Mazdaznan’s enlightened grifter
In late-1800s Chicago, a charismatic eccentric built a religious cult following.
the occult issue
Jinx Dawson speaks on the legacy of Coven
Fifty-five years ago, her band endured backlash and hysteria to light a flame for all the occult rock to come.
Latest Stories
Skooby snacks
Hell in a Handbag mashes up its Golden Girls franchise with cartoon teen detectives.
Let Fat Jesus make you a plate when Fat Plate Fridays takes over the next Monday Night Foodball
Check out Von Harris’s à la carte menu for the Reader’s weekly chef pop-up at Frank and Mary’s Tavern.
A psychological Malört shot
House of the Exquisite Corpse IV terrifies through human truths.
Olu – Somewhere Anywhere – The Sit Down hosted by Shawnee Dez
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Monroe Anderson —"Let's Cut A Deal" – The Ben Joravsky Show
Voters are feeling very transactional as Election Day approaches. Ben riffs. Monroe talks Trump’s visit to Chicago and offers his insights on the contradictory mindset of rich capitalists who’re voting MAGA even if MAGA policies hurt their businesses. Then he chides Ben for being too critical of Chicago voters. Producer Chris plays a recording of Amanda Richardson, the so-called Reverse Karen, from Springfield, Ohio. Also, an encouraging update on senate races in Texas and Nebraska.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered
Becky Nurse of Salem brings witch hunts into the 21st century.
Theatrical witch hunts
Kay Daly talks about witches onstage, from the 1600s to today.
Dead Chicago
Haunting and historic Graceland Cemetery is part of the Chicago Architecture Center’s Open House weekend.
Dancers of the dark
Bast Entertainment, House of Whoreors, and Kombi celebrate Obscura’s third year of dark and sexy cholo-goth burlesque at Simone’s Bar.
Animal Records gives Evanston a vinyl shop for regular folks
Plus: Dreamy postpunks Stalled drop their debut album, and the Great Lakes Dungeon Siege hosts a satellite party in Chicago.
News & INVESTIGATIONS
Private eyes
As Chicago ditches ShotSpotter, a new gun detection technology raises similar concerns.
Blocked from the ballot box
People who’ve completed their prison sentences can vote in Illinois. But the 28,000 people incarcerated across the state are barred from casting ballots.
Building bridges
Chicago organizers have long joined together across racial, ethnic, and geographic lines in the fight for a better city.
Columns & Opinion
Thrashing around
Did Northwestern bow to congressional pressure in canceling a Medill professor’s classes?
Film
Review: Terrifier 3
Terrifier 3’s violence gets more interesting, but the film doesn’t quite live up to its predecessor.
Review: The Silent Hour
Despite familiar twists, The Silent Hour thoughtfully explores disability.
Review: Saturday Night
Saturday Night tells the story of SNL’s first episode in a predictable, surface-level way.
Arts & Culture
The language of magic
The Magic Parlour highlights Latine performers for Destinos.
Mixtape memories
Ruth on the Rocks celebrates a life in stories and songs.
A look at the work of Red Line Service artists
The local artists were appraised via Lori Waxman’s 60 word/min art critic project.
‘The godfather of Latino theater in Chicago’
Remembering Juan Ramirez 1957-2024
Eiren Caffall on crossing artificial barriers
In her debut memoir, the author associates denial of disease with denial of climate collapse.
Music
Vince Staples slings eidetic lyricism and dry humor on his Black in America tour
Sun 10/27 at Riviera Theatre
William Elliott Whitmore confronts death by making the most of life on Silently, the Mind Breaks
Sat 10/26 at FitzGerald’s
The Lipschitz play swooning postpunk with hardcore power
Fri 10/25 at Empty Bottle
CITY LIFE
Gen Z is into typewriters
Lucas Dul’s typewriter repair shop in Downers Grove is a boon for vintage machine enthusiasts.
Running with the nuns
Sister Stephanie Baliga, a former competitive runner, raises funds and awareness for a mission in West Humboldt Park.
Food & Drink
Enjoy an intimate home-cooked meal with RICE
The new monthly meal series and art collective is creating community through South Asian cuisine.
Deep Cut Pierogi gets weird at the next Monday Night Foodball
Check out Chelsea Pickard’s otherworldly dumplings at the Reader’s weekly chef pop-up at Frank and Mary’s Tavern.
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An excerpt from TAXI GIRL, a novel by Maria Schreiber
“All About Yogurt,” a four-minute read.
“All about Yogurt” Four-minute read On Monday, June 3, 1974, Tania and Dan began selling cartons of yogurt…
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Demystifying Acupuncture provides answers for the curious skeptic
Acupuncture is a form of Traditional East Asian Medicine (TEAM) that involves the placement of hair-thin needles into…
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Help the United Negro College Fund provide scholarships to Illinois students by playing the $200,000! Bingo Tripler!
For nearly two decades, the Illinois Lottery has been a pioneer in creating specialty lottery tickets dedicated to…
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At the California Clipper, everyone is welcome
The newly relaunched Humboldt Park lounge champions community, inclusivity, and fair labor practices Since the 1820s, Chicago’s pubs…
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Bright Endeavors provides a guiding light for young mothers in Chicago
The social enterprise of Chicago nonprofit New Moms empowers local mothers ages 18-24 through their comprehensive job training program
As the proverb goes, it takes a village to raise a child. The folks at Bright Endeavors know…