Culture | May. 2024
THE BUZZ: MAY 2024
By Dustin O’Regan
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATRINA WITTKAMP
STYLING BY THERESA DEMARIA
HAIR & MAKEUP BY LEANNA ERNEST
Lilia Barba owner of BASHY BASH.
THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON
Spirited Brands’ SOKĒ is a new premium canned sake soda cocktail that offers a contemporary take on Japan’s legacy beverage. Crafted with premium Junmai sake, infused with carefully curated, all-natural fruit flavors and perfectly balanced bubbles, Sokē provides a refreshing experience that is low-calorie, low-alcohol, and perfectly portable. Authentically flavored, the sake sodas are not too sweet or too sour—just incredibly delicious. Flavors include white peach, lychee, cherry blossom, and yuzu ginger. Sulfate-free, GMO-free, vegan, and gluten-free, yet flavor-full these are the perfect little somethings for those craving new options in the ready-to-drink space. For more information, visit sokesoula.com.
SWEET
GOODIES HIGHLAND PARK has been a women-owned North Shore favorite since 1989. Co-owners Lisa Meitus, Robin Roth, and Carrie Goodman are celebrating 35 years of supplying sweet treats to Highland Park and its neighboring communities. Goodies offers customized candy creations ranging from gourmet gift baskets and party favors to delights for the hostess and candy by the pound. Sweeten your day with a visit to the North Shore’s favorite confectionary. Goodies is located at 652 Central Avenue in Highland Park. For more information, visit goodiesetc.com.
FOR THE BASHIEST BASH
Born and raised in Mexico, Glencoe’s Lilia Barba has been raising the bar on North Shore fun since 2021. A favorite of partygoers near and far, her woman-owned premium balloon and paper emporium has recently been renamed BASHY BASH. The bountiful Winnetka boutique is brimming with unique items created by female artisans and curated by Barba. From small helium bouquets to large-scale balloon installations for all your summer soirees, Bashy Bash is a must for all fabulous fêtes. For more information and a whole lot of fun, visit bashybash.com.
THE MOST ARTFUL ACCESSORY
Christian Dior
“Without hats there is no civilization.”
Of all the things to love about the month of May—peonies, graduations, and brunches among them, hats deserve a mention. Between Derby Day parties and must-attend hat luncheons, ‘TIS THE SEASON FOR CHAPEAUX. For something truly special, book an appointment at the Oak Street atelier of couture milliner, Loreta Corsetti. This maestra of physics and imagination crafts the most exquisite toppers anywhere. She does all her own blocking and makes silk and leather flowers by hand. It’s no wonder that style icon Daphne Guinness is a customer. Corsetti is the first milliner from the United States to be awarded the prestigious Cappello del Mondo and have her work on display at the Museo del Cappello in Italy. 40 East Oak Street, Chicago, 312.640.6004, loretacorsetti.com.
PARTY PLACE
Plan your next kid’s party, team building or family afternoon at Velocity Esports. With the motto of “Next Level Gaming, Next Level Fun” and a mission to deliver “Great Games, Great Food, Great Community, Great Memories,” Velocity features a vast selection of arcade games and prizes, a premier esports lounge with more than 100 titles for PC and console gaming, and a billiards lounge complete with comfortable seating – all in a dynamic, inclusive atmosphere for social gaming. In addition to gaming and esports, Velocity includes an arcade bar and eatery, perfect for friends, families, and tourists looking for an elevated casual dining experience. Serving a menu filled with fresh takes on American and Mexican classics, complemented by a full bar menu including craft cocktails and spirit-free drinks, Velocity has options for every taste, whether guests need a quick snack or full meal. sounds like fun. velocityesports.com
LIGHT A CANDLE
Amy Allegra’s beloved mother passed away 27 years ago—one week after Amy graduated from Hinsdale Central. She has long wished to pay tribute to her mother, who owned a boutique in downtown Hinsdale in the early 1990s. It’s a fitting tribute that the shop’s name lives on as the new foundation, Abundance of the Heart. The mission is to help support organizations offering support to children, teenagers, and young adults who have lost a loved one. First up is a beautiful candle, adorned with the heart Amy’s mum used to draw. abundanceoftheheart.org and the-heart.org
@BOOKANDACHAI RECOMMENDS
The April book club pick is an absolute no brainer. Jennifer is obsessed with this writer. If she writes it, she reads it. The book is called The Other Side of Disappearing by Kate Clayborn. From the author of Georgie, All Along, it’s a pitch-perfect, transporting love story about an unexpected road trip, true crime obsessions, and hard-won vulnerability. Hooked, yet? Joining this book club is low effort, high reward. Pick up the book, start reading, and hop on over to Instagram to respond, chat, and connect any time that works for you. It’s a warm and fuzzy safe space where readers can join the conversation at any point. No preparing apps and pick your own beverage. @bookandachai
SCHOOL PRIDE
