December 2007
134 posts
Bon Appetit: Chicago →
The most recent issue of Bon Appetit highlights three local establishments. Smoque BBQ is hailed as a stand-out option in a city that apparently has a “dearth of good rib joints.” Lovely Bake Shop’s adorable mini-pies and down-home ambiance…
A Kick-In-the-Face Kind of New Year's Eve →
So you’ve been invited to a dozen soirees to ring in the New Year, each fancier than the last. Champagne and tasteful tapas? Soft, ambient music and scintillating conversation? Hell no! You want action, and talking to other people is…
The Quilts, Larger Than The Sum of Their Parts →
Does anyone besides us remember Wolcott? That band had so much energy, combining Springsteenian grandeur with indie-rock passion. The only downside was that you HAD to see them live to get it. Their single album never did the group justice. Well, a bunch of guys that used to be in Wolcott teamed up with some ex-40 Piece Choir folks, re-jiggered the set-up, and named themselves The Quilts. They...
The Getouts Help Fight Holiday Blues →
We know that the post-holiday depression might already be settling in. So shut off Superbad (you’ve seen it four times), get off the couch and head over to the Empty Bottle for a triple billing almost designed for busting the…
James Jankowiak @ 32nd&Urban Gallery →
James Jankowiak: Southside SpiritualOpening Reception January 26, 2008 from 7-11pm32nd&Urban Gallery3201 S. HalstedChicago, IL 60608www.myspace.com/32ndurban
Last-minute NYE Options →
Unless your idea of a good New Year’s Eve involves aimless bar-hopping when cabs are scarce and clubs are overcrowded, stop dragging your feet and make your plans already. The events below still had tickets available as of late last week, and folks continue to post New Year’s Eve updates to the comments section of this blog. Get to it, people. And happy 2008…
New Year's Rockin' Eve →
Ahh, New Year’s Eve. A night of celebration and merry-making, overflowing libations and regretful decisions. And if you don’t have the ABSOLUTE BEST TIME EVER, what kind of loser are you? Click for guide.
"I'm Inocent" →
Lauri Apple (aka Insomnia Jones, JD) took these affecting photos outside the Illinois Youth Center Chicago, a level 3 minimum security facility for juvenile male offenders on Western and Maypole. Some kids flashed Vice Lords gang symbols, some danced, and two kids tried to write us a note and show it through the window, but it was way too dark, and they were way too high up there in the jail. My...
Staging the New Year →
Restaurants aren’t the only ones offering festive, price-enhanced New Year’s Eve fun. Local theaters are throwing open their doors (or their box office) for soused shows and sober, happy celebrations. The Neo Futurists’ New Years Benefit returns, featuring Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, 30 plays performed in the last 60 minutes of 2007. The non-alcoholic, Whole Foods-catered reception...
This week’s band: The Audians →
I met Sima Cunningham recently when she made a guest appearance at Chicago Acoustic Underground’s studio with Jeff Brown (podcast coming soon!). She only sang for one song, but I was impressed with her voice and Michael’s a big fan, so when she told me she had a show on the 30th I invited her […]
Pan-Asian Veg: Easier than a Server Thinks →
My sweetie and I stopped off at Usagi Ya for dinner while biking back from the MCA and took a table against a soft bench along a bubble like-textured sidewall across from the sushi bar. Our waiter said vegetarian might…
Become a “Connoisseur” →
One of the benefits of the holidays is getting together with loved ones and sharing good food and good wine in a comfortable environment. New champagne and wine lounge Connoisseur offers a place to do that year round.
The intimate 50-seat room is lined with suede banquettes and wooden tables, and the dark brown walls […]
NYE Stragglers →
Must be something in our fine municipal water system this year, but many of 2007’s New Year’s Eve parties were announced late—way friggin’ late. Here are a few that popped up in the last week that sounded intriguing.
