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City Stories · October 15, 2018

Summer Adventures

The radiators in my apartment kicked in for the first time this season just the other day, and as excited as I am for sweater weather, it got me nostalgic for all the adventures I managed to pack in over the summer. It’s no secret that Chicago loooves summer, those fleeting three months in the middle of the year where we can come out of hibernation and enjoy all the city has to offer.

And oh boy, does it have a lot to offer. Just a quick rewind on my Instagram account offers a photographic recap of some serious summer celebrating, and I’m not even counting my trip to Europe in May (because, you know, technically that was in the Spring). If I just hone in on June, July and August (and a bit of September!), there’s everything from stellar theater productions and days at the ball park to parades and art museums to cookouts, weddings and summer blockbusters.

Theater season restarts each Fall, but the summer still offered a few wonderful selections, and thanks to my work with Third Coast Review, I’m able to check out some of the cities coolest new productions. This summer, I took in the haunting, magical production of MacBeth and a whimiscal, musical Peter Pan, both at Chicago Shakespeare Theater; and I wandered to the park across the street one gorgeous weekend for a free production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Whenever friends and family come in from out of town (even if that’s just a visit to the city from the suburbs), I’m always on the hunt for a new hot spot or restaurant to take them to. But sometimes the old stand-bys are favorites for a reason, and wandering the halls of the Art Institute again and again never gets old, especially when you’ve got fresh young eyes to see it with.

If you’re going to soak up the great weather and beautiful sights around Chicago, there’s no better way to do it than from a boat on the iconic Chicago River. This summer was the debut season for Boataoke, and after a few of us had the chance to check it out this time around, I’m certain I’ll be bringing more friends along next time.

I wrote all about how wonderful it was to spend a weekend by the lake, particularly on the occasion of a wedding. It’s not every summer you’re on the guest list for such a joyful getaway, but maybe it should be.

While I try to spend as much time outside during Chicago’s blink-and-you-miss-it summers, I’m me after all. Which means there’s going to be a whole lot of movie and television watching, between films to review and shows to binge during long workdays at my computer. I had a lot of fun at the movies, from Mamma Mia 2 to Minding the Gap, and I had a TON of fun meeting the man himself, Phil Rosenthal.

The last few months of 2018 are going to be pretty jam-packed, between client work, travel and the holidays. I’m committed to writing more here and making the most of the city even in the cooler weather. If the next three months are anything like that last three, we’re in good shape indeed.

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Posted By: Lisa Trifone · In: City Stories

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lisabeesa

Two years ago today, I was coming off what - until Two years ago today, I was coming off what - until that point - was the biggest adventure of my life. I bought a home. I turned 40. I spent a month in Paris. I’d hit a new career milestone. Life was every bit what I imagined it could be. 

Then I walked into a first date with a guy I met on the internet and very quickly realized my (our!) best adventure had just begun. 

Two years of getting my goat (and delighting in it), because you love to see me laugh. Two years of not just making dinners but plating them, too, because you know I like a pretty plate. Two years of grand gestures not because you’re big on gestures, but because I am.

I thought I had it all figured out, and I think I would’ve been fine if you’d never walked into my life. But good grief am I glad you did. ❤️
🎄 Holiday Playlist! 🎄 It's my favorite trad 🎄 Holiday Playlist! 🎄

It's my favorite tradition (of so many!) of the season: my annual holiday playlist. Twenty-four songs. Two hours of tunes.

Sabrina Carpenter and The Kinks. My Morning Jacket and Kacey Musgraves. Ben Folds and Bette Midler and Bad Religion. 

You can listen on Spotify at the link in my bio!

Happy, happy holidays to you and yours. Wishing you a joyful season!
I’d watch Pablo Larrain’s version of paint dry I’d watch Pablo Larrain’s version of paint drying, but thankfully his latest biopic of a famous, troubled woman (after JACKIE and SPENCER) is a far more engaging fever dream of passing time and missed opportunities.

MARIA, featuring a performance by Angelina Jolie that vibrates with vulnerability, is not perfect but it is fascinating. 

Now in theaters; on Netflix next month. Full review at the link!
My phone yelled at me this morning that I was out My phone yelled at me this morning that I was out of storage space, so over a couple cups of coffee I went back through this year’s photos and videos to purge what I don’t need on my device. 

Stumbled on this snap Brian took of me over dinner back in…June?…and honestly, I just love it. I love the way he sees me and I love the way I look when I see him. ❤️

Take care of each other. That’s all.
Eight years ago this week, @justin.f.brady and I w Eight years ago this week, @justin.f.brady and I went to see @waitressmusical on Broadway, and after the show we were treated to full band karaoke with die-hard fans. 

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I’ve thought about (and talked about) that moment a lot in the years since - it’s a great story! But especially today, as we’re on the eve of another monumental Election Day, I am imploring anyone reading this who may still be unsure or may not yet have a plan to be brave and vote for the person who is NOT a convicted criminal, serial sexual assaulter, con-man and dictator-in-waiting. @kamalaharris is the only way forward.

We can get back to debating policy in four years. For now, please vote for humanity, for democracy, for decency and for sanity. I wanna see you be brave.
Signs of life! 👋 I feel like I’ve been in a Signs of life! 👋 

I feel like I’ve been in a fog the last week or so, and it’s going to last at least through Tuesday…but I’m here, I promise!

Got to catch @musictheaterworks’ LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (with the lovely @yersha_la_la_la for company!) and it was delightful. Great production with just a hint of that community theater patina, a bit rough around the edges. (Is it just me or is that S in “Florist” totally upside down?!)

Full review coming soon at @thirdcoastreview!
This one gets a spot on the grid! Congrats to Drew This one gets a spot on the grid! Congrats to Drew and Jean on a beautiful wedding day and the start of an exciting new chapter. (But really, thanks for such a great reason to wear my new favorite dress! 😉)
I absolutely love this time of year. 🍂🍁 I absolutely love this time of year. 🍂🍁
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