Jack Schneider presents sculptural works that draw from product design tropes, such as ergonomic impression. Catch his work in the show "Everyone Needs Something to Hold Onto," opening Jan. 23 in the School of the Art Institute of Chicago's Gallery X.
Source: SAIC
Remember Mumble? He's the ridiculously cheerful penguin with a penchant for dancing in the animated movie "Happy Feet." The tuxedoed bird got his groove from hot shot dancer/choreographer Savion Glover. On Jan. 24, Glover will bring those slick tap dancing skills (see also: Bring in 'da Noise/Bring in 'da Funk), along with his energetic dance troupe to Chicago's Harris Theater. Who's got happy feet now?
Source: Harris Theater
The photographs, sculpture and art objects from Carson Fisk-Vittori's show, "Women Weed and Weather," will be on view at the Secrist Gallery in Chicago for an additional month.
The gallery extended the show – with its bright colors, "feminine" products, and parodies on store product displays and commercial advertising – through Feb. 1.
Source: Carrie Secrist Gallery
In the market for a new home? Get a load of these architectural gems on the market designed by famous architects, including three Frank Lloyd Wright homes in Cincinnati and Chicago. Who cares about relocating when you have a Wright? Right?
Source: CBS
These teapots aren't just short and stout. They're also geometric, furry, patterned and bulbous. To mark its 50th anniversary, Craft Alliance is pulling out all the stops for its 14th biennial teapot exhibition, "Fif-TEA." In addition to the requisite teapot, all of the artists in the show were also tasked with creating an accompanying teacup.
Source: Craft Alliance
Where is the edge? Explore deeply personal themes through a series of work called OnEdge, which features genre-defying performance and experimental dance/theater from five solo artists and groups this month. Shows run from Jan. 11 through Feb. 1.
Source: City of Chicago
The big top is coming to town for an unforgettable weekend of performances (Jan. 6-12) with feats of imagination and emotion. Dancing, music and acrobatics all come together for a contemporary circus that packs a theatrical punch.
Source: Chicago Contemporary Circus Festival
Venture into the basement of the Chrysler House where dPOP! now takes up residence. The Detroit company will open its doors (behind which are historic bank vaults, an all-white conference room and international art) to host January's Drinks x Design, a monthly get together for designers and creatives. RSVP here to nab a spot this Thursday, Jan. 9.
Source: Drinks x Design
A pie a day keeps the doctor...wait, that's not right. The beloved American dessert may do more for your waist line than your immune system, but that didn't stop Carrie Shryock (one third of the team behind 1canoe2) from baking one a day for an entire year. From blue goose pie, to basil and goat cheese, see the entire year in review here.
Source: 1canoe2
How's this for a New Year's resolution? Pass up that vodka or whiskey drink and go for an aquavit cocktail instead. There's no better time to make the switch. With more Midwest distilleries making the spiced Scandinavian liquor, bartenders are shaking, mixing and stirring the spiced liquor into a variety of delicious concoctions. Here are nine to try in Minneapolis right now.
Source: Eater Minneapolis
Get to know some of Chicago's most beloved and recognizable buildings a little bit better with these four tours from the Chicago Architecture Foundation.
Source: Chicago Architecture Foundation
Feast your eyes on the elegant arrangements of cakes and cookies, and overflowing piles of fruit at an Art Institute Chicago's show that celebrates all things edible in art. But if you get hungry, don't try to eat the canvas. Instead, pull out your mixing bowl and check out these vintage American recipes featured in the exhibition, along with new recipes from top culinary talent in Chicago. Bertha's Famous Brownies anyone?
Source: Art Institute Chicago
How about a little bacalhau or braised sweet-and-sour pork belly? The two dishes from Chicago restaurant Fat Rice received nods from the senior editor at the James Beard Foundation when the staff listed their favorite dishes and drinks from 2013. See what else made the list here.
Source: James Beard Foundation
Things are getting serious. With little more than a week left to catch the Matisse exhibition at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the staff has extended hours and even set up an overflow parking lot. Don't miss the work (more than 100 pieces) of one of the most recognizable and influential artists of the 20th century. The exhibit closes Jan. 12.
Source: Indianapolis Museum of Art
Get the scoop on the newest film from Minnesota's own Cohen brothers. "Inside Llewyn Davis" tells the story of the would-be king of the Greenwich Village folk scene in 1961 before Bob Dylan arrives on the scene.
Source: Minneapolis Institute of Arts/Alison Rosa
Join some of Chicago's leading thinkers (Claire Cahan of Studio Gang, Martin Felsen at UrbanLab and more) as they discuss how water issues impact neighborhoods, cities and beyond in a forum at the Chicago Architecture Foundation on Wed., Dec. 18.
Source: After the City, the City
You wouldn’t expect a small Indiana high school to house an art collection worth millions, but that’s the case at Peru High School. This past spring the school in Peru, Ind., put its collection of more than 138 pieces of art (including Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí) on display. See it here.
Source: Dwell
How do you create an art gallery a family can live in? That’s the challenge architect Jeff Dolezal of Tack Architects was charged with when he designed a home in the Regency neighborhood of Omaha, Neb. Dolezal pulled from Mid-Century Modern influences when he created this nearly 10,000-square-foot home.
Source: Dwell
Former Detroit Pistons guard Vinnie Johnson wants you to kick back and relax (or get some work done) in his new studio, Airea. The space (which is also used to sell Haworth office furniture) will be broken down into 11 nontraditional work zones: from a lounge area for one, to a conference space that can hold 40 people.
Source: Crain's Detroit Business/ Airea
What could make hot chocolate better? Seriously, liquid chocolate is pretty amazing during a snow storm as it is, but the ladies over at the blog A Beautiful Mess have added a level of class to hot chocolate we just never expected: lavender and honey marshmallows (so long to jet-puffed version). Learn how to make them now.
Source: A Beautiful Mess
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