Sip With Me

It’s a Blue Man’s World and we’re just living in it! This week, we’re thrilled to be featuring the iconic Blue Man Group! This immersive and transportive show has been around since 1987, but it’s gone through many changes and of course, several Blue Men! You can also see the show in numerous cities around the world, including right here in Chicago! After seeing the show, we sat down with a real life Blue Man, Callum Grant, to chat about all things blue. Hear how an actual Blue Man would describe what a show is a like and, of course, our favorite part of any interview, Callum tells us about some of the history behind the famous production. Learn about several of their iconic sets like “Drumbone” and “Paint Drums”, and Callum shares why the show has had staying power for so many decades. Of course, we end with a blue themed round of rapid fire, discovering Callum’s favorite prop to use, how long it takes to turn blue, and THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION- WHY BLUE? AND WHAT IS THAT FABULOUS SHADE! Blue Man Tickets & Cities: https://www.blueman.com Follow BMG: @bluemangroup Callum’s Show: https://brokenplanetshow.com

Ioanna and I love to leave a meal feeling satisfied. What we often forget to take into account though are the elements of dining at a restaurant that extend beyond the meal itself- the environment, the energy, and even the education you receive on the food you're eating. If you want to feel elevated after a night out, look no further than Loews Chicago O’Hare’s Sip & Savor Dinner Series at The Ashburn, An American Gastropub. Hotel Executive Chef Chuck Gillis takes everything he’s learned in his 30+ years of experience and puts it into a specially curated dining experience that is only available to the public once in a lifetime. That’s right- once it's gone, it's gone! In their Sip & Savor Dinner Series, Chef Chuck partners with a beverage partner to create an intimate meal that is inspired by Chicagoland’s rich food & drink culture. We sat down in the kitchen with Chef Chuck to discuss what a Sip & Savor Dinner night looks like and why he takes such care to create a crafted dining experience for his guests that’s available one night only! Hear about his culinary influences and how he finds inspiration to bring The Ashburn menu to life season by season, including the May 2024 “Farm-to-Table” dining experience we are attending, with beverage partner Daou Vineyards. Chef Chuck also talks about their upcoming Sip & Savor dinners, which this year take place in May, July, August, and November! It’s the perfect outing if you want to try something new & exciting, experience food in a new way, or spice up your date night with a more intimate and engaging culinary show. Everyone wants to feel elevated- and we think sipping your drink & savoring your meal at Loews Chicago O’Hare is the way to do so! SIP & SAVOR SERIES INFO: https://www.loewshotels.com/chicago-ohare/dining/dinner-series DINING INFO & RESERVATIONS: https://www.loewshotels.com/chicago-ohare/dining/restaurant HOTEL INFO & BOOKING: https://www.loewshotels.com/chicago-ohare INSTAGRAM: @loewsohare

Soldier Field is one of the most recognized and iconic Chicago landmarks. And many of you have likely been to a Bears game there, or perhaps a Taylor Swift concert! What you might not think about when you visit is that the stadium has hosted numerous historic figures like MLK Jr. and NATO, and has had a far reaching impact on the Chicagoland economy for decades. We sat down with Luca Serra, Director of Marketing & PR for Soldier Field, to discuss what it takes to run a 63,500 seat stadium! He shares some of the rich 100+ year history of the stadium and discusses its designation as a National Historic Landmark. Learn about the “it takes a village” mentality he and his team need when it comes to pulling off a wide array of highly visible events, and learn about some of the economic impacts the stadium has on Chicago. Plus, hear about some of the current and future trends they see in the event, sport, and concert industries. We end with rapid fire and learn about the time Luca met Obama, what concert he’s looking forward to this summer, and what his go-to food and beverage order are at the stadium! UPCOMING EVENTS & TICKETS: https://www.soldierfield.com/events/all MORE STADIUM HISTORY: https://www.soldierfield.com/stadium-info/about BOOK A PRIVATE EXPERIENCE: https://www.soldierfield.com/private-events Follow them on Instagram (@soldierfield): https://www.instagram.com/soldierfield/?hl=en

