On Saturday, October 21, more than a hundred people packed a white-walled warehouse in Hermosa to get sweaty to Filipino dance music. It was the launch party for the newest imprint of Feeltrip Records, Balikbayan Worldwide, which focuses on sounds from the southeast Asian diaspora. To many of the partiers, the event was just an […]

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1 Chicago stepping lessons from award-winning south sider Shaun Ballentine of Effortless Stepping. —Salem Collo-Julin Open group lessons Wednesdays at 7 PM, Effortless Stepping Studio, 1850 E. 79th. $20 per person, 21+ only. For private lesson rates or information about having Ballentine do a stepping class at your event, message through Instagram or Facebook.  2 […]

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This movie should be seen by anyone who's interested in club history, AIDS history, East Village New York nightlife, goth shit, industrial music, David Bowie, aliens, disco, opera, or the triumphs and loneliness of being a beautifully singular weirdo.

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The art-rock of Mandy, Indiana conjures the spirit of May 1968, when French students and workers spent seven weeks in an orgiastic, decentralized uprising against capitalism and state violence. That’s partly because vocalist Valentine Caulfield uses French lyrics to deliver brutal indictments of patriarchy, imperialism, and white supremacy. But it also comes from the unmistakable […]

The post Mandy, Indiana conjure the punk-rock city we’d be thrilled to live in appeared first on Chicago Reader.

When Eartheater sings, her voice carries like pollen and decaying floral tendrils adrift in a rush of hot wind. The New York-based multidisciplinary artist debuted in 2015 with two releases (Metalepsis and RIP Chrysalis) on local avant-garde electronic label Hausu Mountain. She’s gone on to become one of the biggest names in art-pop, and in […]

The post Multidisciplinary artist Eartheater explores rebirth and transformation on <i>Powders</i> appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Chicago has always been a midwestern hub for reflection and innovation aimed at making the world a more just, hospitable place. Perhaps it’s both my personal and institutional stake in the idea that a better world is possible, but the need for change feels especially pressing right now.  As I continue witnessing the economic, social, […]

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Pauli the PSM is saucy—and he knows it. He’s an influential figure in the British music industry and a professional hottie who’s consciously taken his sweet time building a solo career. He entered the field as Pauli Lovejoy after winning the UK’s Young Drummer of the Year award in 2005. He’s gone on to be […]

The post Pauli the PSM brings tenderness and pleasure to Lincoln Hall appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Mostra XIV: Brazilian Film Festival opening nightSat 11/4: reception and silent auction begin at 5 PM with music by Dil Costa and refreshments, followed by remarks at 6 PM. Paloma screening begins at 6:15 PM, followed by a Q&A with producer Ernesto Souto. Instituto Cervantes, 31 W. Ohio, $55.85, tickets through Eventbrite. Full festival schedule […]

The post <i>Mixtape Trilogy</i>, queer spaces, Brazilian Film Festival, and more appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Update Wed 11/8: New tickets have been released for all three shows. If you’re a Nine Inch Nails fan who has yet to heed the siren bark of Skinny Puppy, it’s not too late to fix your life. NIN came up in the scene opening for these Canadian industrial pioneers, and in a mid-90s interview with […]

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I spent Valentine’s Day on my back at Co-Prosperity getting waterboarded by a sassy little Cupid with a glittering beard and sumptuous breasts. There was a wet pillowcase over my head and a specimen cup in my mouth in a room that smelled of hot piss (my group and I had poured our urine into […]

The post La Casa de Satanas wants you to get hysterical appeared first on Chicago Reader.

It’s scary how much fun stuff is happening right now! Spooky season never misses.  It Takes a Village (ITAV) Pumpkin PatchSat 10/21, includes a petting zoo, a bounce house, face painting, food, games, and a train, 4020 W. Division, free to attend, all-ages. Reservations required events.eventnoire.com/e/itav-pumpkin-patch-2023 For a classic autumn adventure appropriate for the whole […]

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Geneva Jacuzzi is like if Nina Hagen grew up in a doomsday cult. (And Jacuzzi did, in fact, grow up in a doomsday cult.) In a 2020 interview with Genius List, the Los Angeles-based artist explained her love of jacuzzis, describing them as “these tiny, weird, warm whirlpools of bacteria, chemicals, pleasure, and relaxation.” She […]

The post Geneva Jacuzzi is a vibrant goth weirdo appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Josh Piotrowski was born to make you scream. The 41-year-old Chicago native grew up in Albany Park as part of a family full of haunt enthusiasts, including a younger sister who worked on a haunted trail for the Park District. In his late teens and early 20s, he worked in costume shops and party-planning stores, […]

The post Josh Piotrowski, DIY haunted-house builder and noise musician appeared first on Chicago Reader.

