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South of the Loop 

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The Little Italy neighborhood has a presence in Chicago due to its famous restaurants. Encompassing 12 blocks on Taylor Street and the nearby area, this neighborhood is home to landmark restaurants such as The Rosebud, RoSal's Italian Kitchen and Tuscany on Taylor. Those coming for the full Italian-American experience should enjoy a visit to the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, Joe DiMaggio Plaza, a frozen lemonade from Mario's Italian Lemonade, Al's No. 1 Italian Beef sandwich and a stroll in Arrigo Park to see the statue of Columbus.

Chicago's Chinatown is home to a variety of Chinese restaurants, gift shops, grocery stores, as well as a number of services that cater to people interested in Chinese culture, including those speaking Chinese, especially the Cantonese dialect. It is a community hub for Chinese people in Chicagoland, a business center for Chinese in the Midwest, as well as a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.

Check out one of Chicago’s famed Latin communities by visiting the Pilsen neighborhood centered at 18th Street and Halsted. This lively walking district features Mexican bakeries, restaurants, and grocery stores. The principal district for Mexican shopping is 26th Street in Little Village, which is currently the main area of successful Mexican immigrant commerce. The East Side of Halsted is one of Chicago's largest art districts, and the neighborhood is also home to the National Museum of Mexican Art. Pilsen is also famous for its murals. The original murals in Pilsen along 16th Street started as a cooperative effort between Slavs and Mexicans when the neighborhood was undergoing cultural changes.

Hyde Park, located on the South Side of Chicago, may be best known as the venue for the 1893 World's Columbian Exhibition, which took place in Jackson Park and the Midway Plaisance. It’s currently home to the University of Chicago, Hyde Park Art Center, Museum of Science and Industry, DuSable Museum of African American History, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House and Smart Museum of Art. Many affluent African Americans have resided in Hyde Park including current residents Barack Obama and Minister Louis Farrakhan and former residents Mayor Harold Washington and Muhammad Ali. Popular movies like The Blues Brothers (1980), When Harry Met Sally (1989), and The Fugitive (1993) were filmed in Hyde Park.
 
Beverly, located on the South side of Chicago, is one of the top five largest historic districts in any major city in the country and is ranked 'the' safest neighborhood in Chicago year after year. A large Irish-American community resides in Beverly. Many Irish establishments can be found and this neighborhood which is home to the South Side Irish Parade. This traditional parade is held on the Sunday prior to St. Patrick's Day and is the largest neighborhood parade of any type in the country. The neighborhood features more Irish-style pubs than any other in Chicago and showcases The Beverly Arts Center which annually holds the Chicago Irish Film Festival.

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This Month's Remaining Events

79th Chicago Boat, RV & Outdoors Show  |  1/14/2009 - 1/18/2009
McCormick Place North
2301 S. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60616
Strictly Sail Show  |  1/29/2009 - 2/1/2009
Navy Pier
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Tristan and Isolde  |  1/27/2009 - 2/28/2009
Lyric Opera of Chicago
20 N. Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
Saltimbanco by Cirque du Soleil  |  1/21/2009 - 2/1/2009
Sears Centre Arena 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway Hoffman Estates, IL 60192 1-888-SEARSTIX
Monty Python's Spamalot  |  1/20/2009 - 2/1/2009
Auditorium Theatre
50 East Congress Parkway
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