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Your horoscope for the week ending 10th August is giving pass-ag vibes...

Your horoscope for the week ending 10th August is giving pass-ag vibes...

Cosmopolitan2 days ago
The week ahead requires us to boss up to get past the current roadblocks in our path to success. The action planet Mars glides into Libra on 6 April, adding a tinge of passive-aggressiveness to how we handle conflict.
Two days later, Mars opposes Saturn Retrograde in Aries and connects with Uranus in Gemini, urging us to break free from the past and the societal constraints holding us back from living our most authentic lives.
Mars shares a tense aspect with Neptune Retrograde in Aries on the 9th, pushing us to rethink our objectives and desires. The Full Moon in Aquarius on 9 August clarifies how we can make our dreams happen, regardless of the obstacles standing in our way.
Keep reading below for your Sun, Moon, and Rising sign horoscope for this week.
Usually, you're assertive, defiant, and confrontational with others. This week, you are trying to find the middle ground before jumping to conclusions and acting on impulse. It may be difficult to calm your temper, but taking a beat before responding is doable and advisable to centre your energy and thoughts.
You may feel like everyone's turned their back on you, but they haven't. The friends who are creating issues are proving to be phoney, which is why you should disconnect. You don't want or need scrubs in your peer group — you desire ride-or-dies who will never leave your side.
Life is getting a little messy with the hot goss surrounding you. It's unfair that people are telling false tales about you based on speculation, but you're not helping by playing into the drama. Laugh it off and let it go because you know better than contributing to the rumours.
You're not one to go with the flow, due to the need to be in control. However, you're learning that you can't always predict or take charge of matters due to unforeseen obstacles. Rather than push matters forward, use your energy to create a different route to your objectives.
Although you should blame Mercury retrograde for the drama in the group chat, you're putting your foot in your mouth and giving reasons that are suss to your besties. The best option in dealing with the miscommunications is to apologise and refrain from texting for a bit to avoid arguments.
Asserting yourself to receive a higher pay is intimidating, but not for you. Fortunately, you're one step above the curve and can bring innovation to the table that can transcend your career to greatness. Make a note of that when discussing your raise with management. Your plea will be compelling.
Don't you look tough flexing your power around town! You'll see it's not a good look to brag about your achievements, talents, and wins to others (even though you should be proud). It'll alienate some of your besties. Be humble and unpretentious to avoid jealousy from occurring with your crew.
Believe it or not, you're taking an emotional vacation from the thirsty peeps in your squad. You aren't in the mood for energetic vampires — you're opting for solitude and alone time to maintain your spirits. If that means blocking an ex who's re-emerging to haunt you, so be it!
Romantic affairs are on shaky ground, making you question where the situationship is going. Before you do anything to cause irreparable harm to the relationship, have an open and honest chat to ensure you're on the same page as your boo. Realness and directness are vital to secure the future.
It's a magical time for you to make your visions happen IRL. You've been in a slump, comparing yourself to others. Currently, you are becoming aware that you're fabulous. No matter what insecurities have been running through your mind, you are drowning out the negativity and focusing on positive vibes.
Wearing your heart on your sleeve isn't your style, but you can't keep sentiments down this week. A proper cry or tantrum is an excellent method to release stress and relieve worries. You're not a basket case for being emo; you are only human and need to feel your feels.
Your home feels like a money pit because there are a ton of necessary repairs that require your attention at the moment. Instead of obsessing over the amount of cash you are spending, think of it as an investment in making the house of your dreams to justify the prices.
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Lady Gaga leads nominations for 2025 MTV Video Music Awards
Lady Gaga leads nominations for 2025 MTV Video Music Awards

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Lady Gaga leads nominations for 2025 MTV Video Music Awards

