Kris Vire

Jeff Citations Awarded
The 2006-07 Jeff Citations ceremony was held last night, honoring some of the best work in the city's vast non-union theater scene. The big winner of the night was The House Theatre of Chicago, with seven wins for the much-loved The Sparrow, followed by Bohemian Theatre Ensemble's Side Show with five, and TimeLine's Fiorello! and Eclipse's Blues for an Alabama Sky with four each. Full list of nominees and winners here.
Tuesday June 12 2007Theatre/Dance 

Notes to the 1%
Tracy Letts, currently starring in Steppenwolf's Betrayal, weighs in on the company's blog with a very funny reprimand to "the 1%" of audience members who behave badly. I think he's being generous.
Wednesday May 2 2007Theatre/Dance 

I am Shocked. Shocked!
Yeah, Prior's out for the season.
Wednesday April 25 2007Sports/Recreation 

Mmmm, Free PB&J
...and we're not talking Skippy. It seems like everyone's suddenly into the IKEA-tastic pop trio Peter Bjorn and John (and I'm no exception; the whistling bit from "Young Folks" is totally my current ringtone). If you don't have tickets to one of their two sold-out shows at the Empty Bottle May 8, or to Lollapalooza, where they'll be on the bill as well, the Apple Store on Michigan Ave. has announced a free in-store by the soft-rock Swedesters that afternoon.
Tuesday April 24 2007Music/Clubs 

What LaSalle Bank's Sale Really Means To Us
The $21 billion sale of LaSalle Bank to Bank of America is a relatively small part of one of the largest financial mergers ever by LaSalle's soon-to-be-former parent company. Global implications, yadda yadda. I'm more concerned with speculating how the deal will affect our civic life: will BoA close some superfluous branches, thereby freeing up some storefronts for businesses that are actually useful and enjoyable? Seriously, Chicago is drowning in bank branches. And what's the fate of the LaSalle Bank Cinema, or the only-christened-last-May LaSalle Bank Theatre? "Bank of America Theatre"? Gross.
Monday April 23 2007City Life/Cultural 

Lollapalooza Lineup Confirmed!
The Lollapalooza lineup as reported by the Onion A/V Club earlier today is confirmed in print in an inside-back-cover ad in "tomorrow's" issue of Time Out Chicago. If you didn't buy your advance tickets, now is the time.
Wednesday April 11 2007Music/Clubs 

Tribune ownership staying in Chicago?
Bloomberg News is quoting sources close to the Tribune Co. auction as saying Tribune will probably accept the $8 billion takeover offer from native Chicagoan Sam Zell by the end of the week.
Tuesday March 27 2007Business/Shopping 

Celebrity Play Club 2007
Victory Gardens Theater announced this morning this year's celebrity playwrights for its annual Chicago Stories benefit. Sun-Times entertainment columnist Bill Zwecker, retired Tribune theater critic Richard Christiansen (also author of A Theater of Our Own, the definitive history of Chicago theater), and the husband and wife team of Attorney General Lisa Madigan and New Yorker cartoonist Pat Byrnes (writing a musical, no less!) will each author a ten-minute play to be directed by VGT artistic director Dennis Zacek. This year's class joins such illustrious (and often first-time) playwrights as John Mahoney, Phil Jackson, Mike Royko, Carol Mosely-Braun and Jesse Jackson—last year's writers were Rick Bayless, Alpana Singh, and Tribune columnist Rick Kogan. The benefit is May 4; see Slowdown for details.
Monday March 26 2007Theatre/Dance 

Thoughtcrimes and Misdemeanors
It's been on YouTube for two weeks, but the video mashup of Hillary's "conversations" with the famous Ridley Scott "1984" Mac commercial, purportedly made by an anonymous Obama supporter, has made worldwide news since it was picked up by the Drudge Report this weekend. Obama's camp is disavowing any involvement, but I imagine internally they think it's pretty awesome.
Tuesday March 20 2007Politics/Activism 

Polish Up the Doomsday Clock
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists is a nominee for a National Magazine Award for general excellence, in the smallest circulation category.
Thursday March 15 2007Print/Magazines 

Sports Dad Strikes Again
An Aurora man was caught on home video Sunday picking up his son's 11-year-old wrestling opponent and tossing the kid out of the ring, before charging the cameraman—the kid's father. NBC5 has a slideshow with scenes from the video.
Thursday February 15 2007Sports/Recreation 

Did DDB Rip Off The Whitest Kids?
Remember the Bud Light Super Bowl ad in which the fist bump is replaced by the face slap as "the new thing?" NYC sketch comedy troupe The Whitest Kids U'Know cried foul, claiming a remarkable similarity between the commercial and a sketch of theirs titled, um, "The New Thing" that had been submitted to Bud.TV. Commenters at NYC comedy blog the Apiary figured out that Bud's ad agency, DDB Chicago, also runs Bud.TV; yesterday the Apiary's Chicago sister site the Bastion posted a purported statement from DDB denying any connection. View the videos side by side at Gawker and draw your own conclusion.
Friday February 9 2007Radio/TV 

But Remember Kids, Gambling's Not Cool
Mayor Daley laid out his spread for the traditional friendly wager between mayors of Super Bowl cities today, and it's a doozy. Daley's not worried, though, warning Indy mayor Bart Peterson that he's won bets with the mayors of five other cities in the last year and a half. While we wait for Peterson to ante up, the cities' theaters are getting in on the action as well. Bailiwick artistic director David Zak announced a bet with Bryan Fonseca of Indianapolis's Phoenix Theatre: ten tickets to Bailiwick's upcoming US premiere of Jerry Springer: The Opera if the Colts win, and ten comps to Phoenix's world premiere And Her Hair Went With Her for a Bears win.
Wednesday January 31 2007In the News 

Steppenwolf Adding On
Steppenwolf held a press conference this morning to announce the addition of six new members to its ensemble. Alana Arenas, Kate Arrington, Ian Barford, Jon Hill, Ora Jones, and James Vincent Meredith bring some much-needed youth (Hill, who last appeared in The Unmentionables, is a senior at the University of Illinois, and Arenas and Arrington are under 30) and color (Arenas, Hill, Jones and Meredith join K. Todd Freeman, the one existing ensemble member of color) to the increasingly gray institution. The Steppenwolf ensemble now totals 41 members, though many (cough Joan Allen cough) rarely return to the theater.
Monday January 29 2007Theatre/Dance 

Illinois to Become Politically Relevant!
Illinois is one of four big states looking to move their presidential primaries to early February next year, creating a new Super Tuesday early in the race. With primary races often decided in early states and in the media long before Illinois's traditional May voting date, this move could go a long way toward making our votes count for a change. (In case you're wondering, the New York Times comes right out and says it: "Illinois lawmakers are talking about moving their primary to help Senator Barack Obama, a Democratic contender.")
Friday January 26 2007Politics/Activism 

