When the readers of Finding the Moon in Sugar first meet their protagonist, Andy Nowak, he doesn’t have many redeeming qualities. He’s a 20-year-old petty drug dealer who has little motivation to accomplish much with his life. He lives in a cruddy apartment in Berwyn, tried community college, but flunked out. But when Andy stumbles into a relationship with the Lithuanian Internet bride of one of his clients, his character begins to show some depth. When she disappears back to Lithuania, Andy decides to follow her. Although Andy has a limited education and doesn’t always form coherent sentences or thoughts, he is an effective observer. more ›

We can’t turn our backs for a minute without those creatives making all sorts of trouble. Good for them. Let’s catch up and find more excuses to get out of the house this winter: Comedy/Theater Schadenfreude holds their December Rent Party tonight, where Chicagoist editor Scott Smith will read his correspondence with Richard Marx. Will the mulleted 80s rocker show up? No, but he’ll be played by a special guest. The monthly showcase of local... more ›

If you’re nostalgic for the caravan of moving trucks tooling around the city in late September—and really, who isn’t?—John Song and Ries Productions have an event for you. “Mobile Exhibitions” is a Humboldt Park art show on wheels, a commentary on urban evolution, and an excuse to play with balloons and piñatas. The one true sign of neighborhood gentrification is constantly debated. The new Starbucks on the corner? The Urban Outfitters next to American Apparel?... more ›

It's October, which means Chicago’s arts community is once again collaborating with the City to promote its glorious self during Chicago Artists Month. Through Halloween, you may discover (or be reminded) how accessible and downright friendly that community is and, if they have their way, you'll spend the frigid months touring galleries instead of watching shameful TV. There's simply not enough time for us to visit every event in every corner of the city, but we'll try to make time for these: more ›

Artists take heed, the City is looking out for you. Finding a suitable studio, performance space or even an affordable habitat can seem daunting when you’re chasing that dream. At tomorrow’s Creative Chicago Space + Housing Expo a gaggle of realty experts, financiers, and well-meaning bureaucrats will be on hand to guide you through the process, so you may buy with confidence and put another fat commission into their coffers. Kidding aside, the DCA and... more ›

Do you miss the internet when you log off? Do you wonder whether the World Wide Web is opening doors into the wide world of art? Do you wish you could get that same warm feeling listening to the radio you get reading blogs and surfing the net? more ›