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Keeping the beat

Chicago’s beat scene has to do without the attention the city’s rappers get, but it’s a vital incubator for adventurous, ambitious instrumental hip-hop.

By Leor Galil

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The Herguth files

A Sun-Times reporter gathers the FBI’s files on the famous and infamous.

By Ben Joravsky
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Piecing together the story of midwest punk’s great lost talent

Before he died at 24, Peter Laughner cofounded Rocket From the Tombs and Pere Ubu. Had he lived, he could’ve rivaled Patti Smith or Richard Hell—and a new box set shows why.

By Jamie Ludwig
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Best of Chicago 2019 runoff ballot

By Reader staff

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By Ben Joravsky | 09.27.19
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Classifieds

09.27.19
Latin-jazz percussionist Sammy Figueroa balances the sum of his influences on Imaginary World

By James Porter | 09.26.19
Lo-fi songwriter Tim Presley keeps exploring on White Fence’s new album

By Dave Cantor | 09.26.19
Freak-folk superstar Joanna Newsom comes to Thalia Hall on her first tour in three years

By Monica Kendrick | 09.26.19

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Four on the floor—and in the air
The Joffrey Ballet introduces a quartet of new company members.

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The Heads That Hold the Crown

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A Poem for McDonald's

It's hard to be independent.

By S.L. Wisenberg | 01.06.94
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Too Weird To Die

Emmett Miller/The Minstrel Man From Georgia/(Columbia/Legacy)/Hampton Grease Banc/Music to Eat/(Shotput/Columbia/Legacy)

By Peter Margasak | 07.04.96

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Best of Chicago 2019 runoff ballot

Classifieds

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Keeping the beat

The Reader's comprehensive-ish film review index 10

Four young dancers talk about their journey to the Joffrey

The Epstein cover-up 8

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Celia Colón uses her story to inspire incarcerated women

Gentrification pains

Potheads rejoice: Illinois lawmakers move to legalize recreational weed 197

The Mellow Chicago Bike Map: Our guide to the lowest-stress routes in the city 31

The Lincoln Yards TIF will benefit development firm Sterling Bay—but cost Chicagoans 28

The First Sign That You're Engaged to One of These Schemers Is When She Insists You Move Out of Your Parents' Home 19

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Riot Fest’s elephant in the room 19