Discussions about Black History Month have become as complex as discussions about race. Debating the labels ‘black’ and ‘African-American’ lead to debates about biracial identity and, recently, whether Senator Obama, Joe Biden’s “first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy” friend, is actually African-American. In the same vein, Black History Month has increasingly been relabeled African-American Heritage Month and African Heritage Month, terms emphasizing the present and future as... more ›

Our town’s known for big honking summer festivals. They draw the tourists and our friends from Schaumberg to spend their hard earned cash and contemplate someday moving here. Those of us living here already know the real joy of a Chicago summer lies in the smaller neighborhood fests. Chicagoist can’t wait to grab a kabob and exotic pastry and take in some local culture. more ›

Oof. We�re getting off to a late start this morning here in the Chicagoist offices; we blame the humidity and last night�s late showing of Ah, sweat and confusion, thy name is laziness. more ›

Weather.com is promising warmish, sunny weather this weekend�just in time for the 57th Street Art Fair. This is its 57th anniversary, too, which makes it the oldest juried art fair in the Midwest. Congratulations, beloved 57th Street Art Fair. The fair is free to the public and features over 300 artists; things kick off Saturday at 11 a.m. on 57th, from Kimbark to Dorchester. Chicagoist has been to the last three fairs and has developed... more ›