1.They make funny faces: Just watch when Mayor Daley blows his top. His cheeks turn fire engine red while he shakes his fist and turns those iconic bushy eyebrows into little devil horns. Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's giant frown, seen most recently during his impeachment and removal from office, is a rib tickler as well.
2. They've got great nicknames: There's former Ald. Edward “Fast Eddie” Vrdolyak, Ald, Eugene “Mean Gene” Schulter, Cook County President Todd “Toddler” Stroger, county commissioner, Jerry “The Ice Man” Butler, State Rep. Rickey “Hollywood” Hendon and, last but not least, Cook County commissioner Bill “Hog with the Big Nuts” Beavers.
3. They “vacation” together: When given a choice, elected officials (and their cronies) facing time in the federal hoosegow usually pick the same “country club” prison camp in Oxford, Wis. Former Gov. George Ryan is still there. Other notable past visitors include: former U.S. Rep. Dan Rostenkowski, former Chicago aldermen Larry Bloom, Virgil Jones and Ambrosio Medrano, Cook County commissioner Martin Tuchow and former Calumet City Mayor Jerry Genova.
One of the exhibits in honor of the Day of the Dead celebration at the Mexican Fine Arts Museum in Pilsen.(Sun-Times file)
Just because the Art Institute is raising its admission prices doesn’t mean that art has been priced out of your reach.
The Mexican Fine Arts Museum (1852 W. 19th, 312-738-1503) is free year-round, as is the Smart Museum at the University of Chicago (5550 S. Greenwood, 773-702-0200).
Chicago residents with valid library cards also can also check out a Museum Passport that gets two adults and two children into one of 13 museums for free, including the Art Institute, the Shedd Aquarium and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Each library location has a limited number of passports for each of the 13 museums and only one passport can be checked out at a time.
And if that weren’t enough, just about every museum has a free general-admission day. Here's a list of times and locations ...
Yo, dude. Like livin' in Chicago? ’Course ya do. And according to AskMen.com, Chicago is the best city for men to live in. We ranked No. 1 in the site's ranking of 29 world cities that offer the most to men, including such factors as the rate of employment, ratio of single women to men, frequency of cultural activities and sporting events and — most importantly — the cost of a pint of beer.
The rest of the top 10 manly hamlets: 2. Barcelona, 3. San Francisco, 4. London, 5. Sydney, 6. New York, 7. Berlin, 8. Hong Kong, 9. Copenhagen, 10. Paris
Enjoy the love: "Striking the perfect balance between fine arts and sports, Chicago offers world-class cultural fixtures like the Art Institute, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago International Film Festival, and professional sports teams like the Chicago Bears and Cubs — complete with storied pasts and diehard fans. In addition, the city boasts one of the world's most diverse restaurant scenes and is internationally recognized for its signature pizza, Italian beef and hot dogs. This October, Chicago will participate as a finalist to host the 2016 Olympics, which will further enhance its global reputation and support the claim that it is indeed the best city for men to live in this year."
We've been talking views — of the handsome Chicago skyline for last Saturday's Earth Hour — but there's an artist in town who has created some radically new and different views of the city. He's even coined his own term for the art. The artist is Nick Haas, and his photo collages are Haastyle.
Haas takes photos of the city — the El tracks, the Loop, the lights, what have you — and then, instead of picking the good ones and slipping them into frames, he layers the images, knits them together, uses technology to make intriguing photomosaics that sometimes create an entirely new viewpoint on sights and scenes we take for granted.
“The urban environment fascinates me,” says Haas in a statement. “I love everyday objects — buildings, power lines, cars, train tracks — for their complexity and functionality. We coexist with them, yet take them for granted and they go unnoticed. We interact with these objects everyday, but overlook the role they play in defining the city's appearance and behavior. This idea inspires much of my artwork.”
Haastyle is currently on display at Thos. Moser showroom, 607 N. State. For more, see his portfolio.
Ira Glass just keeps moving to bigger and bigger media. First, his influential radio show started here in Chicago, then moved to cable TV as a Showtime series. Now he's hitting the big screen. "This American Life" — if you haven't yet seen the ads for it ahead of the movie trailers — is returning to movie screens for another one-night-only, live-via-satellite event to be broadcast to select movie theaters on April 23.