Lady Gaga leads the nominations for the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), scoring an impressive 12 nods. It marks the third time the pop idol has topped the nominations list - a feat no other artist has matched in VMA history. Gaga's strong showing is followed closely by Bruno Mars, who earned 11 nominations, and Kendrick Lamar with 10. Pop favourites Rosé and Sabrina Carpenter are not far behind, each collecting eight nominations, including in major categories like Best Pop and Artist of the Year. They're joined by Ariana Grande and The Weeknd, who both picked up seven nods. Elsewhere, Billie Eilish earned six nominations, while Charli XCX is up for five, including Best Collaboration and Video of the Year. A number of major artists landed four nominations apiece, including Bad Bunny, Doechii, Ed Sheeran, Jelly Roll, Miley Cyrus and Tate McRae. There are two new categories this year for Best Country and Best Pop Artist. Artist of the Year will be a battle between Bad Bunny, Beyoncé, Lamar, Gaga, Morgan Wallen, Taylor Swift and The Weeknd. Up for Best New Artist are Alex Warren, Ella Langley, Gigi Perez, Lola Young, Sombr and The Marías. Bad Bunny (Debí Tirar Más Fotos), Kendrick Lamar (GNX), Lady Gaga (Mayhem), Morgan Wallen (I'm the Problem), Sabrina Carpenter (Short n' Sweet), and The Weeknd (Hurry Up Tomorrow) will contend for Best Album. The winners will be announced during a star-studded bash on Sunday, September 7, at the UBS Arena in New York City. For the first time, CBS will simulcast the awards live alongside MTV, while Paramount+ will also stream the show for viewers around the world. Voting is now open via MTV's official website. The nominees for the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards: VIDEO OF THE YEAR Ariana Grande – Brighter Days Ahead Billie Eilish – Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars – Die with a Smile Rosé and Bruno Mars – Apt. Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild The Weeknd, Playboi Carti – Timeless ARTIST OF THE YEAR Bad Bunny Beyoncé Kendrick Lamar Lady Gaga Morgan Wallen Taylor Swift The Weeknd SONG OF THE YEAR Alex Warren – Ordinary Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather Doechii – Anxiety Ed Sheeran – Sapphire Gracie Abrams – I Love You, I'm Sorry Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars – Die with a Smile Lorde – What Was That Rosé and Bruno Mars – Apt. Tate McRae – Sports Car The Weeknd, Playboi Carti – Timeless BEST NEW ARTIST Alex Warren Ella Langley Gigi Perez Lola Young Sombr The Marías BEST POP ARTIST Ariana Grande Charli xcx Justin Bieber Lorde Miley Cyrus Sabrina Carpenter Tate McRae MTV PUSH PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR August 2024 – Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy) September 2024 – Ayra Starr – Last Heartbreak Song October 2024 – Mark Ambor – Belong Together November 2024 – Lay Bankz – Graveyard December 2024 – Dasha – Bye Bye Bye January 2025 – Katseye – Touch February 2025 – Jordan Adetunji – Kehlani March 2025 – Leon Thomas – Yes It Is April 2025 – Livingston – Shadow May 2025 – Damiano David – Next Summer June 2025 – Gigi Perez – Sailor Song July 2025 – Role Model – Sally, When the Wine Runs Out BEST COLLABORATION Bailey Zimmerman with Luke Combs – Backup Plan (Stagecoach Official Music Video) Kendrick Lamar and SZA – Luther Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars – Die with a Smile Post Malone ft. Blake Shelton – Pour Me a Drink Rosé and Bruno Mars – Apt. Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco – Sunset Blvd BEST POP Alex Warren – Ordinary Ariana Grande – Brighter Days Ahead Ed Sheeran – Sapphire Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars – Die with a Smile Rosé and Bruno Mars – Apt. Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild BEST HIP-HOP Doechii – Anxiety Drake – Nokia Eminem ft. Jelly Roll – Somebody Save Me GloRilla ft. Sexyy Red – Whatchu Kno About Me Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us LL Cool J ft. Eminem – Murdergram Deux Travis Scott – 4X4 – Cactus Jack/Epic Records BEST RNB Chris Brown – Residuals Leon Thomas and Freddie Gibbs – Mutt (Remix) Mariah Carey – Type Dangerous Partynextdoor – N o C h i l l Summer Walker – Heart of a Woman SZA – Drive The Weeknd, Playboi Carti – Timeless BEST ALTERNATIVE Gigi Perez – Sailor Song Imagine Dragons – Wake Up Lola Young – Messy MGK and Jelly Roll – Lonely Road Sombr – Back to Friends The Marías – Back to Me BEST ROCK Coldplay – All My Love Evanescence – Afterlife (From the Netflix Series Devil May Cry) Green Day – One Eyed Bastard Lenny Kravitz – Honey – Roxie Records Linkin Park – The Emptiness Machine Twenty One Pilots – The Contract BEST LATIN Bad Bunny – Baile Inolvidable J Balvin – Rio Karol G – Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido Peso Pluma – La Patrulla Rauw Alejandro and Romeo Santos – Khé Shakira – Soltera BEST K-POP Aespa – Whiplash Jennie – Like Jennie Jimin – Who Jisoo – Earthquake Lisa ft. Doja Cat and Raye – Born Again Stray Kids – Chk Chk Boom Rosé – Toxic Till the End BEST AFROBEATS Asake and Travis Scott – Active Burna Boy ft. Travis Scott – TaTaTa Moliy, Silent Addy, Skillibeng and Shenseea – Shake It to the Max (Fly) (Remix) Rema – Baby (Is It a Crime) Tems ft. Asake – Get It Right Tyla – Push 2 Start Wizkid ft. Brent Faiyaz – Piece of My Heart BEST COUNTRY Chris Stapleton – Think I'm in Love With You Cody Johnson with Carrie Underwood – I'm Gonna Love You Jelly Roll – Liar Lainey Wilson – 4x4xU Megan Moroney – Am I Okay Morgan Wallen – Smile BEST ALBUM Bad Bunny – Debí Tirar Más Fotos Kendrick Lamar – GNX Lady Gaga – Mayhem Morgan Wallen – I'm the Problem Sabrina Carpenter – Short n' Sweet The Weeknd – Hurry Up Tomorrow BEST LONG FORM VIDEO Ariana Grande – Brighter Days Ahead Bad Bunny – Debí Tirar Más Fotos (Short Film) Damiano David – Funny Little Stories Mac Miller – Balloonerism Miley Cyrus – Something Beautiful The Weeknd – Hurry Up Tomorrow VIDEO FOR GOOD Burna Boy – Higher Charli xcx – Guess featuring Billie Eilish Doechii – Anxiety Eminem ft. Jelly Roll – Somebody Save Me Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco – Younger and Hotter Than Me Zach Hood ft. Sasha Alex Sloan – Sleepwalking BEST DIRECTION Ariana Grande – Brighter Days Ahead Charli xcx – Guess featuring Billie Eilish Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us Lady Gaga – Abracadabra Rosé and Bruno Mars – Apt. Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild BEST ART DIRECTION Charli xcx – Guess featuring Billie Eilish Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us Lady Gaga – Abracadabra Lorde – Man Of The Year Miley Cyrus – End of the World Rosé and Bruno Mars – Apt. BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY Ariana Grande – Brighter Days Ahead Ed Sheeran – Sapphire Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us Lady Gaga – Abracadabra Miley Cyrus – Easy Lover Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild BEST EDITING Charli xcx – Guess featuring Billie Eilish Ed Sheeran – Sapphire Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us Lady Gaga – Abracadabra Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild Tate McRae – Just Keep Watching (From F1 The Movie) BEST CHOREOGRAPHY Doechii – Anxiety FKA Twigs – Eusexua Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us Lady Gaga – Abracadabra Tyla – Push 2 Start Zara Larsson – Pretty Ugly BEST VISUAL EFFECTS Ariana Grande – Brighter Days Ahead Lady Gaga – Abracadabra Rosé and Bruno Mars – Apt. Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild Tate McRae – Just Keep Watching (From F1 The Movie) The Weeknd – Hurry Up Tomorrow

