Latest Stories
The late great Joe Cassidy links music scenes across the Atlantic
A Metro memorial show in my old friend’s honor funded an award for emerging artists in Northern Ireland. I was flown to Belfast and helped pick the winner.
Johnson administration’s early days marked by lapses in transparency
From shelter for migrants to the future of ShotSpotter, will Chicago be left in the dark, again?
Promises, Promises gets a rare revival with Blank Theatre
The musical version of The Apartment shines in a small but spirited staging.
The Other Cinderella still has soul and sparkle to spare
Black Ensemble Theater’s musical returns at 47 years young.
Islander loops together a minimalist but enchanting Celtic tale
Chicago Shakespeare’s WorldStage production offers warmth and charm.
The Buttcracker plays it naughty and nice
The burlesque take on Tchaikovsky’s ballet features homegrown charm and diversity.
Best of chicago 2023
Vote for the Best of Chicago 2023
The ballot will be revealed at noon on Wednesday, December 6
Best of Chicago 2023 Enhanced Listings
Nominees can add a photo, website link, description and social media account handles to their Best of Chicago nomination.
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Coming soon—to a theater near you?
Both chain and indie theaters are limited by accessibility and distribution, but the local scene is ready to adapt.
Balikbayan Worldwide takes Filipino dance music global
David Beltran of Feeltrip launches a new label to help boost grassroots southeast Asian street culture onto the same stage as American and European exports.
Izzi Vasquez, music-adjacent multimedia artist
“I get excited to help people get their album covers to the next level, especially since they’re gonna see it five million times. But I think seeing my work onstage has been even more exciting.”
Loona Dae opens up a new world of psychedelic R&B
The Chicago singer learned to skateboard with FroSkate, then fed that momentum into her first album.
News & INVESTIGATIONS
The moment met the CTA
The CTA’s Meeting the Moment plan marked a renewed effort to fill hundreds of vacancies reportedly left by the pandemic—but data shows new hires aren’t digging the agency out of its staffing shortages.
When the water wars come
Inside the plans for a pipeline between Joliet and Chicago
Howard Brown and Berlin Nightclub workers escalate fights for fair contracts
Unions at both organizations, well-known for serving the LGBTQ+ community, are fighting for better pay and workplace protections.
Columns & Opinion
Lights, music, Scrooge, and Shostakovich
A short roundup of cultural events, seasonal and otherwise
Make police pay for their misconduct
We should go after the pensions of bad cops and shift the burden of settlements onto the department’s budget.
Rats have empathy for strangers, but do we?
In defense of rats
Film
Review: The Shift
This sci-fi multiverse film is too full of white Christian self-pity.
Review: The Boy and the Heron
Hayao Miyazaki’s latest isn’t perfect, but it’s full of the magic that viewers have come to expect.
Review: The Nomi Song
Nearly two decades later, The Nomi Song still bangs.
Arts & Culture
Even goblins can’t chase away Hershel‘s Hanukkah fun
Strawdog’s holiday family show finds a home in a real synagogue.
Caveman Play lets the audience decide the course of humanity
It’s hunter-gatherers vs. farmers in Red Theater’s latest.
Remembering Marc Silvia, Debra Rodkin, and Ernest Perry Jr.
The three actors were all important and beloved players in Chicago theater.
Desire lines
At the Arts Club of Chicago, Rathin Barman investigates the migrant experience through sculpture.
Music
Partywatcher honors his Dominican roots with his first all-Spanish release
Plus: Hardcore band Hostages play the Bottle on the heels of their best single yet, and postmetal trio Locrian cover experimental idols Coil on a new EP.
The inimitable but intermittent Roctober roars back with a hefty double issue
Plus: The Fallen Log books a live-music calendar worth watching, DJ Manny pairs a new album with an hour-long footwork mix, and more.
There’s still time to catch up with the Joy Poppers
This underappreciated band made some of the best, weirdest power pop of the 90s—and they’ve got new music in the works.
CITY LIFE
Life Is Work supports Black trans people in their communities
West-side native Zahara Bassett created an organization that she once needed.
Chicago Reader’s Nonprofit Guide for 2023
Some Reader staff picks for groups and organizations to support this giving season.
Food & Drink
Cadinho Bakery explores the dazzling world of Portuguese pastry
Alejandra Rivera previews her upcoming McKinley Park cafe.
It’s a Balkan three-peat with the Brothers Milunovic at the next Monday Night Foodball
Check out Marko and Nemanja’s somun sandwich menu for the Reader’s weekly chef pop-up at Ludlow Liquors.
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The Chicago Public Library Foundation invites you to make the future now
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Immerse yourself in the darkest side of humanity at Chicago’s Medieval Torture Museum
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If you’re open to giving online dating a try, these are the best dating sites to actually meet…