Zahara Bassett fell on the floor of her best friend’s house exhausted from a long day of making $9 an hour and barely getting by. She was working as a housing monitor for TransLife Care at Chicago House, a transitional housing program for transgender people who have nowhere to stay or are reentering society. All […]

The post Life Is Work supports Black trans people in their communities appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Around this time of the year you’ll begin to hear the phrase “the giving season.” It’s the moment when donation-dependent organizations ramp up their campaigns in the hopes of being included in the gifting air that comes in on a wind of mailers, calls, and fundraisers. For the Nonprofit Issue, we thought it would be […]

The post <i>Chicago Reader’s</i> Nonprofit Guide for 2023 appeared first on Chicago Reader.

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 […]

The post The <i>Reader</i>’s 2023 Holiday Gift Guide appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Established in 1967, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is one of the world’s premier institutions celebrating the work of leading contemporary artists. Located just off Michigan Avenue near the historic Chicago Water Tower and the John Hancock Building, the 220,000-square-foot venue was designed by Berlin architect Josef Paul Klienhues and features three stories of […]

The post Visit Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art this holiday season and beyond appeared first on Chicago Reader.

It takes just one person to open your eyes to a new perspective and change your life forever. AFS-USA fosters those sorts of experiences by matching high school exchange students with host families around the world.  It all started in 1915 with the founding of the American Ambulance Field Service, a volunteer ambulance corps that […]

The post Chicago area AFS-USA host families and students make the world more just and peaceful through intercultural exchange appeared first on Chicago Reader.

A pair of denim jeans enhanced by acrylic paint, aerosol spray paint, permanent marker, and elbow grease. A lamp made out of tile, acrylic, and glass. A linen chore coat with flocked vinyl designs. Departing from the confines of traditional gallery settings, Anna Cerniglia and Kate Pollasch have united their decades-long curatorial and art programming […]

The post How Print & Object makes art collecting more accessible 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, […]

The post The Jewish Deli, FORTS!, and more appeared first on Chicago Reader.

In 2006, the Illinois Lottery launched the first Instant Lottery ticket in the country that designated 100 percent of its profits toward organizations that support Veterans in Illinois. Working with the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA), the Illinois Lottery has raised over $21 million to fund the Veterans’ Cash program, which has awarded grants […]

The post Support Illinois Veterans with your purchase of the Winter Riches Instant Ticket from the Illinois Lottery 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.

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 […]

The post Pumpkins, Sanctum, and lowriders appeared first on Chicago Reader.

When a beloved family pet finds poison intended for rodent invaders, a handful of local exotic animal hospitals can help save them.

The post Surviving rat poisoning, as a rat appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Join Colson Whitehead, Rebecca Makkai, Richard Hunt, and Bob Wislow on November 1 to celebrate the power of public libraries. This November, the Chicago Public Library Foundation Awards returns for its 23rd year, in celebration of the Chicago Public Library’s 150-year legacy of serving Chicagoans through community-building and access to information while highlighting the crucial […]

The post The Chicago Public Library Foundation invites you to make the future now appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Senator Mattie Hunter shares the backstory of the first Illinois Lottery specialty ticket dedicated to breast cancer support The Carolyn Adams Ticket for the Cure (TFTC) is an Illinois Lottery specialty ticket where 100 percent of profits go towards breast cancer research and support services in Illinois. Initiated by Senator Mattie Hunter and Senate President […]

The post Carolyn Adams Ticket for the Cure saves lives in Illinois appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Chris Hayes reaches a larger audience with his MSNBC show All In With Chris Hayes than he did when he first wrote for the Reader in 2001, but his sense of curiosity and sensitivity to the complexities of politics has stayed the same. 2023 has been a year of anniversaries for Hayes at the network. […]

The post Chris Hayes, off screen appeared first on Chicago Reader.

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.

