After my sons basketball games, its not uncommon for us to take the kids out for ice cream. But this time, we got a lot more than a simple sugar high. It was late in the evening, and we innocently headed to the closest ice cream shop Google Maps had to offer. Little did we […] The post The trippy vibe at Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream appeared first on ...

Hxa Sun 3/29 at Reggies Music Joint The post Local witch-house artist Hxa welcomes spring at Reggies Music Joint appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Gwenifer Raymond Sun 3/29 at the Hideout The post Acoustic guitarist Gwenifer Raymond plays sci-fi-themed fingerstyle blues at escape velocity appeared first on Chicago Reader.

*Disclosure: Chicago Reader social justice reporter Devyn-Marshall Brown is a unionized employee represented by the Chicago News Guild, which currently represents workers who are unionizing at the TRiiBE.  What do the Christian Bible and the National Labor Relations Board have in common? They both say you only need a minimum of two people to start […] ...

In October 1998, Margarita Duarte did not know that a short walk with her husband would lead her to the hair salon that would shape nearly 27 years of her life. She thought they were headed to the corner store near their home in Avondale. Instead, he opened the door to the space and told […] The post Blowouts, quince curls, and 27 years of miracles at ...

At a packed and contentious Joliet City Council meeting on Tuesday night, opponents outnumbered supporters of a proposed data center at the edge of the city, not far from a large warehouse development. People spilled out of the chamber. Some wore union shirts bearing the names of their local chapters, and representatives for IBEW 176 […] The post The ...

Last week, Tony B and Chef T were shopping for fresh chicken paws at Costco. At roughly $11 for a five-pound package, thats a good score. B, the chef and steak chip tycoon formerly known as Tony Balestreri, gave pedicures to the paws he purchased, with rainbow polish and a topcoat. It took forever, he […] The post Youll feel beautiful when Eat Steak Chips ...

In Memories of a Window, revolution arrives framed by a phone screen. The documentary short by Chicago-based Iranian filmmakers Mehraneh Salimian and Amin Pakparvar had its world premiere in February at the 2026 Berlinale. Assembled from footage the pair recorded as students in Tehran alongside videos posted online during the 2022 Woman, Life, Freedom ...

Matisses Jazz: Rhythms in Color" through 6/1 at the Art Institute of Chicago The post Colors that rhyme, clash, and dance appeared first on Chicago Reader.

The Drowsy Chaperone, through 4/19 at Theo, Evanston The post The Drowsy Chaperone delights at Theo appeared first on Chicago Reader.

White Rooster, through 4/26 at Lookingglass Theatre The post White Rooster examines ghosts, longing, and desire at Lookingglass appeared first on Chicago Reader.

The Jackie Wilson Story, through 4/26 at Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center The post The Jackie Wilson Story returns to Black Ensemble Theater appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Song About Himself, through 4/5, Theater Oobleck at Facility Theatre The post When words fail appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Fully Committed, through 3/28 at the Den Theatre The post A tasty amuse-bouche appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Cyrano, through 4/12, Theatre Above the Law at Jarvis Square Theater The post A nose for sweetness appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Project Hail Mary in wide release in theaters The post Review: Project Hail Mary appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Last week, Englewood rapper Heavy Crownz released his accomplished new album, Trench Baby Turned Farmer. Clap for Me! makes a great showcase for his earthy vocals, emotive flow, and forthright lyrics, and its lightly funky, dragging melody sounds like a sun-beaten G-funk track played backward. Crownz clearly wants to canonize himself in Chicago hip-hop ...

The Oneida people have inhabited the Great Lakes region for millennia, and their ancestral lands include approximately six million acres in present-day New York state. During the American Revolution, the Oneidas served as crucial allies of George Washingtons colonial army, delivering hundreds of bushels of corn to feed his starving soldiers at Valley Forge. ...

As a journalist, its always been important for me to center the people directly impacted by injustice and tell stories that capture their full humanity, not just ones that fixate on their trauma. So, when I opened Instagram last Friday and learned that 28-year-old Sundas Sunny Naqvi, a U.S. citizen of Pakistani descent, had allegedly […] The post The ...

Undertone in wide release in theaters The post Review: Undertone appeared first on Chicago Reader.

I Dream I Cross the River in One Stride" through 3/28 at Mariane Ibrahim The post After OGrady appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Andr Is an Idiot in limited release in theaters The post Review: Andr Is an Idiot appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Divine Hammer screening Wed 3/18 at Facets The post Review: Divine Hammer appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Madama Butterfly, through 4/12 at Lyric Opera The post Framing a new Butterfly appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Chris Patrick Wed 3/25 at Subterranean The post Rapper Chris Patrick hopes his good luck holds on Pray 4 Me appeared first on Chicago Reader.