Music, Art, and Truffles at City News

19 Jan Music, Art, and Truffles at City News

Photo by Carma Lynn Park

As NAC has said in the past, “Stepping into City Newsstand is all it takes to realize you’ve found a special little gem. City Newsstand might be best known as the largest magazine store in Chicago, but it really is so much bigger. It’s a place for people who love local coffee, homemade truffles, live music, local art, stimulating conversation and an endless selection of reading materials.

Nearly 40 years ago, owner Joe Angelastri opened the doors to this Portage Park newsstand. Since then he has grown this newsstand into more than a print lover’s paradise – it’s an entire community. On any given day you’re likely to enjoy the sounds of local musicians and storytellers from the cafe. The brick walls are lined with artwork from local artists and among the shelves, you’ll find Chicago’s talented local writers. Behind the counter are not only some of the friendliest baristas in the neighborhood but also one very talented truffle maker, Donna. Most mornings, Donna is my favorite person.”

Right you are, Nikki!

Where to begin?

Photo by Hattie Portage

The café side serves excellent coffee and café eats. Besides the sandwiches, soups, and pastries they have a unique offering—truffles.

Donna makes the truffles by hand. When people bite into them, their faces show the deliciousness of the experience. Flavors vary, but dark chocolate is a constant. Sometimes Donna might decide to make peanut butter truffles or bourbon and bacon. The latest is mint and vodka dark chocolate, light on mint and delicious.

Their Thin Blue Line Truffles, available the end of the last year, was not a flavor but a benefit. City News donated $2 from the sale of each 12-piece box of truffles to the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, “a not-for-profit organization dedicated to honoring the lives of our fallen heroes. The Foundation provides support and assistance to the families of Chicago police officers who are killed or catastrophically injured in the line of duty.” City News generously presented the Foundation with a check for $1,100.00.

The upcoming events are free and open to the public

Music

Saturday, January 21, 2017

9-11am — Brian Doroba–blues, gospel, train songs
2-4pm — Rent Party–feminist garage folk band

Sunday, January 22

10am-12pm — MF Duo–classic jazz
2-4pm — Kara Cavanaugh–sweet-voiced singer-songwriter

Saturday, February 4

11am-1pm — One River–country, rock, bluegrass
2-4pm — Rent Party–feminist garage folk band

Sunday, February 5

Bluegrass jam—look for it to start about 9am and go until whenever

Saturday, February 11

2-4pm—La Pompe–gypsy jazz

Saturday, February 18

10am-12pm—Piobagusfidil (Pipes and Fiddle)–Irish music
2-4pm—Rent Party–feminist garage folk band

Saturday, February 25

10am-12pm—Matthew Dennison Band–jazz

From time to time literary readings are scheduled

New events are frequently added. Stay up-to-date by visiting https://www.facebook.com/CityNewsCafe/?fref=ts

Paintings by Sara Peak Convery are currently on display in the newsstand area, where they display nicely against the brick.

I am particularly fond of Sara’s figure paintings, which capture essences of people and interpersonal situations, and this show includes some fine work.

Sara is a Chicago-based artist and filmmaker who was born and raised in Iowa. Her visual art has been in too many shows to count.

The show was curated by Bruce Thorn, an artist and musician.

Photo by Carma Lynn Park

Besides the plethora of magazines, the newsstand side carries books, including a selection of books by local authors

Open daily from 7am to 10pm

City Newsstand/City News Café
4018 N Cicero Ave, Chicago
773.545.7377
http://citynewsstand.com/