“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 […]

The post Galleries, glitch, and more appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Update as of 4:00 PM on Tuesday, September 26, 2023: Abhijeet’s name was previously misspelled in several places in this article and has since been corrected. And the Vanguard Awards were previously categorized as posthumously awarded; this is not entirely the case as several awards will be given to living people. The Reader regrets the […]

The post Celebrating the drag makers and nightlife impresarios appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) impact people of every walk of life. In 2020, Illinois Lottery launched a new specialty Instant Lottery ticket called The End of Alzheimer’s Begins With Me, designating 100 percent of its profits to the Alzheimer’s Association, Illinois Chapter. To date, the Illinois Lottery has raised more than $3 million […]

The post Help end Alzheimer’s with your purchase of a Wild Tripler Win ticket from the Illinois Lottery appeared first on Chicago Reader.

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.

I threw the worst pitch of my life on a Saturday afternoon in Gary, Indiana. My brain lagged behind my body as it went through the motions that should result in a clean throw; everything went sour once my torso began to twist in the direction of home plate and I became fully conscious of […]

The post First pitch: a journey through ceremony and baseball appeared first on Chicago Reader.

As the proverb goes, it takes a village to raise a child. The folks at Bright Endeavors know that one of the best ways the village can accomplish that mission is by empowering and uplifting mothers.  The Chicago based candle company is a social enterprise of New Moms, a nonprofit organization established in 1983 to […]

The post Bright Endeavors provides a guiding light for young mothers in Chicago appeared first on Chicago Reader.

The post Inkling Explains: the Bean 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 […]

The post ‘A Dreamhouse,’ streetwear, justice for ‘comfort women,’ and more appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Writers idealize themselves, spending hours at the computer, polishing their prose to make themselves sound better than they are. Cartoonists spend as much time, or more, to make themselves look, well, cartoonish. Lynda Barry erases her chin and hides her eyes behind opaque spectacles. Art Spiegelman turns himself into a neurotic mouse.  In his self-portrait […]

The post Alex Nall’s comics are building a small-town world appeared first on Chicago Reader.

I confess: I was not excited about the opening of the Malibu Barbie Cafe Chicago. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against Barbie. I feel like Mattel has done a great job of expanding the Barbie line to include a wide variety of ridiculously stylish characters (yes, their outfits are fabulous). I was delighted […]

The post The Malibu Barbie Cafe opens in Chicago appeared first on Chicago Reader.

A welcome jolt of enthusiasm was infused into the local fashion scene during “A Celebration of Chicago Style,” a fashion show presented by The Curio and 21c Museum Hotel Chicago at the end of May. The celebration, hosted by Barrington-born fashion designer Cynthia Rowley and British photographer Nigel Barker (previously a panel judge on the […]

The post Fashion show celebrates Chicago’s diverse style appeared first on Chicago Reader.

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 […]

The post Disco for abortion access, soul yoga, and more appeared first on Chicago Reader.

When Chicago’s NASCAR events take over downtown streets in July, people may either leave town to avoid the spectacle or stay and curiously catch sight of something never seen in the city.  One person watching with great interest will be Fred Lorenzen, who will see the NASCAR events through the eyes of a guy who […]

The post NASCAR’s DuPage County connection appeared first on Chicago Reader.

In April, a peculiar crowd descended upon Navy Pier, not quite blending in with the spot’s usual and more conventionally dressed clientele. Tourists and local visitors sporting accidental normcore shared the looong path to Festival Hall with EXPO Chicago attendees, who never disappoint in serving the latest fashions.  Celebrating its tenth anniversary, it is fair […]

The post Style invades Navy Pier appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Although her shop is closing its doors, the mark that Faith Phillips and Wish Me Luck Tattoo left on Chicago will always remain.

The post ‘The prisoner is me’ appeared first on Chicago Reader.

You may have heard medical experts and public health figures refer to the ongoing mental health crisis in the United States as “the second pandemic.” Mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia were already commonplace in our complex, fast-paced world before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 triggered a monumental […]

The post During Pride month and all year long, the Here to Hear You campaign supports Chicago organizations centering mental health appeared first on Chicago Reader.

In recognition of World AIDS Day in 2009, the Illinois Lottery and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) launched a new Instant Ticket to raise funds for the Quality of Life grants, which are distributed to organizations across the state that work in HIV/AIDS prevention education, and treatment. Since its inaugural year, sales from […]

The post Support Illinois organizations working to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic with your purchase of the Illinois Lottery’s Twisted Treasure ticket 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 […]

The post Microcinema, rock ’n’ roll photography, and more appeared first on Chicago Reader.

