Help Me Wake Up! more ›

Hey, we hear it's actually supposed to get up into the 20s this weekend -- the 20s! -- so strap on a swimsuit and head for the beach. Anyway, the video below has been making the rounds around the Chicagoist office helping us kill some time before we get out for the weekend to enjoy that warm front. more ›

Tomorrow night kicks off Metro's "Home For The Holidays" weekend with a veritable who's who of Chicago-based bands that have had big 2007s. We've waxed ecstatic about OFFICE and the 1900s plenty in the past, so now we'd like to direct your attention to our favorite part of the undercard and encourage you to get out there early. more ›

Nunuh-nunuh-nunuh-nunuh-nunuh-nunuh-nunuh-nunuh-Batman! We are going crazy for full-length trailer for . more ›

Unless you stayed inside all day yesterday (and that wouldn't have been a bad idea, because it was dis-gusting out there), you couldn't miss the super-slippery sidewalks all around the city. An ice storm Saturday night made traveling around the city extra-treacherous due to the thin coating of ice on sidewalks. Chicago city officials, being their normal helpful selves, urged people to salt their sidewalks and walk carefully when it's icy. And also to look... more ›

It's all gray and misty out, and today's essentially just a waiting day until vacation time, plus people are on edge about traveling and family and blahblahblah, we know what we need to do. Brace yourself. Get ready. Gird your loins. Did you? Time for some things that are awesome! This weird old TV from the 50s! It costs $500, which puts it out of our price range, but still, the TV itself is... more ›

Winter Depression? more ›

When a theatrical production in Chicago receives seven Jeff Awards, there's definitely something buzz-worthy about it. Picking up the awards for Outstanding New Work, Production, Director, Ensemble, Original Music, Projection Design and Choreography, The House Theatre's production of The Sparrow was the must-see show earlier this year. Everyone around town was trying to get tickets. When the show extended its run another six-weeks, seats sold out in a matter of days, setting box office records... more ›

Friday seems like it's forever away, so consider this a Wednesday Afternoon Diversion. Man, we can not wait to get out of the office, get home, and get down with our loved one.... more ›

As we posted earlier this summer there's quite a hidden history of tiki in the Chicagoland area that's been all but forgotten, which is why local author James Teitelbaum's research is so valuable. His book Tiki Road Trip chronicled his coast-to-coast quest for the best in tiki, both modern and vintage. It was so successful that earlier this year he published a new edition. This Thursday he'll be in town for a reading and... more ›

Even though Illinois won't be inundated with presidential candidates like Iowa or New Hampshire, we will be able to boast one thing that residents of those states will not — the Green Party's national convention. The Green Party will hold its convention July 10-13 next year at the Chicago Theatre. The recently renovated (and finally re-opened) Blackstone Hotel will serve as home base for 1,500 or more participants — though we doubt there will be... more ›

It’s difficult to choose only one performance that was my favorite from 2007 Lollapalooza. Polyphonic Spree's joyous performance captured my heart and made me remember what Lollapalooza and all music festivals are for — losing myself in the music. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs put on an energetic, tight set, and Daft Punk brought it all home with a phenomenal stage show that was never topped throughout the weekend. more ›

Yesterday, we focused on the presidential candidates that made their way to the YearlyKos Convention at McCormick Place. But the event wasn't just Democratic hopefuls trying to connect with bloggers and grassroots activists from around the nation. The annual event was also an opportunity for progressives around the country to get out from behind their laptops for a few days and talk to each other, sharing tactics, experiences, pitfalls, strategies and ideas, networking with other... more ›

Now that Conrad Black has been convicted of mail fraud and obstruction of justice the real fun begins. With prosecutors asking that Black's $21 million bond be revoked, fearing the Lord of Crossharbour to be a flight risk, Black has voluntarily turned in his passport while he awaits sentencing from Judge Amy St. Eve on November 30th. Now the search for his money begins. more ›

This is Officer Coates. When we first saw him at approximately 4 p.m. this afternoon, he was standing on a Segway (instant annoying!) and appeared to be telling some dudes with big signs announcing a 50% off sale on tuxedos (?) on Michigan Avenue that they couldn't stand there or something. This was right out front of 535 N. Michigan Ave. just south of the Intercontinental Hotel. We thought, "Who cares? Leave them alone!"... more ›

In other news, the State Senate voted on absolutely nothing the other day. We’ve been wondering when Mike Madigan’s luck might run out, and it seems that, at least nominally, the governor has managed to rally a few of the cattle that serve as elected representatives to push back against Madigan’s plans to pork up the budget this year. While his tax plan has been a fiasco, and his wet dream of universal healthcare in... more ›

