The North Shore Weekend, March 9th, 2024

WELCOME BARI REDMAN

As a dedicated broker, Bari is committed to her clients, specializing in both residential and commercial real estate. Bari leverages a knowledgeable, innovative and results-oriented approach to deliver exceptional customer service. Her enthusiasm is evident when working with clients collaboratively to achieve their goals. Having grown up in Wilmette, Bari values the North Shore community and lifestyle and feels privileged to have raised her family here.

Thinking about real estate? Call Bari at 773-330-0089.

1010 Central, Wilmette

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1041 Pawnee,

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NEWS

5 north shore doings

Your go-to guide for all the latest local events

LIFESTYLE & ARTS

12 #hashtag

Meet Allison Kurtz Volkers, co-artistic director of Dance Center Evanston, and learn more about the company's upcoming show

13 ordinary angels

Hilary Swank shines in this feel-good film based on a real life story about a stranger who changed the lives of a girl and her family

14 north shore foodie

This Southern Mac & Cheese Bake with Spiced Tomato recipe was inspired by a community cookbook

16 material pursuits

Props from famous '90s movies are up for auction and a Phantom boat made from recycled materials makes its debut

16 weekend fashion

These athleisure looks are the best way to stay both fit and fashionable

LAST BUT NOT LEAST

18 sunday breakfast

Violin virtuoso Benjamin Beilman's Curtis on Tour performance Saturday night at the Music Institute of Chicago's Nichols Concert Hall in Evanston also marks his homecoming

John Conatser FOUNDER & PUBLISHER

ADVERTISING @NSWEEKEND.COM

Jennifer Sturgeon

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Michelle Crowe, Erin Donaldson, Dustin O'Regan, Kemmie Ryan, Megan Weisberg

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Allison Duncan, Mitch Hurst, Bill McLean DESIGN

Linda Lewis PRODUCTION MANAGER/GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Chris Geimer ADVERTISING COORDINATOR/GRAPHIC DESIGNER PHOTOGRAPHY AND

Monica Kass Rogers

Tom Bachtell, Barry Blitt ILLUSTRATION

Cheyanne Lencioni ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

NORTH SHORE DOINGS

EDITED BY CHEYANNE LENCIONI THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

NOW THROUGH MARCH 17

SILENT SKY

WHERE: Citadel Theatre Citadel Theatre’s Silent Sky tells the story of 19thcentury astronomer Henrietta Leavitt, who explores a woman’s place in society during a time of immense scientific and heart-bound discoveries. With music and math bursting forth onstage, Henrietta and her female peers change the way we understand both the heavens and Earth. citadeltheatre.org

NOW THROUGH MARCH 17

FIND LUCKY THE LEPRECHAUN

WHERE: Winnetka

Lucky the Leprechaun will be hiding in different parks throughout Winnetka each week. A new clue will be posted on Winnetka Park District’s (WPD) Facebook page at noon every weekday. Lucky will travel to a new location weekly and find a hiding place. New clues will be posted to hint at his location. Bring a camera to take photos of Lucky in his hiding spot and share them in a private message to WPD’s Facebook. The first five people to share a photo each week will win a $10 gift card to a local Winnetka business. winpark.org

NOW THROUGH MARCH 24

ORCHID SHOW OF WONDERS

WHERE: Chicago Botanic Garden

Enjoy a hint of spring with 10,000 blooms from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at the “Orchid Show of Wonders” at Chicago Botanic Garden. Walk under Ferris wheel

seats and marvel at unicycles on tightropes under the big top for this carnival-themed event. Tickets range from $10 for members to $21 for non-members. chicagobotanic.org

NOW THROUGH MARCH 31

PICKUP HIGHWOOD

WHERE: Everts Park

Looking for a way to maintain and connect with the community? Join Pickup Highwood’s weekly cleanup event where participants will meet from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday afternoons at Everts Park to collect trash. Please bring gloves, trash bags, and a picker/ reacher. All garbage collected will be disposed of in bins at home. This event is free to join and interested parties can sign up at meetup.com

NOW THROUGH MARCH 31

THE PENELOPIAD

WHERE: Goodman Theatre

It’s time for Penelope’s story to be told. For anyone who is not familiar with the ancient Greek poem, “The Odyssey,” Penelope is the queen of Ithaca who awaits her husband’s return from the Trojan War for 20 years. The Penelopiad follows Penelope’s domestic vigil and the 12 handmaidens

who accompany her. This play is based on the novel by Margaret Atwood and will star Once Upon A Time actress Jennifer Morrison. Tickets are on sale on the Goodman Theatre’s website. goodmantheatre.org

