Friday, November 20, 2009
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.
Chicagoland, Media, Politics Sunrise 6:47 AM
Posted by Whet Moser on Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Film, Visual Art In(di)visible at Noble & Superior
Posted by Ed M. Koziarski on Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 12:10 PM
- Tw Li's "Self (Involved) Portrait"
I saw a crowd of onlookers who ranged from scandalized to righteously indignant to cynically amused gather around TW Li's video installation Police Brutality Grid when it showed in September at Margin Gallery.
Li's video, photography and performance aggressively lampoons systems of control and the impact of technology on daily interaction. His work shows in Noble & Superior Projects' In(di)visible exhibition, which opens Friday 11/20.
Food Chain, Food & Drink, News Ground Zero for the Pumpkin Shortage
Posted by Mike Sula on Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 11:51 AM
For some people, the news from Morton, Illinois, that heavy rains may force a shortage of canned Libby's pie filling is a little more dire than the threat of going pumpkin pieless for the holidays:
"But just a week in Morton can bring in more money than a year of farming. In bad years, farmers in La Soledad lose money. There are no farm subsidies, and there are few other jobs."
What? You didn't know Morton was the pumpkin capital of the world?
Chicagoland, Media, Politics The Chicago News Cooperative Debuts
Posted by Whet Moser on Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 11:44 AM
The first big story is a doozy by Dan Mihalopoulos on the parking meters. It's obviously been widely reported, but the former Trib city hall reporter scored some internal documents on how much dough Chicago Parking Meters, LLC is baking. 70% profit margin is pretty good, by which I mean totally infuriating. As to the parts about how the city didn't get a sufficiently good deal, well, we kinda figured that, but the more the merrier.
Arts & Culture is somewhat less successful. There's a Modern Wing at the Art Institute, and it features modern art.
Lit & Lectures 2009 Chicago Humanities Festival Audio/Video Highlights
Posted by Jerome Ludwig on Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 11:39 AM
- Roy Zipstein
- Tony Kusher
The first three posts under "The Laughter Continues":
Tony Kushner receiving the 2009 Chicago Tribune Literary Prize (audio only)
Historian Simon Schama telling Jewish jokes
Second City's Sheldon Patinkin and Anne Libera with "An Incomplete History of Comedy in Hyde Park"
Crickets, Music Permanent Records Celebrates Its Third Birthday
Posted by Kevin Warwick on Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 10:00 AM
- Cave
Free Shit 11/21-11/22—Free Select Media Festival Events
Posted by Robyn Chang on Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 9:12 AM
As part of Select Media Festival 8, which highlights experimental and contemporary art and media, the "Oral Asstravaganza" will take place at the Co-Prosperity Sphere (3219 S. Morgan) on Saturday from 8 to 11 PM. Billed by its organizers as "the most important reading since Charlton Heston uttered the words carved onto those stone tablets that he retrieved from the misty mountains where the clouds spoke to him in the years that pre-dated knowledge," this free event features readings by Kokie Whirlwind Arcuri, Lulu Callier, Mike McBeardo, Davide Tortuga, and I Feral Wolfhound Gleason. Guests will also be able to view the Super Bad Ass Exhibition—featuring works by dozens of artists—for free. On Sunday, 11/22 from 8 to 11 PM, artist Jacob C. Hammes will close out the festival by hypnotizing his audience.
