Chicago Reader
@chicagoreader.com
Chicago's alternative newsroom since 1971 🗞
chicagoreader.com
chicagoreader.com
Thank you to @clintworthing.bsky.social for writing about the Reader’s return to print publishing for @blockclubchi.bsky.social! blockclubchicago.org/2026/02/04/i...
It's A 'New Era' For The Chicago Reader As Iconic Alt-Weekly Shifts To Monthly Magazine
The Reader has struggled in recent years amid funding gaps and administration changes. Editor-in-Chief Sarah Conway says she plans to honor the paper's history while focusing on its future.
blockclubchicago.org
February 6, 2026 at 11:42 PM
Thank you to @clintworthing.bsky.social for writing about the Reader’s return to print publishing for @blockclubchi.bsky.social! blockclubchicago.org/2026/02/04/i...
Reposted by Chicago Reader
The stalwart alt-weekly @chicagoreader.com, which has served the city for a half century, returns to print today in a new monthly format.
I talked to new EIC Sarah Conway about what Chicagoans can expect from this new era for @blockclubchi.bsky.social: blockclubchicago.org/2026/02/04/i...
I talked to new EIC Sarah Conway about what Chicagoans can expect from this new era for @blockclubchi.bsky.social: blockclubchicago.org/2026/02/04/i...
It's A 'New Era' For The Chicago Reader As Iconic Alt Weekly Shifts To Monthly Magazine
The Reader has struggled in recent years amid funding gaps and administration changes. Editor-in-Chief Sarah Conway says she plans to honor the paper's history while focusing on its future.
blockclubchicago.org
February 4, 2026 at 2:58 PM
The stalwart alt-weekly @chicagoreader.com, which has served the city for a half century, returns to print today in a new monthly format.
I talked to new EIC Sarah Conway about what Chicagoans can expect from this new era for @blockclubchi.bsky.social: blockclubchicago.org/2026/02/04/i...
I talked to new EIC Sarah Conway about what Chicagoans can expect from this new era for @blockclubchi.bsky.social: blockclubchicago.org/2026/02/04/i...
Reposted by Chicago Reader
Big ups to @juggaloreporter.bsky.social and @silktanktop.bsky.social!! For the lovely interview and photo, respectively! It was really fun to chat w Micco about my journey to where I’m at now and how I’m excited for my future with the label!
chicagoreader.com/music/chicag...
chicagoreader.com/music/chicag...
Glenna Fitch, deep listening DJ - Chicago Reader
Glenna Fitch, who DJs as Sold, has had a love affair with electronic music since childhood.
chicagoreader.com
February 6, 2026 at 1:05 AM
Big ups to @juggaloreporter.bsky.social and @silktanktop.bsky.social!! For the lovely interview and photo, respectively! It was really fun to chat w Micco about my journey to where I’m at now and how I’m excited for my future with the label!
chicagoreader.com/music/chicag...
chicagoreader.com/music/chicag...
Reposted by Chicago Reader
Chicago new wave DJ and Planet Earth cofounder Dave Roberts died three years ago today—this story gives a window into what he brought to Chicago’s alternative nightlife scene
Planet Earth created queer-friendly spaces on and off the dance floor - Chicago Reader
Dave Roberts and Kristine Hengl’s Planet Earth new-wave night built its community with a message board run by gay writer and actor Dave Awl.
chicagoreader.com
February 6, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Chicago new wave DJ and Planet Earth cofounder Dave Roberts died three years ago today—this story gives a window into what he brought to Chicago’s alternative nightlife scene
During the 2024–2025 school year, there were 6,870 instances of book bans across 87 public school districts and 23 states in the U.S. In 2025, “a new vector of book banning pressure has appeared—the federal government,” https://bit.ly/49DWp4R
In A Danger to the Minds of Young Girls, Adam Morgan explores the biggest threat to American youth: books - Chicago Reader
Adam Morgan explores the trial of queer literary magazine publisher Margaret C. Anderson in 1921 on felony obscenity charges.
bit.ly
February 6, 2026 at 9:48 PM
During the 2024–2025 school year, there were 6,870 instances of book bans across 87 public school districts and 23 states in the U.S. In 2025, “a new vector of book banning pressure has appeared—the federal government,” https://bit.ly/49DWp4R
Reposted by Chicago Reader
In 1982, Chicago postpunk band Stations recorded a long-lost EP with Martin Hannett, architect of the iconic sound of Joy Division's Unknown Pleasures. It's finally being released, and No Sé Discos is running a Kickstarter to finance the vinyl pressing. www.kickstarter.com/projects/no-...