Lady Gaga Leads 2025 MTV VMAs Nominations: See The Full List
Lady Gaga Leads 2025 MTV VMAs Nominations: See The Full List

Forbes

time2 hours ago

  • Forbes

Lady Gaga Leads 2025 MTV VMAs Nominations: See The Full List

Lady Gaga dominates the list of nominees for the upcoming 2025 MTV Video Music Awards. The pop icon collects more nods than any other artist this year, and she's one of only three names to score double-digit chances to win. Her work appears across some of the ceremony's most competitive categories, which is par for the course for one of the world's most celebrated superstars. Lady Gaga Earns 12 Nominations Gaga picks up 12 nominations at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, including high-profile mentions for Mayhem, 'Die With a Smile' — her duet with Bruno Mars — and 'Abracadabra.' The singer is in the running for Artist of the Year, Video of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Album, among others. This year marks the third time she has led the VMAs nominations, following similar showings in 2010 and 2020. Bruno Mars, Kendrick Lamar, Rosé, and Sabrina Carpenter Mars trails Gaga closely with 11 nominations – including several with Gaga – while Kendrick Lamar earns 10. Rosé and Sabrina Carpenter both collect eight nods, which mark personal bests for the two stars. Video of the Year Features an All-Star Lineup The Video of the Year category brings together Gaga, Mars, Lamar, Carpenter, and Rosé alongside Billie Eilish's 'Birds of a Feather,' Ariana Grande's 'Brighter Days Ahead,' and The Weeknd's 'Timeless' with Playboi Carti. Grande's entry is a long-form visual, which makes it stand out from the other possible champions. New Awards Spotlight Country and Pop Artists Two categories make their debut this year, as both Best Country Artist and Best Pop Artist will be handed out for the first time. Country contenders include Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson, Chris Stapleton, and Megan Moroney. The pop list features Grande, Charli XCX, Justin Bieber, Lorde, Miley Cyrus, Carpenter, and Tate McRae. 33 First-Time Nominees The Best New Artist field includes Alex Warren, Ella Langley, Gigi Perez, Lola Young, Sombr, and The Marías. They're among 33 acts earning their first VMAs nominations this year, a group that also features Blake Shelton, Brent Faiyaz, Mac Miller, Role Model, Wilson, and Katseye. When and Where to Watch The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards will air live on Sunday, September 7 at 8:00 PM ET on CBS, a first for the show. The ceremony will also be simulcast on MTV and stream on Paramount+ in the U.S. Fans can vote in 19 gender-neutral categories at through September 5 at 6:00 PM ET. Here's the full list of nominees: Video of the Year Ariana Grande - 'Brighter Days Ahead' Billie Eilish - 'Birds of a Feather' Kendrick Lamar - 'Not Like Us' Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars - 'Die With a Smile' Rosé & Bruno Mars - 'Apt.' Sabrina Carpenter - 'Manchild' The Weeknd, Playboi Carti - 'Timeless' Artist of the Year Bad Bunny Beyoncé Kendrick Lamar Lady Gaga Morgan Wallen Taylor Swift The Weeknd Song of the Year Alex Warren - 'Ordinary' Billie Eilish - 'Birds of a Feather' Doechii - 'Anxiety' Ed Sheeran - 'Sapphire' Gracie Abrams - 'I Love You, I'm Sorry' Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars - 'Die With a Smile' Lorde - 'What Was That' Rosé & Bruno Mars - 'Apt.' Tate McRae - 'Sports Car' The Weeknd, Playboi Carti - 'Timeless' Best New Artist Alex Warren Ella Langley Gigi Perez Lola Young sombr The Marías Best Pop Artist Ariana Grande Charli XCX Justin Bieber Lorde Miley Cyrus Sabrina Carpenter Tate McRae Best Collaboration Bailey Zimmerman with Luke Combs - 'Backup Plan (Stagecoach Official Music Video)' Kendrick Lamar & SZA - 'Luther' Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars - 'Die With a Smile' Post Malone ft. Blake Shelton - 'Pour Me a Drink' Rosé & Bruno Mars - 'Apt.' Selena Gomez, benny blanco - 'Sunset Blvd' Best Pop Alex Warren - 'Ordinary' Ariana Grande - 'Brighter Days Ahead' Ed Sheeran - 'Sapphire' Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars - 'Die With a Smile' Rosé & Bruno Mars - 'Apt.' Sabrina