Beyond the Loop Production Info Packet

‘BEYOND THE LOOP’ a new television and web series that ventures outside of Chicago’s striking downtown loop to explore the city’s many diverse neighborhoods. The show’s hosts, Holly Laurent and Edgar Blackmon of the acclaimed Second City Main Stage, set out on a quest to delve into the art, history, culture and cuisine of some of Chicago’s most vibrant communities.

Contact: Brian Schodorf / Choose Chicago 312.399.1504 | bschodorf@choosechicago.com 301 E . Cermak Road, Chicago, IL 60616

WATCH EPISODE 1 Password: chicago (no caps)

ABOUT THE SHOW BEYOND THE LOOP visits the neighborhoods of:

This entertaining, half-hour television series follows Holly and Edgar as they explore some of Chicago’s best attractions including neighborhood restaurants, bars, museums, parks, and beaches. Viewers will also catch a glimpse of Chicago’s street festival scene, a staple for anyone visiting the city in the summer months.

Episode 1: Hyde Park | Wicker Park / Bucktown Episode 2: Chinatown | Uptown Episode 3: Bronzeville | Logan Square Episode 4: Lincoln Square | Old Town Episode 5: Lakeview Episode 6: Lincoln Park | Little Village Episode 7: Bridgeport | Ravenswood | Pilsen

BEYOND THE LOOP is produced by Choose Chicago, the official destination marketing organization for Chicago, Illinois. Local brewery; Goose Island is the official sponsor for the series.

Viewers will be able to find the latest television airing schedule, video clips, series outtakes, and behind the scenes content by visiting: www.BeyondtheLoop.com

MEET THE HOSTS After the lights are dimmed and the curtains are closed on the main stage at the legendary Second City comedy club; Holly Laurent and Edgar Blackmon head home after a long night of laughs, smiles, and late-night cocktails. In the morning, they head out on mission to venture outside of Chicago’s striking downtown loop to explore some of the city’s many diverse neighborhoods. Armed with a passion to become immersed in the abounding cultures that define the city of Chicago, Holly and Edgar go on a journey to learn about the history of the neighborhoods, taste the cuisine, appreciate the art, and dance to the music. Join them, as they go: Beyond the Loop.

EPISODE 1 HYDE PARK / WICKER PARK and BUCKTOWN In Episode 1, Holly and Edgar travel to Hyde Park to learn about the contemporary arts culture and gain a greater respect for the neighborhood’s historic architectural masterpieces by visiting Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House. Afterwards, Edgar gets presidential at the cafeteria-style breakfast hot spot, Valois. Meanwhile, Holly heads to Medici near the University of Chicago campus to try one of the Obama family’s favorite dishes.

Then, they hop over to Wicker Park / Bucktown to explore the self-proclaimed “hipster haven” neighborhood.

There, they embark on a record shopping journey at Reckless Records w/ local rocker Archie Powell. Afterwards, they grab dinner at Chef Mindy Segal’s Hot Chocolate and then finally stop for a late night cocktail in the bank vault lounge at The Bedford.

EPISODE 2 CHNATOWN / UPTOWN In Episode 2, Holly and Edgar take a stroll at the Chinatown Summer Fair on their way to dinner at restaurant mogul Tony Hu’s Lao Sze Chuan. Later, Edgar heads to Uptown to try the Peking Duck at Sun Wah BBQ and take in some musical theater at The Black Ensemble. Finally, Holly chows down on Chef Giuseppe Scurato’s SicilianAmerican cuisine at Ceres Table and hops over to the legendary Green Mill Jazz Club to get the scoop on Al Capone’s historic Uptown hangout. All while dancing the night away to the music of the roaring 20’s swing era.

EPISODE 3 BRONZEVILLE / LOGAN SQUARE Episode 3 brings Holly and Edgar to historic Bronzeville to learn about it’s history through African Diaspora Art at Gallery Guichard. Then, Holly goes to taste some of Chicago’s finest chicken and waffles at the self-proclaimed home, while Edgar goes to Pearls Place to try the soul food with local musician JC Brooks from the band JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound. Later, Edgar ventures off to Logan Square for brunch at local favorite Jam, while Holly hops over to Owen & Engine to try one of the best burgers on the west side. Finally, they both join forces for some custom cocktails and a dance party at The Whistler.

