Friday, December 31, 2010
Onstage Performing Arts Arts Harry Lennix returns to Pegasus Players for Jan. 3 performance
Posted by Albert Williams on 12.31.10 at 02:03 PM
Former Chicago actor Harry Lennix, whose screen credits range from Robert Townsend's The Five Heartbeats and Spike Lee's Get On the Bus to recurring roles on such TV series as ER, 24, and the hilarious Little Britain USA (in which he played an Obama-like American president forced to fend off the outrageous sexual advances of the British prime minister), will participate as a special guest artist in a benefit for Pegasus Players on Monday, January 3. The event will feature readings of winning scripts from Pegasus's 2010 Chicago Young Playwrights Festival, a competition open to teen playwrights around the Chicago area. As previously reported here, the once seemingly moribund Pegasus has been revitalized by a new partnership with Hull House Association, "whose mission of reaching out to the underserved perfectly complements Pegasus's commitment to youth and community education," according to Pegasus's new board president, playwright David Barr. The event begins with a pre-performance reception at 6:30 PM at Lookingglass Theatre, 821 N. Michigan, 708-720-0413. Tickets are "pay what you can," with a $25 suggested donation to benefit the Chicago Young Playwrights Festival. Tickets may be purchased at the door (box office opens at 6:15 PM or at www.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/796825.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Food Chain Food & Drink This Week's Food and Drink Events
Posted by Sam Worley on 12.30.10 at 04:53 PM
Wine pairing, mochi pounding, beer education, and more.
Media Politics Clout City Joravsky, Bus on Chicago Newsroom
Posted by Ed M. Koziarski on 12.30.10 at 02:39 PM
Reader columnist Ben Joravsky runs down Mayor Daley's legacy, the mayoral race, the end of highrises at Cabrini Green, the anti-teacher sentiment of Waiting for Superman, and President Obama's midterm performance, in the year-end episode of Chicago Newsroom.
Former Chicago Public Radio program director Ken Davis, who moderated last year's Chicago Journalism Town Hall, has hosted the public affairs and media analysis show since September, Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. on cable channel CAN TV19.
At the end of the show Ed Bus, the fictional 53rd Ward alderman, makes an appearance to boost his satirical mayoral campaign, touting his 100% pro-Daley voting record in the City Council. Bus is played by Chicago Public Radio senior content developer Justin Kaufmann, a member of comedy troupe Schadenfreude.
Chicagoland Food Chain Film Music Food & Drink Performing Arts Arts Dinner & a Show: Thursday 12/30
Posted by Whet Moser on 12.30.10 at 01:14 PM
Show: Eric "Guitar" Davis "Most modern rock-styled 'blooze' guitarists leave me cold, if not nauseated, but occasionally a hot-blooded pyrotechnician like Eric 'Guitar' Davis manages to imbue the usual fusillades with genuine musical merit," writes David Whiteis.
9:30 PM, B.L.U.E.S., 2519 N. Halsted, 773-528-1012, chicagobluesbar.com, $10.
Dinner: The Counter "There must be some latent anti-west coast bias in me that initially smirked at the idea of a bunless 'burger bowl,' what the folks behind exploding Santa Monica burger chain the Counter call what is essentially a burger salad. But the two I sampled, belonging to a pair of carb-conscious but pleasure-loving eaters, were really tasty," writes Mike Sula.
670 W. Diversey Pkwy., 773-935-1995, thecounterburger.com
Chicagoland Visual Art More Photographic Goodness
Posted by Whet Moser on 12.30.10 at 12:09 PM
I like that at this time of year publications tend to look back on the year and the city through a lens. My favorite issue of the year to post, 1,000 Words, is up; it has at least four extremely funny pictures. But it's not just the Reader; there are a lot of good things to look at.
* Chicagoist is posting photos from the vault of Art Shay every week.
* One of my favorite local photographers, David Schalliol, posted his favorite personal pics on his blog.
* It's practically Vivian Meier month in Chicago: Chicago Magazine has a profile of her unusual story; there's a mostly-funded Kickstarter campaign for a documentary about her; and she was on Chicago Tonight as well. Vivian Meier: on my list of "crushes from the past."
* The Tribune published its (106!) photos of the year; the closeup of Daley is my favorite, and the one of Obama's Memorial Day address is spectacular. One suggestion: run them bigger! (One reason 1,000 Words is my favorite issue to post: an excuse to run pics 800px wide.)
* Regular Reader contributor Robert Loerzel (author of one of my favorite cover stories this year) posted a two-part series of his favorite concert pics of the year, some of which appeared in the Reader's concert photo series.
Crickets Music Early Warnings Roundup
Posted by Kevin Warwick on 12.30.10 at 10:30 AM
- Denee Petracek
- Ty Segall
But though this week's crop of Early Warnings is a bit skimpy, the announcements I did scrounge up are actually pretty impressive—so get your calendar out. Ty Segall, Glassjaw, and Steve Ignorant of Crass all appear on my list of notables. In February, Motorhead plows through the Congress Theater with Clutch and Valient Thorr, and the Detroit Cobras tear up the Double Door. And the individual shows in Screeching Weasel's 25th anniversary festival in May go on sale New Year's Day at noon; the three-day blowout includes Screeching Weasel (duh), the Queers, the Riverdales, Chixdiggit, and Teenage Bottlerocket.
Check out the full rundown after the jump:
Chicagoland Visual Art Morning Art: Giuseppe Porta
Posted by Sam Worley on 12.30.10 at 09:05 AM
Style Almost Guilt-Free Fur
Posted by Heather Kenny on 12.30.10 at 08:50 AM
- Jon Tunnell/Creative Commons
If they really want to sell this, I suggest using the other name for the animal, coypu. Nutria sounds too much like something you'd put on your cereal for health reasons, like wheat germ.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Film Music Free Shit Swag Red Moon and Cleo in the Universe
Posted by Ed M. Koziarski on 12.29.10 at 05:35 PM
The Co-Prosperity Sphere hosts Sirocco Research Labs and screens those two films, followed by music by Clique Talk, Thursday 12/30, 9 pm.-Midnight at 3219-21 S. Morgan St.
Chicagoland Food Chain Film Music Food & Drink Dinner & a Show: Wednesday 12/29
Posted by Whet Moser on 12.29.10 at 01:17 PM
Show: DKV Trio "For many years the DKV Trio was the most soulful and fiery improvising band in Chicago," writes Peter Margasak. "As the band's members developed new interests and grew busier with other projects, it became increasingly difficult to coordinate their schedules to convene DKV, and about seven years ago it ceased to be a regular group. But Drake, Kessler, and Vandermark know they had something special going, and every so often they get together to do it again."
9:30 PM, Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, 773-227-4433 or 866-468-3401, $10.
Dinner: Jane's The reasonably priced Cal-American fare is innovative, eclectic, and especially friendly to vegetarians.
1653 W. Cortland St., 773-862-5263, janesrestaurant.com
