Author: Ruthie Hansen
Friday, 07 01 2005
Carillonathon!
The University of Chicago's Rockefeller Chapel is home to a giant musical instrument known as a carillon. Every Sunday this summer the chapel is hosting a series of free recitals featuring University Carillonneur Wylie Crawford along with guest artists from across the United States and Europe. The concerts start at 6 pm, but come at 5:30 pm to climb the stairs of the bell tower and get a look at the giant bells of the carillon-- not to mention a breathtaking view of the downtown skyline.
- 1.07.05 ~ Offbeat/Misc. Events
Monday, 06 20 2005
My Bike Could Be Your Life
Chicagoan Russ McClintock biked from Seattle to New York City last year, alone, taking pictures all the way. You can see a collection of his photographs from the trip, entitled "North American Roads" online, or go see them in person through July 10th at Country Club Chicago (1100 N Damen Ave.)
- 20.06.05 ~ Photography
Thursday, 05 26 2005
International Mr. Leather/ Bear Pride
I saw someone with a leash on Michigan Ave. this afternoon, and they weren't walking their dog. Yes! It's time for the annual International Mr. Leather! Thousands of gay leathermen have descended upon the city for a weekend of fun events culminating Sunday in a pageant where one lucky man will be crowned International Mr. Leather 2005. If leather's not really your thing, and/or your pecs have been somewhat neglected, this weekend is also Bear Pride weekend, complete with a chance to be named "Mr. Bear Pride 2005." Rarr.
- 26.05.05 ~ Offbeat/Misc. Events
Thursday, 05 05 2005
Scavengers, Scavenge! Scav Hunt Begins.
The University of Chicago's famous Scavenger Hunt began last night at midnight. Participants have until Sunday to fulfill a long list of zany and obscure items in order to earn points and, more important, nerd credibility. The University's Hyde Park campus serves as the epicenter of scav insanity, but each year's hunt includes stunts that take place throughout the city, as well as an array of items and objectives scattered along a road trip route across the country. Getting ahold of the list is the first puzzle each team has to solve before they can start hunting, building, waxing, tattooing, etc. Previous years' lists are available online. U of C students may already have a reputation for being a little weird, but if you see any running around your neighborhood dressed as Care Bears, erecting scale models of famous landmarks, or acting otherwisely absurd, don't blame the school-- blame scav hunt.
- 5.05.05 ~ Offbeat/Misc. Events
Wednesday, 04 20 2005
Hyde Five!
Mr Hyde Records will be releasing its fifth compilation of Hyde Park music at tonight at the Subterranean (details in Slowdown). Rumor has it that the compilation record, entitled "Hyde Five," will showcase as many as nineteen active Hyde Park bands. Stop by the Subterranean tonight after 9 pm to get your hands on a copy. If you can't make it, keep an eye on the Mr Hyde website-- like with previous Mr Hyde releases, once the limited-edition discs are sold out, you can download the mp3s for free.
- 20.04.05 ~ Music/Clubs
Wednesday, 03 09 2005
Otium Launches
The University of Chicago's new online prose magazine, Otium has just launched. Otium features fiction, plays, an interview, and art. I didn't realize prose included photography, but it's good so I'll let it slide. If your New Years resolution was to get something published this year, note that they're also accepting submissions for future issues. Go get 'em.
- 9.03.05 ~ Found on the Web
Tuesday, 02 08 2005
UofC Priest Resigns Amid Sex Scandal
Rev. Michael Yakaitis resigned from his post as the Roman Catholic chaplain of the University of Chicago's Calvert House today after admitting that he was sexually involved with an 18 year old seminary student 15 years ago. Rev. Yakaitis had been living at the U of C's Catholic center for three years. The former seminary student who came forward with the allegations of sex abuse also revealed that the diocese knew about Yakaitis's history and placed him in a college ministry anyway.
- 8.02.05 ~ In the News
Thursday, 02 03 2005
Clown Around Town
Clown Around Town, a new program from The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, celebrates the circus arts all weekend long with acrobatic workshops, clown performances, and a circus museum exhibit. Today's events include a circus exhibition all day at the Museum of Science and Industry, "Silliness 101" at the Chicago Children's Museum, and an Astro Beat Circus Dance Party from 7-9 pm at the Chicago Cultural Center. Check out Slowdown for highlights of events happening Friday, Saturday, and Sunday as well.
- 3.02.05 ~ Offbeat/Misc. Events
Monday, 01 24 2005
Mystery Music Contest
The hip and friendly folks at Hyde Park Records are having a contest! The first person to correctly name the artist and song titles of twelve mystery tracks wins $200 in gift certificates to Hyde Park Records. Rockin'!