If you want to experience the body as an object of disruption amidst suburban wastelands, look to the images of Jimmy DeSana. The Detroit-born photographer was a fixture of the East Village art scene in 1980s New York, and his work demonstrates a studied awareness of gay image makers and forefathers like Andy Warhol and […]

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Uhhh . . . how is it October already? I swear it was just July. Starting the month with 80-degree days has me thinking, “Wow, what can’t this month do.”  Viva Acid10/5-10/9, workshops and events at Q Studios, 2328 N. Milwaukee, third floor. Performances include in-store DJ sets by Geto Mark and D. Strange at […]

The post Boptober, Rocktober, Frocktober? appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Marina Herlop’s primary interest is aesthetics. She’ll say her songs aren’t autobiographical, and the pianist’s penchant for dropping made-up language into digitally manipulated audio environments can make it difficult for listeners to ground her work in something familiar. But with enough scrutiny, you can follow clues that situate her evolving output within a number of […]

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“Violets and Daisies”At M. LeBlanc through 10/29: Wed-Sat noon-6 PM, 3514 W. Fullerton, 773-360-7178, mleblancchicago.com Fall is prime gallery season, and I’m looking forward to “Violets and Daisies,” the second solo show by artist Cameron Spratley at M. LeBlanc (3514 W. Fullerton). Spratley is a rising figure in Chicago’s contemporary Black painting community and was […]

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With shorter days and a slight chill in the air comes the fall art season, and 2023 has a bounty of cultural offerings. Launching this season is the first-ever Chicago Exhibition Weekend, presented by Expo Chicago and cultural agency Gertie, taking place September 29 through October 1. The event is aimed at getting more visitors […]

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Bounce the CitySat-Sun through 9/3 (individual timed entry from 10 AM-5:30 PM depending on day), 5 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, $24, all-ages, bouncethecity.com As someone without a car, I do not make a habit of leaving the city, but Bounce the City at Schaumburg’s Woodfield Mall has me reviewing my transit options. Through Sunday, September 3, […]

The post Hecho En Arts & Craft Fair, Mothers of Murdered Transpeople annual picnic, and more appeared first on Chicago Reader.

The first time she hit me, all 118 pounds of me flew across the ring and onto the hard wet ground. It was just past 3 AM on the third night of my first Gathering of the Juggalos, and I was boxing blindfolded in a makeshift ring with a woman who outweighed me by maybe […]

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On most of her records, Cindy Lee provides every note of her songs. Her self-released fifth album, 2020’s What’s Tonight to Eternity? (my favorite so far), includes her brother Andrew Flegel on drums, but her presence remains front and center: She’s the frazzled, anguished guitar wails that fade to a whimper at the end of […]

The post Cindy Lee brings her haunted glamour to Constellation appeared first on Chicago Reader.

You can’t beat Chicago’s heat right now, but here’s some more hot stuff for you to enjoy! “A Dreamhouse of Our Own: an Examination of Dolls, Play, and Queer Identity”Ongoing: Wed-Thu 6-9 PM, Fri noon-4 PM, Sat 10 AM-4 PM, Gerber/Hart Library and Archives, 6500 N. Clark, second floor, gerberhart.org Exhibit opening cocktail reception and […]

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In 2012, Emma McKee taught herself to cross-stitch to make a Christmas present for her mother. Shortly after taking her talent public, she began making elaborate cross-stitched jackets for local hip-hop artists. Her first commission was for Chance the Rapper in 2014, but since then she’s worked with the likes of Lil Yachty and Saba. […]

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Summertime in Chicago really reveals the city’s range. When there’s so much to choose from, how to pick any one thing? Well . . . The Gospel of the Hold Steady: How a Resurrection Really Feels by Michael Hann and the Hold SteadyAkashic Books, hardcover, $40, 208 pp., akashicbooks.com Do you eat, sleep, and read […]

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LustSickPuppy is a filthy cyber dog. A swaggering slut beast. A party howler. The Brooklyn artist’s sound combines elements of hip-hop, breakcore, and nu metal, capturing something animalistic about moving through a mechanical world. Onstage, they use prosthetics, contact lenses, face paint, studs, and spikes to create a strange, sexy interruption of everyday life—like if […]

