For Optima® residents and visitors alike, Chicago’s Candlelight Concerts offer something both familiar and transcendent: live music performed in evocative settings, bathed in the soft glow of candlelight. It’s an experience that aligns beautifully with the ethos of Optima®—vibrant living, sensory enrichment, and a deep engagement with the cultural life of the city.

The Magic of Candlelight
At a Candlelight Concert, audiences are invited into a world of intimacy and warmth. String quartets and small ensembles perform beloved works—ranging from Vivaldi and Mozart to Coldplay and Taylor Swift—within strikingly atmospheric spaces. The venues themselves, often historic landmarks or architectural gems, are transformed by hundreds of flickering candles into spaces that feel suspended in time. The result is an immersive evening that transcends genre or generation, offering both comfort and awe.

The experience is intentionally multi-sensory: the shimmer of light on vaulted ceilings, the resonance of strings in a room alive with history, the shared stillness among an audience fully present in the moment. For many, it’s a welcome antidote to the pace of city life—an invitation to pause and let music work its quiet magic.

A Citywide Stage
Chicago’s Candlelight series unfolds across an inspired selection of venues, each one amplifying the music in its own way. At the gilded Stan Mansion in Logan Square, the glow of candles against marble and gold leaf sets a tone of romance and grandeur. The Wicker Park Lutheran Church offers stained glass and soft acoustics that make every note shimmer. And in Oak Park, the Arts Center brings the neoclassical grace of the early 20th century into dialogue with modern musical interpretations.

The repertoire is as diverse as the city itself—offering everything from classical masterworks to jazz tributes and contemporary pop arrangements. This thoughtful mix ensures that every audience member finds something that resonates, whether rediscovering a timeless sonata or hearing a favorite song anew through the language of strings.

Living Beautifully, Locally
For residents of Optima Lakeview®, Optima Signature®, and Optima Verdana®, the Candlelight Concert series is an invitation to connect with the artistic heartbeat of Chicago. Just as Optima® communities blur the boundaries between architecture, art, and life, these performances celebrate the beauty of shared experience—where design, light, and sound converge to create something more than the sum of their parts.

Both Optima® and the Candlelight series share a belief that aesthetic experiences shouldn’t be reserved for special occasions—they should be woven into daily life. Whether attending a concert in a nearby landmark or gathering with neighbors afterward to discuss the performance, residents engage with their city in ways that are thoughtful, tactile, and inspiring.

In the end, a Candlelight Concert is an experience of place, presence, and connection—one that reflects the same commitment to culture, community, and beauty that defines life in our communities.

To learn more about upcoming Candlelight Concerts in Chicago and plan your next illuminating evening, visit the official Candlelight Concerts website.

Morning in Wilmette unfolds with quiet grace. Light filters through trees, the lake stirs softly to the east, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the rhythm of daily life. For residents of Optima Verdana®, this is a marvelous opportunity to enjoy immediate access to Wilmette’s vibrant local offerings — independent cafés and bakeries that hum with warmth and welcome, each a reflection of the community’s distinctive blend of craftsmanship and connection. Here, coffee is a ritual of presence — a way to pause, connect, and savor the beauty of where you are. Here, residents find that beauty is everywhere: in the warmth of a café window, the rhythm of a familiar walk, and the quiet joy of feeling at home.

At Hewn Bread, the air itself seems to rise with the bread. Known far beyond the North Shore for its hand-forged loaves and pastries, Hewn feels like the spiritual heart of Wilmette mornings — where patience, process, and the beauty of imperfection create something unforgettable. Locals gather here not just for the croissants, but for the sense of belonging that fills the room like sunlight. Hewn Bread, 894 Green Bay Road

Central Station Coffee & Tea anchors the downtown rhythm with the easy familiarity of a neighborhood café. Whether it’s the morning rush for espresso or the afternoon pause with a good book, Central Station feels woven into daily routine — a place where the barista knows your name and your story. Central Station Coffee & Tea, 1150 Central Avenue

Nearby, St. Roger Abbey Café, run by the Bernardine Cistercian nuns, adds a soulful note to Wilmette’s café landscape. Their organic pastries, handcrafted chocolates, and fair-trade coffee serve a deeper mission — sustaining their monastery and community work. It’s a quiet reminder that even something as simple as a cup of coffee can hold generosity at its core. St. Roger Abbey Café, 1101 Central Avenue

