Issue Archives
Sep 20-26, 2018
Issue Archive for Sep 20-26, 2018 Vol. 47, No. 50
All the best things happen in fall
Here are 22 of them that we’re looking forward to between now and December.
Jessica Hopper’s new book Night Moves pays homage to a bygone era in Chicago—the aughts.
Riot Fest
Ryan Segedi’s snap portraits are a spontaneous expression of the moods and personalities of the artists.
The Young Lords at 50
“We‘re not from Humboldt Park or Lincoln Park, we’re Puerto Ricans.”
Arts & Culture
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All the best things happen in fall 1
Here are 22 of them that we’re looking forward to between now and December
| Sep 20, 2018
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It's bare-ankle season in Chicago again
Throw on some oxfords or booties and take advantage of the slim window for this elegant look.
by Maya Dukmasova | Sep 19, 2018
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Now's the time to visit Jackson Park while you still can 2
See Frederick Law Olmsted's stunning grounds before the Obama Center further encroaches.
by Kate Schmidt | Sep 19, 2018
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In praise of autumn, time for guilt-free staying in 1
Sometimes Chicago summers can feel like New Year's Eve stretched out for four months.
by Ryan Smith | Sep 19, 2018
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The Mid-Autumn Festival gives Chinese ex-pats a piece of home.
Ceremonial celebrations include lantern lighting and storytelling.
by Sue Kwong | Sep 20, 2018
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Who needs summer lakefront crowds when there's September on the beach?
No more fascistic lifeguards, just sun-loving Russians expats and triathloners in training.
by Maya Dukmasova | Sep 19, 2018
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Chicago celebrates two centuries of Dr. Frankenstein and his monster
Frankenfest brings four stage adaptations of Mary Shelley's gothic masterpiece.
by Tony Adler | Sep 19, 2018
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Coming this fall: Indecent and Downstate, two plays with a better-than-even chance of being great
A local debut and a world premiere that just might merit the hype.
by Tony Adler | Sep 19, 2018
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Lyric Opera’s La Bohème is the perfect comfort as winter looms
The 2018 season opens with Puccini's sublime music and a cast primed to make the most of it.
by Deanna Isaacs | Sep 19, 2018
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The Auditorium’s ‘Made in Chicago’ dance series plays tribute to Wilco drummer Glenn Kotche
LA troupe Ate9 pairs with skilled local companies Visceral and Deeply Rooted for a triple-header.
by Oliver Sava | Sep 19, 2018
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Cards Against Humanity may not be for horrible people after all
At Late Night Writers Room the mockery is for charity.
by Brianna Wellen | Sep 19, 2018
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Michelle Obama keeps keeping things real
In her new memoir Becoming, the former first lady shares her journey from the south side to the White House.
by Aimee Levitt | Sep 19, 2018
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Jessica Hopper’s memoir Night Moves pays homage to a bygone era in Chicago—the aughts 2
On being young, ambitious, and falling in love with the city, block by block, on a bicycle.
by Kevin Warwick | Sep 18, 2018
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The Chicago International Latino Theater Festival celebrates the city’s role in supporting Latinx artists
"They just keep coming, and they're trained and talented."
by Dan Jakes | Sep 19, 2018
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The Harvest Chicago Contemporary Dance Festival takes the pulse of the performing arts
“The strife and challenges in the world are being reflected on stage.”
by Irene Hsiao | Sep 20, 2018
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BigMouth asks you to consider what Socrates, Malcolm X, and Ann Coulter have in common
Valentijn Dhaenens's one-man show is designed to start a conversation.
by Tony Adler | Sep 18, 2018
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Even after a century, Arms and the Man can still bring the laughs
City Lit Theater's production highlights the genius of George Bernard Shaw.
by Max Maller | Sep 20, 2018
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Brett Schneider's brand of magic creates Communion
The "shared hallucinations" feel like real illusions.
by Jack Helbig | Sep 19, 2018
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Albee's The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? is shocking, but not in the way the playwright intended
Interrobang Theatre Project doesn't do much to redeem its revival.
