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Holiday shows offer a break from the headlines. https://bit.ly/3K7xn48
Holly jolly onstage hijinks - Chicago Reader
Some folks really want to deck the halls this time of year. Others are more tempted to deck the next person who wishes them a Merry Christmas (and, like Scrooge, probably would like to see them boiled...
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December 23, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Holiday shows offer a break from the headlines. https://bit.ly/3K7xn48
THEATER REVIEW: The taboos of queerness, body issues, and the inappropriateness of the older male gaze are toyed with lightly by the models, perhaps because they have been distracted by being pitted against one another in the fight for fashion status. https://bit.ly/3MORs00
Runway drama - Chicago Reader
Madie Doppelt's The Model Play, presented by Snails on a Bike, centers the voices of young women in the fashion industry.
chicagoreader.com
December 20, 2025 at 3:12 PM
THEATER REVIEW: The taboos of queerness, body issues, and the inappropriateness of the older male gaze are toyed with lightly by the models, perhaps because they have been distracted by being pitted against one another in the fight for fashion status. https://bit.ly/3MORs00
Fred Hampton Jr. is now chairman of the Black Panther Party Cubs—an organization founded in 1994 that’s made up of descendants of the original Black Panthers. Every December 4, he hosts an event in remembrance of his father. Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/48RjnUg
Fred Hampton Jr. keeps the revolution alive in Chicago’s music scene - Chicago Reader
Through the Black Panther Party Cubs and the Hampton House, Chairman Fred Hampton Jr. builds on his father’s linkage of art and activism.
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December 19, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Fred Hampton Jr. is now chairman of the Black Panther Party Cubs—an organization founded in 1994 that’s made up of descendants of the original Black Panthers. Every December 4, he hosts an event in remembrance of his father. Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/48RjnUg
Bier Omakase is the social lubricant beer drinkers need right now. Jenny Pfäfflin and Shana Solarte’s sudsy storytelling series is restoring connection and conversation to the craft beer scene.
Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/3KGm1o9
Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/3KGm1o9
Bier Omakase is the social lubricant beer drinkers need right now - Chicago Reader
Bier Omakase, Jenny Pfäfflin and Shana Solarte’s sudsy storytelling series, is restoring connection and conversation to the craft beer scene.
bit.ly
December 19, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Bier Omakase is the social lubricant beer drinkers need right now. Jenny Pfäfflin and Shana Solarte’s sudsy storytelling series is restoring connection and conversation to the craft beer scene.
Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/3KGm1o9
Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/3KGm1o9
DeffJam honors its late founder with its biggest fest yet.
Ryan Deffet made friends everywhere he went in Chicago’s indie music scene. Now a crowd of those friends is celebrating his life with this all-ages benefit blowout.
Check out the full article: https://bit.ly/48WHKQA
Ryan Deffet made friends everywhere he went in Chicago’s indie music scene. Now a crowd of those friends is celebrating his life with this all-ages benefit blowout.
Check out the full article: https://bit.ly/48WHKQA
DeffJam honors its late founder with its biggest fest yet - Chicago Reader
Ryan Deffet made friends everywhere he went in Chicago’s indie scene. Now those friends are celebrating his life with this all-ages blowout.
chicagoreader.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:17 PM
DeffJam honors its late founder with its biggest fest yet.
Ryan Deffet made friends everywhere he went in Chicago’s indie music scene. Now a crowd of those friends is celebrating his life with this all-ages benefit blowout.
Check out the full article: https://bit.ly/48WHKQA
Ryan Deffet made friends everywhere he went in Chicago’s indie music scene. Now a crowd of those friends is celebrating his life with this all-ages benefit blowout.
Check out the full article: https://bit.ly/48WHKQA
Holiday shows offer a break from the headlines. https://bit.ly/3K7xn48
Holly jolly onstage hijinks - Chicago Reader
Some folks really want to deck the halls this time of year. Others are more tempted to deck the next person who wishes them a Merry Christmas (and, like Scrooge, probably would like to see them boiled...
bit.ly
December 18, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Holiday shows offer a break from the headlines. https://bit.ly/3K7xn48
In the latest Gossip Wolf, Earth Libraries hosts a Chicago benefit and showcase, the team behind a book on Sinéad O’Connor throws her a birthday party, the grassroots campaign to dump Spotify goes national, and more. https://bit.ly/48HaI6R
Alabama indie label Earth Libraries hosts a Chicago benefit and showcase - Chicago Reader
Alabama indie label Earth Libraries hosts a Chicago benefit and showcase, the grassroots campaign to dump Spotify goes national, and more.
