Chicago Reader print issue of March 6, 2025 (Vol. 54, No. 22)

BESTOF CHICAGO

ARELOOKING UP

T H I NGS

MARCH AT SYMPHONY CENTER

FEB 27-MAR 2

Seong-Jin Cho Plays Prokofiev

MAR 6-8

Ravel Daphnis and Chloe

MAR 9

Leonidas Kavakos & Daniil Trifonov

MAR 13-15

Haydn Mass in Time of War

MAR 16

Mao Fujita

MAR 17

Impact: Showcasing Education & Community Engagement at the CSO

MAR 20-22

Hrůša, Trpčeski & Rachmaninov

MAR 21

Bill Charlap Trio with special guests Dee Dee Bridgewater & Nicholas Payton

MAR 23

Jimmy López: Inner Dialogues

MAR 27-29

Bruch & Schumann Rhenish

MAR 30

Julia Fischer & Jan Lisiecki

THIS WEEK

BEST OF CHICAGO

06 Intro We can see spring from here.

07 Best of Chicago | City Life A preteen pet activist, an inclusive lactation clinic, a “magic” water pump, and more

14 Best of Chicago | Buy Local Stained glass, ethical footwear to last you a lifetime, a zero-waste general store, and more

21 Best of Chicago | Sports & Recreation Rollerblading between the Point and 31st Street, Nader Ihmoud covering the Palestinian National Baseball Team, White Sox’s Dog Days, and more

24 Best of Chicago | Food & Drink Sundae Mondays, grab-bag beer for $1.75, tacos along Ashland Avenue, and more

32 Best of Chicago | Cannabis The perfect bench for a smoke session and a can’t-miss cannabis brand collab

34 Best of Chicago | Arts & Culture A niche TV show screening, puppet street theater, a live variety show too risqué for YouTube, and more

42 Best of Chicago | Music & Nightlife A tribute to house music’s forgotten history, (possibly) the last of the plugger passers, a book from inside the DIY scene, and more

CLASSIFIEDS

49 Public Notice

49 Jobs

49 Services

49 Matches

MUSIC

50 Shows of Note Previews of concerts including Tobacco City, SahBabii, Fujita, and Adrian Younge

SPORTS & RECREATION, P.21

&

Clockwise from top le : Cat Jewers of Garbage Gals COURTESY

; Call & Response Books

BROWN-CLARK ; Frank’s Pizzeria

WILLIAMSON ; Yuck! live show MICCO CAPORALE ; Nine Inch Nails memorabilia at the Museum of Post Punk & Industrial Music JODI SARGENT; Plaque for the (late) weed bench at 738 W. Briar SHIRA FRIEDMAN-PARKS ; Palestinian National Baseball Team ZAIDA LAGARDIEN

PUBLISHER AMBER NETTLES

CHIEF OF STAFF ELLEN KAULIG

EDITOR IN CHIEF SALEM COLLO-JULIN

ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR

SAVANNAH RAY HUGUELEY

PRODUCTION MANAGER AND STAFF

PHOTOGRAPHER KIRK WILLIAMSON

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER AMBER HUFF

GRAPHIC DESIGNER AND PHOTO RESEARCHER

SHIRA FRIEDMAN-PARKS

THEATER AND DANCE EDITOR KERRY REID

MUSIC EDITOR PHILIP MONTORO

CULTURE EDITOR: FILM, MEDIA, FOOD & DRINK TARYN MCFADDEN

CULTURE EDITOR: ART, ARCHITECTURE, BOOKS KERRY CARDOZA

NEWS EDITOR SHAWN MULCAHY

PROJECTS EDITOR JAMIE LUDWIG

DIGITAL EDITOR TYRA NICOLE TRICHE

SENIOR WRITERS LEOR GALIL, DEANNA ISAACS, BEN JORAVSKY, MIKE SULA

FEATURES WRITER KATIE PROUT

WRITERS

Jake Austen, Ed Blair, Bianca Bova, Layla Brown-Clark, Micco Caporale, Kerry Cardoza, Joshua Eferighe, Joe Engleman, Luz Magdaleno Flores, Leor Galil, Isa Giallorenzo, Alejandro Hernandez, Charlie Kolodziej, S. Nicole Lane, Emily McClanathan, Taryn McFadden, Bill Meyer, Shawn Mulcahy, Marissa Oberlander, Kerry Reid, Jack Riedy, Shannon Shreibak, Mike Sula, Erin Toale

COPY EDITING AND PROOFREADING

Micco Caporale, Kerry Cardoza, Salem ColloJulin, Savannah Hugueley, Taryn McFadden, Philip Montoro, Shawn Mulcahy, Kerry Reid

BEST OF CHICAGO

Tyra Nicole Triche

Salem Collo-Julin, Amber Nettles, Tyra Nicole Triche VISUAL CONCEPT, ART DIRECTION, AND KEY

Kirk Williamson

GRAPHIC DESIGN AND PHOTO

Shira Friedman-Parks, Amber Huff, Kirk Williamson

ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Jake Austen, Beth Bentley, Micco Caporale, Kerry Cardoza, Shira Friedman-Parks, Andrew Huff, Charlie Kolodziej, Willow Sokora, Kirk Williamson

KEY SECTION ART AND COVER LOCATIONS

First Ascent Uptown, Broadway Antique Market, Lincoln Park Zoo, Izakaya Shinya, 6018North, Beauty Bar, Kirk’s living room

ENDLESS THANKS Everyone who donates money to the Reader

SOCIAL JUSTICE REPORTER DEVYN-MARSHALL BROWN (DMB)

STAFF WRITER MICCO CAPORALE

MULTIMEDIA CONTENT PRODUCER SHAWNEE DAY

SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT

ASSOCIATE CHARLI RENKEN

VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS ANN SCHOLHAMER VICE PRESIDENT OF PEOPLE AND CULTURE ALIA GRAHAM

DEVELOPMENT MANAGER JOEY MANDEVILLE DATA ASSOCIATE TATIANA PEREZ

MARKETING ASSOCIATE MAJA STACHNIK

MARKETING ASSOCIATE MICHAEL THOMPSON

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES AMY MATHENY SALES REPRESENTATIVE WILL ROGERS

SALES REPRESENTATIVE KELLY BRAUN

MEDIA SALES ASSOCIATE JILLIAN MUELLER

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READER (ISSN 1096-6919) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY THE READER INSTITUTE FOR COMMUNITY JOURNALISM 2930 S. MICHIGAN, SUITE 102 CHICAGO, IL 60616, 312-3922934, CHICAGOREADER.COM

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ON THE COVER Things are looking up at Beauty Bar!

Photographed and designed by Kirk Williamson.

GARBAGE GALS

LAYLA

KIRK

best oFCH OGACI best oFCH I OGAC

THINGS ARELOOKINGUP

For the last few years, our Best of Chicago issue has come out at the “will we ever have a spring” time of winter here in the midwest, when the temperature in our coverage area can fluctuate wildly every 24 hours and the entire city has that gray tinge left over from random ice skids, remnants of dirt-encrusted snowbanks in parking lots, and all the dog poop and trash that the melting reveals. It’s just a wash of blech for a while with the odd sunny day popping in. There’s no better time for us to publish an issue to remind you of why you love living here.

Our Best of Chicago odyssey began in October, when we asked you to write in your nominees for 324 categories spanning our seven BOC sections: Arts & Culture, Buy Local, Cannabis, City Life, Food & Drink, Music & Nightlife, and Sports & Recreation. And you came through—we received hundreds of nominations across the board. The entities in each category that received the most nominations were placed on the main ballot, which was open for voting from December 2 through 31.

We again asked you to give us your opinions in the form of voting, and again, you showed up—539,626 votes were cast in this year’s poll. To conserve space in this issue, you’ll find the winner and first runner-up for each category listed in their sections, but you can go to chicagoreader.com/best to find the entire ballot results and see the names of each and every finalist.

And let’s parse out something: This is indeed a 52-page issue, which is substantial. We nearly drove our art department batty with the wrangling (but they did it with panache). As we put this issue together, we simultaneously still needed to deal with our ongoing financial crisis. Some of the past BOC issues have been behemoths (96 pages in 2021). But bigger doesn’t always mean a better value financially for us, and we absolutely could not a ord to print a whopper for you. However, this year’s issue still includes absolutely the best writing; we’re still the Reader, after all.

The items that you’ll see in each section surrounding the ballot results are much more than just “our picks” for you. They are passionate and researched mini-essays from our contributors, sta writers, and editors on some people, items, and places that we think are special. So special, in fact, that we created our own Best of categories for them! Here’s just a few.

In Sports & Recreation, you’ll find invitations to explore the lakefront with rollerblades and the tale of a local journalist who covers the Palestinian National Baseball Team. Food & Drink brings us a tour of a veritable avenue of delicious taco choices and a legendary pizzeria sign that has been glowing in neon splendor since 1952. And our Cannabis section o ers the story of a seemingly DIY plaque designating an area for outdoor weed consumption.

In the Arts & Culture section, you’ll find essays on the next wave of slam poets, a beloved film being screened at a beloved Chicago independent movie theater, and a locally made variety show that got kicked o YouTube. City Life gives us more Chicago treasures, like a 24-hour sex shop and a composting system. And in Buy Local, our writers tell you about a new bookstore that highlights BIPOC authors and shoes that might last a lifetime.

The essays in Music & Nightlife capture just a few of the people and places that make up Chicago’s rich after-hours communities. You’ll read about a private collection of goth and industrial music memories turned into a public museum, a musician and author covering Chicago’s DIY scene with his self-published memoir, and more.

Chicago is full of choices, and it’s a strange and great challenge each year for us to bring you the best of the overlooked. We’re chu ed at your participation in this process: 36,840 of you voted. And so many of you have been donating, advertising, and telling your friends about us in the last weeks. Thank you so much for continuing to support us—it’s because of readers like you that we know we’ll have a spring. v

—Salem Collo-Julin, editor in chief m scollojulin@chicagoreader.com

Nora Flanagan at 20x2

On April 28, Chicago Teachers Union organizer Nora Flanagan approached the mike in the back room of Gman Tavern to answer the question: “How does it feel?” She stood in front of the viral image of white nationalist Richard Spencer getting punched during an Australian Broadcasting Corporation interview following Donald Trump’s first inauguration. She was one of 20 speakers appearing as part of the long-running series 20x2 in which 20 people across disciplines are given two minutes to perform some kind of response to the same question. Flanagan came to o er her experiences punching Nazis.

“I only metaphorically punch Nazis now,” she explains before detailing an interest in anti-racist organizing that began in high school. “The old way—street fights, combat boots—way more glamorous, very romanticized, and if I’m being honest at age 48, ine ective at best and pretty traumatizing as a way of life at age 15.”

No longer roaming the streets looking for skinheads on a Friday night, Flanagan describes Nazi-hunting now as a 24/7 task,

LIFE CITY

a lick of sunlight having entered the space in 35 years). Available for sale is perhaps the city’s most complete library of vintage back issues of Playboy . Mixed among them are copies of other less fondly remembered men’s magazines (though collectors being what they are, surely someone out there is looking for the July 1982 issue of Swank ), and the occasional bound treatise on the historical delineations of pornography visà-vis censorship law.

For those looking to do more than just shop, private viewing booths offer video previews—choose from a rotating selection of pornographic films from the handwritten chart in the back of the store—at a rate of $7 per hour. Throwback that they are, the booths still seem to do a surprisingly brisk business, as indicated by the board of occupation lights that sit above the hallway entrance to the “video arcade.”

his place of work and the contact info of his wife, a popular children’s book author. “I lose hours to connecting Nazi dots,” she says and concludes it’s never as satisfying as the shock and awe of a public brawl. “Nazis are di erent now. So we need to fight them differently— anywhere and every way we can.” Almost a year later, her message couldn’t be more timely. 20x2.org/chicago —MICCO

a lot of which happens online. Much of it is tedious, like deciphering which black metal bands have racist ties or identifying cops in Proud Boy rally photos. She’s regularly doxxed. But when people send her harassing messages, many of them aren’t clever. In one example, a man sent an email using the same address he uses to manage his kid’s little league, and within seconds, Flanagan found

Te-Jay's Adult Books

RCAPORALE

single-story building at 53 W. Hubbard has sat sentry through it all. Once home to the Illinois Terrazzo and Tile Company (with the intricate mosaic door apron to prove it), since 1989 it has housed Te-Jay’s Adult Books. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, its iconic neon sign perpetually illuminating its sole window, Te-Jay’s serves as the last bastion of the old River North while continuing to thrive

alongside the next generation of late-night partiers.

In an era when you can browse sex toys in the clean, brightly lighted aisles of your neighborhood Walgreens, Te-Jay’s is a pleasing reminder that the city is supposed to feel a little seedy. So long as its (buzzer-controlled security) doors remain open for business, Chicago will continue to make good on the promise of urban living as it really ought to be.

—BIANCA BOVA

BEST PRETEEN PET ACTIVIST

Paige's Pet Project

“You don’t need to do big things to make an impact,” says ten-yearold Paige Bentley, an inspiring champion of animal rescue who has been carrying dog treats in her pockets since she could talk. Paige’s changemaking work started two years ago after a birthday trip to the Catcade, a Lakeview cat cafe and rescue. She asked her mom, Beth, if they could foster cats, and a few days later, the journey began. “The first goodbye is hard, but you get used to it after 64 animals,” Paige says, noting that post-goodbye donuts help.

iver North has long been the epicenter of Chicago nightlife. From the heyday of jazz clubs in the 1950s to the advent of the nightclubs of today, the unassuming

As advertised, once inside the store one is greeted with an encyclopedic array of adult entertainment materials, flanked by preternaturally well-preserved advertisements from the 1990s (owing, one imagines, to not

As her two dogs, Hobbes and Scooter, can attest, Paige has always connected with animals. She wakes up early to feed her foster cats, change the litter box, and spend quiet time helping them acclimate to people. Paige is also a prolific fundraiser whose lemonade stands and school bagel sales have raised more than $10,000 for Chicago rescues. Under-resourced Chicago Animal Care and Control remains a priority, and Paige and Beth often do transports to get vulnerable animals placed in rescue partners’ care.

Over the 2023 holidays, Paige vowed to get a

The pavilion at the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo KIRK WILLIAMSON

1. Nora Flanagan at Gman Tavern ANDREW HUFF

Christmas toy for every shelter animal, calling up local pet stores for support. After a TV spot about her was syndicated, Paige’s strategic online registry paid off, with thousands of toys from viewers arriving at their northside home. The last two Christmas Eves have been Paige’s happiest moments; she recalls the quiet contentment at Border Tails Rescue as the dogs happily chewed their bones. Other projects include fundraising for urgent medical cases, promoting long-term adoptable pets, sta ng adoption events at Wolves games, and even donating homemade quilts. Paige uses her platform to squash misconceptions about rescue pets. “They teach me to be kind to everybody and to love everybody, because they just have love that they give and they don’t really care who you are,” Paige says. Her future plans? High school AP classes, which will allow her to start veterinary school early in college, then opening her own animal shelter. “Yeah, that’s pretty much it,” says the most determined and empathetic preteen you’ll ever meet. paigespetproject.com

—MARISSA OBERLANDER

BEST NEW GREEN INITIATIVE

City of Chicago Food Scrap Drop-Off

In late 2023, the city quietly launched a composting program, now available at 20 drop-off locations around the city. It accepts a wide variety of material—including commonly composted items such as coffee grounds and fruit and veggie scraps and harder-to-handle stuff like cooked food, cheese, and bread. That’s because the waste goes to a commercial composting facility, which can break down organic matter more quickly than, say, a backyard worm bin. Composting benefits the environment in part by helping to reduce methane emissions from landfills. According to the U.S. Department of

Energy, methane is 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas and contributes to about “one-third of the global warming we are experiencing today.” This makes reducing methane emissions “one of the most important and

cost-effective actions” we can take to slow the rise in temperatures worldwide—and composting is a lot safer than sabotaging an oil pipeline. As Block Club Chicago reported in January, city residents sent more than 173,000 tons of food waste to landfills in the first 11 months of 2024, while the Food Scrap Drop-O program received just 295 tons between its in-

3. Paige Bentley and a feline friend BETH BENTLEY 4. City of Chicago Food Scrap Drop-Off KERRY CARDOZA 5. Cat Jewers (L) and Sophie Rallo of Garbage Gals

ception in October 2023 and December 2024. So there’s lots of room for improvement. To use the service, city residents just need to sign up at their preferred site; then they can drop o compostable materials for free as often as they’d like. All sites are open daily from 7 AM to 7 PM. Sure, it’d be more convenient for the city to pick up compost from homes (hint, hint), but until that happens, this program is an easy way to divert food waste from landfills and lower greenhouse emissions. chicago.gov/ city/en/sites/chicago-recycles/home/foodscrap-drop-o .html —KERRY CARDOZA

BEST TRASH TALKERS

Garbage Gals

This homegrown nonprofit knows what we’re craving post-COVID—a place to make connections while making a difference. Founder Sophie Rallo found herself at an isolating crossroads when her sister and BFF left Chicago two years ago. A new Boston terrier became her sidekick, and they explored Wicker Park together in search of community, without much success. But Rallo knew from her mom, a Saint Louis alderperson, that continued on p. 10