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JoJo Baby made a life as a living doll. After nearly four decades in nightlife, the artist and performer died this spring from a long battle with cancer. They were 51. Before becoming JoJo, they were born Joseph Arguellas—the oldest of four children raised by a Greek father and a Lakota mother. From the modest […]

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The dream of the 90s is alive in Ugli. The Philly four-piece’s latest EP, Girldick., throbs with filthy bass lines, fuzzy guitars, and shimmers of distortion that borrow generously from Bleach-era Nirvana and their musical contemporaries. In five quick hits, Ugli take advantage of all the space that rock music can provide for contradiction and […]

The post Ugli’s Girldick is a gay summer bop appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Warming temperatures mean it’s time to get out there and strut. From book signings to variety shows, there’s something coming up for everyone’s walking speed. Sweet Void Cinema screeningssweetvoidcinema.com The Humboldt Park-based production company and microcinema Sweet Void Cinema (3036 W. Chicago, Suite 1W) collects shorts from local filmmakers and screens them monthly as a […]

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Fallout from a queer erotica screening at Sleeping Village exhibits how far cultural institutions still have to go to support the entire LGBTQ+ community.

The post Worth the risk? appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Gray Schiller didn’t expect to be running a nonprofit at 26. From middle school through college, they were relentlessly focused on becoming a folk singer. After growing up in the North Shore area, they moved to New York to attend the Pratt Institute. “I wanted just to make music, but my parents wanted me to […]

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Warmer weather is finally here to stay. You’re probably hoping to be everywhere all at once, but here are a few things you won’t want to miss, in the first iteration of our new column, The To-Do. MargueriteFri 5/26, 8 PM, Color Club, 4146 N. Elston, sold out, 18+ ReveriesSat 5/27, 8 PM, Color Club, […]

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In 2011, Rebecca Black became one of the first teen YouTube sensations when she went viral with the video for “Friday,” her ode to the freedom of childhood weekends. Backlash arrived just as quickly as her newfound fame, and even though she was 13 years old, she wasn’t spared harsh criticism. As Dan Whitworth at […]

The post Former viral star Rebecca Black cautiously finds her voice on <i>Let Her Burn</i> appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Christeene is like the bathroom-stall love child of Iggy Pop and Peaches. No, she’s like an orphan who emerged from a hidden cave unearthed at a Blacklips Bar stage show in 1992. Actually, she’s like a teen girl from the Stone Age who time traveled to 2023 to learn R&B. A rock ’n’ roll drag […]

The post Rock ’n’ roll drag queen Christeene brings her gender terrorism to the Salt Shed appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Record Store Day began 15 years ago as a way to mobilize consumer support for independent brick-and-mortar record stores, which were seen as niche enough to be at risk of extinction from big online retailers. Streaming wasn’t yet the behemoth business it is today—Spotify also launched in 2008, and it wouldn’t reach the U.S. till […]

The post The <i>Reader</i>’s guide to Record Store Day 2023 appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Every Chicagoan knows this city is the underdog of major metropolises. There’s no shortage of things we don’t get enough credit for. When it comes to art, I’m of the mind that our most unsung heroes right now are our new media artists–creators who are pushing technology’s creative applications and imagining new ways to blur […]

The post Best art show that flexed on Chicago’s place in the new media landscape appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Let’s Boogie Records & Tapes (3321 S. Halsted) is a time machine to a different era. Bridgeport and Pilsen have no shortage of outlets for serious crate diggers (shout-out to 606 Records), but Let’s Boogie has been around longer than any other shop in the area—Neal S. Keller opened it in the mid-70s—and it has […]

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Last June, I interviewed emerging filmmaker Henry Hanson about his short Bros Before, a funny 20-minute hyperpop fever dream where two trans men struggle to understand their changing friendship after they begin hooking up. At the end of July, it made its hometown debut at Facets following eight shorts by trans filmmakers from the United […]

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Sidekicks (4424 W. Montrose) is an understatedly chill karaoke joint. Flashy people sing at Alice’s or Cafe Mustache, but if you’re looking for a good, weird time singing to a mix of people that might include Bass Pro card carriers as well as homos you haven’t met at every other gay spot, Sidekicks is the […]