Lincoln Park Young Professionals sponsor New Year’s Eve at Hard Rock Hotel which features high-end booze bar, pizza, […]
Funky fresh Christmas (and Kwanzaa) sounds →
Stones Throw label founder Peanut Butter Wolf—who spins tonight at Sonotheque’s holiday anniversary event—gives a clinic in record digging with Badd Santa—a collection of Christmas (and Kwanzaa)-themed tracks handpicked for the holiday season—available, it seems, only at Urban Outfitters locations and online. The selections range from hip-hop to the melodic pop jazz of Vince Guaraldi’s […]
Witness "The Cool" Tonight →
The Cool, Lupe Fiasco’s much-anticipated follow up to Food & Liquor, dropped on Tuesday to a cloud of bittersweet press. Some critics have blasted the album for its darker sound, wishing for the breezier days when Lupe’s rhymes were all about meeting cute girls and skateboarding. Others question if the change in sound is a move in the right direction. However you feel about the...
Quick Bites →
Chez Pim’s Menu For Hope fundraiser is still going strong (it lasts through Dec 21). So far, more than $50,000 has been raised to benefit the UN World Food Programme’s school lunch program in Lesotho, Africa. Kalyn’s Kitchen is the regional host for the Midwest, and there are lots of great regional prizes. Our friends over at Drive-Thru put together a yummy looking package, but...
Musical To-Do List for your Holiday Downtime →
Lucky enough to get a few days off for the Chrismukkah holidays? Several Chicago area music entities have been kind enough to give you time-filling options. Lupe Fiasco’s sophomore CD The Cool drops today, and he has announced live dates from New York to Honolulu in support of it. Chicago’s only chance to catch the hometown hero will be this Thursday during an in-store appearance at Wicker...
It Pays to Plan Ahead, Part 3 →
Moving forward in our quest to give you readers some options for going out on New Year’s Eve so you aren’t procrastinating. Fat Cat: The theme of the evening is a “Roaring 20’s anti-Prohibition” party. Guests are encouraged to dress in zoot suits, feather boas, and flapper dresses. The $75 cover ($100 on NYE) includes top-shelf liquor, a champagne fountain, hors...
Hands-up for Obama →
Who says house DJs can’t get political? Certainly not I–especially with the Go Tell Mama! benny going down at Lava (1270 N Milwaukee) tonight. Chicago’s own god of house Derrick Carter is headlining, the Greenskeepers are spinning a set and the always optimistic Diz is joining in the good times. The cover is a “door […]
Your week beats our year...and a half →
It’s the end of the year, and everybody’s scrambling to end the year in style. End-of-year holiday gatherings always bring up the inevitable fin de siecle feelings in us all as we race toward another new beginning. Among all the…
Last-Minute Shopping: Chicago Ave Edition →
The clock is ticking, lovelies—get those presents purchased and fast. If you still need some last-minute help, though, take the Chicago bus to these three stores where we can practically guarantee you’ll find something. We’ll be running posts like this all week, so if you know the perfect store, drop us a line: tips@chicagoist.com You still need a present for: Your mom, your...
Chicago Indie Radio Project Benefit @ Darkroom →
Sunday, December 23 at 9PM, radio station WLUW 88.7-FM presents a benefit in support of the Chicago Independent Radio Project, which is striving to “to secure a broadcast license for a new community radio station in Chicago that is…
Celebrity Beat: Duran Duran, Lauren Conrad, Brody... →
Delays, refusals, and artful evasions: it’s pretty much the theme of this past weekend’s celebrity beat. Fortunately, a true LGS takes it all in stride—and still manages to turn up a few celebrity morsels. On Friday night, I chatted up Nick Rhodes and John Taylor of the seminal eighties new-wave band Duran Duran before the group’s concert at the Chicago Theatre… PLUS:...
Ruby Room →
On every visit to Ruby Room I vow to spend more time there. After touring their 8 guest rooms, I actually wish I could move in. Each exploration validates their tagline the “Spa for the Spirit.” Every service, product, class, and treatment is dedicated to bettering oneself and feeling good.
