We’re close to the end of “Volume 51” in a few issues. Yes, that means that we have survived nearly 51 years of publication, a feat that perhaps no one imagined might happen when we first started in 1971. For someone like me, a native Chicagoan who is themselves headed to just shy of 50 […]
Tag: Chicago Reader covers
Posted inStaff notes
A note from an editor 2022
This is the first time we’ve done a summer theater and arts issue, and judging by the full-to-bursting content, that’s surprising—especially given how much Chicagoans love getting outdoors in the summer. You can read about some theater and dance programs that specialize in bringing performances to public parks, or, if you prefer indoor immersive experiences, […]
Posted inStaff notes
This cover is for you
In this issue, you’ll find stories about trans creatives, LGBTQ+ community spaces, and drag performers; but you’ll also find an investigation and interview about electronic monitoring in policing. (Remember, the first Pride marches celebrated the Stonewall riots, a response to a violent police raid.) I want the colors on the cover of this Pride Issue to inspire people as they move through this month of June and promote true liberation.
Posted inStaff notes
A note from the writer of this week’s cover story
The battle is only a fraction of the art—to experience breaking is also to experience a dance and a community which exists to itself and for itself, yet which holds hope and promise for anyone willing to watch, learn, and practice.
Posted inColumns & Opinion
A note on this week’s cover story
Are pigeons beautiful? Katie Prout thinks they might be, but she rarely stops to look.
Posted inMusic
Sending love letters from Saba’s future
“Saba’s releases are such special moments for Chicago and the west side,” Reader contributor Tara C. Mahadevan posted to Twitter this week. His previous album, 2018’s Care for Me, claimed the top spot when we polled 57 local critics about their ten favorite Chicago records of the 2010s—and Saba has three releases among the 338 […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Winter Arts Preview
When we first started planning this special winter arts issue, there was reason for cautious optimism about live performances. But as December turned to January and the Omicron surge hit, several companies did what they’ve been doing for almost two years: they made new plans. Bridgette M. Redman profiles playwright Cat McKay, whose show Plaid […]
Posted inStaff notes
A note on this week’s cover
Our cover this week was born out of a sense of uncertainty, something most of us have been feeling for about 22 months now.
Posted inBest of Chicago
This week’s cover
We have a tradition here at the Reader of tasking one of the city’s most talented illustrators, Jason Wyatt Frederick, with creating a Where’s Waldo-esque tableau every year for Pitchfork, filled with a who’s who of Chicago personalities and small visual puzzles spelling out the music fest’s lineup. When it seemed clear that we would […]
Posted inMusic
Here’s who is on the Pitchfork/Silver Room Block Party/ComplexCon cover (and the winner of our contest!)
How many did you guess correctly?
Posted inBlogs
How this got made: the award-winning 2017 Best of Chicago issue cover
The Reader‘s graphic designer and former director of photography and two sign painters explain how they created and photographed a mural in just 12 days.