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

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NBC Chicago's new studio marks end of daytime TV era

The nearly 70,000-square-foot space on the first floor of the NBC Tower is where Springer used to do his syndicated show.

Business

NBC 5&#x27;s new studio at NBC Tower marks the end of Chicago&#x27;s daytime TV production era, but bets big on the future of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="local news" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/01/09/media-future-streaming-fox-nbc-wgn-reader-wbez-2026" data-vars-content-id="6016cc2a-e01c-455e-a923-d90534b3b4d0" data-vars-headline="NBC Chicago&#x27;s new studio marks end of daytime TV era" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/01/09/media-future-streaming-fox-nbc-wgn-reader-wbez-2026" target="_self">local news</a>.Why it matters: The investment boosts local news — but underscores how far Chicago has drifted from its once-dominant role in daytime TV.

Berlin nightclub to reopen as Belmont and Decibel

The sister venues will be called The Belmont and Decibel and open on April 25.

Things to Do

After closing its doors in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="late 2023" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/11/21/berlin-nightclub-closed-drag" data-vars-content-id="a615ada9-ef22-42f3-9027-464119deb73e" data-vars-headline="Berlin nightclub to reopen as Belmont and Decibel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/11/21/berlin-nightclub-closed-drag" target="_self">late 2023</a>, Lakeview&#x27;s Berlin nightclub space will reopen this month as The Belmont, a craft cocktail bar, and Decibel, a dance bar.Why it matters: For 40 years, Berlin hosted a unique mix of LGBTQ and straight clubbers for late-night dance parties in an inclusive environment.<ul><li>Managers tell Axios they want to recreate that special scene.</li></ul>What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;The goal is for everyone to feel comfortable here, as long as they&#x27;re comfortable with everyone else,&quot; says Marcus Devin, one of the new club&#x27;s managers, who previously worked at Berlin.<figure><img alt="Two men stand together in a dim venue with purple lighting. Left: glasses, blond hair, black T‑shirt with a circular cat logo. Right: mustache, blue mountain graphic T‑shirt; both wear jeans." height="2539" id="a3f98868-5c9e-427f-948e-bd483868cfa0" src="https://images.axios.com/JGyy2nBr29RJGlOFXwv5gSxvVNk=/2026/04/08/1775688782247.jpeg" width="3941"/><figcaption>Programming manager Austin Neff and manager Marcus Devin in front of the new DJ booth at Decibel, formerly Berlin. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios </figcaption></figure>Driving the news: The Belmont/Decibel (954 W. Belmont Ave.) will open to the public on April 25, pending final city approval.How it works: The club will operate as The Belmont cocktail bar in the early evenings, but pull back a curtain and morph into Decibel after 10pm on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.Backstory: Berlin owners Jim Schuman and Jo Webster closed the legendary club in 2023 amid union demands that they said they lacked the funds to accommodate. <ul><li>The new owner is HV Entertainment, which owns local LGBTQ clubs including Fantasy, Bobby Loves, The Closet and the Chicago Eagle.</li></ul>What&#x27;s new: Fresh lighting, a new sound system, clean remodeled bathrooms and two twinkling bars.What&#x27;s old: The &quot;retro vibe&quot; that manager and former Berlin staffer Austin Neff says he hopes to recreate with &quot;techno, house, &#x27;80s, &#x27;90s and early 2000s music&quot; spun by Berlin DJ Greg Haus.<ul><li>Berlin&#x27;s elevated dance stages that could host drag performers again in the fall.</li></ul>The drinks: Expect fancy craft cocktails at The Belmont until 10pm, but simpler drinks at Decibel.If you go: The Belmont will be open Tuesday-Saturday and charge a $5-10 cover for Decibel after 10pm.

The Hand & The Eye opens in Chicago

The Hand & The Eye joins a wave of recent openings on or near Michigan Avenue that draw crowds.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Hand &amp; The Eye" data-vars-click-url="https://www.handandeye.com/" data-vars-content-id="9f04c5aa-9004-4c61-a42c-419b9c8d9ec7" data-vars-headline="The Hand &amp; The Eye opens in Chicago" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.handandeye.com/" target="_blank">The Hand &amp; The Eye</a> — touted as the largest magic venue in the world — opens in Chicago on April 18. Why it matters: Tickets are on sale for the 36,000-square-foot venue that transformed the old McCormick Mansion at 100 E. Ontario St.

Lawmakers weigh human composting in Illinois

The process turns human remains into soil and is legal in 14 states.

Climate

Illinois could soon legalize human composting — a greener death option that&#x27;s currently illegal in state.