Stations / Ghostland EP VINYL / Produced by Martin Hannett
Stations’ unreleased 1982 3-song EP Ghostland, recorded with producer Martin Hannett (Joy Division) finally released with your support.
www.kickstarter.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:33 PM
In 1982, Chicago postpunk band Stations recorded a long-lost EP with Martin Hannett, architect of the iconic sound of Joy Division's Unknown Pleasures. It's finally being released, and No Sé Discos is running a Kickstarter to finance the vinyl pressing. www.kickstarter.com/projects/no-...
Reposted by Chicago Reader
new: the first piece in a @chicagoreader.com’s series on quantum shore chicago looks at community resistance to the megadevelopment.
contributor grey lucas traces the neighborhood’s history of fighting disinvestment and environmental racism from the former south works steel plant to present-day.
contributor grey lucas traces the neighborhood’s history of fighting disinvestment and environmental racism from the former south works steel plant to present-day.
Quantum leap or community crossroads? - Chicago Reader
Residents organize around the quantum computing megadevelopment planned for Chicago’s southeast side.
chicagoreader.com
February 6, 2026 at 2:52 PM
new: the first piece in a @chicagoreader.com’s series on quantum shore chicago looks at community resistance to the megadevelopment.
contributor grey lucas traces the neighborhood’s history of fighting disinvestment and environmental racism from the former south works steel plant to present-day.
contributor grey lucas traces the neighborhood’s history of fighting disinvestment and environmental racism from the former south works steel plant to present-day.
Reposted by Chicago Reader
Last year, I emailed Chicago’s chief homelessness officer, Sendy Soto, as well as spokespeople for both Soto & Mayor Johnson, six times. I wanted to understand their approach to evicting unhoused Chicagoans from the shelters they build to survive. No response.
chicagoreader.com/news/housing...
chicagoreader.com/news/housing...
Chicago's encampment closures are ‘unconscionable’ - Chicago Reader
Public encampments provide resources and community for people experiencing homelessness, but city crews repeatedly evict residents.
chicagoreader.com
February 5, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Last year, I emailed Chicago’s chief homelessness officer, Sendy Soto, as well as spokespeople for both Soto & Mayor Johnson, six times. I wanted to understand their approach to evicting unhoused Chicagoans from the shelters they build to survive. No response.
chicagoreader.com/news/housing...
chicagoreader.com/news/housing...
In November 2025, the Poetry Foundation announced it would discontinue the library’s adult education programming at the end of 2025 and sunset its overall public programming in 2026 to refocus on literary arts grantmaking. https://bit.ly/3NKFp4v
Maggie Queeney reflects on a decade building the Poetry Foundation’s adult education programs - Chicago Reader
As the Poetry Foundation sunsets its adult education programming, the poet and educator remains committed to facilitating communal poetry spaces.
chicagoreader.com
February 5, 2026 at 5:06 PM
In November 2025, the Poetry Foundation announced it would discontinue the library’s adult education programming at the end of 2025 and sunset its overall public programming in 2026 to refocus on literary arts grantmaking. https://bit.ly/3NKFp4v
Reposted by Chicago Reader
After a month and a half break from print, the Reader makes its debut as a monthly. Thank you to everyone who supported the paper last year when we were scraping by week to week, and all the ups and downs before then. Thank you to everyone who picks up a new issue, it means the world.
February 5, 2026 at 2:58 PM
After a month and a half break from print, the Reader makes its debut as a monthly. Thank you to everyone who supported the paper last year when we were scraping by week to week, and all the ups and downs before then. Thank you to everyone who picks up a new issue, it means the world.
The cover of this month’s issue: New egg, who dis? Photographed by Kirk Williamson with creative direction by Corianton Hale.
February 4, 2026 at 9:06 PM
The cover of this month’s issue: New egg, who dis? Photographed by Kirk Williamson with creative direction by Corianton Hale.