- 24.01.05 ~ Music/Clubs
Thursday, 01 20 2005
Twang-Off Tonight at Martyrs
TwangOff is a once-a-month battle of the bands show that takes place the third Thursday of every month at Martyrs' (3855 N. Lincoln). As the title implies, the featured bands are folksy, alt-country... in a word, twangy. Tonight's battle features the Mark Sheehy Band vs. The Steepwater Band vs. Duenow. The music starts at 9 pm and it'll cost you $7. Giddy-up.
- 20.01.05 ~ Music/Clubs
Thursday, 12 09 2004
Mason Jennings @ Schubas
Singer-songwriter/Minnesotan heartthrob Mason Jennings performs three consecutive shows at Schubas this week with Haley Bonar: Tonight at 9pm, Friday at 10pm and Saturday at 10pm. Mason is earnest, literate, Dylan-esque, and, um, really really cute. Check it out.
- 9.12.04 ~ Music/Clubs
Monday, 11 29 2004
"Buddhism Today," Today
The Diamond Way Buddhist Center of Chicago presents "Buddhism Today," a lecture by Lama Ole Nydahl tonight at 8 pm. The lecture is at the Thorne Auditorium at Northwestern University's downtown campus (375 E Chicago Avenue, at the corner of Chicago Ave and Lake Shore Drive). The event is free and open to all.
- 29.11.04 ~ Offbeat/Misc. Events
Sunday, 11 14 2004
Yearning to contribute?
Our pals over at Chicagoist are hiring. Well, maybe hiring is the wrong word, since I'm pretty sure they (like us) are an all-volunteer army. At any rate, if fine arts, food and restaurants, or GLBT happenings are your forte, then Chicagoist would like to hear from you.
- 14.11.04 ~ Weblogs
Saturday, 11 06 2004
Firemen vs. Policemen Boxing
Ever fantasized about watching Chicago's burliest firefighters duke it out Muhammad Ali-style with Chicago's toughest policemen? Ok, that's just me then.
Anyhow, Saturday is Chicago's Third Annual Battle of the Badges, a charity-boxing event between the Chicago Police and Chicago Fire Charities. Tonight's bouts get going at the De La Salle Institute (3455 S. Wabash Ave) at 6 p.m. Chicago Park District amateur boxer bouts will begin at 6:30 p.m. Chicago Police and Fire bouts will begin at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door. Pow!
- 6.11.04 ~ Offbeat/Misc. Events
Friday, 11 05 2004
THONGs Fight GMOs
Topless Humans Organized for Natural Genetics (THONG) Presents: BUSH/NO BUSH, a post-election fundraiser to support THONG's efforts to keep our food supply free from GMOs. The event features bands, body painting, naked Twister, organic foods, election healing, and naked Twister. Naked Twister? Naked Twister.
There is a suggested donation of $5 with costume, $10 without, admission is FREE if you're naked (score!). The ball gets rolling Friday night at 9 pm at Transamoeba Studio (1325 S Wabash #101). Check out ChicagoTHONG.org for more info.
- 5.11.04 ~ Offbeat/Misc. Events
Thursday, 10 28 2004
Saturnine Detractor: The Election Issue
A new issue of the Saturnine Detractor is up. They're calling it "The Election Issue," but don't let that scare you away; Ben Adams' feature on No Child Left Behind and his experience working as a middle school tutor in Chicago is definitely worth checking out. Actually, all the articles are good this round. Get over there.
- 28.10.04 ~ Found on the Web
Sunday, 10 24 2004
The2NDHAND Release Party
THE2NDHAND celebrates the release of its 15th issue, "LE2EMEMAIN," tonight at Skylark, 2149 S. Halsted, tonight (Sunday). Editors Todd Dills and Jeb Gleason-Allured are joined by Joe Meno and Jonathan Messinger in some brief readings and prolonged debauchery. The event is free, begins at 7:30pm, and is only open to those of us lucky enough to be 21 and older. Read, drink and be merry.
- 24.10.04 ~ Print/Magazines
Friday, 10 22 2004
Dead Authors Party
There's nothing wrong with playing dress-up in the privacy of your own home, but if you're ready to take your costume public, check out the Guild Complex's Dead Authors Party Saturday night from 6-9 pm at darkroom (2210 W Chicago Ave). Come dressed as your favorite dead author, dead character from a novel or poem – heck, get some friends together and come as the play Our Town. It’s a great way to try out that Halloween costume and helps support Chicago’s premiere literary center. Individual and group costume competitions will be judged by celebrities for prizes. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. To reserve yours, please call 773.227.6117 x16.
- 22.10.04 ~ Offbeat/Misc. Events
Wednesday, 08 04 2004
This is Grand Photo Contest
This is Grand, our favorite website featuring tales of travel on the CTA, has announced a photo contest. Entries are due September 15th and must feature the CTA in some capacity. Shutterbugs, take note.