Kidnapped Mom and Kids Rescued By Police
Though the search extended to Chicago, a mother and her four children kidnapped from their Elkhart, Indiana home on Saturday by the kids' father have been found safe in an Elkhart motel.
Wednesday January 24 2007In the News 

Checking in on 365
We told you in November about the 365 Days/365 Plays project, in which 52 theater companies are performing 365 short plays by Pulitzer winner Suzan-Lori Parks. The list of participating companies ranges from the traditional big guns (Goodman, Steppenwolf) to the tiny and/or unconventional like Soul Theatre and 500 Clown. Teatro Vista brings us week eleven, with performances (in mixed Spanish and English) tomorrow night at the Hungry Brain and Saturday night at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church; next week The Mill Theatre incorporates their seven plays into their Et Cetera performance festival. See 365 Chicago for the full calendar.
Monday January 22 2007Theatre/Dance 

He Voted For the Bears Before He Voted Against Them
It's a relatively minor entry on the list of reasons why the Bears' trouncing of the Saints yesterday, and their impending trip to Super Bowl XLI, is freaking awesome. But it still warms my heart to reread Jay Mariotti's column from yesterday's Sun-Times—while I'm glad he's healthy enough to be writing again, his pessimistic, ripjob game preview is classic back-and-forth bombast, negative enough that Mariotti could say he told us so if the Bears lost, but never outright predicting they would. Expect Mariotti's next column to claim he knew all along the Bears would dominate the Saints—and the one after that to proclaim they can't possibly beat the Colts.
Monday January 22 2007Sports/Recreation 

All About the Allstate Ad
If you haven't yet seen the Leo Burnett-created Allstate ad with the car that plunges into the Chicago River from the Marina City parking deck, the companies have posted both the 30-second and 60-second versions and a behind-the-scenes video at YouTube. YouTube blocked at work? The videos and a "how'd they do that?" FAQ get their own mini-site at Allstate.com, too.
Thursday January 18 2007Found on the Web 

You Got Your Stand-Up in My Improv!
The divide between improv and stand-up comedy isn't exactly church-and-state, but it's not so often that the twain shall meet. That's what's notable about Thomas and TJ's Tuesday Riot—it's the first show at iO, the former ImprovOlympic, to include stand-up. Each week features sets from three comics, followed by an improv set by Thomas Middleditch and TJ Miller. Read the minireview at Time Out's blog and check out next week's show with guests Prescott Tolk, Pat Brice and Brendan McGowan.
Tuesday January 16 2007Offbeat/Misc. Events 

I'd Like to "Null" His "Void"
As if all of his publicity hogging—new season of The Apprentice, the Miss USA thing, parading his newest trophy wife (whose name we're not even bothering to learn this time, because really, why?) at the Golden Globes—weren't obnoxious enough, The Donald tossed in some douchey business practices in Chicago this week. The Tribune reports that Trump has reneged on the contracts of the 42 "friends and family" buyers who purchased condos in Trump Tower Chicago before construction began. Those buyers, who got a deep discount and expected to be able to flip the condos after prices rose, enabled Trump to secure financing and start the project. Now Trump gets to resell the condos at market price; the "friends and family" get nothing back but interest.
Tuesday January 16 2007In the News 

Purdue-Calumet Gets an 'F'
Purdue University Calumet, a Division I NAIA school and a member of the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference, has cancelled the remainder of its mens' basketball season after more than half of the team's members were declared academically ineligible after the fall semester. The Peregrines' entire coaching staff resigned.
Saturday December 30 2006Sports/Recreation 

Lies, Damned Lies, and...
Peter Bernstein's fifteen-year statistical analysis of the relationship between the Cubs' winning records and the yearly increase in ticket prices suggests that after the abysmal 2006 season, prices should remain basically the same next year. I'm willing to bet that between the Tribune Company's woes and the front office's free-spending offseason activity, the statistics won't hold.
Thursday December 14 2006Sports/Recreation 

A Good Offense
To say that comedian Lisa Lampanelli is "politically incorrect" is like saying Michael Richards "ruffled a few feathers." The difference is that Lampanelli does it on purpose, and she's actually funny. Lampanelli gained notoriety from her appearances on several Comedy Central roasts, particularly that of Pam Anderson (the YouTube clip is here, but even with the bleeping it's still not work-safe). She was later invited for a couple of clean-but-still-dirty visits to the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and now she's headlining her own tour. Lampanelli does two shows at the Vic this weekend, and they're both 18 and up for good reason. Details and Ticketmaster links in Slowdown.
Wednesday November 29 2006Offbeat/Misc. Events 

Reeling Dealt a Blow
Chicago Filmmakers and Reeling, the gay and lesbian film festival, were robbed last night. The thieves got away with cash and with unprocessed credit card slips; if you used a credit card to buy tickets at the door for any Reeling screening at Chicago Filmmakers or at the Music Box, you're encouraged to keep an eye on your account and report any unauthorized purchases to Reeling (and, of course, to your financial institution).
Tuesday November 14 2006In the News 

Goodbye Gunther's
The Bastion comedy blog reports that Gunther Murphy's has been sold and will be closing December 1 for remodeling. That means Tuesday night's Chicago Underground Comedy showcase will be finding a new home. No word on what the news means for live music at Gunther's, but considering that ChUC cast member Mike Bridenstine says the bar's being turned into a "Lincoln Park-style Trixie bar", it doesn't look good.
Friday November 10 2006Music/Clubs 

Inge Direct
More in today's NYTimes on Charles Isherwood's recent Chicago visit: he notes the unlikely, informal William Inge festival comprising Shattered Globe's recently closed Come Back, Little Sheba and American Theatre Company's The Dark at the Top of the Stairs.
Tuesday October 24 2006Theatre/Dance 

Another Day, Another Google Maps Application
El and Metra lines overlaid on Google Maps. Sweet.
Thursday October 19 2006Transportation 

You can put it on the ratings board, yes!
Or as Crain's puts it, Holy cow! For the first time in recent memory, the Sox beat the Cubs in overall TV ratings on WGN, WCIU and Comcast Sports Net. The Cubs still sold more tickets than the Sox; of course that was mostly at the beginning of the season...
Wednesday October 18 2006Sports/Recreation 

The Best of Times, the Worst of Times
NYTimes theater critic Charles Isherwood made another of his periodic Chicago visits, this time for a tale of two Shakespeares; surprising himself, he found he preferred Robert Falls' "aggressively raunchy, excruciatingly violent" King Lear (which closes this Sunday) to Chicago Shakes' "studiously tasteful, perfectly bland" Hamlet. (Perhaps he should have opted for Tiny Ninja Hamlet?) Speaking of excruciating violence, The House Theatre of Chicago's Shakespeare-inflected Hatfield and McCoy also closes this Sunday and is similarly not to be missed.
Wednesday October 18 2006Theatre/Dance 