NOW THROUGH APRIL 21

TITANIC: THE EXHIBITION

WHERE: Westfield Old Orchard

Experience the Titanic in a new exhibit featured at Westfield Old Orchard Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until April 21. Guests will be able to traverse the Grand Staircase, see recreations of the ship’s interior, view artifacts from the ship, and more. The Discovery Gallery will give a glimpse at what archaeologists saw when they discovered the wreck of the Titanic. This exhibit also pays homage to the SS Eastland Disaster, which is the largest loss of life in a single shipwreck on the Great Lakes. Tickets are on sale now. thetitanicexhibition.com

NOW THROUGH SEPTEMBER 7

CIRCUSVILLE: PLAY UNDER THE BIG TOP

WHERE: Chicago Children’s Museum

Bring your kids to the Chicago Children’s Museum to play at the circus! Children can try their hands at all of the vital roles in a circus: star of the show, ticket taker, acrobat, hot dog vendor, and more. Props and costumes for families will be provided. The circus will be in town until September 7. chicagochildrensmuseum.org

NOW THROUGH OCTOBER 13

“SHTETL IN THE SUN”

WHERE: Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center

In the late 1970s, photographer Andy Sweet took numerous photos of Holocaust survivors living hopeful and joyous lives in South Beach, Florida. Through his images, it provides a poignant display of life after tragedy. The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center’s exhibit, “Shtetl in the Sun:

Andy Sweet’s South Beach 1977-1980,” celebrates Sweet’s work as a tribute to those who lived during that time. The exhibit will run through October 13. ilholocaustmuseum.org

MARCH 9

FILAM/EVANSTON CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT

WHERE: Charles Gates Dawes House

The FilAm Music Foundation and Evanston Chamber Music Society invites guests to attend a candlelight concert, “The Heroic Villain,” featuring Yale and Juilliard trained violinist Diomede Saranza, Jr. Victor Santiago Asuncion provides accompaniment on piano as they perform Beethoven, Strauss, Sarasate, Waxman, and beautiful Filipino folk songs. The concert will be held at the historic Charles Gates Dawes House from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are available for $40 on eventbrite.com

MARCH 9

MAKER FEST

WHERE: Wilmette Public Library

Join Wilmette Public Library for its Maker Fest from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Explore the library and meet the community’s makers as they demonstrate different pieces of art, technology, and design. Past events have included robotics, sewing, basket weaving, interactive video game art, circuitry, and more. This event is free and open to all ages. wilmettelibrary.info

MARCH 9

PAWS FOR PATRICK

WHERE: Lake Forest Public Library

Paws For Patrick will be holding a presentation and therapy dog visit from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Lake Forest Public Library. This event is open to adults and teens and registration is required. Paws For Patrick is a nonprofit organization that connects young people with emotional support dogs.

Continues on PG 6

The Titanic Exhibit

Therapy dogs will be present at this event. lakeforestlibrary.org

MARCH 10

2024 BOOK LOVERS’

LUNCH

WHERE: Bernie’s Book Bank

Bernie’s Book Bank is bringing back its Book Lovers’ Lunch. This year’s guests can look forward to a delicious lunch and networking

opportunities at the Lake Bluff facility. There will also be a special presentation from The New York Times best-selling author, Lisa

Barr, along with a book signing. Tickets are on sale now. berniesbookbank.org

MARCH 12

GET LIT: PUB NIGHT

WHERE: American Writers Museum

Capture the inspiration to write in an Irish pub from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the American Writers Museum.

Donning your finest green attire, this month’s Get Lit event celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with a night of Irish pub-themed trivia. Guests can customize and design a take-home pub coaster, hunt for hidden creatures in the Leprechaun Hunt, and enjoy beer, wine, and the night’s specialty cocktail called The Tipsy Cow. Tickets are available now. americanwritersmuseum.org

MARCH 12

MOVIE NIGHT

WHERE: Kenilworth Union Church

Every second Tuesday of the month, a group of movie lovers gather to enjoy a night of cinema. The film begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be followed by a discussion, which will end at 8:30 p.m. Contact Suzanne Hale for more information. kuc.org

