Kitchen Spotlight: Dancer takes to art of cooking

"I inherited it from my mother," said Sanchez. "She used to say 'I'm not going to live forever' and she wanted us to learn."

Watermelon stars in recipes from appetizers to desserts

With summer officially around the corner, it's the perfect time to celebrate one of America's favorite fruits.

Cheech and Chong bring 'Up in Smoke' tour to Hammond

Grammy-winning comedy duo Cheech and Chong are set to light up the stage at Horseshoe Casino's The Venue this weekend.

Restaurant Scene: Chamber seeks corny but delicious recipes

Are you a fan of all things corn? The Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce is looking for you. The chamber will present its Cooking with Corn Competition at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Crown Point around the courthouse square. There will also be a Corn-On-The-Cob Eating Contest at 1 p.m.

Scottish-themed fun and games on tap this weekend

It's time once again for a tribute to Scottish culture, culinary dishes and pageantry.

Foodie Finds

The first reader (excluding Times employees) to call (219) 933-3365 at 10:30 a.m. Thursday will win the featured items. Those having received a Foodie Finds in the past year are ineligible. Items not picked up within a week are forfeited.

Munster High grad set to ignite laughs in 'Defending the Caveman'

Kevin Burke continues to encourage audience members to laugh at the idiosyncrasies in relationships between the sexes.

Chicago Sinfonietta to present new 'City-Scapes'

A stirring program of monumental musical works will fill the playlist during Chicago Sinfonietta's latest show this weekend.

Restaurant Scene: Celebration of anniversaries, wine and stellar cuisine

Crown Brewing in Crown Point will celebrate its 5th anniversary on June 14. In honor of the celebration, there will be tours of the new barrel aging cellar in the old Lake County Title Building. The cellar was once used as the fallout shelter for Crown Point during the Cold War.

'West Side Story' opens in Chicago next week

One of America's most iconic musicals will soon bound onto the stage of Chicago's Oriental Theatre.

Author creates inventive, inexpensive recipes for busy people

Caroline Wright has long been interested in helping people gain the confidence and knowledge to make a great, healthy meal inexpensively.

Foodie Finds

The first reader (excluding Times employees) to call (219) 933-3365 at 10:30 a.m. Thursday will win the featured items. Those having received a Foodie Finds in the past year are ineligible. Items not picked up within a week are forfeited.

Harbor Lights to shine on stage in Valpo

The doo-wop sounds of Harbor Lights will jump into the spotlight Saturday in the Region.

Herb Alpert and Lani Hall to bring classic sounds to Chicago

Through the years, Herb Alpert and Lani Hall have brought something special to the music world, individually and as a team.

Restaurant Scene: New pizzas get comfort food themes

Aurelio's pizza fans will want to taste the company's latest creations. On Saturday, the Homewood-based company will premiere the Mac and Cheese Pizza and the Cheeseburger Pizza.

Thunder from Down Under set to storm into Michigan City

Australia's popularimport male dance revue Thunder from Down Under, which has played to enthusiastic audiences in Las Vegas since 2001, will bring its dynamic production to Michigan City this weekend.

Foodie Finds

The first reader (excluding Times employees) to call (219) 933-3365 at 10:30 a.m. Thursday will win the featured items. Those having received a Foodie Finds in the past year are ineligible. Items not picked up within a week are forfeited.

Dance company creatively shapes sound

Travis Wall has all the right moves in the dance arena.

Restaurant Scene: Dishcrawl progresses in Valpo

Looking for a progressive dining experience in the Region? Local foodies will want to attend the first area Dishcrawl May 29 in Valparaiso.

Foodie Finds

The first reader (excluding Times employees) to call (219) 933-3365 at 10:30 a.m. Thursday will win the featured items. Those having received a Foodie Finds in the past year are ineligible. Items not picked up within a week are forfeited.

Restuarant Scene: Taste of Valpo and annual Restaurant Show

Food, glorious food will be in the spotlight from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 23 during "A Taste of Valparaiso" at Porter County Expo Center, 215 Division Road, Valparaiso.

Northwest Indiana Symphony Youth Orchestra to entertain in seasonal concert

It's time once again for a group of the region's young talented musicians to take the stage and do their part to enrich the musical landscape.

Summer productions spell fun, variety, laughter at Theatre at the Center

There will be something for everyone on the entertainment roster this summer at Theatre at the Center. And if variety is what audiences are looking for, everything from a big scale production to theatrical workshops, children's theater and comedy shows are on the agenda.

Tower of Power a mighty force at Four Winds

The dynamic brass sounds of Tower of Power swept through the Silver Creek Event Center at Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo, Mich. on May 10.