- 4.08.04 ~ Photography
Friday, 06 11 2004
Pitchformula
Always thought music criticism was formulaic? Loren Jan Wilson wrote a computer program to analyze the frequency of words in positive and negative album reviews published on Pitchfork. He used the data to determine which words and phrases appear most frequently in positive reviews, and wrote songs to capitalize on the reviewers' collective preferences. The paper is Wilson's BA project at the University of Chicago.
- 11.06.04 ~ Found on the Web
Thursday, 06 03 2004
Ride Around the 35th
Saturday, join Rey Colon on a bike ride around the 35th Ward. The 35th is home to Logan Square, rumored to be bike-cooler than even Wicker Park. The ride is free. The first 50 to the start will get a free t-shirt. Start time is 10am from Palmer Square, between Kedzie and Sacramento on Palmer (two blocks south of Fullerton). After the ride will be a free lunch in Palmer Square. This will be a short (8 miles) ride.
- 3.06.04 ~ Sports/Recreation
Wednesday, 06 02 2004
Doors Open on the Right...
This is Grand, an online journal devoted exclusively to non-fiction stories about public transportation in Chicago, has officially launched. Check it out or submit.
- 2.06.04 ~ Found on the Web
Wednesday, 05 19 2004
The Chicago Quill
The Chicago Quill is an independent, nonpartisan magazine of politics, culture and the arts, run by students at the University of Chicago.
- 19.05.04 ~ Books/Authors
Tuesday, 05 11 2004
Chicagoist
Gothamist introduces Chicagoist, "a website about Chicago and everything that happens in it. That means news and events, restaurants and bars, happenings and goings-on."
- 11.05.04 ~ Weblogs
Saturday, 03 13 2004
I Read it for the Art!
Sunday, March 14th the Hyde Park Art Center presents "I Read it for the Art: Chicago, Creativity and Playboy." The show, which runs through April 24, brings together 20 Chicago artists from the Playboy collection. An opening reception begins at 4 p.m. at the center, 5307 S. Hyde Park Blvd. For more information, call 324-5520.
- 13.03.04 ~ Arts/Architecture
Peninsu-Beach
City officials recently unveiled plans for a $42 million new park development at 47th street. Unable to decide between building a beach or a peninsula, planners compromised by creating a hybrid "Beach-insula." Neato.
- 13.03.04 ~ Outdoors/Environment
Friday, 02 13 2004
Mr. Hyde Records presents:
"Going All The Way," a compilation of new music from bands located in Hyde Park. The goal of the compilation was to represent the best recordings of the best tracks of the most active bands in HP. A very limited number of copies are available free at independent record stores all over Chicago. MP3s are available to download for free.
- 13.02.04 ~ Music/Clubs
Friday, 01 23 2004
Museum Madness
Having trouble keeping track of what Chicago museums are free on which days? Here's a good resource, which includes an astouding list of museums that are free every day. Take your next date to The Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows at Navy Pier. Scope out the Spertus Museum of Judaica. So many choices, there are no more excuses for not going.
- 23.01.04 ~ City Life/Cultural
Monday, 01 19 2004
MLK Day at the U of C
African-American history scholar Dr. Michael Eric Dyson gives the keynote address at the University of Chicago’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemoration. Poet Thien-Bao Thuc Phi, who has been recognized for his unique blend of rap and poetry, will give a presentation as well. The commemoration begins at noon at Rockefeller Chapel, 1156 E. 59th St. For more information, call 702-7059.
- 19.01.04 ~ Offbeat/Misc. Events
Wednesday, 12 03 2003
New Detractor Issue
The Saturnine Detractor, a Chicago-born quarterly web magazine of feature journalism, reviews, opinion, fiction, and artwork, recently published its second issue. Check it out.
- 3.12.03 ~ Found on the Web
Monday, 11 24 2003
Browse Menus
Amazon.com has a healthy number of Chicago-area restaurant menus scanned in and posted online. If your favorite restaurant isn't represented, there's an option to mail in a menu for inclusion in the collection.
- 24.11.03 ~
Wednesday, 11 19 2003
Synaesthesia
If you're into glittery glam-rock operatics, student-made films, improvisational dancing and other artsy goings-ons, swing by Hyde Park's Smart Museum of Art, Thursday from 8:30- 10:30 pm for "Synaethesia," a multi-dimensional event put together by a conglomoration of U of C student groups. P1xel (of P1xel and the Chronic Network) has requested that guests wear white to the event, which is free and open to the public.
- 19.11.03 ~ Offbeat/Misc. Events
Tuesday, 11 18 2003
Beer Academy
The Goose Island brewery on Clybourn turns into Beer Academy this Wednesday at 6:30 pm. Learn from the Brewmaster, brush up on the ins and outs of brewing, and taste a dozen different beers while you're at it. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. To RSVP or for more information, call 312-915-0071.