MARCH 14

SIT & KNIT

WHERE: Northfield Public

Library

Spend the afternoon with fellow knitters in the Community Room at Northfield Public Library. From 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. adults of all levels of experience are welcome. Basic supplies will be provided and library staff will be present to assist. Registration is required. wnpld.org

MARCH 14 TO 17

EVANSTON DANCE ENSEMBLE “AMERICAN PORTRAIT”

WHERE: Northwestern University

Evanston Dance Ensemble will be performing “American Portrait,” a collection of world premier pieces choreographed by nine different artists. This performance is inspired by what it means to be an American and will be held at the Josephine Louis Theater at Northwestern University. Tickets are $15 for the premier show on March

14 and the performances on March 15 through 17 are $15 for children and $25 for adults. evanstondanceensemble.org

MARCH 15

3D PRINTING FOR ADULTS

WHERE: Highland Park Public Library

If you’ve ever had an interest in 3D printing, join Highland Park Public Library from 11 a.m. to noon to get started. Participants can explore the basics of printing with a hands-on program to create original designs. Registration is required and participants must be 18 years or older. hplibrary.org

MARCH 15 AND MARCH 18

PAINTED FLOWERPOT

WHERE: Glencoe Public Library

Welcome spring with this engaging Adult and Teen library program. Paint a

flowerpot and celebrate the launch of Glencoe Library’s Seed Library. Registration is required and Glencoe residents will have priority if the class fills up. This program will have two dates: March 15 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and March 18 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. glencoelibrary.org

MARCH 16

EGGSTRAVAGANZA EGG HUNT

WHERE: Clarkson Park

Enjoy a fun family Easter egg hunt at Clarkson Park in Northfield. Children ages 2 through 8 can meet the Easter Bunny at the gazebo from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. before the egg hunt begins. This event is free and children are encouraged to bring Easter baskets to collect their eggs. northfieldparks.org

MARCH 16

VENETIAN NIGHT GALA EVENT

Lisa Barr

WHERE: Cuneo Mansion and Gardens

You’re invited to Midwest Young Artists Conservatory’s (MYAC) 2024 Gala Event. From 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., enjoy performances from MYAC’s Concert Jazz Band, Vocalpoint, and Symphony Orchestra. The evening will include Italian cuisine, themed cocktails, and dancing under the elegant architecture at Cuneo Mansion. This year’s take note attendee is choral director Stevi Marks. Tickets are available now. mya.org

MARCH 17

2024 CHICAGO VIOLA FESTIVAL

WHERE: Ravinia’s Bennett Gordon Hall

Enjoy an all-day experience with the Chicago Viola Festival in Highland Park. Chicago area violists from all ages, backgrounds, and experience will perform. Participants can play

in master classes, perform in technique classes, play in a viola ensemble, and try instruments from local vendors. All guests will receive a viola festival t-shirt and lunch. Registration is required and pricing is $50 for MYAC alumni and students and $75 for all other participants. mya.org

MARCH 19

TAC ART ACTIVITY

WHERE: Highwood Library & Community Center

Enjoy a free evening of creative art activities from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Highwood Library. Participants can create their own island on a 4” flat rock using such materials as oil-based clay or air-dry clay. Space is limited and registration is required. All ages are welcome. highwoodlibrary.org

MARCH 19

TEDXWILMETTE

MICHELE WELDON

WHERE: The Wilmette Theatre

The Wilmette Theatre’s March Salon will feature Michele Weldon from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Her TEDx talk, “Truth Is A Dare: A Power of Claiming Your Story,” will be followed by a conversation and interactive discussion with TEDxWilmette Founder Heather Hehman. Tickets are $30 and available for purchase. tedxwilmette.com

MARCH 23

DOGGIE EGG HUNT

WHERE: West Elm Park

Dogs will hunt for treatfilled eggs and have photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. at West Elm Park. All dogs must be on a non-retractable leash at all times and wear a current rabies tag. Registration is required. winpark.org

MARCH 23

BREAKFAST

WITH THE BUNNY

WHERE: Kenilworth

Assembly Hall

Celebrate Easter with Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at Kenilworth Assembly Hall. Breakfast will be served from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and participants can take photos with the Easter Bunny during this time. Following breakfast, there will be two Easter Egg hunts: one at 11:30 a.m. at Kenilworth Assembly Hall for children 3 and younger, and one at 12:15 p.m. at Townley Field for children 4 to 9 years old. Tickets are $16 for adults, $13 for children ages 5 to 12, and $7 for children under 5 years old. Please bring your own basket and dress accordingly for the weather. kenilworthparkdistrict.org

To submit your event for consideration, please email events@nsweekend.com.

