Dave Newbart

Ciaran Burns of Ireland peers under a fence at Michigan and Jackson to watch the NASCAR Chicago race.

5 great spots where fans watched NASCAR Chicago without a ticket

There were several places along the perimeter of the track where fans got a good taste of the racing spectacle without going inside.

By Dave Newbart

Outdoors

Why 2020 was such a great year for biking in Chicago

Greatly reduced traffic opened up streets to cyclists like never before. Biking was a great escape during a ridiculously stressful year — and a way to seek adventure when major travel was out of the question.

By Dave Newbart

Dan Aykroyd (background) and John Belushi arrive at the tony Chez Paul restaurant in this scene from “The Blues Brothers.”

Movies and TV

Posh Chez Paul restaurant served up memorable scene in ‘The Blues Brothers’

In “The Blues Brothers,” Jake Blues — played by John Belushi — faked a French accent and asked the gentleman at the next table to sell him his wife and daughters.

By Dave Newbart

Mayor Jane Byrne and her daughter, Kathy were photographed with actors John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd at the 1979 ChicagoFest.

Movies and TV

Mayor Byrne was happy to let Bluesmobile ram Daley Center — part of $3.5M climatic scene in ‘The Blues Brothers’

The three days of filming in Daley Plaza featured three Sherman tanks, three helicopters and three fire trucks, along with 100 state and city police officers in 50 squad cars and on 15 horses. Oh, and that famous SWAT team.

By Dave Newbart

The great car chase in “The Blues Brothers” involved 40 stunt drivers and 13 Bluesmobiles and dozens of Chicago area locations.

Movies and TV

Incredible stunt driving in ‘The Blues Brothers’ ‘was all real’

For much of “The Blues Brothers,” Jake and Elwood race from place to place: along Lower Wacker Drive, under the L tracks, over a gaping 95th Street bridge as it opens, and through a south suburban mall.

By Dave Newbart

Movies and TV

The Illinois Nazis’ last ride in ‘The Blues Brothers’: From the West Loop to Hollywood

The three-minute chase scene actually covered three states — and more.

By Dave Newbart

The shuttered Dixie Square Mall’s interior is brought back to life for “The Blues Brothers” movie.

Movies and TV

Car-chase mall from ‘Blues Brothers’ now a wreck, but it was all fake then, and it’s been gone for years

Some of the few recognizable elements are actually stage dressing left by Universal Studios in 1979. The mall had closed a year earlier after just 13 years in operation.

By Dave Newbart

Movies and TV

How ‘The Blues Brothers’ helped fuel a blues boom in Chicago and beyond

The movie soundtrack, which featured Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Cab Calloway, sold more than a million copies.

By Dave Newbart

Movies and TV

Locals ‘Shake A Tail Feather’ at Ray’s Music Exchange — a long-time 47th St. pawn shop

Shelly’s Loan and Jewelry had been in business for more than half-century at the time of the filming of “The Blues Brothers.”

By Dave Newbart