Nearly all of Chicago’s movie theaters are on the north side. Even still, there has not been a fully operational movie theater within Chicago city limits north of Lawrence Avenue since August 18, 2023. https://bit.ly/3ZahBJN
The next iteration of the 400 Theater - Chicago Reader
The New 400 Theaters closed in 2023, leaving the far north side without a cinema. This year, new ownership will reopen the historic Rogers Park institution.
chicagoreader.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Nearly all of Chicago’s movie theaters are on the north side. Even still, there has not been a fully operational movie theater within Chicago city limits north of Lawrence Avenue since August 18, 2023. https://bit.ly/3ZahBJN
Jones hosted the second annual Sour Patch Kiki Ball on November 16, attended by about a hundred people at the University of Chicago’s Noyes Hall. The event was sponsored by Brave Space Alliance (BSA), the largest LGBTQ+-centered resource center on Chicago’s south side. https://bit.ly/4brkeOC
'When I’m voguing I just feel free' - Chicago Reader
Jahiem Jones (aka Prince Hiem Gorgeous Gucci) connects with youth at Brave Space Alliance and through ballroom culture.
chicagoreader.com
February 3, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Jones hosted the second annual Sour Patch Kiki Ball on November 16, attended by about a hundred people at the University of Chicago’s Noyes Hall. The event was sponsored by Brave Space Alliance (BSA), the largest LGBTQ+-centered resource center on Chicago’s south side. https://bit.ly/4brkeOC
The Chicago Tribune’s bsky.app/profile/robe... writes about what’s ahead for the Reader! We’re back in print on Feb. 4 in a new magazine format in the first issue from new editor in chief Sarah Conway.
January 31, 2026 at 12:34 AM
The Chicago Tribune’s bsky.app/profile/robe... writes about what’s ahead for the Reader! We’re back in print on Feb. 4 in a new magazine format in the first issue from new editor in chief Sarah Conway.
DJ Simmy’s creativity and hustle have carried the south-side native all kinds of places. She’s rocked the Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash, she’s served as a resident DJ for the Chicago Sky, and she’s DJed for the likes of Playboi Carti and Westside Gunn. https://bit.ly/4q7ZHCc
Welcome to Sim City - Chicago Reader
DJ Simmy seems to be everywhere, all the time, doing everything. When you’re out with friends, you’re in Sim City.
chicagoreader.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:55 PM
DJ Simmy’s creativity and hustle have carried the south-side native all kinds of places. She’s rocked the Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash, she’s served as a resident DJ for the Chicago Sky, and she’s DJed for the likes of Playboi Carti and Westside Gunn. https://bit.ly/4q7ZHCc
Huge thanks to Chicago NOW’s Anthony Ponce and Kaitlin Cody at @fox32chicago.bsky.social for chatting with new editor in chief Sarah Conway about what’s ahead for the Reader!
January 29, 2026 at 7:39 PM
Huge thanks to Chicago NOW’s Anthony Ponce and Kaitlin Cody at @fox32chicago.bsky.social for chatting with new editor in chief Sarah Conway about what’s ahead for the Reader!
It’s been 20 years since Lyric last presented this opera, but Salome is the second McVicar madwoman on the company’s stage this season, following a powerful Medea in the fall. https://bit.ly/4bj3mtk
Losing your head at Lyric - Chicago Reader
Lyric stages Richard Strauss's twisted but thrilling Salome, based on Oscar Wilde's play, for the first time in 20 years.
bit.ly
January 28, 2026 at 4:36 PM
It’s been 20 years since Lyric last presented this opera, but Salome is the second McVicar madwoman on the company’s stage this season, following a powerful Medea in the fall. https://bit.ly/4bj3mtk
Play will make its debut as a new monthly series this Friday at 8:30 PM. The lineup features longtime Danny’s DJ Jeremy Alvarez, aka JS Alvarez, who founded Smart Bar’s dark electro night Research & Development. He’ll be joined by Shanti and Dan B. Hood. https://bit.ly/3O8T9pB
Public Works pulls together a replay for Play - Chicago Reader
A replay for Play: The beloved weirdo dance-music night at Danny’s, gone nearly 20 years, returns at Wicker Park gallery Public Works.
bit.ly
January 27, 2026 at 8:50 PM
Play will make its debut as a new monthly series this Friday at 8:30 PM. The lineup features longtime Danny’s DJ Jeremy Alvarez, aka JS Alvarez, who founded Smart Bar’s dark electro night Research & Development. He’ll be joined by Shanti and Dan B. Hood. https://bit.ly/3O8T9pB
During the 2024–2025 school year, there were 6,870 instances of book bans across 87 public school districts and 23 states in the U.S. In 2025, “a new vector of book banning pressure has appeared—the federal government,” noted PEN America. https://bit.ly/49DWp4R
In A Danger to the Minds of Young Girls, Adam Morgan explores the biggest threat to American youth: books - Chicago Reader
Adam Morgan explores the trial of queer literary magazine publisher Margaret C. Anderson in 1921 on felony obscenity charges.
