A week’s worth of developing stories, events, and signs of the times, culled from the desks, inboxes, and wandering eyes of the editors
Notes
The Land Versus the Library
While there may be some who consider the Obama Presidential Center (OPC) a boon to the South Side, it’s more than clear by now that many Chicagoans have considered the OPC a source of ire since Jackson Park was selected to be its home. There are those who’ve been calling for a Community Benefits Agreement—a legally binding document that would ensure the economic benefits of the OPC’s construction and establishment really are funneled into the South Side—since the Obama Foundation first broke onto the scene. Others bemoan the blemish such a project would make on Frederick Law Olmsted’s (considered by some to be the father of American landscape architecture) greatest Chicago park. And still more worry about the ecological impacts brought by the OPC’s construction. Now the OPC, along with its public and private allies in the city of Chicago, faces a new obstacle: a lawsuit being brought against the Chicago Park District by the Coalition to Save Jackson Park for withholding files they requested using the Freedom of Information Act. We’ll see if this latest development does anything to slow down the OPC’s planning and construction process—a process that, judging by the Foundation’s recent selection of a construction manager, has certainly not been delayed.
Unjust Deserts
We’ve heard about food deserts. But the South Side of Chicago also faces a scarcity issue of a different nature: “pharmacy deserts.” Although this issue gets less attention than its food-related cousin, pharmacy deserts are nonetheless common in communities of color around the country. Chicago’s own lack of drugstores—a lack found overwhelmingly on the South and West Sides—is only getting worse. CVS shuttered eleven of its locations in the last year; Walgreens has shuttered four. Their disappearance has an amplified effect in communities of color because they are also the areas most underserved by public transportation. More and more South and West Side residents are now located more than a mile away from the nearest pharmacy. That mile (or more)—when paired with scant CTA routes, no access to other means of transportation, and bitter winter temperatures—becomes an unbridgeable gap. But bridging is a matter of life and death for those who rely on their prescriptions. A story recently published in the Tribune is helpful for visualizing the problem: the digital version of their article includes two interactive maps, one identifying census tracts in 2015 where there wasn’t a pharmacy at least one mile away (newsflash: these were all on the South, Far South, Southwest, and Southeast Sides of Chicago), and another identifying where there were active pharmacies in 2017 (take a guess where these were concentrated).
RIP Fredo
For many, he’ll be remembered just as he looked on “Trappin’ Ain’t Dead”: leering at his audience, ink cross between his eyes, middle fingers raised high. He collaborated widely, stole Drake’s girl in a music video, and bludgeoned drill into the mainstream by sheer force of will. But above all, as he spit on “Been Savage,” Fredo Santana was the rare rapper that “don’t need a rap deal [to] show you how the trap feel.” His death only feels more tragic for the peace he finally seemed to be finding—he had started a family and been fighting his addiction to lean in 2017. But, an all-caps presence even in death, Fredo continues to cast a long shadow on the tracks he graced. (Chief Keef has three verses to Fredo’s one on “Beetle Juice,” but Keef’s all open with “Fredo in the cut”). On “Ring Bells,” he told us his name would ring bells––and it was already clear he’d ring the bell of anyone who crossed him. It’s devastating to hear a funeral toll.