Carpenter - 'Manchild' Best Hip-Hop Doechii - 'Anxiety' Drake - 'Nokia' Eminem ft. Jelly Roll - 'Somebody Save Me' GloRilla ft. Sexyy Red - 'Whatchu Kno About Me' Kendrick Lamar - 'Not Like Us' LL Cool J ft. Eminem - 'Murdergram Deux' Travis Scott - '4x4' Best R&B Chris Brown - 'Residuals' Leon Thomas & Freddie Gibbs - 'Mutt (Remix)' Mariah Carey - 'Type Dangerous' PARTYNEXTDOOR - 'N o C h i l l' Summer Walker - 'Heart of a Woman' SZA - 'Drive' The Weeknd, Playboi Carti - 'Timeless' Best Alternative Gigi Perez - 'Sailor Song' Imagine Dragons - 'Wake Up' Lola Young - 'Messy' MGK & Jelly Roll - 'Lonely Road' sombr - 'Back to Friends' The Marías - 'Back to Me' Best Rock Coldplay - 'All My Love' Evanescence - 'Afterlife (From the Netflix Series 'Devil May Cry')' Green Day - 'One Eyed Bastard' Lenny Kravitz - 'Honey' Linkin Park - 'The Emptiness Machine' twenty one pilots - 'The Contract' Best Latin Bad Bunny - 'Baile Inolvidable' J Balvin - 'Rio' Karol G - 'Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido' Peso Pluma - 'La Patrulla' Rauw Alejandro & Romeo Santos - 'Khé?' Shakira - 'Soltera' Best K-Pop aespa - 'Whiplash' Jennie - 'Like Jennie' Jimin - 'Who' Jisoo - 'Earthquake' Lisa ft. Doja Cat & Raye - 'Born Again' Stray Kids - 'Chk Chk Boom' Rosé - 'Toxic Till the End' Best Afrobeats Asake & Travis Scott - 'Active' Burna Boy ft. Travis Scott - 'TaTaTa' Moliy, Silent Addy, Skillibeng & Shenseea - 'Shake It to the Max (Fly) (Remix)' Rema - 'Baby (Is It a Crime)' Tems ft. Asake - 'Get It Right' Tyla - 'Push 2 Start' Wizkid ft. Brent Faiyaz - 'Piece of My Heart' Best Country Chris Stapleton - 'Think I'm in Love With You' Cody Johnson with Carrie Underwood - 'I'm Gonna Love You' Jelly Roll - 'Liar' Lainey Wilson - '4x4xU' Megan Moroney - 'Am I Okay?' Morgan Wallen - 'Smile' Best Album Bad Bunny - Debí Tirar Más Fotos Kendrick Lamar - GNX Lady Gaga - Mayhem Morgan Wallen - I'm the Problem Sabrina Carpenter - Short n' Sweet The Weeknd - Hurry Up Tomorrow Best Long Form Video Ariana Grande - 'Brighter Days Ahead' Bad Bunny - 'Debí Tirar Más Fotos (Short Film)' Damiano David - 'Funny Little Stories' Mac Miller - 'Balloonerism' Miley Cyrus - 'Something Beautiful' The Weeknd - 'Hurry Up Tomorrow' Video for Good Burna Boy - 'Higher' Charli XCX - 'Guess' (featuring Billie Eilish) Doechii - 'Anxiety' Eminem ft. Jelly Roll - 'Somebody Save Me' Selena Gomez, benny blanco - 'Younger and Hotter Than Me' Zach Hood ft. Sasha Alex Sloan - 'Sleepwalking' Best Direction Ariana Grande - 'Brighter Days Ahead' Charli XCX - 'Guess' (featuring Billie Eilish) Kendrick Lamar - 'Not Like Us' Lady Gaga - 'Abracadabra' Rosé & Bruno Mars - 'Apt.' Sabrina Carpenter - 'Manchild' Best Art Direction Charli XCX - 'Guess' (featuring Billie Eilish) Kendrick Lamar - 'Not Like Us' Lady Gaga - 'Abracadabra' Lorde - 'Man of the Year' Miley Cyrus - 'End of the World' Rosé & Bruno Mars - 'Apt.' Best Cinematography Ariana Grande - 'Brighter Days Ahead' Ed Sheeran - 'Sapphire' Kendrick Lamar - 'Not Like Us' Lady Gaga - 'Abracadabra' Miley Cyrus - 'Easy Lover' Sabrina Carpenter - 'Manchild' Best Editing Charli XCX - 'Guess' (featuring Billie Eilish) Ed Sheeran - 'Sapphire' Kendrick Lamar - 'Not Like Us' Lady Gaga - 'Abracadabra' Sabrina Carpenter - 'Manchild' Tate McRae - 'Just Keep Watching' (From F1® The Movie) Best Choreography Doechii - 'Anxiety' FKA twigs - 'Eusexua' Kendrick Lamar - 'Not Like Us' Lady Gaga - 'Abracadabra' Tyla - 'Push 2 Start' Zara Larsson - 'Pretty Ugly' Best Visual Effects Ariana Grande - 'Brighter Days Ahead' Lady Gaga - 'Abracadabra' Rosé & Bruno Mars - 'Apt.' Sabrina Carpenter - 'Manchild' Tate McRae - 'Just Keep Watching' (From F1® The Movie) The Weeknd - 'Hurry Up Tomorrow' MTV Push Performance of the Year Aug 2024 - Shaboozey - 'A Bar Song (Tipsy)' Sept 2024 - Ayra Starr - 'Last Heartbreak Song' Oct 2024 - Mark Ambor - 'Belong Together' Nov 2024 - Lay Bankz - 'Graveyard' Dec 2024 - Dasha - 'Bye Bye Bye' Jan 2025 - KATSEYE - 'Touch' Feb 2025 - Jordan Adetunji - 'Kehlani' Mar 2025 - Leon Thomas - 'Yes It Is' Apr 2025 - Livingston - 'Shadow' May 2025 - Damiano David - 'Next Summer' June 2025 - Gigi Perez - 'Sailor Song' July 2025 - Role Model - 'Sally, When the Wine Runs Out'