BEST ACTIVIST

Winner: Jahmal Cole (My Block, My Hood, My City)

First Runner-up: Asiaha Butler (Resident Association of Greater Englewood)

BEST ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION

Winner: My Block, My Hood, My City First Runner-up: Center on Halsted

BEST ALDERPERSON

Winner: Alderperson Andre Vasquez

First Runner-up: Alderperson Rossana Rodríguez

BEST BEARD

Winner: Kyle Schrage

First Runner-up: Brandon Pope

BEST BLOCK CLUB

Winner: 65th and Peoria Street Block Club

First Runner-up: Edgewater Glen Association

BEST CHARITY

Winner: Greater Chicago Food Depository

First Runner-up: My Block, My Hood, My City

BEST CHICAGO INSTAGRAM

ACCOUNT TO FOLLOW

Winner: @agirlaboutchicago

First Runner-up: @kayleejochicago

BEST CHICAGO INSTITUTION

Winner: Chicago Public Library

First Runner-up: The Art Institute of Chicago

BEST CHICAGO SLANG (WORD OR PHRASE)

Winner: Jagoff

First Runner-up: Adding an S to the end of store names

BEST CHICAGO TIKTOK

Winner: @6figga_dilla

First Runner-up: @kayleejochicago

BEST CHICAGOAN TO FOLLOW ON TWITTER

Winner: @6figga_dilla (Shermann “Dilla” Thomas)

First Runner-up: @chicagobars

BEST CHIROPRACTOR

Winner: RE: Chiropractic + Wellness

First Runner-up: Dr. Lori Portnoy

BEST COWORKING SPACE

Winner: Guild Row

First Runner-up: Colvin House

BEST COLLEGE FOR 18-25 YEAR OLDS

Winner: DePaul University

First Runner-up: Northwestern University

BEST COLLEGE FOR LIFELONG LEARNERS

Winner: University of Chicago

First Runner-up: City Colleges of Chicago

BEST DENTIST

Winner: The Lakeshore Dental Studio

First Runner-up: Always There Dental Care

BEST DOCTOR (GENERAL OR PRIMARY CARE)

Winner: Dr. Sonia Oyola (UChicago Medicine)

First Runner-up: Dr. Alison Cromwell (Northwestern Medical Group)

BEST ELECTED OFFICIAL IN CHICAGO

Winner: Cook County Board of Commissioners President Toni Preckwinkle

First Runner-up: Alderperson Andre Vasquez

BEST ELECTED OFFICIAL IN COOK COUNTY

Winner: Cook County Board of Commissioners President Toni Preckwinkle

First Runner-up: Alderperson Andre Vasquez

BEST EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Winner: Block Club Chicago

First Runner-up: Chicago Reader

BEST FEDERAL OFFICE

HOLDER FROM ILLINOIS

Winner: Senator Tammy Duckworth

First Runner-up: Senator Dick Durbin

BEST HOME CONSTRUCTION OR REMODELER

Winner: LG Group

First Runner-up: MB Design & Build

BEST HOTEL

Winner: The Guesthouse Hotel

First Runner-up: Hotel Zachary

BEST HVAC MAINTENANCE OR REPAIR

Winner: Four Seasons

First Runner-up: Chicago HVAC Repair Doctor

BEST INDEPENDENT WEBSITE OR BLOG

Winner: Block Club Chicago

First Runner-up: Chicago Public Square

BEST LABOR UNION

Winner: Chicago Teachers Union

First Runner-up: Howard Brown

Health Workers United

BEST LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION

Winner: DANK Haus German American Cultural Center

First Runner-up: Alliance Française

BEST LAWYER

Winner: Ed Mullen (Mullen Law Firm)

First Runner-up: Neda Nozari (Nozari Legal)

BEST LIBRARY BRANCH

Winner: Harold Washington Library Center

First Runner-up: Sulzer

BEST LOCAL TV BROADCAST NEWS

Winner: WGN

First Runner-up: ABC7

BEST NETWORKING/ COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION

Winner: My Block, My Hood, My City

First Runner-up: International Women in Chicago

BEST NEWSPAPER

Winner: Chicago Reader

First Runner-up: the Onion

BEST NORTH-SIDE NEIGHBORHOOD

Winner: Andersonville

First Runner-up: Lincoln Square

BEST OB-GYN

Winner: Chicago Women’s Health Center

First Runner-up: Dr. Emma Clear (Midwest Center for Women’s HealthCare)

BEST OVERALL RADIO STATION

Winner: WBEZ Chicago 91.5 FM

First Runner-up: WXRT 93.1 FM

BEST PLACE TO HOST A WORK EVENT

Winner: Headquarters Beercade

First Runner-up: Colvin House

BEST PLACE TO PROPOSE Winner: Lakefront

First Runner-up: Chicago Botanic Garden

BEST PLACE TO THROW A PARTY

Winner: DANK Haus German American Cultural Center

First Runner-up: Headquarters Beercade

BEST PLACE TO WORK

Winner: Edgewater Chamber of Commerce

First Runner-up: Mind Chicago

BEST PODCAST

Winner: City Cast Chicago

First Runner-up: 77 Flavors of Chicago

BEST RADIO DJ

Winner: Terri Hemmert

First Runner-up: DJ SuperFrye, CHIRP Radio 107.1FM

BEST SECRET OASIS Winner: Garfield Park Conservatory First Runner-up: Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary

BEST SOUTH-SIDE NEIGHBORHOOD Winner: Pilsen First Runner-up: Hyde Park

BEST STATE ELECTED OFFICIAL Winner: Governor JB Pritzker First Runner-up: Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias

BEST SUBURB Winner: Evanston First Runner-up: Oak Park

BEST TOUR

Winner: Chicago Architecture Center First Runner-up: Wendella Tours & Cruises

BEST TOURIST ATTRACTION (INDOOR)

Winner: The Art Institute of Chicago First Runner-up: Griffin Museum of Science & Industry

BEST TOURIST ATTRACTION (OUTDOOR)

Winner: Chicago Architecture Center

River Cruise aboard First Lady First Runner-up: Lincoln Park Zoo

BEST WEST-SIDE NEIGHBORHOOD

Winner: Belmont Cragin First Runner-up: East Garfield Park v

community is built through service. So, she decided to do exactly what her mom had done: host trash cleanups. “It was really that simple, wanting connection,” she says.

Garbage Gals and its raccoon logo were born. (People of all genders are welcome!) Neighborhood flyers brought three people to the first event in September 2023; at the second, Rallo met Cat Jewers, who quickly became integral to the group and has a family background in sanitation and expertise in kids’ educational programs. Garbage Gals outings now pull 12 to 18, with their largest event hosting 23 volunteers.

“In a culture of instant gratification, we might as well lean into it,” Rallo says of the group’s strategy. “Picking up trash is like a scavenger hunt that takes you down a path and you can just enjoy it.”

Their monthly events have included a trash pickup on Milwaukee Avenue followed by a hangout at Antique Taco; post-Halloween “Smashing Pumpkins” composting; a White Sox collaboration; and participation in the Wicker Park Farmers’ Market. The vibes are immaculate, and Rallo and others have built close friendships through these events. “You’re not going to meet someone shitty. They’re volunteering, they care about the earth,” Rallo says.

Rallo transitioned to a nonprofit structure in April 2024 through sheer hustle; she supports herself with a day job as an insurance broker but pours everything else into Garbage Gals. Garbage Gals have their first fundraiser coming up, and are exploring a membership structure and broader sustainability mandate, and Rallo is manifesting the ultimate coup. “One day people will see our pink trash truck

and say, ‘Look, it’s the Garbage Gals.’ That’s the dream.” garbagegals.org; instagram.com/@ garbagegals.chi —MARISSA OBERLANDER

BEST LACTATION SUPPORT CLINIC THAT'S OPEN TO ANYONE

Swedish Hospital's breastfeeding clinic

Nursing a baby is one of those things that’s often portrayed as simple, natural, even easy. A word to new parents: Don’t let that fool you. There’s actually a lot to learn when it comes to feeding a newborn, from how to know if your latch is successful to avoiding mastitis to protecting your nipples during the dark days of cluster feeding and more. The breastfeeding clinic at Swedish Hospital is a support center that accepts most insurance and is also open to folks who are uninsured or unable to pay. And you don’t have to have delivered at Swedish to use it. Experts there can offer guidance on your feeding or pumping techniques and provide insight on milk supply, weaning, and myriad other areas, no matter where you are on your chestfeeding journey.

While I recommend seeing a lactation consultant before you’re discharged from the hospital, chances are you’ll need more help once you’re at home, and the clinic at Swedish is a great resource to have in your back pocket. Swedish Hospital breastfeeding clinic, 5140 N. California, by appointment at 773-989-1615 —KERRY CARDOZA

continued from p. 9

An Open Letter to Chicago

from Chicago Public Library Commissioner and Library Foundation President

Chicago, this honors belong to all of us—thank you!

Being named the city’s best institution is an incredible recognition, made even more special becuase it comes from you—the people we proudly serve. It rea rms what we believe: a great city deserves a great library.

With 81 locations, a collection of 6 million books and resources, and 5 million annual visitors, Chicago Public Library is here for everyone. From early learners to job seekers, from artists to entrepreneurs, we are a place where knowledge is free, opportunity is open, and discovery never stops.

This achievement is because of our 1,000 dedicated library sta members and the generosity of our Library Foundation donors. They make it all possible to close the academic opportunity gap, spark creativity, and bridge the digital divide—ensuring that lifelong learning is accessible to all.

We are honored, and we are inspired to do even more. Keep visiting your neighborhood libraries. Keep reading, learning, and discovering. And if you believe in our mission, we invite you to be part of this work.

Join us. Get involved at cplfoundation.org.

Chris Brown, Commissioner, Chicago Public Library

Brenda Langstraat Bui, President & CEO, Chicago Public Library Foundation

BORN OUT OF THE PANDEMIC BUT STILL THRIVING

ChiTown Drive-In

ChiTown Drive-In was born in response to the pandemic, at a time when Chicago was practicing social distancing but craving connection. Post-lockdown, the drive-in is holding strong in Pilsen, showing classics such as Grease (1978) and Jurassic Park (1993), and hosting horror movie binges around Halloween with films like Scream (1996) and A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984). Since my mother would speak about her drive-in memories from her late teens and early 20s, I set out to experience my first drive-in movie here last October, convincing a friend of mine to tag along for Friday the 13th (1980). The drive-in o ers food options such as carne asada fries and tacos, plus the usual snack options like candy and popcorn.

alike. ChiTown Drive-In, 2343 S. Throop, chitowndrivein.com —LAYLA BROWN-CLARK

BEST NORTHWEST-SIDE LOCAL

LANDMARK AND LORE

Seeing a film at ChiTown Drive-In was one of the most intimate moviegoing experiences I’ve had in the city thus far. It’s a perfect treat for people who are looking for a new way to watch old classics, who want to relive their parents’ “vintage” experiences, or who are simply looking for more private and comfortable movie watching with family and friends

Schiller Woods Magic Water Pump

Quench your thirst for community at Chicago’s most famous public water pump. Day or night, there is almost always a line of aqua-curious folks at “Chicago’s

fountain of youth” on Irving Park in Schiller Woods. The outsize mythology of this peculiar pump on the city’s fringes makes it a destination for locals and tourists alike, who queue up politely with watercooler jugs and various other large vessels.

Cook County Forest Preserve maintenance supervisor Len Du is told WBEZ in 2014 that the pump was installed in 1945, and its popularity hasn’t waned since. “It comes from an underground aquifer. Mother Nature. From

the ground. Obviously, if you’re drafting city water, you’re going to have chemicals in there from the Chicago water treatment plant. This does not contain any type of chlorine, or any of the other chemicals found.” The fountain pours well water/groundwater (interchangeable terms) and is one of 212 city water pumps, but this one is by far the most popular—requiring repair at least ten times a year. Misinformation and legend around the site abound. Local lore includes unsubstantiated

7. Hanging out at ChiTown Drive-In JONATHAN WILLIAMS 8. Filling up at the "fountain of youth" in Schiller Woods KIRK WILLIAMSON

claims of a visit from Pope John Paul II in 1979, as well as magic powers bestowed by the pump’s water. Other fables claim the water has medicinal qualities, that drinking from it imbues one with magical powers including immortality, and (my personal favorite) that the pump has a nearby cursed counterpart— infused with evil. North Center brewery Hop Butcher for the World used the wondrous water to make a beer in 2024 called Regeneration Station. Al Scorch, beloved musician and oral historian who was born and raised in the adjacent neighborhood of Dunning, told me in an interview that the water is “marvelous, mineral-rich, the perfect beverage to slake your thirst after tromping through buckthorn overgrowth all day!”

To maximize your enjoyment on a northwest-side excursion, unearth your Nalgene (this endeavor is far too blue-collar for a Stanley cup), grab a hotdog at Gene and Jude’s, and park in the adjoining model airplane lot. Enjoy the company of neighbors at this old-school community gathering site while you wait to fill your flask at the famous fount, then take a stroll along the Des Plaines River Trail. I can’t guarantee immortality, but you’ll almost certainly meet some northwest-side eccentrics whose cups runneth over with watercooler gossip and Chicago history. Schiller Woods-East, W. Irving Park, west of N. Cumberland —ERIN TOALE v

previously loved women’s & men’s FASHION and home furnishings now in the heart of downtown chicago

The Green Goose Shop

The Green Goose Shop isn’t just a store— it’s a thoughtfully cultivated space where retail, sustainability, and community care converge. The shop feels intentional: lush greenery lines the walls, size-inclusive clothing hangs on colorful racks, and local makers’ work is prominently featured.

Owner Sarah Brunet’s first child was just seven months old when she revamped the gift shop Hester into the Green Goose Shop in February 2024. Having spent years working at Hester and fostering a deep love for independent retail, she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to take the reins. The name Green Goose is a nod to her longtime obsession with kitschy, midwest-style porch geese—not the honking Canadian kind, but the whimsical, bonnet-wearing variety. It’s a fitting symbol for the shop’s unique blend of nostalgia, sustainability, and cozy curation.

What truly sets the Green Goose apart,

though, is its heart. Since opening, the shop has hosted regular "Plants for Palestine" sales, with proceeds benefiting the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund. “From the moment we opened our doors as the Green Goose, I wanted to make sure that we gave back,” Brunet says.

“The horrors of what’s happening in Palestine and the impact the war is having on the most vulnerable population—children—just sickens me to my core.” The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with many customers making a point to shop during do-

nation days. And while a few dissenters have surfaced, Brunet remains resolute: “At the end of the day, I would rather have done something for the causes I believe in than not.”

Beyond plants, the Green Goose’s clothing section is a quiet revolution of its own. “As a plus-size person, I was so sick of not being able to find clothing I could wear,” Brunet explains. Determined to change that, she curated a collection of garments ranging from L to 5X, prioritizing natural fabrics and joyful designs. Brands like Fashion Brand Company, Nettle Studios, and the Chicago-based Joytoast and Laila Textiles make up a selection that feels deliberate. Sun-Mon 11 AM-5 PM, Tue-Sat 11 AM-6 PM, 5238 N. Clark, thegreengooseshop. com —SHANNON NICO SHREIBAK

BEST LOCAL STAINED GLASS ARTIST CAPTURING FACES AND PLACES IN VIBRANT ABSTRACTION

Ben Houtkamp

For Ben Houtkamp, stained glass was never part of the plan. His father, Frank, had spent decades mastering the craft, earning a reputation as a stained glass expert, but Ben gravitated toward drawing instead. That changed a few years ago when one of his geometric sketches seemed like it could translate perfectly into glass. What started as an experiment quickly became a career. “I gave it a shot,” he says, “and now it’s my job, somehow.”

That first piece sparked a wave of commissions, establishing his signature style—bold, abstract compositions where geometric

Broadway Antique Market KIRK WILLIAMSON

shapes almost but never fully coalesce into faces or landscapes. Some of his larger works even take on names, like Lowell and Gary, appearing as if they are characters emerging from a fragmented dream.

For Houtkamp, stained glass is more than just imagery. He appreciates how the medium straddles both art and function, evolving throughout the day as the light shifts. Unlike paintings, which remain hidden away once they find a home, his work can often be seen from the street, interacting with the environment in a way that feels uniquely alive.

Houtkamp’s inspirations are varied, with a strong pull toward the graphic intensity of cartoons and cigarette packaging. His work radiates a high-contrast nostalgia, shaped by childhood memories of playground equipment, candy wrappers, and science museum exhibits.

While Houtkamp’s creative process is painstaking, the reward comes in the final result. He begins with a pencil sketch, refining it digitally before transferring the design to paper. Each glass piece is then carefully cut, soldered together with lead came pieces, and sealed with thick black cement. Though the physical labor of the craft can be tedious, the gratification of seeing the finished work makes it worthwhile.

This April, he will debut a new series of stained glass panels exploring themes of time and quietness at Hopewell Brewing, the same brewery that gave him his first exhibition five years ago. Until then, he remains deep in commission work. benswebsite.net —SHANNON NICO SHREIBAK

BEST ETHICAL FOOTWEAR THAT WILL LAST YOU A LIFETIME

Seres Footwear

In a city like Chicago, where style meets sustainability, and high-end meets downto-earth, Seres provides the right answer to footwear. Founded by Vanessa Arroyo, 35, almost two years ago, Seres combines Arroyo’s rich Chicana heritage with her experience designing shoes for the luxury brand Rag & Bone—all while remaining committed to creating ethically made footwear that lasts a lifetime.