Glass will host a new episode of the program, joined by contributors Dan Savage, Starlee Kine, Mike Birbiglia, David Rakoff and Dave Hill. There will also be a new cartoon by Chris Ware, visuals by Arthur Jones and a very special appearance by Joss Whedon, creator of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Firefly" and the current series "Dollhouse."
The event will be shown at these area theaters: Addison 21, Addison; Lincolnshire 20 w/ IMAX, Lincolnshire; AMC South Barrington 30, Barrington; AMC Yorktown 17, Lombard; Randall 15 w/ IMAX, Batavia; Naperville Showplace, Naperville; Century Stratford Square, Bloomingdale; New Lenox Showplace, New Lenox; Carbondale Showplace, Carbondale; Niles Showplace, Niles; AMC River East 21, Chicago; Orland Park Cinemas 14, Orland Park; Chicago City North, Chicago; Pekin Showplace, Pekin; Chicago Webster Place, Chicago; Willow Knolls 14, Peoria; Showplace 16, Crystal Lake; Rockford Showplace, Rockford; Century 16 Deer Park, Deer Park; Savoy 16, Savoy; Edwardsville Stadium 12, Edwardsville; Springfield West Showplace, Springfield; Elgin Fox Theatre, Elgin; AMC Cantera 30, Warrenville; Evanston 18, Evanston; Cinemark Woodridge 17 w/ IMAX, Woodridge; Gurnee Cinemas 20, Gurnee.
We're loving the residency thing Schubas has going on with local bands. Now one of our favorite British rock bands has booked a five-night residency in this fab room: Art Brut will play Schubas on June 8-12. Tickets are $15, and five-day passes are available. The new album is "Art Brut vs. Satan," produced by Frank Black. Salivate, salivate.
Hillary Clinton enjoys a shot of Crown Royal while visiting Bronko's Pizza in Crown Point last April.(Sun-Times file)
Whiskey!
Sorry, too early on a Monday? Still suffering from Saturday? Well, Chicago doesn't slow down, bub, so suck it up. In fact, right here at the beginning of the week there are several opportunities to suck up some whiskey.
Delilah's is showcasing the best of both worlds. Tonight, the bourbon experts at this bar — really, this is not only one of the coolest bars in town but one of the best stops for real bourbon lovers — will be spotlighting a different brand of Kentucky whiskey every two hours from 6 p.m. to midnight. You'll even get a mini-lecture on each bottle's whims and wonders. Tuesday, same plan, but this time it's Scotch whiskey. Glasses pour at 7 p.m., offering Glenlivet single malts. At midnight, glasses raise to toast the 18-year Chivas blend.
Two other peaty parties:
• Try out Templeton Rye, a whiskey made in (wha?) Iowa, during Classic Cocktail Night at Fizz Bar & Grill, 3220 N. Lincoln, from 8 to 10 tonight. RSVP for a seat, (773) 348-6088.
• Join in the Great Whisk(e)y Debate at 9 p.m. Tuesday at Five Star Bar, 1424 W. Chicago. The tasting-slash-whiskey class is led by reps from numerous whiskey brands, including Canadian Club.
And these are just the warm-up acts for WhiskyFest on Wednesday! It's the ninth annual event, featuring "more than 200 of the world's finest, rarest, and most expensive, single malt and blended Scotch, Irish, bourbon, Tennessee, Japanese, Welsh, Canadian and other whiskies from around the world to sample in one Grand Ballroom." VIP tickets are sold out, order others fast.
Yes, it snowed yesterday. but take heart. Spring will ... spring. Just flip through these photos from Chicagoist. Opening day for the White Sox is next week! See, Monday all better.
Doing some apartment hunting this weekend? Has the recession got you looking for a cheaper pad? Well, this ain't it. Vince Vaughn is renting out his River North townhouse. Great location, movie theater, $9,500/month. But, really, it'd be kind cool to make out your rent checks to Vince Vaughn ...
"Miles Raymer has tapped Stranger Waves as Best Rock or Pop Act for the Reader's Best of Chicago 2009 poll. Really? The best? Or was this an obscure/controversial choice by design to grab The Reader a little attention? Then again, maybe this was a much needed attempt to save the publication a little street cred after the audience poll resulted in a winner of Poi Dog Pondering (ouch!)."
