More fascinated by Kelis' milkshake than Daniel Plainview's? Is the only Oscar you'll watch living in a garbage can? Then this Sunday probably means nothing to you. You're burnt out on the "glitz" and "glamor" of the night, not to mention the drama surrounding that writers strike. more ›

Clayton Hauck, Chicago's everywhere-at-once nightlife photographer, has released the results of a reader's poll he ran to discern which clubs, DJs, promoters, and bands are at the top of The People's list. It's hardly a scientific poll, and Hauck even admits that when it came to the promoter results there was probably more than a little ballot box stuffing, but we find it interesting as it functions as a good peek into the indie-rock dance micro-scene. And this is the scene, one could argue, driving the majority of the musically related social activity in our fair city these days, so we also find it interesting as an indicator of where things might be heading. more ›

Modern bands that specialize in funk and soul tend to release pretty crappy studio albums. We suppose it has to do with the sterility of the studio, and the emphasis on "getting things just right," but for the most part a band that can get us sweating and dry-humping the stage in concert tends to leave us cold when we're reintroduced to them via personal listening system. Bumpus' last studio album, Stereoscope, bucked that trend... more ›

As many as 70 old ladies have been scammed out of the chance of a lifetime, and by chance of a lifetime, we of course mean basking in the presence of Ms. Oprah Winfrey. Prosecutors in Maryland said Monday that Terrance Hawkins, 44, booked a bus trip to Chicago, including tickets to the Oprah show, and charged $500 per person. more ›

Vanishing Bus Shelters more ›

This pains us, but sometimes Jim DeRogatis is right. Then again, if you say someone can be hit or miss that’s really not taking a huge stance because you will be correct in every instance. Anyway, that’s pretty much how Chicagoist feels about M.I.A.’s show last night at the Metro. DJ Contra (no more Diplo, sorry) began with what had to be the most eclectic set we’ve ever seen. Starting out with Dire Straits’... more ›

Seventeen-year-old Michael Hall was charged with a number of counts early this morning for his alleged involvement in a biting incident Saturday night on South State Street. more ›

If movies about time travel with overweight angels don't convince you that Christmas miracles do occur, try this heart-warming story about "Tess" the cancerous K-9. It didn't convince us either. Tess is a 7-year-old German shepard and a former member of the DuPage County Sheriff's Police Department's K-9 unit. In November Tess was asked to leave the unit after the sheriff learned she'd been diagnosed with kidney cancer. Tess sniffed out human remains for the... more ›