Foodie Finds

The first reader (excluding Times employees) to call (219) 933-3365 at 10:30 a.m. Thursday will win the featured items. Those having received a Foodie Finds in the past year are ineligible. Items not picked up within a week are forfeited.

Brad Paisley opens FMBA season

Music fans can get ready to celebrate the opening of the outdoor concert season this weekend at First Midwest Bank Amphitheater in Tinley Park, Ill.

Tower of Power still brass heavy

The highly-charged horns of Tower of Power will heat up the stage tonight at the Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo, Mich.

Restaurant Scene: Mother's Day feasting

If you're still looking for places to take mom for a feast on Sunday, there are a variety of venues in the area that will be celebrating moms with a special menu. The following is just a sample of options.

James McCartney serenades fans at Schubas

With strong vocals and an arsenal of both catchy and poignant tunes, James McCartney had no problem commanding center stage at Schubas in Chicago.

Cuisine of Jacques Pepin stars at Ivy Tech dinner

During a recent dinner at Ivy Tech's East Chicago campus, guests were welcomed into Le Pelican Restaurant.

Foodie Finds

The first reader (excluding Times employees) to call (219) 933-3365 at 10:30 a.m. Thursday will win the featured items. Those having received a Foodie Finds in the past year are ineligible. Items not picked up within a week are forfeited.

Take a musical stroll down Sesame Street

Music, beloved characters and feel-good messages will star in the latest Sesame Street Live production coming to Star Plaza Theatre next week.

James McCartney to play Chicago

Fans who know and love James McCartney's famous dad's music may want to check out the compositions of the son when he brings his show to Chicago next week.

Restaurant Scene: Celebrating opening of Miller Bakery Cafe

Restaurant Opening

Chicago Children's Theatre to present 'autism-friendly' production

A world premiere production of "The Elephant and The Whale" has been playing to enthusiastic audiences since the second week in April at Ruth Page Center for the Arts in Chicago.

Joffrey dazzles once again with 'Othello'

There's less than a week left to see the full-length production of "Othello" presented by The Joffrey Ballet.

Cinco de Mayo party menus filled with flavor, fun

Mexican cuisine is often a popular choice for party menus. And when it comes to Cinco de Mayo celebrations, everything from authentic Mexican dishes to contemporary Latin-inspired recipes, are fit to star at a home fiesta.

Kitchen Spotlight: 'Anything Goes' actress sails through cooking craft

The actress, a native of Kent, England, is currently one of the stars in "Anything Goes," running through May 5 at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre.

Foodie Finds

The first reader (excluding Times employees) to call (219) 933-3365 at 10:30 a.m. Thursday will win the featured items. Those having received a Foodie Finds in the past year are ineligible. Items not picked up within a week are forfeited.

Restaurant Scene: Celebrating a new eatery and stellar chefs

There's a new restaurant making a splash in East Chicago.

Joffrey Ballet presents 'Othello'

The Joffrey Ballet jumps into the Chicago performance spotlight for the next two weeks with its compelling production of "Othello."

'Cake Boss' star Buddy Valastro unveils fun products for home baking

The aroma of sweet pastries and cakes filtered through a corner of Chicago's McCormick Place during last month's International Home and Housewares Show.

Foodie Finds

The first reader (excluding Times employees) to call (219) 933-3365 at 10:30 a.m. Thursday will win the featured items. Those having received a Foodie Finds in the past year are ineligible. Items not picked up within a week are forfeited. Last week's winner was Kristie Pollard of Hammond.

Kitchen Spotlight: Local actor honors grandmother with recipe

Vasily Deris grew up with a respect for good food and great hospitality. "My parents have run many restaurants," said Deris, a resident of Homer Glenn, Ill.

'Cirque Ziva' closes West Side Theatre Guild's season

A blend of colorful theatrics and athleticism will descend on stage tonight in Gary.

Restaurant Scene: Mixed bag of culinary events

Join fans of chef Robert Irvine, star of Food Network's "Restaurant: Impossible" for a theatrical cooking show at 9 p.m. Eastern today at Silver Creek Event Center at Four Winds Casino, New Buffalo, Mich. and 8 p.m. Saturday at Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, Ill.

Author stresses there's 'Life Beyond Takeout'

Paula Guiliano is eager to pass on great recipes to food lovers and believes life can definitely be made better by cooking at home.

Kitchen Spotlight: Actor shares recipe for healthy pepper dip

Actor Bobby Steggert grew up around great food.

Hofbrauhaus stars brews, flavors of Germany

For a taste of old Germany, plan a visit to Hofbrauhaus Chicago in Rosemont, Ill.

Office taste test rates Chicago's best pizza

The aroma of tomato sauce, cheese, and sausage filled the newsroom as hungry journalists prepared to rate favorite pizzas on flavor, texture, crust, and overall excellence.