Who knew that nearly three hours worth of PowerPoint presentations could gather and keep a crowd? Well, it turns out it's a global phenom. Last night's Pecha Kucha at Martyrs' (3855 N. Lincoln) showcased 14 creative minds—photographers, architects, artists, and writers—each armed with 20 slides and just under seven minutes per person to present them. Topics included projects, concepts, absurd histories, and one life's work. And with the stage open to anyone, the lecture-hall stuffiness quickly dissolved into a sea of chatter...and beer...

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Who knew that nearly three hours worth of PowerPoint presentations could gather and keep a crowd? Well, it turns out it's a global phenom. Last night's Pecha Kucha at Martyrs' (3855 N. Lincoln) showcased 14 creative minds—photographers, architects, artists, and writers—each armed with 20 slides and just under seven minutes per person to present them. Topics included projects, concepts, absurd histories, and one life's work. And with the stage open to anyone, the lecture-hall stuffiness quickly dissolved into a sea of chatter...and beer...

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Who knew that nearly three hours worth of PowerPoint presentations could gather and keep a crowd? Well, it turns out it's a global phenom. Last night's Pecha Kucha at Martyrs' (3855 N. Lincoln) showcased 14 creative minds—photographers, architects, artists, and writers—each armed with 20 slides and just under seven minutes per person to present them. Topics included projects, concepts, absurd histories, and one life's work. And with the stage open to anyone, the lecture-hall stuffiness quickly dissolved into a sea of chatter...and beer...

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Guest Blog: Super Slides

Who knew that nearly three hours worth of PowerPoint presentations could gather and keep a crowd? Well, it turns out it’s a global phenom. Last night’s Pecha Kucha at Martyrs’ (3855 N. Lincoln) showcased 14 creative minds—photographers, architects, artists, and writers—each armed with 20 slides and just under seven minutes per person to present them. Topics included projects, concepts, absurd histories, and one life’s work. And with the stage open to anyone, the lecture-hall stuffiness quickly dissolved into a sea of chatter…and beer…

Guest Blog: Baby, It’s Hot Inside

It could have been due to the snow—or perhaps the subject matter—but the audience at last night’s Heat Wave opening was a little … sparse, which is sad and a little ironic. In July of 1995, our city failed to take responsibility for more than 700 heat-related deaths. It was a complete societal breakdown where everyone (the City of Chicago, the media, and civilians) was accountable for one of the worst meteorological disasters in the history of the United States. It’s a story worth remembering. So, why all the empty chairs?…

Ominous News

Snap is officially scared. According to Chicago Tribune‘s Theater Loop blog, American Girl Place will be closing its basement theater show in September "to find new entertaining experiences for our guests" that won’t include live performers.

This can only mean one thing: puppet shows…

On the Money

When Sony asked Allan Loeb to write a script about card counting in Vegas, the Highland Park native had plenty to draw upon: namely, a gambling compulsion of his own.