Friday, November 20, 2009
Free Shit 11/21—Lights Festival Freebies
Posted by Robyn Chang on Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 4:42 PM
The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival offers a full day's worth of freebies—including concerts, pictures with Santa, a fireworks finale, and giveaways. From 11 AM to 5 PM at Lights Festival Lane (Pioneer Court, 401 N. Michigan), guests can decorate free holiday cookies at the Whole Foods booth, fancify a free piece of cheesecake at the Eli's Cheesecake booth (bring a donation for the Greater Chicago Food Depository to receive an additional free piece of cheesecake), and grab free clementines from the Cuties Clementines booth. From 7 to 9 PM, More Cupcakes (1 E. Delaware Place) will give away their signature "More" cupcake: a chocolate cupcake with a cream center (limit one per person) and Best Western (125 W. Ohio) will pass out free gourmet hot chocolate and cookies. More booths will be passing out more stuff to eat and drink.
Media, News Bites Still More on the Mezuzah
Posted by Michael Miner on Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 4:29 PM
Only hard-core courts buffs are sticking with me on this, my third post on the subject of the Seventh Circuit's en banc mezuzah ruling. But if you're hanging in, I recommend the oral arguments.
Chicagoland, Food Chain, Music, Food & Drink, Performing Arts Dinner and a Show: Friday 11/19
Posted by Whet Moser on Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 4:23 PM
- Stefano Giovannini
- DJ/Rupture & Matt Shadetek
Some of tonight's best events, as recommended by our music, movie, and performing arts critics—and where to eat before or afterward.
Food Chain, Food & Drink Too New to Review
Posted by Kate Schmidt on Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 4:21 PM
Tonight, after months of delay, Nella Pizzeria Napoletana opens with a full bar, antipasti and salads, and pizza from Nella Grassano, the original pizzaiola at Spacca Napoli. Lunch starts Monday. A second location on Taylor Street is in the works for February.
More new places after the jump:
Crickets, Music Bummer Alert
Posted by Miles Raymer on Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 4:01 PM
After tonight's show at Ronny's the Fake Fictions will cease their scrappy and utterly charming noisemaking, which means there will be one less band out there making music for what I believe to be all the right reasons. In an e-mail blast announcing the breakup, guitarist and singer Nick Ammerman explains, "The Fake Fictions are stopping playing music so that they can go to the moon." I guess that's an acceptable reason.
The show starts at 9 PM and the Laureates, Very Truly Yours, and Beauty and the Feast open. The Fake Fictions' entire recorded output is still available to download for free here.
Music, Post No Bills A New Record Shop Opens in Logan Square
Posted by Peter Margasak on Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 3:50 PM
- Google Maps
Bicycling, Free Shit 11/20—Free Bike Headlights
Posted by Julia Thiel on Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 2:44 PM
- tracy the astonishing/Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
Music, Post No Bills Lowercase Locals: Graham Stephenson and Dave Barnes
Posted by Peter Margasak on Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 1:37 PM
As deep as Chicago’s free-improv scene runs, there aren’t too many folks devoted exclusively to what’s usually called “lowercase sound” or “electroacoustic improvisation,” which is characterized by small sonic gestures, collective development, and an unconventional aural palette that gravitates toward tonal extremes. Last year Jon Abbey, who runs the important New York label Erstwhile—perhaps the most visible and tireless proponent of this stuff—sent me a self-released, self-titled CD-R by a couple of Chicagoans, Graham Stephenson (trumpet) and Dave Barnes (electronics). I didn’t get around to listening to it until very recently, but now that I have it’s clear that these two are pushing in a very different direction than most local improvisers.
Chicagoland, Food Chain, Food & Drink Chicago: The Best BBQ Scene in America?
Posted by Whet Moser on Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 12:42 PM
So saith Michael Nagrant (via Grub Street). Helen Rosner thinks he's trying to start a war, and I don't disagree, but the comments are thoughtful and well worth reading - especially the part where Nagrant seemingly gives away the game, but in a good way, because I agree:
"I think Eastern North Carolina is probably my favorite region, with places like Wilbers, the Pit, and Allen and Son's really sticking out."
FWIW, I can't recommend Honey 1 highly enough, despite some hate in comments. Here's what our critics had to say on Nagrant's other picks: Smoque and Uncle John's.
Update: I've heard that Kansas City actually has the best barbecue so many times that it can't be discounted, but sadly have never been.