Jam on it
The Vic and the Riviera each debuted newly Jammed-out websites this week, matching the (rather clunky) design of their corporate sib Park West. Seriously, frames? Active Server Pages? No page titles? I guess Jam is partying like it's 1999.
Friday October 6 2006Music/Clubs 

Rollin' to the playoffs
You know you don't want to miss the Windy City Rollers' second-season playoffs this Sunday, with the Double Crossers vs. The Fury and Manic Attackers vs. Hell's Belles, plus halftime hula hoop hijinks by Hoopafreaks. But how do you get out to Cicero Stadium if you're carless? Appropriately enough you can take the oh-so-delicate Pink Line (the stadium is two blocks north of the 54/Cermak station), or for five bucks you can get on the WCR party bus from Liar's Club. Bout details in Slowdown.
Friday October 6 2006Sports/Recreation 

Barack Star
Another week, another starstruck, will-he-won't-he profile of Barack Obama (this week it's New York magazine).
Monday September 25 2006Politics/Activism 

Weekend Warriors
The New York Times spends another 36 Hours in Chicago, this time hitting the Oriental Institute, Orange, and the Hopleaf among other attractions.
Friday September 15 2006City Life/Cultural 

Chicago Politics, Theater Edition
With the nominations for the Jeff Awards announced last week, the Tribune's Chris Jones today addresses the elephant in the room—or perhaps, the lack of elephant: how did Steppenwolf, which spent its 30th anniversary season producing a slate of new plays by major authors ("more world premieres than any major theater in America last season," says Jones), come away with only one Jeff nomination?
Friday September 15 2006Theatre/Dance 

Trib and Sun-Times ♥ Macy's?
The Columbia Journalism Review Daily takes the city's mainstream media to task for its "uncritical coverage" of the losses of Field's and Carson's. CJR thinks the press could use a little more healthy skepticism about the evolution of State Street; instead, they say, "the coverage has been strangely uncritical, bordering even on the boosterish." What's more, in the stories about the department stores' handovers, the opposing quotes have come largely from the superannuated. Given the strong opinions proffered here in Fuel and the many younger faces at Saturday's anti-Macy's demonstration, I wonder if the dailies really weren't trying hard enough.
Tuesday September 12 2006Print/Magazines 

The Underwhelming Answer
Spotted the taxi ads asking What's Wrong With Chicago? Turns out it's Q101 doing the asking, and their answer is there's no good morning radio show. That the radio station would present their replacement for Mancow as the answer to all the city's ills is mildly disheartening, especially when the audio clips provided, ostensibly as previews, are the same tired song parodies and flaming-Lance-Bass jokes found on every morning show in America. The show premieres Monday the 18th.
Thursday September 7 2006Radio/TV 

Macy's on State Avenue
It's not quite that egregious, but reader Mike noticed today that the new Macy's information maps installed inside the erstwhile Marshall Field's show Wabash Street, Washington Avenue and Randolph Avenue. That'll make a Chicagoan used to Wabash Avenue and Washington and Randolph Streets twitch. Not exactly getting off on the right foot, Macy's.
Wednesday August 30 2006Business/Shopping 

Critic responds to her critics
Sun-Times theater critic Hedy Weiss, lambasted by the Dramatists Guild for reviewing (poorly) the Stages 2006 musical theater workshop at Theatre Building Chicago, gave her side of the story in a letter posted late yesterday on Romenesko. Weiss says she was expressly invited as a reviewer and given extensive press materials including photos for publication; she also says that both the Sun-Times and Tribune have reviewed Stages in the past, and suggests that trouble arose only because her review this year was negative and the Tribune's critic was on vacation. Meanwhile another Romenesko reader thinks that if the workshops were worth the "prime-ticket ticket pricing" of $85, they were worth being reviewed.
Wednesday August 30 2006Print/Magazines 

Chicago: Gay Student Central
Five Chicago-area colleges and universities were recognized this month as being among the 100 best in the nation for GLBT students. Columbia College, DePaul, Northwestern, UIC, and Northern Illinois are all profiled in The Advocate College Guide For LGBT Students, which scores the 100 gay-friendliest campuses based on school policies and student surveys. U of I Urbana-Champaign campus and western Illinois's Knox College also make the cut.
Tuesday August 29 2006Schools/Education 

Hedy Weiss in Hot Water
On August 16 Sun-Times theater critic Hedy Weiss published a piece reviewing the eight new musicals at Theatre Building Chicago's Stages 2006 festival. Trouble is, the musicals at Stages are presented in workshop, in the early stages (get it?) of development, and they're not meant to be reviewed as final products (TBC says Weiss was explicitly reminded of this). What's more, Weiss stated up front that she didn't see any of the new works in full. The review's ignited a firestorm of criticism in the national theater community, culminating in an open letter to the Sun-Times from the president of the Dramatists Guild demanding an apology, with supporting comments from a score of major playwrights.
Tuesday August 29 2006Print/Magazines 

I bet they've never heard so much Cher
Sure, there's the old stalwart Baton, or Boystown's Kit Kat Lounge. But what if you find yourself jonesing for female impersonators, say, an hour south of the city on I-57? The Tribune reports on the unlikely success of a monthly drag show at a blues club in Kankakee.
Wednesday August 9 2006Offbeat/Misc. Events 

Haute Cuisine, Outlaw Style
The foie gras farewell continues: in honor of the dish's final days in the city, chef Robert Gadsby of 676 Restaurant & Bar in the Chicago Omni put together a one-night menu full of ingredients of which the Nanny State would not approve. The $95 prix fixe menu for tomorrow night's "Outlaw Dinner," as it's being called, features absinthe, hemp seed, morels, unpasteurized cheeses, sous vide preparation, and of course foie gras; Gadsby's planning similar nights at his Noé restaurants in LA and Houston.
Wednesday July 19 2006Eating/Drinking 

Let the Games begin
Okay, okay, I'm trying not to harp on the Gay Games, but this is honestly one of the biggest events Chicago's seen in years (and a serious trial run for the city's 2016 Olympics hopes). It's so big, in fact, that we couldn't possibly list all of the events or even the highlights here in Slowdown; instead I'll just direct you to the schedules at the Games' site and let you know that most events are free, but tickets for those that require them can be purchased online or at the HotTix locations at the Chicago Tourism Center (72 E Randolph), the Water Works Visitor Center (163 E Pearson) and the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie. Have a gay old time.
Friday July 14 2006Sports/Recreation 

Laugh Out Loud/Loud Out Laughs
One thing you can say about the gays: we love our funny girls (and I don't mean Barbra). No surprise, then, that the Gay Games are bringing with them a cavalcade of comediennes. The next week finds shows around town by Margaret Cho, Sandra Bernhard, Kate Clinton, Suzanne Westenhoefer, and Mo'Nique, plus two nights of the triple-bill Queer Queens of Comedy (click links for Slowdown entries). If you prefer your gay comedy local (not to mention multi-gendered), check out GayCo's best-of show, just opened for a Gay Games run at the Theatre Building.
Friday July 14 2006Theatre/Dance 