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Sylvia Patterson, mom of spooky-silly goth Twitch streamer DJ Patrixia, is an absolute vibe master, and it comes out in her imaginative confections. The self-taught baker owns Sweets by Dragonflies, which is amazingly affordable and has a quick turnaround, with vegan options. And while Patterson can reliably recreate anything you’d find at a grocery store […]

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You know a compilation is “peak New York club” when it features Joey Arias. On Blacklips Bar: Androgyns and Deviants—Industrial Romance for Bruised and Battered Angels, 1992–1995, the cabaret star and former Fiorucci store manager (who’s also executor of Klaus Nomi’s estate) appears right out of the gate with a breathy, aching rendition of “Good […]

The post <strong>A new compilation recalls a beloved queer performance series in New York’s underground</strong> appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Heather Gabel is an icon of the midwestern industrial scene. As singer for Hide, their electronic duo with Seth Sher, they control the stage like a bionic witch who’s just emerged from a scrap heap to reveal truths both prophetic and profane. Offstage they’ve been a support professional in varied musical communities, working as a […]

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Anyone who’s written off new age music hasn’t heard Laraaji. The multi-instrumentalist and composer (born Edward Larry Gordon) is recognized as an ambient pioneer because his 1980 album, Ambient 3: Day of Radiance, was produced by Brian Eno—in fact it’s the third release in Eno’s famous ambient series. But Laraaji, a proud spiritualist, had already […]

The post Ambient pioneer Laraaji elevates new age music on the four-LP collection <i>Segue to Infinity</i> appeared first on Chicago Reader.

’Tis the season for unbridled consumerism masking as some of us insisting that “gift giving is my love language!” While we can’t stop the avalanche of gifting that is already in motion (although Reverend Billy would disagree), we can encourage you to check out some local pop-up holiday markets and consider purchasing directly from Chicago […]

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Since 2010, the Hyde Park Art Center (5020 S. Cornell) has hosted “Ground Floor,” a biennial exhibition featuring work by “Chicago’s most promising emerging talent.” The show is assembled by an esteemed panel of judges including curators, educators, and artists, and it features work from artists who’ve graduated from one of Chicago’s five MFA programs […]

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Monday Night Foodball returns tonight with a special menu from chef Won Kim of Bridgeport’s Korean-Polish restaurant Kimski, who is back in town and in the kitchen after a well-deserved five-month sabbatical. Read Reader senior writer Mike Sula’s preview here and join in the delicious fun at Kedzie Inn (4100 N. Kedzie); walk-in orders start […]

The post Kimski at Kedzie, <i>Family Holiday Community Musical</i>, and Clickbait appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Editor’s note Mon 12/12/22: the St. Lucia events previously posted below are scheduled for Tuesday 12/13/22. The Reader regrets our error. Join Andersonville residents and celebrate the holidays the Swedish way, with St. Lucia and the Lucia Procession. Lucia girls, in white robes and candle crowns, will be crowned at noon at the temporary Nordic […]

The post St. Lucia, go-go dancing, and Long Hair Don’t Care appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Free Street Theater joins up with Plant Chicago for a winter market and storytelling event at Plant Chicago’s building (4459 S. Marshfield). From 11 AM-3 PM, you can enjoy stories (1-2 PM), songs from Orcas Are Dolphins (playing 11:30 AM-1 PM), a clothing swap, and the chance to purchase wares from local vendors, including Zeitlin’s […]

The post Art markets, <i>Joy to the World</i>, and personal style appeared first on Chicago Reader.

For one night only, catch a special screening of the I Didn’t See You There (2022) in the presence of director Reid Davenport. The award-winning disabled documentarian will attend the 6 PM screening of his film tonight at the Gene Siskel Film Center (164 N. State) and participate in a discussion moderated by disabled artist […]

The post <i>I Didn’t See You There</i>, <i>Priestess of Twerk</i>, and more appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Among the local venues to fall victim to the COVID-19 pandemic in its first terrible year was beloved Bucktown dance spot Danny’s Tavern. The bar had been home to several popular DJ nights, including Night Moves, a cosmic disco monthly that ended its 12-year run (after a few lineup changes) hosted by Ross Kelly and […]

The post Jesse Sandvik, DJ and booker at the California Clipper appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Whether you’re a calligraphy explorer or a hand-lettering veteran, check out the Newberry (60 W. Walton) today. They’ll be joined by the Chicago Calligraphy Collective for a Calligraphy Fair. From 10 AM-noon, they’ll have a breadth of demonstrations and hands-on how to’s that cover everything from gothic lettering and creative caps to arabic calligraphy and […]

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Last week, the annual winter flower shows opened at the city’s conservatories in Garfield Park and Lincoln Park. This year, the theme at Garfield Park Conservatory (300 N. Central Park) is “Snow Day,” which they’re channeling with a 12 feet tall “tree” created with white poinsettias, as well as oversized snowmen hidden throughout the conservatory’s […]

The post World AIDS Day screenings, the Buttcracker</i>, and more appeared first on Chicago Reader.

