

By: Connor Clarke There is a moment most people never see. It is not the diagnosis. Not the accident. Not even the first time someone sits in a wheelchair and realizes life just shifted permanently. The real moment comes later. Quiet. Uncelebrated. Usually at night. For Eugen Ehrenberg, that moment

In the last twenty years, there has been a growth in the production of films that are produced outside Los Angeles and New York; states such as Georgia and Illinois are creating a positive environment for an overall industry ecosystem. These states’ tax incentives, existing production facilities, and skilled crew

Soldier Field opens its 2026 concert season this weekend with one of the most anticipated tour stops in the city’s spring calendar. Bruno Mars brings The Romantic Tour to the lakefront stadium for two nights, Saturday May 16 and Sunday May 17, with both shows scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and

By: MR Dowling Some novels politely ask for your attention. The Great Dick: And the Dysfunctional Demon kicks open the door smelling like whiskey, grave dirt, bad decisions, and 3 a.m. regret. Barry Maher’s fiction debut is chaotic, vulgar, weirdly intelligent, occasionally unhinged, and far more emotionally aware than it

Chicago’s claim as the birthplace of the modern poetry slam now has a permanent home in one of the city’s most important research institutions. Marc Kelly Smith, the founder of the Uptown Poetry Slam, has formally donated his personal archive of the influential performance poetry event to the Newberry Library,

By: Robert Klein Marsha doesn’t ease into the conversation about faith. She starts at the fracture. Losing her mother didn’t just leave grief behind; it left questions that wouldn’t quiet down. The kind that replays in your head late at night, twisting into something heavier each time. For her, it

By: Sofia Navarro There’s a version of faith that looks steady from the outside. Disciplined. Certain. Consistent. Then there’s the version most people actually live. Uneven, quiet, sometimes absent for long stretches, then suddenly urgent when life tightens its grip. Ginger doesn’t write from the polished version. She writes from

CHICAGO, April 29, 2026 — The Billy Donovan era in Chicago is over. After six seasons, one playoff appearance, and a final year that saw the Bulls gut their roster at the trade deadline, trade away foundational veterans, and finish 31-51, the Hall of Fame head coach informed ownership he

Birdwatching during migration season in Chicago offers a unique opportunity to witness the movement of hundreds of bird species passing through the area. With its location along major migratory routes, such as the Mississippi Flyway, Chicago becomes a prime destination for birders looking to observe both local and migratory birds.

Film and television awards have long mainly operated according to strict patterns of admiration, frequently revolving around a narrow set of production bases and informed by established power relations. With global audiences becoming increasingly diverse and creators hailing from every region of the globe, pressure has mounted on the entertainment

Zaya Blaze’s journey from a detective in Greece to a novelist in Turkey is a remarkable transition that showcases her resilience and creative passion. After years of working as a detective in Greece, Blaze has ventured into the world of literature, quickly making a name for herself with two books

By: Leila Monroe Anne Abel’s memoir High Hopes is more than a fan’s chronicle of following Bruce Springsteen around the globe. It’s the story of a woman who discovered resilience, connection, and her own voice in unexpected places—from tense classrooms in Philadelphia to packed arenas in Australia, from chance encounters

Chicago House Music Festival returns August 21–24, 2025, with four days of free programming across Millennium Park, Grant Park’s Spirit of Music Garden, the Chicago Cultural Center, and the Riverwalk. The event blends live performances, educational panels, and community gatherings to spotlight local Chicago artists and honor the roots of

Chicago is a city where cultural diversity is not just a feature but a significant aspect of daily life. Many of its neighborhoods reflect this diversity, offering affordable housing options that allow people from various backgrounds to coexist. These areas often have a mix of different ethnic communities, and the

Jazz isn’t just part of Chicago’s musical history, it’s a living, breathing force that continues to shape the city’s identity. From intimate basement clubs to open-air festivals, the sound of jazz pulses through the streets, echoing a legacy that’s both timeless and constantly evolving. For decades, Chicago has been a

Hispanic Heritage Month in Chicago is more than a calendar event, it’s a citywide celebration of identity, creativity, and community. At the heart of this year’s festivities is the Chicago Cultural Center, where programming reflects the depth and diversity of Latino cultures. From music and dance to visual art and

In a moment that blends nostalgia with progress, the Chicago River swim is officially back after a 98-year hiatus. On September 22, 2025, hundreds of swimmers will take to the revitalized Chicago River for a historic open-water event that celebrates environmental restoration, civic pride, and the city’s evolving relationship with

By: Jordan Blake In the world of action thrillers, heroes often carry badges or intelligence clearances, armed with technology and government backing. Joey Stefaniak’s Tradesmen: Protecting Our Homes and Way of Life takes a different path. His heroes are electricians, welders, carpenters, and plumbers—ordinary blue-collar workers who, under the right

There is a little sprinkle of magic in the way Joseph Mahar tells a story. He does not begin with grand monsters or distant galaxies. Instead, he begins with something familiar, say a kitchen table, a digital clock, a storm outside the window, and lets it shift, just slightly, until

By: Matt Emma Chicago is a city famous for its unique architecture, deep-dish pizza, and rich history. But beneath the bustle lies something darker. Cool evenings in the last days of summer provide a perfect opportunity to explore a side of Chicago many people don’t know exists. Empire Tours invites

By: Roy Abraham When a song is suddenly silenced, the world doesn’t stop. But you do—everything shifts. Every breath, every thought, every memory becomes louder in the quiet. For Michael Burns, that silence began the day he lost his mother. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Michael Burns’ world has

By: Matthew Kayser Sung Eun Choi: An Accomplished Musician Who is Transforming the Musical Landscape Sung Eun Choi is a multifaceted music artist, lyricist, composer, and vocalist who is achieving notable success in the music industry. Since his debut in 2013 with the song ‘Let Me Stop,’ he has released

By: Roger Anderson The Significance of The Jones Awards The Jones Awards are more than just a ceremonial evening; they represent a meaningful shift in how we view cultural contributions from local communities. Jeremy Jones believes in the power of shared narratives that often go unrecognized. “These awards aim to

By: Chenyang Nie In a quiet Los Angeles gallery on La Cienega Boulevard, an intimate exhibition invites viewers not just to see—but to feel. Curated by Chenyang Nie and presented by the nonprofit Artistry Edge, the group exhibition Her Nonverbal Notes offers a delicate exploration of female inner worlds, expressed

By: Elena Mart Amidst intense argument on racism, responsibility, and identity, there’s one voice that rises above the rest, relentless, incisive, and determined to reverse the currents of Black consciousness. That voice is Prof. George Nyamndi, whose latest book, The Urgency of Black Madness, deconstructs dominant narratives and readjusts the

By: Kattie Muniz “What is bachata dance?” Ask a Chicagoan this Labor Day week stretch and you’re liable to get more than a definition. You’ll get an invitation to a Hyatt ballroom turned Caribbean patio, to twining guitar music that once drifted through Santo Domingo’s bars, and to the city-spanning

Teen talent, TV finalist, Soon-to-be author, Josslyn Banh is a name to remember, one that represents not just youthful creativity and performance power, but resilience, mentorship, and a mission to inspire. From reaching the finals of not just one but two educational TV shows, including Life Academy Season 1 and

When it comes to outdoor yard and beach games, a few big names have long dominated the scene—Spikeball, Kan Jam, and cornhole, to name a few. But now, there’s a new player in town that’s gaining attention: Disc Warrior. Combining the thrill of throwing discs with competitive gameplay, Disc Warrior