In 2019 the Illinois Lottery launched a new Instant Ticket to raise money for agencies and organizations that support people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity throughout the State. The Illinois Lottery gives 100 percent of profits from the ticket to the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), which then utilizes funding for a grant program […]

The post Help support individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability with your purchase of a “BLACKJACK” Instant Ticket from the Illinois Lottery appeared first on Chicago Reader.

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, […]

The post Cronenberg, comedy, and weirdo music appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Black teenagers can view lacrosse as a healthy outlet and a new gateway to seek athletic or academic scholarships. It’s very understandable that Chicago wants to send a clear message that this sport is for everyone. 

The post Black high school lacrosse is here to stay appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Will Quam found his love of bricks by accident. While working as an itinerant theater teacher in Chicago, he would travel around the city for work, and as he traveled, he started to notice Chicago’s bricks.  “Before 2016 if you’d have asked me what a brick looks like, I would have said, ‘red,’ and I […]

The post Brick by brick appeared first on Chicago Reader.

When Jack Wagner was 15, he made a documentary about the haunting of Wheaton’s Grand Theatre. Built in 1925, the historic theater went through several identities over the decades (including an aughts-era punk venue where Wagner’s band played). When he showed up with his camera, the owner shut Wagner and his buddies in the empty […]

The post Ghosts, cryptids, and Chicago appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Learn the history of torture and execution, and chase ghosts at one of the Loop’s hottest attractions Have you ever imagined a museum dedicated to the history of torture and execution from the Dark Ages to the present? Look no further than Chicago’s Medieval Torture Museum. At 6,000 square feet, it’s the largest interactive museum […]

The post Immerse yourself in the darkest side of humanity at Chicago’s Medieval Torture Museum appeared first on Chicago Reader.

The people, places, and things voted Chicago's best—and runners-up: activist, advocacy organization, alderperson, elected official in Chicago, elected official in Cook County, state elected official, federal officer holder from Illinois, charity, HVAC maintenance or repair, home construction or remodeler, lawyer, co-working space, hotel, overall radio station, radio DJ, podcast, blog, email newsletter, local TV broadcast news, doctor (general or primary care), dentist, chiropractor, ob-gyn, public mental health care clinic, Chicago Instagram account to follow, Chicagoan to follow on Twitter, tour, south side neighborhood, west side neighborhood, north side neighborhood, suburb, block club, and more

The post 2022 City Life poll winners appeared first on Chicago Reader.

The post Best of Chicago 2022: City Life appeared first on Chicago Reader.

“I kinda just threw this together,” says Gail Joanes, 73, while enjoying a sunny Saturday afternoon on the luxuriously fashionable Oak Street. “I went over to the Chicago History Museum, which I love, went to Twin Anchors for ribs, came back, and now I’m just shopping a bit, just relaxing,” she shares.  Though Joanes might […]

The post Beyond advanced style appeared first on Chicago Reader.

“I’m just skating around town, just basically trying to get my miles in. My goal is up to 14 miles. I think I’m at about 8 right now. So I’m going to take another lap around the city,” said Alex Scott, 26, on a Monday in the early afternoon.  “It takes me a couple of […]

The post On a roll appeared first on Chicago Reader.

In 2008, the Illinois Lottery launched a specialty ticket benefiting the Illinois Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS). Funds raised from Illinois Lottery specialty tickets are distributed through grants awarded to numerous organizations working in a specific area, such as veterans programs or breast cancer research, but the Illinois Lottery specialty ticket in […]

The post Help support Multiple Sclerosis research with your purchase of a “It Takes 2” specialty ticket from the Illinois Lottery appeared first on Chicago Reader.

If you’ve ever dabbled in woodworking, you probably have a sense of just how much scrap material can go to waste. Lumber is sold in predetermined sizes, like the ubiquitous 2×4, so once you have the cuts you need, you’re likely to end up with various odds and ends that are hard to put to […]

The post Perfection from the pieces appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Chicago has one of the largest transit systems in the United States, but despite its size, it has many flaws and challenges that prevent it from serving all Chicagoans equally and equitably. Transit 4 All seeks to change that by expanding and improving public transit while making it safer, more equitable, and more affordable.  Launched […]

The post Transit 4 All campaigns for equity, accessibility, and improved service for Chicago transit riders appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Despite the popularity of the wine bar in Mariano’s locations across the city, nobody knows who Nob is or how the grocery store bar got its name. Regulars call it the M bar, for Mariano’s. And at the M bar, neighbors love to hang out and grab a drink—or three.

