Free admission at the DuSable Museum, the Art Institute closes Three Graces, and other art events. more ›

The Renaissance Society, Museum of Contemporary Photography and Rhona Hoffman Gallery hold openings, among other art news. more ›

Chicago museums and galleries close several shows today and hold openings throughout the week. more ›

Okay, so it's not even March yet, but the major spring-summer museum exhibits are already on view. Here are a few we think you won't want to miss: more ›

Dan Peck, who mans the tuba for the new-music group International Contemporary Ensemble, feels that tuba players have been living a lie. Solo tuba music has only been around for a little over a half-century, and like other instrumentalists new to the solo world, there's a pervasive insecurity that comes from comparing the worth of your chosen voice to instruments like the violin or piano that have centuries' worth of repertoire written by history's greatest composers. Try as tuba players might by playing technically-demanding music, often music written for other, more virtuosic instruments, their efforts to be taken seriously only bring the ridiculousness of their endeavor into greater focus. Peck wants tuba players to come to terms with the gigantic maze of metal tubes they bear hug in their laps: the tuba is a bass instrument. In his solo performances, like the one he'll give this Friday night at the Museum of Contemporary Photography, Peck digs in his heels and explores the tuba's neglected, extreme-low end range in all its muddled and often silly-sounding glory. more ›

Chicago art peeps are counting down the days to the big Artropolis expo at the end of the month. Besides the headline grabbing Paschke and Matisse exhibitions that opened a few weeks ago, some smaller spaces are also building momentum for the city with interesting exhibitions that will overlap with Artropolis. more ›

Pop quiz: What instrument sounds the first official note at an orchestra concert? more ›

Do you demand satisfaction? You'll be able to find it at either solo violin recital going on this weekend, as two accomplished musicians play works from opposite ends of the Western music spectrum. more ›

Alright, folks, I have to make this quick before my editors get back from their coffee run. Here's the deal: By now you probably know about our fifth anniversary party this Saturday night at The Whistler. I want to tell you about a great concert going on that night, but if my editors find out I plugged something other than our party, they'll make Gitmo look like a Mancow stunt. They are not fucking around on this one. more ›

Comedy more ›

As the end of summer draws near (sobbing) we asked some Chicagoist staffers what they would choose to do if they had to plan a date this weekend. Behold. more ›