The name “Seres,” meaning “beings” in Spanish, reflects Arroyo’s dedication to the people and the planet. As a proud member of Chicago Fair Trade, she promotes fair wages, healthy labor conditions, and sustainable practices throughout the production process. Seres shoes are tanned using a vegetable-based method, avoiding the toxic chromium commonly used in traditional

leather tanning. Even the logistics are carefully considered: Seres shoes “piggyback” on an auto parts delivery route, thus reducing their carbon footprint.

Born in Chicago to hardworking Mexican parents, Arroyo was immersed in house music and street culture. She moved to New York City at 21 to make her mark in the luxury fashion world. After living “every fashion student’s dream,” Arroyo sought a more meaningful experience by studying

with proper care. She recommends regular visits to the cobbler for soling, resoling, and conditioning to keep shoes in top shape. Her designs won’t go out of style either: they are refreshingly timeless, practical, and cool, making them versatile enough for all kinds of occasions. No wonder Wicker Park moms flock to Seres’ booth at the Do Division Street Fest.

Seres o ers four models at the moment: two boots ($200) and two sandals ($220), each fea-

Call & Response Books

M3 5 4

shoemaking in León, Guanajuato—a Mexican city renowned for its footwear tradition. She sources materials and has her manufacturing centered there while running the business in Chicago.

Arroyo is determined to provide a truly durable product, ensuring it lasts for years

turing chunky leather heels. Standout pieces include the Luz sandal, a modern take on the traditional huarache, and the Ester zip-up bootie, popular for its clean, utilitarian design. Online at seresfootwear.com and at local pop-up events, which you can find at instagram.com/ seresfootwear —ISA GIALLORENZO

y hobbies are my weakness when it comes to shopping. And one of my main hobbies is collecting and reading books, and adding them to the endless color-coded paradise in my room. Add compelling main characters of color in genres ranging from science fiction to romance, and I’m sold. Though there are dozens of independent bookstores citywide, each has its own flair

Shoes from Seres Footwear GENEVIEVE PASCOLLA 4. Call & Response bookstore in Hyde Park

BEST APARTMENT FINDER

Winner: Domu

First Runner-up: Apartment Finder

BEST AUTO DEALERSHIP

Winner: McGrath Subaru

First Runner-up: Fletcher Jones Audi

BEST AUTO REPAIR SHOP

Winner: Runge’s Auto & Tire

First Runner-up: Speedline Auto & Tire

BEST BARBER

Winner: Danielle Barberini

First Runner-up: Rachael Zalutsky

BEST BARBERSHOP

Winner: Handsome Bastard

First Runner-up: Barbara&Barbara

BEST BICYCLE SHOP

Winner: Igor Does My Bike

First Runner-up: Uptown Bikes

BEST BOARD GAME STORE

Winner: Chicagoland Games Dice Dojo

First Runner-up: AlleyCat Comics

BEST COMICS SHOP

Winner: AlleyCat Comics

First Runner-up: Chicago Comics

BEST DANCEWEAR SHOP

Winner: Chicago Dance Supply

First Runner-up: Gus Studio

BEST FINANCIAL INSTITUTION OR BANK

Winner: Chase

First Runner-up: Wintrust

BEST FLORIST

Winner: Fleur

First Runner-up: Flowers for Dreams

BEST FUNERAL/ CREMATION SERVICES

Winner: Inclusive Funeral Care

First Runner-up: Smith-Corcoran

BEST GARDEN SUPPLY

Winner: Gethsemane Garden Center

First Runner-up: Adams & Son & Daughter Gardens

BEST HAIRDRESSER

Winner: Eli Mancha (Bang! Salon)

First Runner-up: Patrick Lewis (Edit Salon)

BEST HAIR SALON

Winner: Salon Hex

First Runner-up: Bang! Salon

BEST HOME CLEANING SERVICE

Winner: Trash Friends: A Queer Cleaning Company

First Runner-up: Windy City Cleaners

BEST HOME FURNISHINGS

Winner: District

First Runner-up: Velvet Goldmine

BEST INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE

Winner: Women & Children

First Bookstore

First Runner-up: The Book Cellar

BEST JEWELRY STORE

Winner: Bryn Mawr Jewelry

First Runner-up: Adornment & Theory

BEST KIDS CLOTHING

Winner: The Red Balloon

First Runner-up: Lilla Barn Clothing

BEST LANDSCAPE COMPANY

Winner: Christy Webber Landscapes

First Runner-up: Patch Landscaping

BEST LOCAL CLOTHING DESIGNER

Winner: Milk Handmade

First Runner-up: Harebrained

BEST MOVING SERVICES

Winner: New City Moving

First Runner-up: The Professionals

BEST PET ADOPTION OR ANIMAL SHELTER

Winner: PAWS Chicago

First Runner-up: One Tail at a Time

BEST PET STORE

Winner: Urban Pooch

First Runner-up: Jameson Loves Danger

BEST PLACE TO BUY GENDERNEUTRAL CLOTHING

Winner: Big Bud Press

First Runner-up: Milk Handmade

BEST PLACE TO BUY

LOCAL WARES

Winner: Andersonville Galleria

First Runner-up: Foursided

BEST PLACE TO BUY

MEN’S CLOTHING

Winner: Cowboys and Astronauts

First Runner-up: Richard’s Fabulous Finds

BEST PLACE TO BUY

WOMEN’S CLOTHING

Winner: Luvsick Plus

First Runner-up: Milk Handmade

BEST PLACE TO GET MARRIED

Winner: Garfield Park Conservatory

First Runner-up: Chicago Cultural Center

BEST PLACE TO GET PICTURES FRAMED

Winner: Foursided

First Runner-up: The Frame Shop

BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT

Winner: Marti LaHood

First Runner-up: Erin Feinerman

BEST REAL ESTATE COMPANY

Winner: @properties

First Runner-up: Compass

continued from p. 16

and serves as a cornerstone to the culture of its neighborhood, and this holds true for the recently opened Call & Response. Call & Response, owned by Courtney Bledsoe, is a small, Black-owned bookstore. The store opened in May and also functions as a reading and event space for community members and visitors alike. Bledsoe’s mission for the store has been to uplift BIPOC voices the mainstream book industry misses. Each book on the store’s bookshelves and tables, including children’s literature, is handpicked and curated to continue to fulfill the store’s mission.

Back in my visit in May, I not only had the pleasure of meeting the owner but also picked up Jamison Shea’s I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast is Me , a slow burning young adult horror story that will be my upcoming read as

BEST RECORD STORE

Winner: Reckless Records

First Runner-up: Bucket O'Blood Books & Records

BEST RESALE SHOP

Winner: Brown Elephant

First Runner-up: El Dorado Thri

BEST SEX TOY SHOP

Winner: Early to Bed

First Runner-up: Pleasure Chest

BEST SHOE STORE

Winner: Alamo Shoes

First Runner-up: Lori’s

BEST STREETWEAR BRAND

Winner: Dearborn Denim

First Runner-up: Kone Ranger

BEST T-SHIRT SHOP

Winner: Strange Cargo

First Runner-up: Raygun

BEST TATTOO ARTIST

Winner: Brooke Englehart (Evoke Tattoos)

First Runner-up: Natalie Andrews (Dwelling Tattoo)

BEST TATTOO SHOP

Winner: Great Lakes Tattoo

First Runner-up: Evoke Tattoos

BEST VETERINARIAN

Winner: Ravenswood Animal Hospital

First Runner-up: Blvd Vet

BEST VINTAGE STORE

Winner: Lost Girls

First Runner-up: Rad Pop! Vintage Emporium v

the next fall season begins to settle in. Aside from its function as a literary hub for BIPOC stories and voices, Call & Response continues to foster a community of readers by hosting a plethora of events in its space, from author talks that spotlight Chicago authors and their work to the occasional trivia night. These include monthly reading clubs for extroverted Chicagoans and silent reading clubs for the introverts.

Call & Response is a cozy gem of a bookstore in Hyde Park, and I am itching to visit regularly to meet new BIPOC authors and friends. 1390 E. Hyde Park, 773-217-8565,callandresponsechi.com

—LAYLA BROWN-CLARK

BEST ZERO-WASTE GENERAL STORE

The Eco Flamingo

Most of us have become accustomed to carrying our own reusable bags to the grocery store. But for going the next step in zero-waste shopping, it’s hard to beat Lincoln Square’s Eco Flamingo, which opened in 2020. Here you can find a carefully curated selection of, as their website says, “package-free, plastic-free, environmentally responsible, cruelty-free, and fair-trade options.” Cofounder Bethany Barbouti says, “We now carry over 400 refillable products including laundry, hand, and dish soap, grains, snacks, co ee, herbs, and spices.”

The procedure is simple: Shoppers bring their own clean containers, fill them with the desired items, and record the weight using the store’s electronic tagging system to get the price. Behind the scenes, Barbouti and her partners (Alexis Chavez, Chicago playwright Mia McCullough, and Inaya Ali) work closely with producers dedicated to expanding their sustainability practices, maintaining what Barbouti calls “circular, closed-loop systems, swapping empty containers for refilled ones with our suppliers.”

The Eco Flamingo is opening a cafe next door on March 8, o ering a selection of coffees, teas, kombucha, and cold brew on tap, along with “light bites” from local chefs and bakers and a deli counter. The latter will feature yogurt, cheese, hummus, and mushrooms, “adding more as we grow,” says Barbouti. In-store events, including workshops on felting, mending, and floral arrangement, are also part of the Eco Flamingo’s community outreach. And if you can't make the trek to Lincoln Square on a regular basis, their online shop offers a great range of products in beauty and health, arts and crafts, and pet supplies, among other options. 4750 N. Rockwell, 773-942-6892, theecoflamingo.com —KERRY REID v

“Karen Lewis changed the world. Her legacy lives on in the work of countless organizers committed to transforming the lives of young people, and this book is a welcome assurance that her lessons endure for generations to come.”

—Eve L. Ewing

Chicago White Sox Dog Days

On September 24, 2024, the Chicago White Sox were teetering on the brink of all-time futility with a record-tying 120 losses in the season. Pale Hose pitcher Prelander Berroa gave up Angels infielder Jack López’s first career homer, putting the Sox in a 2–0 hole in the eighth. But in the bottom of the inning, with two outs and sacks packed with Sox, López missed Luis Robert Jr.’s pop-up, and Andrew Benintendi hit a game-winning single. If you believe social media, Sox fans booed their victorious team at that game for robbing them of witnessing ignominious history. But I was there, and everyone I heard was cheering. And howling. And barking. Because, as on every White Sox Dog Day, when the humans started clapping the bleachers exploded with glorious canine cacophony.

The 2024 season was another example of the White Sox—the team of a thrown World Series and a disco riot—earning more shame than glory. But where they’ve long reigned supreme is promotions. Modern sports entertainment was born on the south side with Bill Veeck’s exploding scoreboard in 1960. Organist Nancy Faust introduced rock music to professional sports in 1970.

The team pioneered fan-forward theme days, like 1990’s Turn Back the Clock Day, and MLB’s first-ever Dog Day on August 28, 1996. For nearly three decades my family’s pooches have accepted the invitation to sit in the bleachers, walk in pregame parades, and drink on the outfield concourse (water, mostly).

My three-legged Chihuahua mix once got to bark at Ken Gri ey Jr.’s cab pulling into the players’ lot.

In 2016, the team successfully told 1,122 very good boys to sit for ten minutes, setting the Guinness World Record for most dogs attending a sporting event. They have since passed that total at their biannual Bark in the Park and Dog Day promotions. The official total ballpark attendance for the most recent one was 17,606, and because pets are ticketed, I imagine that includes more than 1,200 nonhumans.

While we didn’t behold horrible baseball history on September 24, we did see a beautiful truth. Despite their near-fatal flaws, any team that loves dogs this much can’t be all bad. mlb.com/whitesox

—JAKE AUSTEN

SPORTS &

BEST PLACE TO ROLLERBLADE ALONG THE LAKEFRONT

Between the Point and 31st Street

Some may argue that the entire 18-milelong paved lakefront trail is the prime rollerblading spot. And sure, they may

RECREATION

be right. However, everyone has to admit that the lakefront gets busy—and rightfully so—with hordes of tourists, bikers, or beachgoers blocking the path for smooth riding.

But there’s an area along the lakefront that doesn’t require too much swerving, dodging, or craning to see past blocked views. You can cruise the path for the en-

tire track of Jamila Woods’s “LSD” without hitting a crack in the asphalt. There’s no slowing down here.

This sweet spot exists after 31st Street Beach (where you’ll undoubtedly have to meander through crowds of people) and settles into the groove past Oakwood Beach. The trail widens, trees appear for shade, and the people dissipate. You can continue cruising on the path that is sectioned separately for walkers and folks on wheels, meaning you won’t need to avoid people walking side by side.

For one mile, rollerblading along the lakefront has its Goldilocks moment.

It’s easier to hop o the path in this area— and you’ll want to. There are the concrete beaches with few visitors, Morgan Shoal (home to the Silver Spray shipwreck, which is visible on a nice, calm day), benches, grass, and the sublime vastness.

Ultimately though, here’s where you can really let it rip. Start after Oakwood and keep going until right before Promontory Point, where you’re bound to hit traffic, and you’ll once again find yourself crisscrossing between people who just want a glimpse of the lake that they love. Here’s where you can really take up room, swerving from one side of the path to the other, dancing in circles if you’re skilled enough to do so.

—S. NICOLE LANE

First Ascent in Uptown KIRK WILLIAMSON

3. Cullen Jones (right) and young swimmers COURTESY CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT 4. A view from Illinois Beach State Park KIRK WILLIAMSON 5. Nader Ihmoud (right) and the Palestinian National Baseball Team

Chicago Park District pools

The Chicago Park District is quickly becoming one of my favorite public institutions in the city, a close runner-up to my beloved Chicago Public Library. A few years ago, the park district–owned McFetridge Sports Center was where I reconnected with my love of ice-skating, a habit that is still going strong. More recently, I’ve also started swimming laps again—one of the only cardio workouts I’ve ever been able to do without completely hating my life choices—through the park district’s lap swim membership, which is reasonably priced at $42 for three months.

The park district manages 50 outdoor and 27 indoor pools, and it partners with Chicago Public Schools to operate school pools for community use in areas without a park option. Although a handful of Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods don’t have one within their boundaries, pools are spread pretty evenly across the city, according to the interactive map on the park district’s website. Many pools have accessibility features such as zero-depth entry, a ramp, a lift, and/or ADA-compliant stairs.

Programs are available for swimmers of all ages and levels of experience, with a variety of free options such as open swimming sessions, family swims, and activities for seniors. Registration fees are required for most swim lessons, aquatic exercise classes, lap swimming, junior lifeguard training, competitive swim clubs, and water polo. For Chicago children ages 6-17, the first ten-week session of introductory swimming lessons is free.

Maybe it’s because I’ve been rewatching Parks and Recreation lately, but I feel especially grateful that my tax dollars contribute to facilities that benefit so many Chicagoans year-round. And if swimming doesn’t appeal, the park district’s myriad other programs include not only sports but also art, dance, music, and theater classes. Whatever inspires you to stay active, there’s likely a way to participate through the park district. chicagoparkdistrict.com —EMILY MCCLANATHAN

BEST STATE PARK FOR BEACH BUNNIES, BIRDS, AND PRAIRIES

Illinois Beach State Park

Illinois Beach State Park is a bit like someone took Big Marsh Park, Montrose Beach, and Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie and mashed them together like an early-2000s

RJD2 banger. Located just south of the Wisconsin border and an hour and a half north of the Loop, the 4,160-acre park is the last remnant of Illinois’s natural shoreline. It’s home to an incredibly rare inland dune wetland called a panne—one of only a small number of freshwater pannes in the entire world—according to the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission. The beach has also hosted nesting and mating piping plovers over the last few years. During major bird migration seasons, the combination of the Dead River and the lakefront make it an ideal spot for birds to catch their breath while taking away yours.

If this 6.5-mile stretch of shoreline were lost to erosion—and it nearly was—the ecosystem would be impossible to restore. The rapid transition from record-low lake levels to record highs last decade, plus a major storm in 2020, meant that Illinois Beach saw the highest level of habitat loss in its history. However, a massive construction e ort to protect the shoreline completed in 2024 seems to be working.

