The Age of Klaus Mäkelä
Not even 30, the Finnish conductor is already the buzziest name in classical music. Now he’s set to usher in a new era at the helm of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Custom Placements: Culture Lead
The Celebrity Channeler
Deft impressions on social media have made Matt Friend a rising comedy star.
Making Some “Illinoise”
Sufjan Stevens’s sweeping ode to the Prairie State turns 20. Let’s explore the album’s enduring status as a cult classic.
A Walk in the Garden
A new MCA exhibition reconsiders generations of local queer art — and the activism that inspired it.
The Power That Pop Culture Has
Adrienne Gunn’s debut novel uses reality television — and humor — to consider how modern media has affected our approach to love, success, and friendship.
Joe Mantegna
The actor, 77, on his big break, a lesson from Gregory Peck, and his greatest Cubs memory.
Peering Inside Chicago’s Original Art Colony
In Chicago’s Fine Arts Building: Music, Magic, and Murder, author Keir Graff traces the many legacies of the city’s vibrant culture hub.
Shelby Van Pelt
The novelist, 44, on fan mail, a close call with the Boston bombing, and following up a bestseller
Color Tells the Story in Joffrey Ballet’s Alice
Ellie Cotey, the company’s costume manager, walks us through the careful care of the production’s whimsical wears.
June/July Agenda
Top 20 reasons to fill up your calendar this summer