The Real Chicago

Top Menu

  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

Main Menu

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
Sign in / Join

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login
  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

logo

Header Banner

The Real Chicago

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
  • Chicago’s hidden gems: Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Unabridged Bookstore, Lulu Belle’s Pancake House and TNT at The Annoyance

  • New on the scene: Recapping recent restaurant and bar openings in Chicago

  • The Big City Blog: A Chicago summer bucket list

  • Outdoor drinking: A guide to some of our favorite beer gardens and rooftops in Chicago

  • A day at the museum: Exploring the iconic Field Museum in Chicago

Inside Scoop
Home›featured-blogs›Inside Scoop›Inside Scoop for Summer 2013: Grant Park Music Festival, S3 leagues, Pinot on the Patio, A Blend of People and more,

Inside Scoop for Summer 2013: Grant Park Music Festival, S3 leagues, Pinot on the Patio, A Blend of People and more,

By TheRealChicagoOnline
July 8, 2013
590
0
Share:

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

Learn what’s hot and what’s happening in Chicago this summer

S3 — Singles Social Sports Leagues

You see them everywhere in joyous groups — on the beach, in the bowling alleys, overtaking your neighborhood bar. They’re happy, beautiful and, quite often, wearing the same colored t-shirt. They’re singles, and they’re mingling with team spirit around Chicago via the lesser-known of sports leagues, Singles Social Sports League, better known as S3. Started in 2009 by Chicagoan Ben Shimon, S3 offers sports S3 rafting tripleagues like volleyball and social events like bags tournaments year round, with an emphasis on “un-singling singles.”

My roommate and I enjoyed a recent night out at the Social 9-Pin Tap Tournament. Every lane had pre-determined teams of four guys and four women, matched up by age and neighborhood. For a mere $10, we got free shoes, two games, a raffle ticket (with which I won three free games!) and a great night interacting with locals ready and willing to mingle. After the games, all participants were invited to a bar across the street offering cheap drink specials just for S3.

From this night alone, we could tell that S3 is more than just a league. There was an immediate sense of camaraderie upon our arrival. Everyone was there to meet new friends and have a fun time, and not just solely focus on the game.

Check out www.S3Leagues.com for the next event or league. They sell out fast.

— Hilary Ward

Shochu & Sushi Wednesdays at Roka Akor

Every Wednesday night from 5-7 p.m. this summer, enjoy a mixer at Roka Akor (456 N. Clark). Roka’s “Shochu & Sushi” event gives patrons a chance to sample signature infused cocktails (two per guest) and passed trays of sushi for $25 per person. Roka Akor - Soft Shell Crab Maki Roll

The mango Thai Chile shochu was my favorite, finishing with the chile bite to cut the sweetness. The passed trays included crisp and light tuna on toast, spicy hamachi serrano rolls and a roe-topped roll wrapped in thinly sliced cucumber that was an explosion of freshness. Seriously, it’s the freshest thing I have ever tasted.

Roka’s bar has a classy but relaxed vibe that makes it a great place to unwind after work. The décor is elegant, the staff is great and the music is a perfect combination of ambient elevator and trendy clothing store.

Roka Akor is located at 456 N. Clark. www.RokaAkor.com

— Corey O’Day

17th annual Chicago SummerDance in Grant Park

The largest annual outdoor live music and dance series in the United States, Chicago SummerDance, returns for its 17th year in Grant Park’s Spirit of Music Garden (601 S. Michigan Ave.) Thursday, Friday and Summerdance 2Saturday evenings from 6-9:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoons from 4-7 p.m. between June 27-Sept. 15.

Presented by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, SummerDance brings people of all ages and skill levels together on a 4,900-square-foot, open-air dance floor. The series offers free, introductory one-hour dance lessons by professional instructors followed by live music and dancing. The diverse lineup showcases various traditional and modern dance styles from all corners of the globe.

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

Updates and announcements (including weather) will be available on Facebook and on Twitter @SummerDanceChi. For more information, visit www.ChicagoSummerDance.org.

Grant Park Music Festival

Grant Park Music Festival opens its 79th season, running June 12-August 17 at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park with 10 weeks of beloved classics, masterworks of today and tomorrow, and anniversary Pritzker Pavilion Lawn - GPMF 2009 credit - Shirin Mozaffaricelebrations.

All concerts are free, and most will take place on Wednesday and Friday evenings at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m.

Open lunchtime rehearsals of the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus return June 11-Aug. 16 and typically take place Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Visit the Grant Park Music Festival Facebook page or follow the festival on Twitter @gpmf

“Pinot on the patio” at The Chicago Firehouse

The Chicago Firehouse restaurant has launched “Pinot on the Patio,” a new weekly event that highlights pinot noir, pinot gris and pinot grigio. From 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. on Tuesdays, glasses of pinot will be $5 each (wines will vary from week to week).

Chef John Caputo’s full lunch and dinner menu will be available on the beautiful, enclosed backyard patio with seating for 100 guests.

The Chicago Firehouse is located 1401 S. Michigan Ave. www.ChicagoFirehouse.com

A Blend of People

Ever want to have a good meal and conversation about topics like travel, local music or hidden gems in Chicago? Check out A Blend of People, which hosts thought-provoking social gatherings in an environment that combines a blend of people with good food, good drinks and great conversation.

Just go to the website, look through the upcoming events page and choose a topic that interests you. Then show up and be ready for a fun, friendly and interactive evening with other like-minded people. Share stories, advice, jokes, plans, goals and more. Make new friends, get inspired and laugh a little too.
www.aBLENDofpeople.com

— Trent Modglin

The Two Dollar Bill at ComedySportz

The ComedySportz Theatre’s wildly popular Wednesday night of comedy offering three improv shows for just $2 is back.