Here's the video they offer as evidence — for or against?
Quick, take a coffee break! At 3 today, "SNL" veteran Dan Aykroyd will be mixing drinks at the South Loop outlet of Binny's, 1132 S. Jefferson. He's promoting his new vodka brand, Crystal Head — inspired by his "fascination with ghosts, spirits and extraterrestrial life." Yeah, whatever, just go knock one down with a Blues Brother. Lasts till 5, and it's free admission (you pay for your drinks).
If you miss it today, he'll be back on Saturday, 1-3 p.m., this time pushing his new cabernet and chardonnay.
Keri Hilson carries the load at No. 1 this week, with frequent contributor (on this chart) Lil Wayne on board, 'Turnin' Me On." T.I. and JT fall to No. 3 on the day T.I. gets put away for a year.
Don't forget: Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday for U2's concert Sept. 12 at Soldier Field. Exercise that dialing or mouse-clicking finger this weekend, then hit those Ticketmaster outlets (here's the Chicago page). Prices are set at $32, $57, $97 and $252 -- plus, of course, the dreaded Ticketmaster "convenience fees."
Don't know about you, but we really need a good laugh this weekend. And what luck: Two intelligent, funny gals have teamed up for what must surely be a really intelligent, funny show. It's the Jill & Julia Show, featuring former "Saturday Night Live" comedian Julia Sweeney and the original "I Kissed a Girl" songwriter, Jill Sobule, touring with "a delightful set that mixes witty songwriting with a little bit of social commentary." Tickets still available for tonight's show, 7:30 p.m., at the Lakeshore Theater.
OK, yes, there are still a lot of lights on in this photo from March 29 last year — but not as many as there usually are. Really. This was what the Chicago skyline looked like during Earth Hour 2008. Tomorrow, it might even be darker than this. Earth Hour 2009 takes place from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday. In 84 countries around the world (starting at 8:30 p.m. in each time zone), individuals, businesses and municipalities will dim or turn off all non-essential lighting for the hour. It's a way of highlighting global climate change — and reminding us how much energy we waste on lights and electric appliances we don't use all the time ... but still have on, sucking juice from the power grid.
Last year, it was similarly nippy on Earth Hour night, and we huddled in the auto on the curb at Montrose Harbor, keeping the nippy at bay with a few nips from some spiked hot chocolate (except the driver, of course) while watching the skyline ... slowly ... fade ... away. Pretty cool. Pretty freaky. We imagine it's interesting to watch from the Hancock observatory, too.
1. The L.A.-based octet Ozomatli showed Drew Barrymore a good time in “Never Been Kissed.” The group’s bringing its melting-pot influences to the House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn, for a 9 p.m. show. Tickets are $20.50; call (312) 923-2000.
2.Chen’s Chinese and Sushi, 3506 N. Clark, celebrates 15 years in business from 4 p.m. to midnight. Customers will receive a $20 gift certificate for a return visit. Call (773) 549-9100.
3. The Duchess of Chicago burlesque, Michelle L’Amour, presents a one-night-only “striptease history of Chicago,” with special emphasis on its crime and corruption. The show starts at 9:30 p.m. at Subterranean, 2011 W. North. Tickets are $15; call (773) 278-6799.
OZOMATLI
Like Latin music? African? Hip-hop? Anything with a good beat? This octet is right up your alley. While some bands with similar melting-pot influences tend to sound a little unfocused and unoriginal, this L.A. group never fails to entertain. The fun begins with Parker House and Theory at 9 tonight at the House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn. Tickets, $20.50. Call (312) 923-2000; www.hob.com/chicago. — Centerstagechicago.com.
PEOPLE GET READY
Touring behind his recently released "Soul," (his sixth studio album), Seal (above) headlines at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Tickets are $45-$75. Call (312) 902-1500; www.ticketmaster.com.
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings performing at last year's Lollapalooza. They'll be back in the park this summer for the city's blues festival.(Sun-Times file)
The lineup for the2009 Chicago Blues Festival has been revealed. Headliners include Bettye LaVette, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, plus a 70th birthday celebration for Eddie C. Campbell. The fest is June 12-14 in Grant Park, and if the recession has given you the blues, hey, get happy — this is one of many free city festivals!
