- Issue of
- Feb 4-10, 2016
- Vol. 45, No. 17
In partnership with City Bureau, Yana Kunichoff and Sam Stecklow report on how Chicago's 'Fraternal Order of Propaganda' shapes the story of fatal police shootings.
Politics: Ben Joravsky explains how Illinois is still paying Wall Street banks for bad bets.
Visual Arts: Annette Elliot writes about Dutch artist Theo Jansen, whose beach-based Strandbeests invade the Cultural Center.
Food & Drink: Mike Sula reviews Ravenswood "culinary brewhouse" Band of Bohemia.
Arts & Culture
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- Performing Arts Feature
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Mothers and Sons, The Last Defender, and eight more theatrical shows
A moving drama about the AIDS epidemic and an immersive puzzle/play inspired by retro video games are among this week's best bets.
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- Theater Review
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The Goodman's Another Word for Beauty is another word for 'fail'
The convicts in José Rivera's musical are prisoners of feelgoodism.
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- Art Review
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Theo Jansen's beach-based beasts invade the Cultural Center
"Strandbeest: The Dream Machines of Theo Jansen" is a historic retrospective of the Dutch artist.
Food & Drink
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- Restaurant Review
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Ravenswood's Band of Bohemia needs some practice
The "culinary brewhouse" from a team of Alinea and El Ideas vets is long on technique, short on soul.
Columns & Opinion
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- On Culture
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The big swap
Illinois is withholding funds for education and social services, but still paying Wall Street banks for some bad bets.
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- On Politics
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This would have been the year for Chicago's boondoggle Olympics
Some of the same people saying we’re too broke to fund the schools were throwing money at the 2016 games—including our governor.
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- Savage Love
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'What do you think of poop play?' and more
Dan Savage takes further questions from a live audience in Boston.
News & Politics
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- Feature
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How Chicago's 'Fraternal Order of Propaganda' shapes the story of fatal police shootings
When cops kill civilians, their union is on hand to defend them. In many cases this has come at the expense of the truth.
Film
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- Movie Review
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The President: A timeless, incisive film about despotism
A deposed ruler tries to escape his country's revolution in director Mohsen Makhmalbaf's latest.
Music
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- Gossip Wolf
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The Lemons' new LP attracts a crowd of celebrity cosigners
Plus: Joshua Dumas of Pieholden Suite Sound starts a drony duo with singer Kate Adams, and Permanent Records reissues Fred Cole’s pre-Dead Moon band Zipper.
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- In Rotation
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Alexander Fruchter of Closed Sessions on a musical Band-Aid in a fucked-up world
Plus: Hip-hop songwriter Kweku Collins on his favorite album of 2015, the Reader’s Kevin Warwick on Iggy’s perfect pairing with Bowie, and more
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- The Secret History of Chicago Music
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Luther Allison was the Jimi Hendrix of blues guitar
Guitarist Luther Allison learned his craft in Chicago, but he spent much of his career in Europe when American interest in the blues waned.
Reader
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- Digital Editions
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Print Issue of February 4, 2016
Volume 45, Number 17
Blogs
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- Bleader
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Making sense of Measure for Measure—in Russian
To kick off Shakespeare 400 Chicago, Moscow's Pushkin Theatre and London-based Cheek by Jowl put a wobbly but exhilarating spin on the problematic problem play Measure for Measure.
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- Bleader
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Ty Segall sideman Charles Moothart debuts his band CFM
CFM drops the latest dose of weirdo punk rock from Ty Segall's wildly prolific crew.
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- Bleader
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Celebrate Groundhog Day, drink some winter brews, and more to do this weekend
Pie Fight 2016, Quimby's Zlumber Party, other weekend happenings in Chicago from January 29-31.
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- Bleader
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Navigating disorders of sex development with a Chicago doctor
Pediatric urologist Elizabeth Yerkes helps guide new parents through the mysteries of gender identity.
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- Bleader
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Troublemakers gives land art the documentary treatment it deserves
James Crump's survey of the geography-focused genre screens one more time this week at the Siskel Center.
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- Bleader
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More than 50 people murdered, nearly 300 shot in January, Rahm's approval rating at a new low, and other Chicago news
Also, cops blame shooting spike on "ACLU effect," and a fitting tribute to restaurant pioneer Moto.
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- Bleader
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The People v. O.J. Simpson finds a new way to tell a familiar story
Ryan Murphy's new true-crime serial premieres on FX.
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- Bleader
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Donald Trump debates Bernie Sanders in Chicago (sort of), and more things to do this week
First Tuesdays with Mick and Ben, Drink and Draw, other happenings in Chicago from February 1-4.
