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A guide to fun things to do in Chicago this weekend.

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Bill Kurtis is ready to read, write and roam

It includes a walk along the river, writing, pancakes at Beatrix and dinner at Prairie Grass Cafe.

Things to Do

Legendary anchorman and &quot;voice of God,&quot; Bill Kurtis, 85, announced this month he&#x27;s retiring from his regular (and hilarious) gig as judge and scorekeeper on &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Wait Wait…Don&#x27;t Tell Me" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/06/30/wait-wait-dont-tell-me-peter-sagal-chicago" data-vars-content-id="a17362b5-5eb2-4681-aaaa-a0624766b879" data-vars-headline="Bill Kurtis is ready to read, write and roam" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/06/30/wait-wait-dont-tell-me-peter-sagal-chicago" target="_self">Wait Wait…Don&#x27;t Tell Me</a>!&quot; His last show is May 23.<ul><li>In retirement, Kurtis tells Axios, he looks forward to &quot;More writing. More reading. More time on the land.&quot;</li></ul>

What to do in dangerous CTA platform situations

Contact CTA help, never intentionally jump in and avoid the third rail.

Public Safety

As a frequent CTA rider, I&#x27;ll admit it: Recent reports about violence on the system have freaked me out.<ul><li>They also got me wondering what to do in rare but worrying scenarios.</li></ul>State of play: Last year, I shared <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="advice for handling problems on trains" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/01/07/how-to-report-issues-get-help-cta" data-vars-content-id="996b60c0-d9ef-4001-99d2-d4eb6ef4397e" data-vars-headline="What to do in dangerous CTA platform situations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/01/07/how-to-report-issues-get-help-cta" target="_self">advice for handling problems on trains</a>. But what about on the platform? Like, what do you do if you drop your phone on the tracks?<ul><li>And what if you&#x27;re shoved?</li></ul><figure><img alt="Four-panel CTA poster in teal: subway platform scene with a man, a blue-haired figure saying, &quot;I can get down there. It&#x27;ll just take a second...&quot;; a moving train and a man near a grave; bottom caption urges to alert CTA staff." height="866" id="85cce7d0-e4ad-494f-81d2-9b4cce6b07e7" src="https://images.axios.com/X3ZV1B1gsHlqnegM5Tj-G76xQks=/2026/03/24/1774378462937.png" width="1724"/><figcaption>Courtesy of the CTA</figcaption></figure>Phone scenario: CTA officials shared this 2023 comic showing what not to do if you drop valuables on the tracks.The right answer: Contact a CTA employee to help you safely retrieve it.Case in point: Carrie once dropped her phone on the tracks, watched the train whoosh by and discovered her phone was still OK. <ul><li>She sought out CTA help and a staffer grabbed it for her. </li></ul><figure><img alt="A subway platform with a blue edge and exposed tracks; a blue-red train sits on the opposite track. An orange &#x27;Third Rails&#x27; label spans the rails as a few people stand on the far platform near a digital display." height="1576" id="5261941a-8b1d-42fc-ac20-52e4fe458f97" src="https://images.axios.com/40-nvcipOCUoMVQb-KnGmOpzX6I=/2026/03/24/1774378498779.jpeg" width="2100"/><figcaption>The third rails — highlighted in red — are located farthest from the platform at the Belmont El stop. Photo illustration: Monica Eng/Axios</figcaption></figure>Shoved into the tracks: If a train isn&#x27;t immediately approaching, your main goal is to avoid the third rail — typically the farthest rail from the platform. <ul><li>It carries 600 volts and can be deadly. </li></ul>Tip two: Ask someone to alert a CTA employee, who can signal coming trains, cut power and call for help.Tip three: If you&#x27;re able, assess your injuries and try to climb out with help from others nearby.<ul><li>Emergency ladders are typically located at the ends of platforms.</li></ul>Between the lines: CTA officials weren&#x27;t thrilled with the shoving question and stressed that these incidents are extremely rare.<ul><li>The roughly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="60 riders who&#x27;ve been shoved" data-vars-click-url="https://chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdogs/2026/03/16/chicago-transit-authority-shoving-incidents-train-platforms-trump-administration-targeting-crime" data-vars-content-id="996b60c0-d9ef-4001-99d2-d4eb6ef4397e" data-vars-headline="What to do in dangerous CTA platform situations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdogs/2026/03/16/chicago-transit-authority-shoving-incidents-train-platforms-trump-administration-targeting-crime" target="_blank">60 riders who&#x27;ve been shoved</a> onto the tracks over the past five years represent a tiny fraction of those who rode the system during that period. And none of those incidents proved fatal. </li><li>Officials remind that it&#x27;s illegal and very dangerous to intentionally enter this restricted area.</li></ul>

Here's why Dempster in Chicago's suburbs is a dining destination

Herm's, Kabul House, Taboun, Savory Crust and more are all worth a visit.

Food and Drink

I was overwhelmed by the huge response I got to my <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dempster Dining Dive " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/03/20/20-delectable-treats-to-eat-along-dempster-street" data-vars-content-id="f531053c-c8b9-48e9-9bff-208cb58c4558" data-vars-headline="Here&#x27;s why Dempster in Chicago&#x27;s suburbs is a dining destination" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/03/20/20-delectable-treats-to-eat-along-dempster-street" target="_self">Dempster Dining Dive </a>earlier this week and the fabulous suggestions readers sent in for more delicious Dempster spots.<ul><li>Here are more great suggestions to add to your list:</li></ul>

Pick up an Illinois passport for America's 250th

A new Illinois passport guides visitors to 60 historic sites, from Cahokia Mounds to Pullman.

