The inaugural Chicago Feminist Film Festival begins this Thursday, April 21, following in the tradition of other long-standing festivals, such as Women in the Director’s Chair. The two-day event will feature 42 short films, as well as the opening feature “The Fits,” a 2015 psychological drama that premiered at the Venice Film Festival. The festival, […]
Posted inMusic, Reviews
Photos/Review: For the Love of Liz Phair
For a generation of women, Liz Phair‘s seminal debut album “Exile in Guyville” served as a roadmap for navigating the murky waters of modern relationships. More than 20 years later, her point of view feels as fresh as ever, the sands of time adding wisdom to her prolific perspective. When Phair took the stage at […]
Posted inWoman-Owned
Kinzie Chophouse: Chicago’s Woman-Owned Steakhouse
Let’s be real: Most people think steak is a dude thing. I recently spoke with Susan Frasca, the only woman who owns a steakhouse in Chicago. She’s owned it for 18 years, but people always ask her the same question: “Oh, does your husband own it with you?” The next question that follows? “‘Was it […]
Posted inMusic, Reviews
Photos/Review: Ani DiFranco bares her soul at Chicago’s Park West
Poetry has the ability to uplift people struggling with the day-to-day challenge of living a good life. Great artists like Leonard Cohen, Charles Bukowski and Maya Angelou have enlightened humanity and revealed hidden truths to everyone who is fortunate enough to come in contact with their verses. It is in this company that Ani DiFranco […]
Posted inColumns, Cycle Chic
The Women of Bike Swap 2016
Chicago-area cyclists unite annually at Bike Swap to shop for bikes, bike parts, bike clothes and accessories. We also swap stories over beer and meet other cycling enthusiasts. A lot of women showed up at this year’s event, giving me the chance to ask some fellow female cyclists what biking means to them. I discovered […]
Posted inEditor Welcome
The Great Outdoors
Thunder snow, 30-degree temperature swings and freak breaks of sunshine between what-just-happened eruptions of hail? Must be spring in Chicago. Just in time for our most changeable season, we bring you this month’s theme, The Great Outdoors. We introduce you to artist Louise LeBourgeois, whose large-scale oil-on-canvas works capture what the artist refers to as […]
Posted inRebellions
I’m starting to forget some of my babies
I’m starting to forget some of my babies. I promised myself I never would, but as the years go by, their memories fade away. But I will always remember each time I had to say goodbye. I remember a friend telling me to “talk to your baby” as we were waiting to know if we’d […]
Posted inUppity-Negro: In Memory of Aaron Hawkins
we’ve been talking a lot about Nina Simone lately without actually talking about her
Here’s the thing we all can agree on: Nina Simone’s legacy should not boil down to this biopic. she is much more than her music. she is much more than a muse. and she is much, much more than Zoe Saldana in dark make-up and a prosthetic nose. the problem is that we’ve been talking […]
Posted inBooks, Reviews
‘Year of Yes’ by Shonda Rhimes
“Year of Yes” by Shonda Rhimes c.2015, Simon & Schuster $24.99 / $32.99 Canada 311 pages For far too long, you’ve been holding back. Opportunities have presented themselves, and you’ve passed on them. Chances have leaped in front of you and you skipped them, but you’re not sure why. Some days, you feel like you’re […]