![After rain and cold hit Chicago in early October, the...]()
Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune
After rain and cold hit Chicago in early October, the trio of floating mansion sculptures at the core of the Great Chicago Fire Festival failed to properly ignite, leaving the governor, the mayor, and some 30,000 Chicagoans all standing on the banks of the Chicago River, waiting.
![Chicago is now home to two Michelin three-star restaurants. Grace,...]()
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
Chicago is now home to two Michelin three-star restaurants. Grace, featuring the highly acclaimed chef Curtis Duffy (pictured), received the coveted top rating in the Michelin Guide Chicago 2015. Grace joins Alinea, which received three Michelin stars for the fifth consecutive year.
![In October, "The President," a Georgian- and English-language satire from...]()
Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune
In October, "The President," a Georgian- and English-language satire from Iranian director Mohsen Makhmalbaf, won the top prize at the 50th Chicago International Film Festival. Actress Kathleen Turner served as jury chair.
![On Feb 24, Chicago actor, writer, and director Harold Ramis...]()
E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune
On Feb 24, Chicago actor, writer, and director Harold Ramis died of complications from autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis. Ramis leaves behind a formidable list of achievements, with writing credits on such enduring comedies as "National Lampoon's Animal House," "Stripes" and "Ghostbusters."
![Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art was the only U.S. stop...]()
Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune
Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art was the only U.S. stop for "David Bowie Is," an exhibit filled with hundreds of artifacts from the rock star's career. The show was organized by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London in cooperation with Bowie.
![A Gotham Taxicab parked on the set of "Batman v...]()
Luis Gomez/Chicago Tribune
A Gotham Taxicab parked on the set of "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" on Nov. 12, 2014, in the Uptown neighborhood.
![Influential Chicago entertainment impresario Joe Shanahan, seen here in 1986,...]()
Gerald West/Chicago Tribune
Influential Chicago entertainment impresario Joe Shanahan, seen here in 1986, whose holdings include Metro, the Gingerman Tavern and Double Door, revealed in March he is battling tongue cancer.
![In October, Steppenwolf's artistic director Martha Lavey announced that she...]()
Alex Garcia / Chicago Tribune
In October, Steppenwolf's artistic director Martha Lavey announced that she would step down after the 2014-15 season. She will be replaced by Anna D. Shapiro, a longtime artistic associate, ensemble member and director at the theater.
![Shailene Woodley, right, of the film "Divergent" poses with fan...]()
Andrew A. Nelles, Chicago Tribune
Shailene Woodley, right, of the film "Divergent" poses with fan Ali Walder, left, of Milwaukee, Wis., on the red carpet at the Showplace Icon Theater in Chicago.
![iO left its longtime location in Wrigleyville this summer, reopening...]()
Nuccio DiNuzzo / Chicago Tribune
iO left its longtime location in Wrigleyville this summer, reopening in its new location in Lincoln Park's Clybourn Corridor. The move was set in motion when iO co-founder Charna Halpern found out that the corner of Clark and Addison was slated for redevelopment.
![According to Tribune theater critic Chris Jones, Anna D. Shapiro's...]()
Alex Garcia / Chicago Tribune
According to Tribune theater critic Chris Jones, Anna D. Shapiro's new take on the drama, "This Is Our Youth," (starring Michael Cera, Kieran Culkin, Tavi Gevinson) proved far more potent in its more intimate first production at Steppenwolf than was later the case at the Cort Theatre in NYC.
![The talk of 2014 Lollapalooza was not a set by...]()
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
The talk of 2014 Lollapalooza was not a set by one of the veterans, but by a 17-year-old singer-songwriter out of New Zealand. Greg Kot wrote, "Lorde proved she could rule a big stage in front of a huge audience with poise, command and, best of all, songs."
![In November, daredevil Nik Wallenda completed what he called his...]()
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
In November, daredevil Nik Wallenda completed what he called his most challenging feat to date: a tightrope walk between two skyscrapers 600 feet above downtown Chicago, partly blindfolded. Crowds below cheered on the aerialist, who wore a microphone during his untethered walk.
![Chris Pratt and Aziz Ansari were spotted in Pioneer Court...]()
Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune
Chris Pratt and Aziz Ansari were spotted in Pioneer Court on Michigan Avenue shooting scenes for NBC's "Parks and Recreation" in September. They were also seen filming at Millennium Park and outside Wrigley Field.
![Roy Leonard, a New Englander who became one of Chicago...]()
Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune
Roy Leonard, a New Englander who became one of Chicago radio's biggest and most durable stars, a celebrity interviewer of national stature, and a trusted and thus highly influential critic of Chicago-area arts and entertainment, died Sept. 4 following a short illness.
![Riot Fest celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2014 with 130...]()
Nuccio DiNuzzo / Chicago Tribune
Riot Fest celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2014 with 130 bands spread across seven stages. Rain and cold temperatures didn't keep fans from heading to Humboldt Park to see bands like Wu-Tang Clan, the Cure, Weezer and the National.
![Garth Brooks performed ten shows at the Allstate Arena in...]()
Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune
Garth Brooks performed ten shows at the Allstate Arena in September, each show promptly selling out soon after tickets went on sale. This concert series marked the first time Brooks had performed in Chicago in 17 years.
![Hot Doug's closed on Oct. 3 after a spectacular farewell...]()
Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune
Hot Doug's closed on Oct. 3 after a spectacular farewell that saw 12 hour-plus wait times in its final weeks. Frank Meats Patty will take over the space at 3324 N. California Ave.
A look back at the top Chicago entertainment stories of 2014
