Latest Stories
Kathleen Dorothy Blackburn examines the limits of faith
The UChicago lecturer tells the story of an environmental injustice that intimately affected her family.
Review: Wildcat
Despite a strong cast, this Flannery O’Connor biopic doesn’t capture the prose of its subject.
Get the latest issue of the Chicago Reader
Edging push their punk to the point of no return
With a saxophone in their front line, a solar shower in their van, and a scorching new album out in the world, they’re ready to leave it all on the road in pursuit of their dream.
Kim Foxx’s DNC preparations, Uptown SRO hotel, guaranteed income
A weekly column from the Chicago Reader covering the top stories on our radar and how they impact our communities.
News & INVESTIGATIONS
Closing time
Berlin closed forever. Is the union to blame?
Out with the old, in with the new
How a $1.25 billion bond proposal could slowly, but undoubtedly, alter Chicago’s housing landscape forever
The neighborhoods missing from Chicago’s community safety plans
Shootings decreased overall last year. But residents and organizers in areas where shootings rose, including North Lawndale, Fuller Park, and West Elsdon, say numbers don’t tell the whole story.
Columns & Opinion
A new genocide exhibit opens at the Holocaust Museum
It’s not what you’re thinking.
Editor’s note: why we cover so much art
Artists, writers, musicians, actors—all these citizens are going to show us how to save the world.
Film
Review: Challengers
This sexy tennis drama serves just short.
Review: Flipside
Flipside is a warm and discursive documentary.
Review: The Hills
The Hills explores pollution and environmental racism on Chicago’s southeast side.
Arts & Culture
Ritual and realism
Warm on the Coolin’ Board makes a welcome return to MPAACT.
Goofs, glorious goofs
Annoyance’s Little Orphan Boy: The Musical! is stupid done smart.
A gripping Hamlet
Red Theater’s stripped-down Shakespeare is moving and relatable.
Middleton of the road
Blue in the Right Way’s Women Beware Women is a long journey.
Evan Mills sets his sights for LA
The Second City star plans a move—but first, he’s giving other AAPI comedy artists a boost.
Music
Anaiet Soul, pianist, performer, and lifelong student
“To play jazz, especially in the city, but just to play jazz, period, you need to have tough skin and you need to be able to take criticism.”
Screamo blowout ZBR Fest Midwest packs Subterranean with 28 bands
Plus: Garage-pop group Pleasant Mob play the Empty Bottle in support of their debut album, and WZRD celebrates 50 years on the air with a free Martyrs’ show.
Chicago Record Report: April 2024
New music from Lala Lala, Sons of Ra, Valebol, Isaiah Collier & the Chosen Few, and more
CITY LIFE
The Raven Room shuts down despite strong community support
The Ravenswood bar and entertainment venue formerly known as Redline VR announced their intention to close at the end of April.
Fad2Fresh has become an Andersonville staple
Find curated music, Bulls memorabilia, gender freedom, and more at the Black-, queer-, women-owned vintage shop.
Food & Drink
Bo Durham is Mindy Segal’s right-hand man
There’s a longtime familial working relationship between the famous pastry chef and her prolific mentee.
Sponsored
Sponsored
Best Dating Sites for Real Relationships in 2024
The top websites to meet someone special for a real relationship
If you’re open to giving online dating a try, these are the best dating sites to actually meet…
Sponsored
Demystifying Acupuncture provides answers for the curious skeptic
Acupuncture is a form of Traditional East Asian Medicine (TEAM) that involves the placement of hair-thin needles into…
Sponsored
Help the United Negro College Fund provide scholarships to Illinois students by playing the $200,000! Bingo Tripler!
For nearly two decades, the Illinois Lottery has been a pioneer in creating specialty lottery tickets dedicated to…
Sponsored
At the California Clipper, everyone is welcome
The newly relaunched Humboldt Park lounge champions community, inclusivity, and fair labor practices Since the 1820s, Chicago’s pubs…
Sponsored
Bright Endeavors provides a guiding light for young mothers in Chicago
The social enterprise of Chicago nonprofit New Moms empowers local mothers ages 18-24 through their comprehensive job training program
As the proverb goes, it takes a village to raise a child. The folks at Bright Endeavors know…
Sponsored
In Motion: Metamorphosis explores the intersection of art and technology
As the leader of the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project, Princess Mhoon is on a mission to raise…