Fear Factor: Target
Target officials have apparently told south side aldermen that they might cancel plans for three new stores if the city's proposed big-box minimum wage ordinance is passed. Ald. Joe Moore, lead sponsor of the ordinance, called Target's move "bullying tactics." The city council is scheduled to vote on the ordinance on July 26th.
Friday July 14 2006Business/Shopping 

"Everyone wants him. He's lightning."
Today's Washington Post launches the latest volley in the Obama '08 recruitment game.
Sunday June 18 2006Politics/Activism 

CIFF fetes Spielberg
Steven Spielberg will be the honoree at this year's Chicago International Film Festival summer gala, hosted by Bill Kurtis and featuring film highlights and "tributes by colleagues and friends." Ooh! Harrison? Hanks? Henry Thomas? Maybe you can ask Stevey why Jurassic Park IV is happening, or when we'll finally get Animaniacs on DVD. Tickets start at $315 for Cinema/Chicago members or if you're feeling generous, buy a table for ten of your friends for only $3500. If you haven't just won the Mega Millions, this Friday's evening with David Gordon Green (All the Real Girls) at the Future Filmmakers Festival might be more your speed.
Wednesday June 14 2006Film 

Dry Runs on the Metra
I only recently learned that it's allowed (and depending on your traveling companions, encouraged) to drink alcohol on Metra trains. But it's worth noting, as my conductor did this morning, that Metra restricts carrying alcohol and/or glass bottles at night and on weekends during the big downtown festivals, including this weekend's Blues Fest. Here's the calendar of blackout dates (pun intended).
Thursday June 8 2006Transportation 

To listen to on your next coffee break
Local indie-pop outfit Office, last month's Practice Space residents at Schubas, have this week's free single on iTunes with "Wound Up". They play the Bottle next Friday; see Slowdown.
Wednesday June 7 2006Music/Clubs 

GQ eats Chicago
GQ's food critic Alan Richman jumps on the Chicago bandwagon with an article in the June issue naming us "the best restaurant city in America." The story's focus, unsurprisingly, is on culinary wunderkinds Homaro Cantu of Moto, Grant Achatz of Alinea, and Graham Elliot Bowles of Avenues.
Saturday May 20 2006Eating/Drinking 

Sheltered (Advertising) Existence
Old-school bloglebrity Matt Haughey started a MetaFilter thread yesterday on the recent deals for New York City street furniture (bus shelters, public toilets, newsstands) bringing in a billion dollars in revenue to the city, all paid for by advertising sold by the British and Spanish firms responsible for the structures. In light of the similar deal for bus shelters struck between the City of Chicago and French firm JCDecaux a few years ago, I immediately thought, "What? We could have had public toilets too?!" If we're serious about the 2016 Olympic bid, we may see them sooner than later.
Friday May 19 2006City Life/Cultural 

Help stop the Project Marriage referendum
A coalition of civil rights groups has begun a volunteer effort to stop the anti-gay ballot initiative put forth by Project Marriage Illinois, a spinoff of the Illinois Family Institute, by scrutinizing the petitions for invalid signatures. The advisory referendum would ask voters to ask the legislature to ban all same-sex legal unions, including civil unions and domestic partner benefits. It would be non-binding and might or might not pass, but just having it on the ballot would allow the right to stir up a major anti-gay campaign; the Gay Liberation Network notes that anti-LGBT violence in Colorado increased 129% in the year following the Amendment 2 campaign there. To volunteer, email fairillinois AT yahoo DOT com or call 773-477-7173. (Thanks, Tony.)
Wednesday May 17 2006Politics/Activism 

Loop de Looper
Looper is a "quasi-daily architectural photoblog generally focused in and around the Loop;" if only we could all proselytize so well about our urban environment. Read and be inspired.
Saturday April 29 2006Found on the Web 

Blogging the national pastime
With baseball back in full swing and both Chicago teams looking good, it's time to check in on the sports blogs. The aptly-named Agony & Ivy is a well-written one-year-old Cubs diary written mainly by a Chicago ex-pat living in Austin. South Side Sox provides trenchant daily analysis of the World Series champs. What about our other summer sports? Any Chicago Fire sites with breathless reports on the new Bridgeview Stadium? And who'll have the first blog about the Chicago Sky?
Wednesday April 19 2006Sports/Recreation 

Remembering Maggie Dixon
West Point womens' basketball coach Maggie Dixon was remembered at a memorial service yesterday in North Hollywood, California after dying last week of a sudden arrythmic episode. The ceremony was attended by 1200 mourners, including the basketball teams of both West Point and DePaul, where Dixon was an assistant coach for five years before being named head coach for Army just before the start of the last season. After a 5-7 start, Dixon took the Army team to a 20-11 record and the Patriot League championship, earning West Point its first-ever appearance in the womens' NCAA tournament last month. She and her brother Jamie, the mens' coach at Pitt, became the first brother and sister to coach in the NCAA tournament in the same year. Jamie, 11 years her elder, said Tuesday, "I've said this before—when I grow up I want to be just like her." Maggie Dixon will be buried Friday at West Point; she was 28.
Wednesday April 12 2006People/Sightings 

What's that on your head? A wig!
Want a primer on fake hair, but aren't ready to commit to a full course? Head to Navy Pier Saturday evening for a free demonstration by Chicago Shakespeare Theater's wig and costume artists. It's part of a slew of free events being offered by the theater to celebrate its twentieth anniversary, though many (including this one) require reservations; see details in Slowdown.
Tuesday April 11 2006Theatre/Dance 

Theatre history makes way for granite counters, Jacuzzi tubs
The building at 2851 N. Halsted is the current home of ComedySportz; in its life as a theater since the 1970s, 2851 has been home to the St. Nicholas Players (founded by David Mamet and William H. Macy), Steppenwolf, and Organic-Touchstone. Next month it'll meet its final fate: the wrecking ball. 2851 and its surrounding buildings are being razed to make way for a 44-unit condo development, because we all know there's a shortage of new condo developments on the North Side. Read the eulogies by Chris Jones and Hedy Weiss, and consider attending the farewell party this Sunday; details in Slowdown.
Wednesday April 5 2006Theatre/Dance 

Gay Games rowers cross another hurdle
The City Council of far northwest suburb Crystal Lake last night approved by a 6-1 vote the request by the organizers of this summer's Gay Games to hold a rowing event on the lake, a matter which came under contention in hearings before the Crystal Lake Park District last month and brought national attention to McHenry County. Last night's council meeting featured many supporters and only one resident speaking against the event, who told WGN News that "I don't hate gay people; I just think it's a gay agenda event." The Games still need to gain the approval of neighboring township Lakewood, which shares jurisdiction of the man-made lake.
Wednesday April 5 2006Sports/Recreation 

