Travail is always cooking up something new, but we’re not sure when mariachi landed on the menu! The raved-about Robbinsdale restaurant keeps things lively with a little impromptu dinner concert complete with accordion. To catch more of Travail’s creativity (culinary and otherwise), head to their Prevailed Party this Sunday.
Source: Rick Nelson
Time to dine outside! Chicago Magazine profiled 10 hidden outdoor dining hotspots in the city and we’re glad to see Ada Street’s patio on the list. Complete with green grass (okay, it’s turf) and a fire pit, Ada Street serves up the perfect summer evening with a playful menu of classic fare and tasty twists.
Source: Chicago Magazine
Cincinnati’s Union Terminal landed on this year’s list of most endangered historical buildings. The Art Deco terminal went up in 1933 and features the second largest half dome in the world, with a 106-foot tall rotunda and expansive glass mosaic murals. While still in use today as a museum and cultural center, the building is in dire need of extensive repair.
Twins, meet twins. Danny and Kenny King, the twin designers behind King Brothers Clothiers, recently outfitted two Minnesota Twins players in new dress clothes for travel days. Kevin Correia and Brian Dozier cut dashing figures on the ballfield in their new bespoke suits—just look out for grass stains, guys.
Source: MSP Magazine
Silver Buckle Press is a working letterpress museum dedicated to preserving the traditional craft of printing. The press played host to Book Arts students from UW – Whitewater yesterday, and the students left their mark, using type made by the Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum. Keeping the craft alive!
Source: Silver Buckle Press
Grand Rapids clockmakers Ian and Karen Macartney are taking their show on the road. They’ll be showcasing their iconic clocks at the American Institute of Architects Expo in Chicago this week. Their clock shop, Lumichron, incorporates some Swiss-made components, but the clocks are assembled in Western Michigan and the Macartneys are proud to represent the manufacturing scene there. Visitors to Grand Rapids can see their clocks on display at the Amtrak station and the Fulton Street Farmers Market.
Source: Michigan Live
Does a box of fresh veggies show up at your front door? CSA season is in full swing. Alison Allen, who blogs at Deuce City Henhouse, showed off her greens from Driftless Organics, a farm in southwest Wisconsin. For those stumped on what to do with summer veggies, Allen wrote up her recipe for this radish and turnip salad.
Source: Deuce City Henhouse
This 1961 mid-century modern building in St. Louis was originally constructed as a public library, but has been home to the Record Exchange since 1999. Now that the record store owner is in search of new digs, the building is up for sale. What’s next for the life of this classic?
Source: ModernSTL
Ponyride began at the height of the foreclosure crisis in Detroit—the organization purchased a 30,000 square-foot warehouse and now rents the space out to socially-conscious artists and entrepreneurs. They are opening their first co-working space this summer, and shared this snapshot of the new digs on Facebook. We’re wondering if the telephone booth still works…
Source: Ponyride
The recent Michigan Modern conference included a guided tour of the Herman Miller factory. Architecture of Columbus, Indiana snapped some pictures of the production process, including this sample rack of all the different Eames chair finishes. We like them all!
The St. Lou Fringe Theater Festival kicked off with a bang with their annual party featuring music, theater, art, puppet shows and a party with comedian Eddie Izzard in attendance. The festival, now in its third year, is in full swing through June 22.
Source: Riverfront Times
J.W. Hulme’s leather goods have been handcrafted in Saint Paul for over a century using leather from small craft tanneries around Minnesota. The company shared a quick snapshot on Facebook of the talented folks behind the meticulous work and stylish bags.
Source: J.W. Hulme
The curator of The Artful Dodger has an eye for one-of-a-kind pieces and antique treasures. They posted this glimpse of their treasures at The Green Shag Market in St. Louis. The vintage Mobil Pegasus is at the top of our wish list.
Source: The Artful Dodger
Chicago chef Stephanie Izard takes inspiration from her last name—it’s a type of goat. Hence her raved-about Chicago restaurant: Girl and the Goat. She sat down with Serious Eats to share her favorite kitchen tools, and she revealed the secret behind these stunning oysters: a wood-fired grill. Since getting the grill, she finds herself grilling just about everything, including the bacon that adds a smoky flavor to these fresh oysters.
