Chicago Reader

11/21—Lights Festival Freebies

mail@chicagoreader.com (Robyn Chang) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:42:01 -0600

The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival offers a full day's worth of freebies—including concerts, pictures with Santa, a fireworks finale, and giveaways. From 11 AM to 5 PM at Lights Festival Lane (Pioneer Court, 401 N. Michigan), guests can decorate free holiday cookies at the Whole Foods booth, fancify a free piece of cheesecake at the Eli's Cheesecake booth (bring a donation for the Greater Chicago Food Depository to receive an additional free piece of cheesecake), and grab free clementines from the Cuties Clementines booth. From 7 to 9 PM, More Cupcakes (1 E. Delaware Place) will give away their signature "More" cupcake: a chocolate cupcake with a cream center (limit one per person) and Best Western (125 W. Ohio) will pass out free gourmet hot chocolate and cookies. More booths will be passing out more stuff to eat and drink.

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Still More on the Mezuzah

mail@chicagoreader.com (Michael Miner) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:29:55 -0600

Only hard-core courts buffs are sticking with me on this, my third post on the subject of the Seventh Circuit's en banc mezuzah ruling. But if you're hanging in, I recommend the oral arguments.

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Dinner and a Show: Friday 11/19

mail@chicagoreader.com (Whet Moser) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:23:02 -0600

Stefano Giovannini
DJ/Rupture & Matt Shadetek

Some of tonight's best events, as recommended by our music, movie, and performing arts critics—and where to eat before or afterward.

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Too New to Review

mail@chicagoreader.com (Kate Schmidt) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:21:25 -0600

Tonight, after months of delay, Nella Pizzeria Napoletana opens with a full bar, antipasti and salads, and pizza from Nella Grassano, the original pizzaiola at Spacca Napoli. Lunch starts Monday. A second location on Taylor Street is in the works for February.

More new places after the jump:

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Bummer Alert

mail@chicagoreader.com (Miles Raymer) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:01:00 -0600

After tonight's show at Ronny's the Fake Fictions will cease their scrappy and utterly charming noisemaking, which means there will be one less band out there making music for what I believe to be all the right reasons. In an e-mail blast announcing the breakup, guitarist and singer Nick Ammerman explains, "The Fake Fictions are stopping playing music so that they can go to the moon." I guess that's an acceptable reason.

The show starts at 9 PM and the Laureates, Very Truly Yours, and Beauty and the Feast open. The Fake Fictions' entire recorded output is still available to download for free here.

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A New Record Shop Opens in Logan Square

mail@chicagoreader.com (Peter Margasak) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:50:00 -0600

Google Maps

Jim Zespy, who bought the Chicago office of Southern Records and launched Chicago Independent Distribution late last fall, has followed through on his desire to take advantage of the company’s zoning and storefront location to open a record shop. Logan Hardware (2410 W. Fullerton) made a soft launch today, offering a limited selection of new and used vinyl and CDs and used DVDs.

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11/20—Free Bike Headlights

mail@chicagoreader.com (Julia Thiel) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:44:57 -0600

tracy the astonishing/Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic

Tonight from 5 to 7 PM at the Milwaukee/Damen/North intersection, the Active Transportation Alliance will distribute free bike headlights to cyclists (you must be on a bike to get a headlight) while supplies last. The giveaway is part of an initiative to encourage safe cycling; Illinois law requires cyclists to use a front headlight and rear reflector when riding at night.

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Lowercase Locals: Graham Stephenson and Dave Barnes

mail@chicagoreader.com (Peter Margasak) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:37:24 -0600

As deep as Chicago’s free-improv scene runs, there aren’t too many folks devoted exclusively to what’s usually called “lowercase sound” or “electroacoustic improvisation,” which is characterized by small sonic gestures, collective development, and an unconventional aural palette that gravitates toward tonal extremes. Last year Jon Abbey, who runs the important New York label Erstwhile—perhaps the most visible and tireless proponent of this stuff—sent me a self-released, self-titled CD-R by a couple of Chicagoans, Graham Stephenson (trumpet) and Dave Barnes (electronics). I didn’t get around to listening to it until very recently, but now that I have it’s clear that these two are pushing in a very different direction than most local improvisers.

