We were gifted amazing news this past week. “We will be converting our food court fountain business back over to Coca-Cola,” Costco CEO Ron Vachris said Thursday at the company’s annual shareholders meeting. That’s right, soon you’ll be able to wash down a reasonably priced hot dog with the fresh, ice cold Coca-Cola.
Sinegal also famously once said, “If you raise the effing hot dog, I will kill you. Figure it out,” according to former CEO Craig Jelinek.
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Globes on the Terrace at Hotel Zachary (Friday-Sunday)
It is the FINAL weekend for heated terrace globes at Hotel Zachary. Enjoy views of Wrigley Field as well as a variety of drinks for parties of six or less. The globes also have fun activities including board games, Polaroid cameras and a record player! To make a reservation, check here.
Chicago Restaurant Week (Friday-Sunday)
The 18th annual Chicago Restaurant Week kicks off this Friday, with over 470 locations throughout the city participating. For more information and a full list of restaurants, click here.
The Vaccines at The Vic (Friday)
Q101 St. Patrick’s Day broadcast alumni The Vaccines head to The Vic this weekend for what should be a stellar show. Tickets can be purchased here.
Chicago Blackhawks host the Tampa Bay Lightning (Friday)
The Lightning, as of recent vintage, have been very good. The same cannot be said for the Blackhawks. The Hawks shoot for a rare home win on Friday night.
Christian Lee Hutson at Lincoln Hall (Saturday)
Folk standout Christian Lee Hutson heads to Lincoln Hall on Saturday night for what could end up being one of the most emotional sets of 2025. Hutson, who has the much-desired Phoebe Bridgers stamp of approval, is one of the most prolific writers going today. Tickets can be purchased here.
SoxFest Live (Friday-Saturday)
Celebrate the Chicago White Sox with a brand new immersive fan experience, kicking off Friday at the Ramova Theater. Enjoy photo-ops, interactive experiences and a VIP meet-and-greet to those who upgrade. For ticket information click here.
Chicago Bulls vs. Philadelphia 76ers (Saturday)
The 76ers are the one team remaining in the Eastern Conference that could knock the Bulls out of a Play-In Tournament spot, so in a weird way, this game really matters. That’s the best we can see about current Bulls action.
Frank Black at Metro (Saturday-Sunday)
Pixies frontman Frank Black celebrates 30 years of his incredible solo record, “Teenager of the Year”, on both Saturday and Sunday at the Metro. Black’s show on Saturday is sold out, but limited tickets remain for Sunday’s show.
Chicago Blackhawks host the Minnesota Wild (Sunday)
If the Hawks don’t beat the Lightning, maybe they’ll beat the Wild…
Every Friday, Case the Producer rounds up the most exciting new tunes in music and serves them up in one easy-to-find blog for you, the Q101 Crew Members.
Brigitte Calls Me Baby: Careless Whisper
One year removed from Brigitte Calls Me Baby’s jaw-dropping performance at Q101’s Twisted XMAS that was highlighted by their incredible cover of “Careless Whisper”, Chicago’s finest band has released a studio version of their George Michael cover.
Brigitte Calls Me Baby heads to The Riv on May 10 with Saint Motel.
Rise Against: Nod
Rise Against is back, and for the 3:02 that this song runs, all feels right in the world. “Nod” kicks off what should be a monstrous year for the band between new music and the Rise of the Roach Tour this summer.
You can listen to Brian & Kenzie’s in-studio interview with Tim & Joe from Rise Against here.
Scowl: Not Heaven, Not Hell
For years now, Scowl has been grinding away as stalwarts in an emerging hardcore punk scene. Late last year, they announced that they were leaving Flatspot Records, the current leaders in heavy music, for Dead Oceans, a prominent indie label that houses Bright Eyes and Japanese Breakfast, among others. “Not Heaven, Not Hell” sees Scowl continue the same aggression that brought them to the dance, but with an entirely new palette of production behind them. In short, it’s a spectacular new track.
Shinedown: Three Six Five & Dance Kid Dance
Rise Against aren’t the only Q101 mainstays with new music out this week. Shinedown returns with a pair of tracks this week to celebrate the announcement of their upcoming tour with Bush. “Three Six Five”, the band’s lead single, was premiered live on Q101 with frontman Brent Smith and Brian & Kenzie.
Chicago’s own Rise Against has returned with their first song since 2022’s EP, Nowhere Generation II. Today’s release, “Nod”, marks the beginning of what should be monstrous 2025 for the band. Today, Tim & Joe will join Brian & Kenzie live on Q101 at 8:30. From there, they’ll head off to Europe for an extended run of shows there. When they return, they’ll begin preparations for The Rise of the Roach Tour with Papa Roach, which hits Tinley Park this summer on Saturday September 27.
In regards to the single, frontman Tim McIlrath said, “‘Nod’ is about the solace we find in community. It’s about the comfort in knowing that we are not alone. This comfort can temper our anger and our frustration, at least temporarily.”
Earlier this week on Howie Mandel’s Howie Mandel Does Stuff Podcast, the comedian surprised guest Bill Burr with Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan. This comes a few months after Corgan, on the same show, speculated that they might be half-brothers.