The post M is for Mariano’s appeared first on Chicago Reader.

In 2014, the Illinois Lottery launched the nation’s first specialty lottery ticket benefiting the Special Olympics, the world’s largest sports organization for individuals living with intellectual and physical disabilities. While funds raised from most Illinois Lottery specialty tickets are distributed through grants awarded to numerous organizations working in a specific area, such as veteran’s relief […]

The post Support Special Olympics Illinois with your purchase of Illinois Lottery’s “Fat Wallet” Instant Ticket appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Volunteer as a sexual assault victim advocate, and make a difference in people’s lives when they need it the most. Sexual violence impacts every age group, gender, and community, but for survivors of sexual assault, harassment, or other abuse, finding support can be challenging and, at times, unsafe. That’s where organizations like the YWCA can […]

The post The YWCA and Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline support Chicagoland’s sexual assault survivors appeared first on Chicago Reader.

How about a hot sex tip for Valentine’s Day? In one word, lingerie. The gift that keeps on giving, to both the giftee and possibly (hopefully!) the gifter. It might seem obvious, but it’s so true: the right pieces of intimate apparel can boost your self-confidence and your sense of play—which can make you very […]

The post Yes, queen! appeared first on Chicago Reader.

If you, like me, are a fan of the humble city rat, then the relationship between our fair city and New York is an instructive one. Like all things New York, the allure of America’s biggest city seems to make everything, including its relationship to the quintessential urban rodent, more grandiose. Whether it’s the high-profile […]

The post Calling all rat lovers appeared first on Chicago Reader.

“Since I was a little kid, I’ve been drawing rabbits,” said Whitney Wasson. The Chicago-based comics artist and comedian said that rabbits are cute and easy to draw, which were two ideal qualities for their early childhood doodles. “[The drawing] could be terrible, but as long as you [make] long rabbit ears it reads as […]

The post Getting sober and drawing rabbits appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Opportunities for service this MLK Day weekend

The post Anybody can serve appeared first on Chicago Reader.

“We got a lot of swagger. We don’t even have to open our mouths—they just see it,” said Greg Sims, 34. I met Greg and his twin brother Glenn when we attended “Champions of Success,” a panel discussion about the state of the fashion industry in Chicago that happened in November at the Kimpton Gray […]

The post The champions of swagger appeared first on Chicago Reader.

For much of its history, Chicago was a public transit-friendly town. The first horse-drawn streetcars appeared on State Street in 1859, and by the turn of the century the city had developed complex networks of trains and cable cars. But things changed with the rapid suburban expansion and the popularization of privately owned vehicles in […]

The post Elevated Chicago catalyzes equitable development around the city’s transit stations appeared first on Chicago Reader.

In the red-hued darkness of the California Clipper in Humboldt Park, a few dozen speed daters chattered on a damp Tuesday evening. Some arrived alone, others accompanied by friends or coworkers. They sat with name cards that got the basics out of the way: name, pronouns, sexuality. People lean in to hear over the noise […]

The post A potato-themed speed dating venture appeared first on Chicago Reader.

For the cover of our last print issue of 2022, we wanted to capture the spirit of the year, as we see it, in our own Reader way. We asked photographer Carolina Sanchez to see if she could find a street musician who was being ignored, a situation which many can relate to as the […]

The post The year in photography appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Thirteen of Chicago’s new queer and/or BIPOC recurring events

The post <strong>Your guide to outside</strong> appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Chicago Family Biking is a grassroots coalition of parents, educators, and community organizers who love biking. The group started in 2015 as an online forum and soon began hosting Chicago’s Kidical Mass rides, where families could come and connect with each other while biking through their neighborhoods. Their growth accelerated during the pandemic as more […]

The post Chicago Family Biking makes biking fun and safer for all ages appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Ballet 5:8 presents Beyond the Nutcracker, a take on Tchaikovsky with a twist: there’s no Clara, but instead we meet Emma, a young girl growing up in the shadow of WWII. Artistic director Julianna Rubio Slager’s choreography gets away from some of the problematic imagery in the Chinese dance by using the motif of the […]