It’s the final week to catch the School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s “SAIC Faculty Sabbatical Triennial” exhibition, which features work produced by 38 faculty members who completed a sabbatical or a similar paid leave during the last three academic years. Not only does this show represent the breadth of ideas and creative practices […]

The post Black Arts Movement School, Looking for Jean-Luc, and more appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Now through Saturday, Logan Square Mutual Aid (LSMA) is looking for volunteers. Today and tomorrow, the group needs help calling or texting families to arrange the week’s food deliveries. Friday they’re looking for help sorting food and packing bags for Saturday’s drop-off (work shifts from 2-4 PM and/or 4-7 PM; work space at LSMA’s free […]

The post Mutual aid, speed dating, polka, and Satanic Panic appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Still planning your tasting menu for Thanksgiving? Then you’ll want to check out Easy Does It (2354 N Milwaukee). From 6-9 PM, they’ll be providing samples of over 35 drinks and other treats to inspire your holiday tables. As explained on Instagram, you can expect “lots of wine, beer, cider, no & low, aperitivos, vermouths, […]

The post Wine tasting, Nicole Mitchell book release, ZooLights appeared first on Chicago Reader.

It’s the last day of Grabadolandia, a three-day printmaking festival in Pilsen organized by the Instituto Gráfico de Chicago. From 10 AM-5 PM, they are hosting a printmakers fair at the National Museum of Mexican Art (1852 W. 19th) where you can appreciate (and buy!) works from various members of the Pilsen printmaker community. The […]

The post Grabadolandia, Trans Weekend of Resilience, and more appeared first on Chicago Reader.

The Chicago Community Bond Fund, a local group working to end pretrial incarceration and the cash bail system, is hosting its seventh annual end of year celebration. Take stock of the group’s trials and tribulations over the past 365 days while enjoying a panel led by Chicago Black Social Cultural Map, dance performances, a disco-influenced […]

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The People Issue’s class of 2022 showcases folks from many walks of life. As subjects, their common thread is an incessant need to create welcoming spaces for other individuals like them, enact change, further their craft, do good, and in one instance, amplify the representation of stoner lesbians in graphic novels. Read profiles of 21 people by and as told to 15 Chicago Reader writers.

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Every Thursday night Bendición Dry Bar and Bottle Shop (2540 W. Division), a place for alcohol-free spirits and mocktails, hosts a game night for those looking for a sober community. Cards and games are available at the shop, though you’re welcome to bring your own! Game nights run from 5-8 PM. (MC) Cat McKay’s play […]

The post Game Night at the dry bar, <i>All We Can See From Here</i>, and more appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Today through Saturday, the Pilsen-based ceramic studio Gnarware Workshop hosts the Empty Bowls Fundraiser and Soup Service. Visit their webstore to purchase an empty ceramic bowl made by a local artist. Proceeds go directly to local food pantries and Love Fridges to provide food in time for Thanksgiving. Prices start at $7, and all bowls […]

The post Empty Bowls, Califone, Reno Cruz, and more appeared first on Chicago Reader.

During the pandemic shutdown, A Theater in the Dark was one of the most reliable sources for online radio drama—no surprise, since even when they produced live and in person, the company’s aesthetic (as the name tells you) was to leave audiences in the, well, dark and let aural storytelling and soundscapes create the world […]

The post Listen to theater, Above the Water, Patriarchy at Empty Bottle, and more appeared first on Chicago Reader.

The Pilsen organization SGA Youth and Family Services hosts the annual Dia de Muertos parade and celebration this afternoon at Dvorak Park (1119 W. Cullerton), celebrating life and honoring the memories of community members and loved ones that have passed away. The event has been happening for 43 years, making it the longest-running free Dia […]

The post Dia de Muertos celebration, Shape Shifter Night Market, cat films, and Starcrawler appeared first on Chicago Reader.

