Arts Episodes

In Episode 146 of The Chicagoland Guide, Aaron Masliansky sits down with Cate Slighton of the 57th Street Art Fair to explore the history, culture, and community that have made Hyde Park one of Chicago’s most distinctive neighborhoods. As the fair prepares for its 79th year, Cate shares the story of how a small gathering of local artists evolved into the oldest juried art fair in the Midwest. The conversation also dives into Hyde Park’s artist colonies, the legacy of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, urban renewal, the influence of the University of Chicago, the Obama Presidential Center, and the role that art and public spaces play in creating vibrant communities. Whether you’re a longtime Chicagoan or discovering Hyde Park for the first time, this episode offers a fascinating look at one of the city’s most unique and enduring cultural destinations.In Episode 146 of The Chicagoland Guide, Aaron Masliansky sits down with Cate Sleighton of the 57th Street Art Fair to explore the h…

How can celebrating cultural traditions strengthen a community? In this episode, host Aaron Masliansky is joined by Diana Gran — Founder of Diana Gran Portraits and Director of Día de los Muertos (DDM) Week in Highland Park — to explore how honoring heritage can create unity, healing, and connection across generations and cultures. Diana shares her journey from Acapulco to Highland Park, how reclaiming her roots transformed her life and art, and why DDM Week has become a meaningful celebration for the North Shore community. We discuss the power of remembrance, the importance of cultural authenticity, and how local businesses, libraries, and community organizations have come together to support this growing annual tradition.

In this episode of The Chicagoland Guide, host Aaron Masliansky sits down with Jeff Haydon, President & CEO of the iconic Ravinia Festival in Highland Park-America’s oldest outdoor music festival. Jeff shares how Ravinia began as a railroad amusement park over a century ago and evolved into one of the nation’s leading cultural institutions. The conversation covers Ravinia’s deep roots in the community, its role as a good neighbor in Highland Park, and its vision for the future through the Setting the Stage campaign — a $75 million renovation of its 36-acre campus to be completed by 2029.