If you want to visit, the biggest challenge may be getting there. For folks without access to a car, the best public transit option from the city is the Union Pacific North Metra out of Ogilvie to Waukegan or Zion plus a bus ride and some biking or walking. After a trek like that though, it’s possible to camp out in the park or book a room at the resort hotel. If a day trip is what you’re in the mood for, prepare to hike through dunes and prairies filled with scarlet tanagers and eastern prickly pear cacti, take a dip in Lake Michigan, and soak up some sun with the city skyline far o on the southern horizon. 1 Lake Front, Zion, Illinois; 8 AM-sundown —JOE ENGLEMAN

BEST INTERNATIONAL BASEBALL COVERAGE BY A LOCAL JOURNALIST

Nader Ihmoud for the Palestinian National Baseball Team

Baseball is known as “America’s pastime,” but it’s no secret that the game has reached new levels of globalization in the last 25 years. In 2017, Palestine quietly became a new frontier for the sport with the founding of the Palestine Baseball & Softball Federation in Gaza. In 2019, Chicago-based journalist Nader Ihmoud saw a Facebook post by the federation looking to recruit players. They wanted to grow the sport in the region, so he decided to dedicate himself to spreading awareness of that mission. Other than being a lifelong fan of the sport, he’s also the founder of independent magazine Palestine in America

“I just reached out, like, ‘Hey, I used to play, and I also have a magazine. I want to help in any way that I can,’” he says. “These are my two first loves: my homeland and my favorite sport. . . . There isn’t enough coverage, 100 percent. I don’t just cover the team, I try to get us [more] coverage too.”

Doubling as the team’s media liaison and reserve infielder, Ihmoud has become the primary source for all things related to Palestinian baseball. He’s written in-depth reports for his Substack, provided color commentary for broadcasted games, livestreamed games from the dugout on his phone, and even published a special baseball edition of Palestine

BEST AMATEUR SPORTS LEAGUE

Winner: American Bocce Co.

First Runner-up: Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association (CMSA)

BEST ATHLETE

Winner: Angel Reese (Chicago Sky)

First Runner-up: Connor Bedard (Chicago Blackhawks)

BEST BOWLING ALLEY

Winner: Waveland Bowl

First Runner-up: Avondale Bowl

BEST COMMUNITY FITNESS CENTER

Winner: Lincoln Square Athletic Club

First Runner-up: Broadway Armory

BEST DOG PARK

Winner: Montrose Dog Beach

First Runner-up: Wiggly Field

BEST EXERCISE CLASS

Winner: Benders Martial Arts and Fitness

First Runner-up: Half Moon Yoga

BEST GENERAL FITNESS GYM

Winner: Cheetah Gym

First Runner-up: Bodi Shak

BEST GYM

Winner: Fitness Formula Club (FFC)

First Runner-up: Bodi Shak

BEST ICE SKATING

Winner: Maggie Daley Park

Ice Skating Ribbon

First Runner-up: McFetridge Sports Center

BEST INCLUSIVE GYM

Winner: Fitness Formula Clubs

First Runner-up: Bodi Shak

in America . Ihmoud is doing everything he can to keep a public record of his homeland’s national baseball team, currently ranked 46th in the world and composed mostly of players from Palestine and Chicagoland.

“I have in the works a few of our players to be interviewed by prominent international journalists, but it’s not enough,” he says. “If no one else is taking the mantle or taking an interest in covering this team, it’s an honor and a privilege to do so. I always just want to do so in a respectful [way] and in a way that really highlights these guys’ talents.” instagram. com/naderihmoud; palestineinamerica.com —ALEJANDRO HERNANDEZ v

BEST INDOOR SWIMMING FACILITY

Winner: Fitness Formula Clubs

First Runner-up: East Bank Club

BEST LAKE SWIMMING SPOT

Winner: Montrose Beach

First Runner-up: Hollywood Beach

BEST NEIGHBORHOOD PARK

Winner: Humboldt Park

First Runner-up: Winnemac Park

BEST PERSONAL TRAINER

Winner: Joe Dankowski (Fitness Formula Clubs)

First Runner-up: Juan Peña (Fitness Formula Clubs)

BEST PLACE TO SKATE (ROLLER- OR -BOARD)

Winner: Lakefront

First Runner-up: 606

BEST PROFESSIONAL MEN'S SPORTS TEAM Winner: Chicago Cubs

First Runner-up: Chicago Bulls

BEST PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S SPORTS TEAM Winner: Chicago Sky

First Runner-up: Chicago Red Stars

BEST SPORTS FACILITY Winner: Wrigley Field

First Runner-up: United Center

BEST SPORTS TV OR RADIO ANNOUNCER

Winner: Pat Hughes (Chicago Cubs)

First Runner-up: Stacey King (Chicago Bulls)

BEST YOGA/PILATES FACILITY

Winner: Fitness Formula Clubs

First Runner-up: Chicago Hot Yoga v

Bad Channel macarons

Traditionally speaking, macarons are delicate things, arranged in pastel rows like tiny couture hats fit for debutantes. But at Bad Channel, their horror-themed pastries arrive with a bite. They might bleed locally made preserves (the Blob) or resemble Ghostface (Cookies & Scream). And they might remind you of a childhood spent watching horror movies peeped through fingers. And that’s precisely founder David Bacso’s intention.

A veteran of high-pressure kitchens, Bacso never quite bought into the macaron’s prim and proper reputation. “I wanted to make them a bit more approachable while also hopefully exceeding expectations,” he explains. The horror twist is a tribute to Bacso’s father, the one who instilled in him both a love for cooking and an appreciation for things that go bump in the night.

Inspiration for each macaron strikes in different ways—sometimes a fl avor demands a design, sometimes a film insists on an edible tribute. Take the Children of the Corn macaron, a salted sweet corn buttercream nod to Stephen King, midwest childhoods, and Milk Bar’s nostalgic confections.

Born from the ashes of the 2020 industry shutdown, Bad Channel found its perfect haunt in Logan Square’s horror-themed co ee shop, the Brewed. This serendipitous collaboration is a horror fan’s dream crossover. Since then, Bacso has built a devoted following, one eerie confection at a time.

Ultimately, Bad Channel is a testament to his love of horror and cultivating experiences. And while the macarons themselves are reason enough to be a fan, Bad Channel’s monthly curated playlists add another layer to the experience, weaving together punk,

darkwave, hardcore, and synthpop to create what Bacso calls “a soundtrack to my personal, real-life, e ed up movie.” In the future, Bad Channel will also be running concert ticket giveaways through its Instagram account.

“I fi rmly believe that with dedication and perseverance, you can do anything—one step at a time,” he says. And for Bacso, that means crafting horror, sugar, and sound into something entirely his own. instagram.com/ badchannelco —SHANNON SHREIBAK

BEST WAY TO START THE WEEK

Sundae Mondays at Longman & Eagle

There were not a lot of bright spots in 2020, but I have a clear memory of the launch of Longman & Eagle’s Sundae Mondays in September of that year. The series was originally a collaboration between

FOOD &

of novelty found in the unique culinary creations of Chicago’s best and brightest. Last year brought a number of ri s on the homely PB&J, but Fat Cap Supper Club’s Cecil Rodriguez’s Palestinian-inspired ri (with roasted sumac chickpeas) rattles around in my brain during particularly hungry moments. There remains a lot up in the air these days, but having this small joy to look forward to every week is immensely grounding. Whatever happens, we have each other and small little dishes of ice cream. It’s enough to keep going. 2657 N. Kedzie, 773-276-7110, longmanandeagle.com —ED BLAIR

DRINK

Pretty Cool Ice Cream founder Dana Cree and chef Max Robbins (then a managing partner at Longman & Eagle).

The premise is simple: Five dollars gets you a single-scoop sundae, designed by a chef from somewhere in Chicago, and the proceeds go to a charity of the guest chef’s choice. The original incarnation was a to-go walk-up, where you’d exchange your money and scurry away with your delicious treat. I would sneak o work early, grab a sundae, and sit quietly beneath the Logan Square eagle, eating a curated and creatively executed dessert while watching the world go by. It was a moment of connection in a year that felt very isolating.

As pandemic restrictions (and protections) have eased, Sundae Mondays remain a source of comfort, even if I’ve relocated to the restaurant’s O Site Bar patio instead of the grass of Logan Square. It’s an easy, casual weekly gathering with buds, cheap beer, truly excellent dog watching, and a little splash

1 2

BEST AVENUE FOR TACOS

Ashland

This may be a controversial hot take, but as a Mexicana living in Chicago for over ten years, I find myself eating most of my tacos along Ashland. The 9 bus will drop you o at the door of most of these locations, or a short walk away. The best tacos can be found in Mexican-owned restaurants, behind small grocery stores, and at stands or puestos. Let us start our taco trek in the barrio of Back of the Yards with the cash-only Atotonilco Taqueria (1649 W. 47th Street), open until 4 AM and owned by Don Oscar Muñoz, who founded Tortillería Atotonilco over 35 years ago. Their most ordered taco is al pastor ($2.50), served coated in a dark red sauce that makes it one of a kind!

One stop north is one of the most popular taco spots in Chicago’s south side: Paco’s Tacos inside La Internacional Supermercado (4556 S. Ashland), serving hefty tacos until 8 PM every day. Their most ordered tacos are asada ($4.25) and al pastor ($4.25)—don't forget to ask for their complimentary chile asado! If you find yourself with cash in your pocket on a Saturday or Sunday morning, stop by

Izakaya Shinya in Wicker Park KIRK WILLIAMSON

3 5

Swap-O-Rama (4100 S. Ashland) and find the puestos on the outskirts of the parking lot vending tacos de canasta and cabeza (prices vary). The tacos tend to be on the smaller side, but that’s the perfect excuse to eat even more!

Heading north to the barrio of Pilsen there are many places to eat good tacos—my favorite is the taco ranchero ($3.50) at the legendary Taqueria Los Comales (1544 W. 18th Street). It features a thin slice of meat topped with pinto beans, pickled habanero, and purple onion.

For a classier Pilsen dining experience, I recommend La Mejikãna (1820 S. Ashland), serving another al pastor favorite (three for $11.50); it’s the only place on this list that serves delicious cocktails to pair.

Continuing north to Wicker Park, there’s Carnicerias Guanajuato’s location at 1436 N.

4

Ashland, another Mexican grocer with heavily loaded tacos. Their most popular are carnitas ($3.79) and asada ($3.99) (note that they only have green salsa). No matter the budget, time of day, or night, there is a taco on Ashland waiting for you! —LUZ MAGDALENO FLORES

BEST USE OF $1.75 ON A THURSDAY NIGHT

The Chipp Inn's grab-bag night N

oble Square watering hole the Chipp Inn has a lot of things going for it, including its residential block location (W. Fry Street and N. Greenview Avenue), softball team, annual chili cook-off, and

1. Peanut butter and jelly macarons inspired by The Blob (1988) COURTESY BAD CHANNEL 2. A Palestinian-inspired ice cream sundae with roasted sumac chickpeas, pomegranate molasses, and orange blossom tahini COURTESY LAND AND SEA DEPT. 3. Tacos from Taqueria Los Comales at 1544 W. 18th Street along Ashland Avenue SHIRA FRIEDMAN-PARKS 4. Grab-bag special beers at the Chipp Inn WILLOW SOKORA 5. Vegetables at Edgewater Produce CHARLIE KOLODZIEJ

We’d like to thank the Chicago Reader community for their passion and support for the arts, their willingness to be curious, and for always being an integral part of the cultural conversation. We love you all.

And we’d like to thank you for recognizing 16” On Center’s beloved venues, The Salt Shed, Empty Bottle, Thalia Hall, Evanston SPACE, The Promontory, and Beauty Bar, in this year’s Best of Chicago awards. We’re honored to be a part of Chicago’s vibrant music scene and community, we always strive to be additive to Chicago’s already strong creative foundation, and importantly, we look to bring people together in a positive and meaningful way.

So here’s to many more music discoveries, dance parties, old fashioned rock’n’roll bangers, and celebratory toasts with old friends and new before your favorite band hits the stage.

1st Runner Up: Thalia Hall

2nd Runner Up: Empty Bottle Best Venue for Rock

2nd Runner Up: The Salt Shed

2nd Runner Up: The Salt Shed

drunken spelling bee. A more low-key introduction, outside the tavern’s high holy days, is its Thursday night grab-bag special. For the inflation-proof price of $1.75, one of the Chipp’s longtime bartenders, like Joe Tunk, will pull a surprise can of something intoxicating for you from a cooler behind the bar.

The special was already an institution when past Reader contributors David Murray and Paul Engleman (my dad) first took me to the Chipp more than a decade ago. Tunk says they’ve been o ering it for “at least 20 years,” beginning with “beers we wanted to push, a lot of Wisconsin beers,” plus the occasional seasonal special to add to the intrigue. Those Badger State brews include iconic macrobrews like Pabst, Special Export, Old Milwaukee, and, of course, Hamm’s. Stroh’s and Busch Light also find their way into the mix. The special has endured the craft brewing revolution and continues to offer an alternative to hop-ular culture.

I’m not going out or drinking much these days, but it’s nice to know that grab-bag night is there. I made it to the last one in January with a college pal turned medical resident I hadn’t seen for too long. As I started to carry the first round we’d been dealt (Busch Light and Old Milwaukee) to an open table, a member of the fading happy-hour crowd said, “You never know what you’re gonna get.” Here’s the thing: I do know what I’m going to

get, and it’s a wonder of the world. I’m going to have a few hours out bathed in bar-sign neon, with incredible odds of getting a beer or two that comes in a pretty aluminum can, brewed with water from the remains of a giant glacier—a Great Lake—for around $5 (including tip). What grab-bag night offers is a certain kind of uncertainty you can rely on in times like these. Thursday nights, 832 N. Greenview, 312-421-9052 —JOE ENGLEMAN

BEST PLACE TO GROCERY SHOP FOR THOSE WITH CRIPPLING DECISION ANXIETY

Edgewater Produce

Edgewater Produce has everything you need and nothing you don’t.

As someone with crippling decision anxiety, shopping at Jewel or Mariano’s is a harrowing experience. I will spend 20 minutes staring at a dairy case, agonizing over which of the store’s ten brands of milk to buy. Edgewater Produce (EP) on the other hand has only two brands of milk. It’s an ideal grocery shopping experience: easy and stress-free, with friendly sta .

Modern big-box grocery stores seem specifically designed to piss o anyone with even a modicum of spatial awareness, from the slightly undersized aisles to the bright

Would you rather

Would you rather be,

Buried in a sea full of women

Then be dessert in a desert full of vultures

I cant tell the allure of passion & lust

To the smell of dead carcass & must I see the same vice versa

Versus the vice

Do they rock with you cause of your charm

Or cause your charm come to life

When the lights out

Is we really all the same?

Pressing my face against this window

Sitting on my pain

Minutes passed I’m still stroking the lanes

Then hunger struck me

Down in my seat

Thinking about the days when Lazy boys aint lift my feet

Being broke a feeling

Broke feelings looking to eat

Telling lies, through they eyes all along chasing receipts

After eating what they killed

They gave they life to the streets

I awoke from my sleep

All I heard was mild sauce

Wit lemon pepper & a sauce on the side

Thats when I knew…I would rather be great!

By Frsh Waters

Frsh Waters from Chicago’s Westside is a writer, performance artist, & community outreach coordinator for Chicago youth arts non-profit John Walt Foundation and is a Co-Founder of Chicago’s incomparable Pivot Gang. He believes writing is a road map to the world. Frsh is a street food lover & appreciator of art. His mantra is “Change is the crossroads to innovation; either be the change you want to see envisioned on a canvas, or wonder why it doesn’t exist.”

Opening Hours

Wednesday, Friday, Saturday: 11:00 AM–5:00 PM

Thursday: 11:00 AM–6:00 PM

Like a Hammer: Poets on Mass Incarceration

Join us for a book launch featuring readings by contributors Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, Nicole Sealey, John Murillo, Candace Williams, and editor Diana Marie Delgado.

March 6, 2025 at 6:00 PM CT

Powertripping

Join us for an evening of performances and readings by Karen Finley, Jada Renée Allen, Odette Stout, and Ruby Que with Ále Campos.

March 20, 2025 at 6:00 PM

The neon sign at Frank's Pizzeria

halogen lights and the way you have to peer around every corner before turning to avoid being smacked.

But EP is the weighted blanket of grocery stores. The lighting is soft and warm. The produce is fresh and delicious. There is always good, laid-back, vibey music playing (the kind your cool aunt would put on).

Unbidden from the whims of Big Food marketers, EP can focus on quality over quantity. This means curating products from local businesses like Metropolis Co ee, Phoenix Bean, and La Baguette Bakery. I’ve always found EP’s prices to be reasonable and often substantially more a ordable than the Jewel that sits across the street.

EP also features an assortment of Latin American, specifically Mexican, foodstuffs you can’t find at your typical Chicago grocery chain. If I’m making pozole, I’m guaranteed to find the hominy I need not far from the tomatillos and guajillo chiles. Tlayudas? EP has you covered with carne asada and Oaxacan cheese. They even have epazote for making tea and veladoras for your home. I always grab a few of the store’s individually wrapped obleas at the checkout.

