Latest Stories
Queer justice
A new exhibit at the Center on Halsted explores 50 years of fighting for LGBTQ+ rights—and the midwest’s role in it.
For the late Christina Ramberg, collecting was part of her practice
An Art Institute retrospective unveils some of the artist’s keenly observed inspirations.
Mothering the Movement connects past and future
Free Street’s tribute to environmental activist Hazel Johnson inspires reflection and action.
Prelude to a Kiss highlights old souls in a fresh package
Theatre Above the Law delivers a spare but first-rate revival of Craig Lucas’s 1988 romantic comedy/drama.
Judgment Day is amusing but slight
The new morality comedy starring Jason Alexander has star power, but a predictable story.
Panther in the Sky tackles gun violence
Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble and CIRCA-Pintig’s collaboration could use more specificity in the stories it tells.
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Edging push their punk to the point of no return
With a saxophone in their front line, a solar shower in their van, and a scorching new album out in the world, they’re ready to leave it all on the road in pursuit of their dream.
CalicoLoco finally sound as big as their shows on their debut album
Plus: Emo band Arcadia Grey release their Pinkerton, and Pilsen punks Los Skin celebrate a new EP at the Empty Bottle.
Chicago mayor, alders propose missing women task force as CPD continues to sideline families
A City Council resolution calls Chicago’s missing persons crisis “a manifestation of the realities of intersections between race, gender identity, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status.”
Goodman Theatre’s English reminds us that we’re more than our words
Sanaz Toossi’s story of four Iranians prepping for the TOEFL resonates with director Hamid Dehghani.
News & INVESTIGATIONS
ShotSpotter’s reverberations
When Chicago ends its contract with the gunshot detection company this fall, will the microphones keep listening?
Kim Foxx’s DNC preparations, Uptown SRO hotel, guaranteed income
A weekly column from the Chicago Reader covering the top stories on our radar and how they impact our communities.
Closing time
Berlin closed forever. Is the union to blame?
Columns & Opinion
“Missing in Chicago” wins the 2024 Pulitzer Prize in Local Reporting
The Reader, in partnership with Invisible Institute and City Bureau, ran the story in November 2023
A new genocide exhibit opens at the Holocaust Museum
It’s not what you’re thinking.
Film
Review: The Idea of You
Anne Hathaway’s latest rom-com lacks polish and chemistry.
Review: Wildcat
Despite a strong cast, this Flannery O’Connor biopic doesn’t capture the prose of its subject.
Review: Unfrosted
Unfrosted is a silly, desperate-to-please Pop-Tarts origin story.
Arts & Culture
‘Braiding Histories’ combines the past, present, and future
Victoria Martinez takes up space in this vibrant, interdisciplinary exhibition.
Kathleen Dorothy Blackburn examines the limits of faith
The UChicago lecturer tells the story of an environmental injustice that intimately affected her family.
‘Chicago is in my DNA’
The debut book by Arionne Nettles weaves her personal memories into the legacy of Black Chicagoans.
Ritual and realism
Warm on the Coolin’ Board makes a welcome return to MPAACT.
A gripping Hamlet
Red Theater’s stripped-down Shakespeare is moving and relatable.
Music
Charlie Schmidt keeps John Fahey’s flame burning
The Skokie fingerstyle guitarist hasn’t just found his own voice—he’s also learned Fahey’s “American primitive” style so well that his recordings were mistaken for the master’s work.
Screamo blowout ZBR Fest Midwest packs Subterranean with 28 bands
Plus: Garage-pop group Pleasant Mob play the Empty Bottle in support of their debut album, and WZRD celebrates 50 years on the air with a free Martyrs’ show.
Chicago Record Report: April 2024
New music from Lala Lala, Sons of Ra, Valebol, Isaiah Collier & the Chosen Few, and more
CITY LIFE
The Raven Room shuts down despite strong community support
The Ravenswood bar and entertainment venue formerly known as Redline VR announced their intention to close at the end of April.
Fad2Fresh has become an Andersonville staple
Find curated music, Bulls memorabilia, gender freedom, and more at the Black-, queer-, women-owned vintage shop.
Food & Drink
Bo Durham is Mindy Segal’s right-hand man
There’s a longtime familial working relationship between the famous pastry chef and her prolific mentee.
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Demystifying Acupuncture provides answers for the curious skeptic
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At the California Clipper, everyone is welcome
The newly relaunched Humboldt Park lounge champions community, inclusivity, and fair labor practices Since the 1820s, Chicago’s pubs…
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Bright Endeavors provides a guiding light for young mothers in Chicago
The social enterprise of Chicago nonprofit New Moms empowers local mothers ages 18-24 through their comprehensive job training program
As the proverb goes, it takes a village to raise a child. The folks at Bright Endeavors know…
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In Motion: Metamorphosis explores the intersection of art and technology
As the leader of the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project, Princess Mhoon is on a mission to raise…