Hope you enjoyed yourself last week at the South Side St. Patrick's Day Parade. Turns out that may be the last one. We're reporting: "The South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee has decided it will not stage the popular parade on Western Avenue in 2010."
1. How, from Juneway Terrace to Loyola Avenue, by merely walking no more than a block or two east of noisy, congested Sheridan Road, there's another world of lakefront beaches and parks, big and small.
Bartender Rob Mozol pours a bottle of Wyder's Peach Cider into a glass at Red Line Tap, the bar attached to Heartland Cafe.(Bridget Montgomery/Centerstage)
2. Warm cornbread from the Heartland Cafe (7000 N. Glenwood). Ours never turns out this good. Paired with the cafe's delectable vegetarian chili ($8), it's a perfect meal year-round, but especially on cold or rainy days. The Heartland is also a great place to plug into what's going on politically and otherwise in Rogers Park and feels more like a community gathering space than a restaurant.
3.Lifeline Theatre (6912 N. Glenwood). The ensemble's motto is "big stories, up close," and whether it's inspiring children's theater like "Flight of the Dodo" that never talks down to its audience or engaging literary adaptations of mature work such as "Mariette in Ecstasy," Lifeline rarely disappoints.
Here at Our Town, we have our running list of "3 Things We Love About ..." — and over at NBC Chicago they've got hometown talk-show host Bonnie Hunt talking about her favorite three things about the city ...
Can we bang heads here in Our Town? Yes we can. And if you're one of those tattooed headbangers who follows Disturbed well beyond their hometown limits, you'll scream even louder to know that the Chicago-based metal band is offering "official" bootlegs throughout its current Music as a Weapon IV Tour, which kicked off this week up in cheesy Wisconsin (but doesn't roar back to Chicago until May 16 at Charter One Pavilion on northerly Island). The lowdown: "The download package will include the entire show in 256K, DRM-free MP3 format (18 to 20 tracks), exclusive photographs from the show, exclusive artwork, and the full set-list — all for just $9.99." Start clicking here.
President-elect Obama and Michelle Obama walk out of Spiaggia restaurant after having dinner Nov. 8 in Chicago.(AP file)
One of President Obama’s favorite places to eat and the chef of three popular restaurants are among the Chicago nominees for the prestigiousJames Beard Awards, announced yesterday in Chicago (the first year the awards were announced here).
Spiaggia — chef Tony Mantuano’s upscale North Michigan Avenue restaurant — is in the running for “outstanding service” in the Beard Awards, the restaurant industry’s top honors, named for the late food writer. Spiaggia is a favorite of the president and first lady.
Also nominated for Beard Awards from Chicago:
• Chef Paul Kahan — of Blackbird, Avec and the Publican — is up for “outstanding chef.”
• Mindy Segal of Bucktown’s Hot Chocolate for outstanding pastry chef.
• Rich Melman of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, the popular restaurant chain, for outstanding restaurateur.
• Bin 36 for outstanding wine service.
• The Publican for best restaurant design and graphics.
• And Alinea — the first cookbook by chef Grant Achatz, not his restaurant — nominated in a cookbook category.
Chicago's own Ryan Schreiber — founder of the Pitchfork web site — has, as noted by The Daily Swarm, been lauded for his work on the online indie-rock haven by none other than Time magazine. The newsweekly named Schreiber among its annual "Time 100" for "steering opinion (and sales) with its infamously forthright record reviews; even its detractors can’t help but look at it three times a day." Time defines his cred by pointing out he was an early backer of such bands as Arcade Fire, Interpol and — uh, can someone help us with this one? — Relevant Elephant (?!).
Last weekend's South by Southwest music festival down in Austin, Texas — the spring break of the music industry — was a blast, and you can read all about it on Jim DeRogatis' blog (and read and read and read). One of the crowning moments was this performance by Chicago's own hip-hop icon Kanye West ... which turned into a performance by Chicago's other hip-hop icon, Common ... which then included a visit by Erykah Badu who, literally, let her hair down ...
