Closed Sessions celebrates underground rap and itself
Founders, friends, and affiliates of the Chicago hip-hop label use the occasion of its 15th anniversary to reflect on the community it’s built.
music
Viewfinder were a band out of time
Their artful, UK-influenced pop didn’t find its audience in a 90s Illinois underground dominated by burly rock, but a new reissue gives them another chance.
Latest Stories
Review: Interior Chinatown
Interior Chinatown takes an ambitious, meta approach to satire of racism and police procedurals.
The sprawling practice of Frank Lloyd Wright
A Driehaus Museum exhibition contrasts the messiness of his personal life with his obsession with neatness.
Colleen O’Doherty found community at Chicago Filmmakers
Now, as the host of their Queer Writers Club, she’s facilitating community for others.
Find a print copy of this week’s Chicago Reader
Newspaper circulation information and map of distribution locations
Maureen Kelleher – CPS School Board Election – The Sit Down hosted by Shawnee Dez
On this episode, Shawnee sits down with Maureen Kelleher, a former teacher and current education reporter in Chicago. Maureen shares her insights on the challenges facing the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) system, including budget shortfalls, school closures, and the upcoming school board election. As an experienced educator and journalist, Maureen provides a nuanced perspective on the complex issues affecting CPS and the need for smart, community-driven solutions to preserve educational assets for Chicago's neighborhoodsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Peter Cunningham – "Justice 4 Jussie" – The Ben Joravsky Show
Breaking News—Illinois Supremes overturn Jussie conviction. Ben riffs. Peter Cunningham talks lessons learned from the election. As the show’s resident centrist—every lefty show needs one—he says the Dems lost the message battle. Ben says—any old white guy could have beat Trump. And they’re off. Also, Mayor Johnson budget talk. Are city council “independents” the Jake Pauls of local politics? Peter is a political strategist who once wrote speeches for Mayor Daley.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Get the latest issue of the Chicago Reader
Shedd workers approve union
Aquarium staff join a burgeoning labor movement among Chicago’s cultural workers.
The Chinese Mom Kitchen is Laura Yee’s great pop-up experiment
There’s joy in new challenges for the longtime food journalist-turned-business owner.
News & INVESTIGATIONS
Home truths
Residents of the Leland—one of Uptown’s few remaining affordable housing options—fear they’ll be pushed out amid foreclosure proceedings that followed Heartland Housing’s collapse.
Chicago Police Department embarks on million-dollar workforce study
Is transparency baked into the “hottest of hot potatoes?”
The war on guns
Criminalizing gun possession fails to reduce violence and fuels mass incarceration in Black and Latino communities, a new report from Chicago Appleseed finds.
Columns & Opinion
Ex-Chicagoan says Chicagoans don’t understand violence or corruption
In a recent Chicago Tribune commentary, Hollywood writer David Mamet told our city how to vote.
Trumped up
How did we get here again?
A note on our Occult Issue
. . . and a spell to cast at your convenience!
Film
Review: Wicked
Wicked is a fantastic movie musical epic that hits all the right notes and stays true to its source material.
Review: Carnage for Christmas
Alice Maio Mackay’s trans slasher film Carnage for Christmas is a satisfying holiday treat.
Review: Dune: Prophecy
A new addition to the Dune franchise gives an intriguing perspective on vengeance, power, and humanity itself.
Arts & Culture
The women who made Florence Price
Samantha Ege’s South Side Impresarios reminds us that no woman is an island.
The Secret Garden blooms at Theo
The musical version of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s 1911 novel feels joyous and timely.
The Little Mermaid makes a splash at Drury Lane
Sawyer Smith’s Ursula is a standout in a fin-tastic show.
Falsettos hits all the right notes
Court and TimeLine partner for a vibrant and touching revival of a musical from the early days of the AIDS pandemic.
Not quite seaworthy
Dames at Sea has great dancers, but the story sags.
Music
J Bambii brings Black American Beauty to Sleeping Village
Sat 11/23 at Sleeping Village
Chicago indie rockers Spun Out build beyond their promising debut
Sat 11/23 at Empty Bottle
First Nations rappers Snotty Nose Rez Kids envision the world they want to live in
Fri 11/22 at Cobra Lounge
Food & Drink
Face the future with the new Monday Night Foodball winter lineup
Check out the chefs who have your back at the Reader’s ongoing pop-up series 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…
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Art Design Chicago platforms local perspectives and histories through diverse exhibitions and events
The sprawling arts initiative features dozens of free and low-cost exhibits and programs throughout the city and suburbs…