The post <i>Beyond the Nutcracker</i>, Holiday Detour film series, and more appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Last month, I had the misfortune of catching the Lunchables bus. Have you seen it yet? The windows and doors are obscured by a full-wrap ad that creates the illusion of a stack of crackers, meat, and cheese moving horizontally along the street. I boarded the Lunchables bus and found my window blocked by a […]

The post Let us stare out the windows appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Chance the Rapper’s youth empowerment charity organization, SocialWorks, hosts their annual A Night at the Museum event tonight at the Museum of Science and Industry (5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr.). It’s a family-focused evening that benefits unhoused people and organizations that serve them; guests are invited to support the effort by bringing new and/or […]

The post A Night at the Museum, holiday theater, and more 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 […]

The post Tree lighting, seasonal shopping, no coast hip-hop, and more appeared first on Chicago Reader.

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 […]

The post ‘Ground Floor,’ movie trivia, and more appeared first on Chicago Reader.

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, were crowned at noon at the temporary Nordic House in the Wrigley building downtown. This afternoon a procession walks up Clark Street in Andersonville (starting at the Swedish American Museum, […]

The post Lucia walking, Manasseh at MCA, Secret History of Chicago Music in person appeared first on Chicago Reader.

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.

Alanna Zaritz, 39, was born and raised in Chicago and is one of our city’s treasures. She is a familiar, welcoming, and eye-catching figure at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (MCA), where she has worked since 2005 (she’s currently the MCA’s store manager).  Zaritz’s awe for her hometown is contagious, and very handy, since […]

The post Family style appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Last night A Magical Cirque Christmas opened at CIBC Theatre (18 W. Monroe), starring magician Lucy Darling (aka Carisa Hendrix) as hostess. Hendrix’s alter ego is a 1920s-style screwball dipsomaniac with a special talent for making bottles of booze and cocktails appear and disappear. She’ll be joining a lineup of circus artists in this family-friendly […]

The post <i>A Magical Cirque Christmas</i>, concerts, and a sound bath 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 […]

The post Calligraphy, puppets, and protest appeared first on Chicago Reader.

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.

A skilled worker in the manufacturing industry can anticipate a lifetime of financial stability in a vibrant, in-demand field. But for many, getting the necessary training and education to launch a career in the trades can be daunting, and even cost prohibitive. The folks at Jane Addams Resource Corporation know there’s no time like the […]

The post Jane Addams Resource Corporation offers free training and job placement appeared first on Chicago Reader.

The Evolved Network is a recently established not for profit organization founded by Sebastian White in order to bring therapeutic services and financial literacy to young Chicagoans through farming and culinary training. The organization is currently raising funds that will go in part toward a permanent space in which to host its restaurant management and […]

The post <i>Jack Off the Beanstalk</i> at PrideArts, Natasha Leggero, and more appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Some concert options for tonight, if you’re looking to listen to something other than your digestion: Even though the midterm results earlier this month offered a few bright spots for pro-choice advocates, there’s no denying that the overturning of Roe v. Wade in the Dobbs decision earlier this year fits a pattern of attacks on […]

The post TheMIND at Schubas, <i>Title Ten</i> at Theater Wit, 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.

Held on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving (this year November 26), Small Business Saturday celebrates independent business owners during the bustling holiday season. Shopping local is an easy way for anyone to support independent businesses and help neighborhoods thrive, and in Chicago, one of the best places to get in on the fun is Andersonville. […]

The post Celebrate Andersonville’s eclectic independent businesses community this holiday season appeared first on Chicago Reader.

The Museum of Contemporary Art is synonymous with joy and expression. But some people don’t realize that, along with being one of Chicago’s top cultural destinations for its expansive galleries, cutting-edge exhibits, and carefully curated events, it’s an excellent place to find the perfect gift for the creative spirits and art lovers in your life. […]

The post <strong>The MCA Store helps Chicagoans give the gift of art this holiday season</strong> 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.

