reVerse for the Holidays
If you've got a writer on your shopping list, you should check out the totally cool, and totally cheap ($12) poetry and music collaboration titled reVerse. The brainchild of Poetry Center of Chicago Director Kenneth Clarke, reVerse features poem-songs, spoken word, and music by 14 artists, from Chicago and beyond including Li-Young Lee, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, and Lou Reed. Engineered by Wilco's Mikael Jorgensen (who also plays on a few tracks), reVerse is certainly a fine melting together of poetry and songwriting. You can listen to clips, check out artist bios, and purchase a copy online.
- ash | 8.12.04 ~ Business/Shopping

SHHH!
Tired of overhearing other people's cellphone conversations? Don't want to know what the doctor said? You may be interested in joining a new organization, the Society for HandHeld Hushing, just launched by Coudal Partners and Draplindustries. Just download this handy PDF and get to work on a quieter tomorrow!
- ah | 8.12.04 ~ Found on the Web

Holiday Shopping Guide #3
Still trying to come up with a holiday gift? Consider locally created art! The Lill Street Art Center has an awesome gallery, and so does the Chicago Printmakers Collaborative. You might also consider giving someone the gift of learning how to make art themselves.
- ah | 8.12.04 ~ Arts/Architecture

The Real Art Chicago
Running through December 18th is an excellent show at Columbia's Center for Book & Paper Arts, featuring work from Chicagoans Jay Ryan, of Dianogah fame, as well as Archer Prewitt, of local favorites The Sea and Cake. There is a massive amount of work on display here, showcasing Prewitt's Sof'Boy creation as well as a comprehensive selection of Ryan's work as The Bird Machine. If this doesn't manage to satiate your desire for local art, head on over to Foundation Gallery for their new exhibit, Drawing to an End. A theme of time permeates this fantastic group show, highlighting work from gallery staples Jay Ryan, Nick Butcher, Dan Grzeca, Justin Fines, and Seripop.
- km | 8.12.04 ~ Arts/Architecture

Another Way Home
Ronne's Hartfield's book Another Way Home receives two extolling reviews in the Tribune. Part personal memoir and part Chicago history, the book centers on Hartfield's mother and her life as a mixed race American living in the city.
- vcb | 8.12.04 ~ Books/Authors

Drunk, well fed Vikings
With good eats and good drink, what's not to love about Andersonville? Pismire, proprietor of another fine local blog, has written up an excellent review of some of the highlights. While you're here, be sure to pick up a couple bottles of Mr. Hans' Andersonville Glögg at the liquor store at Foster and Clark. Nineteen percent alcohol by volume, it keeps us Vikings warm on those sub-zero Chicago nights.
- de | 7.12.04 ~ Eating/Drinking

Kanye's Got Two Hands Full
The 47th Annual Grammy Award nominations went out today for 2004, and Chicago-native Kanye West leads the pack with 10 nominations including Song of the Year for "Jesus Walks", Album of the Year for "The College Dropout," and Best New Artist. You can check out all of the categories (including Best Hawaiian Music Album) at the Grammy site. The awards show takes place on February 13, 2005.
- ash | 7.12.04 ~ In the News

Recorded Live!
I've been digging through the Internet Archive's Live Music Archive, grabbing concerts from my favorite bands. There's around 500 concerts recorded in Chicago -- lots of jam bands, but also local acts (such as Andrew Bird, Local H and Dolly Varden) and out-of-towners of various genres (Southern Culture on the Skids, Hank Williams III, Los Lonely Boys and more).
- ah | 7.12.04 ~ Music/Clubs

You Are Beautiful: Inspiring Works
The people behind You Are Beautiful are spreading their message further — with the help of some friends. Inspiring Works is a must see. Be on the lookout, a few You Are Beautiful installations are still up around the city (hint — an excellent one on Ashland, south of North Ave., look closely).
- nh | 7.12.04 ~ Arts/Architecture

More Theories About the 'Windy City'
I grew up believing Chicago had been dubbed "The Windy City" because of our long-winded politicians. Later I learned that historians claimed Charles A. Dana of the New York Sun gave Chicago its famous nickname during the competition to hold the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. But a New York parking ticket judge says that story is untrue. And Chicago really received its nickname from -- Cincinnati?
- am | 7.12.04 ~ History

» Above are the last 10 entries. See all of today's entries here or below for entries prior:

• 07/12: Sam's Wine and Extortion Ring?
• 06/12: I Rock in Iraq
• 06/12: Poetry Not Heavy
• 06/12: Check out Free WiFi
• 06/12: Hormel's Bias Against Chicago
• 06/12: Chicago Blogmap gets its own domain
• 06/12: A Wedding at the Lyric Opera
• 06/12: Shop, Drink, and Be Merry
• 05/12: Art of the Past, Architecture of the Future
• 03/12: Blue Frog, Red Lizard