Burr’s reaction is priceless.
Ladies and gentlemen, we got him.
After a week of fearing for the worst (Mike McCarthy), it was reported yesterday that the Bears are nearing in on signing Ben Johnson, the standout Offensive Coordinator who helped turn around the Detroit Lions. The Lions were the top-ranked offense this season.
This provides the 2025 Bears with hope, and as we all know, hope is a dangerous thing.
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Following their win at the Golden Globes for the soundtrack to the hit film Challengers, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross were planning on announcing a 2025 tour for Nine Inch Nails. Things have changed in the wake of California fires, though. The band took to social media after speculation on Reddit that the band was planning a tour.
Whenever NIN feels comfortable to make this announcement, we’ll be ready for it.
Bottlerock Napa Valley is hosting one of the most anticipated reunions in all of alternative music. It was announced yesterday that 4 Non Blondes, the band behind the iconic hit “What’s Up?”, will be playing their first official show in 30 years at Bottlerock Napa Valley this year.
Since Perry is “all or nothing” when it comes to music, she’s also been pondering how much further the reunion could go. Potentially, this could include unearthing the band’s never-released follow-up to 1992’s Bigger, Better, Faster, More!
4 Non Blondes will be joined by Green Day, Noah Kahan, and more on 23rd-25th.
At last, our long national nightmare.
As I write to you on this frigid Monday morning, the inbound Expressway reversible lanes are now open. This comes as a shock to many, as although they were expected to reopen today, IDOT originally said that they would have to delay the opening.
To safely remove the barricades and apply new pavement markings, three overnight lane closures will take place:
From 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. the two left lanes on the inbound Kennedy will be closed from Lawrence Avenue to the Edens junction.
Also, the two left lanes on the inbound Edens will be closed from Foster Avenue to the junction.
From 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. the two left lanes on the outbound Kennedy will be closed between Randolph and Ohio streets.
At the same time, the Ontario Street feeder ramp will be closed between Orleans Street and the Kennedy.
From 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. the two left lanes on the inbound Kennedy will be closed between Kimball and Sacramento avenues.
At the same time, the two left lanes on the outbound Kennedy will be closed between Diversey and Fullerton avenues.
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Chicago Boat Show (Friday-Sunday)
The area’s biggest boat show is just around the corner this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center! Shop boats of all sizes and get ready for a summer of boating fun at this giant expo! Info available here.
Chicago Bulls at United Center (Friday)
Head to the United Center to cheer on your Chicago Bulls as they play against the Washington WIzards. The 7pm game has tickets available here.
Knuckle Puck at The Salt Shed (Saturday)
Pop-punk stalwarts Knuckle Puck head to The Salt Shed on Saturday night for a show that is worth braving the cold for. This show is now sold out.
G. Love & Special Sauce at Lincoln Hall (Saturday)
G. Love & Special Sauce head to Lincoln Hall on Saturday night! Tickets can be purchased here.
South Loop Farmers Market (Saturday & Sunday)
Find fresh produce while shopping indoors at the South Loop Farmers Market! The market opens in two locations, Saturdays at Roosevelt Collection Shops and Sundays at Water Tower Place. For more info you can stay up to date here.
Chicago Blackhawks host the Edmonton Oilers (Saturday)
Cheer on your Chicago Blackhawks as they face off with the Edmonton Oilers. The game kicks off at 6pm with tickets available here.
Chicago Bulls host the Sacramento Kings (Sunday)
Spend your Sunday with the Chicago Bulls as they play against the Sacramento Kings. The game starts at 2:30pm and tickets are available here.
Cracker at The Old Town School of Folk (Sunday)
Perpetually underrated 90’s stalwarts Cracker head to Old Town School of Folk for a pair of shows on Sunday. Tickets can be purchased here.
Yesterday, Brian & Kenzie unveiled their 2025 pop culture predictions. As the year goes on, we can only hope that each of these predictions comes true:
Brian:
1. Asteroid crashes into Soldier Field, Bears move to Dolton to play in “Tiffany Henyard Memorial Stadium”
2. The Rock appears on Brian & Kenzie because Brian loves his face lotion
3. Creed headlines Riot Fest
Kenzie:
1. Ozempic users succumb to “I Am Legend” situation
2. “Surviving Diddy” documentary rocks Hollywood
3. Brian & Case forget her birthday
Case:
1. Leonardo DiCaprio begins dating a woman in her 50s
2. Jelly Roll begins his journey to becoming an EGOT winner
3. Brian suffers a debilitating ankle injury due to his new Crocs
You can listen to the full segment below.
The Girl Scouts of the USA have made the shocking announcement that they will be retiring two of the twelve flavors that are currently available. Fans of S’mores and Toast-Yay! cookies will have to place their orders for the sweet treats by April from a Girl Scouts cookie stand or online from a Girl Scout’s individual Digital Cookie online sales page.
To find a Girl Scout to buy from directly, cookie fans can visit www.girlscoutcookies.org or text COOKIES to to 59618 to find a local booth. After Feb. 21, cookies will also be available for purchase on the Girl Scout cookies website for direct shipping to individual homes.