Krystle and Alexis Alert!
The Sun-Times reports on the completion of the 2006-07 Broadway in Chicago season. Besides the previously announced Color Purple tour and pre-Broadway Pirate Queen, the offerings range from fantastic (Cherry Jones in the Pulitzer-winning Doubt) to middling (Mamma Mia again? Really?) to frightening (Michael Crawford in concert to rechristen the LaSalle Bank Theatre). But here's the potentially best-worst: Linda Evans and Joan Collins reunite for the "backstage comedy" Legends! (exclamation point theirs). One can only hope for a catfight in the lily pond.
Friday March 31 2006Theatre/Dance 

Won't anyone think of the Christians?
If you worry about the plight of the downtrodden, oppressed minority known as, um, Christians, rest assured that somebody is doing something about it. The Washington, DC conference The War on Christians and the Values Voter is addressing the hardship of the American Christian as we speak, and Campus Progress has a pair of undercover bloggers reporting. Turns out one of the speakers at a panel brilliantly titled "The Gay Agenda: America Won't Be Happy" is Peter Labarbera of our old friends at the Illinois Family Institute. Our old drinking buddy Alan Keyes is there, too, so you just know the crazy dial is turned up all the way.
Tuesday March 28 2006Politics/Activism 

Chicago on a roll
Chicago magazine keeps racking 'em up, adding to last week's National Magazine Award nomination with four nominations today in the City and Regional Magazine Association's national awards, including General Excellence (competition: Los Angeles magazine and Texas Monthly. We can so take them).
Wednesday March 22 2006Print/Magazines 

Chicago Magazine is just tryin' ta matter, y'all
Chicago magazine received a National Magazine Award nomination today for General Excellence in its circulation bracket (100,000 to 250,000), putting it up against Foreign Policy, Harper's, Town & Country Travel, and the Harvard Business Review. The mag has been a finalist eight times before in various categories; it won for General Excellence in 2004, as we told you then.
Wednesday March 15 2006Print/Magazines 

Cook County goes smoke-free
The Cook County board passed a smoking ordinance today that's tougher than the one that went into effect in Chicago in January. The county banned smoking in all enclosed and semi-enclosed buildings; there's an exemption for nursing homes, but none for bars and restaurants, and the ban goes into effect within a year. It applies only to suburbs that don't already have a municipal smoking ordinance, though, and doesn't trump Chicago's. So I guess now we can expect suburban smokers flocking to bars just inside the city limits until July 2008.
Wednesday March 15 2006In the News 

Set your alarms
Keeping up with the city's major summer music festivals is becoming a full-time job—not that we're complaining. No, we're here to help, so if you missed out on yet another presale yesterday (those $25 Intonation passes are gone, baby), let us remind you to cancel all your appointments for Thursday. That's when the Lollapalooza lineup will be announced (130 bands!) and regular tickets go on sale.
Tuesday March 14 2006Music/Clubs 

Miss Celie's a-comin
Considering that the new Broadway musical version of The Color Purple is directed by Chicago's own Gary Griffin (as first reported here three years ago), and the lead producer is named Oprah Winfrey, it's only natural that the show's national tour should start in Chicago, as the producers announced this weekend. The show will play a six-month run at the Cadillac Palace starting in April 2007 before taking off for other major cities, but as Chris Jones reports in the Trib, if sales are good it could leave an open-ended run here á la Wicked.
Monday March 6 2006Theatre/Dance 

Exactly what are you paying attention to, Rod?
Gov. Blagojevich is getting national attention for another one of his missteps—appointing an aide of Louis Farrakhan to the Governor's Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes. Sister Claudette Marie Muhammad is the chief of protocol and director of community outreach for the Nation of Islam; she was appointed in August but caused no controversy until she invited the other commissioners to a Farrakhan speech last weekend, where Farrakhan made reference to "Hollywood Jews" promoting homosexuality and "other filth." Blago says he didn't realize Muhammad was associated with the Nation of Islam; presumably the same staffers charged with not telling him The Daily Show was satire are in trouble again.
Saturday March 4 2006Politics/Activism 

Explosives undetected! Story overreported!
In case you missed out on the latest crisis in the local-news culture of fear, a CBS-2/Sun-Times investigation has determined that security dogs at Metra stations might not detect suicide bombers, assuming those suicide bombers behave under the exact circumstances as the CBS-2/Sun-Times fake ones did. And we all know what a juicy target for suicide bombers Metra is. Both Metra and Securitas, the contractor that provides the dogs and their handlers, say the dogs aren't meant to work that way. The Sun-Times and CBS respond, "Boo! See, made you jump. What if we'd been a suicide bomber? Huh?"
Tuesday February 28 2006In the News 

CGBB 2, Electric Boogaloo
Back by semi-popular demand, next Thursday I'm hosting the second annual Chicago Gay Bloggers Bash, a shindig for Chicago's LGBT bloggers and their friends, families, and fans, straight and gay alike, to meet, greet, booze and cruise. It's totally casual, not unlike our monthly GB Get-Togethers (this Friday with no fries, chips!) and all GB readers are welcome to show up at Crew Bar + Grill. See my site or Slowdown for the deets.
Tuesday February 21 2006Weblogs 

RedEye of the 'burbs
Last May we told you about the Daily Herald's youth-oriented blog site, Beep. Last week Beep relaunched as BeepCentral.com, with a richer mix of blogs, feature stories, and entertainment listings, plus a note that a print tabloid version is on its way. (Thanks, Aimee!)
Monday February 13 2006Print/Magazines 

And speaking of special talents...
As reader steve_sleeve points out, today's Fuel question ties in quite nicely with Mrs. Meow's Talenza Bonanza talent show, this Friday at Phyllis' Musical Inn. Maybe some of you can take your talents out for a test drive. More info in Slowdown.
Tuesday February 7 2006Offbeat/Misc. Events 

"The city's informal festival of anxiety"
New York Times theater critic Charles Isherwood checked in on Chicago last weekend, visiting the Goodman, Steppenwolf, and... the House Theatre? It's official, kids: you've arrived.
Saturday February 4 2006Theatre/Dance 

Clark Kent, meet Veronica Mars
In what's sure to be a supremely weird reshuffling of the television landscape, The WB and UPN are merging to become the "CW Television Network." What's this have to do with Chicago? The Tribune Company was a minority owner in the WB, and it'll be a major player in the new net as well. "Tribune Broadcasting is expected to be the primary station group for the new network," says the Hollywood Reporter, with 16 Tribune stations becoming CW affiliates, including WGN, natch. Here's the Tribune's spin.
Tuesday January 24 2006Radio/TV 

What's the buzz, tell me what's happenin'
The relatively new Theatre In Chicago looks to be a remarkable resource for playgoers: an independent, well-designed database of what's playing where and when, with theatre info and nearby restaurants. It's easier to browse than the League of Chicago Theatres' effort, not as stroke-inducing as Metromix, and is the only place I know of to round up all the local critics' reviews for an at-a-glance scorecard.
Tuesday January 24 2006Theatre/Dance 