Evadean’s Bakery & Café captures the village’s friendly spirit in a bright, bustling space filled with the scent of biscuits, maple syrup, and conversation. Breakfast here feels timeless — a joyful blend of good food, local faces, and the comforting sense that you’ve arrived somewhere that will remember you. Evadean’s Bakery & Café, 1115 Central Avenue

Heading east to Plaza del Lago reveals Convito Café & Market, a North Shore institution where Italian-inspired fare meets easygoing sophistication. Here, the clink of espresso cups mingles with the cadence of conversation, and the pace slows just enough to remind you what leisure feels like. Convito Café &  Market, Plaza del Lago, 1515 Sheridan Road

And tucked within the storefronts of downtown, Alchemy Coffee House brings a touch of artistry to the everyday. Its handcrafted beverages, curated playlists, and pared-down interiors invite you to linger — to read, to write, or simply to be still for a while. Alchemy Coffee House, 416 Linden Avenue

Together, these local cafés form the social fabric of Wilmette: gathering places where small rituals turn into relationships and community takes shape one cup at a time.

At Beyond Van Gogh — now open in Scottsdale through January 4, 2026 — you’re not simply viewing art, but inhabiting it. Located in the heart of Old Town, this immersive journey invites visitors to experience the work of Vincent van Gogh in entirely new, enveloping dimensions. It’s a multisensory celebration of light, color, and emotion that transforms how we engage with one of history’s most beloved artists.

The Art of Immersion
The experience begins in an introductory gallery that sets the stage for Van Gogh’s creative journey — his struggles, inspirations, and the stories behind his most iconic paintings. From there, visitors step into a vast, luminous space where more than 300 of his works are projected in motion. Walls, floors, and even the air seem to shimmer with brushstrokes and color.

High-definition projections and a symphonic soundscape create the sensation of walking through Starry Night, standing amid Sunflowers, or watching the vibrant countryside swirl to life around you. Seeing these works at this monumental scale reveals the intensity and rhythm of Van Gogh’s hand — an invitation to feel what he felt, not just to see what he saw.

A Resonating Moment
More than a digital spectacle, Beyond Van Gogh is an encounter with emotion, creativity, and transformation. It asks visitors to think about how light, movement, and space influence the way we experience art — the same ideas that shape architecture and design.

That’s one reason it resonates so deeply in Scottsdale, a city known for its art-forward sensibility and design-driven culture. For those who live in Optima Kierland Apartments®, Optima Sonoran Village®, and Optima McDowell Mountain®, the exhibition reflects familiar values: bold creativity, connection to nature and light, and the joy of shared cultural experiences.

Practical Details
Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience runs through January 4, 2026, at 4301 N Scottsdale Road in Old Town. The show, creative in a massive 30,000 square-foot space, lasts an hour and is both stroller-friendly and wheelchair accessible. Tickets are available online, and timed entry ensures a comfortable flow of guests through the exhibition.

Making the Most of It
Plan your visit around sunset to pair the golden desert light with the exhibition’s glowing interior — a dialogue between art and environment that van Gogh himself would have loved. Afterward, take a walk through nearby galleries, grab a drink at one of Scottsdale’s rooftop lounges, or linger over dinner at a local favorite.

For Optima® residents and visitors alike, Beyond Van Gogh offers the perfect blend of culture and atmosphere that makes Scottsdale’s creative scene so dynamic.

A Living Canvas
In a time when art and architecture are both redefining how we experience space, Beyond Van Gogh stands out as a moment of wonder. It reminds us that beauty can be immersive, that creativity can bridge centuries, and that stepping into a work of art — even for an hour — can change the way we see the world outside it.

To learn more or reserve tickets, visit beyondvangogh.com

On the surface, Wilmette feels like a classic North Shore village — tree-lined streets, lake breezes, and a rhythm of life that’s calm yet connected. But beneath that familiar charm lies a landscape shaped by forces far older and wilder than the town itself. The ravines, bluffs, and shifting shoreline that define this stretch of Lake Michigan are reminders that even in the most cultivated environments, nature continues to carve its quiet influence.