Genesis League at 8 p.m. Battle-Prov at 9 p.m. The After Party.at 10 p.m.

The After Party is an improvised party with a new “party” theme every week where both audience and players, led by members of the ComedySportz main ensemble, are encouraged to try out improv in a fun and supportive environment.

ComedySportz is located at 929 W. Belmont. www.ComedySportzChicago.com

The new VIP experience at Blue Man GroupBMGkids3

You may have seen a show before, but you haven’t seen it like this — the new VIP experience to Blue Man Group.

VIPs are treated to a three-course pre-fixe meal at Jack’s on Halsted, premium seats, complimentary pre-show beverage, souvenir VIP pass with free audio download as well as access to an exclusive post-show Q&A with a staff member and photo opportunity with a Blue Man.

Only eight VIP tickets are available for select shows, so call the Briar Street Theater box office at 773-348-4000 for more information.

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

TagsA Blend of PeopleBen ShimonBlue Man GroupBriar Street TheaterChicago FirehouseChicago free concertsChicago SummerChicago SummerDanceComedySportsCorey O'DayGrant Park ChicagoGrant Park Music FestivalHilary WardJohn CaputoMillennium ParkPinot on the PatioPritzker PavilionRoka AkorS3 ChicagoShochu & Sushi WednesdaySingles Social Sports LeaguesThe Real ChicagoTrent ModglinTwo Dollar Bill
Previous Article

First Look review: Bailiwick Chicago Theater’s “Mahal” ...

Next Article

Outdoor drinking: A guide to some of ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

TheRealChicagoOnline

Related articles More from author

  • The Big City Blog

    The Big City Blog: New happy hour specials, Shakespeare, Chicago Cocktail Social, Laugh Out Loud Theater and AIRE rooftop

    April 19, 2016
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • The Local Corner

    The Local Corner: Exploring the Armitage and Bissell intersection in Lincoln Park

    March 12, 2015
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Chicago Insider

    Chicago Insider: Erin Florczak on Volo’s wine garden, Yuzu Sushi and the greatness of Honey Butter Fried Chicken

    August 31, 2015
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Top Chef, Chicago style: Analyzing the city’s hottest restaurants

    April 12, 2012
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Shop Around the Corner

    Shop Around the Corner: Adventuring through Graham Crackers Comics

    May 15, 2015
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • General Features

    My night at the opera: A first-timer’s guide to enjoying a Lyric Opera production

    September 11, 2015
    By TheRealChicagoOnline

You might be interested

  • Around TownHidden Gems

    Chicago’s hidden gems: Chicago Botanic Garden, Cesar’s margaritas, Playground Theater and Potash Markets

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Summer’s in season: A Chicago guide to outdoor drinking

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    The best of Broadway: Plenty of diverse food options call this lively street home

  • LATEST REVIEWS

  • TOP REVIEWS

Timeline

  • November 11, 2021

    Inside Scoop: Massive FoBAB beer festival returns to Chicago this weekend, Nov. 12-13

  • July 31, 2019

    Chicago Insider Etienne Padin on obscure museums, shopping in Andersonville and dining at Maple & Ash

  • July 30, 2019

    First Look review: CMX CineBistro provides a fun, fresh take on the luxury dine-in theater experience

  • July 28, 2019

    Finger lickin’ good: Six trusted Chicago spots for a stellar barbecue experience

  • July 25, 2019

    The Big City Blog: Four Friday Night Flights beer tastings remain this summer, including July 26 in Ravenswood

Latest Comments

  • The 14 Best Fireplaces in Chicago | UrbanMatter
    on
    October 11, 2017
    […] Photo Credit: The Real Chicago […]

    Cozy on up: We asked active Chicagoans for their favorite spots to warm up in the ...

  • Why You Should Visit a Museum | FreeForAll.org
    on
    January 16, 2017
    […] Photo Credit: Therealchicago   […]

    It’s cold out there: A few spots to warm up this winter

  • Why You Should Visit a Museum – FreeForAll.org
    on
    October 23, 2016
    […] Photo Credit: Therealchicago   […]

    It’s cold out there: A few spots to warm up this winter

  • The Real Chicago – The Big City Blog: A very Chicago night on the town
    on
    May 31, 2016
    […] up was The Redhead Piano Bar for drinks and live music. I’ve said it before ...

    Friendly, unfussy, and serious about music: Hanging with Marshall Nelson from the Redhead Piano Bar

  • Scouting Logan Square: A Renewed Historical Neighborhood - The Annex, a blog by Casamatic
    on
    March 10, 2016
    […] (cover photo via The Real Chicago) […]

    The rise of Logan Square: Why this diverse area has quickly become one of Chicago’s hottest ...

Find us on Facebook

Originally launched in 2006, The Real Chicago — as a glossy entertainment magazine, website and email newsletter — has consistently provided the very best insider information, features and reviews to help both tourists and active locals get the most out of exploring the greatest city on Earth.
  • Latest Posts

  • Inside Scoop: Massive FoBAB beer festival returns to Chicago this weekend, Nov. 12-13

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    November 11, 2021
  • Chicago Insider Etienne Padin on obscure museums, shopping in Andersonville and dining at Maple & ...

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    July 31, 2019
  • First Look review: CMX CineBistro provides a fun, fresh take on the luxury dine-in theater ...

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    July 30, 2019

Photostream

    Follow us

    © Copyright The Real Chicago. All rights reserved.