Fat Tire on the road to Chicago
Beer enthusiasts, especially those who've spent time west of the Mississippi, have reason to celebrate: Fat Tire Ale is coming to Chicago. While on a Friday night outing to Whirlyball for a friend's birthday, I spotted a sign proclaiming the impending arrival of Fat Tire, which is one of my favorite beers and has never been distributed east of the big river (though at least one Chicago bar sells it clandestinely). I emailed New Belgium Brewery to confirm, and they've told me it's true—22oz "bomber" bottles of Fat Tire should start showing up here in February.
Monday January 9 2006Eating/Drinking 

Love that Lovie
Bears coach Lovie Smith was named the AP's NFL Coach of the Year today, edging out Indianapolis' Tony Dungy. Smith, who turned the Bears around from 5-11 to 11-5 this season even in the midst of a quarterback crisis, joins the company of former Bears coaches of the year George Halas and Mike Ditka. The Bears are enjoying a first-round bye this weekend before facing one of three teams next week depending on wild-card outcomes (UPDATE: it'll be Carolina, Sunday at 3:30).
Saturday January 7 2006Sports/Recreation 

Variations on a Theme
Here's a new one: in my email inbox this morning I find a new iteration of the Nigerian scam—except this one claims to be from the personal assistant to Conrad Black, the recently indicted former chairman of Hollinger International, owner of the Sun-Times. This "assistant," who says Black is wrongly accused, knows where to find some of that money Black allegedly diverted from the company, and would just love to give me a big chunk for helping to "invest" it away from the prying eyes of that nasty Patrick Fitzgerald.
Friday December 2 2005In the News 

Bear-on-Bear violence
The news out of the Bears camp this weekend wasn't all rainbows and record-setting touchdown runs. Offensive linemen Fred Miller and Olin Kreutz admitted yesterday that Kreutz broke Miller's jaw in a fight on a day off last week; they'd been covering it up by claiming Miller hurt himself in a fall at home. Details of what happened are still sketchy: the Tribune story says the two "spent the off day at an FBI shooting range in North Chicago," and that tension escalated "as more alcohol was consumed." Y'all, I can't help but think that if you've got a bunch of pro football players getting liquored up at a shooting range and a broken jaw is the worst thing that happens, that's a good day.
Tuesday November 15 2005Sports/Recreation 

No such thing as a free withdrawal
If you're a non-Washington Mutual customer who's been inclined to seek out WaMu ATMs because they don't charge you a fee, be warned that the honeymoon is over. Crain's reports that WaMu will begin charging non-customers $2 a pop just like every other bank, starting November 17.
Thursday November 10 2005Business/Shopping 

Chicago, home of the nation's favorite gay bar
The Chicago Free Press reports that Sidetrack was named the best gay bar in the country by readers of OutTraveler magazine. Indeed, Sidetrack tied for the top spot with NYC's Roxy in the magazine's readers' poll; as the editors aptly put it, "Either invite 1,200 of your closest friends over for a night of trash TV or meet them all at Sidetrack, Chicago’s sleek, supersize video bar."
Wednesday November 2 2005Eating/Drinking 

"I don't know if I'm a leader, but I have the biggest mouth"
In our continuing Ozzie Guillen coverage, the Washington Post profiles Ozzie today, complete with a rich repository of postseason Ozzie quotes. As Deadspin reports, "it's 90 percent Ozzie goodness and 10 percent beleaguered PR reps trying to settle him down."
Friday October 21 2005Sports/Recreation 

We're gonna need more tiaras
If an 80's prom isn't your thing, how about a gay homecoming? Crew Bar+Grill in Uptown is holding a homecoming dance Friday night to benefit the Gay Games Chicago 2006. Highlights include the Patty Elvis Band, a $100 bar tab prize for best dressed, free food and some serious drink specials. Plus they'll be crowning a king and queen. Or queen and king, as the case may be. Details, as always, in Slowdown.
Thursday October 20 2005Offbeat/Misc. Events 

Wake Me Up Before You Go Bowl
We're getting a little overwhelmed with premature '80s nostalgia. Witness The Awesome '80s Prom, the Tony'n'Tina-style interactive entertainment that's opening next month at the new '80s-themed club RadioStar (yes, as in "Video Killed the"). But here's one bit of '80s fever we can get behind: the HRC 80's Equality Bowl. Wear your best Reagan-era costume to Waveland Bowl this Sunday for a benefit for the Human Rights Campaign, featuring bowling, buffets, and probably more Madonna than you can shake a stick at. See Slowdown for details.
Wednesday October 19 2005Offbeat/Misc. Events 

Boystown on $40 a Day?
Are you a fan of Rachael Ray? Yeah, neither are we really, but we suppose somebody must be or she wouldn't have four shows on the Food Network, a new magazine, and a development deal with Oprah. If you're one of those fans, you should know that Ms. Ray will allegedly be taping $40 a Day in Boystown Friday. We met her advance team last night, who told us that plans include breakfast at Nookie's Tree and late night drinks at the Closet. No, really.
Thursday October 13 2005Radio/TV 

QOTSA up close and personal
I was intrigued by reports that Queens of the Stone Age would be giving an in-store performance this Thursday night at the soon-to-be-demolished Belmont Army Surplus. I mean, who wouldn't be interested in an, um, intimate experience with Josh Homme? Or is that just me? So I stopped by the store this afternoon and talked to a clerk to get the details. Unlike most in-store performances, this one's not exactly free. To gain admission, you'll need a wristband available at Tower Records—with purchase of QOTSA's "new" album, Lullabies to Paralyze... which dropped in March. Huh. Mr. Homme and co. play the Allstate Arena Friday with Nine Inch Nails.
Wednesday October 5 2005Music/Clubs 

True Patriots
Chicago artist Al Brandtner's Patriot Act is back in the news. The piece, which caused some controversy during its display at Columbia College last spring as part of the "Axis of Evil" exhibit, has been pulled by the chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, where "Axis of Evil" opened last night. The decision prompted student protests with demonstrators wearing the image on t-shirts, thus demonstrating once again that censoring something is a great way to draw even more attention to it.
Friday September 16 2005Arts/Architecture 

Laughing Matters: Katrina Relief
Four prominent members of the Chicago Comedy Association have banded together for a weekend-long benefit for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, with proceeds from a different theatre each night going to the American Red Cross's relief efforts. You can also expect raffles, "suggestion auctions," and other fundraising efforts at the designated shows. Head to ComedySportz Thursday, I.O. Friday, the Playground Saturday, and Second City Sunday for comedy and karma. See each night in Slowdown for details.
Wednesday September 7 2005Theatre/Dance 

