Labeling young, successful artists as The Next [insert name of popular artist] is as common a practice as it is unfair. Few up-and-coming writers, directors or actors mind the attention and praise, but many hope to succeed on their own terms. Theatre Seven of Chicago’s Is Chicago, which presents Marisa Wegrzyn’s latest play alongside one of David Mamet’s earliest and most talked about scripts, prompts two reactions. It takes some chutzpah to invite comparisons to... more ›

We fought the good fight against the Marshall Field’s name change. While it might seem to have been a fruitless battle, the outcry from many Chicagoans may be the motivation behind the latest move by Field’s’ new parent company to being some of the celebrated store’s history back to Chicago. more ›

Before a certain sports team and its star player made international headlines, most outsiders associated Chicago with tales of mythic gangland figures like Al Capone or Terrible Johnny Torrio. Chicagoist saw proof of this many years ago on a family vacation to San Francisco when we encountered a street performer dressed as a clown. While making a balloon animal, the clown asked us where we were from. When we said Chicago, he said “Oh? Gangsters,... more ›

Was it Vince Vaughn’s return to the Chicago area that prompted the Illinois State Assembly to renew the Film Production Services Credit Act last week? The timing seems awfully suspicious. Was there quid pro quo? Sine quo non? Semper ubi sub ubi? The people demand answers--preferably in Latin because it sounds important! Credited with bringing a resurgence of Hollywood dollars to Chicago, the FPSCA provides a 25% tax credit to production companies that film in... more ›

For the first time ever, the Golden Age of Gangsters Convention is coming to the Chicago area.. well, Itasca, IL. And actually, it's the first convention of this sort. Held September 10 - 12th, it's open to the public and will feature noted authors, collectors of gangster memorabilia, historians, and gangster movies and documentaries. more ›

Today’s Trib Loop info is called “Curiosities,” but it seems more like a leftovers. Start off the fun with a quiz, which we’ll admit kind of kicked our ass. Good thing they didn’t ask us about the property at 22 East Jackson, the former Pickwick Lane. There’s still a 19 x 19 stable house there, and it might be up for sale as an “office building with character or even as an office/residence.” Let’s see…it’s 361 square feet, built in 1857 with a third story added in 1907, and no one can find it on the first try? Think it’s already wired? more ›