Q-Tips Reviews

Blue Man Group

Posted on July 30, 2022 by Q-tips

7/28/22- Briar Street Theater,
3133 N Halsted Street,
Chicago.

Three bald and blue men explore our world and together we’ll discover music, comedy, and surprises.

Mrs. Q Says: Blue Man Group is… Hard to Describe. Easy to Love. What is Blue Man Group all about? BLUE MAN GROUP performances are celebrations of human connection through art, music, comedy and non-verbal communication.

Q-tips & Grandson Jordan (the Energizer Bunny) & Daughter Shelly say:

We all enjoyed Blue Man Group.

Comments by a nine year old: He really enjoyed the the show but thought many of the music sections were way too loud.

Mrs. Q says: All enjoyed the play but agreed that the music was a tad loud – but you know that coming in. Some tips to enjoy Blue Man Group: 1. bring ear plugs if loud noises bother you. 2. If bright lights/strobe lights, etc. bother you, bring sun glasses, etc. 3. There is no intermission, so plan you visits to the bathroom accordingly. But most important tip: Enjoy the show!

Posted in Chicago Theater 2022 | Comments Off

Ill Railroad Museum

Posted on July 29, 2022 by Q-tips

7/29/22 – Illinois Railway Museum, 7000 Olson Road, Union, Illinois, 60180 – 1-815-923-4391 https://www.irm.org/

The Illinois Railway Museum has the largest collection of historic railway equipment in America. Plan on spending the day. From horse-drawn streetcars to million pound steam locomotives, from sleek streamliners to workaday boxcars, there is a lot to see!

Q-tips & the Grandson J & Daughter say: YES! YES! SEE IT! The energizer bunny, Grandson J, says it was awesome. He likes it so much that he wants to live there.

Illinois Railway Museum in - Union, IL | Groupon

Illinois Railway Museum - The Museum's History and Development

All Aboard! Join us for Memorial... - Illinois Railway Museum | Facebook

Illinois Railway Museum – Union, Illinois - Atlas Obscura

diner - Picture of Illinois Railway Museum, Union - Tripadvisor

Posted in Chicago Events 2022 | Comments Off

Good Witch

Posted on July 29, 2022 by Q-tips

James Denton, Catherine Bell and Bailee Madison (from left)

7/22 – A series & all of them are ready to view.

Catherine Bell reprises her role of Cassie Nightingale in this series based on “The Good Witch” franchise of made-for-TV movies. Nightingale, the titular sorceress, embarks on a magical journey with teenage daughter Grace, who shares her mother’s intuitive charm. When divorced Dr. Sam Radford and his teenage son move next door, they are quickly drawn to the Nightingales’ unique prowess. Sam realizes that Cassie’s signature charm is more than just a magic touch, ensuring the quaint town of Middleton is in for big surprises.

Q-tips say: Yes, Watch it! You know that positive uplifting experience you need after watching today’s news. This will do it! No spoilers. Watch this to forget about current .events. And these stories are all “good feel” stories.

Posted in Movies 2022 | Comments Off

Anything’s Possible

Posted on July 26, 2022 by Q-tips

Anything’s Possible is a delightfully modern Gen Z coming-of-age story that follows Kelsa, a confident high school girl who is trans, as she navigates through senior year. When her classmate Khal gets a crush on her, he musters up the courage to ask her out, despite the drama he knows it could cause. What transpires is a romance that showcases the joy, tenderness, and pain of young love.

Q-tips say: Yes, see it! A lighthearted teen romantic comedy with a message: it’s okay to be yourself. There is so much to love about this film. Not only is it a contemporary and youthful film about living your life proudly, but it also doesn’t shy away from real questions and conflicts that arise from that truth.

Mrs. Q says: Some topics in this movie are topics/issues that the older crowd might never had to experience when they were teens. She wonders how difficult it must have for someone years ago that were gay, etc. which is more accepted now. See this movie, bet you will like it!

Posted in Movies 2022 | Comments Off

Cafe Ba Ba Reeba 7/16/2022

Posted on July 16, 2022 by Q-tips

Cafe Ba Ba Reeba – 2024 N Halsted St., Chicago, (773) 935-5000, cafebabareeba.com

Photo of Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! - Chicago, IL, United States. Outside

Q-tips say: Great place for tapas(small plates) and good drinks and great service by Nic.

The Q’s shared: Beef Empanada, & garlic shrimp, Queso de cabra. All delicious along with their delicious homemade bread, good drinks and lively atmosphere made for a great dinner. All tapas we ordered had 2 pieces of food per plate and some, like the shrimp had four pieces of shrimp. The Beef Empanada had one large serving which we shared. If you eat in the bar area, there are tv’s to watch a ball game or news but the tv’s are not loud But when very busy, it is noisy with loud with music & people talking/laughing. .

Mrs. Q says: Yes, it is handicap accessible if you eat in the bar area. A note of caution, depending on your disability there are two steps to get to the bathrooms regardless of where you are seated. Inside/Outside seating – outside is inside with the sliding doors in front totally open.