Office Girl next door
Punk literati, take note: Joe Meno, author of Hairstyles of the Damned (the inaugural selection of the Gapers Block Book Club) and Columbia College writing instructor, is debuting a new work this week: a play called Office Girl. It's being produced by Go Cougars!, of which Meno is a cofounder. "I see theater as this amazing combination of the best storytelling of fiction mixed with the intimacy of a great rock show," he tells the Sun-Times. Details in Slowdown.
Tuesday September 6 2005Theatre/Dance 

Can't swing a cat without hitting a theatre festival
Street festival season in Chicago could also be considered theatre festival season. The dog days of summer provide Chicagoans interested in adventurous new stage work with a plethora of opportunities. Last weekend saw the annual Stages set of new musicals at Theatre Building Chicago. Currently ongoing are Live Bait's Fillet of Solo fest of solo performance and Steppenwolf's new entry, the First Look Repertory of New Work. This weekend brings two more players to the table, with the two-week Single File collection of solo pieces, and the three-day tsunami of fringe theatre that is Abbie Hoffman Died For Our Sins. Go out and see something new.
Wednesday August 17 2005Theatre/Dance 

Katie Todd Band on iTunes
Music about Chicago aside, there's quite a bit of national attention on music from current and former Chicagoans these days. Common's new album was one of the major releases of the spring, and Kanye drops his sophomore effort in two weeks. Fall Out Boy is climbing the charts, and bands like the Ponys and the Changes are building buzz. Now longtime local faves the Katie Todd Band are hitting the buzz bin, too: the iTunes Music Store named "Face Down," from KTB's new self-released album Make Some Time For Wasting, their single of the week (link requires iTunes player). Katie Todd plays the Metro August 27.
Tuesday August 16 2005Music/Clubs 

Hey, have you heard about that Sufjan Stevens album?
Good news for fans of really long song titles: the Metro has just announced a second Sufjan Stevens date September 17, to supplement the sold-out 9/16 show. Stevens is, of course, touring in support of his Illinois-inspired album, which we've told you about over and over.
Tuesday August 16 2005Music/Clubs 

Sweatshop-free, Union-free, Class-free
Like a lot of hipster-leaning internerds, we at GB used to love American Apparel: nice clothes, indie aesthetic, and "sweatshop-free" practices. Since they started opening boutiques in the city last year, though, I've grown incredibly weary of their ubiquitous, porn-styled advertising. I'd like to be able to read my Time Out or my Reader on the bus without exposing "Miguel"'s crotch to Granny across the aisle. The skeevy ads may not be the only reason to dislike AA. There's been much press coverage in the past month of the sexual harassment suit filed by three female employees against the company's gleefully libidinous CEO. In last week's In These Times, meanwhile, Ari Paul recounts the chilly reception he got in an interview for the chain's Wicker Park store last year after he mentioned his former affiliation with United Students Against Sweatshops. It seems "sweatshop-free" doesn't mean "union-friendly."
Sunday August 14 2005Business/Shopping 

Sun-Times defending the caveman
Several male Sun-Times staffers made idiots of themselves today in expressing their opinions on Dove's Real Women, Real Curves ad campaign. As part of a feature package on the campaign, reporter Lucio Guerrero offered his opinion [second segment] that "most men don't like the ads," which show non-models of varying shapes and sizes in lingerie. Richard Roeper chimes in on the "chunky women" in his column, noting that "If I want to see plump gals baring too much skin, I'll go to Taste of Chicago." Bill Zwecker added his half-cent on the CBS-2 morning show and on their blog, suggesting that these perfectly normal women will make people "think it's okay to be out of shape." Way to go, guys. Glad to see we're growing and learning.
Tuesday July 19 2005In the News 

"You: white belt and aviators. Me: white belt and aviators."
If you want your Intonation wrap-up more textual than visual, have a gander at the Craigslist missed connections this week. Our Chuck Taylors runneth over with hilarious name-drops and tortured romance (incidentally, "Did we make eyes during Les Savy Fav?" is the title of my upcoming neo-retro- garage-dance freak-folk harp album, the first in a series of concept albums exploring the national parks). I wonder why the kids didn't use their indie rocker pick-up lines?
Tuesday July 19 2005People/Sightings 

Woo Lost and Woo Found
To follow up on Tuesday's post, Ronnie "Woo Woo" Wickers is alive and well and, in fact, apparently doesn't even have a wife to report he's missing. The reports of his disappearance were discussed on WLS-AM Tuesday afternoon, and according to the Trib: "Within seconds, Wickers was on the air proclaiming, in his inimitable fashion, 'I'm alive, woo, I'm alive, woo.'"
Thursday July 14 2005People/Sightings 

Where's Woo Woo?
Wrigleyville staple Ronnie "Woo Woo" Wickers was reported missing by his wife today. Mrs. Wickers says she hasn't seen the Woo since June 29. NBC5 says that several viewers have already emailed to report Woo Woo sightings in the intervening time, and we're pretty sure we've spotted him too.
Tuesday July 12 2005People/Sightings 

FlickrPride
The 36th annual Chicago Pride Parade brought 400,000 people to Boystown yesterday. Pride is always colorful, to say the least, making for plenty of great photo ops. I've created a Flickr group to consolidate photos from the parade, Saturday's PrideFest and Dyke March, and related events. Check it out, and join up if you'd like to share your pictures.
Monday June 27 2005City Life/Cultural 

I want my HBTV
Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh, owners of Hearty Boys Catering and Boystown's HB cafe, were voted the winners by viewers of The Next Food Network Star last night. (That the show's finale fell on Pride must have been a good omen.) The Boys now get their own Food Network show, to premiere September 18.
Monday June 27 2005Eating/Drinking 

Carl Everett, Gentleman and Scholar
White Sox DH Carl Everett tells the July issue of Maxim that "I don't believe in gay marriages and I don't believe in being gay." Fair enough, I guess; I don't believe in the designated hitter. Everett also tells Maxim that Wrigley Field should be "imploded," Tiger Woods is not an athlete, and "It's proven that 99 percent of baseball fans have no idea what they're watching." For the record, this is the same guy who told Sports Illustrated five years ago that dinosaurs never existed because they weren't in the Bible.
Friday June 17 2005Sports/Recreation 

Chilling Effect
We told you in April about the Secret Service's visit to the Axis of Evil exhibition at Columbia College's Glass Curtain Gallery. The exhibit included among other pieces a stamp by Chicago artist Michael Hernandez de Luna Al Brandtner depicting President Bush with a gun pointed at his head, with the caption "Patriot Act." In response to the Columbia incident, Jeremy Lassen created a series of photo collages which he titled "Bush and Guns" and posted them to his Flickr account. Last week, Lassen got a Secret Service visit of his own. Correction: While Hernandez de Luna curated the exhibit at Columbia, the piece I mentioned featuring Bush with gun was by Al Brandtner. Apologies for the error.
Wednesday June 15 2005Arts/Architecture 