Now, we love our meat. This is the Midwest after all. Chicago was home to the Chicago Union Stock Yards once dubbed, “slaughterhouse to the world.” So we guess it's no real big surprise Chicago is also home to the world’s largest vegan social network: VegChicago, with 840 members. VegChicago hosts monthly gatherings, generally dine-outs. Their website says, “No agendas, no pressure… just a pleasant social setting for vegans, vegetarians, and veg-curious to meet, network,... more ›

A good drink can improve the quality level of a meal. It can make a mediocre dinner tolerable, or raise the bar on a perfectly cooked entree. The best chefs, along with their sommeliers, wine stewards, and spirits experts, plan a meal and its pairings with meticulous detail. Although beer and food have complemented each other for centuries, restaurants in the States are placing an increased emphasis on offering beer pairings for those who don't... more ›

Nearly all of us agree that Frank Kruesi was a big DB that couldn't keep the CTA from being in a continuous state of CF always leaving everyone going WTF? And it was with great hope that Chicagoist saw Ron Huberman come on board with promises of administrative cuts and just not being Frank Kruesi. However, over at Time Out Chicago, our old pal, Scott Smith, posted that, yet again, the CTA is threatening fare... more ›

Shh, shh, quiet Hurry up and get in the closet Hip Hop Soul Magazine said, "The things that have been written about you would make lesser men wither or simply want to give up." I said, "So I have to walk with a certain humility. I have to walk with love in my heart for those that hate me. I have to. I have to get out and touch people in order for me to... more ›

We often sit around the Chicagoist office wondering how “Viagra Triangle” could get any more ridiculous and trashy -- with men throwing around money and women with implants and botox taking it all in -- it's just like the fairy tales of our youth. Lucky for us, our question was recently answered when, lo and behold, in swept attorney Corri Fetman and her billboard advertisement proclaiming, “Life's Short. Get a Divorce.” The ad sits atop the parking garage behind Gibson’s and features the headless torso of a man with 12-pack abs and a woman with very large breasts in a black lacy bra, a thong and thigh-high stockings. It reeks of class like a dumpster full of seafood scraps sitting in 100-degree heat for a week. more ›

Tonight, Roger Ebert will make a public appearance at the opening of his annual Overlooked Film Festival. It's the ninth annual, and it's held at the University of Illinois at Urbana. Roger wrote a really great piece yesterday about his recent surgeries and his illness as it concerned his attendance at the festival. Cancer of the salivary gland spread to his right lower jaw, and a segment of his jaw was removed. He had two... more ›

One thing we've learned in our time as a font of synopsis, synthesis and snark of local news and events, is that when Da Mare gets in the press, it's all at once. And yesterday was no exception. After being gone for two weeks, Daley had a little bit to say about the Cline resignation, the recent settlement of patronage hiring, and the indictment of Al "Dirty" Sanchez. Daley indicated that after "the mistakes of... more ›

Chicagoist made sure to get out and enjoy yesterday's 70+ degree temps. Entertaining visitors from out of the country, we mostly stuck to walking along Michigan Ave. However, many took advantage of the nice temps to participate in the the 28th Annual Shamrock Shuffle, which drew a record 30,000 participants for its 8k run and 5k walk. more ›

When you think of cities you might like to get out of, which ones come to mind? New Orleans, still suffering from hurricane damage? Sure. Detroit, where the floundering auto industry is creating unrest? Of course. But Chicago? We know the CTA has some huge issues, that the job market isn’t the greatest, and that our sweltering summers and frigid winters can create feelings of ill will, but surely it’s a worthwhile place to reside,... more ›

Obviously, when anyone thinks of working at McDonald's they think of the excitement of working long hours, flipping thousands of burgers, dealing with irate customers, and other perks. If it was really that bad wouldn’t they just unionize. more ›

Early last week we had the opportunity to sit in on a class at Early to Bed. The Edgewater shop offers a variety of workshops and events, ranging from basic (Flirting for Nerds) to quite advanced (How to be a Dominant Woman). We had the good fortune to sit in on An Introduction to BDSM, a workshop taught by professional dominatrix Mistress Crimson. more ›

Step right up, folks: the Conrad Black media circus has officially commenced, and we've already learned a few things: more ›

We hope you're reading this weekend's blotter on a laptop outside somewhere. A homeless woman is being questioned concerning a fatal fire in Wrigleyville Saturday morning. Around 7 a.m. a fire broke out in a three-story apartment building at 3553 N. Fremont in a stairwell, quickly spreading throughout the structure. Three unidentified men and one woman, 24-year-old Jennifer Carlson, were found dead. Witnesses saw an unkempt woman hovering around three smaller fires the previous night... more ›