Regenstein Library that asks visitors to consider what they think makes something a book, in the format of a choose-your-own-adventure exhibit. Elizabeth Frengel, a curator at the library, said the exhibit shows the evolution of book technology. Items on display include an Incan quipu, a 19th-century parlor game featuring characters from Charles Dickens novels and a clay tablet from 3000-2030 BC. Read more about the exhibit here.
Field Museum research scientist part of team that discovered a large, rare meteorite in Antarctica
Grab your binoculars! Now’s your once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the green comet
Column: When it comes to popcorn in Chicago, Garrett Popcorn stands alone
Who can resist the scent of Garrett Popcorn? Food critic Nick Kindelsperger sure can’t, as he details his long-standing affection for the delectable cheesy caramel classic. Learn more about the behind-the-scenes process for the iconic Chicago snack here.
Sueños Festival is back for summer 2023 with Wisin Y Yandel, Grupo Firme
Sueños Festival is back for the second year at Grant Park from the producers behind Lollapalooza. A two-day festival of Latin music and reggaeton from May 27-28, headliners will be Wisin Y Yandel, Nicky Jam, Grupo Firme and Feid, with other performers including Ivy Queen, Becky G and Myke Towers, plus DJ sets between performers.
Read about how to get your tickets here.
Smoque, Hot Doug’s kick off Piece pizza collaborations to lend animal shelter a helping paw
Piece Brewery and Pizzeria has partnered with PAWS Chicago for a new campaign, Slice to Meet You, with limited-edition collaboration pizzas by notable local chefs. Doug Sohn of Hot Doug’s and Barry Sorkin of Smoque BBQ kicked off the series with a pizza called Hot Smoquein’. Read about what other pies to expect and how the initiative benefits pets here.