Restaurant news: Cerdito Muerto, a cocktail bar and Mexican American kitchen, transforms an old family home in Pilsen
Restaurant news: Cerdito Muerto, a cocktail bar and Mexican American kitchen, transforms an old family home in Pilsen

Chicago Tribune

time7 hours ago

  • Chicago Tribune

Restaurant news: Cerdito Muerto, a cocktail bar and Mexican American kitchen, transforms an old family home in Pilsen

Cerdito Muerto, a speakeasy-style cocktail bar with a contemporary Mexican American kitchen that's transformed an old family home that survived the Great Chicago Fire, opened in Pilsen on June 26. The name translates in Spanish to 'the dead piglet,' but is meant in a playful way, said Emidio Oceguera, owner of the debut business. 'Being a first-generation Mexican American son of farmers and ranchers, pigs and piglets are pretty endearing in our culture,' said Oceguera. The space was his mother Consuelo Oceguera's restaurant, Tacos Palacio, and his late father Miguel Oceguera's neighborhood pool hall. 'Even to this day, my partner calls me Piggy, so Piggy and piglets have always been kind of part of my identity,' he said. His wife and business partner Sarah Dickerson is their head of marketing and brand development. Speakeasies were sometimes known as blind pigs or blind tigers or striped pigs during Prohibition, as a front for illegal bars that would charge admission to see fictional animal curiosities, then offer a free drink. Hence the curious dead piglet, or cerdito muerto. 'This has a very speakeasy feel to it,' said Oceguera, who was general manager at Chicago Cut Steakhouse for a decade. 'But I do not advertise myself as a speakeasy.' In fact, when asked about the best-selling items so far, he mentioned the food program that's constantly changing under chef Becky Carson, previously the opening executive chef at the reimagined Ramova Grill and Taproom. Carson has brought a branzino to the menu, with chimichurri, citrus and fresh oregano. 'But (the menu) does have a few of my mother's staples,' said Oceguera. That includes a goat birria taco from her rural hometown in Jalisco, Mexico. 'It's no frills, there's no cheese,' he said, clarifying that theirs is decidedly not like the relatively recent quesabirria taco. 'It's just the way it was meant to be eaten, as if you were in a pasture.' They've also kept Mamà Coco's al pastor taco, but that's not traditional, he added, and eats almost like cochinita pibil instead. Rachele Byrd-Townsell, previously beverage director at Pizza Lobo, and Guillermo Martinez, bar manager at Estereo, were both beverage consultants. A classic Saturn cocktail, mixed with gin and passionfruit, has emerged as an early fan favorite. Their variation on the Paloma has become another popular drink. 'We named it Guillermo's Palomo, because we make our own 'Squirt' in house,' said Oceguera. The grapefruit-flavored soft drink is a common mixer in the cocktail. Mexican Squirt is as prized as Mexican Coke, made with cane sugar, not high fructose corn syrup. Both are available among the bar's non-alcoholic drinks. 'It is so imperative that I do not cheat on any ingredient, because every seat counts for me, so every experience is crucial,' Oceguera said. His experience with the space runs deep. According to his research, the building was built in 1853, originally as a house, eventually with a barber shop. His father emigrated from Mexico in 1973, and he rented a cot in the basement from a family friend. 'After some time, he was able to get on his feet, moved out and met my mother here in Chicago,' he said. 'Ten years later, in 1983, they purchased this building from that family friend.' The elder Oceguera came from a small ranching town, where shooting pool was their pastime. 'My dad was really good at pool, but not a gambling man, so he made it a pool hall,' said the younger Oceguera. 'And my mom started selling menudo on Sundays to the young men.' The pop-up precursor turned into a pretty good business so they got rid of one of the pool tables. 'And my father made a little kitchen for my mother in the front,' said their son. That became a tiny taqueria with five stools, and the pool hall stayed in the back. After Oceguera received a grant from the city's Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Road to Recovery Plan for communities most impacted by the pandemic, they closed Tacos Palacio in 2022. That grant allowed him to execute the renovation at a high level, he said, which was a labor of love. But he lost count of the number of times, he said laughing, that he was crying in the basement in the fetal position asking, 'When is this gonna happen? Why isn't the permit here? Why is construction taking so long?' Now, when you walk up to the building, you'll see that it's been restored as close to period correct as possible on the outside. But you won't find a sign. You'll enter through an 1800s courthouse door from Maywood, which he refinished and painted black. Inside, past an old family photo of goats in Mexico, down a corridor laid with classic penny tiles, you're greeted at a restored lectern with their reservation book. 