Good afternoon. Here’s the latest news you need to know in Chicago. It’s about a 5-minute read that will brief you on today’s biggest stories.
This afternoon will be sunny with a high near 89 degrees. Tonight will be partly cloudy with a low around 74. Tomorrow will be mostly sunny with a slight chance of showers, a high near 92 and heat index values as high as 97.
Thirty years ago, in the summer of 1991, Lollapalooza got its start as a touring event, originally intended as founder Perry Farrell’s way of bidding adieu to his rock act Jane’s Addiction. Yet, it soon proved successful and became one of the early American models for the thriving and popular festivals that have now become a cornerstone of contemporary culture across the globe.
In the past two years, the event has shown its resiliency and innovative spirit, quickly vaulting to a comprehensive virtual model amid a global pandemic in 2020, and returning this summer as one of the first major music festival events hosted in Chicago (and the country for that matter).
Though a few things have changed this year — no Kidzapalooza stage and strict, new COVID-19 guidelines to be aware of before heading to the park — the stacked four-day lineup is an impressive feat to have pulled off in record time.
Here are the 10 acts people will be buzzing about when the weekend wraps:
Coming out of her kid star shell over the course of the past decade, Miley Cyrus has been experimenting with her self image and music image in that time span, but where she’s landed recently with the glam rock album “Plastic Hearts” is a great place for that ballsy energy and unique voice. Cyrus’ constant state of flux also means anything goes in this set. Will she unleash her latest Metallica cover? Will former collaborators The Flaming Lips join her for a hamster ball ‘palooza? Will she do a duet with dad Billy Ray? Cyrus no doubt will bring the surprises in this festival opening night finale. (8:45 p.m. Thursday, T-Mobile Stage)
Click here to read about nine other must-see acts coming to Grant Park later this week.
The person behind the famed Twitter account “Chicago Party Aunt” was revealed today.
He’s 38-year-old Chris Witaske, a Los Angeles-based actor and comedian best known for his role on Netflix’s “Love.” He’s been running the Twitter account, which parodies a party-loving, middle-aged woman from Chicago.
The grand reveal came today along with news that Netflix is turning “Chicago Party Aunt” into an adult animated comedy premiering Sept. 17.
Witaske, who grew up in St. Charles, previously lived in Chicago where he performed at Second City and iO.
He has appeared on several series including his role as Chris Czajkowski on “Love.” Other television credits include “Arrested Development,” “Teachers” and “Lady Bird.”
“Chicago Party Aunt” will feature Witaske as well as RuPaul Charles, Ike Barinholtz, Jon Barinholtz, Katie Rich and others.
However, Witaske won’t be voicing the title character. That role goes to Lauren Ash, who will voice Diane Dunbrowski, otherwise known as the Chicago Party Aunt.
Katelyn Haas has more on the new show here.
Say you’ve been tasked with writing a show set in Chicago — who’s the main character? What parts of the city will be featured?
Reply to this email (please include your first name and where you live) and we might feature your answer in the next Afternoon Edition.
Yesterday, we asked you: the National Sports Collectors Convention is in town this week. Do you collect anything? What and why? Here’s what some of you said…
“I’ve collected all the hats worn in the locker room after each Chicago Bulls NBA championship game. Never worn and the tags are still on them! I collected them because I realized it was a historic period in Bulls team history. The Bulls dominated the 1990s decade in basketball — Michael, Scottie and the guys. It was great.” — Charles Woods
“I collect sports cards and am planning to go the National this weekend. I collected as a kid and got back into the hobby 2 years ago. It’s fun opening up a box of cards, because you never know what you’re going to get. The people who are in the hobby are great as well. I go to my local card shop frequently and always learn something new or debate a card’s worth with people who enjoy the hobby as well.” — Art Olvera Jr.
“Vinyl records because I enjoy listening to music.” — Mike Guido
“Angels. I had a near-death experience 35 years ago. When I woke up, I was attracted to stories about angels — books, ceramic angels, etc. At one time, I had a collection of over 100 Angels.” — Genevieve Williams
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