
City Cast Chicago
🔥 Opa! A new Greektown eatery
September 4, 2025 · — Emmi Mack
Last call … for Hidden Cove! The 5 a.m. karaoke bar is set to close Sept. 15, so get your requests in ASAP! Not gonna lie, this one hits hard. I ushered in my 21st birthday there while belting out “Ironic.” More recently, I attempted Andrea Bocelli on Christmas.
Despite humiliating myself, I still want a swan song before the dive becomes a mixed-use condominium.
In other condo transformation news, we’ve got the history of Greektown for ya in today’s newsletter, plus all the other pressing headlines 👇

What's CITY Talking About?
Pritzker Warns ICE Could Arrive By Tomorrow
On Wednesday, Gov. JB Pritzker warned that a strike team could begin assembling Friday with enforcement actions planned for the weekend. The governor previously suggested raids were being timed to Mexican Independence Day festivities. The Pilsen parade is Saturday, with other events slated for next weekend. [WTTW, Sun-Times]
- Related: Here's how to spot ICE in Chicago. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
211 Resource Hotline Opens in Grand Crossing
A 211 call center has opened in Grand Crossing. The hotline aims to help Chicagoans navigate social resources for health, housing, food, and utility assistance. It employs 50 full-time staff members. [Block Club]

Who Responds to Mental Health Crises?
Over the past few years, Chicago has experimented with alternative emergency responses to mental health calls. But how is the effort going? On today’s podcast, MindSite Chicago bureau chief Josh McGhee and freelance investigative reporter Maggie Dougherty discuss the ups and downs of Chicago’s crisis response. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
Alderman Says Retired Cops Shouldn't Sell Marijuana
A business group that includes 10 retired Chicago cops tried to launch a marijuana dispensary near Peterson and Western. They were recently rejected by Ald. Andre Vasquez (40th), who said he has “concerns” about people who made cannabis arrests selling cannabis. The ownership team, which is 85% Black, plans to pursue opening a dispensary elsewhere. [Tribune 🔒]

Neighborhood Shoutouts
Time for your weekly Neighborhood Shoutout! Every week, we highlight recs from City Cast Chicago Neighbors. To plug your own, become a member today.
Today, Maia T. is shouting out DivaDance Chicago, which has locations in Lincoln Park, Lakeview, and West Loop: “DivaDance is amazing! Truly a dynamic and inclusive community dedicated to having fun and building confidence through dance!”

What To Do
Thursday, Sep. 4
- 🎵 DuSummer Thursdays | DuSable Museum | Washington Park
- 📖 Storytime | 57th Street Books | Hyde Park
- 👟 2nd Annual Hyde Park Best Steppers Contest | Harper Court
- 🍎 Daley Plaza Farmers Market | Loop
- 🏐 Electric Anniversary |North Avenue Beach | Lincoln Park
- 🎇 Summer & Fall Afterwork Sunset Cruises on Lake Michigan | Anita Dee II | DuSable Harbor
- 🔈 Sonorous Somatics 005 | Blanc Gallery | Bronzeville
- 🏠 Let the walls bleed out / A vaulted room for future feelings | Lillstreet Art Center | Ravenswood
- 🎤 Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me | Studebaker Theater | Loop
- 📷 Channeling: body ←Image→ viewer | Museum of Contemporary Photography | Loop
- 🎵 The Black Keys | Huntington Bank Pavilion | Northerly Island
- 🍗 2025 Chef BBQ | 1817 N Clark St. | Lincoln Park
Friday, Sep. 5
- 🛍️ Retro on Roscoe | Roscoe Street and Damen Avenue | Roscoe Village
- 🍽️ Taste of Chicago | Grant Park
- 🍺 Chicago German-American Oktoberfest | Lincoln Square
- 🎤 Selena Tribute Concert | Millennium Park
- 🖼️ Arts on Devon | Republic Bank Parking Lot | Rogers Park
- 🎸 Edgewater Music Fest | Broadway and Thorndale avenues
- 🎥 ”Ferris Bueller's Day Off” | Rooftop Cinema Club | Fulton Market
- ⚾️ Cubs vs. Nationals | Wrigley Field
- 🎨 Holding Space | Oliva Gallery | Logan Square
- 🎶 Tim Gant Project | Harper Court | Hyde Park
- 🖌️ The Ambiguous Narrative and Inner Beauty, Outer Expression | ARC Gallery | Noble Square
- 🖼️ Faculty Sabbatical Triennial | SAIC Galleries | Loop
- 🎷 Chicago Blues Day | Wrigley Field
- 🎥 "Atomic Blonde" | Harold Washington Library | Loop
- 🌴 Paradise | Parlour and Ramp | Pilsen
- 🎭 The Rhinoceros Theater Festival opening | Various locations
- 🎵 Throwback Music Fest | Gladstone Park | Jefferson Park
I’d also like to thank our recent City Cast Chicago Neighbors: Janie L., Sarah B., Julie K-S., Tom V., Meagan S., Jen V., Eric B., and Jordan L.!
💕 Welcome to the neighborhood, y’all! We’re so happy to have you.
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