History

Illinois is putting its own stamp on the country&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="250th birthday." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/07/black-history-250-who-decides" data-vars-content-id="7bb4c31b-b800-458a-b75b-ce75bbca4afe" data-vars-headline="Pick up an Illinois passport for America&#x27;s 250th" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/07/black-history-250-who-decides" target="_self">250th birthday.</a>

Benny the Bull's birthday: Chicago Bulls mascot celebrates at United Center

The legendary mascot gives us what a perfect day in Chicago would look like.

Sports

Chicago Bulls fans may be divided about the direction of the<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" team&#x27;s rebuild" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/05/bulls-trade-vucevic-white-dosunmu-reset-franchise-michael-jordan" data-vars-content-id="88556fc6-cdb9-45d0-b2e4-52ee76ab0ce4" data-vars-headline="Benny the Bull&#x27;s birthday: Chicago Bulls mascot celebrates at United Center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/05/bulls-trade-vucevic-white-dosunmu-reset-franchise-michael-jordan" target="_self"> team&#x27;s rebuild</a>, but they unite around one thing: Benny the Bull.Why it matters: The beloved mascot is celebrating his 57th birthday Wednesday. The Bulls will mark the occasion at the United Center before their game against the Pacers.<ul><li>Expect a pregame, beach bash–themed party starting at 5:30pm in the atrium.</li></ul>

5 things to expect under new Hideout ownership

Think songwriters in the round, fiddle music, cocktails and hot dogs.

Last month, Chicagoans absorbed the news that owners of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Hideout nightclub were selling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/03/19/hideout-owners-sell-to-musician-after-30-years" data-vars-content-id="2eb9e6c3-271f-4e92-b960-b53d5f46e7f6" data-vars-headline="5 things to expect under new Hideout ownership" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/03/19/hideout-owners-sell-to-musician-after-30-years" target="_self">The Hideout nightclub were selling</a> it after 30 years to musician and former staffer Teri O&#x27;Brien.Why it matters: At the time of the sale, O&#x27;Brien was still processing her new stewardship and ownership duties and was short on future plans.<ul><li>We caught up with her a week later, after she&#x27;d done fun things like transfer the &quot;waste management accounts into my name,&quot; to see if we could glean a few more details about the club&#x27;s future.</li></ul>

What David Byrne's "Theater of the Mind" feels like

The 75-minute immersive experience mixes neuroscience, memory and audience participation.

Culture

When my husband asked me what <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Theater of the Mind&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/10/28/chicago-theater-of-the-mind-david-byrne-goodman" data-vars-content-id="2c934ba4-8bce-423b-a081-6a61cf442890" data-vars-headline="What David Byrne&#x27;s &quot;Theater of the Mind&quot; feels like" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/10/28/chicago-theater-of-the-mind-david-byrne-goodman" target="_self">&quot;Theater of the Mind&quot;</a> was before we went this week, I told him I didn&#x27;t really know, despite previewing its arrival.<ul><li>Now that I&#x27;ve seen it, I still don&#x27;t quite know, and that&#x27;s a good thing.</li></ul>

What you need to know about the Cubs opener

The North Siders play the Nationals at 1:20pm amid lots of hot chicken and a parking controversy.

Thursday is the first day of Wrigleyville spring, a glorious moment when the Cubs have lost zero games and anything is possible.The basics: Thursday&#x27;s opener against the Washington Nationals starts at 1:20pm with temps expected to hit the 60s followed by some potentially nasty rain and even hail.<ul><li>Fans can check out a military flyover from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112 at around 1:02 p.m. before the game.</li><li>Gates open two hours before the first pitch.</li></ul>

20 delectable treats to eat along Dempster Street

This stretch in Skokie, Niles and Morton Grove offers a global smorgasbord.

I recently bopped down a 4-mile stretch of suburban Dempster Street to see if I could find 20 delicious snacks from 20 cultures.<ul><li>And I did.</li></ul>Why it matters: This global smorgasbord on a single street reflects the growing diversity of collar suburbs like Skokie, Niles and Morton Grove, whose international populations have blossomed in recent years.

Chicago's TimeLine Theatre opens brand new space

After years in Lakeview, the company opens a larger Uptown venue with a theater, café and events space.

After decades of operating out of a church in Lakeview, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="TimeLine Theatre " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2022/06/03/the-chinese-lady-amazes-chicago" data-vars-content-id="1a02963e-14d2-4482-afea-26879d6a9a1a" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s TimeLine Theatre opens brand new space" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2022/06/03/the-chinese-lady-amazes-chicago" target="_self">TimeLine Theatre </a>is moving to a new, 33,000-square-foot space in Uptown.Why it matters: A stalwart of Chicago&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="storefront theater scene" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/01/05/performing-arts-filming-theatre-strikes-2024" data-vars-content-id="1a02963e-14d2-4482-afea-26879d6a9a1a" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s TimeLine Theatre opens brand new space" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/01/05/performing-arts-filming-theatre-strikes-2024" target="_self">storefront theater scene</a>, TimeLine stands apart for its mission to present works rooted in history and centered on issues with contemporary social and political resonance.

Lyric's new "Madama Butterfly" takes flight

Pinkerton is cast as an anime-loving gamer with a VR headset.

Ever since I saw &quot;Madama Butterfly&quot; for the first time at the Lyric in 8th grade, I&#x27;ve had problems with the Puccini opera.Warning: Spoilers ahead for those who don&#x27;t know &quot;Butterfly&quot;&#x27;s ending.

Things to Do 🗓

Benny the Bull's birthday: Chicago Bulls mascot celebrates at United Center

5 things to expect under new Hideout ownership

Pick up an Illinois passport for America's 250th

Bill Kurtis is ready to read, write and roam

More things to do this weekend