Calendar
BULLETIN
Now What Professional Workshop
Dyett High School for the Arts, 555 E. 51st St. January 24, 5:30pm–7pm. Free. RSVP at bit.ly/ProfeshBioWorkshop
Donda’s House is hosting a professional workshop series for those who want to learn specific skills in marketing, branding, and artistic expression. Workshop presenter Adrienne Samuels Gibbs is a Pulitzer-nominated arts and culture journalist. Listen to stories from her and other professionals to learn about best practices, receive feedback on how to write a professional bio, and walk away with a new skill set. (Maple Joy)
UMEDICS 2018 Winter Orientation
South Shore Library, 2505 E. 73rd St. Saturday, January 27, 2pm-4pm. Register at bit.ly/umedics2018. Free. umedics.org
In Swahili, ujimaa means collective work and responsibility. With this principle guiding them, Ujimaa Medics welcomes you to their Winter 2018 orientation, where you can learn about their Black health collective and learn the basics of medical care for gunshot wounds and asthma attacks. All ages are welcome and childcare is provided, with priority given to Black participants. (Adia Robinson)
Come and Create Your Financial Vision Board
BopBiz Center, 644 E. 79th St. Saturday, January 27, 3pm–5pm. $15. 17+. bit.ly/CWEGVisionBoard
Do you have financial goals? What does your financial future look like? If you’ve been asking yourself these questions, the Chicago Women Empowerment Group has a Financial Vision Board Workshop for you. Turn your dreams into a reality and learn the necessary techniques to have successful financial goals. Materials and lunch will be provided. (Maple Joy)
Fun Filled Parent and Tot Demo Classes
Comprehensive Learning Services, 1642 E. 56th St. Ste. 110. Wednesday, January 31, 9am–11am. Ages 18 months–4 years. Free. bit.ly/TotDemoClass
Enjoy a fun and free morning with two demonstration classes designed to help your child play and grow. Buddha Belly Yoga explores yoga through movement, stretching, singing and more, while Learning Out Loud helps develop toddlers’ early language skills. (Adia Robinson)
Ben Austen “High-Risers” Book Release Party
The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave. Tuesday, February 6, 7pm. Free. (312) 801-2100. promontorychicago.com
Celebrate the release of Ben Austen’s new book, High-Risers, which explores the history of Cabrini-Green and its significance to housing practices in Chicago and nationwide. Remembrance of the now-defunct housing complex will be a multimedia affair: Sugar Ray Dinke will perform his eighties classic, “Cabrini Green Rap.” (Michael Wasney)
VISUAL ARTS
The Stoop Pilsen—Inaugural Show!
Casa Calle 20, 1538 W. Cullerton St. Friday, January 26, 7pm–9:30pm. $5 donation. thestoop.us
Tribble Tribble and Pipcraz will host The Stoop’s first live lit event in Pilsen featuring Yvette Marie, Luz Damian and Ipninder Singh, and the musical guest MARKBOMBS. Pipcraz also will do a DJ set while featured storytellers and open mic volunteers riff on the theme “Passing You By” without the aid of notes. Lily Be and Clarence Browley originally founded the five-year-old reading series at Rosa’s Lounge in Humboldt Park. (Joseph S. Pete)
Eclipsing: Politics of Night
Arts Incubator, 301 E. Garfield Blvd. Friday, January 26, 7pm–11pm. Free. npatin@uchicago.edu
In honor of the first lunar eclipse of January 2018, join curators Amina Ross and Justin Chance for the “Eclipsing” of this new group exibition that explores conversations of power, landscape, language, space, and visibility. The opening night will feature work from artists Shala Miller, Terrell Davis, Carris Adams, Bethany Collins, Cream Co., Angela Davis Fegan, and more. Check in afterward at the Currency Exchange Café and BING for the Eclipsing Afterparty at 9pm. (Roderick Sawyer)
Mike Cloud: The Myth of Education
Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St. Friday, January 26, 6pm–8pm. Free. (773)-702-2787. arts.uchicago.edu
Chicago-born and Brooklyn-based artist Mike Cloud will be presenting new work for his first solo exhibition in the city. Including handmade collage quilts, large-scale three-dimensional paintings, and paper vessels, his work explores various cultural meanings embedded in signs and symbols. Come early—after audience members have some time to settle in, Cloud will give a tour of the exhibit around 6:30pm. (Roderick Sawyer)
The Artist’s Artist: Bill Walker
Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S. Cornell Ave. Wednesday, January 31, 6pm–8pm.(773) 324-5520. hydeparkart.org
In conjunction with the HPAC’s ongoing exhibition on Bill Walker, “one of the forefathers of Chicago’s mural movement,” friends and artists of Walker—including artist and activist Arlene Turner-Crawford and Weekly staff artist Turtel Onli—will discuss Walker’s impact on today’s activist artists in Chicago and beyond. (Julia Aizuss)
MUSIC
Dogs at Large with Sonny Falls, Gazebo Effect, Bandy
Co-Prosperity Sphere, 3219 S. Morgan St. Friday, January 26, 7pm. $10. 18+. (773) 837-0145. coprosperity.org
Dogs at Large bring an easygoing charm to the indie rock template; their lounge psychadelica is leavened by saxophone, pedal steel, and a heaping spoonful of reverb. To celebrate the release of their second cassette, they’ll gig with some like-minded rock revivalists. (Christopher Good)
Fire-Toolz with Sea Tone, Spa Moans, Hen of the Woods