Long before Wilmette’s neighborhoods took root, the land was sculpted by melting glaciers that poured into the basin we now call Lake Michigan. As water levels rose and receded, they etched deep ravines along the North Shore — natural drainage paths that became lush corridors for wildlife and shelter for native plants. Many of these ravines still trace the village’s edges, hidden behind homes and winding trails, carrying seasonal streams down to the lake.

For those who walk Wilmette regularly, these subtle elevations are easy to miss until you feel them — the gentle dips near the Baha’i Temple, the rolling contours of Gillson Park, the slight descent as Sheridan Road curves toward the water. Together, they create a landscape that breathes: one that rises and falls with the memory of the lake’s ancient reach.

This interplay of form and flow finds a modern echo at Optima Verdana®, where architecture and landscape are designed to feel continuous. The building’s lush, layered terraces recall the vegetated slopes of the ravines themselves — green planes that step gradually toward light and air. Planters overflow with life, softening the structure’s modern lines and creating microhabitats that respond to sun, wind, and season. The result is not a separation from nature, but a reimagining of it within a contemporary residential community setting. In every sense, the building participates in the living landscape of Wilmette rather than merely occupying it.

Step out from Optima Verdana® and within minutes you’re part of that larger terrain. To the east, the bluff at Gillson Park offers one of the region’s most striking views — a broad sweep of blue where the lake meets the sky. Walk north, and the ravines of the neighboring towns deepen, leading toward the shaded woodlands of the Skokie Lagoons. Each turn of the path reveals a different facet of the same story: a community shaped by the meeting of land and water, permanence and change.

In a place like Wilmette, architecture cannot help but converse with its surroundings. The balance of modern structure and organic form, of shelter and openness, mirrors the natural equilibrium of the North Shore itself. At Optima Verdana®, that dialogue is constant — between glass and greenery, shadow and light, interior and horizon.

It’s this connection to the land’s hidden geographies that makes life here feel so deeply rooted. From the ancient glacial traces beneath your feet to the living terraces above, Wilmette invites you to dwell in rhythm with nature — to inhabit a landscape that, even now, continues to evolve.

For Bob McMillan, home has always been more than an address — it’s a reflection of design, community, and rhythm. After relocating from Chicago to Scottsdale in 2004, the longtime hospitality professional found himself searching for a place that could balance his love of architecture and the ease of resort living. He discovered that balance at Optima Sonoran Village®.

“I came to Scottsdale because I’ve always loved the desert,” Bob recalls, “especially the desert at night, the smell of the air — and I thought it was the right time to make the move.”

For more than two decades, Bob has worked with some of the world’s top designers and developers, furnishing hotels and resorts around the globe. That professional eye for detail made him instantly aware of Optima Sonoran Village®’s difference. “This community is built with concrete, steel, and glass — not plywood and two-by-fours,” he says. “You feel the quality. I work with interior designers all over the world, and when I drive them down Camelback Road and they see this property, they’re amazed.”

Bob first moved into Optima Sonoran Village® in 2017 after touring the property with a friend. “She didn’t move in — I did,” he laughs. “And after a couple of years, I made the mistake of buying a house. Within six months I knew I missed the community, the amenities, everything. I sold the house and came right back.”

That sense of community is something Bob treasures. “It’s not a party scene, but when you go to an event — Casino Night, a holiday party — that’s when connection happens,” he says. “You meet people of all ages, and the management team does a great job creating those opportunities.” Even quiet moments feel special to him. “Early mornings are my favorite. I take my coffee down to the fire pit and just sit under the trees. It’s beautiful here.”

When Bob isn’t working from his home office — which looks out through floor-to-ceiling glass onto lush landscaping — he’s often hosting. A passionate cook, he’s known among neighbors for his dinner parties and “chef’s table” gatherings. “I love to cook for friends,” he says. “I don’t sit down; I stay behind the counter and put on a show.” His menus are thoughtful and seasonal, featuring dishes like chicken piccata with lemon and capers, fresh green beans, and salads with pears, blue cheese, and a drizzle of syrupy balsamic. “My favorite store is Trader Joe’s,” he admits with a grin. “I could write a cookbook using just their ingredients.”

For Bob, part of the joy of living at Optima Sonoran Village® comes from how effortlessly it supports his lifestyle. “I travel a lot — to New York for trade shows, or to Europe for hiking and biking — and I can just lock my door and go. I never have to worry about a thing.” That peace of mind, he adds, is rooted in the property’s exceptional staff. “There’s a full maintenance and housekeeping team here seven days a week. You walk around early in the morning and see them wiping down pool furniture, cleaning corridors, keeping everything pristine. I’ve lived in a lot of places, and you don’t find that anywhere else.”