bit.ly
January 24, 2026 at 7:17 PM
During the 2024–2025 school year, there were 6,870 instances of book bans across 87 public school districts and 23 states in the U.S. In 2025, “a new vector of book banning pressure has appeared—the federal government,” noted PEN America. https://bit.ly/49DWp4R
Justin Purcell’s Magic Is People combines wry commentary with mind-boggling tricks. https://bit.ly/3Zq3DTY
Wonder and wiseassery - Chicago Reader
Justin Purcell's Magic Is People at Chicago Magic Lounge combines insider humor about the craft with astounding close-up tricks.
chicagoreader.com
January 21, 2026 at 9:50 PM
Justin Purcell’s Magic Is People combines wry commentary with mind-boggling tricks. https://bit.ly/3Zq3DTY
Reposted by Chicago Reader
with subzero temperatures on the horizon, now‘s a good time to revisit @katieprout.bsky.social’s 2022 piece about the lack of 24-hour warming centers in chicago.
four years later and nothing has changed.
four years later and nothing has changed.
Lukewarm welcome - Chicago Reader
The warming areas don’t just exist to warm you up—housed within DFSS community service centers, they’re also access points from which Chicagoans can be connected to other services that have the potent...
chicagoreader.com
January 21, 2026 at 2:30 PM
with subzero temperatures on the horizon, now‘s a good time to revisit @katieprout.bsky.social’s 2022 piece about the lack of 24-hour warming centers in chicago.
four years later and nothing has changed.
four years later and nothing has changed.
“Graham was the most famous, most controversial, and most prolific of all the modern dance pioneers, and her school and company the longest in operation in the modern dance world” https://bit.ly/3NmnrFg
Martha Graham at 100 - Chicago Reader
As the Martha Graham Dance Company celebrates its 100th birthday, five Chicago dance artists reflect on the founder's influence and legacy.
chicagoreader.com
January 20, 2026 at 3:54 PM
“Graham was the most famous, most controversial, and most prolific of all the modern dance pioneers, and her school and company the longest in operation in the modern dance world” https://bit.ly/3NmnrFg
From the archives: Friday, April 5, 1968: Martin Luther King Jr. was dead, and thousands of young protesters stalked the streets of Chicago, exhibiting a harsh, unbridled rage the likes of which the city had never seen. https://bit.ly/3YMQqEG
On April 5, 1968, the west side was on fire - Chicago Reader
Twenty years later, the Reader looked back and wondered why no one else had done the same.
chicagoreader.com
January 19, 2026 at 4:32 PM
From the archives: Friday, April 5, 1968: Martin Luther King Jr. was dead, and thousands of young protesters stalked the streets of Chicago, exhibiting a harsh, unbridled rage the likes of which the city had never seen. https://bit.ly/3YMQqEG
The Unknown Variable takes a personal look at immigration and family separation. https://bit.ly/3YL6y9x
The Unknown Variable takes a personal look at immigration and family separation - Chicago Reader
Nahal Navidar's play about an Iranian daughter and father separated for years is tender, poetic, and moving.
bit.ly
January 17, 2026 at 8:40 PM
The Unknown Variable takes a personal look at immigration and family separation. https://bit.ly/3YL6y9x
After five years, 2dcloud has resurrected its alt-comics anthology Mirror Mirror. Once a thick tome produced from 2016–2020, the fourth installment of Mirror Mirror has been reimagined as more of a magazine, not only in its size and length but also in content and cadence. https://bit.ly/3YBaNo3
Mirror Mirror 4 reflects 2dcloud's rainstorm - Chicago Reader
Longtime indie publisher 2dcloud has resurrected its alt-comics anthology Mirror Mirror, reimagining it as more of a magazine.
bit.ly
January 15, 2026 at 4:51 PM
After five years, 2dcloud has resurrected its alt-comics anthology Mirror Mirror. Once a thick tome produced from 2016–2020, the fourth installment of Mirror Mirror has been reimagined as more of a magazine, not only in its size and length but also in content and cadence. https://bit.ly/3YBaNo3