Entertainment

Lili Trifilio of Beach Bunny on stage at Thalia Hall on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Chicago. (Vincent D. Johnson/for the Chicago Tribune)

Common and Beach Bunny are among this summer’s Taste of Chicago headliners

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events on Thursday announced the musical lineup for this summer's Taste of Chicago, and it has some of the biggest names in years.

Blake Segal and Major Attaway in the North American tour of "Spamalot," in Chicago at the CIBC Theatre. (Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman)

Review: Touring cast saves this ‘Spamalot’ revival from itself

The musical now at the CIBC Theatre in Chicago still clutters up and dumbs down...

Stephen Colbert attends a Cubs game at Wrigley Field that was included in the Aug. 19, 2024, episode of “The Late Show,” which broadcast live from the Auditorium Theatre during the Democratic National Convention. (Scott Kowalchyk/CBS)

Column: Stephen Colbert’s signoff reminds us of the days the Chicago Cubs were a late-night punchline

Stephen Colbert's love of Chicago and the Cubs was apparent in many "Late Show" bits....

Arts

Anthony Spears, of Crete, recently was named Photographer of the Year at the Christopher Gallery at Prairie State College in Chicago Heights. (Janice Neumann/Daily Southtown)

‘Making beautiful things’ earns Photographer of the Year award for Crete resident

Crete resident Anthony Spears photographs earned him Photographer of the Year honors at Prairie State College in Chicago Heights.

Books

Food writer Maggie Hennessy is the author of a new book, “The Burger Bible,” May 12, 2026. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune/)

Column: These books spread the gospel about the simple hamburger

Chicago writer Maggie Hennessy's first book is “Hamburger Bible.” George Motz wrote the cross-country odyssey "Hamburger America."

Movies

From left to right: The Mandalorian and Grogu in Lucasfilm’s “The Mandalorian and Grogu.” (Nicola Goode/Lucasfilm LTD/TNS)

Review: ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’: The Force is dull in this one

Grogu’s cuteness may be a powerful force, but it’s not enough to sustain this big-screen leap, especially in a blockbuster this bloated.

TV and Streaming

From left: Larry David and Barack Obama have teamed up for the TV series “Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America.” (Art Streiber/HBO)

TV for summer 2026: Larry David teams up with Barack Obama, ‘The Bear’s’ final season and the return of … ‘Ted Lasso’?

"The Bear" concludes and “Little House on the Prairie” comes back. Plus the return of AMC's underrated "Interview with the Vampire," now retitled as "The Vampire Lestat."

Theater

William Pullinsi at the Theatre at the Center on Dec. 16, 2015, in Munster, Indiana. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

William Pullinsi, the founder of Candlelight and inventor of dinner theater, dies at 86

His Candlelight Dinner Playhouse in Summit launched the careers of some of Chicago's most notable talents and shaped theater here and nationwide.

Restaurants, Food and Drink

Guinness Open Gate Brewery is offering a mini hot dog and beer flight for Memorial Day weekend. (Guinness Open Gate Brewery Chicago)

Memorial Day guide: 14 Chicago restaurant and bar specials for the long weekend

Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, and the city’s bars and restaurants aren’t wasting any time embracing the warm weather with patio parties and refreshing drink specials.

Music and Concerts

Framed album covers appear on the wall at Chess Records in Chicago on Feb. 27, 2022. Some of the biggest names in blues recorded hits in Chess' recording studio, including, Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry' and Bo Diddley. (Kim Curtis)

Today in History: Chuck Berry records ‘Maybellene’ for Chess Records in Chicago

On May 21, 1955, Chuck Berry records his first single, “Maybellene,” for Chess Records in Chicago.

Travel

FILE – Butterfly Conservation President Sir David Attenborough poses for a photo with a south east Asian Great Mormon Butterfly on his nose, as he launches the Big Butterfly count at London Zoo, July 11, 2012. (John Stillwell/PA via AP, File)

David Attenborough, the excited but hushed voice of nature programs, turns 100

The BBC is hosting a party for David Attenborough at the Royal Albert Hall. Cinemas are playing his nature films. Friends have spent weeks lavishing praise on the man and his work.

Museums

As with the 1894 opening at the Palace of Fine Arts in Jackson Park, crowds line up when the Field Museum opens in its Grant Park location on May 2, 1921. (Field Museum)

Today in Chicago History: 8,000 people attend opening of Field Museum on the lakefront

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on May 2, according to the Tribune's archives.

Home and Garden

Reed canary grass or ribbon grass (Phalaris arundinacea var. picta) is an example of an invasive plant that easily spreads from gardens into natural areas to choke out native plants and damage ecosystems and wildlife. Avoid planting invasive plants. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Protect wildlife by eliminating invasive plants

May is Invasive Species Awareness Month in Illinois. It's a good time for gardeners to focus on their role in keeping invasive plants at bay.

Girl Scout cookie season is in full swing — and while I never was a Girl Scout myself, I definitely did partake in the cookies (Tagalongs, Thin Mints, and Samoas were my favorites). These coveted little treats are only available...

Fashion

Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave in a carriage after their wedding ceremony at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, pool)

Today in History: Prince Harry weds Meghan Markle

On May 19, 2018, Britain’s Prince Harry wed American actor Meghan Markle in St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

Entertainment

Members of the Navy Band Great Lakes play during the annual Memorial Day ceremony on May 25, 2024, at Daley Plaza in Chicago. (Vincent Alban/Chicago Tribune)

What to do in Chicago: Sueños, the parade and fireworks for Memorial Day weekend

The annual Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony & Parade takes place downtown this weekend. Plus Sueños takes over Grant Park and Warm Love Cool Dreams takes over Salt Shed.

Entertainment

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