With the endless options for a Friday night in Chicago, how can we possibly narrow it down to just three events? By being cheap. Here are three things to do tonight that won’t make you hate yourself in the morning.
1. Cocktails and Clay
The Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S. Cornell, hosts 45-minute sculpting sessions taught by an artist. Materials are provided, if you’re feeling crafty. Or focus on the “cocktails” side of things and enjoy the cash bar and DJ. 8-12 p.m. (773) 324-5520. $15 suggested donation
2. Free appetizers at Province
Former Nacional 27 chef Randy Zweiban rules benignly at Province, 161 N. Jefferson, where there’s eggplant art on the walls and petrified Manzanita trees hanging from the ceiling. Sample his menu — influenced by Central and South America, as well as Spain — for a very happy hour and a half. 5-6:30 p.m. (312) 669-9900. Free
3. Rednofive reunion The club, at 440 N. Halsted, marks its 11th anniversary by gathering past DJs, door staff and bartenders for a blowout. There will complimentary appetizers from 10-11 p.m., and the party continues the next night with live music and a fashion show. (312) 733-6699 — By Paige Wiser
For those of you who begin craving the return of farmer's markets — which always seem to start so laaaaaaaate — Crain's has an item mentioning Saturday's super-cool Andersonville Winter Farmer's Market at at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 1650 W. Foster Ave.: "In addition to root vegetables, mushrooms and other goodies, the market will have baked goods, live music and kids' activities." It runs 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
GREEN RIVER
You have to see the Kelly green the Chicago River attains on St. Patrick's Day to believe it. Bagpipers will provide the background music as the dye is dumped into the river at Columbus Drive at 10:45 a.m. Saturday, a ritual that is viewable from both the north and the south banks. Call (312) 421-1010.
MONSTER MADNESS Fans of the triple feature should head to the Portage Theater, 4050 N. Milwaukee, on Saturday for a triple treat at 6:30 p.m.: "Attack of the Giant Leeches" (1959), "The 7th Voyage of Sinbad" (1958) and "The Mummy" (1959). All three films will set you back $10. Also available for purchase will be vintage toys and collectibles. Doors open at 5 p.m. Visit www.portagetheater.org for more information.
EVEN IN BLACKOUTS
All good things come to an end, but some end before their time. Even in Blackouts, Chicago's premier acoustic punk band and the post-Screeching Weasel combo led by John "Jughead" Pierson, will play its last public show after what he calls "seven years of struggle and the most amazing life-changing times" Friday at Reggie's Rock Club, 2109 S. State, after opening sets by Glittermouse, Highball and Let Me Run starting at 6 p.m. Tickets, $7. Call (312) 949-0121; www.reggieslive.com. -- Jim DeRogatis
If you weren't able to get into the U2 radio chat this week in Chicago (they flap their jaws in Chicago, they play a secret show in Boston, figures), you can still rock like a self-ordained Irishman this St. Patrick's Day weekend. Elevation is one of the best U2 tribute bands around, and they're playing at 8:30 p.m. Friday at the Abbey. Tickets are $10 here.
The Sun-Times offices are next door to the massive Merchandise Mart, a Pentagon-sized behemoth on the riverbank, all strangely placed shops and looooong corridors. Yesterday, two young men were stopping people outside the food court — actually collaring people and making a case for their ... hip-hop. Who does that anymore? Who did that ever? They're called Villian. Their pitch: they want to raise enough money to go to Atlanta and produce a record. So of course I forked over five bucks for their CD EP, which is pretty all right (listen here). Surely there's a Chicago producer that could give some hard-workin' boys some love?
How far does the apple fall from the tree? Find out tonight — when Miles Nielsen, son of Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen, celebrates the release of his debut disc, "Miles." Show's at 7 tonight at Double Door, 1572 N. Milwaukee. Rick allegedly will join him on stage. Here's a sample of his schtick ...
One of the midnight movies at the Music Box this weekend and next weekend is the much-ballyhooed feature by music's Flaming Lips, "Christmas on Mars." It's never too late to celebrate this holiday when the going is this weird. "I wanted it to feel like some kind of drug-damaged foreign film," Wayne Coyne told Pitchfork. It's less than an hour and a half. Perfect way to cap off a gonzo night on the town.