Diomede Saranza Jr

WE ARE ENGEL & VÖLKERS

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If you are considering making a move either in the United States or internationally, we can help you find a trusted advisor who will give you the same high standard of service our clients expect from Engel & Völkers.

Find your real estate advisor at chicagonorthshore.evrealestate.com

TAPESTRY OF PROGRESS From PG 1

BY SUSAN COLLINS THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

For the founders of Beyond Barriers, Women’s History Month is personal. Led by Wilmette-based Brooke and Laura Ricketts and Monica Marquez and Nikki Barua of New York, this team of accomplished executive women have a multitude of intersectional experiences among them.

Beyond Barriers helps the world’s leading companies and the diverse professionals who power them accelerate success. Using a unique combination of predictive and personalized guidance, proven strategies, and a powerful community of experts and peers, Beyond Barriers delivers breakthrough results.

Monica Marquez is co-founder and Chief Learning Officer of Beyond Barriers. With her pioneering work as author of the Goldman Sachs Returnship program and as a founder of Google’s Product Inclusion Council, Marquez has deep personal and professional experience breaking down barriers in the workplace. She is a Latina, a first-generation college graduate, and a first-generation corporate executive. For Marquez, Women’s History Month is particularly relevant.

“It’s a time to reflect on the shoulders I stand on, the giants whose struggles paved the way for me to be here as an executive and entrepreneur, carving my own path.

But it’s also more than that. It’s a call to action, a reminder that the fight for women’s equality isn’t solely about celebrating the past, but about shaping a future where progress doesn’t come at the expense of others, but uplifts us all,” she says. “Growing up, my world was a vibrant tapestry woven from the threads of sacrifice and resilience. My abuela taught me the power of grit and determination. My mother, a teacher and military wife, instilled in me a hunger for education and a yearning to break free from the limitations that confined her. These weren’t women focused on making history, but they were intentionally forging a path for me that my ancestors could have only dreamed of.”

However, the world outside their family home wasn’t always welcoming.

“The statistics are stark: Latina women earn 84 cents for every dollar earned by white men, face higher rates of poverty and violence, and remain underrepresented in leadership positions. These are not just numbers, but reflections of my own lived experience,” explains Marquez.

Each of the founders of Beyond Barriers climbed a corporate ladder that wasn’t designed for them, and in so doing, they saw

an opportunity: when entire populations within a company aren’t fully empowered, the company is leaving profit and opportunity on the table.

“When we disrupt these barriers, we create opportunities for both the individuals and their families and the organizations they work for,” she adds. “We started this

Here’s why:

1. Results are more powerful when everyone is empowered: McKinsey & Company research found that companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams were 25 percent more likely to have above-average profitability than companies in the fourth quartile. Compa-

discriminatory systems and outdated norms, creating a more just and equitable world for everyone, regardless of gender, race, or background.

“So, this Women’s History Month, let’s not just celebrate the past; let’s commit to shaping a brighter future for everyone,” Marquez says. “By acknowledging

work focused on women because women are the largest group of underleveraged employees, worldwide. Then late last year in partnership with a large finance institution, we began offering our platform to all genders and all backgrounds, and the results have been very exciting: 40 percent increase in engagement, 20 percent increase in retention, and 54 percent increase in promotability. The work started focused on elevating women, but we realized when you elevate women, the effects radiate system wide. Today we’re working with a number of Fortune 500 companies across their entire population to accelerate success. This isn’t a DEI play, it’s a performance play.”

nies with ethnically diverse executive teams were 36 percent more likely to see aboveaverage profits.

2. Deeper bench, expanded opportunities: Many companies struggle with a diverse leadership pipeline but these same companies aren’t investing mid-career, when diverse talent drops off. We can’t be what we can’t see. Conversely, when companies invest in and elevate women and underrepresented groups, a more diverse pipeline follows.

3. Building a more equitable world: When we fight for women’s rights, we fight for human rights. We challenge

the struggles of the past, celebrating the triumphs of the present, and actively working toward a more equitable future, we can create a world where the success of one is not at the expense of another, but where we lift as we rise.”

Citing Maya Angelou’s quote: “We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color,” Marquez says we should “choose to create a tapestry where every thread counts.”

For more information, visit gobeyondbarriers.com.