I think today is some sort of special occasion? Oh yeah! It’s the first day of Lit & Luz, a festival focused on art, literature, and language shared between the U.S. and Mexico. At noon, things kicked off with a virtual keynote from poet, editor, and translator Anthony Cody. From 6-7 PM, artist Balam Bartolomé […]

The post Lit & Luz, Space Gators, Duma, and more appeared first on Chicago Reader.

The Chicago Tool Library, Chicago’s free tool rental service, is opening a new location, and they need our help! From 11 AM-3 PM, they’re looking for assistance preparing their new space in Garfield Park at 4015 W. Carroll. Most of this will involve cleaning in anticipation of painting. Can’t make it today but still eager […]

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Do you have spare coats, boots, gloves, hats, or socks? The Rogers Park People’s Survival Program, which is connected to the Chicago-wide collective For the People is leading a winter clothing drive, and searching for these priority items to be redistributed locally. They are also looking for underwear (never worn!), blankets, and basic hygiene products. […]

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From 3-8:30 PM, the Trans Chicago Empowerment Center (2753 W. Division) is hosting a Halloween edition of Pillars, its marketplace for trans BIPOC vendors. Along with tarot readings, poetry books, and handmade wares for sale, there will also be free gender-affirming nail services for trans individuals. Yecy, a local Latinx nail artist, will be providing […]

The post Pillars market, Mohawk Johnson, comic book theater, and more appeared first on Chicago Reader.

The UniverSoul Circus returned to Washington Park this year after a break during the initial COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in 2020, to the delight of families looking for a fun excursion. The organization features many BIPOC performers and offers clowns, motorcyclists, dance troupes, contortionists, aerial ballerinas, and plenty of interactive moments with the audience members so […]

The post Katie Got Bandz at UniverSoul Circus, a Stevie Nicks night, and more appeared first on Chicago Reader.

When we think about holistic healing, what are the tools that people have available to change their selves and, by proxy, their communities? Tonight, the youth and community equity organization Chicago Beyond hosts two Chicago artists, Fantasía “Fanni” Ariel and Eddie “EDO” Santana White, in a panel discussion about the power of healing through the […]

The post Healing with art, <i>Sex Demon</i>, Studs & Spikes, and more appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Monday Night Foodball tonight brings chef and entrepreneur Bobby Morelli of the Hot Dog Box (formerly in Boxville on 51st, and now located in a permanent location in Portage Park) to the Kedzie Inn (4100 N. Kedzie). Expect some hearty sausage goodness like the Windy Buffalo Dog with Morelli’s house buffalo sauce and the Macdog […]

The post Hot dogs, H.R. from Bad Brains, and Jeanie Doogan appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Today is the second day of Pilsen Open Studios, happening in the neighborhood from noon-8 PM along 18th Street and elsewhere in the area from Halsted to Western. Yesterday we mentioned where to catch some of our favorite highlights, but you can see a more complete list of vendors and activities on the Pilsen Open […]

The post Margo Price, Pilsen art, gospel, hardcore, and more appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Pilsen Open Studios is happening from noon-8 PM today and tomorrow along 18th Street and elsewhere in the neighborhood from Halsted to Western. Galleries, artists, and vendors invite visitors and neighbors to experience the hyperlocal arts community. This 20-year-old event celebrates aesthetic traditions and innovations within hip-hop, muralism, screenprinting, self-publishing, graffiti, and more. Appreciators, admirers, […]

The post <i>House of the Exquisite Corpse</i>, Pilsen Open Studios, Panther Party, and more appeared first on Chicago Reader.

J.C. Cricket’s Sex Demon is not for the faint of heart—it’s for the depraved of mind, and Chicago is blessed to have it showing one night only at the Music Box on October 26.

The post <i>Sex Demon</i>: pornographic camp and long-lost queer history appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Tonight, six art venues have teamed up with the nonprofit Old Town Triangle Association to spotlight art in Lincoln Park: Madron Gallery (1000 W. North), Leslie Wolfe Gallery (1763 N. North Park), Wrightwood 659 (659 W. Wrightwood), DePaul Art Museum (935 W. Fullerton), Josh Moulton Fine Art Gallery (2218 N. Clark); and Gallery 1871 (1871 […]

The post Art galleries, <i>The Locusts</i>, and more appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Pioneering French-Swiss film director, writer, and critic Jean-Luc Godard passed away in September, and the Gene Siskel Film Center swiftly put together Au Revoir, Godard, a presentation of three Godard-directed favorites from his 60s work. Tonight’s feature, 1960’s À bout de souffle (which literally translates from French as “out of breath”) is more commonly known […]

The post <i>Breathless</i>, CPL Foundation Awards, Fortune at the Hideout appeared first on Chicago Reader.

