Ok, you got us. We're giant nerds. What, the numerous diversions referencing Back to the Future and Star Wars didn't clue you in? So, of course when we had a chance to roll all the way out to Allstate Arena to catch the traveling show that is , hell yes, we're going to do it. Primarily aimed at kids, Dinosaurs is nonetheless an entertaining spectacle that delivers exactly what you expect; it's like a monster truck rally except with a gigantic Tyrannosaurus Rex as the climactic figure rather than, say, Grave Digger. But the show doesn't sugarcoat its presentation or pander to the Fisher Price set. In the first five minutes of the show, the host focuses in on two freshly hatched baby dinosaurs only to have one meet a swift end when a Liliensternus snatches it away for dinner. There's also a few dinosaur fights, a pair of raptors snacking on the entrails of a dead dinosaur, and other intense moments in the show, proving the appeal goes beyond just young children (for the record, neither Kim or Marcus covered their eyes at any point. We swear). more ›

A professional sports team is leaving its city digs for a spot in the suburbs. No, don't worry, the Bears aren't going to start playing at Ryan Field. Chicago's WNBA team, the Chicago Sky, is packing up and leaving the UIC Pavilion, their current home, and relocating to the Allstate Arena in Rosemont starting with the 2010 season. Why? The team itself says it's all about growing. Sky President and CEO Margaret Stender said in a statement, “The Sky has developed from an expansion team into one of the WNBA’s most formidable teams with fabulous young talent and a very bright future. The Allstate Arena is a great choice for our team and our fans as we enter our next stage of growth. The central location and benefits of our new home will help our Sky family continue to expand." more ›

Bringing back this column has reminded us of the nature of ticket sales. Last week was huge for upcoming shows, and inevitably this week follows in lighter suit. Don't fret, we still rounded up a couple gigs that will pique your interest. more ›

Ah, late February in Chicago. Cubs tickets go on sale today, there's a forecast for a high temperature above 35 degrees next week, and thousands of indie rock kids around Chicago will soon be shedding their parkas for high-priced hoodies bought from Wicker Park boutiques (tip: ours cost us $12 at Target!) for several worthwhile shows around the Chicago area. Lots of tickets go on sale this weekend. So, despite this crappy weather, there is, in the words of Spoon, "something to look forward to." more ›

Here we go again ... The Police are coming back to town, playing Allstate Arena, with Elvis Costello opening. We enjoyed them immensely last time they came through town, but we'll probably pass on seeing them again, although Costello is a much more enticing opening act than Sting's son. But we reckon Costello was brought in to counter the fact that the immediate mix of nostalgia and excitement will probably make it harder to move tickets this time. more ›

Looking for a mini-vacation from the Chicago winter? Head out to Allstate Arena on Friday night to take in some professional beach volleyball. The AVP Crocs Hot Winter Nights will be bringing some of their top-ranked professionals along with truckloads of sand for a night of volleyball action. more ›

Ah, it's like shootin' fish in a barrel over at Chicagoist EOYW headquarters. We know how passionate you guys can get about these things, so we'll cut right to the chase: more ›

It seems sort of cruel to make everyone get up so early tomorrow after a night rockin’ out to Spiderland, but we’re gonna give some reasons why it may be advisable to set that alarm and crawl out of bed for a few minutes to spend money. The Cure has been one of our favorites since we picked up that Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me album at the mall with our allowance money. We... more ›

The Chicago Rush will work on their goal of repeating as ArenaBowl Champions when they kick-off their 2007 playoff run tonight against the Los Angeles Avengers at Allstate Arena. The winner of tonight's game will travel to San Jose for the semi-finals next weekend. So one way or another this is the last chance for fans in Chicago to see the Rush play at home this season. more ›

Live Nation has put the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park up for sale after an evaluation on their real estate holdings by CB Richard Ellis. If the venue is sold, it does not mean that concerts won’t be held there anymore, but it sounds pretty likely that this single-use venue could become a warehouse. With rezoning of the 110-acre property, we can imagine condos, condos, town homes, and more condos filling up the... more ›

Sanjaya’s coming! Sanjaya’s coming! Time to let your freak flag fly with some help from bobby pins, of course. And, a few more shows that aren’t so mainstream to pass the time until your favorite Idols come to town. Modern Finnish psychedelia - a genre that we have to admit has never crossed our minds - comes to town. Avarus’ sound has been mysteriously likened in several reviews to the feeling of being in the... more ›

We don’t want to be stuck inside today, but there are no baseball games to sneak off to this afternoon. Instead, we will ponder where we could spend that paycheck besides the usual beer gardens and brothels. We haven’t seen Bumpus play live since Rachel Yamagata left to forge her own path. From the sound of things we need to get back on the funkwagon. Contriband, a Chicago experimental hip hop group, and Doko Benjo,... more ›

The Chicago Wolves have a chance to advance to the 2007 Calder Cup semi-finals with a win tonight over the Iowa Stars. The winner of the series will face off against the North Division finalist, either the Manitoba Moose or the Hamilton Bulldogs, the Bulldogs lead that series 2-1. more ›