The space which includes […]
Connoisseur Wine Co. →
I attended the opening of Connoisseur Wine Co. last week. Gerald Lott and Frankie Versean Cox have created an intimate space (seats only 50) for patrons to enjoy wine, champagne and a small plate menu designed by Chef Philipp…
The Friday Buffet →
The new Connoisseur Wine Co. at 1041 W. Grand is ready for its close-up. They’re celebrating by offering customers who RSVP this weekend complimentary champagne, appetizers, and classic martinis. Efrain Cuevas’ last dinner of 2007 features the waterfowl organ delicacy whose name we dare not speak within the city limits. Get on the list if you want to find out more.
The Chicago...
The David Leonardis Report #17 →
I found myself going to Toast on Damen (773-772-5600) again with my local guest expert Roger Herring of Socca. We were looking for a great consistent breakfast and as we had recently been to Bongo Room on Milwaukee Ave, Toast was the logical choice.
Toast is always great. The bacon and guyere cheese omelet is my […]
“To be blunt, and it is good advice to serious newcomers: do not make the mistake...”
Salute for Something New →
So I must confess that I’m not a huge fan of the metallic doom and gloom that will be displayed tomorrow night at the Empty Bottle by Haptic, Wrnlrd, and Cristal (but Chris S. is and that’s how we do…
Three Thumbs Up →
Man is there a lot going on tonight. Are you sure it’s only Wednesday? Because it sure feels like the party is already kicking into high Friday mode. The last few weeks have been a tad lackluster, music-wise, but December is taking this year out with a bang! Here are just a few of tonight’s options. Evan Dando resurrects The Lemonheads tonight at Double Door. We caught him last time he...
CannonBall this saturday!! →
Ahoy! Annual Fundraiser and Holiday Party Saturday December 15, 2007 8PM-12AM Join us, for steins of Grog and get loaded to the gunwales! Shiver me Timbers! It’s a pirate Holiday Party! Entertainment includes music by DJ Mr. E, a Hidden Treasure Photo Booth with Pirate Santa, Duncan MacKenzie. Ross Moreno will be up to no good, and there will be fortunetellers encouraging you to drink up,...
BLDGBLOG: Falling back to earth, alone →
Video Provides Everything You Ever Wanted to Know... →
Red Interactive Agency →
Three Chairs at the Note →
I Love House Music, the weekly boogie sweatbox at The Note (1565 N Milwaukee Ave) in Wicker Park, has been our suggested low cover, big beat late-night stop for a while now in the Clubs section. Unfortunately, we often have no idea who the guests are until the night of the party. But we just […]
Kids, the Internet, and the End of Privacy: The... →
DO LIFE MODELS JUST FIGURE IT OUT? →
Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction →
Mood Foods →
bubbl.us - free web application for brainstorming... →
“Shirky describes this generational shift in terms of pidgin versus Creole. “Do...”
– http://nymag.com/news/features/27341/index2.html
Welcome back, Schmickler (and Lampo too!) →
Fresh from their last trip to Home Depot, and still a little buzzy from the paint fumes, local experimental music arts venture Lampo announces the grand opening of its new home, a second floor space on Chicago Avenue, between Franklin…
On My Radio...and in the club →
Haptic, a three-piece unit of center-of-mind free-zoners from right here in town, perform their drone excitations for wood, metal (that’s guitars and drums to you, f(r)iend) on a two-night hometown tour, first over the cracklin’ ether, and then in the…
Free Russian Circles →
Local act Russian Circles add some post-rock instrumental deliciousness to your frozen Holiday season this Thursday at the Double Door. A great replacement for listening to All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone indoors, Russian Circles has garnered comparisons to…
PopMatters Picks: The 50 DVDs Every Film Fan... →
Burden of Dreams: Criterion Collection (1982):... →
DVD Verdict Review - Burden Of Dreams: Criterion... →
KnittingHelp.com | Learn How to Knit →
Les Blank: Burden of Dreams | Features | Guardian... →
The Criterion Collection: Burden of Dreams by Les... →