Photo of Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! - Chicago, IL, United States — Inside seating/outdoor seating

Photo of Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! - Chicago, IL, United States. Spice up your event with a make-your-own sangria bar. — Inside seating/outdoor seating

Photo of Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! - Chicago, IL, United States. Garlic shrimp — Garlic Shrimp

Photo of Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! - Chicago, IL, United States. Queso de cabra — Queso de cabra

beef empanadas recipe how to make beef empanadas — Beef Empanadas

Photo of Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! - Chicago, IL, United States. Meatballs with Sherry Tomato Sauce — Meatballs with Sherry tomato sauce

Photo of Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! - Chicago, IL, United States. Sangria — Sangria

Posted in Chicago Restaurants 2022 | Comments Off

Choir Boy

Posted on July 16, 2022 by Q-tips

Photo by Kyle Flubacker - Picture of Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chicago - Tripadvisor

Steppenwolf Theatre 1650 N. Halsted Chicago

7/16/22 – This Theatre requests: proof of vaccination & proof of identity – driver’s license, or something with your name on it. Mask be worn during the performances.

Pharus Young, now a senior at the Charles R. Drew Prep School for Boys, an institution committed to building “strong, ethical black men,” endeavors to be the best leader of the school’s prestigious choir in its 50-year history. But in a world built on rites and rituals, should he conform to the expectations of his peers in order to gain the respect he desperately seeks? Play-threaded throughout with soul-stirring a cappella gospel hymns-is the story of a young gay black man and his battle between identity and community.

Q-tips say: Choir Boys deals with gender, race, class and identity. Be prepared! The story does deal with homosexuality and there is full frontal nudity so don’t be shocked when they remove their towels. If this is going to bother you, perhaps this is not the play for you. There is also use of the “N” word. During the “coming of age” we learn that many of our young men have secrets. There is no intermission as to not break the flow of the action. The main character is torn between who he is, what he wants, what is expected of him and if he can reach the lofty goals that have been set.

For most of us, watching the story unveil was unique in that many of us never think about a private prep school for Black men. This is something that would probably never cross our minds. The young actors playing these students are making their debuts and are highly capable as actors and singers. Amazing how the shower scenes worked with actual running water.

Steppenwolf Theatre, Downstairs Theatre — Inside theatre of Steppenwolf

Toast To 2 New Bars At Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre — Bar area

Posted in Chicago Theater 2022 | Comments Off

A- Cooking/creating with Danielle 7/2022

Posted on July 15, 2022 by Q-tips

Cooking with Danielle & Sous Chef, Sean – http://www.CookingWithDanielle.com

or on You Tube

A new creation from Danielle – Would you like to have a special lamp creation?

A Coppola label lamp.

Here are some suggestions – http://cookingwithdanielle.com/lamps/

Korbel lamp

The best Italian is the kind you can make at home….potato gnocchi and ragu…

Danielle & Sean always take cooking classes whenever they travel on vacation & home & wineries since they were married. Italy, New Orleans, CA, etc. Log on to the above site and get some of their delicious recipes. Danielle says, “cooking is a hobby.” Yes, and it is one heck of a delicious hobby.

I have to mention that they also take Mixology Classes on making different drinks (ex. New Orleans – Sazerac, Daiquiri, Hurricane).

Their lucky friends get to enjoy what they learned in Cooking and Mixology Classes when they invite them over for some fun & food/drinks.

Some of Danielle’s famous recipes: Kraut Burgers – Mrs. Q. says: they are sooooo delicious says . Pasta Fraiole, Jambalaya, Orzo, & Butternut Squash Casserole & more.

Mrs. Q says: Enjoy. The Mr. & I always do. Anytime is a good time to enjoy.

Posted in Announcements | Comments Off

My Father’s Violin

Posted on July 15, 2022 by Q-tips

7/14/22 – netflix –

After a heartbreaking loss, a girl tries to connect with a distant uncle who shares her passion for music.

A cute kid left all alone after the death of her street musician father finds a way to melt the heart of her arrogant uncle, a world-class violinist who thought he’d never have time for a child.

Q-tips say: Yes, see this Turkish drama. You will enjoy this movie.

The movie has its heart in the right place and love and respect for the power of music, My Father’s Violin can teach a lesson or two about what matters in family and life.

Posted in Movies 2022 | Comments Off

America the beautiful

Posted on July 14, 2022 by Q-tips

7/22 — It’s the land we love and the land we think we know. We see America’s breathtaking landscapes and wildlife as timeless, but the truth is very different. Its unique geography drives the forces of nature to extremes, shaping and reshaping the land and throwing down new challenges for life. America’s most spectacular regions, the mountainous Northwest, the steamy South, the arid West, and the endless Heartland. A series on Disney plus.

Northland – Witness epic winters and spectacular summers, where timing is everything. Animals must master both water and land in the beautiful southeastern USA.

Water Land – Animals must master both water and land in the beautiful southeastern USA.

Q-tips say: YES, YES, See it. It not just about the beautiful scenery but most importantly it show how the animals must survive in their environment.

Posted in Movies 2022 | Comments Off

Prairie Moon

Posted on July 13, 2022 by Q-tips

1635 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL 60201, (847) 864-8328, prairiemoonrestaurant.com – Hours: 3-11pm daily. Happy Hours: 4-6pm. Live music on some evenings. There are stairs for those who want to get some steps in or they have an elevator, for those who don’t want to walk.

Prairie Moon reopens on Chicago Avenue with expanded bar and menu

7/13/22 – Our plan was to go to Jamieson after the play in Skokie but they don’t open for dinner till 4:00. The plan ended at 3. Decided to run some errands and try a new Rest. for the Q’s – Prairie Moon in Evanston – a short drive from Skokie.

Began our dinner with our usual libations –
Old Fashion & Perfect Manhattan. Then we chose from the Happy Hour Menu: a dozen raw Blue point oysters from Virginia & both had the Berger Slider w/fries & then a Happy Hour Prosecco & Oyster Bay Sav. Blanc. We enjoyed the ambiance, great service & oysters & small plates. Next time might try something on the regular menu.