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Several decades before the eye-popping wizardry of Koyaanisqatsi, the "City Symphony" genre, whose golden age lasted until perhaps the early 40's, was equal parts travelogue and razzle dazzle. The movies of this genre aimed to capture not only the atmosphere of the city in question but also showcase the latest in filmmaking technology. Canted camera angles, flash-cut editing and film that was sped up, slowed down, frozen, superimposed or otherwise manipulated were tools skillfully (and playfully) used to create a sense of wonderment about the modern world. more ›

When Hyde Park Co-Op opted to take the buyout plan proffered by the University of Chicago last month, we knew that the university would act fast to fill the space with a grocery store that would better serve the needs of Hyde Park residents. With yesterday's convenient announcement through the U of C Chronicle that they signed a lease with Treasure Island to fill the space, it almost seems as though the university had the deal lined up before the co-op's members cast their ballots. more ›

It's officially time to get in the holiday spirit, and there are (at least) two ways to do it tonight: At the Botanic Garden, we've got the return of the Wonderland Express, and at the Lincoln Park Zoo, we got Zoo Lights '07. Family friendly, very civic, etc. more ›

No witty introduction this week. Our fault for trying to impress the new staffers with barleywine ale and Dalmore. Thank God for French-pressed coffee. The buffet is now open. A Good German to the End: The closing of Delicatessen Meyer should have been a story we weighed in on earlier in the week and not relegated to the Buffet. To that end, Chicagoist extends a sincere mea culpa. Anyhoo, for those who haven't heard, the... more ›

The Chicago Shamrox indoor lacrosse team will be hosting the New York Titans this Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Sears Centre. Prior to the game, the New York Police Department (NYPD) will take on the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) in a game of indoor lacrosse. The doors open at 11:30 a.m. with the benefit match taking place at noon followed by the Shamrox game at 3 p.m. There is a strong tradition... more ›

Do you have a business idea? If you ran into Donald Trump on an elevator, could you sell it to him before the doors open on the 23rd floor? You can practice your pitch for a chance to win $5,000 in prize money in the inaugural FAST PITCH competition, part of Entrepreneurship Week Chicago. That's enough cash to buy quite a few Foosball tables for your startup office (OK, so maybe you should pay the rent first). A panel of experienced business owners, investors, and other high muckety-mucks will critique your pitch and select a winner, and, of course, it's all preceded by a networking reception. more ›

Oh wow. This is going to be so much fun. The first CTRL-ALT-ROCK was a huge success so version 2 had to be bigger and better, naturally. But we think we've outdone ourselves. Chicagoist has profiled all four of the bands performing, to bring you up to speed: more ›

Chicagoist has long avoided Black Friday, that day of misery following Thanksgiving, when millions of men, women, and children descend upon malls and other retailers across the country in hopes of scoring some fabulous holiday deals. However, we do realize that some people really get into the spirit of crushing crowds and waiting in freezing temperatures outside Circuit City at 3 a.m., as some of our friends have been known to do. Retailers are catching... more ›

That tangle of threads is the “Taxonomy of the Chicago Art Community,” an ambitious project hatched by the Bad At Sports podcasters to connect local and out-of-town artists, institutions, and media producers. Last weekend we dropped by the BAS All-Media Pancake Breakfast and Tea at the ThreeWalls gallery where we meeted 'n greeted and added a few strings to the tapestry. “Taxonomy” works along the six degrees of separation principle: we’re all connected if... more ›

It’s no secret that Tuesdays are the worst day of the week, and last Tuesday, Chicagoist decided to take solace in the arms of a familiar lover: alcohol. more ›

There are a lot of reasons to go to see live shows. Maybe you want to keep up with what’s happening in music. Or perhaps your favorite band is in town. Or you might be a crazy-ass groupie/stalker. Whatever your reason, tonight you can feed your jones and help out a sick little kid at the same time. Tonight at Double Door, several hot-shit Chicago bands will take the stage for the first of three... more ›

Chicago’s very own Dan Bakkedahl, formerly of Second City and Wrigleyville's IO Theater, has gone to the Big Apple to be the Daily Show’s newest correspondent. Dan made a name for himself here in Chicago with the comedy duo Zumpf (with Miles Stroth). He also brought the house down at Second City in the 2003-04 show “Doors Open on the Right.” The story has it that he left Second City over artistic differences; that is,... more ›

We have to admit that felt a little thrill when we found out that his excellency John Irving would be visiting Chicago for a reading--we read the bizarre A Prayer for Owen Meany in our literary-formative high school years, and the man is a bit of a legend. He'll be at the Harold Washington Library tonight to discuss his eleventh novel, Until I Find You. more ›

For anyone who still hadn’t seen it, the line that can be drawn as the shortest distance between the two points of gospel and soul music was sketched quite neatly in a sequence from the film Ray. As Jamie Foxx’s Ray Charles is wooing his soon-to-be wife he steps into a version of “I Got A Woman” that’s even more tinged with the rhythm and movements of gospel than the version eventually laid down on... more ›

Did everyone catch Conan O'Brien last night? The Cone Zone is on vacation, so it was a rerun. But the second comedy sketch, after first guest and former Second City member Tina Fey - that's a lot of firsts and seconds there - had a particular relevance and hilarity to Chicagoans. It involved a couple from the Chicago 'burbs � one of them being Conan writer Kevin Dorff, a cast member alongside Fey at Second City � instructing Conan how to get to their house with complicated directions. The joke, about navigating Chicagoland highways and local streets (with real-life shout-outs) was pretty much lost on the New York audience, but Chicagoist had a good laugh at its expense. Catch the rerun at 5 on Comedy Central today. And for plenty more Chicago-exclusive jokes, see Doors Open on the Right at Second City. more ›

The Chicago Blues Festival kicks off its 21st year today. The largest free-admission blues festival in the world is in Grant Park today through Sunday; doors open at 11 a.m., music starts at noon plays until 9:30. This year�s theme is �It�s About Time� and as usual the festival will honor a few blues greats. This year�s honorees are Robert Jr. Lockwood, David Honey Boy Edwards, and Homesick James, three of the greatest living blues guitarists. Otis Clay, Nora Jean Bruso, C.J. Chenier, and the Fat Possum Caravan will all be returning to the CBF stage, along with over 70 other performers. You can find the full performance schedule and learn more about the blues here. more ›