Hidden Gems

Beyond the Wall

Good record stores seem like a dime a dozen in this town sometimes. But a good art store that has a variety of prints, a helpful staff and won’t beat you over your head for your wallet is not as easy to find.

Which is why I tell you about Beyond the Wall, located at 935 W. Belmont, nearly underneath the El stop.

I’d been wanting to stop in for some time after seeing some interesting window displays while delivering this publication, and finally I forced myself to drop by for a look. I left more than an hour later, with two bags of goods.

Not only did they have the exact picture frames that currently adorn the walls in my condo, which I could no longer seem to find anywhere in the city, but they have thousands of posters to peruse. The variety is immense. I’m talking Andy Warhol, Monet, Van Gogh, movie posters, celebrity posters, band posters, retro Chicago stuff, everything.

You want Marilyn Monroe, James Dean or the Beatles? Got it. The Godfather, Reservoir Dogs, Pearl Jam or Angelina Jolie? No problem. Artistic photos of all kinds, romantic, daring, scenic or eclectic? Yep.

All shapes and sizes, and the frames to go with them. And not only are most posters between $6-10, but the store is really never the same place twice, as they get new shipments in a few times a week.

The store has been around since the 1970s, with most of the eight locations on the East Coast. The website, with a larger selection, is big for orders as well.

“It lacks a lot of the pretention you get at other art stores,” says Jay, a relatively new member of the staff. “It’s a good balance of everything. We provide a good selection you can look through at reasonable prices. It makes it easy for young people to decorate their place without going broke. We cater to a lot of tastes.”

As I picked out a couple of Warhol favorites and a handful of frames for my photography hobby (while eyeing a few other things for next time) and stepped to the register, I noticed there are plenty of novelty items worth checking out as well, had I not been so transfixed on the posters. Signs, key chains, buttons, post cards, greeting cards, purses, you name it.

“Man, I just wanted to take a quick look inside because I’ve been curious for so long,” I told Jay over the music. I didn’t expect to buy this much.”

He laughed.

“Yeah, there’s too much temptation here,” he said. “I love it.”

Beyond the Wall is located at 935 W. Belmont near the Belmont El stop. Log on to www.beyondthewall.com

— Trent Modglin

Awesome ’80s prom
My trip back in time...

Well, what else can I say about the Awesome ’80s Prom other than that it was a “totally tubular awesomely rad time. Like, to the max!”

I really did not know what to expect with the interactive play, since I have never been to Tony and Tina’s wedding, but people who had been told me to expect a similar experience. The Awesome ’80s Prom is on Weed St. near the North and Sheffield intersection. It is a great venue for a girls’ night out, birthday or bachelorette party. They offer many drink specials, and if you are going with a group, the package that includes a table is a good idea so you have somewhere to put coats and gifts down. Plus, they give you gift bags with jelly bracelets, pop rocks, and other ’80s inspired memorabilia.

There are many dinner locations nearby, like Uncle Julio’s, Joe’s on Weed, etc. However, the Sangria tapas restaurant is right next to the Prom and offers dinner specials for Prom guests. It is my recommendation to meet there beforehand because many of the cast members walk around and get you geared up for the show, and it is your first chance to see all the people dressed up!

The whole experience is not the same unless have your hair teased or are sporting a side ponytail! If you think you will be too over the top, trust me, you won’t be. There will always be a few people at this Prom who have actually never thrown away their ruffled lace pastel prom dresses, stonewashed jeans and jelly bracelet collections. The more you do, the more respect you’ll have at this place! So for people like me who do not have any of the above, the ’80s are back in style baby, and you can find all you need at any store these days.

A group of 10 of us decided to go to the Awesome ’80s Prom for a bachelorette party, and we all loved it. The point of the whole night is for all attendees to pick the 1989 “Wannaget High” prom king and queen. The cast to pick from include all old stereotypes: the bimbo cheerleader, the Asian foreign exchange student, the jock, the class president, the geek, the class clown and the stoner, and they all are in full character “to the max!” The room is set up just like you remember it, with streamers, balloons, etc., and they have the principal and a few teachers keeping an eye on it all to assure no hanky panky is taking place. Without a doubt, the best part of the whole night is dancing to old ’80s music because it takes you right back to high school.

For more information, log on to http://www.chicagoawesome80sprom.com/links.aspx or call (312) 664-7766.

— Heather Alejos

 

The National Italian Sports Hall of Fame
Imagine a place where you can see a Gold Glove, a Heisman and a World Series trophy at the same time. You can then follow it up by eating at one of the best Italian restaurants in the city. This ideal day for a “guy’s guy” can be realized by visiting the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame (www.niashf.org) in Little Italy at 1431 W. Taylor St., across from Piazza DiMaggio.

Cub nation will enjoy viewing Ron Santo’s gold glove; Illinois grads can see two of former Illini basketball player Jerry Colangelo’s prized possessions: his collegiate jersey and the 2001 World Series trophy won by his Arizona Diamondbacks. Program coordinator Richard Policastro’s favorite piece is a bat used by Joe DiMaggio during his legendary 56-game hitting streak.

My favorite piece is Vince Lombardi’s playbook. It reminded me of those NFL Films highlights I watched as a child. Most football aficionados are familiar with the deep, booming and authoritarian voice of the narrator John Facedna. Seeing artifacts of the legendary coach prompted memories of this Facedna sound-bite: “Lombardi — there’s magic in the very mention of the name. It speaks of duels in the snow and cold November nights.”

Perhaps the most fascinating and inspirational NIAS Hall of Fame inductee is Mario “Motts” Tonelli, Notre Dame and Chicago Cardinal football player. “You think a lot of these guys playing today are tough, that’s nothing compared to somebody from the past like Motts,” Policastro said. Tonelli was a decorated WWII veteran who survived the infamous Bataan Death March during three-and-a-half years of captivity. Despite losing more than half his body weight, Motts would eventually find the strength to again play in the NFL.

The NIASHF hosts parties and even boxing matches in their Grand Piazza, a banquet room one level above the exhibit gallery. The Salvatore A. Balsamo rooftop terrace hosts a variety of special events as well, providing some of the city’s best skyline views as a backdrop. On Nov. 18, Chicago Heights native and National Leadership chairman Jerry Colangelo will join master of ceremonies Tommy Lasorda at the XXIX Annual Induction and Awards ceremonies. The benefit gala’s honorees include The Score’s morning guy Mike North (Media Excellence Award), White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko, (Co-Athlete of the Year with Julia Mancuso) and Bulls/Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. (Sportsman of the Year).

The National Italian Sports Hall of Fame is located at 1431 W. Taylor St. in Little Italy.

— By Paul M. Banks

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