City Cast Chicago
😿 RIP Rogers Park ‘Aldercat’
February 2, 2024
Be by your laptops today at 10 a.m.! That’s when tickets go on sale to see Chance the Rapper and the Strokes. But you can get the hottest ticket in town now for Karaoke Storytellers Sunday 💙 Plus, play trivia with the City Cast Chicago crew before the show starts.
What's CITY Talking About?
Fatal Shooting Outside Edgewater School
Students at Senn High School returned to school Thursday after three classmates were shot, one fatally, Wednesday. [ABC7]
CPS School Year Could Start Later
Since the city is hosting the Democratic National Convention Aug. 19–22, Chicago Public Schools could start Aug. 26, a week later than usual. [WTTW]
- Plus, what’s the future of free pre-K in Chicago? [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
RIP Rogers Park ‘Aldercat’
Chief, a fixture of the Far North Side neighborhood, died peacefully at home Monday, his owner said. The 12-year-old cat had gotten sick about a month ago. [Block Club]
- In other North Side animal news, a bald eagle has swooped into Irving Park and captured the hearts of Chicagoans. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
This Week’s Must-Read
Earlier this week, we asked you where Route 66 began and we’ll unveil the answer Monday. But until then, learn why you might want to drive Illinois’ Route 1. [Chicago magazine]
What To Do
Friday, Feb. 2
- “Groundhog Day” Reunion 🎥 Navy Pier | 3–6:30 p.m. | Free
- Ice Fest starts 🧊 Downers Grove | 5:30–7:30 p.m. | Free
- Skylark’s Grand Staying the Same Party 🍺 Pilsen | 7 p.m. | Varies
- CHIMEFest: Lovemusic 🎶 Woodlawn | 7:30 p.m. | Free
- Lesbian Social Club Be Mine Party 💗 River North | 8 p.m. | $15+
Saturday, Feb. 3
- National Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day 🍦 Tinley Park | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Varies
- 95th Street Corridor Plan Open House 📝 Washington Heights | 10 a.m. | Free
- Tea Tasting ☕ Mount Greenwood | Noon | $30
- Mardi Paws Fundraiser 🐾 Wicker Park | 12–3 p.m. | $10+
- Repair Fair 🔧 Garfield Park | 1–4 p.m. | Free
- Yoga for Liberation 🧘 Bowmanville | 3–5 p.m. | Donation
- Night Snow Tubing ❄️ Lakeview | 3–10 p.m. | $127+
- Melanin, Roots, & Culture Film Fest starts 🎞️ Lakeview | 6:15 p.m. | $11
- “Star Dust: From Bach to Bowie” Ballet 👨🎤 The Loop | 7:30 p.m. | $30+
Sunday, Feb. 4
- Victorian Valentines Workshop 💗 Elmhurst | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | $4
- Generative Poetry Workshop 💬 Brighton Park | 1:30 p.m. | Free
- Wedding Walk 💍 West Loop | Noon | $20+
- Black History Month Dim Sum & Drag 🥟 Uptown | Noon | $40
- Karaoke Storytellers 🎤 Lincoln Park | 7 p.m. | $15
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Today on City Cast
Chicago Votes for Cease-Fire
The Triibe’s Tonia Hill and Chalkbeat’s Samantha Smylie discuss how Chicago became the largest U.S. city to call for a cease-fire in Gaza, the Illinois Board of Education’s $11 billion budget proposal, and the closure of a South Side movie theater.
Happy birthday to City Cast Chicago executive producer Simone Alicea! Simone is not only our favorite trivia whiz, karaoke queen, and transplant, she also has a knack for finding weird Chicago stories (e.g., hot clowns). AND if you want to support the work she and the rest of the team does, consider becoming a City Cast Chicago member, the best gift of all 😍
—Sidney Madden
Thanks to editor (and birthday girl) Simone Alicea 🎉
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