by Justin Hayford | Sep 19, 2018
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On the subject of sex trafficking, Monger pulls no punches
Mary Bonnett's play cycle continues.
by Justin Hayford | Sep 19, 2018
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Nick and Zoe wallows in a young man's angst—and pride in his ability to perform cunnilingus
The two-hander is extremely one-sided.
by Dan Jakes | Sep 20, 2018
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Odessa tries to shed some light, but only ends up going in circles
The production's motivation and accents disappoint.
by Dmitry Samarov | Sep 20, 2018
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The ghost stories in Second Skin move from creepy to compelling to haunting
Playwright Kristin Idaszak weaves together horrors real and imagined.
by Jack Helbig | Sep 19, 2018
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These Shining Lives tells the true story of the ‘Radium Girls’ of Ottawa, Illinois
The one-act is heavy-handed but accurate.
by Marissa Oberlander | Sep 20, 2018
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Lifeline Theatre’s Frankenstein reduces Mary Shelley’s cosmic struggle to a therapy session
It fails to pay tribute to the big questions raised by the classic novel celebrating its bicentennial this year.
by Tony Adler | Sep 20, 2018
Food & Drink
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At the Say Cheese Fest restaurants vie for the coveted ‘Big Cheese’ prize
It's a dairy lover's dream come true.
by Brianna Wellen | Sep 19, 2018
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Wisconsin’s Fermentation Fest offers more than 50 classes on brewing, cheese making, and more
Now's the time to introduce live cultures into your life.
by Mike Sula | Sep 19, 2018
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Cider doughnut season is upon us
Bring on the fall pastries featuring apples and pears.
by Aimee Levitt | Sep 20, 2018
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Tasting event Mexico in a Bottle is the party of the year
This year's celebration of agave spirits features more than 100 options.
by Mike Sula | Sep 19, 2018
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River North barstaurant Good Measure marks the return of talented chef Matt Troost
Now, where are the pastas?
by Mike Sula | Sep 20, 2018
Music
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Reunited 90s hip-hop hitmakers Bone Thugs-N-Harmony hit the road
by Luca Cimarusti | Sep 13, 2018
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See the stars of Riot Fest as they shine offstage
by Ryan Segedi | Sep 19, 2018
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Norway’s Cortex puts the fun in fire music
by Bill Meyer | Sep 13, 2018
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Jazz pianist Robert Glasper combines tradition and innovation with his long-standing trio
by Dave Cantor | Sep 13, 2018
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Author & Punisher makes heavier-than-ever extreme cyborg industrial metal heavier on Beastland
by Luca Cimarusti | Sep 13, 2018
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Acid King and Rezn join forces for a night of heavy psych at Reggie's
by Monica Kendrick | Sep 13, 2018
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Joey Purp and ZMoney are only getting better, to the benefit of Chicago
by Leor Galil | Sep 13, 2018
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Grouper’s mystical ambience comes through clearer than before on Grid of Points
by Leor Galil | Sep 13, 2018
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Let us be thankful for this solo album of stripped-down pop from Melkbelly leader Miranda Winters
by Kevin Warwick | Sep 13, 2018
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Postrock, dark Americana, and burgeoning romance unite Emma Ruth Rundle and Jaye Jayle
by Scott Morrow | Sep 13, 2018
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Serengeti says farewell to his colorful, unforgettable fictional character, Kenny Dennis
by Leor Galil | Sep 13, 2018
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Shakey Graves trades his stark indie folk for dreamy psych on Can’t Wake Up
by Jamie Ludwig | Sep 13, 2018
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Bongripper guitarist Nick Dellacroce on a statement nailed to the door of death metal
Plus: Varaha front man Fabio Brienza on a farewell tour for Frank “the Chop” Mullen, Reader associate editor Jamie Ludwig on the music that’s getting her through the midterms, and more
by Jamie Ludwig | Sep 18, 2018
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Roy Kinsey and Tasha are dropping new albums
The rapper and singer-songwriter are set up to release two of the best records of the year.
by Leor Galil | Sep 19, 2018
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The MC5 celebrate the 50th anniversary of Kick Out the Jams
Wayne Kramer and worthy sidemen play Metro in honor of the protopunk classic.