Co-founders of Beyond Barriers Brooke Skinner Ricketts, Monica Marquez, Laura Ricketts, and Nikki Barua

#HASHTAG

EDITED BY DUSTIN O'REGAN ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL

#ON MY NIGHTSTAND

Welp. I don’t have a nightstand, but in a pile next to my bed are some education text books (I’m getting my master’s from Loyola this spring), a bunch of envelopes with lists and things scrawled on them, The Candy House by Jennifer Egan, an old McSweeney’s, a pair of hot pink headphones, and four to five copies of HGTV Magazine

#ON MY MOBILE

I’m a Girl Scout troop leader, so right now the Digital Cookie app is playing a prominent role. Instagram. Various mail apps—I have five email accounts for all the different hats I wear. I’m usually a print gal, but I keep up with The New York Times arts section on my phone. Rotowire and Yahoo Sports are open more these days because we’re a month away from the fantasy baseball draft. VRBO is there for when I’m dreaming about a summertime weekend away. Spotify is my go-to for music—all my dance teaching playlists are there, and I’ve been on the hunt for great music to use in American Portrait

#IN MY EARBUDS

Speaking of Spotify ... my friend Erica Halverson’s podcast, Arts Educators Save the World, is a must-listen—famous actors, artists, singers, etc. interview the educators who inspired them. I also love the TED Radio Hour, This American Life, Sound Opinions, and Smartless. My kids and I listen to Story Pirates and Smash Boom Best in the car a lot. My musical tastes are all over the map, and I love discovering new music for choreography. I Shazam a lot of stuff and I keep a playlist called “Misc. Finds.” In the regular rotation right now are heavy doses of Andrew Bird, Stevie Wonder, Chris Thile, Jon Batiste, Kishi Bashi, The Claudettes, and Waxahatchee.

For the past 20 years, ALLISON KURTZ VOLKERS has been bringing her passion for performance to students at Dance Center Evanston, teaching ballet, modern, and jazz dance to everyone from toddlers to pre-professional dancers. Volkers has also choreographed numerous pieces for the Evanston Dance Ensemble—the pre-professional company associated with Dance Center Evanston—since 2008 and recently stepped into the role of co-artistic director. This spring, Volkers is hard at work choreographing new pieces for Evanston Dance Ensemble’s upcoming show, “American Portrait,” happening March 14 to 17 at Northwestern University, which will showcase eight original works that explore what it means to be an American. When she’s not in the dance studio, Volkers loves spending time with her husband, Josh, and their two kids. Here, she shares where she gets her creative inspiration from.

ORDINARY ANGELS

BY REX REED ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL

RUNNING TIME:

1 HOUR, 56 MINUTES

RATING: 3 stars

Sometimes a movie with no extraordinary cinematic merits of its own wins your heart because of the touching way it shows the pure, positive, feel-good actions of one human being to another. Ordinary Angels is that kind of film.

Directed by Jon Gunn with no frills but a lot of suspense that comes out of the story naturally, without need of any manufactured Hollywood thrills, and co-written by actor Meg Tilly and Kelly Fremon Craig, this is one of those rare emotional sagas “based on a true story” that begs to make it to the screen but seems preposterous when it gets there.

Hilary Swank is an Oscar-winning audience favorite whose career seems largely based on quiet, internally motivated roles that go out of their way to conceal her feminine beauty—sometimes going so far as to play a battered, bloodied boxer or even a man if called upon to do so. Ordinary Angels is the exception.

Beauty is a pleasant side effect in the farfrom-idyllic life of a drunken, Louisville, Kentucky hairdresser named Sharon Stevens, but her looks and her quirky sense of humor get her through some rough times and even rougher hangovers.

Things change abruptly the day Sharon reads a newspaper article about a 5-yearold girl named Michelle who has contracted an incurable kidney disease for which the only thing that can save her is a kidney transplant.

Ed Schmitt, the little girl’s strong, devastated father (played with deep sincerity by Alan Ritchson) provides a surprisingly effective partnership for Ms. Swank, the little girl’s grief-stricken widowed father. Ed is first incredulous, then distrustful, and finally insulted by Sharon’s undeterred “won’t take no for an answer” determination to save him and his two children from future disaster, but that’s before he personally experiences Sharon’s genius for miracles and persuasive impact on the “ordinary angels” who make them work.

