Donna’s Café Celebrates 1st Year Anniversary in the South Loop

A Saturday afternoon at Donna’s Café  

Believe it or not, Donna’s Café, at 1255E South State Street, opened its doors on January 24, 2011. Part of the business revival on S. State St. in the South Loop, Donna’s has established itself as a casual café serving soups, sandwiches, and beverages. Every Friday night, Donna’s features live jazz with Randy Ford Sr., Mike Muse, and Corky McClerkin.

On a recent visit, we asked Donna Adams if owning and operating her own business was all she expected it would be. “I had no expectations other than it would be hard work and that expectation has been met,” Adams said with a laugh. She added, “It’s been a challenge and I like a challenge. I enjoy meeting new people. I also enjoy our regular customers.” Adams is looking forward to warmer weather, which means patio dining once again. We’re looking forward to that too!

Donna’s hours of operation are Mondays 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Tuesdays –Thursdays 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Saturdays 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Donna’s Café is closed on Sundays.

#FF Follow Friday in the South Loop

Jazz, featuring the Randy Ford Trio at Donna’s Café every Friday 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. BYOB with a $5 minimum purchase. Donna’s Café is located at 1255E S. State St.

Fish Fry at Weather Mark

Friday Night Fish Fry at Weather Mark Tavern. All-you-can-eat fish fry for $9.95. Fish fry includes Cruzan rum battered fish, fries, and red cabbage coleslaw. Weather Mark Tavern is located at 1503 S. Michigan Ave.

Dinner at Waffles. Waffles is open till 8 p.m. on Friday nights. Dinner specials will be served along with the rest of their regular breakfast and lunch menu. Waffles is located at 1400 S. Michigan Ave.

Second Annual South Loop Art Walk, Friday, October 28, 2011, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.. Check out eight participating art galleries in the South Loop, plus several neighborhood businesses offering special discounts. Click here for details.

GiGi at 13th and S. Michigan

GiGi’s Bake Shop food truck should be at 13th and S. Michigan tomorrow selling some great Halloween-themed cupcakes. Follow the “purple bus” @gigisbakeshop.

Three Peas Art lounge offers a comfortable and unique environment to view art, meet friends, and enjoy some great liquid refreshment. Three Peas Art Lounge is located at 75 E. 16th St. They are open 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays.

From Jazz to MTV?

Friday Jazz
August 5, 2011 will be the third Friday in a row that Donna’s Café will be showcasing jazz group The Randy Ford Trio. The trio attracted a large crowd both inside and outside last week, so we expect to see just as big a crowd this Friday. On Saturday, Donna’s was the setting for a different style of music.

The Randy Ford Trio at Donna's Cafe last Friday night

The Next R & B Star?
Tarnia Mcclinton-Lake, a young singer, performed in a music video in support of her new single “Woman’s Intuition.” The production team needed a café to shoot both inside and outside and Donna’s fit the bill. When we came upon the scene, they were filming on the patio with diners and passersby looking on. Check out the slide show below to get an idea of how the shoot went.

Tarnia Mcclinton-Lake emotes for the camera outside Donna's Cafe

""A Woman's Intuition""

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#FF Follow Friday

Randy Ford at Donna’s Cafe

Jazz at Donna’s
Donna’s Café at 1255 S. State St. presents “Jazz Time Friday,” July 29, 2011. From 6 – 9 p.m. Come down and enjoy the “cool sound of hot jazz” with the Randy Ford Trio. Bassist, Randy Ford has played bass and performed backup for many famous soloists and musical acts, including Denise Williams, Mel Torme, Della Reese, Redd Holt Unlimited, just to name a few. “Jazz generates a mood better than any other music and is a perfect backdrop to anything you want to do,” according to Donna Adams, co-owner of the Donna’s Café. For more information, call 312-461-1005.

Friday Fish Fry
Weather Mark Tavern’s Fish Fry Friday―$9.95 for all the fried fish, French fries, and red cabbage coleslaw you can eat. Weather Mark Tavern is located at 1503 S. Michigan Ave.

Summer Loving Begins Today!
Grease Sing-Along comes to the Music Box Theatre. The 1978 musical will “have lyrics scrolling across the bottom, in case you’ve forgotten any.” The showing includes a costume contest. So get those tight pants, poodle skits, and hair goo ready! July 29-30, 8 p.m.; July 31, 6 p.m. Tickets are $12.50 in advance, $15 at the door. The Music Box Theatre is located at 3733 N. Southport Ave. For more information, call 773 871-6604 or visit their Web site.

Fifth Friday Bash Five Fridays in on month is a rare occurrence, so Oak Street Beach Food & Drink, 1001 Lake Shore Drive, will be celebrating the Fifth Friday Bash on July 29, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The next fifth Friday won’t happened again until 2015. For more information, call 312-988-4650 or visit their Web site.