It's perfectly fitting that this benefit dinner is at Vie, Paul Virant's locally-inspired Michelin-acclaimed restaurant. more ›

When a freak summer hail storm hit Chicago over a month and a half ago it caused incredibly extensive damage to the Garfield Park Conservatory. The hail was unusually cruel to this building built mostly of glass whose sole purpose is to protect and house botanical treasures for Chicagoans and visitors to take delight in. It seemed to us at the time an unforgivable act of nature attacking itself. more ›

Like its vendors, StreetWise has made it through some tough times - the organization was in imminent danger of going out of business back in 2009, but quickly received more than enough donations to keep it afloat. In a continued effort to keep the non-for-profit healthily funded, a few local bands and House Call Entertainment are teaming up to host a benefit show. more ›

Local gig poster artists band together to support Jason Noble, a Louisville, KY musician primarily known for revolutionizing the scuzz-rock scene in bands like Shipping News and Rodan in his cancer battle. more ›

Nothing like shitty news to bring you into the holiday weekend, right? As some of you have heard, local house DJ/producer Paul Johnson was seriously injured in a car accident over the weekend. Currently hospitalized, Johnson has sustained some broken bones and faces impending surgery. And though our thoughts are with Johnson and his friends and family, the local house music community is too close and caring to let this tragic accident go unnoticed. Tonight, Smart Bar and 5 Magazine will host a benefit for Paul Johnson. Not coincidentally, it's the same night he was scheduled to perform prior to the accident. more ›

We like to think of our fellow Chicagoans as big-hearted folks, and we fancy our comedians as some of the best in the business. For their 9th annual holiday benefit, "The Second City That Never Sleeps: Letters to Santa," Second City is corralling big-hearted comedians and other performers for a full 24 hours of music, improv and some sweet looking raffle prizes. more ›

"Men anpil chay pa lou" translates to "Many Hands Make the Load Lighter," and it's the message illustrating a T-shirt Threadless commissioned from designers Thomas De Santis and Ivan Tarrazo Sanchez. more ›

Wilco is offering downloads of two full shows from the past year for free on their site, and in exchange they're asking fans who snag them to donate a minimum of $15 tp either OXFAM or Doctors Without Borders. That is over 4-1/2 hours of music for a measly fifteen bucks towards two worthy causes active in helping those in need all over the world, including Haiti. more ›

On Friday, February 5, Platform One Entertainment will host Dare 2 Dream, its seventh benefit event, at the House of Blues. The event will feature a concert and silent auction, with a portion of the proceeds going to the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital to support pediatric cancer research and treatment. more ›

Special to Chicagoist from Neph Basedow more ›

It’s the season of giving, and we’re all looking for a way to help the less fortunate. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have a good time in the process. This year, Covers for Cover II gives Chicago the chance to support a worthy cause while rockin’ out with local female cover bands. The show benefits Connections for Abused Women and their Children, a shelter that offers advocacy, counseling and a 24-hour hotline to women and children affected by domestic abuse. more ›

The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir are on the road to recovery after their horrific van crash last month, but they still have mountains of hospital bill to tackle, and much of their gear needs to be replaced. So a number of the band's friends are getting together tomorrow night at Subterranean to play, celebrate life, and raise money for The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir. more ›

If you're not quite in the Lollapalooza spirit this year or you'd rather spend $80 on a good ticket for an intimate show than a sweaty festival or maybe, dammit, you just love Wilco and are disappointed they aren't playing this year's fest, then Jeff Tweedy is coming to your rescue. And it's for a good cause. On Saturday, August 8, Tweedy - with opening support from Second City alum and current Colbert Report writer Peter Grosz - is playing a benefit solo show at Emanuel Congregation. Seating is general admission and set in three tiers by price: more ›

Looking to support a good cause and good art? Consider The Arts of Life, a community group which provides developmentally disabled adults an outlet for expression in the form of creating art. Now they're in a new space at 2010 W. Carroll Avenue and are ready to hold their ninth annual summer exhibit with a special showcase and auction Saturday night, June 20th. Besides the art exhibit, there will be a raffle and a silent auction as well as a performance by the Arts of Life band. Wine, beer and hors d’oeuvres are included in the price of the tickets and all proceeds benefit the Arts of Life Gallery+Studio. more ›

