Slate's Political Gabfest Finally Comes To Chicago

By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on Jul 9, 2013 3:00PM

In January 2009 we found ourselves in Washington D.C. in the dead of winter and we experienced two firsts while there: Barack Obama's inauguration and a live Slate Political Gabfest. Before then the dulcet tones of David Plotz, John Dickerson, and Emily Bazelon had only been experienced via earbuds, but while in D.C. we saw them in the flesh and onstage, confirming they are in fact that witty, even before the editing process that precedes each podcast.

The chemistry between the three is incredible: Plotz supplies the acerbic wit and confrontational stance, Dickerson is the always (attemptedly) neutral voice and old school newsman, while Bazelon offers the measured voice of reason that only a longtime lawyer who has not had to sully herself by actually practicing law can provide. Together the trio offers great insight into the news of the day while never hitting snooze levels of discourse.

The Slate Political Gabfest has appeared in other cities since that cold day in January when we saw them, but Wednesday is the first time they'll finally make it to Chicago. As has happened in previous live Gabfests, they're bringing a guest and tomorrow that person is Wait ... Wait Don't Tell Me's Peter Sagal. Sadly tickets for the premium pre-show cocktail hour (we would have loved to do a shot with Plotz) are sold out, but regular tickets are still available so we recommend you snag one now.

The live Slate Political Gabfest is tomorrow, July 10, at Thorne Auditorium and Atrium, 375 E Chicago, 7 p.m., $30, all ages (but sometimes the three can have potty mouths, so there's that)