ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

reflected in the diversity and quality of arts and entertainment venues

available in the community.  While Taylor Street has been known for

generations as a place where some of Chicago's most authentic restaurants got

their start, with many growing into large, successful and sophisticated operations

with multiple locations, our community is also becoming known as a community

of many exciting arts and entertainment venues as well as venues for special

events. 

Beviamo Wine Bar - 1358 West Taylor Street.  After a fine night of dining,

one can walk down Taylor Street to hear fine jazz with a glass of fine wine or

champagne at this sleek wine bar.  The wine selections are very good and there

is often a fine musician performing to soothe the soul.

University of Illinois at Chicago Theatre- 1040 West Harrison Street. The

UIC theatre is a showcase for the talents of the UIC theatre arts students and

faculty, Circle Players, as well as international and national guest artists.  The

theatre marquee and their website announce plays and performances scheduled.

University of Illinois Pavilion - 1150 West Harrison Street. This very modern

structure is home to concerts and sports events throughout the year.

Provision Theatre Company - 1001 West Roosevelt Road. The Provision

Theatre Company's mission states that "Provision Theatre Company is devoted

to producing works of hope, reconciliation and redemption; works that challenge

us to explore a life of meaning and purpose."  The company has been a part of

Chicago's dynamic theatre scene since March, 2004 when it opened with Harry

Chapin's off-Broadway smash hit Cotton Patch Gospel.  Its founding artistic

director and a number company actors and actresses have been nominated

numerous times since then for the Joseph Jefferson Award.

This impressive organization is located in a beautiful, modern structure designed

by noted Chicago architect John Vinci.  Located directly across from the Joe

DiMaggio Plaza & Fountain on Taylor Street, this museum honors Italian and

Italian-American sports champions; there is plenty of memorabilia exhibited

including racing cars, films, and more to interest all visitors.  They regularly host

national and international sports celebrities.  Banquet facilities, a roof top facility

and a theatre are all available for special events.

Art Galleries - There are many spectacular art galleries within walking distance

of Taylor Street.  The Halsted Street corridor south of Roosevelt Road is home

to some of Chicago's most provocative new galleries exhibiting local and

international talent in various media.  UIC also operates Gallery 400 located at

400 South Peoria Street which exhibits works by their students in the College of

Architecture and the Arts.

SPECIAL EVENT VENUES

The University Village/Little Italy community also has venues for private parties.

Some of these popular locations include:

Several of the local restaurants have beautifully decorated private areas for

special events. 

Many of the churches in the area have attractive halls which can be rented for

weddings, receptions and other events.

undergone a $5 million transformation, this 113 guest room hotel offers over

3,500 square feet of flexible meeting space as well as private dining and board

rooms.

Crowne Plaza Chicago Metro Hotel - 733 West Madison Street. Located in

nearby Greek Town, at Halsted and Madison Streets, a short walk from Taylor

Street, this 398 guest room hotel, which was renovated in 2005, has 11 meeting

rooms with 7,204 square feet of meeting space.

With downtown Chicago being only 5 minutes away, there are a host of fine

hotels and dining establishments for visitors to Little Italy.