Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Kevin Hart and the real problem with the Oscars Comedian Kevin Hart made a comedy joke that lampooned Gays and he was quickly tossed from hosting this year’s Oscars. But the real controversy is the Oscars. Are they even relevant anymore? By Ray Hanania I wish the Oscars reacted to complaints as fast and as…
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New comedy club opens in Chicago’s Logan Square On November 1st, 2018 Logan Square Improv opened its doors to the public. Logan Square Improv, or LSI, is the newest addition to the lineup of comedy theaters in Chicago, and the first of its kind in the Logan Square area. Co-founded by Chicago comedians, Andrew Lemna…
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Chicago’s Top Holiday & Seasonal Events Happy Holidays! With a distinct chill in the Chicago air, we have officially made it to the most wonderful time of the year. From the city’s top shopping destinations, including a one-of-a-kind art show and a beloved antique market, to holiday entertainment opportunities, including a festive musical and elevated…
Sketch Comedy Festival Jan. 10-19, 2019 SketchFest Executive Producer Jill Valentine is thrilled to announce the official line-up for the 18th Annual Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival, taking place January 10 through January 20, 2019 at Stage 773. Since its inception in 2002, the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival has grown to be the largest festival of…
Friends of Park opposes private use of public land for Obama library Friends of the Parks responds to the Chicago City Council adoption of an ordinance authorizing construction of the Obama Presidential Center on park land in Jackson Park on Chicago’s South Side. Public Pressure Ensures Movement Toward a “Park Positive” Outcome for Jackson Park Friends…
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High school senior says writing book will improve student grades Aaron Hanania will sign copies of his new book at an event on Thursday, October 25, 2018, at the Oak Lawn Library from 6 pm until 8 pm, and discuss how young students can become better students through disciplined writing and storytelling. A writing project…
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Roseanne Barr should spin-off her own new series Just because ABC TV Network doesn’t want Roseanne Barr in the newly re-engineered Roseanne TV series called “The Conners,” doesn’t mean she can’t be the star of her own re-engineered Roseanne TV series with its own premise, starring Roseanne Barr. By Ray Hanania I really enjoyed the…
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Singing the blues in the Southwest Region The Southwest Region southwest side of Chicago and the southwest suburbs) continue to grow, adding to their assets including Midway Airport and Toyota Park. The most recent addition is the new Lyons BluesFest which kicks off on Sept. 22, 2018, in the Village of Lyons. The organizers have…
Windy City Blues Society launches Blues Festival in Lyons Headliners include Nellie “Tiger” Travis, Lurrie Bell, and The Mike Wheeler Band. Tomiko Dixon (granddaughter of blues legend Willie Dixon), and Buddy Guy’s daughter Carlise Guy and the NuBlu Band along with Deak Harp & Quicksand from Clarksdale Mississippi round out the big Saturday Showcase. The…
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Getting bored by the empty void of streaming TV With so many streaming cable options all competing for the public’s attention, there are some great choices and some terrible ones. And there are things that each system can do to improve their services, besides adding quality original programming to their offerings. When the monthly subscription…
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Jeff Lynne’s ELO impresses Band delivers hit songs in a dazzling concert By Steve Metsch So it took 35 years for Jeff Lynne to bring his Electric Light Orchestra back on the road. It was well-worth the wait. Lynne and this version of his ELO band – which did not include any other original members…
Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago announces Fall LookOut series LookOut is Steppenwolf’s performance series that presents the work of artists and companies across genre and form. Emerging artists and performance legends, quintessential Chicago companies and young aspiring ensembles, familiar Steppenwolf faces and new friends. Unless specified otherwise, all performances take place in Steppenwolf”s 1700 Theatre, an…
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The Israeli Palestinian Comedy Tour overview The Israeli Palestinian Comedy Tour was co-founded by Palestinian Ray Hanania and Israeli Charley Warady. It included Jewish American comedian Aaron Freeman and Israeli comedian Yisrael Campbell. The group performed comedy shows before live audiences throughout Israel in 2007 including in West Jerusalem, East Jerusalem, Jaffa, Hebron, Tel Aviv,…
Chicago Cultural Alliance offers wide range of ethnic programs As usual, we have a ton of events for you to enjoy all around Chicago. Our online event listing is chock full of events hand picked just for you, including exhibitions, concerts, film screenings, workshops, and more! It’s been hot out, so we’re taking a quick…
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Orland Park High school junior publishes SciFi novel Orland Park High school junior Aaron Hanania published his first SciFi novel this month, a tale involving a science experiment that has gone wrong. Hanania, 17, said he was inspired to write the book because of his love for writing. A straight A honor student for almost…
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Oak Lawn Library offers summer programs LEAP: Lunch, Explore and Play Many kids rely on meals they receive from school during the academic year, but they lose that reliable source of food during the summer months. That’s why the Oak Lawn Public Library, 9427 S. Raymond Ave, is offering LEAP: Lunch, Explore and Play—to nourish…
Xfinity-Comcast excels at providing remote access Whatever issues might exist with WiFi services, Xfinity-Comcast does offer the best remote access to your cable TV account, far better than any of the other competitors including DirecTV. Xfinity allows customers to view programs they have recorded on their home systems remotely, from anywhere where WiFi access is available…
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Lyons concert series returns “Music in the Park” starts July 11 By Steve Metsch Eight weeks of free music will be presented in the gazebo at Veterans Park in Lyons starting on July 11. The village’s “Music in the Park” series presents a wide variety of music from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday nights….