At the deli counter, you can get hot chicharrones and a yummy selection of made-to-order sandwiches. Nearby you’ll find the store’s selection of premade goodies: spicy tofu, salsas, and their excellent housemade guacamole. In a city full of amazing independent grocery stores (and far too many big-box stores), EP stands above the rest. And crucially, it's the most chill. 5515 N. Clark, 773-275-3800 —CHARLIE KOLODZIEJ

BEST FUNCTIONING NEON ANACHRONISM

The four-color sign at Frank’s Pizzeria in Montclare

The four-color beacon hanging above Frank’s Pizzeria in Montclare has been radiating since 1952. That was before there were area codes in Chicago, when telephone numbers began with a pair of letters signaling switchboard exchanges that connected calls by flesh and blood operators. The “AV” corresponds to the two and the eight on an old-timey rotary phone, but just start with the modern 773 and order yourself an excellent party-cut pie via the pizzeria’s working landline. Three-and-a-half years ago, now 84-year-old owner Dennis Prosio took the sign down for a complete makeover, replacing its rusted body, fixtures, and light sockets, and ensuring its glorious shine for another 73 years. 6506 W. Belmont, 773-283-2564, frankspizzeria.net —MIKE SULA v

BEST BAGELS

Winner: New York Bagel and Bialy

First Runner-up: Steingold’s

BEST BAKERY

Winner: Lost Larson

First Runner-up: La Boulangerie

BEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK

Winner: Redhot Ranch

First Runner-up: Taste of Lebanon

BEST BANH MI

Winner: Nhu Lan

First Runner-up: Ba Le Sandwiches

BEST BARBECUE

Winner: Smoque BBQ

First Runner-up: Green Street Smoked Meats

BEST BARISTA

Winner: George Davis Jr. (Muse Coffee Studio)

First Runner-up: Valeria Herrera (Magnifico Coffee Roasters)

BEST BARTENDER

Winner: Grace Bernotavicius (Estereo)

First Runner-up: Isaac Lyons (FitzGerald’s)

BEST BEER GARDEN

Winner: Hopleaf

First Runner-up: Central Park Bar

BEST BEER SHOP

Winner: The Beer Temple

First Runner-up: Beermiscuous

BEST BREAD

Winner: Publican Quality Bread

First Runner-up: La Boulangerie

BEST BURGER

Winner: Redhot Ranch

First Runner-up: Little Bad Wolf

BEST BUTCHER SHOP

Winner: Paulina Market

First Runner-up: Gene’s Sausage Shop & Delicatessen

BEST CARIBBEAN RESTAURANT

Winner: Irazu

First Runner-up: 14 Parish

BEST CARRYOUT OR DELIVERY COCKTAILS

Winner: The Violet Hour

First Runner-up: Parson’s Chicken & Fish

BEST CHEESEMONGER

Winner: Beautiful Rind

First Runner-up: All Together Now

BEST CHEF

Winner: Erick Williams (Virtue)

First Runner-up: Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill, Bar Sotano, Topolobampo, XOCO, etc.)

BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT

Winner: Sun Wah BBQ

First Runner-up: Lao Sze Chuan

BEST CHINESE TAKEOUT OR DELIVERY

Winner: Lao Sze Chuan

First Runner-up: Chengdu Impression

BEST COCKTAIL

Winner: Queen Mary

First Runner-up: Rogers Park Social

BEST COFFEE ROASTER

Winner: Dark Matter Coffee

First Runner-up: Metropolis

BEST COFFEE SHOP

Winner: The Understudy

First Runner-up: Magnifico Coffee Roaster

BEST COOKING CLASSES

Winner: The Chopping Block

First Runner-up: The Wooden Spoon

BEST DESSERTS

Winner: Defloured

First Runner-up: Klein’s Bakery & Cafe

BEST DOUGHNUTS

Winner: Do-Rite Donuts

First Runner-up: Stan’s Donuts & Coffee

BEST FALAFEL

Winner: Sultan's Market

First Runner-up: Taste of Lebanon

BEST FARMERS MARKET

Winner: Logan Square Farmers Market

First Runner-up: Lincoln

Square Farmers Market

BEST FILIPINO RESTAURANT

Winner: Kasama

First Runner-up: Uncle Mike’s Place

BEST FOOD RELIEF EFFORT

Winner: Greater Chicago

Food Depository

First Runner-up: Food Not Bombs

BEST FOOD TRUCK

Winner: The Fat Shallot

First Runner-up: DonerMen

BEST FRIED CHICKEN SHACK

Winner: Harold’s Chicken

First Runner-up: Honey

Butter Fried Chicken

BEST GLUTEN-FREE PIZZA

Winner: Paulie Gee’s

First Runner-up: Chicago’s Pizza

BEST GOURMET MARKET

Winner: Gene’s Sausage

Shop & Delicatessen

First Runner-up: Eataly

BEST GREEK RESTAURANT

Winner: Greek Islands

First Runner-up: Andros Taverna

BEST HOT DOG

Winner: Superdawg Drive-In

First Runner-up: Wieners Circle

BEST ICE CREAM

Winner: Margie’s Candies

First Runner-up: Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams

BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT

Winner: Ghareeb Nawaz

First Runner-up: The Spice Room

BEST ITALIAN BEEF SANDWICH

Winner: Johnnie’s Beef

First Runner-up: Al’s Beef

BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT

Winner: Monteverde

First Runner-up: Club Lucky

BEST KOREAN RESTAURANT

Winner: San Soo Gab San

First Runner-up: Cho Sun Ok Restaurant

BEST LIQUOR STORE

Winner: Binny’s Beverage Depot

First Runner-up: Andersonville Wine & Spirits

BEST LOCAL BEER

Winner: Daisy Cutter

First Runner-up: Dovetail Lager

BEST LOCAL BREWERY

Winner: Half Acre Beer Company

First Runner-up: Marz Community Brewing Company

BEST LOCAL DISTILLERY

Winner: Koval

First Runner-up: Maplewood

BEST LOCAL FARM

Winner: Mick Klug Farms

First Runner-up: Nichols Farm & Orchard

BEST LOCAL FOOD PRODUCT

Winner: Soothsayer Hot Sauce

First Runner-up: Upton’s Naturals Seitan

BEST LOCAL GROCER

Winner: Dill Pickle Food Co-op

First Runner-up: HarvesTime Foods

BEST LOCAL SPIRIT

Winner: Jeppson’s Malört

First Runner-up: Koval Bourbon

BEST MEAL KITS

Winner: Logan Oyster Socials

First Runner-up: Funeral Potatoes

BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Winner: Mi Tocaya

First Runner-up: Frontera Grill

BEST MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT

Winner: Sultan’s Market

First Runner-up: Middle East Bakery & Grocery

BEST NEW FOOD TREND

Winner: Deviled eggs

First Runner-up: Korean corn dogs

BEST NEW POP-UP

Winner: Pierogi Papi

First Runner-up: Smash Jibarito

BEST ONLINE COOKING INSTRUCTION

Winner: Rick Bayless

First Runner-up: The Chopping Block

BEST OUTDOOR DINING

Winner: Parson’s Chicken & Fish

First Runner-up: Piccolo Sogno

BEST OVERALL RESTAURANT

Winner: Lula Cafe

First Runner-up: Le Bouchon

BEST PALETERIA

Winner: La Michoacana

First Runner-up: Klein’s Bakery & Cafe

BEST PIEROGI

Winner: Kasia’s Deli

First Runner-up: Gene's Sausage Shop & Delicatessen

BEST PIZZA

Winner: Pequod’s Pizza

First Runner-up: Spacca Napoli

BEST PIZZA BY THE SLICE

Winner: Pizza Lobo

First Runner-up: Jimmy’s Pizza Cafe

BEST PIZZA DELIVERY

Winner: Jet’s Pizza

First Runner-up: Jimmy’s Pizza Cafe

BEST PLACE WORTH A WAIT

Winner: Kasama

First Runner-up: Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!

BEST POLISH RESTAURANT

Winner: Staropolska Restaurant

First Runner-up: Pierogi Kitchen

BEST PRESERVES

Winner: Wild Witch Preserves

First Runner-up: Vargo Brother Ferments

BEST QUESABIRRIA OR BIRRIA DE RES TACOS

Winner: Birrieria Zaragoza

First Runner-up: QuesaBirria Jalisco Tacos

BEST RAMEN

Winner: Ramen-San

First Runner-up: Ramen Wasabi

BEST RESTAURANT GROUP

Winner: Lettuce Entertain You

First Runner-up: Boka

BEST SANDWICH

Winner: Bari Italian Subs

First Runner-up: J.T.’s Genuine Sandwich Shop

BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

Winner: Shaw’s Crab House

First Runner-up: Lowcountry

BEST SOUL FOOD RESTAURANT

Winner: Luella’s Southern Kitchen

First Runner-up: Virtue

BEST SOUP

Winner: Taste of Lebanon

First Runner-up: Lao Peng You

BEST SOURDOUGH

Winner: Publican Quality Bread

First Runner-up: Bungalow by Middle Brow

BEST STEAK HOUSE

Winner: Bavette's Bar & Boeuf

First Runner-up: Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse

BEST SUSHI

Winner: Sushi-San

First Runner-up: Kai Zan

BEST TAQUERIA

Winner: Taqueria Chingón

First Runner-up: Edgewater Tacos

BEST THAI RESTAURANT

Winner: Opart Thai House

First Runner-up: Cozy Noodles & Rice

BEST UP-AND-COMING CHEF

Winner: Rickie Pérez (Logan Oyster Socials)

First Runner-up: Jackie Hernandez (Bar Sótano)

BEST VEGAN RESTAURANT

Winner: Handlebar

First Runner-up: Penelope’s Vegan Taqueria Andersonville

BEST VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT

Winner: Chicago Diner

First Runner-up: Handlebar

BEST VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT

Winner: Pho 888

First Runner-up: Phodega

BEST WINE BAR

Winner: Easy Does It

First Runner-up: Webster’s Wine Bar

BEST WINE LIST

Winner: Webster’s Wine Bar

First Runner-up: Easy Does It

BEST WINE SHOP

Winner: Vin Chicago

First Runner-up: In Fine Spirits v Columbia College Chicago proudly marks 135 years of transformative impact and artistic excellence, currently offering programs in film and TV, theatre and dance, visual arts, design, business, communication and culture, audio and music, and fashion. Learn more at colum.edu

The weed bench at 738 W. Briar

Chicagoans love a gag. A four-foot alligator named Chance the Snapper captured the hearts of the city and the nation in 2019 after he was spotted basking in the Humboldt Park lagoon. Last year, it was the “rat hole” that set social media ablaze; gawkers eager to ogle at the near-perfect imprint of a rat made a pilgrimage to a stretch of sidewalk in Roscoe Village. One couple even chose it as their wedding venue. “Chicago’s Stonehenge,” declared the New York Times. Perhaps these gags offer us a connection to our community or a way to compete with coastal media bubbles. Maybe they’re foisted on us by media outlets desperate for clickbait. Whatever the reason, allow me to offer my own entry to the Chicago gag-iverse: the weed bench.

I made a promise to myself last year that I’d take a walk when I wanted to smoke a joint. (It was partly an effort to fight the couch lock that inevitably sets in and partly to force myself into one of those “mental health walks” that TikTok therapists told me I need.) As I meandered down West Briar Place in Lakeview one summer day, an otherwise unassuming bench caught my gaze. I paused to read a small golden plaque—a dedication to a loved one who presumably passed away. Above it, attached to an oak tree, was another. “Only Weed Smoking Is Allowed On Bench. No Cigarette Smoking Allowed,” it read. I can’t think of a better memorial than a public space dedicated to weed smoking and people watching. Those are my two favorite hobbies.

Nelly Furtado reminds us, however, that all good things come to an end. Chance the Snapper made like Ken Griffin and left the Windy City for the Sunshine State. Streets and Sanitation workers removed the rat hole last year, although they reportedly encased

the concrete slab and are storing it at City Hall until they find it a permanent home. I was devastated to find that the weed bench, too, disappeared sometime this winter. But, like the legendary alligator and trash-filled outline of a rat, the weed bench lives on in our hearts and minds. —SHAWN MULCAHY

1

CANNABIS

he collaborated with local cannabis lifestyle brand Black Hippy Farms to drop their own limited-edition strain, Permanent Wave. Packed in Tekken-inspired jars with “Me vs. the Weed” featured above characters Kazuya Mishima and Jin Kazama moments from striking each other, Permanent Wave delivers a punch of bold, gassy flavor and candy notes that coat your tastebuds. The high comes in waves, first as a heady euphoria that gradually radiates down the body with relaxation.

“My involvement with the weed memes and all that stu , it was kind of like a layup when it came time to be like, ‘Hey, do you want to do a strain?’” says Martin. “[The name] is part me being a Permanent Marker fan, part me being a fan of Tekken, hence the fighting game artwork. That shit definitely hits like Kazuya or Jin.”

BEST COLLAB BETWEEN A CHICAGO ARTIST AND A CANNABIS LIFESTYLE BRAND

Permanent Wave by Thelonious Martin and Black Hippy Farms

Weed and hiphop is a love story as old as time. In Chicago, producer Thelonious Martin’s name and music are practically synonymous with weed, not only for his stoner-friendly beats but also for birthing the viral “Me vs. the Weed” meme format. In 2024,

Black Hippy Farms founder Kingsley Agboje explains the science behind their quality control process. “Thelo has been smoking some of our weed for a minute, so I took note of different stuff he liked and fucked with, then I would see his reaction online after he was smoking,” he recalls. “One of my homies, he has a farm and he's been growing for a minute, he sent me this crazy batch of

2

Enjoy resposibly. KIRK WILLIAMSON

Permanent Marker that was not like the normal batches [of] Permanent Marker. When I checked it out, I knew bro was gonna fuck with this shit heavy.”

Stoners who missed out on this exclusive batch, fear not; Agboje says fans can expect another collab in the future.

BEST “ADULT USE” (REC) BUDTENDER

Winner: Steve Kimbrough (Dispensary 33 Andersonville)

First Runner-up: Matt Trinidad (Grasshopper Club)

BEST “ADULT USE” DISPENSARY

Winner: Dispensary 33

First Runner-up: Grasshopper Club

BEST CANNABIS ACCESSORY BOUTIQUE (NONDISPENSARY)

Winner: Soul and Wellness

First Runner-up: Saint Lucia’s Smoke Shop

BEST CANNABIS ACCESSORY SELECTION IN A DISPENSARY

Winner: Dispensary 33

First Runner-up: nuEra Chicago

BEST CANNABIS ADVOCACY OR RESTORATIVE JUSTICE ORGANIZATION

Winner: Last Prisoner Project

First Runner-up: Cannabis Equity Illinois Coalition

BEST CANNABIS SUPPER CLUB, HOME CHEF, OR CATERER

Winner: High Minded Events

First Runner-up: Brunch of Stoners

BEST CLINIC TO GET CERTIFIED FOR A MEDICAL CARD

Winner: Dispensary 33

First Runner-up: Dr. Mauricio Consalter

BEST CONSUMABLE, OTHER (MINT, TABLET, SNACK FOOD, ETC.)

Winner: Mindy’s Edibles

First Runner-up: Incredibles

BEST HOME GROW SUPPLY SHOP

Winner: Chicago Roots Hydroponics and Organics

First Runner-up: Karma Club

BEST INFUSED BEVERAGE (DRINK, DROP, SYRUP, TEA)

Winner: Uncle Arnie’s Pineapple Punch

First Runner-up: Pink Lemonade (Blazed Bakery)

BEST INFUSED CHOCOLATE

Winner: Mindy’s Edibles

First Runner-up: Incredibles

BEST INFUSED GUMMIES

Winner: Mindy’s Edibles

First Runner-up: Wana

“We'll be coming back with a new drop in the spring. What I can say about that is it'll match the weather, real terpy. . . . I feel like this spring/summer is gonna be a different energy than we had in the last couple of years, so that weed gonna match it.” —ALEJANDRO HERNANDEZ v

BEST LOCAL CBD SOURCE (LOCAL NONDISPENSARY SHOP OR BRAND)

Winner: Cubbington’s Cabinet

First Runner-up: CBD Kratom

BEST MEDICAL BUDTENDER OR PATIENT CARE REP

Winner: Steve Kimbrough (Dispensary 33 Andersonville)

First Runner-up: Jessica Lopez (nuEra Chicago)

BEST MEDICAL CANNABIS DISPENSARY

Winner: Dispensary 33

First Runner-up: nuEra Chicago

BEST NONVAPE CONCENTRATE

Winner: Blueberry Clementine (Revolution)

First Runner-up: Animal Face Live Rosin (Rythm)

BEST PET CBD PRODUCT

Winner: Cubbington’s Cabinet

P’Nut Budder Drops

First Runner-up: Mary's Tails

BEST PRODUCT FOR INCREASED LIBIDO

Winner: Love Drops (1906)

First Runner-up: A ernoon Delight (Rythm)

BEST STRAIN OR CONSUMABLE PRODUCT FOR PAIN RELIEF

Winner: Brownie Scout (Rythm)

First Runner-up: Chill Pill (1906)

BEST STRAIN OR PRODUCT FOR RELIEF OF ANXIETY

Winner: Orange Herijuana (Rythm)

First Runner-up: Black Inferno (nuEra Chicago)

BEST STRAIN OR PRODUCT FOR SLEEP

Winner: Snoozzzierberry (Incredibles)

First Runner-up: Stay Asleep (Wana)

BEST TOPICAL

Winner: Doctor Solomon's First Runner-up: Avexia Harmony Balm (Verano)

BEST VAPE CONCENTRATE

Winner: Revolution

First Runner-up: Durban Z (Rythm) v

FATHER'S DAY

Artists of the Wall Festival

My dad died long before I moved to Rogers Park, and to my knowledge, he never spent any time as a kid along the lakefront at Loyola Park. But I’ve found it comforting every Father’s Day weekend to take in the Artists of the Wall Festival, when people from all over the community come together to paint their own little section of the 600 feet of concrete benches stretching between Farwell and Morse. As the artists create their imaginative takes on the suggested theme for the year, families bring in Father’s Day picnics, musical artists perform, and a general air of goodwill and camaraderie spreads throughout the park.

