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Even before we moved to Chicago we were aware of Poi Dog Pondering, thanks to a splashy ad in Rolling Stone for their album Wishing Like a Mountain and Thinking Like the Sea. Their song "Thanksgiving," from the aforementioned album, always pops into our playlist this time of year; and it was really cool to see them open for David Byrne a few years back at Navy Pier. However, their newest foray comes as something... more ›

Well, it’s that time of year again. We’re done with Halloween costumes and on to the more pressing question, “How are we ringing in the New Year?” We know our readers aren’t chumps and bought their Raconteurs tickets for the 30th at the much cheaper rate than the New Year's Eve show. Here are a few more choices for that evening that holds so much promise, but usually just ends up being expensive with someone crying uncontrollably. more ›

Don't even remind us that summer is coming to an end, we just want to continue having fun in the sun. With that in mind, here are a few of the shows going on around the city this weekend. Friday and Saturday there is the Riverview Music Festival benefiting NGBC at DeVry University's campus. Bands slated include: Liquid Soul, Nicholas Tremulis Band, and Poi Dog Pondering (Friday) and Cathy Richardson Band, The Freddy Jones... more ›

One of the reasons why we like the Goodman Theatre (don’t start) and why it’s so quintessentially Chicago is that it never gets too big for its britches. They may be world-famous but they didn’t get named Best Regional Theater by Time Magazine for nothing. more ›

Chicagoist wonders why this event isn't held a bit closer to St. Patrick's Day? The name seems kind of strange for an April event, but nonetheless this Sunday the 26th annual Shamrock Shuffle 8k race and 5k fitness walk take place starting at 9:30 am. Yeah, kind of early on a Sunday, especially when you lose an hour of sleep the night before! At least the weather's expected to be pretty ideal with a forecast high of 64 with some sun. more ›

We may be suffering from a lingering hangover this morning (and woe to the Jenna Bush lookalike next to us who surrendered after the first act), but we’ll still be heading over to Symphony Center tonight to check out the one-night-only triple bill of Chicago Sinfonietta, Poi Dog Pondering, and Antonin Dvořák. more ›

While the recent Band Aid 20 single did little more than make most Americans say “Wait…Bob Geldof’s still alive?”, music is often the best way to people's hearts, minds and--most importantly: wallets. As private donations to various relief efforts in this country have topped more than $200 million, several local music venues have started efforts to assist those in need. HotHouse in the South Loop leads the pack with a pair of benefit shows. No... more ›

Another reason to vote: Free food, special drinks, discounted books and more. We've tried to summarize specials that are going on around town, but of course, feel free to add any we've missed! more ›

God damn tomorrow cannot come fast enough. Pre-election anxiety + post-Halloween hangover + drizzly Monday = craptacular, any way you slice it. If it were up to us, today would be national Cuddle on the Couch in Pajamas and Watch TV Day, but alas, the party wheels keep on turning. Tonight and tomorrow, there's plenty election action to keep you busy. Here are a few to get you started: more ›

Since it's the dog days of August ("dog days" now officially connotes 50-degree temperatures) and none of us have anything better to do with our time, get ready to go festival crazy. Not only does the Chicago Underground Film Festival begin this week, but Wednesday also marks the start of the Interchange Festival 2004. Their website describes it thusly: A collective of Chicago musicians, promoters and the city's top clubs and record stores have... more ›

Fuck low-carb diets. Feed your dissent on Sunday at The Grand Feast, where 12 restaurants on Grand Ave. will be dishing up their specialties. Participating restaurants, including Thyme, Caf� Fresco, and Canella's, will be serving a "grand feast" wine dinners this weekend, too. more ›

If you're heading down to sample all the tasty pre-cooked goodies at the Taste this weekend � Chicagoist once heard that pizza stand Bacino's starts prepping, and freezing, pies in January for the event � you may want to skip the food and just check out the free music acts at the Petrillo Band Shell instead. As with any Taste line-up, there are a fair number of uninteresting bands � in years past, that's included everyone from a past-their-prime Hootie & the Blowfish to the once-tolerable local mainstays Poi Dog Pondering. This year is no exception, with performances by not-bad-just-unspectacular musicians like Melissa Etheridge (tonight) and the Counting Crows (Sunday). more ›

3. Poi Dog Pondering: You guys are still around? You�re having a busy little week, aren�t you. more ›

To celebrate their first day of flights out of O'Hare, Ted is having a huge celebration right now at Pioneer Court on Michigan Ave. Go down and check it out if you're in the area. Poi Dog Pondering is playing a free concert and there are refreshments. Rumor is that they're giving out flowers, cheesecake, oranges, SoBe and a bunch of Ted schwag. Chicagoist can hear the band from our desk is going to go down and check out the happenings in a few. more ›