Archer Ballroom, 3012 S. Archer Ave. #3. Saturday, January 27, doors 8pm, show 9pm. $5–$10. (312) 972-5691. bit.ly/fire-toolz
If you’ve ever had a nostalgia trip for Geocities, then you’re the target audience for Fire-Toolz, Angel Marcloid’s feverish post-vaporwave recording project. Her set will follow Spa Moans’ experimental pop, Sea Tone’s granular noise, and Hen of the Woods’ sonic tweaking. (Christopher Good)
ShotsFired!ShotsFired! With Eske, Jules&Beans, Wvrshp
Co-Prosperity Sphere, 3219 S. Morgan St. Saturday, January 27, 9pm. $7. 18+. (773) 837-0145. coprosperity.org
Spanglish thrash group ShotsFired!ShotsFired! has all the rage you’d expect from post-Trump hardcore plus the energy the exclamation marks suggest. Don’t miss kindred spirits Eske (as in eskeletos). (Christopher Good)
“Winter Journey”––A Choral Concert Celebrating Winter
Hyde Park Union Church, 5600 S. Woodlawn Ave. Sunday, January 28, 5pm. lecantanti.org
The snowfall might be thawing, but Le Cantani di Chicago––that is, “the singing women of Chicago”––are celebrating the season with their annual winter concert. This time around, it’s a particularly special occasion: the choir is releasing its first CD, Imbiana! Come Sing Together. (Christopher Good)
George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic
Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St. Wednesday, January 31, doors 7pm, show 8pm. $38–$58. 17+. (312) 526-3851. thaliahallchicago.com
The Mothership will be touching down in Pilsen, and you know what that means—an unforgettable night with funk legend George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic. With over forty R&B hit singles, three platinum albums, and decades of legendary performances, this isn’t a show to be missed, so get your tickets soon. (Andrew Koski)
STAGE & SCREEN
The Frunchroom
Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St.. Thursday, January 25, 7:30pm. $5 donation to benefit the Beverly Area Arts Alliance is requested. (773) 445-3838. thefrunchroom.com
The Frunchroom returns bigger and better to its new home at the Beverly Arts Center. The live storytelling series features a mix of Chicago storytelling royalty and newbies. Author/essayist Ronnie Hartfield, poet/author/director Nate Marshall, and others will be reading. (Nicole Bond)
Neighbors Night
Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S. Cornell Ave. Friday, January 26, 6pm–9pm. Free. bit.ly/HPNeighborsNight
Mingle with your Hyde Park neighbors for a fun-filled evening. Join in on the art-making activities, have a beverage while listening to some great music, or enjoy watching one of the presented films. (Maple Joy)
Last Days of Revolution featuring Kirill Medvedev and Cauleen Smith
Smart Museum of Art, 5550 S. Greenwood Ave. Friday, January 26, 6pm. Free. (773) 702-0200. smartmuseum.uchicago.edu
This closing event for the Smart’s “Revolution Every Day” exhibition, which featured a collection of short films exploring women’s experiences before and after the Russian Revolution, will begin with Russian poet Kirill Medvedev reading some of his work. His performance will be followed by a discussion between exhibition artist Cauleen Smith and guest curators Robert Bird, Zachary Cahill, and Christina Kaier. (Nicole Bond)
The Learning Tree
Black Cinema House, 1456 E. 70th St.. Friday, January 26, 7pm–9:30pm. Free. (312) 857-5561. rebuild-foundation.org
Iconic photographer/filmmaker Gordon Parks wrote and directed the The Learning Tree, a 1969 film about two Black teens in 1920s Kansas who must navigate the racism they experience all around them. Come to watch the film, stay for the discussion scheduled for after the screening. (Nicole Bond)
Charlamagne tha God—“Black Privilege”
Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. King Dr. Sunday, January 28, 1pm–3pm. $30–$75. (312) 747-4300. bit.ly/CharlamagneThaGod
Charlamagne tha God, co-host of the nationally syndicated radio show The Breakfast Club, will sign copies of his New York Times bestseller Black Privilege: Opportunity Comes to Those Who Create It. After, he’ll discuss his book with moderator Jimalita Tillman. VIP meet and greet begins at 1pm. Doors open for general admission at 2pm. (Nicole Bond)
Relationships 101 with The Extraordinary Everyday Marriage Duo: Sean and Dorian H. Nash
Sunday, January 28, 7pm. bit.ly/DoUStillLoveMe
The Extraordinary Everyday Marriage Duo Sean and Dorian H. Nash, authors of the book Do You Love Me Still?—How We Made It Through Our First Seven Years of Marriage and Beyond, host another Facebook Live segment of their Relationship 101 series. The duo will share some of the practical lessons they have learned in keeping their marriage solid for eighteen years. (Nicole Bond)
All My Sons
Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave. Through Sunday, February 11. Tickets $20– $68. (773) 753-4472. courttheatre.org
Charles Newell directs Arthur Miller’s 1947 Drama Critics’ Award-winning play All My Sons. Featuring Timothy Edward Kane, John Judd, and Kate Collins, this dramatic tale, based on true events, weaves business, love, and tragedy and established Miller as an American theater icon. (Nicole Bond)
FOOD & LAND
Green Power for Green Spaces
Online application form for solar panel system: bit.ly/GreenPowerGreenSpaces. Applications due Monday, January 22.