Take a Shot of Art with us! We all remember the creative days of our childhood when we could color outside the lines and make mud soup in the back yard. Now, there is a super unique experience that will remedy the creative void in anyone’s life and give you a boost of art therapy! This week, we ventured to “Shot of Art” in West Town to try out their wildly unique art experiences. Perfect for date nights, birthdays, or bestie bonding (aka us!), you’ll leave your experience with both a happy mind and a beautiful painted masterpiece. From shooting balloons filled with paint to painting on the ceiling, there’s an experience here for folks of all ages and no experience is needed! We sat down with Anastasia to discuss the founding story and why the owner felt inspired to create such a unique experience. Learn about the several art experiences you can try and find out how you can cover both the canvas and your bestie with paint (I’m looking at you Ioanna)!! Plus, we play rapid fire and learn what kind of painting Ioanna and I are! Chicago Info & Tickets: https://chi.shotofart.com Follow them: @shot_of_art Visit their studios in Chicago, New York, LA, Houston, and more cities to come soon! See website or descriptions below for some of the options available! SHOOTING & SPINNING Using an airsoft gun, you will shoot down balloons filled with paint. Then, we will spin your paint-splashed canvas to get an amazing abstract work of art. FLUID ART Fantastic patterns obtained using acrylic paints, silicone and torch burner will not leave you indifferent. ART ROOM Let your fantasies fly! You can book a room and to paint it how you want - draw on walls, furniture and even on the ceiling! Bloggers love making fresh and eye-catching content in our Art room.

To celebrate Pi-Day, we’re taking a deep dive into pizza pie history with Chicago’s famous Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta! (look how many pi’s we got into that sentence alone) A Chicago classic, deep dish was created to make a meal out of pizza, which historically had just been seen as a snack. Opened in 1991 by Rudy Malnati Jr., Pizano’s has become a staple deep disher, and their equally amazing thin crust is even Oprah’s favorite! We chat with Holly Malnati about the brand and family history. Hear how the original recipe and their famous crust came to be. and Plus, what goes into making a deep dish pizza. Learn about their secret weapon and discover behind the scenes tales from decades of culinary perfection! Find a location near you and order pizza: https://www.pizanoschicago.com Follow Pizano’s on Instagram: @pizzanospizzachi Read more deep dish history: https://www.pizanoschicago.com/deep-dish-history/ Grab some Pizano’s because they put the “pi” in Pizano’s and Pizza!

We’re SUPERdawg delighted to have Chicago’s famous Superdawg family on the show! At 75 years old, the family owned drive-in located at Devon, Nagle, and Milwaukee, remains a quality classic on the Chicago food scene. With its iconic blue tower and signature Superdawg recipe, there’s something to love for everyone. Not to mention, they just made the cover of bon appétit magazine! We talk about foodie history and what you can expect during a visit to one of their two locations in Chicagoland! It’s not a hotdog – it’s a Superdawg! Learn about how their original recipe was crafted, and why the family has stuck to their roots over so many decades. Also voted best hotdog by Chicago Reader! We also discuss their old-school carhop and counter service! Plus, Aaron‘s favorite french fries in all of the land! Plus, we find out what their favorite Superdawg topping is, one thing people don’t know about Superdawg, and their favorite memories! Follow Superdawg Drive-in on Instagram: @superdawgdrivein Read more about the history: https://superdawg.com/

Fueled by sugar on the daily, Ioanna and Aaron are fun dippingly excited to learn more about their favorite candy shop, IT’SUGAR! Founded in 2006, IT'SUGAR calls itself one of the largest specialty candy "retailtainers" in the world, and at 100+ locations, there’s no sugar coating that! IT'SUGAR is an experience, known for absurd sugar innovations. They also have the world’s first candy department store (shopping + candy= HEAVEN). In this episode, we’ll hear from Justin Clinger, AVP of Creative and Marketing, about why the founder chose his candy calling, and learn what it takes to start a global candy shop. Learn what unique treats IT’SUGAR has to offer candy lovers and find out what’s trending in the wide world of candy. Plus, we talk about their “Make-A-Wish Wish Pops” and some of their exclusive and epic brand partnerships! Take a bite out of some candy history and discover the immersive world IT’SUGAR has to offer as Ioanna and Aaron visit Chicago’s Michigan Ave location! Shop and find your nearest store at: www.itsugar.com Follow them on instagram: @itsugar Check out their TikTok: @itsugar_official This week’s episode features “The Sweetheart Martini” from tipsybartender.com!