A total stranger to Ed and his children, Sharon takes it upon herself to save the dying child—one miracle at a time. In almost every scene of this wrenching, nearly two-hour emotional epic, a new miracle occurs. With no money of her own and no bogus romance between her and Ed to cheapen things up, Sharon gets hundreds of thousands of Ed’s medical bills erased, allowing him to hold onto his house, which

is all the memory of his beloved wife he has left. Then Sharon not only gets the child’s position on the organ-donor list raised, but raises the money for the child’s transplant but even manages to find a private plane to fly them to a hospital hours away in Omaha—in the middle of the worst blizzard in the history of Kentucky

You can’t escape the cynicism that makes the story so dubious. The story is hard to believe. But facts are facts, and this movie illustrates them with actual newspaper clips of the events as they unfold.

Reluctantly, I found myself falling for the contents of almost every frame. I almost threw in the towel when events turned catastrophic and Sharon emptied out her own personal savings account to keep them going. Worse still, Sharon finds her own salvation by joining Alcoholics Anonymous and her selfless humanity even reunites her with her estranged son.

There are pacing problems, the dialogue is as simple as mud, you don’t have to look hard to spot a cliché pandemic, I’m still not sure I believe it all, but you can’t ignore the value of a film that finally makes you feel good about the world you live in—and yourself in the bargain.

Hilary Swank stars in a low-frills film based on a real-life story that offers hope for all humanity.

SOUTHERN MAC & CHEESE BAKE WITH SPICED TOMATO

BY MONICA KASS ROGERS THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

When I was a young cook, getting the right sauce consistency for baked macaroni and cheese was hit or miss. I’d make the roux, stir in the milk, cheese and noodles, pop it in the oven and hope for the best. Discovering an old Southern recipe in a community cookbook that told me I could skip the roux and simply thicken the sauce by whisking egg into the milk was a great revelation. This method became my standard for baked mac & cheese: Never too thick but always cheesy-oozy the way my kids liked it. Somewhere along the line, I started mixing spiced tomatoes into the casserole, heightening the flavor, and never looked back. With both sharp cheddar and Colby layered in the mix, this bake is super cheesy. I like to use an aged white cheddar, but you can substitute your favorite good quality sharp cheddar. Stick with Colby for the middle layer. I usually make this with regular elbow macaroni, but whole wheat or gluten-free options work well, too. For the tomato mix-in, I prefer to use Campari unless it’s summer and there are farmers market or home-grown beauties available. Crowning all, pankocrumb topping adds a nice crunch.

Serves 10

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tsp Kosher salt

• 1 lb elbow macaroni

• 1 lb (8 medium-sized)

Campari tomatoes, quartered to make 2 cups

• 1 Tbsp olive oil

• ½ tsp Kashmiri chili powder OR ¼ tsp cayenne pepper

• 2 tsp smoked paprika

• ¼ tsp kosher salt

• 2 cups whole milk

• 3 large eggs

• ½ cup mascarpone cheese

• 12 oz block of sharp cheddar cheese, grated with the large holes of the grater to make 4 cups (I use aged white cheddar)

• Several grinds of fresh cracked black pepper and

• 1 tsp kosher salt

• 8 oz block of Colby cheese, grated with the large holes of the grater to make 2 cups

• ½ cup panko bread crumbs

• 1 ½ Tbsp melted butter

• Pinch of salt

METHOD

MAKE MACARONI

Heat large pot of water to boiling with 2 tsp of salt stirred in. Add macaroni and cook, stirring occasionally to prevent clumping, until macaroni is cooked but not mushy. Strain macaroni in a large colander. Rinse with cold water. Set aside.

MAKED SPICED TOMATOES

Rinse tomatoes, quarter and add to a pot with 1 Tbsp. olive oil over low heat. Smash tomatoes with a potato masher. Stir in chili powder, paprika and salt. Simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until raw tomato flavors mellow. Remove from heat and set aside.

MAKE CHEESE SAUCE

In a large pot or bowl, whisk milk with eggs and mascarpone cheese until smooth. Stir in 2 cups of the grated cheddar cheese, pepper, salt and cooked/drained macaroni.