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Chicago: The Best BBQ Scene in America?

mail@chicagoreader.com (Whet Moser) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:42:41 -0600

So saith Michael Nagrant (via Grub Street). Helen Rosner thinks he's trying to start a war, and I don't disagree, but the comments are thoughtful and well worth reading - especially the part where Nagrant seemingly gives away the game, but in a good way, because I agree:

"I think Eastern North Carolina is probably my favorite region, with places like Wilbers, the Pit, and Allen and Son's really sticking out."

FWIW, I can't recommend Honey 1 highly enough, despite some hate in comments. Here's what our critics had to say on Nagrant's other picks: Smoque and Uncle John's.

Update: I've heard that Kansas City actually has the best barbecue so many times that it can't be discounted, but sadly have never been.

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Sunrise 6:47 AM

mail@chicagoreader.com (Whet Moser) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:22:54 -0600

"Why is she ending show? Daley blames the media"

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In(di)visible at Noble & Superior

mail@chicagoreader.com (Ed M. Koziarski) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:10:25 -0600

Tw Li's "Self (Involved) Portrait"

I saw a crowd of onlookers who ranged from scandalized to righteously indignant to cynically amused gather around TW Li's video installation Police Brutality Grid when it showed in September at Margin Gallery.

Li's video, photography and performance aggressively lampoon systems of control and the impact of technology on daily interaction. His work shows in Noble & Superior Projects' In(di)visible exhibition, which opens Friday 11/20.

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Ground Zero for the Pumpkin Shortage

mail@chicagoreader.com (Mike Sula) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:51:00 -0600

For some people, the news from Morton, Illinois, that heavy rains may force a shortage of canned Libby's pie filling is a little more dire than the threat of going pumpkin pieless for the holidays:

"But just a week in Morton can bring in more money than a year of farming. In bad years, farmers in La Soledad lose money. There are no farm subsidies, and there are few other jobs."

What? You didn't know Morton was the pumpkin capital of the world?

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The Chicago News Cooperative Debuts

mail@chicagoreader.com (Whet Moser) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:44:15 -0600

The first big story is a doozy by Dan Mihalopoulos on the parking meters. It's obviously been widely reported, but the former Trib city hall reporter scored some internal documents on how much dough Chicago Parking Meters, LLC is baking. 70% profit margin is pretty good, by which I mean totally infuriating. As to the parts about how the city didn't get a sufficiently good deal, well, we kinda figured that, but the more the merrier.

Arts & Culture is somewhat less successful. There's a Modern Wing at the Art Institute, and it features modern art.

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2009 Chicago Humanities Festival Audio/Video Highlights

mail@chicagoreader.com (Jerome Ludwig) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:39:24 -0600

Roy Zipstein
Tony Kusher

The Chicago Humanities Festival has just begun to post audio and video of selected programs from its recently concluded 2009 festival, this year themed "Laughter."

The first three posts under "The Laughter Continues":

Tony Kushner receiving the 2009 Chicago Tribune Literary Prize (audio only)

Historian Simon Schama telling Jewish jokes

Second City's Sheldon Patinkin and Anne Libera with "An Incomplete History of Comedy in Hyde Park"

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Permanent Records Celebrates Its Third Birthday

mail@chicagoreader.com (Kevin Warwick) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:00:00 -0600

Cave

There's an onslaught of top-notch live music this Saturday (Fuck Buttons and Growing at the Bottle, the Pixies and Jay Reatard at the Aragon, 3 Inches of Blood and Saviours at Reggie's, the Half Rats and Shannon & the Clams at Cole's), but the best concert of the weekend that showcases nothing but local bands is undoubtedly Saturday night at the Hideout, where Permanent Records (1914 W. Chicago) is holding its third anniversary blowout.

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11/21-11/22—Free Select Media Festival Events

mail@chicagoreader.com (Robyn Chang) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:12:00 -0600

As part of Select Media Festival 8, which highlights experimental and contemporary art and media, the "Oral Asstravaganza" will take place at the Co-Prosperity Sphere (3219 S. Morgan) on Saturday from 8 to 11 PM. Billed by its organizers as "the most important reading since Charlton Heston uttered the words carved onto those stone tablets that he retrieved from the misty mountains where the clouds spoke to him in the years that pre-dated knowledge," this free event features readings by Kokie Whirlwind Arcuri, Lulu Callier, Mike McBeardo, Davide Tortuga, and I Feral Wolfhound Gleason. Guests will also be able to view the Super Bad Ass Exhibition—featuring works by dozens of artists—for free. On Sunday, 11/22 from 8 to 11 PM, artist Jacob C. Hammes will close out the festival by hypnotizing his audience.