The festival started in 1993 as a response to gra ti tagging on the benches—apparently,

ARTS &

CULTURE

the idea was that turning the benches into community art would create something everyone would respect. The theme for 2025 is All Together Now, but if past is prologue, the selected artists will follow that suggestion quite loosely. In recent years particularly, the benches have become a sort of living newspaper in paint of what’s happening, with artists taking note of Black Lives Matter, the COVID pandemic, and the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Celebrities who have died often get their own memorials. (Prince was big in 2016, as I recall.)

Sometimes the benches celebrate the artist’s own family. (This includes pets: Former Reader culture editor Aimee Levitt commemorated her late dog, Abby, a few years ago, and this past year had a couple tributes to Chief, the late feline “mayor” of Rogers Park.) They’re also often filled with encouraging

messages, some of which I have saved on my phone and look at when I need a boost. A bench several years ago proclaimed, “We all have the light of a superhero within us,” and I also treasure an image from 2022 of a bench covered with gorgeous red flowers, and a line from Mary Oliver’s poem, “Invitation”: “Just to be alive on this fresh morning in this broken world.” My dad was an optimistic guy, and I think he would have told me the same things (though probably not as poetically as Oliver). But even if you never had a good relationship with your dad, you can celebrate community and found family at Artists of the Wall. Artists of the Wall Festival 2025, Sat 6/14–Sun 6/15, Loyola Park (Pratt Beach at Farwell and the lake), bench registration opens Thu 5/1, loyolapark.org/aotw —KERRY REID

The name didn’t ring a bell, but I promised to investigate. Shortly after, due to a series of coincidences straight out of a Keeler novel, I found myself standing at Keeler’s grave at Rosehill Cemetery, enthralled by how tangible it all seemed.

Keeler was a Chicago pulp author, master of a self-invented plot style dubbed “webwork.” Keeler famously used file cabinets filled with news clippings to create staggering scaffolds of coincidences. Historian Francis M. Nevins Jr. described Keeler as someone who “stomped through the staid precincts of the mystery story like King Kong crossing a country churchyard.” Keeler was a voracious writer with more than 60 novels to his name. While much remains out of print, publishers like Ramble House and Wildside Press keep his flame alive, while the Harry Stephen Keeler Society has been digging into the author since 1997.

BEST UNDERSUNG PULP AUTHOR THAT I RANDOMLY DISCOVERED WHILE PORING THROUGH THE STACKS

Harry Stephen Keeler

I’ve been visiting Paper or Plastic since they announced their original pop-up in 2022. Eventually, I got to know James Hughes, half of the ownership duo. (Dante Carfagna is his partner.) In late summer 2023, they came into the collection of renowned University of Chicago professor Terence Martin, and I was in a position to help contextualize the weird fiction they’d acquired. One day, after paging through old sci-fi fanzines, Hughes asked if I was familiar with the author Harry Stephen Keeler.

Keeler loved Chicago (he called it the “London of the West”), and his work and this specific collection have been a delightful way to experience the history of this city. Hughes made sure to set aside a particularly exciting copy of The Riddle of the Traveling Skull with an inscription to a bookseller named Frida Stein (the Keeler Society already unraveled the mystery of her identity, which they laid out in issue 95 of their newsletter).

Keeler’s writing isn’t for everyone—his work often reflected the time he lived in, even if his own attitudes are a little harder to pin down—but these kinds of historical thrills lurk everywhere in a used bookstore. Especially in the London of the West. —ED BLAIR

BEST NICHE SCREENINGTURNED-MEMBERSHIP DRIVE AT THE MUSIC BOX THEATRE

Over the Garden Wall (2014)

On a warm Friday last October, I saw a tweet from the Music Box Theatre announcing a one-night-only tenthanniversary screening of Over the Garden Wall (2014)—free, but exclusively for Music Box

Detail from Persephone’s Portal by Tria Smith and Katrin Schnabl, in 6018 North’s “Myth of the Organic City” KIRK WILLIAMSON

1. Rogers Park's Artists of the Wall Festival AJ LAVIN/FLICKR 2. Titles by Harry Stephen Keeler COURTESY WILDSIDE

members. Within minutes, my wife and I had purchased a dual membership.

Over the Garden Wall is an animated Cartoon Network miniseries that follows two half brothers who get lost in the Unknown, a mysterious forest of folklore and fairy tales. The show—which binges perfectly at the length of a regular movie—is a funny, strange, and heartwarming hero’s journey with a dreamy soundtrack and unmatched autumn ambience. Featuring voice actors like Elijah Wood, Melanie Lynskey, and John Cleese, it was critically acclaimed upon release, but more than a decade later, OTGW has transformed into a beloved cult favorite with a fan base that grows each fall.

My wife and I learned about it from a friend many years ago, and we’ve been watching it annually ever since, evangelizing friends and family. When we saw it slated to screen at the Music Box, we couldn’t miss it—even for the cost of a yearlong membership.

And we weren’t alone in this spontaneous spending. According to group sales and membership manager Claire Alden, in the three days between the screening being announced and tickets becoming available, the Music Box gained 84 memberships and 50 renewals. “It’s hard to say if ALL of those were for OTGW,” Alden told me via email, “but I’d say a fair amount of them were.”

The event itself was even better than anticipated, with themed decor, an art activity, a specialty cocktail, and inventive fans dressed as pumpkins and frogs for the preshow costume contest. As the programmer joked before the screening, how wonderful it is that a theater could hit capacity for a showing of a decade-old cartoon that’s available to stream for free.

And attendees could feel the buzz of that nerdy, earnest appreciation in the room. Fans were careful not to spoil twists and jokes for the surprising number of first-time viewers in attendance, and we all enjoyed this communal theatrical experience that legitimized OTGW as a piece of art with staying power. The Music Box membership is just the cherry on top. TV-PG, ten 11-minute episodes, Hulu —TARYN MCFADDEN

BEST INDIGENOUS ARTS ORGANIZATION

Center for Native Futures

The Center for Native Futures (CfNF) sits in a sunny downtown storefront space at Adams and Dearborn. Inside you will find contemporary visual art exhibitions alongside community programming and a studio residency—all in service of centering Native voices and advancing In-

digenous Futurism, which CfNF describes as the “artistic means for expanding possibilities and realities by imagining our realities without colonial limitations.” Founded in 2020, CfNF is the only all-Native artist-led arts nonprofit organization in Chicago/ Zhegagoynak.

CfNF provides an expansive understanding of Native cultures and contemporary Indigenous fine art practices far beyond reductive postcolonial representations that focus solely on the past. They provide a critically needed gathering space where, as cofounder and director of exhibitions and programs Debra Yepa-Pappan explains, “We can just be artists. . . . We don’t have to be the Native on display, or the [Natives that] always have to talk about our history.”

In a January 2025 interview with CBS, CfNF exhibiting artist David Martin echoes this dynamic sentiment: “We are a living, breathing, evolving culture. . . . We are not extinct.”

looks forward to further community partnerships and growth, including the expansion of “Mound Summit,” their biannual Native art symposium. By providing holistic support to Indigenous creatives, CfNF celebrates their contemporary achievements and ensures Indigenous futures. centerfornativefutures.

org —ERIN TOALE

music underneath a tiny disco ball. (There’s a slot for tips underneath, where a grateful puppet will happily accept whatever loose change or cash you want to proffer.) One day years ago, I actually witnessed a marriage proposal delivered via puppet. (The prospective bride said yes. Who’s gonna reject a proposal that delightful?)

3

4 5

BEST RETURN OF STREET THEATER

CfNF provides residents and exhibiting artists with direct, multifaceted support, including stipends. “There’s a lot that we put into the care of artists as people, and not just artists as a commodity, or their artwork as just a commodity,” says Yepa-Pappan. The 2025 Artist in Residence is the multidisciplinary and selftaught June Carpenter, an Osage Nation tribal member whose artwork “addresses systemic injustices against Native people,” says CfNF. Forthcoming in the gallery space is a vibrant two-person exhibition featuring Kalyn Fay Barnoski (Cherokee) and Haley Greenfeather English (Red Lake and Turtle Mountain Ojibwe) titled “ten:ten.”

Cofounder and board member Andrea Carlson recently mounted a solo exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA). The two institutions partnered on a copresentation of the work of Muscogee and Cherokee artist and composer Elisa Harkins with programs at both sites: visual art at CfNF and an Indigenous pop performance on the MCA stage—featuring hand drums crafted at a CfNF workshop. In 2025, the organization

Puppet Bike

Running across Puppet Bike in early December on Clark Street in Andersonville after several years of not seeing it, I felt myself smiling more than I had since November 6. In my line of work, I see a lot of shows (including great puppet theater). But there’s just something about Puppet Bike that gets me in my feels every time—mostly because of how good it makes everyone feel. (Reader readers agree: it won Best Street Character in our 2013 Best of Chicago poll.)

The famous puppet theater on wheels began with Jason Trusty back in 2004 when he wanted to have a co ee bike. But city regulations required access to a commercial kitchen, so he switched gears, building out a brightly painted wooden box on top of a cargo bike complete with a staging area/window where adorable animal hand puppets danced to prerecorded

Puppet Bike has been a north-side staple for years. According to a 2019 WGN piece, Trusty and puppeteer Michael King had a parting of ways around 2017, and artist Wendy Beyer bought the bike with King being chief puppeteer. During and after lockdown, I don’t remember seeing it out at all, and per her Instagram page, Beyer now lives in New York. But in December, I noticed the old cumbersome wooden box was gone, replaced with a presumably lighter and more waterproof black fabric structure. There’s also now Venmo information for King on the theater in addition to the tips slot.

Kids danced and squealed with delight and begged their parents for money to give the puppets. People ran across Clark Street as if greeting a long-lost friend: “Puppet BIKE!” Strangers smiled at each other. I don’t remember which songs played; all I could hear was the joy in my heart. —KERRY REID

BEST ART GALLERY

Winner: SoNa Chicago Art Gallery

First Runner-up: Rev. Billy's Chop Shop

BEST ART GROUP OR COLLECTIVE

Winner: Englewood Arts Collective

First Runner-up: Gender Fucked Productions

BEST CHOREOGRAPHER

Winner: Dawn Xiana Moon

First Runner-up: Kia Smith

BEST COMEDIAN (NON STAND-UP)

Winner: Laura Dellis

First Runner-up: Arlieta Hall

BEST COMEDY SHOW

Winner: My Best Friend Is Black

First Runner-up: Puff, Puff, Laugh

BEST COMICS ILLUSTRATOR

Winner: Bianca Xunise

First Runner-up: Andrea Pearson

BEST COMICS WRITER

Winner: Eve L. Ewing

First Runner-up: Bianca Xunise

BEST DANCE PRODUCTION

Winner: The Fly Honeys

First Runner-up: Can You Hear Us Now?

The Queer Tap Dance Revolution

BEST DANCE STUDIO OR TRAINING PROGRAM

Winner: Hyde Park School of Dance

First Runner-up: Joel Hall Dancers & Center

BEST DANCE TROUPE

Winner: The Fly Honeys

First Runner-up: Chicago Tap Theatre

BEST DANCER

Winner: Jonathan Pacheco

First Runner-up: Dawn Xiana Moon

BEST DRAG PERFORMER

Winner: Chilli Pepper

First Runner-up: Derry Queen

BEST ESTABLISHED THEATER COMPANY

Winner: Steppenwolf Theatre

First Runner-up: Goodman Theatre

BEST FILM FESTIVAL

Winner: Chicago International Film Festival

First Runner-up: Chicago Latino Film Festival

BEST FILM PROGRAMMING

Winner: Music Box Theatre

First Runner-up: Gene Siskel Film Center

BEST FILMMAKER

Winner: Aliya Haq

First Runner-up: Henry Hanson

BEST INDEPENDENT

BOOK PUBLISHER

Winner: Haymarket Books

First Runner-up: Northwestern University Press

BEST LECTURE SERIES

Winner: Chicago Humanities Festival

First Runner-up: StoryStudio Chicago and Newberry Library's Writers on Writing

BEST MOVIE THEATER

Winner: Music Box Theatre

First Runner-up: Davis Theater

BEST MOVIE THEATER BAR

Winner: Music Box Theatre

First Runner-up: Logan Theatre

BEST MURAL

Winner: Robin Williams

First Runner-up: A Love Letter in Englewood by Englewood Arts Collective and collaborators (57th and Racine)

BEST MUSEUM

Winner: Art Institute of Chicago

First Runner-up: Field Museum

BEST MUSICAL

Winner: Illinoise (Chicago Shakespeare Theater)

First Runner-up: Death Becomes Her (Broadway in Chicago at Cadillac Palace Theatre)

BEST NEW LOCAL OPERA PRODUCTION

Winner: Fidelio (Lyric Opera of Chicago)

First Runner-up: Fizz and Ginger (Chicago Fringe Opera at Theater Wit)

BEST NEW NONFICTION

BOOK BY A CHICAGOAN

Winner: We Are the Culture: Black Chicago's Influence on Everything by Arionne Nettles

First Runner-up: Sexism & Sensibility: Raising Empowered, Resilient Girls in the Modern World by Jo-Ann Finkelstein

BEST NEW NOVEL BY A CHICAGOAN

Winner: Punk Rock Karaoke by Bianca Xunise

First Runner-up: The Sound of a Thousand Stars by Rachel Robbins

BEST NEW PLAY

Winner: Purpose at Steppenwolf Theatre

First Runner-up: Little Orphan Boy: The Musical at Annoyance Theatre

BEST NEW POETRY COLLECTION BY A CHICAGOAN

Winner: Yaguareté White by Diego Báez

First Runner-up: The Span of a Small Forever by April Gibson

BEST NEW THEATER COMPANY

Winner: Bramble Theatre Company

First Runner-up: Two Chairs

Theatre Company

BEST NONFICTION WRITER

Winner: Jo-Ann Finkelstein

First Runner-up: Jonathan Eig

BEST NOVELIST

Winner: Rebecca Makkai

First Runner-up: Rachel Robbins

BEST OFF-LOOP

THEATER COMPANY

Winner: the Neo-Futurists

First Runner-up: Court Theatre

BEST OPEN MIKE

Winner: Uncommon Ground

First Runner-up: Schubas

BEST OPERA COMPANY

Winner: Lyric Opera of Chicago

First Runner-up: Chicago Opera Theater

BEST PERFORMING ARTS FESTIVAL

Winner: Chicago International

Puppet Theater Festival

First Runner-up: iO Fest

BEST PHOTOGRAPHER

Winner: Jessica Levin

First Runner-up: Frank Mesina Photography

BEST PLAYWRIGHT

Winner: Maggie Smith

First Runner-up: Lani Montreal

BEST POET

Winner: avery r. young

First Runner-up: April Gibson

BEST POETRY ORGANIZATION

Winner: Poetry Foundation

First Runner-up: Chicago Poetry Center

BEST READING SERIES

Winner: Chicago Poetry Center

First Runner-up: Sunday Reading

Series at Hungry Brain

BEST SKETCH/IMPROV TROUPE

Winner: Craigslist Playdate

First Runner-up: Forgive Me, Estoy Aprendiendo

BEST STAGE ACTOR

Winner: Ruth Guerra

First Runner-up: August Forman

BEST STAGE DIRECTOR

Winner: Ricardo Gamboa

First Runner-up: Holly Robison

BEST STAND-UP COMIC

Winner: Deanna Ortiz

First Runner-up: Gwen Rose

BEST STORYTELLING SERIES

Winner: The Moth

First Runner-up: The First Time (CHIRP Radio)

BEST STREET ARTIST

Winner: Sentrock (Joseph Anthony Perez)

First Runner-up: Cool Disco Rich (Matthew Mederer)

BEST THEATER BAR OR LOBBY

Winner: Steppenwolf Theatre

First Runner-up: Chicago Magic Lounge

BEST THEATER DESIGNER (SETS, LIGHT, SOUND, ETC.)

Winner: Tessa Abedon

First Runner-up: Laura J. Wiley

BEST THEATER PRODUCTION

Winner: Purpose (Steppenwolf Theatre Company)

First Runner-up: Native Son (Lifeline Theatre)

BEST THEATER TRAINING PROGRAM

Winner: Second City

First Runner-up: the Theatre School at DePaul University

BEST VENUE FOR DANCE

Winner: Harris Theater

First Runner-up: Auditorium Theatre

BEST VENUE FOR IMPROV

Winner: Second City

First Runner-up: iO Theater

BEST VENUE FOR STAND-UP

Winner: Laugh Factory

First Runner-up: Lincoln Lodge

BEST VENUE FOR THEATER Winner: Steppenwolf Theatre

First Runner-up: Goodman Theatre

BEST VENUE TO SEE DRAG

Winner: Roscoe's First Runner-up: Kit Kat Lounge

BEST VISUAL ARTIST

Winner: Jaz Rodriguez (Jazonvinyl) First Runner-up: Jessica Levin

BEST ZINE

Winner: Edible Chicago

First Runner-up: Brain Graffiti v

Frankie's Tee

Slam poetry in Chicago is getting a shot in the arm from Frankie’s Tee, a media platform and talk show founded in 2024. Hosted by west-side natives Tanya “Tee” Smith and Frankie Fabre, Frankie’s Tee dives deep into all things poetry, featuring appearances from slam poetry legends, interviews with people on the street, and more.

