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June 2008
Crush Course
By Rebecca Little

Jonesing for the Indies?

It’s summer’s other type of indie film—you know, without an aging moviestar-as-archeologist limping through feats of derring-do. The second annual Gen Art Film Festival, offering five nights of independent flicks and afterparties, kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Monday the 23rd with Bart Got a Room, a coming-of-age story about two...

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Fall Out Bar

Pete Wentz, of the band Fall Out Boy, welcomed his new bundle of joy to town on Tuesday night. Nope, not his baby—his new bride, Ashlee Simpson, is still in the bump stage—but his edgy new rock lounge, Angels & Kings (710 N. Clark St.), which Wentz co-owns with local nightlife vets Stephen Westman (Lakeview Broadcasting Company), Matt Eisler (Elm Street Liquors, Empire Liquors, Victory Liquors), and Lyle Aker (Five Star), among other investors (keep reading for more on that)...

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Tourist for a Day
By Jeff Ruby
High tide for tourists is here. Instead of holing up inside until the last pair of jeans shorts disappears from the streets, The Closer tries it from the other side. Read more
Keen on Koons

 


Jeff Koons’ New Hoover Convertible, 1981-1986

I recently attended the MCA’s press preview of the provocative and downright kitschy artist Jeff Koons and was left inspired by the way Koons elevates everyday household items to high-art status. Hoover Convertibles under glass. Wow! A toaster memorialized in a florescent bulb backdrop. Cool! We sit around in editorial planning meetings oohing and ahhing about the latest stainless pots and pans, groovy garbage cans, and finely designed bars of soap. Hey, don’t we, too, desire to bring people the latest in cool wares? Don’t we memorialize materialism? Note for next meeting: figure out a way to elevate it to a new level. Does the MCA hear us knocking? Just teasing Mr. Koons. Seriously, please pop by this only-in-Chicago affair and see how it inspires you.

-BARRI LEINER


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5 Seasonal Sippers
By Sarah Preston
The Fishbowl, The Dreams Punch Bowl, Hibiscus Daiquiri, White Peach Mint Julep, Luxbar Sling Read more
Caraying On
By Sarah Preston
Wrigleyville aims to fill out its lineup with an ode to a legend Read more
A Buyer’s Market
By Dennis Rodkin
Would-be homeowners are discovering the silver lining behind the falling prices in the local real-estate market. Here are six housing bargains snapped up by lucky or savvy buyers so far this year Read more
Poolside Manner
By Cassie Walker
Retro glam, à la Brigitte Bardot and other starlets of the 1950s and 1960s, inspires this summer's swim trends. The forecast: high waists, balconette tops, and belted bottoms that flaunt—or cover—all the right places. Read more