Chicago Rush coach Mike Hohensee was struck by a car in a grocery store parking lot on Friday afternoon and suffered serious but not life threatening injuries. He was released on Saturday to rest at home. The Rush coach was feeling well enough to lead his team in their first Monday Night Football appearance but opted to coach from a box at the Allstate Arena. more ›

Two Allstate Arena-based franchises are finding success. The Chicago Wolves kicked off their playoff campaign this weekend against their rival to the north, the Milwaukee Admirals. The Wolves took advantage of home ice, winning the first two games in the best of seven series. They won the first game 3-2 and skated to an easier victory in the second game, 4-1. more ›

The DePaul Blue Demons will tip off against the Hofstra Pride tomorrow night in the 2007 MasterCard National Invitational Tournament (NIT). This will be the Blue Demons’ 16th appearance in the tournament; they won the tournament in 1945 but have failed to make it to the final four since 1983. more ›

Chicagoist had the pleasure of attending the Big Ten conference at United Center yesterday, an activity in which we normally don't get to take part. Amongst our colleagues, much was made of the fact that no alcohol is served during the events, not even in a Budweiser-sponsored skybox. We believe one such word to describe the practice was coined as "bullshit." However, the American Medical Association couldn't disagree more. They're sending out a newspaper ad... more ›

This week when emptying our wallet, it’s either the old guys getting back together or the new guys still climbing their way to the top. This is probably scarier visually than it used to be: Heaven and Hell Live with Black Sabbath, Megadeth and Machine Head. We say scarier because we just saw Ronnie James Dio in Tenacious D and the Pick of Destiny, and we’re not sure we’d want to be in the front... more ›

We have been the biggest procrastinators writing about Tuesday’s Red Hot Chili Peppers concert at the Allstate Arena because we’ve had a ton of thoughts about the show. more ›

Last week you tried to get tickets to High School Musical for your pre-teen, teen, or tween child. And of course you failed, along with thousands of other parents. Craigslist hints at only a fraction of the carnage. Next to that game in Miami, the HSM one-night stand is the most sought after ticket in Chicago. But even if you sold your soul or ransacked your nest egg for the chance to see glossy American... more ›

We swore My Chemical Romance just left town in a haze of mascara and Queenesque choruses, but the inclusion of MCR on so many year-end, best-of lists means there’s money to be made. So the black parade marches again with local heroes Rise Against who seem to be cast in the unfortunate role of second to bands for whom they’ve paved the way. Allstate Arena, March 1, 7:30 p.m., $30, all-ages. On sale tomorrow at... more ›

For those of you who keep tabs on architectural goings-on around town, the Uptown Theater saga has become old hat. Supporters of the 1925 theater first lobbied to save it in the '80s and got it registered as a Chicago Landmark in 1991. Technically it can't be torn down ... but so far no one has successfully picked up the challenge of rehabbing the severely delapidated nightspot. Enter not one, but two major entertainment companies... more ›

People of Chicago, Justin Timberlake has heard your cries for more. more ›

Tonight the Axl Rose freak show currently known as Guns N' Roses hits Chicago. We know the following from their tour thus far: Axl has booted Eagles Of Death Metal from the bill, but decided to keep on the half-naked antics of the Suicide Girls and the half-baked antics of Sebastian Bach*. Axl will not hit the stage until at least two hours after the conclusion of the last opening act. And that’s if he’s... more ›

We know that everyone will be up early on Saturday morning to get that perfect seat at the bar for the Ohio State/Michigan football game. Don't get too caught up in football and forget to feed the music monkey first. more ›

When we heard that The Blue Meanies are playing Double Door, and Naked Raygun is playing Subterranean next week, we thought the local music news couldn't get any better. more ›

Yup, it’s another Friday, lots of shows go on sale tomorrow, and we know you want our hints as to which ones to plunk your hard-earned change in favor of and which you should avoid. As always, we aim to serve your interests and keep you ahead of the general unwashed masses. Or something like that. Duran Duran Oct. 26, Sears Centre, 8 p.m., $35-$75, All Ages The Sears Center will never replace Poplar Creek... more ›

These are days of rage for Tribune architecture critics and their readers. Today, Blair Kamen and Patrick T. Reardon released their list of candidates for Ugliest Building in Chicagoland (Outside the Loop) and have asked readers to vote for the region’s all-out fugliest. They admit the list is unscientific and there’s much more bad design to go around. Thanks to masses of commuters, the rickety Roosevelt Road Metra station seemed destined to be the reader... more ›

We were stunned. So much so that it took us a moment just to take it all in and grouse a little with the other people standing outside of the theater. And then of course, we took a picture. Really though, it is disheartening to think of another independent business close, and does anyone really know why? more ›

The Depeche Mode concert at Allstate Arena in Rosement has been cancelled for tonight. Dave Gahan has laryngitis, according to their website. more ›