Frankie’s Tee builds on a long history of slam poetry in Chicago. Local native Marc Smith coined the term “poetry slam” in 1986 to describe the cabaret-style poetry competition he was hosting at the Green Mill in Uptown, which he’d designed to get the crowd involved. Smith had started out at Bucktown’s Get Me High Lounge in the mid-80s, refining the idea of the “poetry bouts” held in Chicago a few years earlier by Terry Jacobus and Al Simmons, and he briefly hosted a similar event presented by Bob Rudnick at Weeds. But it was the Uptown Poetry Slam at the Green Mill, which continues today on the third Sunday of the month, that made

Chicago the poetry slam capital of the world.

In the decades since, Chicago has made other significant contributions to the medium, most notably Young Chicago Authors’s Louder Than a Bomb series, which grew into the world’s largest youth poetry slam. Founded in 2001, the series continues (in a less competitive form) as the Rooted & Radical Youth Poetry Festival, whose 2025 finals will be held later this month at the Ramova Theatre.

Frankie’s Tee wants to re-create the excitement of these innovations. Frankie and Tee have been promoting their show by throwing poetry slams around the city since September, mostly on the south and west sides. Unlike Louder Than a Bomb, these slams are for adults, and unlike just about all of their predecessors, they put real money on the line—winners of the preliminary rounds are awarded $2,000, and the final championship is worth $10,000. According to Tee, the fifth and final preliminary round will take place this spring, and the championship will be decided in the summer.

The show and the slam have gained traction quickly, and every bout thus far has sold out. Frankie and Tee are slam poetry veterans themselves—Frankie released a poetry album in 2022 titled Blue Nude My Naked Thoughts, and Tee was part of the Kuumba Lynx crew that won the LTAB team competition in 2013 and went on to reach the finals in the Brave New Voices international slam. Their platform has also benefited from high-profile partnerships with community health nonprofit Healthy Hood, clothing brand Iridium, and arts charity Donda’s House, among other groups. Frankie’s Tee will update their Instagram and website with details about upcoming bouts, so stay tuned. frankiestee.com —JOSHUA EFERIGHE

6. Hosts Tanya "Tee" Smith and Frankie Fabre TATSU

continued from p. 38

BEST LIVE VARIETY SHOW TO GET KICKED OFF YOUTUBE

Yuck!

Since 2022, Kellie Wyatt and Izah Ransoho have been organizing the most brilliantly disgusting variety show whose name says it all: Yuck! It’s a format-defying celebration of all things bad taste that’s appeared at both underand aboveground venues. In my experience, Yuck! is one of the most consistently COVIDconscious shows, always requiring audiences to mask and livestreaming the event for those who can’t make it. At least, Yuck! used to live-

break glass on her face while making the most brutally funny jokes about queer norms. It’s a very adult show but not solely because of its sexual elements: Yuck! confronts messy or uncomfortable topics that come with being an adult, sometimes in shocking ways. Until the summer of 2023, Yuck! successfully broadcast shows on YouTube without the occasional nipple or butt being detected. Then the show’s account received a strike for screening a playful short film featuring seminude women flogging each other with flowers. At the next date, Yuck! showed a short trans erotica that ended with an orgy in Lake Michigan. That got Yuck! banned from the platform. The show continued undeterred, though it’s had to troubleshoot to

stream—before they got in trouble with YouTube.

There are a lot of ways to be “gross,” and Yuck! embraces so many. I’ve seen a puppet teach fisting, live needleplay, and a short porn about diaper fetishes that was filmed at the Cicero Walmart. (Those filmmakers . . . icons.)

I’ve also seen a dreamy harp set from a man in rubber. A nude performance artist describe their experiences of classism, racism, and transphobia by shoving so many bananas in their mouth they almost vomit. A comedian

reach homebound fans—something that’s taken on more urgency as queer identity and creative freedom gets more aggressively censored elsewhere in the country. Simultaneously, Yuck!’s struggle to stream is part of a broader pattern of online platforms throttling artists and queer people with restrictive terms of use, and it’s only gotten worse this year. It’s harder to yuck it up online—don’t take it for granted we can still do it live in Chicago. instagram.com/yuck_show —MICCO CAPORALE v

Black Grace at Harris Theater in March 2024.

Photo by Kyle. Flubacker.

Photo by Rob Simmer

Photo by Mark Seliger

Welcome to the Show at the Getaway

The best talk show in town is not broadcast. It’s not even recorded. Every other Monday, Derek Bish transforms the cozy back room of Lincoln Square bar the Getaway into the set of Welcome to the Show, where he hosts talented Chicagoans in all kinds of disciplines. Musicians and comedians are heavily featured, sure, but photographers, crafters, and even taxidermists have sat for chats about their work. Come for Andrew Sa’s country crooning of Chris Isaak covers or Chris Robbin’s neosoul raps, stay for Jackie Smook’s musical puppet comedy. (Disclosure: I was a guest on the show last year and DJed for a show this February.) During intermission, the audience might pass around samples from a local winery, examples of taxidermied wildlife, or even homemade cookies from Bish’s wife and kids. By day, Bish bartends at the Warbler across the street, and he conceived of the show as a vehicle to combine his background in comedy and music and his ability to share in other people’s passions, which he’s honed with nearly two decades in the hospitality industry. “It’s simply a Chicago-centric old-school talk show that amplifies Chicago voices past and present,” Bish says via email. “Keeping the show free to the public allows the audience to spend their money at a small business where the show is held or to buy some of the artist’s work featured on that night’s show.”

Bish has no desire to put the show out as a podcast, though he may begin releasing filmed segments online later this year. By centering the spontaneity of each night’s program and the intimacy of a crowded room, Welcome to the Show works as an antidote to on- demand short-form algorithmic brain rot. It’s a reminder of all the talent that calls Chicago home. The Getaway, 4530 N. Lincoln, every other Monday, info at instagram.com/ bishpleaze —JACK RIEDY

BEST PUBLIC DISPLAY OF AFFECTION FOR HOUSE MUSIC

City of Chicago historical marker at 916 W. Buena, former home of Gherkin Records

In March 2023, when Preservation Chicago included the modest brick building at 206 S. Jefferson on its annual list of historic local buildings most in danger of demolition, it sparked a worldwide outcry. That’s because

MUSIC &

this unassuming structure used to be the Warehouse, the club that incubated what’s now known as house music. Nightlife legend Robert Williams bought the building in 1975, spent two years renovating it and installing a sound system, and opened it in 1977 with Frankie Knuckles—the godfather of house—as resident DJ. The movement to keep the former Warehouse intact built up steam quickly, and in June 2023, the Chicago City Council granted the building landmark status. Last October,

NIGHTLIFE

that helped house catch fire in Chicago in the 1980s. So I’m grateful to economic development nonprofi t Uptown United, which went out of its way to recognize one of them: Last year it placed an unassuming historical marker at 916 W. Buena, onetime home of Gherkin Records. It’s across the street from a Frankie Knuckles mural unveiled on the side of the Uptown library in September, which is also dedicated to Gherkin.

Founded by Brett Wilcots and Jim Stivers

the Department of Cultural A airs and Special Events cohosted a block party outside 206 S. Je erson to celebrate this designation and the installation of a commemorative plaque. House music has reshaped culture globally, and it wouldn’t be the same without the Warehouse—it might not even exist at all. But you could say the same thing about most of the lesser-known DJs, producers, venues, recording studios, and record labels

issued through his own imprint, Alleviated Records. The historical marker at 916 W. Buena reminds us not only of Gherkin’s contributions to house music but also of the culture’s spread through the city: House nation thrived, and can still thrive, on just about any block in Chicago.

—LEOR GALIL

BEST (AND MAYBE LAST) PLUGGER PASSER

Leroy Clark

In December 1993, frustrated with a cycle of layo s at the post o ce that employed him, Leroy Clark went to work handing out flyers for independent promoters booking house music, R&B, and comedy, mostly on the south side. In those days, before social media or even the widespread adoption of email, promoters found that the most e ective direct-marketing tactics were to mail postcards or hand out pluggers to club patrons. For the past 32 years, Clark has earned his living solely as a one-man street team. When he began, Clark recalls, at least 100 other regulars were out there, putting handbills in partygoers’ hands, on car windshields, and in barbershops and beauty salons. These days, when he fills his du el bag with thousands of colorful handbills and travels the city by bus, Leroy is among the last of

in 1987, Gherkin released a slew of crucial 12-inches, including a few by vaunted producer and DJ Larry Heard. The label didn’t achieve the global renown of DJ International or the infamy of Trax, but it established an important legacy in just four years. Heard built such a close relationship with Wilcots and Stivers that he adopted the pseudonym Gherkin Jerks for a few records on their label; Gherkin also manufactured and distributed material Heard

the plugger passers. Born in Englewood in 1970, Clark moved to Gary as a child before settling on the west side, where he still lives. Over the decades, he’s hustled for as many as six days (and nights) each week. His current route includes retail shops (“It’s like being a mailman”) as well as the Family Den, Bevy on Sundays (and other nights at LITE Chicago), the Promontory, RiNo Bar, Tribe, and Wintrust Arena. A typical run

1. Sam Thousand performs during Welcome to the Show at the Getaway. VIKA MOKHOVA 2. The Gherkin Records historical marker at 916 W. Buena KIRK WILLIAMSON 3. Leroy Clark JAKE AUSTEN

The dance fl oor at Beauty Bar KIRK WILLIAMSON

of handbills is 5,000 copies, but 10,000 isn’t unheard of. His biggest batch (for Célébrez en Rosé, a 2022 lakefront party with Robin Thicke) was 20,000.

Asked what makes him a good plugger passer, Clark’s one-word answer is “consistency.” But clients and clubgoers might also mention his positive energy, which has made him a welcome presence. Handbills might not be the most e ective promotional method anymore, but many seasoned Chicago nightlifers have a hard time imagining their ecosystem without Clark falling through and doing his thing.

In his room at home, in stacks of shoeboxes, Clark keeps one copy of each of the tens of thousands of di erent pluggers he’s distributed since he started. These cardboard treasure chests are a secret museum of Black Chicago nightlife and a testament to the life’s work of a dedicated practitioner of a vanishing trade.

—JAKE AUSTEN

BEST COLLECTIVE OF ARTISTS AND MUSICIANS THAT TURNS TEN IN 2025

Amalgam

“OK, well, no one’s checking this out, let’s create our own thing.”

That’s how drummer and recording engineer Bill Harris described his decision to launch the Amalgam collective in 2015, speaking with Reader sta er Leor Galil a couple years ago. Harris wanted to support newer experimental and improvising musicians in Chicago—people who felt overlooked as attention, gigs, and recording opportunities went to folks who already had them.

To date, Amalgam has issued 58 recordings, and it has six planned for the rest of 2025. From the start, Harris was eager for this artist-run organization to present a collective identity, and other musicians have joined him in running it. Bassist Eli Namay came aboard early, but a new family and a move out of town have obliged him to step away; cellist and guitarist Ishmael Ali now shares operational responsibilities. The Amalgam community thrives on cross-pollination, and this extends to its leaders—Ali has played with Harris in several bands, including celebratory groove septet Je’raf (with Namay) and freely improvising trio Hearsay (with turntablist and record sculptor Allen Moore). Additionally, Amalgam brings in several guest curators each year, who can release their own projects or music that someone else shares with them. Past curators have included vocalist Carol Genetti, bass clarinetist Emily Rach Beisel, and saxophonist Fred Jackson Jr., and so far the 2025 cohort consists of sound artist Norman

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W. Long, saxophonist Sarah Clausen, and visceral bass-synth duo Whisker.

Over the past decade, Amalgam’s output has included plenty of jazz, and its catalog combines contributions from emerging Chicago artists with recordings by veterans such as keyboardist Jim Baker. (I wrote the liner notes for the 2022 Amalgam release Dura , a trio album with Baker, Harris, and New York bassist Brandon Lopez.) But the collective’s definition of improvised music is a broad one,

making room for the spontaneous doom metal of Abhorrent Expanse and the disorienting sound collages of Paradise Complete. The label’s next album is Of the Essence by Bishop Ra, which compiles live trio and quartet recordings with drummer Avreeayl Ra and trombonist Jeb Bishop; they’ll celebrate its release with the quartet lineup at Constellation on Friday, April 4. Amalgam also plans to host a tenth-anniversary festival at Elastic Arts and the Hungry Brain from October 9 through 11. amalgamusic.bandcamp.com —BILL MEYER

BEST ZINE FOR GETTING A GRIP ON THE MIDWEST RAVE ECOSYSTEM

Aria Pedraza’s 1438: Midwest Jungle, Techno, & Rave Culture

Ilove absorbing as much about dance music as I possibly can, even beyond writing about it for my day job. I occasionally cover the subgenres that have grown out of house and techno, but even if I dedicated my whole beat to them, I’d fall short of the Talmudic focus required to get the full picture. So I really appreciate the folks documenting the dance scene with a wider net. Of course, as soon as I spotted Aria Pedraza’s 1438: Midwest Jungle, Techno, & Rave Culture at Quimby’s in the fall, I knew I had no choice but to buy and devour it. Last fall, Pedraza had a hand in a series of six raves at 1438 W. Cortland, hosted by Ripe Productions and its founder, dance veteran RP Smack. Pedraza’s zine does as much to commemorate the parties as it does to generate excitement for future raves.

The 1438 zine contains 20 Q&As with DJs operating around the midwest. They include newbies, old heads who can tell you the first time they went to a party at Medusa’s, and DJs who’d prefer to cloak their identity behind a single-word pseudonym; they’re united less by genre or aesthetic than by their dedication to helping their dance subcultures thrive. Of course, Chicago is well represented, with emerging local nightlife figures such as Aux Cord Lord presented alongside veterans such as onetime Gramophone drum ’n’ bass buyer and DJ Current.

4. Releases from the Amalgam catalog

AMALGAM 5.

“The Music Has To Live On”

— Kevin Beauchamp, Katalyst Entertainment

Vincent Davis, Ari Brown, Edward Wilkerson Jr., Preyas Roy

Live in Brussels

Available on CD and LP

Please visit katalystentertainment.com online or in person at

The Katalyst Music Gallery 13257 S. Baltimore Chicago, Il 60633 (773-406-4899)

continued from p. 46

Also available at:

Dusty Groove Records

Shuga Records

Dorians Record Shop

Hyde Park Records

Distributed by City Hall Records

Pedraza orients the zine around the kind of curiosity that easily builds bridges with interviewees, and her straightforward questions give each subject a lot of room to share what drew them to dance music. Rave culture o ers a plethora of entrances to the curious, and collecting so many stories from active DJs for whom crossover fame may always be elusive can go a long way in endearing outsiders to dance culture. It can also make the idea of participating feel more realistic—at least that’s the impression I came away with after reading about mononymous Chicago DJ Damien and his start as a wedding DJ. ariapedraza.com/ store —LEOR GALIL

BEST BOOK ABOUT CHICAGO DIY BY SOMEONE WHO’S LIVED IT

Charles Joseph Smith’s Charles Joseph Smith—The Unsung

“Keen

Guy Hero” in Chicago’s DIY Scene

permits, they operate in what could charitably be described as a legal gray area. And yet the scene thrives, evolves, and grows, because the people who make it happen know why it’s so vital.

TVisit the site:

o love DIY culture, you have to make peace with loss. DIY venues tend to have short lifespans, like bivouacs set up in basements, backyards, lofts, and warehouses, and everyone knows the end could come in a year or a week. You can hear some of the same brazenly uncommercial artists at the occasional aboveground gig, but you won’t get the full experience unless you visit their home turf—places free of profit motive, run by volunteers, where anyone who respects the culture’s norms is welcome, regardless of age, gender, disability, dress, or personal taste. Typically, these venues lack the infrastructural support and financial resources of a traditional club or concert hall, and because they almost never have all the necessary city

Chicago pianist and composer Charles Joseph Smith understands this as well as anyone who ever missed the last Pink Line train after a night of noise at Mortville but kept coming back. Smith goes to so many local DIY shows that if you’ve been to any at all you’ve probably seen him, dancing with deliberate focus and gymnastic energy—he’s acquired the status of permanent fi xture in a world characterized by impermanence. Late last year Smith self- published a book about the venues and characters that have sustained the subculture he loves, Charles Joseph Smith—The Unsung “Keen Guy Hero” in Chicago's DIY Scene. The book provides a diaristic view of Chicago DIY, not a comprehensive history. It might list notable performances Smith attended or heard about, or else recount his memories of specific bygone venues such as Young Camelot. But I think a personal, subjective approach is better for the topic—any attempt to write a definitive history of a phenomenon that evolves as rapidly in as many different ways as DIY is bound to fail. Smith’s detailed documentation of the arty, noisy side of postY2K DIY matters not just because he participated in it but also because his writing defies the ephemerality of the scene simply by existing. The Unsung “Keen Guy Hero” isn’t perfect, and by its nature it can’t be complete, but it’s taught me plenty about the vast history of the local grassroots music I love. I bought my copy from Cafe Mustache, a licensed Logan Square venue committed to Chicago’s DIY denizens— Smith among them. —LEOR GALIL

7. Nine Inch Nails memorabilia at the Museum of Post

8. Cougar Bingo host Aunt Nance, played by Brittny Congleton

A private tour of the Museum of Post Punk & Industrial Music

Since opening in 2021, the Museum of Post Punk & Industrial Music has proved itself a Reader fan favorite, winning “best museum” in 2023 and clinching second runner-up this year. This folk museum of artifacts from Martin Atkins’s career—he started drumming in Public Image Ltd in 1979, cofounded Pigface in 1990, and currently serves as coordinator of the music business program at Millikin University—would of course be popular in the city that made Wax Trax! famous. Housed in a former funeral home in Bridgeport, it’s two stories of ephemera that catalog the heyday of groups such as Throbbing Gristle, Skinny Puppy, Killing Joke, and My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult from the vantage point of someone in the thick of it.