bit.ly
December 15, 2025 at 4:18 PM
In the latest Gossip Wolf, Earth Libraries hosts a Chicago benefit and showcase, the team behind a book on Sinéad O’Connor throws her a birthday party, the grassroots campaign to dump Spotify goes national, and more. https://bit.ly/48HaI6R
The Orbit at iO puts long-form improv in the round. https://bit.ly/48K4xir
The circle game - Chicago Reader
At iO, the Orbit, an "artful, immersive show," experiments with long-form improv in the round that puts vulnerability first.
bit.ly
December 15, 2025 at 12:44 AM
The Orbit at iO puts long-form improv in the round. https://bit.ly/48K4xir
The Chinese American Museum of Chicago presents an unexpected pairing of work by Ruyell Ho and Li Lin Lee. https://bit.ly/3MspzL8
Translating abstraction - Chicago Reader
In “Language of Abstraction” at the Chinese American Museum of Chicago, Larry Lee puts work by Ruyell Ho and Li Lin Lee in conversation.
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December 14, 2025 at 11:29 PM
The Chinese American Museum of Chicago presents an unexpected pairing of work by Ruyell Ho and Li Lin Lee. https://bit.ly/3MspzL8
In this week's Make it Make Sense, federal agents used teargas on a residential street in Elgin last weekend, driverless cab company Waymo eyes Illinois for expansion, and the Book Cellar staff unionize. https://bit.ly/4rQsrla
Make It Make Sense: Feds tear-gas Elgin residents
Plus: Waymo eyes an expansion to Illinois and staff at the Book Cellar are unionizing.
bit.ly
December 14, 2025 at 8:33 PM
In this week's Make it Make Sense, federal agents used teargas on a residential street in Elgin last weekend, driverless cab company Waymo eyes Illinois for expansion, and the Book Cellar staff unionize. https://bit.ly/4rQsrla
Restrictive federal regulations, denials, and long wait times plague the state program meant to help low-income residents reduce energy costs. https://bit.ly/3KLNDrQ
Restrictive regulations, denials, long wait times dog Illinois weatherization program- Chicago Reader
Many residents are left waiting for help from the state program meant to help.
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December 13, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Restrictive federal regulations, denials, and long wait times plague the state program meant to help low-income residents reduce energy costs. https://bit.ly/3KLNDrQ
The 2026 city budget proposes eliminating library vacancies and cutting about half the funds for new materials, security, and custodial services. https://bit.ly/4aMCmlz
Chicago Public Library doesn’t exist without its workers - Chicago Reader
The 2026 budget proposes eliminating library vacancies and cutting about half the funds for new materials, security, and custodial services.
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December 13, 2025 at 7:46 PM
The 2026 city budget proposes eliminating library vacancies and cutting about half the funds for new materials, security, and custodial services. https://bit.ly/4aMCmlz
In the latest Gossip Wolf, Earth Libraries hosts a Chicago benefit and showcase, the team behind a book on Sinéad O’Connor throws her a birthday party, the grassroots campaign to dump Spotify goes national, and more. https://bit.ly/48HaI6R
Alabama indie label Earth Libraries hosts a Chicago benefit and showcase - Chicago Reader
Alabama indie label Earth Libraries hosts a Chicago benefit and showcase, the grassroots campaign to dump Spotify goes national, and more.
bit.ly
December 13, 2025 at 6:15 PM
In the latest Gossip Wolf, Earth Libraries hosts a Chicago benefit and showcase, the team behind a book on Sinéad O’Connor throws her a birthday party, the grassroots campaign to dump Spotify goes national, and more. https://bit.ly/48HaI6R
The Orbit at iO puts long-form improv in the round. https://bit.ly/48K4xir
The circle game - Chicago Reader
At iO, the Orbit, an "artful, immersive show," experiments with long-form improv in the round that puts vulnerability first.
bit.ly
December 12, 2025 at 9:12 PM
The Orbit at iO puts long-form improv in the round. https://bit.ly/48K4xir
In this week's Make it Make Sense, federal agents used teargas on a residential street in Elgin last weekend, driverless cab company Waymo eyes Illinois for expansion, and the Book Cellar staff unionize. https://bit.ly/4rQsrla
Make It Make Sense: Feds tear-gas Elgin residents
Plus: Waymo eyes an expansion to Illinois and staff at the Book Cellar are unionizing.
bit.ly
December 12, 2025 at 8:11 PM
In this week's Make it Make Sense, federal agents used teargas on a residential street in Elgin last weekend, driverless cab company Waymo eyes Illinois for expansion, and the Book Cellar staff unionize. https://bit.ly/4rQsrla
More than 40 years after noisy no-wave band Bag People broke up, Drag City released a collection of their blistering rehearsal recordings. https://bit.ly/4aK1FVk
Feral postpunks Bag People finally have a proper album release - Chicago Reader
More than 40 years after noisy no-wave band Bag People broke up, Drag City released a collection of their blistering rehearsal recordings.
chicagoreader.com
December 12, 2025 at 7:14 PM
More than 40 years after noisy no-wave band Bag People broke up, Drag City released a collection of their blistering rehearsal recordings. https://bit.ly/4aK1FVk
A new studio in Bridgeport wants to make pulp and papermaking accessible to everyone. https://bit.ly/4q8qXkK
Chicago Pulp brings paper to life - Chicago Reader
Chicago Pulp opened this past September, and offers classes, open studio sessions, and custom pulp to artists and curious beginners alike.