Chicago's indie-rock bible, the venerated Pitchfork site, unveiled a sleek new look this week. We're not crazy about it just yet — looks a little bland, and seems like a lot less info on the home page — but we'll give it time ...
We're not above pointing out interesting reading in the competition, and RedEye currently has a nice story about Chicago's stature in the indie film world (though, really, an online story about film ... without any films?). Tasty tidbit: "More than 20 indie films were shot in Chicago in 2008, up from 17 in each of the prior two years, said Rich Moskal, director of the Chicago Film Office. One of these films, 'The Merry Gentleman' directed by Michael Keaton, hits theaters in May."
"The Merry Gentleman" was at Sundance last year, where Keaton gave this interview ...
And the trailer, full of Chi town shots ...
Meanwhile, beyond the big movie stars, click here for a recent example of indie short film that we love: "The Pickup," winner of the audience award in the Film Racing make-a-movie-in-one-day contest, by Chad Queen.
There are St. Paddy's Day parades, and then there's the annual South Side Irish St. Patrick's Day Parade. Which is, like, the only St. Paddy's Day parade. The cheerful mayhem kicks off at noon Sunday, from 104th Street and Western Avenue. Read more about this parade here.
North Siders still afraid of the South Side can pretend they're getting the real Irish experience at the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade, starting at noon Saturday.
Tips for successful parading:
• Dress appropriately and layer up if it is chilly.
• Wear comfortable shoes good for walking as there is limited parking.
• Bring chairs and blankets for folks who cannot stand the parade's two-hour route.
• Get there early. Crowds arrive as early as 9:30 a.m. to get spots close to fences lining Western Avenue.
• For a family-focused crowd, head to the east side of Western Avenue or the west side of the street from 113th to 115th streets.
• To soak up the last warmth of the sun, stay east of the route as the sun dips behind buildings in the west.
• Do not carry open alcohol containers. Better yet, leave the booze at home. (Time Out Chicago has an excellent, in-depth discussion of this issue.)
• Smile pretty for the parade's official photographer roaming the sidelines.
Over at Fake Shore Drive, Andrew Barber writes an in-depth analysis of the new tracks and album coming soon from Chicago's Cool Kids. That includes this single, "Pennies," which should make you feel very lucky not to have these young men as neighbors ...
The economy is spiraling down, but the stimulus bill managed to keep its millions for the National Endowment of the Arts. Surely that means artistic endeavors will be made more accessible for all, so that if we can't feed our bellies we can at least feed our souls through these trying times.
Wrong.
A committee of the city's park board today approved a price hike for the Art Institute of Chicago, and the full board meets to consider the measure at 4 today. If approved, art lovers will face a 50 percent increase in the admission price -- from $12 to $18 -- and students and seniors would see prices rise from $7 to $12, a 71 percent increase. Just three years ago, admission was free.
Want to go on tour with Fall Out Boy? Not likely, but now you can try to enjoy the experience of a totally retro online video game, FOB Trail. As pointed out by UR Chicago, it's a rip-off off "Oregon Trail," but it still might be worth a few slack moments at work.
On stage will be two men, 176 keys and a lot of hit songs. If you missed your chance at tickets for this summer's two Billy Joel & Elton John double-headers at Wrigley, some more seats just opened up — and will be available at 10 a.m. Saturday through tickets.com or by calling (800) THE-CUBS. Tickets will not be sold at the Wrigley Field Box Office. Prices are in each range: $55, $95 and $175 plus service charges.
The Chicago Public Schools’ alumni Web site recently posted a long list of some of the city schools’ most famous musical graduates and their signature songs. Here are my own favorites from that list.
1.“A Change Is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke, Wendell Phillips High School: An unforgettable, optimistic anthem during the Civil Rights movement, the enduring message of this song and the power of Cooke’s unrivaled vocal delivery proved they’d lost nothing with the passage of time as the tune was heard again and again the wake of President Obama’s election and inauguration (though the same could be said of “I’ll Take You There” by the Staples Singers, graduates of Parker High School, and a close second for this slot!).