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- Bleader
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Mexican chef Dudley Nieto makes his return at Albany Park's Rojo Gusano
But the peripatetic chef forgot to bring the flavor to his latest restaurant.
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- Bleader
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Watch GreenRiver bartender Julia Momose make a cocktail with sea urchin gonads
Challenged to create a cocktail with uni, Julia Momose creates a drink that mimics the flavors of the sea.
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- Bleader
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Twelve years later, a nightmare becomes a book
One Day's Tale is a novel that took Lois Barliant 12 years to write and publish.
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- Bleader
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The Smashing Pumpkins and Liz Phair hit the road together, 22 years after an infamous takedown in the Reader
Twenty-two years ago, Steve Albini called the Smashing Pumpkins and Liz Phair "pandering sluts." At least they didn't turn out to be flavors of the week.
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- Bleader
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Chicago Teachers Union rejects Board of Ed's contract offer, Emanuel ally resigns from City Council for private-sector job, and other Chicago news
Also, how the Blackhawks can win the Stanley Cup in June, and proposed microapartments for Old Chicago Main Post Office.
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- Bleader
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Vintage sounds from bassist Gary Peacock and late, great Japanese pianist Masabumi Kikuchi
A gorgeous piece from Gary Peacock's recently reissued 1971 album Voices
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- Bleader
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Comedians pit Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump against each other
James Adomian and Anthony Atamanuik play Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump, respectively, in their touring debate.
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- Bleader
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Black Youth Project 100 releases the 'Agenda to Build Black Futures'
The bold platform from the Chicago-based activist group proposes major changes to improve black lives in America.
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- Bleader
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Pink elephants haunt the gig poster of the week
This week's gig poster was designed by local artist Josh Davis of Dead Meat Design.
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- Bleader
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Guess what? You don't have to wait till November to go to the Humanities Festival again!
The Chicago Humanities Festival launches its new spring festival, a weekend of discussions on the subject of style.
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- Bleader
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Missouri Republicans jump at the chance to despise Melissa Click
Eric Zorn sticks up for Mizzou professor Melissa Click.
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- Bleader
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Chris Crack displays some strange table manners in the new video for 'Armani Silverware'
Chicago rapper Chris Crack, from off his Who the Fuck Is Chris Spencer? collaboration, rolls out a colorful new video.
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- Bleader
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State official warns about racking up billions more in debt without budget, Aaron Schock gets seven-figure gay porn offer, and other Chicago news
Also, warm spring predicted for Chicago area, and CPS announces $100 million in budget cuts after CTU rejects contract offer.
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- Bleader
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WBEZ and DNAinfo repudiate reporter accused of fabrication
The Intercept's Juan Thompson wasn't a reporter in our shops, the outlets said Tuesday.
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- Bleader
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Sicko Mobb expand bop's borders on Super Saiyan Vol. 3
West-side duo Sicko Mobb became one of the most prominent artists in bop a few years ago, and their latest mixtape challenges the sound's conventions.
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- Bleader
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Men's rights activists rally in Rogers Park canceled, TV shows and movies keep flocking to Chicago, and other Chicago news
Also, a University of Chicago professor is out over alleged sexual misconduct, and DePaul’s law school cancels a Trump Tower event.
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- Bleader
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At Rhinofest, the Rhinoceros stampede continues—Ionesco's classic included
Reviews of three prime-time shows at Rhinofest, which runs through February 28.
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- Bleader
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The new VICE Guide to Chicago is basic as hell
VICE's rundown of Chicago restaurants, bars, and shops is a DON'T.
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- Bleader
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Former Chicagoans Cross Record return with the immersive Wabi-Sabi
The heavy, ominous "Steady Waves" is a great introduction to Cross Record's powerful new album.
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- Bleader
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Lawsuit to block Lucas Museum from lakefront will proceed
A federal judge ruled Thursday that a lawsuit aimed at keeping the Lucas Museum from building on the lakefront can continue.
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- Bleader
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Michael Ferro buys big piece of Tribune, goes silent at Sun-Times
The majority owner of one of Chicago's two dailies buys big into the other.
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- Bleader
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From Stone Terrace to Stony Island: the push for culture-based redevelopment
The city and state may be broke, but arts-and-culture-based redevelopment is chugging along on both ends of the economic spectrum.
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- Bleader
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Anita Alvarez defends her handling of the Laquan McDonald case, Chicago Police solved about a quarter of homicide cases in 2015, and other Chicago news
Also, Chicago Public Library is forgiving overdue fines, and Sun-Times owner Michael Ferro buys big stake in the Tribune.