EPISODE 4 OLD TOWN / LINCOLN SQUARE In Episode 4, the crew heads over to Lincoln Square to get a taste of some of the finest home-made German style sausages and sauerkraut at Gene’s Sausage Shop. Then, the two meet up with “The First Lady of the Children’s Folk Song”, Ella Jenkins at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Later in the episode they visit Old Town. While Holly try's Frank Sinatra’s favorite BBQ baby back ribs at Twin Anchors, Edgar stops by “Le Premier Dive Bar” aka the Old Town Ale House for a drink. They both meet up again to take viewers on a tour through their home at the world famous Second City Theater.

EPISODE 5 LAKEVIEW In Episode 5, Holly and Edgar attend one of the largest Gay Pride events in the world; the Gay Pride Festival in the Boystown quarter of Lakeview. Afterwards, Holly stops at Bar Pastoral to try some of the best artisan wine and cheese pairings on the planet. In the meantime, Edgar pays a visit to neighborhood staple Yoshi’s Café to bite into Chef Yoshi’s award winning Wagyu Beef Burger. Finally, Edgar pre-games at Goose Island in Wrigleyville before meeting up with TV great Bill Kurtis at Wrigley Field to catch a Chicago Cubs game.

EPISODE 6 LINCOLN PARK / LITTLE VILLAGE Episode 6 takes Holly and Edgar to Lincoln Park first. There, they stop by one of Chicago’s best beaches and work up an appetite for a night out on the town. Edgar grabs one of the most unique pizzas to ever come out of an oven at the Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder while Holly takes a brewery tour at the “Home of Chicago Craft Beer”, the Goose Island Brew Pub. Then, Holly stops by the Steppenwolf Theater for a show with Artistic Director Martha Lavey. To cap the night off, they both head over to the Home of Blues Music in Chicago: Kingston Mines.

Next, the crew explores the cultural mecca of Little Village and attends Mariachi Sundays; a traditional evening of Mexican music in the square. The following morning, Edgar wakes up bright and early for breakfast at La Catedral Café & Restaurant.

EPISODE 7 PILSEN / RAVENSWOOD / BRIDGEPORT In the final episode of the season, Holly and Edgar head to Pilsen to check out the famed Redmoon Theater.

There, they are served lunch by the “Table Lady” and get wowed by a DJ that spits fire (literally). Then, Holly goes to May Street Café to get a taste of the Latin culture in the neighborhood while Edgar checks out Chef Jason Vincent’s all-star cuisine at Nightwood. Afterwards, they skip over to nearby Bridgeport for a Chicago White Sox game. The following day, Edgar goes to check out the Zhou B Art Center and then gets some Italian food at Gio’s. Holly decides to head north to Ravenswood to get some of the freshest seafood in the city at local favorite: Glenn’s Diner. Finally she rubs elbows with the art crowd at the Lillstreet Art Center.

EPISODE BREAKDOWN EPISODE 4

EPISODE 1 Hyde Park   

Valois Medici Robie House

Wicker Park / Bucktown   

Hot Chocolate Reckless Records The Bedford

EPISODE 2 Chinatown  

Summer Fair Lao Sze Chuan

EPISODE 5 Uptown    

Sun Wah BBQ The Black Ensemble Ceres Table The Green Mill

EPISODE 3 Bronzeville  Home of Chicken and Waffles  Gallery Guichard  Pearls Place

Lincoln Square Old Town  Gene’s Sausage  Twin Anchors Shop  Old Town Ale House  Old Town School of  The Second City Folk Music

Lakeview   

Gay Pride Parade Bar Pastoral Yoshi’s Cafe

 

Goose Island Wrigleyville Wrigley Field / Cubs Game

EPISODE 6 Logan Square   

Jam Owen & Engine The Whistler

Lincoln Park    

North Ave. Beach Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder Goose Island Pub Kingston Mines

Little Village  

Mariachi Sundays La Catedral Cafe

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EPISODE BREAKDOWN EPISODE 7 Pilsen   

Redmoon Theater May Street Cafe Nightwood

Ravenswood  

Glenn’s Diner Lillstreet Art Center

Bridgeport   

Zhou B Art Center Gio’s Café & Deli U.S. Cellular Field / White Sox Game