The film presenter South Side Projections (founded in 2011 to bring movies to locations across Chicago’s south side in order to spur conversation about complex social and political issues) travels to the Lozano branch of the Chicago Public Library (1805 S. Loomis) this evening for a presentation of 1973’s Mi Raza: Portrait of a Family […]

The post <i>Mi Raza</i>, Sarah Weddle, audio workshops, performance, and more appeared first on Chicago Reader.

The women of Automatic were born to be in an art-punk band, but they’re still finding their footing. Much of the Los Angeles group’s press coverage has treated them like they’re learning their craft in real time while growing an audience through social media and handshakes. While that may be true, they’ve also had more […]

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By all accounts, the debut of Podlasie Club’s namesake party, Podlasie Pleasure Club, was insane. It was a muggy night in July 2021, and organizers were expecting a turnout of maybe 50. Podlasie hadn’t hosted an event in almost a decade, and it was only zoned to accommodate 104. So when the club got so […]

The post Will lightning strike Podlasie Club twice? appeared first on Chicago Reader.

If you’re interested in queer Chicago history, you’ll definitely want to check this out: At 6 PM, Sidetrack (3349 N. Halsted) is celebrating the release of Last Call Chicago: A History of 1001 LGBTQ Friendly Taverns, Haunts & Hangouts. Renowned writers and activists Rick Karlin and St. Sukie de la Croix will share some of […]

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Palmer Square Art Fair and Queer Social Club are teaming up to debut Queer Art Party at Sleeping Village (3734 W. Belmont). From noon-5 PM, vibe out to queer art, music, food, and community. You’ll have a chance to get your makeup done or portrait taken. Herbivore Chicago will be on hand providing plant-based comfort […]

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Head to the basement and grab those Super 8 films Grandpa shot at the forest preserve picnic: it’s Chicago Home Movie Day. Chicago Film Archives and the Chicago Film Society join forces this year to present the annual celebration of Chicagoans’s home movies, screened from 11 AM-3 PM at the Chicago History Museum (1601 N. […]

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Today kicks off the American Indian Center’s 69th Annual Chicago Powwow, which runs through Sunday (10/9). From 10 AM-6 PM each day, thousands will gather at Schiller Woods (events in Groves 12 and 13, entrance on Irving Park west of Cumberland) to share and reflect on Indigenous culture, preserving its heritage while contemplating its future. […]

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Today is the final day for the online portion of this year’s Reeling: the Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival. The 40th annual celebration of LGBTQ+ filmmakers and new queer cinema hosted in-person screenings over the last few weeks at the Music Box, Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema, and Chicago Filmmakers, but today’s offerings are solely online—which […]

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Magician Paige Thompson takes over the artist-in-residence slot at Chicago Magic Lounge (5050 N. Clark) with her show A Paige in Time, opening tonight at 7 PM and running Wednesdays through 12/21. Thompson combines autobiography with sleight-of-hand to illustrate the moments “that have motivated her to pursue her passion and fuel the inspiration for her […]

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It’s the first Tuesday of the month, which means that Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky and former Reader staffer Maya Dukmasova host their monthly live interview show at the Hideout (1354 W. Wabansia). First Tuesdays tonight takes on the politics of the Pretrial Fairness Act (“It’s not a ‘purge law,’” they tell us). Join Maya […]

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Teens 14-18 years old looking to break into the streaming eco-system can get livestream certified through the Chicago Public Library’s YOUmedia program at Harold Washington Library Center (400 S. State) today. Using YOUmedia’s livestreaming area, you can learn how to use the open source streaming software OBS to run your own channel (Twitch, YouTube, Instagram, […]

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Today is the final day of the Chicago Vintage Fall Fest (19th and Blue Island), an outdoor gathering of vendors, music, and more, happening from noon-8 PM. Fabulous Freddies Italian Eatery will be selling food, and the day is stacked with DJs: DJ AuntieSocial from noon-2 PM; Angelfuk from 2-4 PM; Light of Your Vida […]

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Gerber/Hart is partnering with the Leather Museum (6418 N. Greenview) for a free screening of AIDS Diva: The Legend of Connie Norman. Connie Norman was a trans woman who advocated for her fellow HIV-positive community in Los Angeles in the late 80s and early 90s. AIDS Diva is a documentary that follows her work, not […]