2.“Bo Diddley” by Bo Diddley, Willard and Foster elementary schools: Simply put, without the rhythm that the former Ellas Otha Bates borrowed from Africa and infused with the energy of the streets of Chicago and the tempo of the passing “el” trains, there would be no rock ’n’ roll.
3.“Hey Mama” by Kanye West, Vanderpoel Elementary School: Unequalled on the current hip-hop scene as a producer crafting tracks with undeniable grooves and unbelievably catchy melodies, in time, West’s biggest contribution to the rap world may prove to be the fearlessness with which he’s expresses his emotions, as he does in this song, a moving tribute to his mother, Donda, whom Kanye was never “too cool” to say he loved.
Have a look at the list, then tell us your favorite three songs by Chicago school alumni!
Get yo paws in the air, and wave 'em like you just don't care! Time for the annual Raise the Woof event, a rockin' fundraiser for New Leash on Life, an all-volunteer nonprofit animal rescue group. Support Chicago's shelter dogs simply by enjoying the sounds of the Del Moroccos and The Stacks (and we also heard Devil in a Woodpile would be there...?) on the House of Blues Back Porch Stage. Bid on rock memorabilia, sports tickets, etc. in a silent auction, too. Music starts at 9 p.m. Saturday at HOB, 329 N. Dearborn. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.
Looks like a rainy weekend ahead. Bummed that you can't get your jog on outdoors? We hear stair-climbing is pretty healthy. Then again, this stair-climbing event seems pretty mentally unhealthy — 2,340 steps, 360 flights, 180 floors and four buildings. That would be Climb Chicago, a fundraiser for the American Lung Association of Illinois. The huffing and puffing begins at 7:30 a.m. Sunday. Registration is $25, with a $100 minimum pledge.
Head over to DeRo's blog this morning for the incoming announcements of bands scheduled for this summer's Pitchfork Music Festival. Chicago's own legendary Jesus Lizard leads the pack ...
NOT SO LATE NIGHT OF COMEDY
Comedian Craig Ferguson, for four years the host of the “Late Late Show” on CBS, will perform his stand-up act at 8 tonight at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee in Waukegan. Tickets are $25-$45. Call (847) 263-6300; www.geneseetheatre.com.
Matt Kretzman (left) and Erik Appelwick of Tapes 'n' Tapes perform at Lollapalooza 2007 in Chicago.(File)
TAPES 'N TAPES
The boys from Minnesota bring their urgent, strummy rock (which has been compared to the likes of Pavement and the Pixies and also bears traces of Arcade Fire and Modest Mouse) to Metro for a show with East Coast indie rockers Wild Light at 9 p.m. Saturday at Metro, 3730 N. Clark. Tickets, $16. Call (773) 549-0203; www.metrochicago.com.
-- Centerstagechicago.com
Ah, the new flavor of Old Style. Yes, Chicago's unofficial brew of choice has a new flavor. Well, an old one. They've gone back to, er, the old style of making it — called Kraeusening. Beer geeks love this news. (Look, Old Style has a Web page. That is adorable!)
Anyway, the good news: To celebrate this momentous development, there are two New Beer's Eve events this week. The bad news: they're out in the 'burbs, which usually involves driving, which doesn't pair well with drinking, like, at all. So hit up your favorite chauffeur designate for New Beer's Eve at 9 p.m. Thursday at 115 Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park (Local H is playing!) and 9 p.m. Friday at Maxum Bar and Grill in Hinsdale (with the Flips!). Print your invite to these events here.
We just fired off an impromptu theme on our Blip.fm feed — songs named after Chicago streets (even if they're not actually the Chicago roads ...). It started with the whole "Lake Shore Drive" thing below, then grew to include the Rolling Stones and some sweet indie rock.
Hear the results after the jump, and tell us what others are out there ...
Perhaps you — as Gene Kelly says in the original movie — have "been known to twinkle a toe or two." Then you've probably already seen the stage version of "Xanadu." Like a dozen times. And your head has blossomed anew with headbands and feathered locks.
Well, if you want to go again — or see it for the first time, it's really a hoot — "Xanadu" tickets for Sunday-Friday performances can be had for a special "happy" price of $44. Just hit the Broadway in Chicago site and enter the promo code "HAPPY" (or mention it at the box office). This offer is good for performances through March 29, but the purchase must be made by March 15. (Alas, this does not apply to the seats available on the stage.) (Yes, there are seats available on the stage!)