The museum is a sumptuous display of clothing, souvenirs, ticket stubs, posters, instruments, pieces of stage sets, and more. But to fully appreciate what’s there, it’s worth booking a private tour. Atkins’s stories are what really bring the objects to life—otherwise, there’s not much context provided. And if he’s feeling especially social at the end of the tour, he’ll take you to his recording studio in the basement. That’s where you’ll find one of the museum’s best-kept secrets: Trent Reznor’s original Nine Inch Nails demo. OK, it’s only a little secret. After Nine Inch Nails announced their Peel It Back Tour in January, Atkins scheduled three free NIN-themed days at the museum, advertising them by mentioning the demo. But if you missed the free NIN days, you can still hear it—if you schedule that tour.

In 1987, Reznor worked as a janitor and occasional assistant engineer at a small studio in Cleveland called Right Track. He’d been playing keyboards in a synth-pop group but had an idea for a sound that didn’t interest any of the musicians he knew, so he decided to experiment and record all the parts himself. Those early tracks—some of which have circulated on bootlegs and rare releases—have a stunning depth and polish, especially for a first effort. They’re also much poppier than the versions that later appeared on Pretty Hate Machine . While Atkins has the folder open on his studio computer, he’ll gladly share unreleased or obscure stu from other groups too. (I especially recommend the Public Image Ltd material.) It’s an entertainingly intimate listening experience unlike any other, and it’s sure to blow your leather pants off. ppimchicago.com, address provided with appointment —MICCO CAPORALE

BEST BINGO NIGHT HOSTED BY A SINGING MIDWESTERN

COUGAR SLAMMING

METAMUCIL COCKTAILS

Cougar Bingo with Aunt Nance

Step into Carol’s Pub on the second or fourth Tuesday of the month and you'll find yourself amidst a raucous crowd waving magic markers, chanting “I am more than my bingo card!,” and slurping down Jell-O shots at the urging of a feather-haired, leopard-print-clad host. Welcome to Cougar Bingo with Aunt Nance.

Aunt Nance, the comedic alter ego of early childhood educator and musical improviser Brittny Congleton, sprang to life in the throes of panic. After a musical improv audition was circling the drain, Congleton was asked to do character work. Congleton ducked into the bathroom, gazed deep into the mirror, and summoned a horny Minnesotan cougar with the energy of your mom’s wild friend who hands you a wine cooler while whispering, “Don’t tell your dad.” Thirteen years later, this flamboyant midwestern icon reigns supreme at Carol’s.

Nance took over Carol’s bingo event from drag queen Alexis Bevels just over two years ago, and the evening has since become a cult favorite. With its quirky rituals like the “Ask a Cougar” segment, where questions left in the comments of Venmo donations receive hilariously candid answers, and the “seventh-inning stretch” after the seventh bingo round, the night is a delightful blend of tradition and unpredictability. Between calling out bingo numbers, Nance keeps the crowd in stitches with irreverent musings on hot flashes, Kegel exercises, and her unabashed horniness. Spontaneous moments, like conga lines weaving through the bar into Aunt Nance’s dressing room, add an extra dash of chaos.

Congleton’s vision for Cougar Bingo is all about cultivating a haven of “crossgenerational, inclusive silliness.” The philosophy comes to life in themed nights like the Olympics-inspired “Passing of the Metamucil” ceremony—a torch relay for those who prefer their sportsball with a side of fiber—or the cat-themed bingo bash, featuring live renditions of Cats show tunes and feline trivia so obscure it would stump even the most devoted cat lady.

Cougar Bingo with Aunt Nance isn’t just bingo—it’s a wild, joyful romp that transforms a roomful of strangers into coconspirators for a few glorious hours of laughter, absurdity, and the occasional victorious shout of “Bingo!”  Carol’s Pub, 4659 N. Clark, second and fourth Tuesdays at 7:30 PM —SHANNON SHREIBAK v

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Regional Sales Manager North America, Agriculture & Food (Nouryon Surface Chemistry LLC, Chicago, IL): Budget dvlpmnt & dlvr financial metrics for Agrcltre & Food; Wrk w/ mrktg dept to dvlp rgnl commercl stratgy; Execute sales plan; ID & maxmz grwth & mrkt share opprtnts for prdcts & innvtns; Meet w/ ptntl clnts & grow rltnshps; Track, anlyz, & communicate metrics & trends; Recruit salesppl, set objctvs, train & coach, & monitor performnc; ID knwldg gaps & dvlp mitigatn plan; Ensure cmpny sales trgts are met & standrds are estblshd; Mng & dvlp techncl srvc resrcs. Reqd Exp: Mgmt exp in B2B envrnmnt; Exp wrkg in Agrochemical Indstry; Custmr & fld exp implmntg sales stratgs;

mng & wrk w/ team; Undrstndg of agrcltrl & agrochemicals value chain; Ablty to cmprhnd mrkt & competitn landscape; Strtgc contrct negotiatn exp; Exp bldg & mng rltnshps; mng price & closing deals including multi-level contact selling, & mng contrcts; compiling & anlyzg data & presentg in an audience-trgtd manner; ID business opprtnts & articulating high-qlty value propostns. Reqs Bachelor’s degree or frgn equiv in Chemistry, Agronomy or rltd fld, & 5 yrs exp as Sales Mngr, Mrktg Mngr or sim occ. WFH: Fully remote. Trvl reqd: 45% domestic & intrntnl. Salary: $199,597 - $272,800. Send C.V. to recruiting. us@nouryon.com.

Sr. Product Owner. Ulta, Inc. Bolingbrook, IL. Establish KPIs to measure results for each release or capability delivered. BS: CS, Engg, Buss Admin, or rel. 5 yrs exp as buss analyst or digital prod owner in eCommerce or rel industry. Alt Reqs: MS & 3 yrs exp. Pay: $127,587 - $128,587/ yr. Other exp req. Apply: https://careers.ulta.com/ careers/ Job ID 342671.

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Chicago’s Tobacco City mature their resplendent Americana on Horses

TOBACCO CITY, HEMLOCK, POWERS/ROLIN DUO, DESERT LIMINAL DJS Sat 3/8, 9 PM, Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western, $18. 21+

CHICAGO AMERICANA OUTFIT Tobacco City drew me in with the rootsy ensemble performances on their 2021 debut album, Tobacco City, USA. On their new second album, Horses (Scissor Tail), Tobacco City pare down a bit to focus on guitarists and lead vocalists Lexi Goddard and Chris Coleslaw. This time they’re backed by a shifting ensemble that includes bassist Eliza Weber (who also appears on the debut), pedal steel guitarist Andy “Red” PK, two drummers who take turns, and six other musicians who appear here and there. Goddard and Coleslaw’s dueting voices have the warmth of a late-night winter campfire that’s burned down to embers—they can push back the cold with a gentle glow or send up a surprising shower of sparks. The backing musicians keep Horses moving with a restrained bustle, but they can turn up the heat too. Tobacco City ratchet up the rambunctiousness on “Bu alo,” though the rhythm section maintains a steadying, understated hand while Andy “Red” PK rips through a slide-guitar solo. Horses really delivers in its quieter moments: In the wistful, unhurried “Bougainvillea,” each resplendent chorus reveals more brilliant facets as it unfolds, and every time it ends, Coleslaw and Goddard pull back their voices as though they’re about to wish you a good night. —LEOR GALIL

Recommended and notable shows with critics’ insights for the week of March 6 b

SATURDAY8

SahBabii 6:30 PM, Metro, 3730 N. Clark, $30.50–$36.  b

Chicago-born rapper Saaheem “SahBabii” Valdery broke out in 2017 with “Pull Up Wit ah Stick,” an irresistible earworm that reached number eight on Billboard’s Next Big Sound chart. He uses the sort of syrupy flow popular in his adopted hometown of Atlanta, but his velvety voice makes him stand out— on “Pull Up Wit ah Stick,” he can melt into the hazy, chiming synths or shift into attack mode to slice the air with his syllables. On the mike, SahBabii is as fluid as the T-1000 and just as powerful, and you can hear it all over November’s Saaheem, which he reissued the following month in an expanded version called Saaheem (A Lu Bit More) . The original version’s 18 tracks threaten to run together, but fortunately the production lights up some of them in distinctive colors. On “1095 Osbourne St.,” diffuse vaporwave keys and percussion that crackles like tinder in a fire seem to add a delightfully oily sheen to SahBabii’s zonked-out voice—it makes his performance strangely hypnotizing, despite its submerged malevolence. If every one of his songs were that good, then 18 of them wouldn’t be nearly enough.

—LEOR GALIL

Tobacco City See Pick of the Week at le . Hemlock, Powers/Rolin Duo, and Desert Liminal DJs open. 9 PM, Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western, $18. 21+

SUNDAY9

Glixen Suzy Clue, She’s Green, and Forest open. 8 PM, Schubas, 3159 N. Southport, $18, $16 in advance. 18+

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel to play shoegaze that sounds exciting in 2025, and Phoenix four-piece Glixen prove it. As Gen Z has discovered the decades-old genre, Glixen have ridden this wave of interest—and in 2023, hip Philadelphia label Julia’s War reissued their new EP, She Only Said, on vinyl, which helped cement the band’s reputation. But I think Glixen would have national profile even if shoegaze weren’t undergoing a revival, because their cocooning walls of sound absolutely rip. On their current EP, Quiet Pleasures (AWAL/Wichita), Glixen supersize Aislinn Ritchie’s breathy vocals with rocket-powered guitars and earthshaking rhythms that seem at least as interested in causing avalanches as in keeping time. “All Tied Up” opens with nothing but drums, punching out a cavernous backbeat that really lets you know you’re gonna get flattened when the guitars come in. Quiet Pleasures could be longer—its five songs run 22 minutes—but Glixen don’t need much time to make an impression like a T. rex’s footprint. —LEOR GALIL

Kokoko! Conjunto Primitivo open. 9 PM, Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western, $18. 21+

Kokoko! make incandescent get-down music from

Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The city has long been a musical hotbed, nurturing pan-African jazz and giving birth to Congolese rumba—both of which are designed to get people pumped and moving. Kokoko! deliver experimental electronic party music rooted in Congo lese street culture. They do this in part by using homemade instruments—a choice that’s as much a reaction to the prohibitive expense of traditional instruments as a commentary on the exploitative postcolonial conditions that keep them out of reach. Their exorbitant cost is indicative of broader struggles: The DRC remains subjugated because Western countries expropriate its wealth in the form of cobalt (essential to lithium-ion batteries), coltan (essential to smartphones and other electronics), rubber, and diamonds. Kokoko!’s instruments and their way of playing them cannot be easily extracted or replicated. This underscores the unique value each member brings to the group and embodies their collective spirit of rebellion. Kokoko!’s sound lives and dies on its own terms— and boy, do those songs live. After catching their Chicago debut at the World Music Festival in 2019, Reader editor Philip Montoro described the crowd as moving so hard that “sweat fogged the air.” When I saw them at the Empty Bottle in 2023, their headlining set got the crowd so wild that they might as well have been dancing to minuets for the earlier sets. This month Kokoko! make their third Chicago appearance, in support of their latest record, Butu (Transgressive), which dropped in July. The sparse, synth-driven album, whose name means “night” in Lingala, fuses pan-African drumming and singing with an audible 90s rave aesthetic. While it’s more stripped-down than Kokoko!’s previous releases, it retains their demand to let loose. So come out and bring a water bottle, because you’re gonna sweat like you’re partying in a west-side warehouse basement at 3 AM on a summer Saturday night. —MICCO CAPORALE

Lexi Goddard and Chris Coleslaw of Tobacco City HANNAH BAILEY

SahBabii CAM KIRK

MONDAY10

Fujita 8:30 PM, Constellation, 3111 N. Western, $20, $18 in advance. 18+

Yosuke Fujita makes music inspired by his neighbors the trees. “My house is in the mountains,” the Japanese sound artist explained in a 2023 interview with cultural programmers National Sawdust. “I can walk right into the forest from my house, so I think that is my neighborhood.” Fujita stylizes his stage name as “FUJI||||||||||TA,” which creates the impression of a ripple of sound connecting two distinct parts. He performs using a handcra ed keyless pipe organ, whose sound he punctuates with otherworldly vocalizations and sometimes augments with sound-synthesized water tanks. Fujita is influenced by gagaku, a classical style of Japanese music with roots in ancient Shinto ceremonies, and he uses his instrument like a church organ: to communicate reverence to some invisible unknown that animates life on earth.

Fujita’s organ doesn’t sound like anything familiar, and that’s part of the point; he wants to build landscapes of unknown tones. “I sometimes come up with ideas or decide how to perform them in a dream,” he told National Sawdust. “These are fully remembered when I wake up and can be reproduced realistically. Maybe I just think I’m asleep and I’m awake.” In some nondualistic Eastern traditions, creation is understood as a dream populated with divine vessels through which God can know herself. Enlightenment arrives when she, the dreamer— the architect of the landscape—awakens within her dream. Fujita composes using his ear and intuition, oscillating between active and passive listening, call and response, action and surrender. His spirit of discovery and observation makes his sounds feel as organic and alive as the environments that inspire them. Fujita’s music draws a through line between modern, artistic improvisation and timeless, earthbased spirituality. Even if you don’t think you’re open to otherworldly surrender, his concert at Constellation is guaranteed to transform. —MICCO CAPORALE

WEDNESDAY12

Adrian Younge 9 PM, Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western, $30. 21+

My favorite thing about Adrian Younge is his penchant for leather driving gloves. The self-taught composer, neosoul heavyweight, and Jazz Is Dead label cofounder is a man of exacting elegance who brings a suave polish to everything he touches, including his clothes: tweed vests, velvet-trimmed blazers, fur-lined overcoats, gold tie clips, fedoras (always tilted just slightly to the left), black-andwhite brogues. While leather driving gloves were once a wardrobe staple for 80s rockers, these days they’re mostly associated with the country-club set, worn by hands too delicate to touch the ordinary world. Younge has gloves in black, white, and various shades of brown, and they’re o en fingerless. When he dons them, he projects himself as a man with attitude as much as someone deserving of luxury and protection.

Younge’s robust musical catalog veers between

nostalgic and historical, much like his outfits. His jazz-, soul- and funk-infused compositions are so evocative, cinematic, and textural they’d sound at home in a 70s Blaxploitation film, despite their subtle flourishes of modern hip-hop. Younge began his career as an entertainment lawyer and made his first significant mark as a musician in 2009, when he scored the Scott Sanders Blaxploitation satire Black Dynamite. But his real breakout came in 2011, when he released Something About April. He made the record by reworking and expanding the material from an imaginary soundtrack called Venice Dawn

that he’d created in 2000. Jay-Z heavily sampled the album, and so have the likes of Common and Army of the Pharaohs.

Younge has since expanded Something About April into a trilogy, and this intimate Empty Bottle date (where he’ll be accompanied by a ten-piece orchestra) is part of a tour in support of the final installment, which drops April 18 on Linear Labs. Between the first installment and today, Younge has created a dizzying volume of work, collaborating with luminaries such as the Delfonics, Roy Ayers, Kendrick Lamar, Ghostface Killah, and his Jazz Is

Dead cofounder Ali Shaheed Muhammad (of A Tribe Called Quest). In February 2021, he launched a podcast about the psychological toll of institutional racism called Invisible Blackness , which is in conversation with an album he released the same month, The American Negro . Younge understands how he’s grounded by Black pop culture of the 60s and 70s, and he never sidesteps the political or social forces that shaped it—he uses his grasp of style and history as a subtle flex. Some of Younge’s music may be quiet, but he’s not a man who will go quietly.

—MICCO CAPORALE v

Adrian Younge LINEAR LABS

Glixen COURTESY THE ARTIST

Kokoko! COURTESY THE ARTIST

Fujita YUICHIRO NODA

LEFT: Miguel Gutierrez, rehearsal for Super Nothing, 2024. Photo: Amelia Golden. RIGHT, TOP TO

BOTTOM: Performance view: Kaneza Schaal, KLII, The Under the Radar Festival, Chelsea Factory, 2023. Photo: © 2023 Maria Baranova; Wafaa Bilal, Domestic Tension, 2007. © Wafaa Bilal, courtesy of the artist.