Kind. Funny. Genuine. A sweetheart, an artist, a legend. If the true sign of a life well lived is a tidal wave of emotional tributes when you die, then Cynthia Albritton—better known to the whole wide world as Cynthia Plaster Caster—lived a very good life. So much so that writing about her after her passing—she […]
Tag: Katie Tuten
Posted inBest of Chicago
Best Chicago venues for the COVID averse
For a few relatively blissful weeks in July 2021, Chicago’s COVID-19 infection rates dropped far enough that it was possible to believe that the worst of the pandemic was over. Then the Delta variant hit. The city didn’t lock down again, but Delta posed a dire threat to public health as well as to the […]
Posted inBest of Chicago
Best concert for a cause
On Wednesday, October 13, 2021, the Old Town School of Folk Music’s third annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day Concert shook the rafters of the auditorium with Opliam’s rock-tinged blues, Huguito Gutierrez’s Andean pan flute, and the NuFolk Rebel Alliance’s mishmash of folkloric music, acoustic Americana, and tropical punk. Artist and activist Opliam (aka Liam McDonald, who’s […]
Posted inMusic
Chicago music venues lean on grassroots fundraisers as they wait for federal aid
COVID relief grants are taking their time arriving, but the compilation Situation Chicago 2 benefits CIVL’s SAVE Emergency Relief Fund right now.
Posted inMusic
Art-pop wizard Sen Morimoto takes over booking at the Hideout
Art-pop wizard Sen Morimoto takes over booking at the Hideout, and self-described “bootgaze” crew the Keener Family return with a second EP.
Posted inMusic
Want live music back? Wear a mask and call Congress.
Staff from 22 Chicago music venues talk about how far they still are from normal—and what it’ll take to keep them around till we all get there.
Posted inMusic
Billy Helmkamp, co-owner of the Whistler and Sleeping Village
“This is gonna devastate our industry. We were the first to close; we’re gonna be the last to reopen. A lot of venues aren’t gonna make it.”
Posted inMusic
Why won’t City Hall fight for Chicago’s homegrown music scene?
The Chicago Independent Venue League shouldn’t have to push back against the Live Nation handouts in the Lincoln Yards development—but City Hall doesn’t protect Chicago’s homegrown music scene.
Posted inColumns & Opinion
An expression of gratitude for political and local events over the last year
Good job, Illinois voters. Bravo, Jeff Bezos (in a backhanded sort of way).
Posted inBlogs
More than 100 people showed up at a public meeting in order to save the Hideout
Instead Alderman Brian Hopkins announced he’d already introduced a zoning ordinance to protect the beloved bar.
Posted inMusic
Does Chicago have too many music festivals?
Lollapalooza’s ticket sales have slowed, and Reggae Fest and Chicago Open Air are canceled—are these the growth pangs of a healthy but crowded festival market, or is a crash on the way?
Posted inBlogs
The Hideout family celebrate 20 years on Saturday with a relaxed, neighborly reunion party
The Hideout isn’t having a full-blown Block Party this year, but you can still see Eleventh Dream Day, Kelly Hogan, the Lawrence Peters Outfit, Robbie Fulks, the JC Brooks Band, Devil in a Woodpile, the reunited Mr. Rudy Day, and many more.
Posted inFilm
Adam Granduciel of the War on Drugs talks to Steve Krakow about guitar geekdom and surprising yourself onstage
Adam Granduciel of the War on Drugs talks to Steve Krakow, aka Plastic Crimewave: “I just want every show to blow my fucking mind.”
Posted inBlogs
The Hideout: as good at 15 as it was at 14
The Hideout celebrates its 15th anniversary this weekend, but it’s worth celebrating any day of the year.
Posted inBlogs
Fred Anderson gets his cake
Fred Anderson closes out his 80th birthday celebration in style–with a cake that’s almost as great as the music.