Source: Serious Eats
Looking for the best place to watch your favorite movie? The Indianapolis Museum of Art opens up their spectacular outdoor amphitheater every summer for their Summer Nights Film Series, showing classic films (depending on your definition of classic). This summer has everything from The Godfather to Mean Girls, but tickets have been selling out, so time is ticking, Indianapolis!
Source: Indianapolis Museum of Art
Years ago, The Soap Factory did actually churn out soap. Now, the non-profit gallery that’s taken over the space will be presenting works from nine emerging artists from around the country in their new show, Americana. The artists take on questions of the American experience through drawings, sculptures, video and installation work. The exhibit explores the notion of Americana in a very apt space—the building itself, with its industrial past and decayed architecture, recalls a different age in American history.
Source: The Soap Factory
This latest Chicago art installation will really move you—one mile, to be exact. The mile-long choreographed urban dance adventure features dancers using public space as the stage. Watch them form a series of living sculptures built from nothing but their bodies and the doorways, sidewalks, and light posts available to them. Choreographed by Will Dorner, the performance promises to deliver the most interesting people watching experience you’ve had this year.
Source: City of Chicago
Chicago’s Three Dots and a Dash made the list of the country’s essential cocktail bars, and they did it in pure tiki style. The hot spot serves up modern tiki drinks with a twist along with classic tropical favorites. The bartenders won’t just mix you a drink, they’ll give you a splash of history along with it; ask about the origins of whatever drink you’re sipping and then settle in for a story.
Source: Eater
Shorewood, Wisconsin is one of the most bike friendly communities in the country, but they’re looking to up their game on style. To complement the Criterium Cycling Classic race happening today, they’re holding their first ever bicycling fashion show. The models will show off the latest in apparel, footwear, and biking accessories, with so many more options than just spandex.
Source: Shorewood Business DIstrict
Furniture design house Loll isn’t stopping at human comforts—they’ve released their line of impossibly chic birdhouses in bright summer colors. The chirp-worthy houses are built to withstand all kinds of weather, and are actually crafted from recycled milk jugs. We’ll admit to being a little jealous of the birds that get to call these home.
Source: Mpls.St.Paul Magazine
Dan Gilbert owns Detroit—or at least a stunningly detailed miniature version of it. The Michigan entrepreneur commissioned an accurate model of the Motor City complete with laser-cut buildings and hand-painted landscapes. Rumor has it that whenever Gilbert purchases a new building (the regular-sized kind), its corresponding miniature is illuminated on the model.
Source: Curbed
The design minds at Herman Miller celebrated Charles Eames’ 107th birthday with a little historical recreation. This modern take on an archival image of Eames designs wouldn’t be complete without the cake and bright colors. “Take your pleasure seriously,” was often echoed around the Eames Office, and we think this scene lives up to the challenge.
Source: Herman Miller
STiiCKs’ Kickstarter was 345% funded for a reason—these powerful little sticks make displaying your prints and photos a stylish snap. The adjustable frame system is made from solid American hardwood and allows you to switch out your art on a whim. Mastermind Brandon Knowlden quit his job in advertising to take a gamble on this framing adventure, and now runs the design shop Wellmade, which specializes in stylish furniture made from sustainably-sourced materials.
Source: Wellmade
The culinary master behind the Quincy Street Bistro Hog Burger is prepared to share his secrets. Rick Lewis is unveiling his secret recipes at Schnucks Cooking School, and the menu is a tantalizing mile long; not only will he teach you the ways of the perfect burger, but you’ll also learn how to make creamy bacon slaw, seasoned homemade French fries, and funnel cake with lemon curd and blueberries. Your summer barbecues will never be the same again.
Source: Feast Magazine
To date, over 250 entrepreneurs have graduated from D:hive’s BUILD program, a series of business and planning classes in Detroit. At the D:hive BUILD Bazaar, graduates have the opportunity to put their local businesses on display. The rotating pop-up marketplace has a little bit of everything: fresh baked goods, stylish screen-printed tees, and handmade leather accessories. There are two more bazaars this summer, so mark your calendar!
Source: D:hive