ASSEMBLE AND BAKE

Place oven rack in upper 1/3 of oven. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spoon half of the macaroni mixture into a casserole dish and stir in half of the spiced tomatoes. Cover the noodles with the 2 cups of grated Colby cheese. Top with remaining noodles. Spoon remaining spiced tomatoes in dollops over the noodles, dotting evenly to cover the whole expanse. Cover casserole with foil and bake in 350 degree oven for 35 minutes. Remove casserole from oven. Discard foil and top casserole with remaining 2 cups of grated cheddar. Mix panko bread crumbs with melted butter and a pinch of salt. Spread crumbs evenly over the cheese. Increase oven heat to broil setting. Place casserole back in oven for a scant minute or two until crumbs are golden brown and cheese is melty and bubbly. (Watch carefully—the topping can go from golden brown to burned in an instant!) Remove from oven and allow to setup for 15 minutes. Serve.

Photography by Monica Kass Rogers

MATERIAL PURSUITS

This weekend’s curated luxury trends

MURRAY STRIKES AGAIN

Fans of North Shore native Bill Murray are more than familiar with his role as Ernie McCracken in the 1996 film, Kingpin, and the “red rose” bowling bowl that was the star of the tournament’s climax. Appar ently others are, too, because that translucent bowling ball (weighing in at about 14.5 pounds) is currently available through Heritage Auctions at a starting bid of $37,000. According to the piece’s certificate of authenticity, Murray actually rolled the three strikes in a row you see in the movie without the aid of edited footage, surpris ing even the director and making it one of the most famous sporting props in cinema history. entertainment.ha.com

FLOAT THIS BOAT

DINO DNA

Another famous ‘90s movie prop that’s open for bids at Heritage Auctions is a little less functional. For $25,000, you can own the modified Barbasol shaving cream can used to disguise the Dinosaur Embryo Cryogenic Smuggling Devices that the villainous computer programmer Dennis Nedry had when he met with the evil Biosyn in the 1993 film, Jurassic Park. Comprised of two main components including the fake Barbasol can sleeve, the piece that’s up for sale (also with a certificate of authenticity) includes seven labeled embryo vials (how’s that for a conversation piece?). The shaving cream can is ultimately lost in the movie (as the programmer meets his demise) but the prop is likely to live on in its notoriety. In fact, more than 30 years later, some superfans see a can of Barbasol and immediately think Jurassic Park entertainment.ha.com

Summer is just around the corner and a Canadian company has unveiled an electric day boat that’s unlike anything you’ve seen before. Billed as “the first recyclable boat,” Vision Marine Technologies’ allegedly “indestructible” Phantom (available in three variants and four fun colors) is made from polyethylene plastic—making it recyclable up to nine times. With eco-friendly fabrication and an electric propulsion system that enables quiet, emissions-free cruising, the vessel is both lightweight and durable. Prices start at $14,995 (without a motor) and include a lifetime warranty. visionelectricboats.com/ phantom-electric-boat

FIT & FASHIONABLE

All about athleisure.

STRINGS UNMATCHED

Music Institute of Chicago alumnus and highly praised violinist Benjamin Beilman—now a faculty member at Philadelphiabased Curtis Institute of Music—returns to Nichols Concert Hall in Evanston as a must-listen part of Curtis on Tour.

BY BILL MCLEAN ILLUSTRATION BY BARRY BLITT

As a teenager, Benjamin Beilman spent nearly as much time in his family’s car as the gloves in the glove compartment did.

The future violin virtuoso attended schools in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for most of the week and—for five consecutive years—commuted to the Music Institute of Chicago for weekend classes.

That’s a round trip of 500 miles, or the distance of a certain race held in Indianapolis each May.

“I did fly out of Detroit and take the train sometimes,” says Beilman, now a 34-year-old New Yorker in his second year as a faculty member (violin/performance) at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. “I’d get there mostly by car, with my dad (Ted). At times he’d let me drive when I had my driver’s permit. We’d talk about anything and everything—his life, my music, all kinds of topics. We’d listen to books on tape and music he liked, like Van Morrison and The Beatles. I went through a phase where I’d speak with a Russian accent and other accents.”

Dad would listen, stay focused while driving, and smile.

So, what in the world fueled the Beilman family to pump more gas each week than a UPS driver does during the holiday season? The opportunity for young Benjamin to blossom under the guidance of acclaimed Music Institute of Chicago (MIC) faculty members/ spouses Roland and Almita Vamos.

The violin and viola instructors have been recognized at the White House numerous times and were named Distinguished Teachers by the National Endowment for the Arts.

