Megan McDonald resigns from Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
Tag: Vol. 40 No. 34
Issue of May. 12 – 18, 2011
Posted inCity Life
Clever carpet cover-up remakes Ukrainian Village apartment
Given the choice between carpet and hardwood, most renters would opt for wide-planked timber. But what would you do if you found an amazing two-story, three-bedroom apartment in the heart of Ukrainian Village . . . with brown, industrial-style carpeting covering the entire lower level?
Posted inBlogs
This week on the B Side
Local news, words with a Bunnyman, Bob Seger as you’ve never heard him before, and more
Posted inBlogs
Extra! Big Breeze strikes ball several times
As we’ve been saying all along, it was only a matter of time before the Big Breeze came around—and the wind finally shifted this week. Last night in Anaheim, Adam Dunn whipped out a career-high four hits, including his fourth homer, boosting the White Sox to a thrilling, come-from-behind, extra-inning 6-4 win. Reading the box […]
Posted inBlogs
How to . . . get your stolen bike back
It’s the worst feeling—walking up to the place where your bike definitely was a few hours ago, and now definitely is not. Here’s what to do if it happens. 1. Call 311 and report your bike stolen. Give the cops the brand, model, color, and serial number. Also register it on the Chicago Stolen Bike […]
Posted inBlogs
Norway’s Phaedra: Folk Without Ancestors
The gorgeous debut album from Oslo’s Phaedra is wonderfully hard to pigeonhole.
Posted inBlogs
Stylish Events
Local designers vie for a cash prize and a washer/dryer, a popular shopping site goes bricks-and-mortar for the weekend, and much more.
Posted inBlogs
Who wants to swim in the Chicago River?
The Feds are ordering the cleanup of the Chicago River so that it’s safe enough for canoeing and swimming. (Tribune) Some el stations haven’t been updated in more than 50 years, service is spotty in some areas, and buses and trains break down. Short story: Rahm Emanuel and Forrest Claypool have a lot on their […]
Posted inNews & Politics
1989
Forty Years: A weekly series in which we take a look at a specific year in Chicago history via the pages of the Reader.
Posted inArts & Culture
Visions for Chicago—on yard signs
When it comes to Chicago’s future, Vinay Ravi dreams big. “Perhaps recent events have made me unduly optimistic,” writes the 11th Ward resident, “but the idea of popular revolt does not seem as distant as it once did.” So does Frank Edwards of the 49th. “The Chicago I want to live in recognizes that strong […]
Posted inColumns & Opinion
Chicago: America’s theater capital?
Surely no words ever written by any theater critic stirred more local buzz than Michael Billington’s 2004 observation in London’s Guardian that “Chicago . . . [is] the current theatre capital of America.” It came like manna from heaven to the denizens of this no longer even second city, and they seized upon it. At last the flyover on […]
Posted inMusic
Gossip Wolf: Just like a real country singer
Gwyneth Paltrow samples the whiskey at Schwa. Plus: Tim Kinsella lands a deal for his first novel and the Neon Marshmallow fest drops a fund-raising tape
Posted inArts & Culture
Exactly how bad are the bad kids of The Original Grease?
The April 28 Reader featured Cynthia Gallaher’s story about the Pink Ladies, a club started in the mid-1950s by northwest-side Catholic girls who were either going to Taft High School or knew somebody who was. Jim Jacobs went to Taft, too, and when he and Warren Casey were writing their 1971 paean to pomade, Grease, […]
Posted inFilm
Funny Girls
With Bridesmaids, Kristen Wiig and company crash the boys’ club of big-screen comedy
Posted inMusic
Soundboard: May 12-18
Recommended and notable shows, including Cola Freaks, Woods of Ypres, James Blake, Childish Gambino, and more