Entertainment

In this Jan. 9, 2014 photo, Val Kilmer poses for a portrait in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Val Kilmer, film star who played Batman and Jim Morrison, dies at 65

Val Kilmer, a homegrown Hollywood actor who tasted leading-man stardom as Jim Morrison and Batman, but whose protean gifts and elusive personality also made him a high-profile supporting player, died on Tuesday in Los Angeles. He was 65.

The Deftones perform at the United Center in Chicago on March 31, 2025. (Jessi Roti / for the Chicago Tribune)

Review: With a sold-out show at United Center, Deftones are bigger than they’ve ever been

The modern reassessment of late ‘90s nu metal has played a role in the band’s...

George Freeman performs at the Green Mill, April 12, 2019, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

George Freeman, a trailblazing jazz guitarist who enjoyed a late-career renaissance, dies at 97

Though at times overshadowed by his famous brother Von Freeman, he collaborated with the biggest...

Arts

Yoko Ono's installation "Add Color (Refugee Boat)" here at MAXXI Foundation in Rome in 2016. (Musacchio, Ianniello and Pasqualini / Provided by the MCA)

Yoko Ono exhibition is coming to the MCA — with Chicago as its only US destination

The exhibition will open here next fall, coming to Chicago from the Tate Modern in London, where it reportedly set attendance records.

Books

Biblioracle: Ron Currie Jr.’s latest novel is the dark but inviting ‘Savage, Noble Death of Babs Dionne’

Babs Dionne's world is much smaller than the planet, but to her it's everything, and her death is truly a combination of savage and noble, a perfect description of the novel itself.

Movies

Actor Gene Hackman with wife Betsy Arakawa in June 1993. (AP Photo, File)

A court is allowing the release of some records in the Gene Hackman death investigation

A court on Monday blocked the release of any public records that show the bodies of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, but said other images and documents can be disclosed.

TV and Streaming

Teresa Palmer in "The Last Anniversary." (Mark Rogers/Sundance Now)

‘The Last Anniversary’ review: From the producers of ‘Big Little Lies,’ another Liane Moriarty novel adapted for TV

A matriarch dies and leaves her house on a lush, remote island to an unlikely person.

Theater

Bob Odenkirk and Donald Webber Jr. in "Glengarry Glen Ross" on Broadway at the Palace Theatre in New York. (Emilio Madrid)

Review: ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’ on Broadway has a terrific cast, though some as the wrong salesmen

Bill Burr is perfect as Moss in this revival of Mamet's riveting play about desperate salesmen. Bob Odenkirk would have been even better swapping places with Michael McKean.

Restaurants, Food and Drink

Students grab slices of pizza during lunchtime at Hadley Junior High School in Glen Ellyn on March 28, 2025. The school currently does not have halal food options but will start offering halal-friendly options sometime in April. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois is first to mandate halal, kosher meals be available in public institutions such as schools, but concerns remain

With the Faith By Plate Act mandating halal and kosher meals be offered at places such as public schools, Muslim parents are thrilled and hope the state follows proper guidelines around slaughtering methods.

Music and Concerts

The 180 square-foot Gordon Park bandshell in La Grange is set to be replaced by a new 2,000 square foot bandshell with a permanent stage. (Hank Beckman/Pioneer Press)

La Grange OKs new band shell, performance area in Gordon Park

A new band shell will be going up at Gordon Park in La Grange after the Village Board unanimously approved a special use permit.

Travel

New York Vintage is a swanky vintage couture shop in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood. (Mario Morgado)

Curated secondhand shopping tours in New York City help move vintage fashion forward

Visitors can book an appointment to try on vintage items worn by celebrities or enjoy a guided tour through a stretch of secondhand shops on West 26th Street.

Museums

Shermann "Dilla" Thomas at The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center in Chicago on March 14, 2025. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago historian Shermann ‘Dilla’ Thomas planning future with DuSable Museum after being laid off by ComEd

Thomas is starting to settle into a new role as the brand ambassador and chief of social media for the Washington Park institution.

Home and Garden

It may take one to four weeks for branches to bloom. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

How to force branches to bloom indoors

Some good plant choices for forcing branches indoors include magnolias, lilacs and viburnum.

Recipes

This incredibly flavorful stir-fry comes together with just three ingredients. (Ryan Liebe/TCA) (Ryan Liebe/TCA)

The Kitchn: The ridiculously simple 15-minute dinner I make at least once a week

As much as I love a double-digit-step recipe with more ingredients than I can count on my two hands (looking at you, Beef Wellington), that’s not realistic for every night (let alone weekly!). Sometimes you just need a simple recipe...

Fashion

Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey applauds in the final moments of a game against North Carolina State in Raleigh, N.C., on Feb. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

These NCAA Tournament styles stand out in a sea of coaches in team polo shirts and quarter-zip pullovers

The styles of Notre Dame's Niele Ivey, LSU’s Kim Mulkey, Alabama’s Nate Oaks and South Carolina’s Dawn Staley stand out in a sea of coaches in team polo shirts and quarter-zip pullovers.

Entertainment

The Shawnee Country Club bowling team featured Joan Mercer, from left, Marjorie Wood, Glenn Garrett and Betty Maloney as they attended a women's bowling tournament in Nov. 1939. (Chicago Tribune archive)

Column: When billiards and bowling were all the rage

With the rising popularity of pickleball, a look back at two other, even bigger pursuits: billiards and bowling.

Entertainment

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