Do you belong to a community garden that has a use for a solar panel system? El Paseo Community Garden has partnered with a teacher from McKinley Park’s Horizon Science Academy to produce five solar panel systems, for installation in early spring 2018. One will go to the Paseo Community Garden, but the remaining four are up for grabs. The one requirement: gardens must have a “secure, dry shed or enclosure to store the equipment and a south-facing, sunny mountable area.” (Emeline Posner)
Windy City Harvest Corps Info Session
Arturo Velasquez Institute, 2800 S. Western Ave., Rm. 1102. Monday, January 22, 9am–11am, and Monday, February 5, 9am–11am. Free. bit.ly/HarvestCorps
Every year, Windy City Harvest runs a 14-week-long Harvest Corps training program designed to open a door into urban agriculture for those with (nonviolent) criminal backgrounds. Come by on one of the listed mornings for more information on how the multifaceted training program could suit your interests, and where it might lead you. (Emeline Posner)
Museum Week After Hours: Water, Earth, and Sky
Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, and Field Museum, 1200–1400 S. Lake Shore Dr. Wednesday, January 24, 5pm–9pm. Free for Illinois residents, $25 for non-residents. sheddaquarium.org
Experience the museum, aquarium, and planetarium after hours from the perspective of the experts behind the scenes. Try scanning the stars and skies, tending to the Shedd’s animals, or maintaining the Field’s historical relics. Hot chocolate, cocktails, and comfort food will be available as well. (Connor Rudynski)
Your Bountiful Harvest’s Gardening Class
BOP Biz Center, 644 E. 79th St. Saturday, January 27, 3pm–6pm. $50 per class. RSVP to yourbountifulharvest@gmail.com. yourbountifulharvest.com
2018 is the year you can finally cultivate a green thumb of your own. Attend the first of three farm classes led by Safia Rashid, founder of Grand Boulevard-based organization Your Bountiful Harvest, and you’ll be ready to cultivate your own bountiful harvest come springtime. (Michael Wasney)
Urban Livestock Expo!
Southside Occupational Academy, 7342 S. Hoyne Ave. Saturday, February 3, 11am–2pm. Free. (773) 850-0428. bit.ly/SSUrbanLivestockExpo
Advocates for Urban Agriculture, a sustainable agriculture nonprofit in Chicago, teams up with Southside Occupational Academy to showcase the high school’s urban agriculture program and give workshops on raising urban livestock. Tips on how to raise bees, goats, chickens, ducks, and other animals in the city will be available for all experience levels. (Tammy Xu)
51st Street Community Farmers Market Internship Applications
Send applications, questions, to Stephanie Dunn, Sdunn1342@gmail.com. Applications accepted through February 15th. bit.ly/51stInternshipApps
United Human Services, a food pantry that operates twelve community gardens and farms in Back of the Yards, is looking for three farmers market interns and three farming interns for the coming season. The marketing internship will offer a $500 stipend for ten hours a week from May to October, and the farm internship is unpaid, with a free produce share and money-making opportunities at weekly farmers markets, for sixteen hours a week. Candidates will be interviewed and selected by March 15. (Emeline Posner)
Chicago Food Policy Summit
South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 S. South Shore Dr. Friday, February 23, summit 9am–5pm, reception 5:30pm–7:30pm. Reception $10, summit and reception $20. chicagofoodpolicy.com
Registration is now open for the thirteenth annual Chicago Food Policy Summit, organized around this year’s theme “From Survive to Thrive.” The event is hosted by the Chicago Food Policy Action Council, a volunteer organization advocating for equal access to healthy food options in the city. Details about summit workshops, speakers, and vendors to be announced. (Tammy Xu)