- 18.11.03 ~ Schools/Education
Sunday, 11 16 2003
HP Goes High Class
If the University of Chicago has its way, Hyde Park may soon have a bona fide entertainment district. Plans are underway to relocate the famous, recently shut-down Checkerboard Lounge from its current Bronzeville location up to 52nd and Harper. The plan also includes turning a nearby defunct theater into a fine arts movie theater.
- 16.11.03 ~ In the News
Tuesday, 10 21 2003
Free Yoga
Hyde Park's newish Three Pillars Wellness Center offers a free community yoga class on Sundays from 1:30 - 2:30 PM. Who knew?
- 21.10.03 ~ Schools/Education
Friday, 10 10 2003
Uh Oh
Miller Brewing Company has recalled a batch of twelve oz. cans of Sharps non-alcoholic beer sold in Illinois. Due to "a filling error," the cans may contain real, fully alcoholic beer. All you under-21ers out there: Run, run to your nearest convenience store before this supposed "error" is corrected!
- 10.10.03 ~ In the News
Thursday, 10 02 2003
UniverSOUL Circus!
The UniverSOUL circus is in town! Billing themselves as "the best in urban family entertainment", the country's only black-owned and operated circus features Chinese acrobats, Siberian white tigers and Colombian motorcycle daredevils. Check it out through Oct. 19 at Washington Park, 5531 S. King Dr. ($10) (Note: PETA has a few things to say about UniverSoul's treatment of their circus animals.)
- 2.10.03 ~ Offbeat/Misc. Events
Wednesday, 10 01 2003
Working Bikes
If you're in the market for a bicycle, the Working Bikes cooperative on Western is a wicked-cool place to get one. They salvage bikes, fix 'em up and sell 'em cheap. Everything is volunteer-run, and the proceeds go towards paying to ship loads of bikes as humanitarian aid to Ghana, Nicaragua, and other needy countries. Check it out.
- 1.10.03 ~ Business/Shopping
Monday, 09 22 2003
Proof
The movie version of the Pulitzer prize-winning play "Proof" is going to be shot on the University of Chicago campus (and other locations around Hyde Park) next month. Keep your eyes peeled for Gwyneth Paltrow, Anthony Hopkins, or Jake Gyllenhaal running around Chicago sometime soon.
- 22.09.03 ~ Film
Thursday, 08 14 2003
Sex and Beer
Pat McCurdy is a funny, funny guy. You can hear him play (and marvel at the rabidity of his loyal fans) at the Beat Kitchen Monday night for the next two weeks. $5.
- 14.08.03 ~ Music/Clubs
Sunday, 08 10 2003
Lakeshore Art
One more reason to preserve the shore of Lake Michigan as it stands: the limestone that lines the lakefront contains hundreds of anonymous carvings, painting, drawings and other art.
- 10.08.03 ~ Arts/Architecture
Sunday, 08 03 2003
All Aboard the Party Train!
For $1200 you can throw your next soiree in an El car (or a whole train.) Choo! Choo!
- 3.08.03 ~ Transportation
Saturday, 08 02 2003
Buskerfest '03
Going on now: Buskerfest 2003 at Illinois Center Plaza.
- 2.08.03 ~ Offbeat/Misc. Events
Sunday Brunch
The Drake Hotel's ridiculously lavish Sunday Brunch (11:30 am- 2:30 pm) is a Chicago tradition for fancy folks, and the rest of us who just like to pretend. At $35 for unlimited champagne, bloody Marys, and.. what else? right, food like you wouldn't believe, it's practically a bargain (if you drink enough.) Check it out.
- 2.08.03 ~ Eating/Drinking
Friday, 08 01 2003
Carillonathon!
Come down to Hyde Park Sunday at 6pm for a carillon concert at Rockefeller Chapel. The carillon is a huge, ancient instrument which appears to be made out of bells of varying sizes. Expert players from around the country and the world will be taking turns playing the insturment every Sunday this summer. The concert is free, and immediately before the concert guests are invited to climb the bell tower to see the instrument (and the stunning view) firsthand.
- 1.08.03 ~ Music/Clubs
Saturday, 07 26 2003
Nuclear Missiles on South Side
From 1955 to 1971 several Chicago parks hosted radar towers and nuclear missiles so powerful the Chicago Tribune called Chicago “the best defended city in the Middle West against enemy air-to-ground attacks." This website has pictures and a wealth of information about the little-known history of Jackson Park and Promontory Point.
- 26.07.03 ~ History
^ Top of page | Content © 2003 - 2009 Gapers Block All rights reserved.
