Culture | May. 2023
THE BUZZ: MAY 2023
By Megan Weisberg
LOEWE, cropped corduroy-trimmed waxed cotton-canvas jacket net-a-porter.com
THE 2023 LAKE FOREST SHOWHOUSE & GARDENS TO OPEN MAY 6TH FEATURING HONORARY CHAIRS ASHLEY WHITTAKER AND TIMOTHY WHEALON
A red brick Georgian-style Lake Forest home designed in the late 1960s by architect William Frazier has been utterly transformed for the 2023 Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens. Over 35 leading interior and landscape designers have reimagined the handsome 16-room main house, the seven-room coach house, and the gentleman’s outbuilding with vaulted ceilings. Honorary chairs Ashley Whittaker and Timothy Whealon will participate in the keynote lecture, luncheon, and book signing on May 8, 2023 with Emma Bazilian, author of Schumacher’s new book Charm School, serving as moderator. Whittaker is an ELLE DECOR A-List interior decorator, who has run her design business in New York City since 2006. Whealon is a Sotheby’s trained ELLE DECOR A-List interior decorator. The Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens will be open to visitors seven days a week from May 6 through June 4, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tours are offered during either morning or afternoon timeslots, and tickets are now available for purchase. Many of the decorative items, art, and furnishings found in the showcase house rooms are for sale. All proceeds from sponsorships, tickets, and designer sales, including from a volunteer-run boutique, benefit the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago, a nonprofit celebrating more than 110 years of providing healthcare to Chicago’s medically underserved. For up-to-date event information and to purchase tickets visit lakeforestshowhouse.com.
MUSIC OF THE BAROQUE 2023–24 SEASON
Music of the Baroque’s (MOB) 2023–24 season, titled “Heaven and Earth,” includes Mozart’s Requiem and the “St. John Passion” both led by Music Director Dame Jane Glover. MOB Executive Director Declan McGovern shares, “The music we perform transcends all boundaries—it touches the human spirit in the most profound ways, it elevates our understanding of the human condition, and it enables all of us to experience unique moments of joy. From the depth of Bach’s ‘St. John Passion’ to the mystery of Allegri’s ‘Miserere,’ from the fun of Telemann’s ‘Frogs Concerto’ to the drama of Purcell’s ‘King Arthur,’ this season has it all. We are thrilled to open our downtown concert series at Symphony Center and to return to the Harris Theater for its 20th anniversary year. We also look forward to our neighborhood performances on Chicago’s West Side.” Subscriptions for the 2023-24 concert season are on sale now at baroque.org.
RITA HAYWORTH GALA
Rita Hayworth once said, “We are all Tied to Our Destiny.” On Saturday, May 13, the Four Seasons Chicago will be transformed to host the 35th annual Alzheimer’s Association Chicago Rita Hayworth Gala. The Gala, founded by Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, daughter of famed actress Rita Hayworth, will include a cocktail reception, silent auction, dining, and dancing accompanied by live music from Maggie Speaks. This year, the event is chaired by Tara Gibney, a member of the Alzheimer’s Association Chicago Rita Hayworth Gala Steering Committee. WGN-TV anchor and investigative reporter Lourdes Duarte will emcee the evening. The Rita Hayworth Gala has grown into a multi-city event, raising critical funds for the Alzheimer’s Association’s care, support, and research programs. Since its inception, the Rita Hayworth Galas have raised more than $85 million, helping the Alzheimer’s Association make significant progress toward its vision of a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. For more information, visit alz.org/events/rita-hayworth-gala-chicago.
SPRING MAKEOVER
With 13 locations throughout Chicago, family owned Tricoci Salon & Spa is the leader in haircut and styling, innovative color, results oriented skin care, and wellness spa services. For over 40 years, Tricoci has offered an extensive menu of cutting-edge hair color and style, skin and body care, in addition to custom make-up and nail services all delivered by highly skilled professionals. Find a salon near you at tricoci.com.
MOTHER’S DAY BLOOMS
A bouquet goes better with those glorious homemade cards. Mamas and important mother do it all and even if yours says she doesn’t want flowers, she does. While we wait for the Hinsdale Farmers market to kick off the season on June 5, 2023, call your favorite floral shop, but do give them a little notice. Only Cupid sells more flowers than mom. Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 14.
