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No. 153 | A JWC Media publication
NEWS
Creature comforts
North Shore is well represented North Shore movie theaters at bridge championships try to lure customers with lounge chairs, cocktails
By S.H. Sweet
F
or the 16th time, the North American Bridge Championships (NBAC) were contested in Chicago, this time at the Hilton Chicago Hotel on Michigan Avenue. Bridge players crammed the elevator lobby discussing conventions, sightings of famous players, activities they had enjoyed the previous day and recommendations for restaurants not to be missed. Thousands came from the world over. I traveled from Glenview to play against individuals from New Zealand, England, Bermuda, Pakistan, India, Russia, and Taiwan. Also, I played against many from the suburbs of Chicago who ventured down to dip their toes in the mystique which is a bridge tournament. An active Chicago Contract Bridge Association offers many less intimidating options for Continued on PG 12
The Century 12/CinéArts 6 in Evanston breaks the moviegohere’s nothing quite like ing experience in half — 10 kicking back in a massive theaters on one side playing leather lounge chair with a blockbuster Hollywood fare and glass of wine and watching a six on the other playing festival 900-inch screen. favorites and indie darlings. At least, that’s what the movie Connected to the artsy side is theater industry is hoping will the Rhythm Room, a bistro-style spur Americans away from home dining room with a menu of apentertainment systems and back petizers, sandwiches, salads, into movie theaters. desserts, and a full-bar menu. It Movie houses all along the also features a pool table and live North Shore have added VIP music on weekends. experiences, upgraded seating, The more refined atmosphere and wine, beer, and specialty is also cultivated at the Arclight cocktails that can be taken into in Glenview that opened in the auditoriums. spring. With a lounge experience A large part of the renovation of movie-themed menu items of Highland Park’s Renaissance and a full bar, there’s more to Place Cinema two years ago entice a discerning adult audiconsisted of the inclusion of a ence to make a night of it at the bar next to the concession stand. movies. Two auditoriums were cleared “When I’m at home, I can’t of traditional seating, with 30 pay attention to a movie because oversized electronic recliners there’s a hundred other things taking their place. going on,” says Maggie Topalian By Jake Jarvi
T
Life at North Shore movie theatres is becoming quite luxurious.
of Lake Forest. “I love the reclining leather seats. It’s an experience. It’s not just a movie now.” Morgan Moss of Highland Park is less impressed. “Now, you can pay $40 for beer instead of popcorn,” he says. “But it’s still not going to put butts in the seats. Hollywood needs to make better movies — that’s what needs to change.” This new brand of moviegoing was popularized in Austin, Texas in 1998 with the birth of The Alamo Drafthouse. Each auditorium has a long table extend-
90-year-olds have plenty to celebrate By ADRIENNE FAWCETT
I
rving and Doris Abramson celebrated their 90th birthdays and 68th wedding anniversary at a
party last week, but the milestone Irv really wants to focus on is the one that he hopes will take place a decade from now. “What I’d really like to do is start
ing in front of each row of seats with soft lighting emanating from the underside to read the extensive food and drink menu. Orders may be written on sheets of paper anytime and placed upright in clips on the table where waiters come and unobtrusively collect them. Checks are brought 30 minutes before the end of the show. Though the Drafthouse brand has started expanding beyond Texas, none have made it to the Midwest so far. The closest thing the North
planning our 100th birthday party,” he said. “I’ve been enjoying life with Doris so much I don’t want it to end.” What is the secret to their longevity in life and love? Regarding marriage, Irv said matter of factly: “It hasn’t been that tough.” The first thing you have to do, he said – and nothing will work if you get this part wrong – is you have to marry the right person.
Shore has to the Drafthouse experience is the Star Cinema Grill in Arlington Heights — also originating from Texas in Houston. With tables at the seats and a comparable ordering mechanic, it mimics the model quite closely. Even with the inclusion of all the added features, there are still a few hurdles facing the new movie-theater culture. Some purists consider the fact that movies are digitally projected Continued on PG 12
For him, it was love at first sight. He was at a house party in Chicago in 1946, newly released from the U.S. Army and trying to cope with what he now knows was post-traumatic stress disorder (but back then was a vague condition that no one ever talked about). He was seriously injured in World War II during the Battle of the Bulge, Continued on PG 12
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