

Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events awarded more than $1.3 million in project-based grants to 250 individual artists working across six disciplines through the 2026 Individual Artists Program. The grants, drawn from 1,239 applications, provide up to $6,000 per artist to support new creative

The Chicago House Music Festival and Conference returns August 27 through 30 with four days of free programming at Millennium Park, the Chicago Cultural Center, Daley Plaza, Grant Park, and the Chicago Riverwalk. Presented by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, the 2026 edition features four performance stages,

The 67th annual Chicago Air and Water Show returned to the lakefront this weekend, drawing thousands of spectators to North Avenue Beach and the shoreline stretching from Fullerton Avenue to Oak Street on August 15 and 16. Low clouds forced organizers to push Saturday’s start time back by roughly 90

By: Jake Morrison There is something stubbornly reassuring about Noble Hops. In a musical landscape where artists are routinely encouraged to reinvent themselves every few months, the Western Pennsylvania band has spent more than 15 years doing something considerably less fashionable: figuring out exactly who they are and sticking with

The Chicago Bears will open their 2026 preseason on Saturday at Soldier Field without quarterback Caleb Williams on the field. Head coach Ben Johnson confirmed on August 13 that Williams will sit out the noon kickoff against the Cleveland Browns, with backup Tyson Bagent starting and likely playing into the

By Wade Montgomery Chicago has always embraced artists who tell the truth. From the gritty blues of Muddy Waters to the poetic storytelling of John Prine, the city’s musical identity has been built upon authenticity, resilience, and the ability to transform ordinary experiences into something universal. It should come as

Artist Amanda Williams unveiled “Other Washingtons” on August 6, 2026, surrounding the 1902 George Washington statue in Washington Park with nearly 40 flagpoles honoring other people who share the Washington surname. The installation drew what Williams called “an amazing turnout” of honorees, family members and neighborhood residents at the unveiling.

The Chicago River dye that turns the water emerald green every St. Patrick’s Day has sparked curiosity and confusion for more than six decades. Despite thousands of spectators lining the riverbanks each March and millions more watching online, the exact formula and application process remain closely guarded secrets. The annual

By: Ethan Rogers Jack Cashman has built a literary career rooted in one central idea: stories shape who we are. As an American author, entrepreneur, and former public servant, Cashman brings a rare combination of lived experience and narrative discipline to his work, positioning him as a compelling voice in

Chelsea’s meeting with Barcelona at Stamford Bridge carried weight even before the match began. Both sides entered the night with the same record in the Champions League table. Two wins, one draw and one loss placed them near each other in the standings. That balance created a sense that the

Chicago’s relationship with baseball runs deeper than wins and losses. It is stitched into neighborhoods, carried through generations, and argued over at kitchen tables and bar stools. Few American cities can claim a baseball culture as layered and enduring as Chicago’s, where loyalty is often inherited and where the sport

A quiet but consequential shift is underway inside Chicago’s most recognizable cultural institutions. Workers who preserve, interpret, and operate the city’s museums are increasingly organizing, turning labor rights into one of the most important stories in Chicago’s cultural sector. Most recently, employees at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

Chicago’s dining scene is entering one of its most important stretches of the year as new restaurants and dining concepts debut across the metro area, coinciding with Chicago Restaurant Week, which runs January 23 through February 8. Together, the openings and the citywide dining event are injecting energy into neighborhood

Chicagoans looking skyward this week may be in for a rare celestial treat. A powerful solar storm — propelled by a major coronal mass ejection (CME) from the Sun — is expected to disturb Earth’s magnetic field tonight, potentially sending the aurora borealis (Northern Lights) far enough south to be

By: Melinda Wolfe Times Square became a stage for literary recognition on January 9 as the Four Seasons Book Awards marked its annual Grand Prize celebration in the heart of New York City. Surrounded by the energy and movement of one of the world’s most recognizable locations, the event offered

Whoever said retirement is about golf carts, early-bird dinners, and endless rounds of bingo clearly hasn’t met The Retirees. In her deliciously mischievous cozy mystery, bestselling author Leah Orr gleefully flips the script on aging, proving that the golden years are actually the perfect time to solve cold cases, drink

By any conventional measure, Bren.d.o is an unlikely candidate for a contemporary R&B artist profile. Born in Carbondale and raised in the former coal-mining community of Carrier Mills, the Illinois native has chosen to build his creative career far from the traditional centers of the music industry. Yet that distance,

By: Laurent Grenier, a welcome intellectual anchor in our turbulent times Ottawa, ON, January 6, 2026 In an age of existential uncertainty, where rapid technological change, global crises, and information overload leave many searching for meaning, independent philosopher Laurent Grenier delivers a transformative response with his essay, Life Revisited: A

Al Wordlaw, R&B Producer, Songwriter, Recording Artist, and the creator of The Al Ur Pal Project, is reviving a sound that many thought had faded into nostalgia. But for Wordlaw, it has always remained present. With roots grounded in Chicago’s soul and blues heritage, he’s bringing that authenticity back to

By: Matt Emma For generations, Americans have been taught to keep their financial lives and their spiritual lives in separate, airtight boxes. Money belongs to the practical world, religion to the private interior one. But according to attorney and author Sheldon Zeiger, that separation may be artificial, and it’s likely

By: Maria Stone In Sometime Child, author Richard Bruce delivers a deeply human story born at the intersection of privilege, poverty, trauma, and second chances. Set against the vivid backdrop of New York City, the novel traces an unlikely connection between three characters whose lives collide during a violent alleyway

By: Evan Sinclair Patricia Leavy has long stood at the intersection of scholarship and creativity, and in her newest book, The Artist Academic, she reflects openly on the challenges, turning points, and unexpected revelations that shaped her path. Through personal storytelling and thoughtful guidance, she invites readers to reimagine what

Comedian, Actor, and Radio Host Corey Holcomb Kicks Off North American Tour Corey Holcomb, the comedian, actor, and radio host, has revealed the upcoming tour dates for his highly anticipated “5150 Industry Repo Show.” The tour, promoted by Live Nation, is set to begin on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at

A live music and interactive entertainment bar like Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar in Rosemont, Illinois, provides a unique experience that stands out from a typical night out. Known for its high-energy performances, c020rowd engagement, and unforgettable atmosphere, a dueling piano bar can be an ideal option for anyone looking to

The Parade That Starts the Holiday Chicago’s Thanksgiving Parade is one of the city’s most recognizable traditions. On November 27, 2025, the parade will march down State Street from Ida B. Wells Drive to Randolph Street, running from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Organizers describe it as “where grateful hearts

Feld’s First Michelin Star Chicago’s Ukrainian Village neighborhood has a new reason to celebrate. Feld, a farm‑to‑table restaurant that opened in 2024, earned its first Michelin star this November. The Michelin Guide also awarded Feld a Green Star, which recognizes restaurants committed to sustainability. According to CBS Chicago, Feld highlights

By: Usman Niazi Seo In Hollywood, reinvention is almost a survival skill. But for filmmaker, sculptor, and musician Howard Goldberg, it has always been more than that—it’s his creative DNA. Over a career spanning more than four decades, Goldberg has continually reshaped his artistic identity, shifting between film, visual art,

Lucky Shots Photo Activations has emerged as a game-changer in event photography. Specializing in AI photo booths, the company offers an innovative service that is gaining popularity across major cities nationwide. Whether you’re hosting an AI or tech conference, a corporate event, or a product launch, Lucky Shots brings a