It's not always enough to see the cars, right? Sometimes you want to touch them and -- better yet -- take a ride.

The 2013 Chicago Auto Show will feature four test tracks. The popular Jeep test track -- allowing show-goers to climb into a Wrangler and get a ride on an obstacle course -- makes a return, as does the Toyota Test Track.

But this year's show will also feature new experiences by Ram and Fiat/Chrysler, event organizers say.

For those who think the show itself offers "too little" and the test tracks "too much," interactive displays could be the "just right" some want.

Many of the automakers' displays will include interactive tablet displays allowing the public to learn more about the vehicles. Others, like Kia and Road America, will offer interactive games.

Large test drive simulators will be available from Honda, Mini and Toyota.

Event organizers are hoping to ramp up the buzz heading into this year's Chicago Auto Show before the public gets a chance to ogle all of the hottest wheels.

The Media Preview days this year have been rebranded a Twitter-friendly "#SMP13," which naturally invites attendees to get word about the auto show onto social media channels.

The days are geared toward manufacturers, exhibitors and media outlets to host press and marketing events geared directly toward the buying public, particularly those active in the social media space. Last year Toyota announced its 100 Cars for Good program and Nissan unleashed the refreshed 2013 370Z.

But this year will feature several specific events that aim to drive up the excitement, including the Word of Mouth Marketing Association Driving Engagement Awards, Technori Pitch and automotive roundtables hosted by Autoweek, Cars.com and Edmunds.

And while the preview days aren't open to the public, Chicago Auto Show organizers have worked out a deal with Groupon to offer exclusive tickets to several people in the Chicago area who are found and deemed to be digital-savvy influencers.

The #SMP13-branded Media Preview Days are Feb. 7 and 8 with the public show opening Feb. 9.

Follow the Chicago Auto Show on Facebook, on Twitter, on YouTube, and on Pinterest.

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Good news for Washington, D.C.! !ith four upscale locations in NYC, Shobha will be opening its doors in spring 2013 in Washington’s Dupont Circle neighborhood. D.C. will soon see what Lucky magazine says about Shobha, “fast, efficient and ultra-hygienic!"

For more information, visit the website.

Late Chicago photographer Steve Starr's vision came to life in a glorious way Wednesday night.

Starr died last month of a sudden heart attack at the age of 65, but the last project he was planning was a 12-12-12 event to showcase his "Faces in the News" photographs.

The affair at The Murphy quickly shifted into a tribute to Starr's unique spirit.

The sad thing is, it's almost as if he knew he wasn't going to be here, because he spent so much time saying, 'This is how I want it to happen. This is the timing. This is the look,' so we just kind of facilitated that which he put in motion," said Starr's friend, fashion photographer Mark Roscoe.

Hundreds of friends and Starr's family, including sisters and nieces, were on hand for the celebration, which included fashion shows and musical performances.

"He was a perfectionist, and it turns out that his friends made it perfect," Starr's older sister, Bobbi Weiss said. "He would have loved it if he were here."

And even though the party stayed upbeat, there was an overwhelming feeling that something -- or someone, was missing.

"Even though this is a celebration, it's a bittersweet celebration because he should be here to see it, and that's more than a little upsetting to me," event emcee Candace Jordan said. "We'll all try to be happy and smiley, but we've lost someone that we loved to pieces."

Along with his photography work that appeared in virtually every Chicago publication over the years, Starr was a designer, collector, artist and a foremost expert on the Art Deco era.

One of the most popular musicals in history began an extended Chicago run on Tuesday.

"Book of Mormon" is on stage at the Bank of America Theatre from December 11 through June 2.

The musical is created by the two minds behind the "South Park" cartoon, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, who are known for pushing the envelope.

"Oh, it's offensive, we didn't set out to make it offensive, but we're just offensive people so it just came out a little offensive," Stone said.

The production has one nine Tony awards including "Best Musical" during its New York run. Ben Platt, who plays Elder Cunningham in the production, says he's surprised at how well the show has done.

"I love that at the same time it's both raunchy comedy and it's got all that South Park hilarity but it's also a sincere love letter to musical theatre," Platt said.

As for the raunchy themes, the creative duo never worried about offending the Mormon church.

"The church is pretty awesome and they're really good at PR, and they said exactly what they should have said, which was something like they live in the same country we do that allows us to have this religion," Parker said.

