All of Chicago, straight to your living room
Time In Couchbound | Tuesday May 19 2020 | No. #6
Here’s what you can (and can’t) do outside in Chicago right now
As the weather warms and spring gives way to summer, we’re all itching to spend time outside right now. The good news is that the Illinois “stay-at-home” order doesn’t require you to stay cooped up all the time. We poured over the fine print and pulled out the stuff you can do outdoors right now—like walking and jogging, going for a bike ride and visiting a state park. Of course, there are still a lot of things you shouldn’t do, too, including hitting the tennis courts or heading to the beach. Take a closer look at exactly what you can and can’t do outside in Chicago right now.
 
What to stream this week
Wednesday Music Friendly Distancing
The Empty Bottle goes digital with its thrice-weekly Music Friendly Distancing, with streamed DJ sets and performances kicking off at 5pm.
Thursday The Chicago Children’s Choir hosts its annual Paint the Town Red concert online this year, featuring hundreds of young vocalists. Tune in at 7pm to catch the show.

Friday End the week with Zen Yoga Garage’s 45-minute, high-intensity Buddha Burn, hosted at 5pm. Just grab a set of weights and a mat before class starts.

Saturday The Second City’s Scriptless virtually pairs Chicago-based improvisers with notable alumni for a hilarious night of live-streamed comedy that kicks off at 7pm.

Monday Spend Memorial Day cooking with Cameron Grant of fan-favorite Italian restaurant Osteria Langhe. He’ll take over Goose Island’s Instagram account at 4pm.
Hungry?
The stay-at-home order may have squashed your birthday plans, but it will not take away your birthday cake. Some of the best bakeries in Chicago are still whipping up beautiful confections fit for a celebration of epic proportions—even if you're not leaving your apartment. Want more? Check out the full list.
Aya Pastry
Pastry chef Aya Fukai’s towering creations come in decadent flavors like banana-chocolate-peanut butter, coconut-pineapple, caramel and cinnamon tres leches.
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Bon Vivant Cakes
Tell quarantine to suck it when you shop Emily Nejad’s collection of cheeky cakes, which are decorated with party popcorn or hilarious phrases like “Confine me daddi.”
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Lost Larson
Looking for a cake fit for a princess? This sweet Andersonville shop has you covered with its traditional princess cake, with layers of vanilla sponge, fluffy pastry cream and jam.
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Roeser’s
We've never heard a single complaint about Roeser’s fan-favorite New York-style strawberry cheesecake, which is topped with a decadent pile of jammy summer berries.
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Get loud, Chicago!
Want to become a star from your couch? Introducing Inside Voices, Time Out’s massive online talent search. We’re asking any and all up-and-coming artists to be bold and share their best stuff on social media (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and Twitter) with the hashtag #TOinsidevoices. Start warming up your vocal chords and practicing your magic tricks!
 
Lockdown news you can use
When will Chicago hair salons reopen and what will it be like to get a haircut?
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Food delivery apps will have to reveal how much they’re charging Chicago restaurants.
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Scooters are still set to return to Chicago this summer.
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Here’s how Lightfoot’s plan to reopen Chicago differs from the state’s approach.
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Hero of the week
Meet Yaku, the Shedd Aquarium’s oldest sea otter who just celebrated his 20th birthday. In honor of the critter’s big day, caretakers created a frozen “cake” made entirely of fish and performed a special rendition of "Happy Birthday." And yes, there’s video footage—and yes, it’s otterly adorable.
 
We don’t know who needs to hear this but…
Monday is Memorial Day (WHAT?!).
Forward to a friend
Time Out is Time In while our wonderful city is on lockdown. We are dedicated to bringing you the best of Chicago, even while Chicago itself sits indoors for a while. Wherever you are in the city, know that if there's something happening out there, Time In will let you know about it.
 
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