Future film composers flock to Chicago

Columbia College's top-ranked MFA gives students real film scoring experience and industry access.

Education

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chicago " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago" data-vars-content-id="6f33cbb1-23eb-4ff7-b67f-84ef5c139154" data-vars-headline="Future film composers flock to Chicago" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago" target="_self">Chicago </a>is home to a top-ranked graduate program for film composers — an unexpected foothold in an industry dominated by Los Angeles and New York. Why it matters: &quot;The Hollywood Reporter&quot; named Columbia College Chicago&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Music Composition for the Screen" data-vars-click-url="https://www.colum.edu/academics/programs/music-composition-for-the-screen-mfa" data-vars-content-id="6f33cbb1-23eb-4ff7-b67f-84ef5c139154" data-vars-headline="Future film composers flock to Chicago" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.colum.edu/academics/programs/music-composition-for-the-screen-mfa" target="_blank">Music Composition for the Screen</a> MFA program <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="No. 1 in the world" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/music/music-features/top-music-schools-2025-1236429553/" data-vars-content-id="6f33cbb1-23eb-4ff7-b67f-84ef5c139154" data-vars-headline="Future film composers flock to Chicago" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/music/music-features/top-music-schools-2025-1236429553/" target="_blank">No. 1 in the world</a> in 2025, an honor the school has received three times in the last four years. The program has helped make Chicago a key pipeline for composers entering the industry.

Lyric's new "Madama Butterfly" takes flight

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

Culture

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.

Hideout owners sell to musician after 30 years

Musician and former staffer Teri O'Brien buys the club, which is expected to stay on course.

After 30 years, the owners of The Hideout have sold the club to performer and former staffer Teri O&#x27;Brien.Why it matters: The club has served as a beacon for small, independent Chicago venues, with owners Tim and Katie Tuten and partners Mike and Jim Hinchsliff helping support emerging artists and other clubs through the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chicago Independent Venue League (CIVL" data-vars-click-url="https://civlchicago.com/" data-vars-content-id="649649eb-2da8-4fc1-ac11-cebe2f8b9d37" data-vars-headline="Hideout owners sell to musician after 30 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://civlchicago.com/" target="_blank">Chicago Independent Venue League (CIVL</a>)What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;The Hideout will stay the Hideout,&quot; said former co-owner Tim Tuten. &quot;It will remain independent, creative and rooted in the community that built it. Teri knows our room, the people and our history, and she has the heart to carry it forward.&quot;<ul><li>&quot;You know, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tony Fitzpatrick&#x27;s passing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/10/13/chicago-artist-tony-fitzpatrick-dies-at-66" data-vars-content-id="649649eb-2da8-4fc1-ac11-cebe2f8b9d37" data-vars-headline="Hideout owners sell to musician after 30 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/10/13/chicago-artist-tony-fitzpatrick-dies-at-66" target="_self">Tony Fitzpatrick&#x27;s passing</a> really hit us hard and we realized that we&#x27;re getting older,&quot; former co-owner Katie Tuten tells Axios. &quot;We&#x27;re at an age now where a lot of our friends are retiring. So it just seemed like the right time.&quot;</li></ul>Between the lines: The Hideout will continue its regular programming, with the staff remaining central to the venue&#x27;s day-to-day operations. <ul><li>The owners said the public will see no major changes in the look, feel or culture of the space.</li><li>&quot;I think of the Hideout as the people&#x27;s place,&quot; former Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a release. </li><li>&quot;Tim and Katie Tuten carefully cultivated and nurtured a fun, inclusive environment, and they should be commended for their contribution to Chicago&#x27;s civic life.&quot; </li></ul>Zoom in: The Hideout has been a performance home for several influential musicians and performers, including Jeff Tweedy, Mavis Staples, Robbie Fulks and Kelly Hogan. It has also served as Axios Chicago&#x27;s live venue. <ul><li>&quot;The Hideout has always felt like a continuation of the friendly, diehard music community we had back at Lounge Ax,&quot; Jeff Tweedy said in a release. &quot;They treat their customers and bands like family.&quot;</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: &quot;It is an honor of a lifetime to take on this role, to support the staff and community who make the Hideout what it is,&quot; O&#x27;Brien said in a statement. <ul><li>&quot;The soul of this place stays exactly where it belongs — with the people who fill it.&quot;</li></ul>The bottom line: &quot;The Cubs or the White Sox can change management, but you&#x27;re still a fan of the team,&quot; Tim Tuten adds. &quot;We hope we built a legacy institution and we have a new owner who will make it even better.&quot;

Smashing Pumpkins finally get their Lollapalooza moment

The band has never headlined in Grant Park.

