1. Start an Oscars Best Picture Watch
ARCHER PARQUETTE, MANAGING EDITOR
Normally, I try to explore the city frequently as part of my job as a managing editor here, but listen, last weekend was just miserable. I do not apologize for only leaving the house one time in those frigid conditions. Now while that means I can’t recommend any exciting local happenings that I enjoyed – what with my pretty much never putting on shoes – it does mean I can recommend one of my favorite things to do this time of year: an Oscars Best Picture watch.
Last week, the Academy dropped this year’s nominations, and amid the surprises and snubs (Jesse Plemons, you deserved better), came the list of 10 Best Picture nominees. Now begins my annual effort to watch every nominee before the awards show on March 15 – a pursuit that was inspired by a friend of mine who does the same. After years of this, I have to say I love it. You discover fantastic films, yes, but you also get the joy of hatred – of just ripping into movies the Academy liked that you can’t stand. Most of this year’s nominees are already available on streaming services or video on demand: Bugonia, F1, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, Sinners and Train Dreams. Personal favorite so far is Train Dreams, followed by Bugonia, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the rest have to offer.
2. Climb at Adventure Rock
AMRITA THAKKAR, DIGITAL EDITOR
The only thing that broke my streak of being a blanket burrito during this unreasonably icy weekend was participating in my first rock climbing competition, and considering how much I hate the cold, that’s saying something. If you’re looking for an indoor activity that is fun, gets you moving in the winter and makes your parents wonder if you’ve lost your mind, then you should probably get yourself to your nearest Adventure Rock ASAP.
Adventure Rock has branches in Riverwest and Brookfield for rope climbing and bouldering, as well as a bouldering-only gym in Walker’s Point. Both rope-climbing branches are set up with auto belays, and all have gear available to rent. And if you have a fear of heights – well, what better way to solve it than clambering 40 feet up a wall?
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3. Visit Beans and Barley One Last Time
ANN CHRISTENSON, DINING EDITOR
If you want to get in a last visit to Beans & Barley (1901 E. North Ave.), this is your last week to do that. Beans’ final day of operations is this Saturday, Jan. 31. Seeing the entire market area close to cleared out a few weeks ago was heavy. But get in there – order a final burrito, buy one of their mini cookbooks and cherish the memories.
4. See a New Musical in the Making at Hellenika
EVAN MUSIL, ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR
I find works in progress fascinating. It’s a long, arduous road to completing an artistic project, full of exacting decisions that audiences rarely see. So when you get the chance to peek behind the curtain, to catch a fleeing understanding at how creative gears turn, it’s a treat. One big chance is coming to the Marcus Performing Arts Center this Friday and Saturday: staged readings of Hellenika, a 30-song musical written by Milwaukee composer Kyle Thomas Hanneken.
This ambitious undertaking – seven years and counting in the works – tells the story of Sokrates (Broadway’s Nathaniel Hackmann) and his lesser-known teacher Aspasia (Chicago star Teagan Earley) when the legendary Greek philosopher is targeted for his teachings by early democracy Athens and put on trial for corrupting the youth. A staggering 20 performers are part of this reading, meant to drum up excitement before Hanneken takes Hellenika to New York. If you go now, who knows? Maybe you’ll see the next big thing before anyone else.