by Leor Galil | Sep 19, 2018
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Slowcore veterans Pinebender resurrect their original lineup
Plus: Underground rapper Freako celebrates a new mixtape with a jam-packed art show, alt-rockers Ivy Dye drop a hooky cassette EP, and more.
by J.R. Nelson | Sep 18, 2018
Movies
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Hong Kong auteur Johnnie To gets a fall retrospective at Doc Films
The masterpiece Life Without Principle and nine more greats screen from October through December.
by Ben Sachs | Sep 19, 2018
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The Reeling Film Festival is back for its 36th year, this time featuring unconventional and experimental films
There's more to queer cinema than the coming-out story.
by Cody Corrall | Sep 20, 2018
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This Is Us creator Dan Fogelman’s new film Life Itself works familiar territory—and tear ducts 3
But how does a complicated multigenerational tale with dramatic plot twists translate to the two-hour movie format?
by Andrea Gronvall | Sep 20, 2018
News & Politics
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Once a street gang, then a political collective, the Young Lords celebrate 50 years with a symposium at DePaul
"We're not from Humboldt Park or Lincoln Park, we're Puerto Ricans."
by Kerry Cardoza | Sep 21, 2018
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This November suburban voters have the chance to dump Trump's enablers 2
Get rid of rubber-stampers Roskam, Hultgren, and Kinzinger and stun the nation!
by Ben Joravsky | Sep 19, 2018
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Following the Van Dyke trial through the WBEZ podcast 16 Shots
The audio show explores every perspective of the high-profile case.
by Devlyn Camp | Sep 19, 2018
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America, start bowling again 1
Fall is all about those spares, splits, and strikes.
by Ryan Smith | Sep 19, 2018
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The perfect storm, or the two weeks in October when sports are king
Chicago's fall frenzy makes fairweather fandom fun.
by Kevin Warwick | Sep 19, 2018
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‘Is it OK to give myself permission to give up on partner-based climaxing?’
She's newly divorced and having the best sex of her life—isn't that enough? Plus: advice on when to reveal your "kink card," and more
by Dan Savage | Sep 19, 2018
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A primal scream against traffic violence at a City Hall bike meeting 25
After a bad week for bike crashes, cyclists urged city officials to take action.
by John Greenfield | Sep 18, 2018
Reader
Blogs
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With Bill Daley running for mayor, it’s good to remember what happened the last time we turned Chicago over to the Daleys 17
by Ben Joravsky | Sep 17, 2018
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Deadpool jumps from the silver screen to the silver ball thanks to Stern Pinball
by Ryan Smith | Sep 14, 2018
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Chicago rapper Noname opens all the doors on the new Room 25
by Tyra Nicole Triche | Sep 14, 2018
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Raya Martin discusses Filipino cinema and his latest film, the crime drama Smaller and Smaller Circles
by Ben Sachs | Sep 17, 2018
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Pussy Riot use their Riot Fest set to demand justice for a fallen comrade—and for all the oppressed 1
by Julia Hale | Sep 15, 2018
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Twin Peaks take a victory lap at Riot Fest
by Leor Galil | Sep 16, 2018
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Riot Fest 2018 Friday [PHOTOS]
by Danny O'Donnell | Sep 17, 2018
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Screw nostalgia—the Avengers and Blondie made punk as relevant as ever at Riot Fest
by Jamie Ludwig | Sep 17, 2018
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Chicago’s first Red Bull Music Festival is all over the map, with Pusha T, Makaya McCraven, Merzbow, and more 2
by Leor Galil | Sep 18, 2018
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Riot Fest 2018 Saturday [PHOTOS]
by Danny O'Donnell | Sep 17, 2018
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Riot Fest 2018 Sunday [PHOTOS]
by Danny O'Donnell | Sep 17, 2018
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Hotel workers' strike now in its second week with no end in sight 3
by Brita Hunegs | Sep 18, 2018
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America is a junkyard on the gig poster of the week
by Luca Cimarusti | Sep 19, 2018