Music

Lollapalooza tickets <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="go on sale Thursday morning" data-vars-click-url="https://www.lollapalooza.com/tickets" data-vars-content-id="83230a96-d697-4249-94f6-9ac376d74ebd" data-vars-headline="Smashing Pumpkins finally get their Lollapalooza moment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.lollapalooza.com/tickets" target="_blank">go on sale Thursday morning</a> and Gen X alt-rock fans have a big reason to care: The Smashing Pumpkins are finally headlining the Grant Park festival.Yes, really: They&#x27;ve never played Lollapalooza in Chicago.

Chance the Rapper trial tests handshake deal that helped launch his career

Opening arguments have begun in a trial that could redefine independent music.

One of Chicago <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hip-hop&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/11/hip-hop-50th-anniversay-dj-kool-business-popular-streaming" data-vars-content-id="fe03f687-bfce-4d9e-9d36-229efc3a6296" data-vars-headline="Chance the Rapper trial tests handshake deal that helped launch his career" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/11/hip-hop-50th-anniversay-dj-kool-business-popular-streaming" target="_self">hip-hop&#x27;s</a> most influential partnerships is now on trial.The latest: Opening arguments began this week in a dispute between <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chance the Rapper" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/08/01/chance-the-rapper-star-line-august-15-release-date-adler" data-vars-content-id="fe03f687-bfce-4d9e-9d36-229efc3a6296" data-vars-headline="Chance the Rapper trial tests handshake deal that helped launch his career" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/08/01/chance-the-rapper-star-line-august-15-release-date-adler" target="_self">Chance the Rapper</a> and former manager Pat &quot;The Manager&quot; Corcoran over whether a career-defining handshake deal still holds up in court.

Chicago nightlife quiz: 10 closed clubs only true locals remember

Do you remember dancing the night away at these legendary establishments?

Man gets $30,000 from Dolton after car seizure

A Cincinnati law professor alleged that his car was taken by a Dolton cop as part of a pattern.

Neighborhoods

Last month, law professor Ken Katkin bought a round of drinks at a Cincinnati bar with part of a $30,000 settlement he reached with the village of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dolton" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/05/08/pope-leo-xiv-american-elected" data-vars-content-id="ec008be5-68e7-48db-abc7-e91f4de230e3" data-vars-headline="Man gets $30,000 from Dolton after car seizure" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/05/08/pope-leo-xiv-american-elected" target="_self">Dolton</a> following a three-year legal battle.Why it matters: Dolton officials paid the money to settle a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal lawsuit " data-vars-click-url="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/27369732-katkin-filed-civil-complaint-in-dolton-case-1/" data-vars-content-id="ec008be5-68e7-48db-abc7-e91f4de230e3" data-vars-headline="Man gets $30,000 from Dolton after car seizure" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/27369732-katkin-filed-civil-complaint-in-dolton-case-1/" target="_blank">federal lawsuit </a>filed by Katkin, alleging that Dolton police Detective Major Coleman unlawfully seized his car in 2023, delayed its return for weeks and demanded an illegal payment.

Chicago's FRET12 brings analog vibes to a digital music world

Owner Dan Tremonti is betting on community in this retail space inside the Salt Shed.

Chicago concertgoers love a good show, but they also love a good music store. The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="FRET12" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fret12.com/" data-vars-content-id="2558c788-0bf6-43fc-8264-7719b8adba42" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s FRET12 brings analog vibes to a digital music world" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fret12.com/" target="_blank">FRET12</a>, located inside the Salt Shed, isn&#x27;t your ordinary music store. Yes, it has guitars and other music gear, but it&#x27;s not just about selling stuff; it&#x27;s about selling the music experience.

Where to celebrate Lunar New Year in Chicago this weekend

From dances to dumpling classes, here's where to ring in the Year of the Fire Horse in Chicago.

Mark the Year of the Fire Horse with art, music and food this Lunar New Year. Here are a few ways to celebrate in Chicago this weekend.

Andrew Bird debuts new song on "The Pitt"

The longtime Chicago artist is featured on the latest episode of the award-winning HBO drama.

Chicago-based musician Andrew Bird released a new song today for HBO&#x27;s award-winning series &quot;The Pitt.&quot; The latest: Grammy-nominated Bird collaborated with &quot;The Pitt&quot; composer Gavin Brivik on the song &quot;Need Someone,&quot; which can be heard at a pivotal moment in episode six of season 2.