PLAY IT
Stephen Edwards, who directs the gloriously joyful Allegrezza Singers, and is the beloved Director of Music and Worship at the Union Church of Hinsdale, has a new album out and you need it. Lexicon Classics released Schottische und Walisische Volkslieder 36 pieces by Joseph Haydn. Stephen became intrigued by the charming, beautiful, and interesting arrangements and created a comprehensive recording of 36 songs. There are themes of love lost and love found, war, the joy of living and more. Stephen is accompanied by Dana Brown on piano, Ilana Setapan on violin, David Sands on cello, and soprano Michelle Areyzaga. Available on all major streaming services. @singingstephen
BAG IT
Add South Washington Street to the list of great shopping districts in the world. Smreti Didwania has transformed a petite space into Caviar and Chevre, a by appointment-only jewel box filled with the most coveted Hermes, Chanel, and other designer bags, accessories and ready-to-wear. Every detail of the store is designed for ease of shopping and client delight. Smreti curates an exquisite collection of classic styles and seasonal hotties. Whether shopping for yourself or looking for an extra-special gift, this is the place. Do make an appointment by calling, through the website, or Instagram direct message. Thw C&C philosophy is to focus on clients individually and spoil shoppers while they make their selections and appointments are necessary to provide this personalized service. 331.625.3340, caviarandchevre.com, @caviarandchevre
SPRING IS IN THE AIR
Lake Forest Open Lands Association (LFOLA) is an independently funded conservation and educational organization devoted to the stewardship of our natural landscapes—ensuring all generations maintain a meaningful and lasting connection to nature. One stunning flora sure to be found in the green spaces of LFOLA is Mertensia virginica (Virginia bluebells)—a harbinger of spring and a reminder of the importance of biodiverse plantings. This small woodland flower is part of the modest camp of early annuals aptly titled “spring ephemerals.” Their foliage begins with a sangria hue transforming into a soft green. The charming blossoms emerge pink before opening into a sky blue bell. Being some of the first to emerge, they are also the first to leave. As the trees leaf out and the canopy fills in or as drier weather sets in, the Mertensia virginica will drop their seeds and wait again for the next winter’s end. Their “ephemeral” status reminds us to plant a variety of species that will provide aesthetic and ecological value through seasonal changes. For more information, visit lfola.org.
BEACON
This spring North Shore-based Susie Spigelman—along with cofounders Brian and Andrea Clark—launched Beacon, a first-of-its-kind autonomous air and surface disinfection assistant. The palm-sized, ultraviolet light-based device will zap a room clean within minutes, killing up to 99.99 percent of bacteria, viruses, germs, and pathogens, and aims to change the way people disinfect. With a chic, Apple-like design and easy-to-use functionality—simply affix the Beacon device to a wall and then control its operation and scheduling with the Beacon app—it’s set to help solve a global dilemma: how to safely and effectively reduce the presence and spread of germs. The bonus? It’ll be done in a modern and streamlined way, perfect for any interior. For more information visit beaconlight.co.
SOLE + LUNA
Sole + Luna Wellness Studio in Winnetka now offers Qi Facials. This quantum Qi technology originated in Australia and can now be found on the North Shore. Certified Qi Beauty practitioner, Tina Monico is one of only 30 practitioners in the U.S. and the first in Illinois. The holistic treatment activates the Qi (energy) within the skin with the strategic placement of 24-k gold magnetic spheres, to balance and stimulate the body’s bio-electrical system. The Qi magnets promote volume and levitation providing a sculptural and vibrant effect. Focusing on facial areas of concern, this rejuvenating treatment will help to boost skin elasticity and deliver immediate firmness, leaving your face lifted and hydrated. Monico addresses multiple areas during one treatment for a visible difference. Qi beauty treatments are deeply relaxing and restorative with no trauma or downtime. For more information, visit solelunawellness.com.
LOEWE
Spanish luxury fashion house, LOEWE reinvents the classic hunting coat this season in two stunning lengths.
UNDER THE BIG TOP BALLET
Barrington Dance Ensemble’s Under the Big Top Ballet at the Sanfilippo Estate is a great day for the whole family. The Under the Big Top Ballet features stilt walkers, circus ponies and dogs, jugglers, face painters, balloon artists, tours of the Sanfilippo Collections, and rides on the most beautiful carousel (all included in the ticket purchase). Lunch and concessions available for purchase.
Saturday, June 10th:
Noon-2:15p.m.
3p.m.-5:15p.m.
Sunday, June 11th:
Noon-2:15p.m.
3pm-5:15p.m.
Tickets available at barringtondance.org or call 847-382-6333.
THE SECRET SAUCE
Iván Pol, renowned celebrity facialist behind The Beauty Sandwich®, has released a new category in skincare, SSO1 (aka The Secret Sauce). Formulated to mimic the movement of the skin and uplift your facial frequency, SS01 has been Pol’s red carpet secret weapon to achieve his signature Snatched Glow™. This perfectly balanced potion, made of 100 percent natural ingredients, is brimming with performance actives that nourish, nurture, and feed the skin leaving it feeling soft, supple, and firm. This oil-based sauce mimics the action of the skin and has an equal ratio of essential fatty acids, ceramides, and phytocholesterols that work to repair and protect the skin when it needs it the most. Hand-blended in the UK by formulator, aromatherapist, and Chinese medicine expert Annee de Mamiel, SSO1 captures the core principles of The Beauty Sandwich®. For more information, visit thebeautysandwich.com.
