On the evening of Thursday, June 30, dozens of young Black dancers gathered on the Chicago Riverwalk across from the Merchandise Mart. At 9 PM that night, Art on the Mart, which bills itself as the world’s largest permanent art projection, would debut two new pieces, including Billiken, an homage to the biggest Black parade […]
Tag: Wills Glasspiegel
Metro hosts a joyful send-off for the late Cynthia Plaster Caster
Legendary artist and writer (and onetime Chicago mayoral candidate) Cynthia Plaster Caster passed away in April after a lengthy illness, but Gossip Wolf isn’t done mourning. Future generations of local musicians and fans won’t get to bask in the splendor of her warm, glowing personality—thankfully her famous plaster casts of the private parts of musicians […]
Rock critic Jessica Hopper publishes an expanded edition of her first book
Rock critic Jessica Hopper publishes a hugely expanded edition of her first book, Bryan Away (aka Elliot Korte) drops an album of lush folk-pop, and more.
Open the Circle teaches footwork because footwork saves lives
Chicago nonprofit Open the Circle works to spread a local Black dance culture that can knit together youth communities.
Impulsive Hearts use their summery pop-rock to raise money for Resilience
Impulsive Hearts use their summery pop-rock to raise money for Resilience, footwork crew the Era screens short films in Hyde Park, and more.
Chicago’s footwork community takes center stage at the MCA
The Era takes over the museum for a night for a demonstration of footwork, with a special focus on the women.
One-man soul factory Phillip-Michael Scales celebrates the new Sinner-Songwriter
One-man soul factory Phillip-Michael Scales celebrates the new Sinner-Songwriter, Litebulb of the Era helps fund-raise for the arts nonprofit he’s cofounded, and more.
The Era move footworking into the spotlight
Footwork crews often end up as sideshows to DJs or rappers—but Chicago dancers the Era hope to change that with their first stage production.
Rapper and prison abolitionist Ric Wilson needs help replacing a stolen computer
Rapper and prison abolitionist Ric Wilson needs help replacing a stolen computer, rock duos Pussy Foot and Drool pair up on a split cassette, and more.
DJ Rashad is gone, but his influence on footwork lives on
The Chicago producer died before the music he helped define could break out, but he’s still inspiring his Teklife crew—which is releasing a compilation to benefit his young son.
Tonight: The Era and Teklife bring footwork to the art-gallery world
Prepare for DJ Spinn’s Pitchfork performance and head to Lab Sessions to hear footwork tunes by his Teklife crew and watch footwork dancers battle.