Blue Skies Ahead: Comfort Food, Knit for Minnesota, Puppetry | The Loyola Phoenix

As the windy city moves on from negative single-digit weather to positive single-digit weather, the Loyola community can rest easy and warm with many indoor activities, and one outdoor — open skate at Warren Park — for the most adventurous ramblers. 

Take a break from getting buried in snow and schoolwork and venture into the world of talking with your teeth closed at the annual puppet theater festival, including many free performances near the Lake Shore Campus. Keep those coats on, Ramblers, bearable cold is within reach. 

Warren Park Ice Skating: Until Feb. 8 

Might as well make the most of the blustery winds and float on down to ice skating opportunities provided by the Chicago Parks District. Don’t spend $30+ dollars to skate where the entire city skates at Maggie Daley when Warren Park has open skate for free with your own skates at 6601 N. Western Ave. Hop on the 155 bus toward Kedzie and skate to your heart’s content. Skate rentals are $7, and those looking to live their Heated Rivalry fantasies should register ahead of time.

Chicago Restaurant Week: Jan 23-Feb 8

For those looking to explore the city’s tasteful array of food options, the annual Chicago Restaurant Week will celebrate the city’s culinary scene, featuring over 550 restaurants. From Jan. 23 to Feb. 8, guests have the chance to try foods from across the greater Chicago area. Five menus are included, starting at $30 for brunch and lunch and $45 and/or $60 for dinner.

Puppet Theater Festival: Until Feb. 1

It’s time to play the music… it’s time to light the lights… at the annual puppet theater festival at various locations around the city. Select events are free for those looking to save up for fun in the sun later this year, including the Alex and Olmsted neighborhood tour, which stops at the Loyola Park Fieldhouse at 4:30 p.m. Jan. 30 on 1230 W. Greenleaf Ave.

Roman Tragedy Today: Jan. 31

When in Rome, attend the Classics+Theatre Interdisciplinary Staged Reading of Thyestes. At 4 p.m. Jan. 31 in the basement of Mundelein, selections chosen from the first-century tragedy will explore the parallel themes seen on the stage to reality. The reading includes a workshop led by UK professional thespian Paul O’Mahony and Loyola Professor Jonathan Mannering, Ph.D. 

Melt the Ice Hat Knit-a-long: Jan. 31
Brave the polar freeze and warm your heart at the community Red Hat knit-a-long 6:30 p.m. Jan. 31. The event functions in support of Community Aid Network Minnesota and ICIRR. Knitting and crochet patterns can be purchased ahead of time from Ravelry. 100% of the proceeds are donated.