“Natural” is a word that might evoke wholesome feelings, but also blandness. Just think of a kid’s reaction when they hear they’re getting fruit for dessert. The same rationale is often applied toward natural dyes—that they are good for you and the environment, but a bore to the eye. According to fashion designer, natural dyer, […]

The post To dye for appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Already hungry for some hearty fare? Join Monday Night Foodball this evening as the “barbecue supergroup” Umamicue brings A Very Umamicue Friendsgiving to the Kedzie Inn (4100 N. Kedzie). Expect an array of flavors including wasabi turkey confit croquettes (who doesn’t love a croquette?) with five-spice cranberry sauce, courtesy of the “Asian stoner food” duo […]

The post Umamicue, <i>Mosque4Mosque</i>, concerts, dancing, and more appeared first on Chicago Reader.

In 2006 the Illinois Lottery launched the first Instant Lottery ticket in the country that designated 100 percent of its profits toward organizations that support veterans in Illinois. Working with the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, the Illinois Lottery has raised over $20 million to fund the Veterans Cash program that has awarded grants to […]

The post Support local veterans with your purchase of Illinois Lottery’s Winter Winnings specialty ticket 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 […]

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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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Mudlark Theater in Evanston presents The Marvelous Land of Oz, a musical adapted from L. Frank Baum’s second Oz book by Anthony Whitaker. Baum’s story follows Tip, an orphan who goes in search of the long-lost Princess Ozma with companions Jack Pumpkinhead, Wogglebug, and Saw-Horse (with guest appearances by old friends the Scarecrow and Tin […]

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This summer, DePaul Art Museum hosted “Remaking the Exceptional,” a group exhibition curated by artist and activists Aaron Hughes and Amber Ginsburg that explored the similarities between survivors of torture at the Guantánamo Bay detention camp and survivors of police torture in Chicago. This evening, Ginsburg and fellow activists celebrate the release of Remaking the […]

The post Readings from <i>Remaking the Exceptional</i>, Interrobang Theatre Project, and more appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Here are some interesting concerts going on tonight (with links to past coverage of the musicians by our music writers): Multidisciplinary artist Nikki Lynette’s Get Out Alive blew the doors off the Den Theatre in Wicker Park during its run with Haven this past summer. Through stories, songs, dance, and multimedia, Lynette laid out her […]

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There’s two opportunities to spend all your money today if you’re a music lover! Delmark Records (the oldest continuously operating jazz and blues independent record label in the U.S.) opens the vaults for a warehouse sale today, offering vintage office and recording equipment, CDs, vinyl, and more (open until 5 PM, 4121 N. Rockwell). And […]

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“I guess I’m an eclectic dresser,” says Mary Griffin, 72, who currently works part-time at Essential Elements-Chicago boutique in Avalon Park. “Everything about me is eclectic. My home is eclectic. There’s not a pair of anything in my house—nothing matches. My friends enjoy coming over to my house because they say it’s like going to […]

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About Face: Veterans Against the War is a group of post-9/11 service members and veterans advocating for an end of foreign policy that creates war and against the use of military weapons and tactics in communities across the U.S. This evening in observance of Veterans Day, the group hosts a Demilitarize and Abolish Propaganda Party, […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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Monday Night Foodball time means a chance to sample wares from some of the latest food purveyors to join Chicago’s sea of great chefs and food pop-ups. Tonight is no exception as the siblings Emilio and Santiago Guererro bring their “plant-based, precolonial taqueria” Piñatta to the Kedzie Inn’s kitchen (4100 N. Kedzie). Read more about […]

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The Chicago Humanities Festival (CHF) offers a full slate of conversations and programming exploring art and culture today at the Music Box Theatre (3733 N. Southport). Highlights include a (sold out) conversation with filmmaker Jim Jarmusch at 1 PM; a 35mm screening of Charlie Chaplin’s 1921 silent The Kid accompanied by a live performance from […]

The post Deeply Rooted, <i>Malapert Love</i>, and more appeared first on Chicago Reader.

It’s Bandcamp Friday, and Reader senior writer Leor Galil has regularly compiled lists for us of Reader-recommended music available for download on Bandcamp—check out one of the latest lists here. Bandcamp Fridays allow the artists and labels on the platform to receive a larger percentage of the money earned through sales, so it’s a great […]

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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 […]

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