Latest Stories
Remembering Steve Albini
Friends, fans, clients, and coworkers share their memories of the beloved and influential recording engineer.
Electronic-music pioneer Suzanne Ciani celebrates the 40th anniversary of her album Seven Waves
Fri 5/17 at Fourth Presbyterian Church
The Secret Sisters return after four years with some serious folk-country Medicine
Sat 5/18 at Old Town School of Folk Music
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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.
Chicago rapper KingTrey angles for a spot in the post-Chance canon with Southend Legend
Wed 5/22 at Lincoln Hall
Sonja’s lusty heavy metal blends goth rock and 80s Sunset Strip sleaze
Tue 5/21 at Reggies’ Rock Club
News & INVESTIGATIONS
Campus protests, sexual abuse in youth prisons, May Day for Palestine
A weekly column from the Chicago Reader covering the top stories on our radar and how they impact our communities.
Queer justice
A new exhibit at the Center on Halsted explores 50 years of fighting for LGBTQ+ rights—and the midwest’s role in it.
ShotSpotter’s reverberations
When Chicago ends its contract with the gunshot detection company this fall, will the microphones keep listening?
Columns & Opinion
“Missing in Chicago” wins the 2024 Pulitzer Prize in Local Reporting
The Reader, in partnership with Invisible Institute and City Bureau, ran the story in November 2023
Publisher’s note: why the Reader is returning to weekly publishing
The Chicago Reader’s print publication will return to weekly publishing in June 2024. The paper pivoted to a biweekly print schedule in June 2020.
Film
Review: Mother of the Bride
Netflix’s newest rom-com is middling and mindless.
Review: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
Wes Ball’s entry to this franchise feels measured, complex, and ripe for sequels.
Review: Dark Matter (Season one)
This sci-fi thriller has its missteps, but powerful leading actors give it depth and resonance.
Arts & Culture
No dust to shake off
Over a five decade career, Sandra Binion’s work is as vital as ever.
The play that goes wrong
Steppenwolf’s production of Larissa FastHorse’s satirical The Thanksgiving Play is fast, furious, and funny.
A Barrie Cole festival lays the table for a thoughtful feast
Hamburgers & Disappointment provides snapshots of “friendships and heartbreak, aging and pretending.”
The return of the American Writers Festival
The free event will feature nearly 30 author talks and panels.
Collaboraction plans a ‘House of Belonging’ in Humboldt Park
The company moves into the Kimball Arts Center; A&A Ballet brings back Cinderella; and Haven Chicago calls it quits.
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.
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Best Dating Sites for Real Relationships in 2024
The top websites to meet someone special for a real relationship
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Demystifying Acupuncture provides answers for the curious skeptic
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Help the United Negro College Fund provide scholarships to Illinois students by playing the $200,000! Bingo Tripler!
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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…
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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…
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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…