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Morning Art: Laurel Delaney

mail@chicagoreader.com (Julia Thiel) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:42:11 -0600

Sewing Up the Hole in the Sky, a painting by Laurel Delaney, part of Myth-Illogical, a show of her work opening Fri 11/20, 6-9 PM, at Woman Made Gallery, 685 N. Milwaukee, 312-738-0400.

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ILGOP: Walking Back to Thomson

mail@chicagoreader.com (Whet Moser) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:36:55 -0600

"As we move forward with a dignified and precise discussion...."

I enjoyed Michael Miner's take.

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11/21 — Free Alexa Woodward Show at Reckless Records

mail@chicagoreader.com (Robyn Chang) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:22:00 -0600

On Saturday at 3 PM singer-songwriter Alexa Woodward plays a free show at Reckless Records (3126 N. Broadway) in Lakeview as part of her midwest tour. Woodward draws upon her experiences studying human rights law and working the New York City roots music circuit to create songs that tap into familiar themes of human existence, such as hope and melancholy. Her distinctive banjo-playing style, haunting melodies and emotional voice and lyrics have won her fans across the country and in Europe.

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Select Media Festival tonight

mail@chicagoreader.com (J.R. Jones) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:48:23 -0600

The eighth Select Media Festival opens tonight with short videos at Heaven Gallery, 1561 N. Milwaukee. Admission is $6, and the show begins at 7:30 PM. Among the video artists exhibiting work are Eric Wareheim, Doug Lussenhop, Jake Kadsen, Eric Fensler, and Kristy Karacas. For more information, including a schedule of more events through the weekend, click here.

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Free Saturday Night Bus Rides for Drunks

mail@chicagoreader.com (Sam Adams) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:47:23 -0600

So Cal Metro@flickr

Starting this Saturday, and running every Saturday through 12/26, Miller Lite will offer free double-decker bus rides from 8 PM to midnight. Two buses will cover a twenty-minute route through the Loop, River North, Old Town, Lincoln Park, and Wrigleyville.

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CPS Pres Michael Scott's Backroom Meeting at Edna's

mail@chicagoreader.com (Ben Joravsky) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:46:56 -0600

One day in 2006, Chicago School Board president Michael Scott sat down for breakfast with CPS chief Arne Duncan, Congressman Danny Davis, and state senator Rickey Hendon in the back room of a soul food restaurant on the west side. They must have expected a quiet discussion in the otherwise empty space, but the party was crashed by some activists with a video camera in hand. The discussion involved school closings, and I wrote about it at the time.

Now Michael Scott is dead, and the video has surfaced in three parts on YouTube, under the heading "Selling Out the Community."

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I Blame Sarah Palin

mail@chicagoreader.com (Whet Moser) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:30:52 -0600

Oprah's going rogue, or Dobbs, or whatever the kids are calling it these days. I'll have to get my ersatz medical advice from twitter spam.

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More Chicago in the New York Times, Courtesy of Reader Executives

mail@chicagoreader.com (Michael Miner) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:52:07 -0600

As a New York Times subscriber, I received the following email:

"Your edition of The New York Times is about to get local. Every Friday & Sunday.

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Medeski, Martin & Wood Flaunt Their Independence

mail@chicagoreader.com (Peter Margasak) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:34:19 -0600

Medeski, Martin & Wood

I’ve always made time to check out new music from jazzy organ trio-turned-jam band Medeski, Martin & Wood, but it’s been about a decade since the prospect has excited me. Back in the mid-90s the group pushed against all sorts of organ-trio conventions—they employed a bassist, Chris Wood, instead of the requisite guitarist; keyboardist John Medeski looked to organ rebel Larry Young for inspiration; and the band developed a light-footed repertoire that squeegeed away much of the customary Hammond B-3 grease. Led by their sense of daring, MMW pushed further into the realm of improvisation, where around the turn of the decade they made (to my ears anyway) a wrong turn.

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