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 ›

Unicorns. Fire breathing. Free PBR. more ›

Last week Oprah was on top of the world with good movie reviews and positive caucuses. Ah, how things can change in a week. Now, Oprah and FOO(Friends of Oprah) are having a bit of a rough time. more ›

What a hilarious week to be a Missed Connection. Just when we think things are starting to grow tamer on Craigslist, we're struck with a Desperate Housewives-style fantasy about Juan the door-repair guy. Behold (the parts we don't feel dirty repeating): I know we've only met a couple of times briefly but I just have to be honest. ... On the bed, on the couch, in the shower, on the floor ... I just can't... more ›

According to a new study done by former grad students at UIC, students who received candy prior to filling out teacher evaluations rated professors higher than those who didn't offer candy. We know...totally shocking, right? Benjamin Jee and Robert Youmans studied 100 students in three UIC psych classes. Students who completed an evaluation sans sweet encouragement gave the professors an average rating of a 3.85 out of 5, while those who received mini Hershey’s bars... more ›

- Say hello to Cuppy's. Another coffee chain opens its first Chicago location. - Taking parenting advice from Britney Spears, a 26-year-old woman left her kids in the car with the windows up and hot air blowing while she went to Cook County Criminal Court on the south side. - Oak Park/River Forest High School alumni Charles Simic was named poet laureate by the Library of Congress. - Keep drinking your beer, Cubs fans.... more ›

While we love art, we’re not huge fans of the occasionally pricey admission costs to get into museums and exhibits. more ›

This week, for the first time since we started this smarmy little feature, Chicagoist came up empty-handed looking for random acts of stupidity. Maybe you were well-behaved this week, Chicago, or maybe our stupid sensors have just been worn down by the relentless onslaught of Britney Spears "news," but Chicagoist wants to try a new approach. We want you, our readers, to help us spot stupid stories each week and submit them to us. We'll still scour the local rags for forehead-slapping acts of idiocy on our own, but we'd like to tap the hive mind for its ideas too. more ›

Juanita and Michael Jordan have decided to call it quits. After 17 years of marriage the two are separating "amicably" and their lawyers released a statement saying, "A judgment for dissolution of their marriage was entered today. There will be no further statements." more ›

Celebrate Ben Franklin's 300th birthday with the Bikini Bandits and Phillyist! (NSFW). Speaking of Mr. Franklin, send in a picture of Ben (or Ed Rendell) with a red tongue and win a free t-shirt. And they might have the next YearlyKos in Philly. more ›

Well, the protestors came. About five of them. Turns out the Evil Jackass Monsters of Hate Tour was a little understaffed. But what they lacked in numbers they made up for in unbridled asshattery: shouting vulgarities and waving signs reading “Thank God for Dead Soldiers.” At a funeral for an Iraq war vet. Can we stop for a fucking minute here? Think what you will about the war or the grillions of social issues that... more ›

"[We’re] reminding the kids that there is another way of life, that you don't have to be Britney Spears. Trying to get 16-year-old girls to pick up guitars instead of hot pants. Or guitars and hot pants." The source of that quote is Justine Frischmann, lead singer of the punk rock band Elastica (ask your older brother about them; then ask your cool uncle to tell you about Wire). One could argue whether Elastica was... more ›

Chicagoist nearly missed the entrance when rolling into Zebra Lounge last Thursday. What appears to be the lobby to the Canterbury Court’s high-rise apartment building also doubles as the lounge’s main entrance. For all the subtlety of the black-and-white Zebra Lounge sign on the outside, the inside is brimming with energy. True to its name, Zebra Lounge is a safari adventure with animal prints on the wall and a zebra motif running throughout the bar’s fixtures. Not shy on festivity, the lounge currently features dim red lighting and Valentine’s Day-themed streamers and tinsel. Against a backdrop of orange and deep purple walls, Tommy Oman takes his place at the corner piano belting out show tunes, classics and everything in between. He transitions seamlessly from Neal Diamond’s "Sweet Caroline" to a smooth cover of Britney Spears' "Oops I Did It Again", breaking only to make a dig at some woman from Naperville. more ›

Marilyn Manson has decided that he will not be overshadowed by the other girls in pop and is launching his own fragrance next year and hopes this will lead to a full cosmetics line. Now that we can’t wait to see! Not looking dead enough? Try Manson’s Goth Powder. Lipstick confining itself to your lips? Try Manson's Bleeding Lip Gloss. more ›

Last night Chicagoist, along with about 40 other people, attended "Author's Roundtable: On Authorship, Blogs, and the Changing Literary Landscape" which was moderated by Andrew Huff and featured Chicagoist's own Erin J. Shea as well as Wendy McClure, Kevin Guilfoile, Kevin Smokler and Claire Zulkey. Although Chicagoist is friends with all but one of the featured authors, it was really insightful to hear the panel talk about their experiences. .. because you know, when... more ›

Oh Shit. It’s Thursday, isn’t it? Like, tomorrow is New Year’s Eve and you don’t have a clue as to what you’re going to do. Chicagoist isn’t sure who those people are who plan their New Year’s Eve weeks in advance but we’re sure they iron their underpants too. At this point everywhere that’s anywhere is booked, and if you are like this Chicagoist – reservations (read: decisiveness) are not your strong suit anyway. But... more ›

Fresh off her recent children's books/Kaballah propaganda, Madonna (or, as she's now called, Esther � way to desexualize her, religion!) is performing two more shows in Chicago tonight and tomorrow at that most intimate of venues, the United Center. Reports from Ms. Ciccone's first shows here have been decidedly mixed, but the overwhelming opinion seems to be that she's (gasp!) favoring style over substance. The show features, in some capacity, all of the following: bagpipes, explosions, a skateboarding ramp, video screens, and an electric chair. Yowza! Now that's entertainment! more ›

Dear Paige Wiser, more ›