5 Albums that Delight…
Tom Higgenson, guitarist and lead singer for the rising Chicago punk-pop band Plain White T’s, who open for Fall Out Boy on Oct. 20th at Allstate Arena
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Idol Hands
MCA curator Dominic Molon discusses key works from the new exhibition Sympathy for the Devil.
Trendevous at Carson Pirie Scott
September 15, 2007- Carson’s Yorktown location showcased its 2007 fall fashion trends in ready-to-wear, shoes, and handbags in a runway show hosted by fashion stylist Stacy Wallace-Albert. Stacy shared styling tips with nearly 250 guests on how to build a fall wardrobe from top to bottom. Photos by Randy Belice
Buon Giorno from the Biennale
I’m in Italy. The weather is perfect. The wine is flowing. The food is, well, so-so. But that may be because we’re in Venice. As far as I can tell, this isn’t a city known for its culinary delights. It’s known for its art.
That is, after all, why we’re here.
To catch you up, I’m traveling in Europe for the next few weeks with the man friend and two artists, and the latter couple is dead set on seeing the Venice Biennale. I agreed to devote…
Drama Mamas
If the Slipper Fits Redmoon can take almost any idea and make it avant-garde. The troupe strikes again with The Princess Club, a modern examination of female-fronted fairy tales (Rapunzel, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty) that combines physical comedy, spectacular costuming, puppetry, and a hip-hop runway. One word of caution (or titillation): Although it was inspired by … Read more
You Should Know … Eighth Blackbird
Wake up, Chicago. One of the country’s most exciting new music ensembles wants some respect from its hometown.
World Wide Radio
There’s a new radio station in town—sort of.
Coda in Europe
It was a weekend of high culture: a lovely wedding in Grant Park (not mine) and a fabulous CSO performance in Millennium Park that featured Savion Glover tapping the Duke Ellington suite, River. It was also a weekend of rock culture: the ever-so-awesome Hideout Block Party. My only gripe: The sound for Brit band Bloc Party (who played the Block Party) was pretty weak; having seen them a few months ago at the Congress, I can attest what a strong live band they are. That didn’t so much come across, but, heck, it was still great.
Now I’m off to Europe for a three-week sejour in Italy and France. Check back for…
The Blip – October 2007
Bright spots on the month’s cultural calendar
Chat with New Hubbard Street Director
Lunched yesterday with Jason Palmquist, the new executive director of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. He joked about having successfully survived his first 100 days at the helm of the contemporary dance company, a Chicago institution that has, of late, been rocked with major changes (the departures of its longtime executive director and second company directors, retiring dancers, etc).
Arts administrators are an interesting bunch (and, no, that’s not a joke). The successful ones are fluent in the language of balance sheets and budgets; but they have to speak a creative language too. It looks like Palmquist has the background required to do both:…