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Artist Khaaliq Haneef closes out his debut solo show, “The Devious Mind of Khaaliq Haneef” with Sounds & S’mores, an open mike at the Lawndale Pop-Up Spot (1408 S. Central Park). Hip-hop and R&B artist Khing Kwon will be master of ceremonies, and DJ Ramiro, who has a monthly night at Osito’s Tap in Little […]

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Spooky season is upon us, and what a more uncomfortable way to celebrate than with dolls. Through November 6, the Chicago History Museum (1601 N. Clark) presents “Haunted Dolls & History’s Horrors,” a collection of dolls hidden in 13 spots throughout their exhibit “Chicago: Crossroads of America.” Each (haunted?) doll is part of the museum’s […]

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Chicago’s hospitality community comes together tonight to raise funds and awareness for those affected by Hurricane Fiona with the curated tasting event Chicago Chefs Cook for Puerto Rico. Diverse cuisine from chefs Bill Kim, Devon Quinn, Tigist Reda, and more will be available from 6-9 PM tonight along with music and cocktails. The evening will […]

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Bikes aren’t cheap—but neither is public transit! If you or someone you know is a Black trans person in Chicago looking for a free bike, sign up for one through the Black Transport Project. BTP begins reviewing applications October 1 and will be supplying bikes on a rolling basis. When your name is drawn, you […]

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Today’s the final day to throw down on a community mural going up in Belmont Cragin. Hades Underworld Tattoo Studio and AnySquared Projects invite volunteers to join them for a cookout and live mural painting at 5034 W. Armitage. Meet neighbors and learn more about the area’s history. Hours have varied daily, but painting should […]

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All hands on deck! Little Village Environmental Justice Organization is hosting a volunteer day at their farm site (31st and Albany). From 8 AM-noon, they’re inviting people to spend some time getting to know them and the land. What a great way to soak up the last of the season’s sunshine, right? Be sure to […]

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Chicago has no shortage of free museums, and the DePaul Art Museum (935 W. Fullerton) is one stunning example. While it’s never a bad time for a visit (hello, it’s free!), their new exhibition “A Natural Turn” is worth checking out. Artists María Berrío, Joiri Minaya, Rosana Paulino, and Kelly Sinnapah Mary use surrealism to […]

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The Chicago Poetry Center kicks off another season of Blue Hour tonight. Blue Hour is an in-person series of readings by poets, largely Chicago-based, followed by community gathering time. The readings are preceded by a limited space one-hour guided writing workshop using an exploratory prompt drawn from themes of the work of one of the […]

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Vintage clothing, art, jewelry, furniture, home decor, and nostalgic items from mid-century through the 1990s are available for the seekers at today’s Vintage Garage meet-up. This is the second to last Vintage Garage before the end of the year, and 75 vendors offering all things vintage (rumor has it there might be a Reader staffer […]

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If you’re a fan of music and Reader staff writer Kelly Garcia’s Riot Fest coverage, this event is for you! From 2-8 PM, the all-ages People’s Music Fest, which calls attention to the impact of festivals on Douglass Park and its neighbors, is happening at Cermak and Marshall. Performers include Bussy Qween Power Trip, Ghost […]

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Seattle-born choreographer Mariah D. Eastman has called Chicago home for the past few years, and describes her philosophy as a desire to “play with creating unusual sequences of movement with shapes that normally wouldn’t be considered to work well together.” In 2020, Eastman started the annual Holiday Dance Carol, where dancers traveled around various neighborhoods […]

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It’s day one of the Chicago House Music Festival and Conference, which runs through Sunday 9/18. Today’s the symposium portion of this free four-day event. At the Logan Center for the Arts (915 E. 60th), there will be a slate of panels focused on the history, culture, and business of house music: the House Music […]

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You might expect an album of Klaus Nomi material to sound like Klaus Nomi, but Man Parrish’s Dear Klaus Nomi isn’t that. Instead, the New York producer has added highly technical musical accompaniments to archival recordings of the cult figure’s songs to give them fresh sounds and feelings. The result is a love letter from […]

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Today and tomorrow are two of a slate of Free Admission Days offered by the Field Museum (1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr.) through November. Illinois residents with proof of residency (valid photo identification plus a copy of your lease, library card, utility bill, or a check stub from work) receive free basic admission, which […]

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