Chicago on Broadway
The Tony Awards were presented last night in New York, and as usual Chicago made its presence felt on the Broadway scene. Jam Theatricals, the Chicago-based spinoff of Jam Productions, received its first Tonys as co-producers on Best Musical winner Monty Python's Spamalot and Best Revival of a Play winner Glengarry Glen Ross (also the first Tony honor for Chicago's own David Mamet). Spamalot, of course, premiered here in December, and also won for director Mike Nichols, a U of C alumnus and founding member of the Compass Players (precursor to Second City). The Light in the Piazza, which played a pre-Broadway engagement at the Goodman last year, took home six Tonys; Celia Keenan-Bolger, who appeared in Piazza at the Goodman, went on to be nominated as Best Featured Actress for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee against her own replacement in Piazza, but the award went to Spamalot phenom Sara Ramirez. Whew.
Monday June 6 2005Theatre/Dance 

Pornstarpalooza
Memorial Day weekend in Chicago means one thing, and it's not baseball, barbecues or parades: it's The Gay. We've already mentioned IML, for the homos and harnesses set, and Bear Pride for aficionados of beards and body hair. As if that's not enough, tomorrow night also brings an influx of gay porn stars to the Park West for the 2005 Grabbys, the Oscars of gay porn, with awards in categories like Best Screenplay, Best Art Direction, and Best Three-Way Sex Scene. You can also get up close and personal with the beefcake tonight at Gentry on State's pre-Grabbys "talk show."
Friday May 27 2005Offbeat/Misc. Events 

Hot Tix? That's Hot
Hot Tix, the League of Chicago Theatres' discount ticket office, is opening its new Loop location today at 72 E. Randolph. Stop by between now and 5pm for free Starbucks coffee, ticket giveaways, and performances by the casts of shows like Wicked and Whose West Wing is it Anyway. Hot Tix offers half-price day-of and week-of tickets to shows at 125 Chicago-area theatres; the list of available shows is posted every day at HotTix.org, but must be purchased in person at the Hot Tix booths in the Loop, the Water Works Visitors Center, the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, or any Tower Records location. (Thanks, Fil.)
Tuesday May 24 2005Theatre/Dance 

God bless boxer briefs
You may have heard about Crunch Fitness's convoluted marketing campaign—you know, the one with the underwear, where the people in their skivs somehow represent the liberation of no long-term contracts, and bringing in a pair of new underwear (to be donated to the homeless!) waives the initiation fee? I know, it makes me tired too. But all was forgiven this afternoon when I saw the hot, underwear-clad Crunch models roaming Wrigleyville. Now I say Crunch can market to me anytime. Aaron of Chicagoist spotted them in the Loop yesterday, and snapped a picture. The briefs brigade is scheduled to be popping up around town through tomorrow, so keep your eyes peeled.
Friday May 20 2005Offbeat/Misc. Events 

Saints preserve us
If you're a theatregoer in Chicago, you've seen members of The Saints, the 25-year-old volunteer organization for the performing arts. They're most visible as ushers at nearly every nonprofit theater in the city, but they also provide other services. Ushering through the Saints is a great way to help out up-and-coming theatres, and you see the shows for free! Membership for the year beginning June 1 is only $50 before May 31, or $25 for students; you can join online here.
Monday May 16 2005Theatre/Dance 

United We Fall
In the wake of the latest development in beleagured United Airlines' bankruptcy restructuring, The New York Times wonders, briefly, if it would be such a bad thing just to let the airline fail. Its 61,000 employees might have something to say about that. In the Trib, meanwhile, Jon Hilkevitch worries about the fate of the United archives.
Sunday May 15 2005Transportation 

Online community-building... for live theatre
The House Theatre of Chicago isn't only the most-hyped young theatre company in several years (and current recipient of 12 Jeff nominations). They may also be the most web-savvy theatre company anywhere, ever. In addition to their well-designed website, they have a 3-month-old blog, a new Flickr account for posters and production photos, and now even a podcast. Their newest show, Dave DaVinci Saves the Universe, opens Saturday (see Slowdown).
Monday May 9 2005Theatre/Dance 

Chicagopalooza lineup announced
The Chicago-only Lollapalooza announced much of their lineup in a press conference this afternoon. The bigger names include Death Cab for Cutie, Liz Phair, the Killers, the Pixies, Weezer, and a reconstituted Dinosaur Jr(!), plus quite a few of-the-moment hipster music nerd bands. Only 30-odd bands out of a reported 60 were named, so there are presumably more to come (we're crossing our fingers and chanting "beck beck beck" under our breath). Tickets are once again on sale at the site.
Friday April 22 2005Music/Clubs 

Bush a Chicago resident?
President and Mrs. Bush live in Chicago—at least that's what their tax return says. The Bushes' 1040 lists a Chicago P.O. box, not a Crawford ranch, as their home address. A White House spokesperson says that's because Northern Trust handles the blind trust in which the Bushes have their holdings. The spokesperson also said it doesn't mean they have to pay Illinois income tax. Hey, thanks.
Friday April 22 2005In the News 

Jeff Citation nominations
The nominees for the 2005 Joseph Jefferson Citations Wing Awards were announced Wednesday. The Jeff Citations Wing honors productions from Chicago's unique and thriving non-union theatre scene (union shows have a separate awards ceremony in the fall). TimeLine and Circle Theatre lead the way with 14 nominations each, followed by Bailiwick with 13 and the House Theatre, in its first year of eligibility, with 12. The full list of nominations can be found at Playbill. Awards will be presented June 13 at Park West.
Wednesday April 20 2005Theatre/Dance 

You'd think we could buy a pennant
The Chicago-based sports marketing firm Team Marketing Research yesterday released their 2005 MLB Fan Cost Index, comparing the cost for a family of four to attend a game at each of baseball's thirty parks. Their methodology, which accounts for average ticket prices, food, parking, and merchandise, puts both of Chicago's teams in the top five most expensive. A trip to a Sox game will run $188.07 (fifth), while a day at Wrigley comes in second at $210.01. Both clubs raised their ticket prices by more than 12% this year. (Thanks, Damon.)
Tuesday April 19 2005Sports/Recreation 

Pharmacists sue for right to deny service
A pair of pharmacists from downstate Edwardsville have filed suit against Gov. Blagojevich over his emergency rule on birth control, filed April 1. Blagojevich's rule requires drugstores to fill all birth control prescriptions, including emergency contraceptives, or find other accomodations for their patients. The two pharmacists are being represented by the right-wing American Center for Law and Justice, an anti-choice, anti-gay legal organization founded by Pat Robertson.
Wednesday April 13 2005In the News 

Everyone has someone to hate them
LizWatch may have moved on to other topics without ridding the world of Liz Armstrong, but now there's another snarky, anonymous blog with a wider focus on the city's predominant free weekly: The Reader Sucks. In their first post this week, they passed on Crain's reporting that the Reader's circulation dropped for the sixth consecutive year.
Thursday March 24 2005Print/Magazines 

Ana Gasteyer will get you, my pretty