Start your engines folks, we’re going to the Chicago Auto Show! There’s been nothing like it for Chicago- from the people it attracts to the impact is has on a global market, this is the place to be every February! First staged in 1901, the Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show in North America and has been held more times than any other auto exposition on the continent. If you’re into cars, looking to buy a car, or do anything related to cars, then this is the indoor winter fun you need in Chicago. Aaron has been going annually since he was kid (we bet you didn’t think he was into cars) and he intends to keep it that way, bringing Ioanna as his date this year! We sit down with Director of Marketing & Sponsorships, Jim Obrill, to talk what’s trending at this year’s show. Hear what Chicago Auto Show attendees get to see first anywhere in the nation, and find out why this exposition is perfect whether you’ve been attending for decades or want to try it out for the first time! We also talk Electric Vehicles and the future of tech on display at McCormick Center. And Jim highlights what he is most excited for this year (we trust him since he is referred to as “the car guy”)! We end with Jim discussinghow the show has left its mark on Chicago’s economy, and Jim tells Ioanna and Aaron what car they are! Get tickets and browse more info on this year’s show at: https://www.chicagoautoshow.com Follow them on Instagram: @thechicagoautoshow Follow Jim on Instagram: @jpcars22 Listen to Jim’s Show “Drive Chicago”: https://www.wlsam.com/drivechicago/ DATES: FEBRUARY 10-19 at McCormick Place This week’s episode features “The Pink Cadillac Cocktail” from Motortrends.com!

Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell, Artistic Director of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, joins us for our first episode of 2024! We were pumped to talk about the topic that brought Ioanna and I together ten years ago- DANCE! While a student at Julliard, 19 year-old Linda-Denise was invited to join Hubbard Street Chicago Dance by the company's founder, Lou Comte. After three seasons, she went on to become a principal dancer at Alvin Ailey! Linda-Denise returns home to Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, making her the company’s first female and person of color to hold the role. Since the beginning of her tenure in 2021, she has made huge strides for the company, prioritizing diversity and inclusion, and working to broaden HSDC’s reach and impact in Chicago Communities. She's also taken the company's repertoire to new heights, working with Chicago legends like Randy Duncan and Rennie Harris. She’s here to chat more about the upcoming “Winter Series: Of Hope” at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, which “serves as a bold beacon of promise with its mix of beloved revivals and inventive world premieres”! Plus, we tell Linda-Denise about our history teaching Zumba and play a round of rapid fire! Website and Tickets: https://www.hubbardstreetdance.com Follow Hubbard Street Dance Chicago: @hubbardstreet Follow Linda-Denise Fisher Harrell: @lindadenisefisherharrell

Today, we’re cooking up some Voodoo magic, not around a traditional cauldron though, more like a burning hot cauldron filled with delectable fried dough! Started in Portland twenty years ago, Voodoo Doughnut is known for its unique flavors and signature pink boxes. The company offers a sea of freshness and fun in a food and beveragemarket that has seen a rise in “sameness”. The brand is nationally recognizable and is frequented by celebs and foodie experts alike! December 2023 is ushering in a new dawn here in Chicago, with the brand opening its first location , which is located in West Loop! We’re delighted to welcome CEO Chris Schultz on to chat with us about the iconic brand and what Chicagoans can expect! Chris shares some of Voodoo’s west coast history, discusses creating some of their iconic flavors, and plays a round of rapid fire! Visit the store now at 945 W Randolph! They’re open early mornings and late into the night! Check out their menu and order ahead or checkout catering at: (https://www.voodoodoughnut.com) Follow them: @voodoodoughnut