Can't get enough? Then buy now for the "Xanadu Sing-Along" coming at midnight March 20 at the Music Box. They show the movie, you dress up like a Greek goddess and sing along. Tickets available here.
We can't help but chuckle at this thread at Chowhound — so you go to one bar while waiting to get into the other bar? doesn't the first bar feel cheap and used? — but, hey, you hipsters need to plan accordingly. So here's a discussion of which nearby bars are best for cooling heels while waiting to make your entrance at the Violet Hour.
Michael Rubel makes the Chi-Town Flip at the Violet Hour, 1520 N. Damen.(Sun-Times file)
We're really starting to get our Irish up now. After last weekend's St. Practice Day pub crawl (hiccup), this weekend provides a more formal affair as we get greener for St. Patrick's Day. The 34th annual Forever Green Party is a yearly gala that benefits the Maeve McNicholas Memorial Foundation and AAction Autism. The party — 5-10 p.m. Friday at Navy Pier's Grand Ballroom — is sponsored by the Young Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago, but you don't have to be young or even Irish to attend. Just seek the fellowship. Tickets are $40 in advance / $45 at door (includes beer, wine and non-alcoholic drinks), or spring for VIP access for $60 in advance / $65 at door (includes liquor bar: Michael Collins Irish Whiskey, vodka, rum, beer, wine and non-alcoholic drinks, private balcony).
1. Admiring the rowers in the lagoon just south of Fullerton who make it look so easy. And serene.
2. Watching the rows of fishermen rimming the bridge off Jackson Harbor as they bait their hooks and feeling a little bit jealous it’s not you with a line in the water.
3. Knowing there’s no better ride than rolling down the Drive as the Aliotta-Haynes-Jeremiah song “Lake Shore Drive” comes on the radio.
If you play guitar, bass drums or keyboards, you should clear the calendar this week and practice, practice, practice. Because practice not only makes perfect, it might land you a gig playing behind Diddy. He's recording his next album, "Last Train to Paris," and he's looking for a band to back him up on tour — a band selected from auditions around the country (and MTV is helping — reality show, anyone?). The Chicago call is at 10 a.m. (line starts at 7 a.m.) March 14 at Avila, 203 W. Superior.
We're loving the debut disc from hip-hop troupe N.A.S.A., "The Spirit of Apollo." It's not a product of the space agency, it means North America South America, and it's a collaboration between Squeak E. Clean and DJ Zegon. So we're excited to see them this weekend at the Abbey (10 p.m., 3420 W. Grace). Tickets are $15, but UR Chicago is giving away a pair!
Sample a track here on our Blip.fm feed, with David Byrne (who, alas, won't be at Saturday's show)!
No artists announced yet, but at least we have a date for the 2009 Pitchfork Music Festival — still the coolest rock fest in town. The fourth annual gathering will take place July 17-19 in Chicago's Union Park. Tickets go on sale next Friday, March 13. Band announcements to come ...
As the posts tick by on this blog, you may notice the occasional power-pop bias. We cop to it. Like when we sing the praises of a local band like The Webstirs, one of those underappreciated gems of rock and melody (and the occasional ELO allusion) lurking in Our Town. Here, just try these tunes on for size ...
Dig it? Then catch them at 8 p.m. Friday at the Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison. It's $7 at the door. Scattered Trees, Siderunners and Dan Darrah open the show.
If you're like us, you've thought of going to the opera once or twice — just because it's something a cultured human being should experience every now and then, eh? — but then you saw the ticket prices. Mamma mia! That would cover, say, "Iron Man" 10 times in the theater and 25 times on pay-per-view!
Well, here's your chance to get a freebie. Not Lyric Opera but Chicago's other acclaimed opera company, Chicago Opera Theater, is offering free tickets for its 2009 Spring Festival Season (April 18-May 26) to the person who makes the best plea in a YouTube video. Just turn on the camera and answer the question "Why Do You Deserve Free Tickets to Chicago Opera Theater?" The contest started today, so be the first to state your case here.
Meanwhile, COT interns kicked-off the page with this innuendo-packed reel about their first time ...
