Daring to win
Helen Shiller’s new autobiography details decades of political struggles in Uptown.
Agenda: Things to do
TheMIND at Schubas, Title Ten at Theater Wit, and more
Things to do in Chicago for Friday 11/25/2022
Reader 50ish UnGala Celebration
Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at the Museum of Contemporary Art
Get the latest issue of the Chicago Reader
Special annual insert inside! Included in the print edition, the full issue PDF, and also available as a separate PDF download:
Nonprofit Guide
The accidental TikTok star
Chicago rapper Sonny went viral on a platform he didn’t use with a remix he hadn’t made—and it hasn’t changed his old-school grind a bit.
Alt Economy offers mutually aided instruction for hospitality workers
Chefs Jennifer Kim and Taylor Hanna launch a series of free culinary classes for restaurant workers and microbusinesses.
News & INVESTIGATIONS
Finding euphoria
gods closet hosts monthly pop-ups that offer free clothing and a safe space for gender expression.
A gender-affirming space
A transgender Oak Park librarian helps caregivers support their LGBTQ+ children.
Many on house arrest bombarded with texts from sheriff’s contractor
Hundreds of Chicagoans have been inundated with faulty alerts that summon sheriff’s deputies and carry the threat of jail.
Columns & Opinion
Hard lessons
Without education or job training, what hope do people in prison have for rehabilitation?
Op-Ed: Referendum results show Chicago wants treatment, not trauma
In the midterm, communities voiced overwhelming support for public mental health centers and crisis responses that don’t involve police.
The Florida strategy
MAGA’s attempt to scare white voters into voting against Pritzker didn’t work so well, to put it mildly.
Film
Kartemquin Films continues to grow
Longtime artistic director Gordon Quinn succeeded by local filmmaker Amir George
Arts & Culture
Mosque4Mosque upends stereotypes
A queer Arab Muslim man tries to balance romance and family in About Face’s comedy.
Apartheid and Antigone
The Island gets a rousing revival at Court.
A Steadfast seasonal favorite
Lookingglass brings back their popular holiday Andersen adaptation.
Elf off the shelf
Drury Lane’s holiday musical is delightfully insubstantial.
A mixed quartet
Theatre Above the Law presents four seldom-produced short plays from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
CITY LIFE
To dye for
Amy Taylor and the fascinating world of natural dyes
Sparking joy
It’s either love it or leave it for this stylish Hyde Park dweller.
Food & Drink
It’s a barbecue Umamicue Friendsgiving at the next Monday Night Foodball
Check out the all-star, Puritan-free lineup at the Reader’s weekly chef pop-up at the Kedzie Inn.
How Alinea’s tabletop desserts helped craft The Menu
The film’s writers found inspiration for the culinary horror-comedy while living in Chicago and working at The Onion.
Nominate your favorites for the Best of Chicago
The ballot is open for nominations until noon on December 9th.
Sponsored
Sponsored
Celebrate Andersonville’s eclectic independent businesses community this holiday season
Held on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving (this year November 26), Small Business Saturday celebrates independent business owners during…
Sponsored
The MCA Store helps Chicagoans give the gift of art this holiday season
The Museum of Contemporary Art is synonymous with joy and expression. But some people don’t realize that, along with…
Sponsored
Support local veterans with your purchase of Illinois Lottery’s Winter Winnings specialty ticket
In 2006 the Illinois Lottery launched the first Instant Lottery ticket in the country that designated 100 percent of…
Enter to win VIP UnGala tickets
Enter for a chance to win a pair of VIP tickets to the UnGala (Nov. 30 at the MCA)!
Enter to win a pair of tickets to the “50ish” UnGala on Nov. 30!
Sponsored
10 Best Cannabis Seed Banks To Buy Seeds Online in 2022 (Ships to US)
The best cannabis seeds that ship to the U.S.
Looking to grow your own bud? Here are the most reputable cannabis seed banks to buy cannabis seeds online…
Sponsored
Best Dating Sites for Real Relationships in 2022
If you’re open to giving online dating a try, these are the best dating sites to actually meet someone…