TheSaturday, April 6, Wisch List newspaper column from The Daily Journal (Kankakee, Ill.) and The Times (Ottawa, Ill.) …
The WISCH LIST
By Dave Wischnowsky
With Easter Sunday, April Fool’s Day and Major League Baseball’s Opening Day all falling within the same 48-hour span – when’s the last time that happened? – the month of April certainly started out with a bang.
And a brrrrrr, considering how Monday marked the third-coldest home opener in White Sox history with wind chills dipping as low as 30.
However, now that the weather has warmed up a bit (and hopefully for good), Chicago will be starting to stir and here are a few springtime entertainment options you can enjoy in the city during April.
Monday, April 8
Chicago Cubs Home Opener
If you’re headed up for the Cubs’ home opener, I have three quick tips as an eight-year resident of Wrigleyville.
First, consider parking at the lot just northwest of the “L” tracks at Irving Park and Seminary. Secondly, visit Murphy’s Bleachers to start (the big pregame crowd makes it more fun). And thirdly, dine on Southport Avenue to finish (the smaller postgame crowds make it more enjoyable).
Sunday, April 14
I Run Chicago
If you’re suffering from withdrawal from Fighting Illini athletics, you can get your fix next weekend in Chicago. Well, sort of – as long as you’re willing to be the athlete.
At 10 a.m., the second annual “I Run Chicago” 5K/8K will start at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. Proceeds will benefit the University of Illinois’ I Fund program, which raises money for scholarships and support of U of I athletes. Visit chicagoevents.com to register by April 9. Fee also includes post-race party inside the museum.
Saturday, April 20
Baconfest 2013
If you love bacon – and, really, who doesn’t? – then this festival is like Christmas, the Fourth of July and your birthday all bacon-wrapped into one.
Held at the UIC Pavilion (725 W. Roosevelt Road) and featuring more than 120 vendors offering creative bacon dishes from some of the nation’s best chefs. The lineup includes chefs from Windy City restaurats Bakin’ and Eggs, Belly Q and Old Town Social. Baconfest partners with the Greater Chicago Food Depository, with a portion of proceeds helping to fund its efforts to end world hunger.
For more information, visit baconfestchicago.com.
April 25-29
International Antiques Fair
For the 16th consecutive year, the Merchandise Mart – a building so massive that it once had its own zip code – will play host to the International Antiques Fair, billed as “Chicago’s ultimate treasure hunt.”
The event at 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza will feature more than 100 dealers of antiques and fine art, including 20th-century design, Americana, architectural design and Asian art and antiquities. Other categories include the likes of barometers, books, ceramics, clocks, furniture, glass, jewelry, maps, posters, prints, sculpture, textiles and much more.
For more information, visit merchandisemartantiques.com.
April 26-28
Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo
Where else can you see Adam West (Batman), Burt Ward (Robin), Julie Newmar (Catwoman) along with members of the cast of “The Walking Dead,” filmmaker Kevin Smith, and comedian Patton Oswalt?
Perhaps somewhere. But during the last weekend of April, the only location is the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo at McCormick Place.
Now in its fourth year, the annual fan convention – nicknamed C2E2 – is dedicated to comics, pop culture, graphic novels, video games, movies and TV. It drew as many as 30,000 attendees during its first incarnation in 2010. Last year, that number grew to 41,000 as people flocked to rub elbows with comic book artists and publishers, as well as gawk at props and celebrities from popular movies and TV series.
For more information about the expo and a lineup of guests, visit C2E2.com.