We have a winner! Congratulations to Jo-Elle, who pulled out a story of a long-departed cat to best all comers. Jo-Elle receives two tickets to the Growing Home Benefit, 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Cultural Center. more ›

The Depot American Diner (5840 W. Roosevelt Rd., 773-261-8422) is currently going through some tough times. They've had a business partner pull out, their hours of operation have been spotty and, with credit still hard to come by, their future is in doubt (calls to the Depot have not been returned as of post time). Restaurants close all the time, we know. But not all restaurants have friends pitching in to help out. more ›

Doug Meis, one of a trio of local musicians killed in a horrific car crash a few years ago, was an incredibly gifted artist and beautiful person. In a testament to his memory one of the bands he played drums in, Exo, will be reuniting for a one-time only show at Schubas this Sunday and all proceeds will go to benefit the Doug Meis Gifted Artists of Tomorrow Fund. more ›

Tortoise are playing a benefit show for Stella Ackerman -- daughter of Lustre King's Craig Ackerman -- at the Empty Bottle Saturday night. Stella has an undiagnosed blood disease and the benefit is to raise money for the Ackerman both the family's medical bills and cancer research in general. If you want to buy tickets, you have to get 'em at the venue. more ›

Is there a better way than to validate your Monday night drinking than by combining it with donating to a literacy program? more ›

If you're like us, then you love to drink and you like to support great causes. Well, tonight's your chance to do both! The Greater Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association is throwing a party to raise some money, "to support programs and services for the more than half a million Illinois residents affected by Alzheimer’s disease. These programs and services include our 24-hour Helpline, support groups, educational opportunities for both public and professional audiences, and Safe Return." Last year's event raised over $117,000. more ›

We've looked all day and still can't top hedgehogs in bandages (they were bandaged at, no lie, Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital). That's the clear winner of awesomeness today. But there were other good contenders... Good luck getting this catchy pork song out of your head. Have 24 hours to burn? The annual 24-hour The Second City That Never Sleeps: Letters to Santa Benefit kicks off tonight at 7pm at Second City. This year's performers also... more ›

This week's listings kick off this evening at Merchandise Mart with "Chill: an International Wine & Culinary Event" sponsored by Luxehome and Wine Spectator. Proceeds from the event benefit the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago. The event runs from 5 - 8 p.m. Chicago Professionals for Youth is committed to improving the lives of local underprivileged youth through literacy and mentoring programs, college preparation, job training and career skills assistance. Saturday they're hosting... more ›

The Sun-Times asks what we hope is a rhetorical question on the cover of today's edition; "How do you punish somebody for being so senseless?" The question was actually asked by Paul Dahlquist, father of one of three musicians brutally murdered* by Jeanette Sliwinski almost 2 1/2 years ago. She attempted to kill herself by slamming her car into a vehicle carrying Michael Dahlquist, John Glick, and Doug Meis while the three were out on a lunch break. more ›

Forgive the conveniently sensational Fox Network-style headline. Actually, our first ever Theater Bee prompted email from pleasant, well-mannered theater folk. But even as we notice more new and emerging companies every year, the years don’t get any longer (except leap years, which aren’t much of bonus anyway). We’ve selected from our inbox two shows that look interesting and unusual. After the jump, we point you to even more options for your mid-weeks and late nights.... 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 ›

Going with the 'last real weekend of the year' theme, we thought we would point out some things maybe you'd hoped get done in '06, but haven't quite gotten there yet. As always, feel free to leave additional events around the city in the comments section. more ›

Jagshemash! Borat is a hit. It's getting rave reviews, grossing millions, and definitely the most quotable thing we've seen in ages. But Borat seems to have missed most of the -ist cities, and we were all wondering how the film would have been different if he'd made his way around the world on the -ist tour. In Shanghai, Borat would be observing Inane Learnings of Penis Photos for Make Benefit Glorious Flat World of... more ›

Mr. and Mrs. Chicago, since you aren't going to see The Scissor Sisters this evening, we have suggested a few other things that may whet your appetite. The ArtWalk Ravenswood was so good we are suggesting it for a second day in a row. more ›

As fall settles in and another calendar page gets turned, thoughts turn from bbq's and vacations to holidays and the realization that '06 is coming to an end. With all that going on, with change in the air, we wonder what is it that made that makes the -ists ponder? Phillyist is concerned that the war on Trans fats could affect it's beloved cheese steak sandwiches, something for which we should all be concerned.... more ›