Springtime in Chicago Brings Top Arts, Culture and Food Events

Now that spring has finally arrived in Chicago, warmer temps mean outdoor events and the return of some annual favorites. Below are a few ways to embrace springtime in Chicago while counting down the days until summer festival season.

One of a Kind Spring Show

Four years ago, the popular One of a Kind Show expanded its infamous winter show to add a similarly unique experience in the spring. This year’s event will take place Friday, April 26, through Sunday, April 28, on the seventh floor of The Mart, 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza in Chicago.

More than 300 artisans and makers from around the country descend on Chicago to offer their wares in a variety of categories including accessories, bath and body, ceramics, fashion, fiber art, furniture, glass, gourmet, home, jewelry, kids, metal, mixed media, paintings, photography, sculpture and wood.

The annual event also features fashion runway shows, live music and a gourmet market. The Emerging Market is also a popular stop, with about 20 show newcomers highlighted in this area.

Tickets, which are good for all three days of the show, are $12 for adults and free for children ages 12 and younger. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.oneofakindshowchicago.com.

Hamilton: The Exhibition

This is your chance to be in the space where it happens. Announced last fall, the exhibition makes its debut in Chicago on Saturday, April 27,  at Northerly Island.

Held inside the custom built HamilTent, which is a freestanding structure the size of a football field according to its website, the exhibition will highlight the story of Alexander Hamilton made popular by the musical, “Hamilton.”

Guided by an audio tour recorded by “Hamilton” composer and lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton: The Exhibition will take visitors on a journey through the life of Alexander Hamilton as well as the American Revolution and the birth of the United States of America. Through lighting, sound, multimedia, music and historical artifacts, visitors will be offered “the story of tonight” as a one-of-a-kind experience.

The exhibition will be open Noon-6 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesdays and Sundays; and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Tickets are $39.50 for adults, $32.50 for seniors and military and $25 for children ages 4-14. Pricing does not include handling fees.

To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.hamiltonexhibition.com.

James Beard Eats Week

As a way to honor the late chef James Beard, who is considered to be a pioneer of American cuisine, was named the “Dean of American cookery” by the New York Times in 1954, Choose Chicago and the Illinois Restaurant Association will host the fifth annual James Beard Eats Week April 26-May 6. More than 100 Chicagoland restaurants will offer special dishes or menus inspired by James Beard and will also donate to the James Beard Foundation Scholarship Fund.

The annual awards gala closes the week on Monday, May 6, at the Lyric Opera House.

Several Chicago chefs, restaurants and restauranteurs were nominated and nearly a dozen are finalists. All Best Chef: Great Lakes finalists are from Chicago. They include: Diana Davila (Mi Tocaya Antojeria), Jason Hammel (Lula Cafe), Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark (Parachute), David Posey and Anna Posey (Elske), Noah Sandoval (Oriole) and Lee Wolen (Boka).

For more information on James Beard Week, as well as participating restaurants and their menus and dishes, visit www.choosechicago.com.

Other events to mark on your calendar:

Baconfest
April 5-6 at UIC Dorin Forum
www.baconfestchicago.com

Chicago Wine Fest
April 27 at Lincoln Park Zoo
www.chicagowinefest.com

Renegade Chicago Craft Fair
May 11-12 at Pilsen’s Arts District on South Halsted Street
www.renegadecraft.com

About the Author: Warthen is Chief Events Officer and Chief Marketing Officer for 22nd Century Media, an award- winning media company specializing in hyperlocal content in Chicagoland. Hired as its first employee in 2005, she is a former award-winning journalist and photographer who now manages the planning, logistics, marketing and executing of more than a dozen community events and expos. She is co-chair for the MPI-CAC Marketing & Communications Committee.