Has fascism, capitalism, and the patriarchy got you down? Are you looking for an outlet for all the rage building up within you as billionaires and their buddies destroy the world for financial gain? If you were in need of a place to go scream, crowd-surf, mosh, and party – an oasis from the racists […]
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Ancestral Appetites: Polish, Italian, German & Filipino Americans CelebrATE in October
What do Filipino Americans, German Americans, Italian Americans, and Polish Americans have in common? They all honor their heritage throughout October. What else do they have in common? Homemade meals and traditional swigs. Whether here or abroad, roots-influenced foodies are best served when pairing South Asian and European flavors with a flight of motherland libations as […]
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Mural Series Honoring Suffragists Has Home in Chicago, NYC & Portland Soon
Public artwork tributes to real women are sparse. Congress recently rejected the request for an American Women’s History Museum to have a home on the Washington, DC Mall, at a time when women artists are underrepresented, with women of color a tiny fraction of that. Almost all are significantly underpaid. Neysa Page-Lieberman and I formed […]
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Survivor Stories to Watch & Read During Upcoming NDVA Month
Every nine seconds, a woman in the U.S. is injured or assaulted by a current or ex-partner. These bleak statistics led to National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time when education, empathy and, in some cases, exit strategies are essential. National Domestic Violence Awareness Month begins with Light Up the Lakefront (Oct. 1) hosted by Between Friends at […]
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Photos: The Fans Are The True Rock Stars of Riot Fest 2026
Riot Fest 2026 offered a lineup full of big names like Patti Smith, Santigold and Alanis Morissette, as well as headliners including Pierce the Veil, Tool, and Twenty-One Pilots. Set after set was engrossing and intoxicating, but the people who truly make Riot Fest a special, one-of-a-kind experience are the fans. Rainy weather converted the […]
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Ahhhh! All Things Halloween Are Already Coming!
It’s scary how soon the Halloween season kicks into action. Second only to Christmas, its commercial success relies on eerie Americans getting into the spirit with new publications, productions, puppets, products, and a parade to ensure this year’s holiday is a scream—in a good way. The Great Out-GoresChicago’s largest outdoor autumnal experience is Jack’s Pumpkin […]
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Chicago Venues Propel Dance Shows Into Motion
Legendary dancer and choreographer Agnes de Mille once said, “The truest expression of a people is in its dance and its music. Bodies never lie.” Perhaps that’s why variations of the candid art form will be on stage, on screen, and on display across this Toddlin’ Town. The Joffrey Ballet opens its 2026-27 season with the […]
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Photos: Erykah Badu, The Alchemist & De La Soul Defy Space and Time at Ravinia
Erykah Badu and The Alchemist’s new album Before the World Blows: The Abi and Alan Experiment – which was released digitally on Aug. 28 via Control Freaq Records / Young Recordings– is a rich tapestry of sonic delights that references the past, present and future. It is surprising at every turn yet still showcases the […]
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Salt-N-Pepa & TLC with En Vogue Host an Iconic Party in Chicago
Salt-N-Pepa and TLC – with support from En Vogue – have been bringing their It’s Iconic Tour across North America this past month. On Sept. 8, it was Chicago’s turn to witness these iconic groups sharing a stage, trading-off hits, and empowering women (along with everyone within earshot) as the It’s Iconic Tour made its […]
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Review: ‘Gilda’ Casts a Female Gaze on Attachment Theory
Charles Vidor’s Gilda (1946) is many things: a noir classic, psychological thriller, romantic comedy, backstage musical, Hays Code decoy, even a drinking game. But be warned, viewers who sip whenever the name Johnny is mentioned could pass out since it’s said 101 times! Cinema 101Technically speaking, Gilda belongs to a specific subset of the film noir genre: exotic […]