There have been a lot of things said on this site about Taste of Chicago over the years. There are over 750,000 people who head downtown every year to sun, frolic and get their fill of giant turkey legs and corn on sticks. 'Course, that isn't all Taste of Chicago has to offer; even with Chicago Gourmet set to launch in September, Taste is still the food event for the everyman. For those of you......

Since its release last October Raising Sand, the critically lauded collaboration of former Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant and high priestess of bluegrass Allison Krauss, has become something of a phenomenon. Working in tandem with producer T Bone Burnett, who picked and arranged the songs, Raising Sand is a joy to the ears. Its emphasis on blues, country and old R&B is reminiscent of Bob Dylan's records of the past twenty years, while Burnett's......

Since the 1986 release of his debut album Guitar Town, Chicago has long been home to one of Steve Earle's strongest fan bases. He's such a gifted songwriter that fans often overlook the fact that he's essentially made the same record since 1996, right down to the obligatory duet with a female singer, "state of my life" liner notes and beautiful artwork by his good friend, the local artist and noted unemployed film-goer Tony Fitzpatrick.......

The Chicago International Film Festival is one of the highlights of the Chicago movie calendar. Every October for the past several years, we've purchased a festival pass and taken a gamble; in addition to catching films every year that we've already heard about, we always force ourselves to see at least a few films we know nothing about. In the past that's meant such pleasant surprises as Syndromes and a Century and 10th District Court.......

Here's what happened while a punk rock choir distracted us from Doomsday: Fall arts season preview season is here. If you didn’t pick up a Reader over the weekend, you can still bookmark their A & E preview online. The Trib’s writers chose their 10 most promising in theater, art, dance, music (rock and otherwise), comedy and architecture. The Bright One previews Broadway in Chicago and upcoming rock concerts and CDs (remember those?). New City......

Because we’re sickies, we love it when we slap a mosquito that was going for our sweet, sweet blood. There’s something extremely satisfying about kicking Pandora’s ass. That said, if we never had to deal with mosquitoes again, we would gladly give up the rush that comes from squashing them. We hate that we have to give up bananas for months at a time. The city at least takes a step toward that end each......

Mr. and Mrs. Chicago, since you aren't going to see The Scissor Sisters this evening, we have suggested a few other things that may whet your appetite. The ArtWalk Ravenswood was so good we are suggesting it for a second day in a row. • Visit the ArtWalk Ravenswood, Ravenswood Avenue between Roscoe Street and Foster Avenue, to catch the Chicago Women's Caucus for Art exhibit. The ArtWalk Ravenswood site suggests you stop in at......

When you hear the word "Vox" you may think of that delicious vodka you were drinking the other night, but what we're talking about is Six Apart's new personal blogging service. Vox is still in "Preview" mode and is only available by hard-to-come-by invitations, but leave it to Chicagoist to have the hook ups! Five lucky winners will get Vox accounts months before the service is available to the general public and will also get......

Headed into this past weekend, Chicagoist was thinking about laying low and maybe going to see a movie. However, we were invited to attend the Lexus Press Preview event on Saturday, and our attitude changed. Sort of. When we heard that we had to get up at 7 am on a Saturday, we weren't sure we wanted to go. Really. Besides, did they know we drive a 1990 Honda Accord? Not only did Lexus not......

Are you ready for some Bears football? Chicagoist sure is! The preseason is over, the roster is set and the Bears head into 2005 full of optimism but with a rookie QB leading the offense. Will they see an improvement over last year's woeful 5-11 campaign? Or will they continue to languish at the bottom of the NFL standing? With the Bears season starting on Sunday, we thought we'd take a look at what's in......

Chicagoist has just about finished reading Alex Kotlowitz's Never a City So Real: A Walk in Chicago and we think it's pretty fabulous. This 2004 book is a loving examination of our city as seen through detailed portraits of people who care about it deeply. It's less, as classified by the publisher, a travelogue, and more an essential history lesson for us young and/or new Chicagoans, wrapped in engaging biography for all. Kotlowitz has had......

Chicagoist loves "free" so we were happy to hear about these three upcoming free events. Big Band & Beyond At 6:30 p.m. on Monday, August 30, three Chicago jazz favorites will unite for a free performance at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. Big Band & Beyond will feature vocalist Kurt Elling and the Chicago Jazz Orchestra will be joined by saxophonist Von Freeman in his first big band collaboration since 1946. They'll be playing......

» Chicagoist gets a sneak preview of Matt & Ben and loves it »Costco starts selling discount caskets » Keyes entertains us with talk of tax breaks for decendants of African-American slaves and his abortion stance. Also by butting heads with Obama at the Indian Independence Day Parade. » Will Deerfield get a Gehry-designed library? » IL residents will soon be able to buy cheaper prescription drugs from Ireland, Canada and the U.K. » Wrigley......

After all of the craptacular cinema from the last few months, Chicagoist is definitely ready to get the fall (and the Oscar party) started. I mean, what do the multiplexes have to offer right now, Alien Vs. Predator? "No matter who wins, we lose." Damn right. (See McSweeney's Internet Tendency for a funny take on that epic battle.) Entertainment Weekly's Fall Movie Preview issue, that guilty pleasure among guilty pleasures, and the recent barrage......