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December 12, 2025 at 7:09 PM
A new studio in Bridgeport wants to make pulp and papermaking accessible to everyone. https://bit.ly/4q8qXkK
The Chinese American Museum of Chicago presents an unexpected pairing of work by Ruyell Ho and Li Lin Lee. https://bit.ly/3MspzL8
Translating abstraction - Chicago Reader
In “Language of Abstraction” at the Chinese American Museum of Chicago, Larry Lee puts work by Ruyell Ho and Li Lin Lee in conversation.
bit.ly
December 12, 2025 at 6:47 PM
The Chinese American Museum of Chicago presents an unexpected pairing of work by Ruyell Ho and Li Lin Lee. https://bit.ly/3MspzL8
While the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP) provides services to help residents upgrade their homes to withstand the changing climate and conserve energy, not everyone who needs assistance is getting approved for it.
December 12, 2025 at 4:41 PM
While the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP) provides services to help residents upgrade their homes to withstand the changing climate and conserve energy, not everyone who needs assistance is getting approved for it.
It’s Best of Chicago season! Don’t miss your chance to vote for your favorite Chicago business, artist, community organizer and more. The ballot closes December 31 so get your vote in before it’s too late! Cast your vote at chicagoreader.com/best
December 12, 2025 at 2:24 PM
It’s Best of Chicago season! Don’t miss your chance to vote for your favorite Chicago business, artist, community organizer and more. The ballot closes December 31 so get your vote in before it’s too late! Cast your vote at chicagoreader.com/best
Dennis Scott is a true midwestern vaudevillian! Joshua Minsoo Kim interviews the longtime @musicboxtheatre.bsky.social organist for the Reader. https://bit.ly/4oRqkuO
An interview with Dennis Scott, Music Box Theatre organist - Chicago Reader
Midwestern vaudevillian Dennis Scott discusses his early memories of music, his mentor, and the joys of playing during the holiday season.
chicagoreader.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Dennis Scott is a true midwestern vaudevillian! Joshua Minsoo Kim interviews the longtime @musicboxtheatre.bsky.social organist for the Reader. https://bit.ly/4oRqkuO
In the latest Gossip Wolf, Earth Libraries hosts a Chicago benefit and showcase, the team behind a book on Sinéad O’Connor throws her a birthday party, the grassroots campaign to dump Spotify goes national, and more. https://bit.ly/48HaI6R
Alabama indie label Earth Libraries hosts a Chicago benefit and showcase - Chicago Reader
Alabama indie label Earth Libraries hosts a Chicago benefit and showcase, the grassroots campaign to dump Spotify goes national, and more.
bit.ly
December 11, 2025 at 6:52 PM
In the latest Gossip Wolf, Earth Libraries hosts a Chicago benefit and showcase, the team behind a book on Sinéad O’Connor throws her a birthday party, the grassroots campaign to dump Spotify goes national, and more. https://bit.ly/48HaI6R
Every year, senior staff writer Leor Galil writes a roundup of the year’s best overlooked local albums, which includes his take on the state of the music scene. This year, he wrote about how event listings (like the ones we publish here at the Reader!) have nearly disappeared over the years.
December 11, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Every year, senior staff writer Leor Galil writes a roundup of the year’s best overlooked local albums, which includes his take on the state of the music scene. This year, he wrote about how event listings (like the ones we publish here at the Reader!) have nearly disappeared over the years.
The Orbit at iO puts long-form improv in the round. https://bit.ly/48K4xir
The circle game - Chicago Reader
At iO, the Orbit, an "artful, immersive show," experiments with long-form improv in the round that puts vulnerability first.
bit.ly
December 11, 2025 at 12:21 AM
The Orbit at iO puts long-form improv in the round. https://bit.ly/48K4xir
We are nearly half way through Best of Chicago voting and we need your help deciding who deserves the title this year. Make sure your voice is heard! Vote before December 31 at chicagoreader.com/best
December 10, 2025 at 10:16 PM
We are nearly half way through Best of Chicago voting and we need your help deciding who deserves the title this year. Make sure your voice is heard! Vote before December 31 at chicagoreader.com/best