Tickets are sold out through March 3rd, but seats remain for performances through June 2.

There's still a chance at getting into one of the earlier sold-out shows. A daily pre-show drawing will make a limited number of tickets available for $25 each day.

The company that runs the popular Pitchfork Music Festival has until the middle of next week to turn over the complete footage recorded of teen rapper Chief Keef holding a rifle.

Pitchfork TV several months ago decided against using any of the footage, shot for a feature on the rapper, but prosecutors want the video to see if the teen violated his probation by holding the weapon.

Judge Carl Anthony Walker made his ruling Wednesday, saying prosecutors had successfully argued they had no other way of seeing the footage, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Chief Keef, whose real name is Keith Cozart, was convicted last year of pointing a gun at a Chicago police officer, and as part of his probation is banned from holding or using weapons.

Pitchfork Media must surrender the footage by next Wednesday, Dec. 12. Walker said he would make a decision as to whether Cozart violated his probation the following Monday, one day before the rapper makes his debut on a national label with his CD "Finally Rich."

Cozart came under fire in September for joking on Twitter about the shooting death of an 18-year-old rival rapper, Joseph "Lil JoJo" Coleman. He later claimed his Twitter account was hacked.

Police have been looking into whether Chief Keef or anyone he knows had anything to do with Coleman's death.

Among the glittering events happening in Miami for Art Basel is a private dinner and auction presented by Chanel and Paddle8.com to benefit the Henry Street Settlement’s Boys & Girls Republic (BGR) and the Dash Snow Initiative.

A group of Snow’s closest friends are honoring his memory by raising funds for an after-school program in his name, and the artists donating works include high-wattage names, such as Julian Schnabel, Ryan McGuinley, Jeff Koons, Richard Prince and Dan Colen, among many others.

This unique project honors Snow’s legacy by giving back to the most vulnerable youth in BGR's community, a neighborhood with significant meaning in Snow's life.

Bidding is open until tomorrow, December 5th at 12pm EST — please visit Paddle8.com for more information.

Even though a measurable snowfall has yet to hit the ground this season, Chicagoans can already start dreaming about warm weather activities.

The city's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events has released the dates for 2013 festivals.

Taste of Chicago will be held July 10-14, replicating this year's recipe of a shortened festival and avoiding the Fourth of July weekend.

Other highlights include the return of the Millennium Park Music Series late May through mid September, the Chicago Blues Festival on June 6-9 and the Chicago Air and Water Show on August 17-18.

Click here for the full list of city-sponsored events.

Mike Tyson has been bitten by the acting bug.

After a limited Broadway engagement, the former heavyweight champion is bringing taking his one-man show "Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth" on the road. The production hits Chicago on February 15-17 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre.

The play, directed by Spike Lee and written by Tyson's third wife, Kiki Tyson, ranges from his poor upbringing in Brooklyn, to many of his big moments in and out of the ring, such as his tumultuous marriage to actress Robin Givens and the infamous biting of Evander Holyfield's ear in a 1997 match.

The play will hit more than 36 cities across the country.

Tyson's acting credits include a popular role in The Hangover movies.

Pre-sale tickets are already available.

The holiday spirit came to Daley Plaza Tuesday night.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel lit Chicago's 64-foot Colorado spruce from Prospect Heights at 5 p.m.

The tree, donated by Barbara Theiszmann, was one of 25 submitted to the city. Mary Slowik, of the Department of Cultural Affairs said the tree had to be at least 55 feet tall, had to be a spruce or a fir and had to have a nice shape. This one fit all three and more.

"It's going to be missed," Theiszmann told the city, "but I'm glad it's going to be downtown."

The night's free festivities started at 4:30 p.m. with Santa and the cast of "A Christmas Carol." The Christkindlmarket also opened Tuesday.

The tree remains in the plaza until January.

Turns out there is an entity strong enough to take down Chicago's fictional Mayor Tom Kane.

Starz announced Tuesday that it is canceling "Boss" after two seasons.

The show was set in Chicago and featured Kelsey Grammer portraying the iron-fisted mayor of the city.

The cable network did not offer a reason for canceling the show, but low ratings are likely to blame.

Deadline.com reports that negotiations are in the works for a two-hour movie that would wrap up the remaining story lines.

The cancellation is a blow for several Chicagoans who worked as extras on the show and in the behind-the-scenes production.