Latest Stories
The Raven Room shuts down despite strong community support
The Ravenswood bar and entertainment venue formerly known as Redline VR announced their intention to close at the end of April.
Tongji Philip Qian rethinks the studio
The artist uses his Hyde Park Art Center residency for a durational experiment.
The neighborhoods missing from Chicago’s community safety plans
Shootings decreased overall last year. But residents and organizers in areas where shootings rose, including North Lawndale, Fuller Park, and West Elsdon, say numbers don’t tell the whole story.
CTA failures, Bears stadium, Mayor’s Youth Commission
A weekly column from the Chicago Reader covering the top stories on our radar and how they impact our communities.
Selva Aparicio on ‘In Memory Of’
The Chicago artist discusses her solo exhibition at DePaul Art Museum.
Drummer Jim White and guitarist Marisa Anderson craft a weird, soothing hybrid
Mon 5/13 at Constellation
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Invasion of privacy
The millionaire behind Schubas, Lincoln Hall, and Audiotree recorded friends and employees without their consent. So far, he’s suffered few consequences.
A love letter to punks of color
Punk Rock Karaoke by Bianca Xunise screams, “South-side punks to the front!”
News & INVESTIGATIONS
Contaminated prison water, Howard Brown union contract, police misconduct
A weekly column from the Chicago Reader covering the top stories on our radar and how they impact our communities.
March on the DNC plans Chicago’s ‘largest mobilization for Palestine’
Groups from around the country plan to take their demands to the United Center this August “with or without” a permit.
Narcan para todos
Cómo obtener el fármaco gratis y así salvar una vida
Columns & Opinion
Editor’s note: why we cover so much art
Artists, writers, musicians, actors—all these citizens are going to show us how to save the world.
Film
Review: Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver
This space opera sequel doesn’t quite capture the worldbuilding magic of its predecessor.
Review: Omen
The debut film by rapper-filmmaker Baloji is dark and mystical.
Review: Macbeth
Strong performances make up for mediocre staging in this filmed stage production.
Arts & Culture
Barrie Cole: Chicago’s short-order chef of language and empathy
The longtime fringe fixture gets her own festival of one-act plays; plus Lawyers for the Creative Arts takes over programming for the Arts and Business Council of Chicago.
The Music Man at Marriott knows the territory
A sparkling revival lets us believe in the storybook premise of a classic American musical.
Jump bridges painful family memories
Charly Evon Simpson’s poetic and empathetic drama gets a sturdy midwest premiere at Shattered Globe.
Dane in the mirror
Eddie Izzard’s one-person Hamlet provides fresh insights into Shakespeare’s brooding prince.
Guys and Dolls kills at Drury Lane
The “oldest established permanent floating crap game in New York” is right at home in the suburbs.
Music
London’s Folly Group soothe anxieties with gorgeous postpunk and electronica
Mon 5/13 at Hideout
Chicago pianist Erwin Helfer is celebrated by musical friends and peers
Sat 5/4 at the Old Town School of Folk Music
Japanese multi-instrumentalist Eiko Ishibashi performs a live score for the Chicago debut of Gift
Sat 5/11 at Logan Center for the Arts
CITY LIFE
Fad2Fresh has become an Andersonville staple
Find curated music, Bulls memorabilia, gender freedom, and more at the Black-, queer-, women-owned vintage shop.
Clothing swap offers a chance to create a conscious wardrobe
Chicago Fair Trade’s Conscious Closet Club hosts a clothing swap and benefit at the Weaving Mill’s open house.
Food & Drink
Pizza Dom throws dough on the patio at the next Monday Night Foodball
Check out Dom Vallone’s Neapolitan-meets-tavern-style pies at the Reader’s weekly chef pop-up at Frank and Mary’s Tavern.
Piñatta kicks off patio season at the next Monday Night Foodball—now at Frank and Mary’s Tavern
Check out the Guerrero brothers’ pre-Colonial taqueria classics at the Reader’s weekly chef pop-up in fresh, new—yet landmark—digs.
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Demystifying Acupuncture provides answers for the curious skeptic
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Help the United Negro College Fund provide scholarships to Illinois students by playing the $200,000! Bingo Tripler!
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At the California Clipper, everyone is welcome
The newly relaunched Humboldt Park lounge champions community, inclusivity, and fair labor practices Since the 1820s, Chicago’s pubs…
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Bright Endeavors provides a guiding light for young mothers in Chicago
The social enterprise of Chicago nonprofit New Moms empowers local mothers ages 18-24 through their comprehensive job training program
As the proverb goes, it takes a village to raise a child. The folks at Bright Endeavors know…
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In Motion: Metamorphosis explores the intersection of art and technology
As the leader of the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project, Princess Mhoon is on a mission to raise…