City Cast Chicago
🍅 Chicago’s Tomato Man is back
March 21, 2025 · — Ava Wojnowski
Happy Friday! Spring break is just around the corner 😎 Planning to stay in Chicago? We’ve got you covered. Looking for an easy weekend getaway? We’ve got you covered again! Safe travels to anyone who planning a getaway, and I hope everyone gets some much-needed relaxation 🧘🏼♀️
What's CITY Talking About?
Why Are Neighbors Pushing Back on Quantum Campus?
The new Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park set to be built in South Chicago is receiving some heat from neighbors. Many worry about displacement and how it could affect their health. Host Jacoby Cochran dives into this story and more on the podcast this week. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
- What are other projects coming to Chicago? [Hey Chicago 📝]
Several Chicago Alders Want More Hemp Regulation
City Council members signed a letter asking the Illinois General Assembly to regulate hemp businesses. The letter expressed support for a bill that would prohibit the sale of intoxicating hemp products by businesses that do not hold a state-issued cannabis license. [Block Club]
What’s Happening at the Sun-Times?
The Chicago Sun-Times will lose 20% of its staff, about 30 employees, following a recent buyout offer. This move comes as Chicago Public Media, the newspaper’s parent company, initiated buyouts in January to address ongoing financial challenges. [Sun-Times]
This Week’s Must-Read
You know him, and love him – Chicago’s Tomato Man is back! Bob Zeni’s online plant sale is now open and you can buy plants ranging from $6-$15. You’ll then be able to pick them up at one of 17 locations every weekend from April 26 to June 8. [Block Club]
- Wait, but who is Chicago’s Tomato Man? [Hey Chicago 📝]
Your Chicago News Quiz
It's time to test how well you've been following this week's news. Have you been paying attention? Let’s find out 👀
What To Do
Friday, March 21
- 🍐 Community Produce Giveaway | 12-2 p.m. | Chatham
- 😋 Spirits & Spice Chicago Whiskey Experience | 5:45 p.m. | $10 | Streeterville
- 😻 WNDR After Dark: Femmes Night Out | Various Times after 6 p.m. | $38 | West Loop
- 🌟 Black Creativity Night Out | 6-10 p.m. | $20-35 | Museum of Science and Industry
- 🎧 Radical Thought in Music | 6 p.m. | Uptown
- 🇪🇸 Northern Spain Wine Dinner at Sepia | 6:30 p.m. | $295 | West Loop
- 🥃 Whiskey, Wine, and Women: A Tasting Event | 7-10 p.m. | $15-25 | Edgewater
- 👂 Ranting for a Reason | 7 p.m. | $25 | Back of the Yards
- 💋 FeminEssence Burlesque | 7-9 p.m. | $25-120 | Hyde Park
- 🎙️ Bill Charlap Trio with Special Guests | 8 p.m. | $39+ | Loop
- 🏳️⚧️ Transparency: A Trans Cabaret Fundraiser | 9:30-11:30 p.m. | Free-$45 | Lakeview
Saturday, March 22
- 🦸♀️ Strike a Pose With Ladybug! | Various Times | $25 | Old Town
- 😍 Black Woman Museum Pop-Up | 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. | $35 | Near South Side
- 🧘 Yoga in the Library/Yoga en la Biblioteca | 9:30 a.m. | Free | Chicago Lawn
- 🧒 Stories and Crafts | 10 a.m. | Free | Uptown
- 👠 The Sabrina vs. Chappell Roan Drag Brunch | 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. | $60 | Northalsted |
- 🏁 End of Winter Kickball | Noon-3 p.m. | $9 | Ravenswood
- 🎤 In The Land Open Mic | 1-4 p.m. | Englewood
- 🎹 Young Artists Competition Finals | 2 p.m. | Free | Loop
- 💬 Artist Talk: Planet Positive Printing for Artists | 2-4 p.m. | Donation | Oak Park
- 🎙️ Amp’d Up Open Mic | 3-6 p.m. | Free | North Lawndale
- 🍻 Good Boy Wine x Foxtrot Happy Hour | 4-7 p.m. | $15 | Wicker Park
- 💕 Speed Dating | 7-9 p.m. | $25 | Oak Park
- 🩰 Premiere: A Place to Be | 7-9 p.m. | $25 | Edgewater
- 🪩 Silent Disco | 8:30 p.m. | $10 | Fulton Market
- 🔊 Taiwan Night 台灣之夜 | 9 p.m. | $15-20 | Bridgeport
- 💀 Riot! at the Disco: Emo + Pop Punk Nite | 9 p.m. | $15 | Roscoe Village
- ❤️🔥 Are N Bee Chicago | 10 p.m. | $10+ | Hyde Park
- 🪩 Afro Fusion Saturday | 11 p.m. | Free-$50 | Uptown
Sunday, March 23
- 🧘 The Flow House | 10 a.m. | $55 | Near South Side
- 😍 Holi Festival of Color | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Donation | Oak Park
- 💐 Viva La Mujer Chicago Market | Noon-5 p.m. | Pay As You Go | Bridgeport
- 📚 Reading Buddies | 1:30-4:30 p.m. | Free | Logan Square
- ♟️ Learn Chess at the Library | 2-4:30 p.m. | Free | Morgan Park
- 🎙️ Jimmy López: Inner Dialogues | 3 p.m. | $30-50 | Loop
- 🎶 The Wabash Avenue Music Collective | 3 p.m. | Free | Northeastern Illinois University
- 📽️ Like a Rolling Stone 出走的决心 | 4:15 p.m. | Free | Illinois Institute of Technology
- 🏳️🌈 We're Here! We're Queer! Open Mic | 7-8:30 p.m. | $12 | Ukrainian Village
- 😆 Sam Ramsdell | 7-8:30 p.m. | $22+ | Streeterville
Have a great day and an even better weekend!
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