'We're not using a reservation system,' he said. 'We're just doing it old school and writing your name down.' You can call, text, email or just walk in. There are no pool tables in the small space, which has a capacity of only 30 or so, but there are mementos. 'There's a photo of my father taken around the time he got here, shooting pool at a bar that wasn't far from here,' said Oceguera. 'So it's almost like an ofrenda.' And there's a rack with 10 or so pool cues, which all belonged to people who are no longer here. An open kitchen honors how his mother worked, he said. A booth runs the span of the room, with a 12-seat bar to the right, which he built himself. The seating was designed to some unusual specifications. 'I built the space with women in mind,' said Oceguera. The bar is two inches lower than the standard height, and the booth allows diners to touch the floor. 'I'm not a tall man, so sometimes my feet go kicking as well.' First and foremost, he said, Cerdito Muerto is a safe space. 'I really built the space to be inclusive and inviting,' he added. He's also focused on working with minority-owned and women-led businesses. From designer Aida Napoles of AGN Design, to Cristina Gallo and her husband Marty Sandberg of Via Chicago Architects + Diseñadores, as well as producers of the primarily Mexican-made spirits at the bar. Has his mother experienced the transformed space yet? 'Oh yeah, if you're lucky enough, you might see her. She loves talking with people,' said Oceguera. 'It's just nice to see my mother, in her 70s, being able to see something of a retirement.' His father, who died in his mid-50s in 2013, never retired. His mother was looking at a completely full room at 11:30 on a recent Saturday night. 'And she said, 'I can't believe this is like this,'' Oceguera said. 'I said, 'Oh, I've seen it Mom.' I always pictured this. It's like I'm looking at a memory.'More openings, in alphabetical order: Bell Market at Bell Works Chicagoland Sommelier Chantelle Corbo, previously at the critically acclaimed L2O restaurant, just opened a food hall with her husband, chef Richard Corbo, and their hospitality group. The food hall is a sibling to their business at Bell Works in Holmdel, New Jersey, aka the Lumon building in 'Severance.' Bell Market at Bell Works Chicagoland celebrated its grand opening in Hoffman Estates on June 23. Outies can order breakfast sandwiches from Honeybell Bakery, poke bowls from Jōzu, gyros, greens and grains from Broadfork, with more to Cafe From the minds behind Mirra, Lilac Tiger and Coach House, including 'Top Chef' contestant Zubair Mohajir, pastry chef Reema Patel and chef Jacob Dela Cruz, comes the newest bakery with hourslong lines, this one with Indian and Filipino influences. Sarima Cafe began baking in Wicker Park on July 25. They're already selling out fast of their ube cheesecake cookies, but look for a breakfast dosa and a latte with dates Cheval Logan Square The Freeze, the dearly departed seasonal soft serve ice cream and fast food stand, has become a fast food restaurant. Small Cheval began flipping in Logan Square on July 14. Best known for their smaller Au Cheval-esque cheeseburgers, the 10th location also offers cocktails, including a pink vodka lemonade, and a variety of ice cream, featuring Magic Shell-style hand-dipped cones and boozy Zaragoza, the beloved original home in Archer Heights of the Zaragoza family's signature goat birria, closed temporarily due to a fire on June 23. They've launched a GoFundMe to rebuild, while their Uptown location remains open.Ärt-is Restaurant & Lounge, the Black, brown, queer and women-owned Creole restaurant that opened in April, and was the site of a drive-by shooting that killed four people and injured 14 more in River North on July 2, closed permanently July 15. Their GoFundMe remains open to rebuild another future for chef Brandi Artis and her wife Brittany Artis. The Violet Hour, the pioneering cocktail bar that opened in 2007 behind an ever-changing unmarked muraled facade in Wicker Park, closed permanently June 27 due 'unexpected damage to the building' and 'despite extensive efforts and negotiations' with their landlord. But it's not the end of the brand, which may reappear elsewhere.

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