If you’re bursting with pride (or things to carry), stop by Smith’s Men’s Store to check out Heritage Gear’s Weekender Duffel. The perfect gift for a graduate—or their pleased parent—this sustainably-sourced duffel bag offers classic style, high-quality craftsmanship and the opportunity to show off one’s alma mater in the most elegant way. Crafted with American-made leather and wool from one of the oldest mills in the country, American Woolen, the Weekender Duffel is cut, sewn, and finished to the highest standards. For a keepsake that will stand the test of time, pop into Smith Men’s Store on Market Square. smithsmensstore.com
PRESENT PERFECT
Mother’s Day, graduation, and wedding seasons are right around the corner, so now’s the time to get organized. Thoughtful gift giving requires some planning—especially when it comes to personalized presents. Fortunately, The Initial Choice in downtown Lake Forest has 43 years of monogramming experience and a wide array of unique, beautifully-made gifts, all of which can be customized. From the softest baby blankets to breezy waffle robes and fine stationary, there’s something to mark every celebration at The Initial Choice. theinitialchoice.com
BARRINGTON ART FESTIVAL
Welcome the return of summer at the 15th annual Barrington Art Festival, Memorial Day Weekend. Start your day downtown with coffee and breakfast, then soak in unique art from more than 135 artists at this long cherished community tradition. Make your masterpiece at the live painting class or plan a creative stop in the Kid Zone. Break for lunch at your favorite local spot, enjoy a cold lemonade, and delicious snacks at the fest. Be sure to look for Kid’s Art Stop and Live Art Demo signs to get interactive with the artists. Barrington’s great restaurants, cafes, and retail stores are open all weekend. Saturday, May 25 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, May 26 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
MIDSUMMER MASQUERADE
The Barrington Junior Women’s Club (BJWC) invites you to a Midsummer Masquerade that promises to be a night of mystique and wonder that you can only experience by being there. Hosted June 29 at the stunning Sanfilippo Estate in Barrington Hills, guests will have a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Included in your ticket purchase is an exclusive tour of the residence where you will be astounded by the beauty of art glass, dozens of movie palace chandeliers, hundreds of Edison and Victrola phonographs, and so much more. BJWC raises funds to provide monetary grants to local nonprofit organizations to benefit women, children, and seniors in Chicagoland, as well as provides scholarships to high school seniors. To purchase your ticket, visit bjwcmasquerade.givesmart.com.
BE MINE GALA
Join child welfare agency Let It Be Us for an unforgettable evening celebrating its 10th anniversary at the Be Mine Gala on Friday, May 10, 2024. Beginning at 6:30 p.m. and held at Walden, a beautiful event space in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood, the event will bring together 250 people for dinner and drinks, a live auction, an awards presentation, entertainment by acapella teen singers from After School Matters, and more. Proceeds will allow Let It Be Us to innovate within the Illinois child welfare system by recruiting foster families and placing children into the right home, the first time. Since 2014, Let It Be Us has been providing children in emergent need and those who are challenging to place with a loving, lasting home through foster care and/or adoption. For more information and event tickets, visit letitbeus.org/bemine.
SUMMER CONCERT SERIES BEGINS
Rosemont’s Parkway Bank Park entertainment district (5501 Park Place, Rosemont) will kick off its summer season with the return of its “Rockin’ in the Park” free summer concert series. The 2024 series will begin Sunday, May 26 and feature a post-show fireworks display. Free concerts will continue every Thursday and select Friday evenings from May 30 through August 30, featuring music by classic cover bands alongside food and beverage tents on the park’s great lawn. All “Rockin’ in the Park” concerts will run from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday night concerts will culminate with a musical fireworks display. Admission to “Rockin’ in the Park” is free. For the complete lineup, visit www.parkwaybankpark.com.
SUMMER FAMILY STAYCATION EXTRAORDINAIRE
With easy access to Lake Michigan, close proximity to cultural experiences, and ideal downtown destination, Swissotel Chicago is the ultimate headquarters for a family-friendly vacation, or staycation this summer travel season. Families can take their vacation one step further with a stay in the Swissotel Kids Suite, a two-room suite offering kids their very own separate but adjoining room, accommodating up to six people. The Kids Suite is decorated with kid-friendly linens and kid-sized tables and chairs, featuring a complimentary movie, popcorn, and milk and cookies. The suite also includes a wide variety of kid-friendly games, toys, coloring books, stuffed animals and more. Don’t worry about leaving your fur baby at home—Swissotel Chicago is pet friendly, and the pet amenity can be added to any room type for a small fee. Be sure to stop by the front desk for a pet bed, bowls, treats, and toys, too. If you are looking to add an additional thrill, visit Skydeck Chicago for a view of the city from 1,353 feet above ground. For more information and a whole lot of family fun, visit swissotel.com and theskydeck.com.
