In one of the most stunning developments in the history of rock, longtime fans of the heavy-metal stalwart Metallica are complaining that the group’s recently released album, Death Magnetic, is too loud (read the angry posts at metallicabb.com). To put the noise level in perspective, we ranked the band’s SPL—or sound pressure level, measured in decibels—against other noisemakers.
The Xanadu aesthetic? That’s easy. “Think Casey Kasem–meets–Greek mythology–meets–drug-addled hallucinatory fluorescent roller derby,” says Christopher Ashley, director of the musical production—performed in part on roller skates—that hits Chicago in January. To help visualize the exceedingly campy universe, we grilled Ashley for specifics on the musical’s most crucial element: its props.
Bright spots on the month’s cultural radar
We found four readers whose official fitness conditions could be labeled “burnout” and asked them to keep a workout diary for a week. Then we called in a major-league expert—the director of conditioning for the Chicago White Sox—to help our readers reinvigorate their fitness routines for the start of the new year.
A dance group that plugs local fashion designers? That’s not all that’s unusual about The Seldoms
Sufficiency of the Actual (U. of I. Press; $16.95), the fifth book of poems from the Illinois poet laureate, Kevin Stein, hits stands in January. Curious about his references to The Who, crickets, and more, we asked the 54-year-old Bradley University professor to interpret the rebellious piece that gives his collection its title.
The most precious anti-dote to a chapped winter face is a good face cream, which can be a tough thing to find. We took on the challenge and asked six staff members to blind-test the latest trend in skin care—the all-natural moisturizer. Without influence of brand names or packaging, they rated eight products based on feel, scent, and overall results
The Brothers Grim
Two similar-sounding plays from two very different playwrights unite in an experiment at American Theater Company (1909 W. Byron St.; atcweb.org). Sam Shepard’s True West, about a screenwriter and his thief of a brother, is traditionally cast white, while Topdog/Underdog, Suzan-Lori Parks’s Pulitzer-winner about an entertainer and his thief of a brother, is traditionally cast black. Beginning Thursday, February 5th, actors…
THE BAR OWNER Todd Rubin—of Cabaret and, more recently, Privé in Vegas—is back and opening a new River North bar (name and address TBD) with the team behind English. THE DJS White Shadow and Major Taylor spin together Mondays at Angels & Kings. Turntable duets and Pete Wentz sightings? We’re there. … Read more
Oscar Isberian Rugs and Leslie Hindman Auctioneers have joined forces once again for a wall-to-wall winter rug sale at Hindman’s West Loop gallery. More than 500 carpets in an array of sizes and styles will be available for instantly gratifying purchase starting this Friday, Jan. 30 through Sunday, Feb. 8. We knighted Isberian owners Oscar and Sarkis Tatosian “rug czars” in our Best of Chicago Design issue, and here’s your opportunity to pick up a few of their greatly reduced carpets. Rug reps will be on hand to answer questions and help flip through the plush piles.