“I consider the five years I spent studying with Mr. and Mrs. Vamos at the Music Institute some of the most formative and important years of my life,” says Beilman, who lived in Washington, D.C., Houston, Atlanta, and suburban Western Springs before moving to Ann Arbor in 2003. “I still rely upon the inspiration and natural musicianship provided to me by the Vamoses during my weekly visits to the Music Institute as a teenager. These values continue to shape my music-making, both as a performer and now as a teacher at the Curtis Institute. For that, I am eternally grateful to both the Music Institute and the ever-supportive Vamoses.”

Beilman returns this weekend to Nichols Concert Hall—MIC’s state-of-the-art, 550-seat performance space in Evanston—as

a part of Curtis on Tour, the Nina von Maltzahn Global Touring Initiative of the Curtis Institute of Music.

On March 9 he’ll join cel ebrated violist Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, award-winning cellist Oliver Herbert, and a trio of emerging artists from the Curtis Institute (violinist Na Hyun Della Kyun, violist Emad Zolfagheri, and cellist Francis Carr) for an electrifying pro gram, including Richard Strauss’s Sextet from his final opera, Capric cio, a rare performance of Brahms’s exhilarating String Sextet No. 2 in G Major; Alban Berg’s Sonata in B Minor Op. 1; and a com mission by Alyssa Weinberg (b. 1988), Illuminat

The Music Institute was my haven, a Hogwarts school for obsessed, fully invested musicians like me who liked to practice four, six, sometimes eight hours a day.

ing Arches

“I have so many fond memories of the Music Institute and of performing at Nichols, a beautiful, intimate setting where the audience gets to see the musicians’ facial expressions,” Beilman says. “The Music Institute was my haven, a Hogwarts school for obsessed, fully invested musicians like me who liked to practice four, six, sometimes eight hours a day. Fifteen-year-olds there performed complete concertos, which amazed me.”

Founded in 1931, the nonprofit Music Institute of Chicago provides music lessons and performance opportunities for beginners, casual learners, and aspiring professionals. Its seven locations are Chicago-Gratz Center, Chicago-St. James, Downers Grove, Evanston

one-on-one violin lessons to future Benjamin Beilmans and hosts a weekly performance class. Curtis caps its enrollment at 160, accepting only 4 percent of applicants, and the student-to-faculty ratio at the institute— which turns 100 on October 13—is a highly personalized 4:3.

“It’s so fulfilling, the teaching element in my career,” says the recently married (to Tracy) Beilman, the recipient of a Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellowship, an Avery Fisher Career Grant, and a London Music Masters Award. “Some of my students are using approaches to overcoming obstacles, technically or musically or expressively, that I used when I attended Curtis. And most of our faculty members are actively performing musicians, so our students

are also receiving real-world, hands-on train-

In recent seasons Beilman debuted with the Budapest Festival Orchestra and performed in a return engagement with the Philadelphia Orchestra both at home and at Carnegie Hall. Beilman made his Chicago Symphony Orchestra subscription debut this past December, performing Camille Saint-Saens’ Violin Concerto No. 3 with Semyon Bychkov and

Reviews of his work have been glowing. A few:

Washington Post: “Mightily impressive” (Beilman’s deep, rich tone).

New York Times: Praised Beilman’s “handsome technique, burnished sound, and quiet confidence.”

: “Pure poetry.”

: “Mr. Beilman’s playing already has its own sure balance of technical command, intensity, and interpretive finesse.”

“I’d wanted a Suzuki violin of my own when I was 3 and sitting on the floor while listening to my older sister (Elizabeth, then 5) take violin lessons,” Beilman recalls. “She’d play the viola in high school and attend The Juilliard School. Music was one of our joint activities, growing up. We were both motivated, both passionate, and our parents (Ted and Judy) chose to invest in that interest.

“I feel lucky, what music has given me and where it has taken me. When I’m up there performing on a stage, there’s a sense of communion with the audience, a joining together. You can’t help but detect a force, an aura, from those listening to you. There’s a lot to love about music-making.”

Beilman commutes mostly via train once or twice a week these days, from New York City to Curtis Institute in Philly. That’s a wink or two compared to the Ann Arbor-to-Chicago automobile trek, but it’s still a lengthy commute.

He’s also been racking up the miles on streets and sidewalks.

“I’m training for a half-marathon,” Beilman says.

Curtis on Tour takes place Saturday, March 9 at 7:30 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston. Tickets are $60 preferred, $40 standard, and $30 value. The performance also will be available via livestream ($15 at nichols-concert-hall.ticketleap.com.).

All programming subject to change. For more information, visit nicholsconcerthall.org. or call 847-448-8326.

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