When asked if there’s anything he’d change, Bob laughs. “My friends keep telling me to start a blog called What’s Bob Complaining About Today? — but honestly, I have nothing to complain about here. Everything is done right.”

For a man whose career is devoted to crafting spaces that feel like destinations, Optima Sonoran Village® is exactly that — a home that embodies the beauty, care, and sophistication of great design. “It’s just different here,” Bob says. “It’s built well, it’s managed well, and it feels good to live here.”

Chicago is a city of skyscrapers and deep-dish, along with its vibrant pockets of performance—neighborhood theatres that quietly anchor community, creativity, and connection. While the downtown Loop gets the global attention, it’s the stages tucked into Lakeview, Lincoln Park, and Hyde Park that keep the cultural pulse beating strong. For residents of Optima Signature® in Streeterville and Optima Lakeview®, this rich theatrical landscape is part of everyday life—an invitation to step out into the city and take part in stories that unfold just blocks from home.

Community and Craft Over Spectacle
There are more than 200 theatres across Chicago’s neighborhoods, each a small stage in its own story. These aren’t just satellites of the city’s major houses—they have distinct voices, rhythms, and loyal followings.

Court Theatre in Hyde Park, for instance, serves as the professional theatre within the University of Chicago and has spent decades reinterpreting classics, bringing fresh translations and adaptations to the stage while celebrating the African-American literary tradition. In the Belmont Theatre District near Optima Lakeview®, Theatre Wit offers a compact, 98-seat venue dedicated to thought-provoking, contemporary work—productions that lean into humor, honesty, and humanity. Each space reminds audiences that the power of theatre lies not in spectacle, but in intimacy and presence.

Hood by Hood: Theatre as Local Anchor
One of the great joys of neighborhood theatre is how deeply it’s woven into the daily rhythm of its surroundings. Edgewater, for example, is home to more than 20 local storefront theatres—intimate, creative, and often experimental. These venues invite audiences not just to attend, but to participate: to share a meal at a nearby café, walk to the show, and linger afterward for an impromptu conversation with actors or directors.

For residents of Optima Signature® in Streeterville, the city’s most renowned stages—Lookingglass Theatre in the historic Water Tower Water Works, Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier, and the innovative A Red Orchid Theatre in Old Town—are all within easy reach. Each offers a distinctly Chicago experience: bold storytelling, risk-taking artistry, and a sense of belonging that transcends the performance itself.

Why They Matter Now
In an era of streaming, global franchises, and spectacle-heavy productions, Chicago’s neighborhood theatres offer something refreshingly human: shared air, live emotion, and the electricity of unmediated experience. They’re agile—able to mount new work quickly, engage local voices, and explore stories rooted in the city’s diverse communities.

This blend of authenticity and artistry aligns beautifully with the Optima® philosophy—where architecture, culture, and community intersect to create environments that enrich daily life. Just as Optima® buildings are designed to foster connection and creativity, these theatres invite residents to immerse themselves in the creative energy that defines Chicago.

Tips for the Theatre-Wise

• Go local first: Choose a venue in your neighborhood—or one just beyond your usual route. Smaller theatres often surprise with daring, original productions.
• Arrive early and linger: Many neighborhood theatres encourage conversation, with lobbies and cafés that become gathering spaces before and after the show.
• Engage beyond the play: Look for post-show discussions, readings, or workshops. Chicago’s smaller theatres thrive on audience participation and exchange.
• Support the arts: Subscriptions, memberships, and donations help keep these cultural cornerstones accessible and thriving.

In the Spirit of “Home Stage”
Whether you’re taking in a bold new script, relishing a Shakespearean reinvention, or discovering a hidden gem, Chicago’s neighborhood theatres offer an experience that can’t be streamed or staged elsewhere.

For residents of Optima Signature® and Optima Lakeview®, these stages are an extension of home—places where design, culture, and community come together to inspire and engage. In a city celebrated for its architecture and big ideas, neighborhood theatres remind us that beauty and meaning often live in the most intimate spaces—where stories unfold just a few seats away, and every performance feels personal.