Did Jefferson and Poe Collaborate in 1826? Monticello Tells Their Story
What if Edgar Allen Poe, a new student and earnest young writer at the University of Virginia, went to Monticello in July 1826 to help Thomas Jefferson with an important […]
Graham Nash Stuns us with Magic at Old Town School
When I walked in to Old Town School of Folk Music to see Graham Nash last Sunday, I was easily the youngest audience member by a landslide—and that’s one heck of […]
Little Dragon Puts on a Colorful Show at Concord Music Hall w/ Xavier Omär
The Lollapalooza Aftershow at Concord Music Hall on Thursday began with a soulful rendition of the Pokémon theme song. The entire crowd of people stopped and turned, and immediately began to […]
Review: SafeHouse Spy Talks Intriguing, Served with A Few Fumbles
The SafeHouse Chicago in River North is a fun place to be. Even arriving at the restaurant can be an entertaining experience, and, once inside, you’ll find the theme very […]
Wicked Wine Finds: Crianza Rioja
First in a series on great wine finds on a budget by our professional wine drinker. The phenomenal ascendancy of craft beer has made the beer-drinking experience, not to mention […]
Steve Wiley’s Grown-up Chicago Fairytale Lacks a Happy Ending
New York is a city of legends. Los Angeles is a town of myths. In The Fairytale Chicago of Francesca Finnegan, author Steve Wiley frames the city in a milieu […]
Game Review: Tacoma is Competent Short-Form Sci-Fi
Minor story spoilers follow: Tacoma is almost in lockstep with developer Fullbright’s previous indie darling, 2013’s Gone Home. Instead of exploring an empty house and interacting with its various contents […]
Bit Bash Aims to Be the Indie Video Game Summer Camp You Never Knew You Always Wanted
Four years ago, a new festival emerged called Bit Bash. The goal? Introduce Chicagoans to amazing video games they might not otherwise get a chance to see in an engaging environment. […]
Fresh Start to Your Week: 8/7 – 8/9
Another summer weekend behind us, another festival done. While I sat out Lollapalooza this year, I’m sure many are still recovering from the unusually cool temps and exercise darting between […]
Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical Speaks to New and Old Generations
It’s been almost 50 years since I saw Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical at the old Shubert Theatre in Chicago. But I sat in the Mercury Theater Friday night […]
Cheese and Cheesecake in Hell in a Handbag’s Golden Girls: The Lost Episodes
Fresh off receiving a Non-Equity Special Jeff Award for theatrical and charitable contributions, Hell in a Handbag co-founder and Artistic Director David Cerda presents Golden Girls: The Lost Episodes, his latest […]
Film Review: Kidnap Isn’t a “Good” Bad Action Thriller, It’s Simply Bad
The one good thing I’ll say about the child-abduction thriller Kidnap is that the makers at least knew the film was so preposterous that it was wise to only let […]