Sacha Mullin, 32, is a singer-songwriter and pianist who teaches voice and piano to private students and works as an administrative assistant for Peter McDowell Arts Consulting. He has performed with the bands Lovely Little Girls and Cheer-Accident, and he’s released two albums of his own music, 2013’s Whelm and 2017’s Duplex.

I mostly grew up in Minnesota. I was there for about 18 years, and then around 2011 I decided to move to Chicago. I love New York dearly, or at least the idea of what New York was–it’s permanently crystallized in my head as the Seinfeld era–but New York is very different now. I had thought, well, you know, Minneapolis is sort of Cindy Brady and New York is Marcia, so I’ll move to Jan. You know, Chicago.

I got an apartment on Craigslist and prayed that the people who lived there weren’t going to murder me. They ended up being friendly and fine. And it was because of them that I attended a weird dinner party and met [Quimby’s manager] Liz Mason, who’s now a dear friend of mine. Liz and I now do The Found *NSYNC Fan Fiction Radio Hour, a podcast where we read *NSYNC fanfiction that was found in a binder in a Goodwill.

I did know a few people in Chicago before I moved here–a band from Minneapolis called Guzzlemug. I went to college with two of the three members. And I was like, “Well, I know you. Let’s hang out.” The drummer, Charlie [Werber], was in a couple of other projects as well, and he sent me an e-mail from this group called Lovely Little Girls. I thought, “That’s an odd band name.” And Charlie said, “They need a keyboard player.” And I was like, you know, Charlie, I appreciate the offer, but I kind of want nothing to do with music right now; I’m trying to rebuild myself. And then they found a keyboard player, and then there were some more persistent e-mails to me asking, “Well, will you sing backup?”

So I asked for a demo CD. My mom had given me a Panera gift card. I walked about 45 minutes to a Panera with the CD and a laptop and sat there listening and eating salad. Lovely Little Girls has some rather ribald lyrics. I was listening, thinking, “What on earth is going on here?” And then I said out loud, “What the fuck?” It just kind of came out of my mouth.

I’ve always kind of been the person that wanted to conquer different challenges, and I’m glad I just fell into this band without any context. I just said to myself, “Yeah, I’ll sing these really acrobatic lines.”

I ended up making two records with them and toured a couple of times. It taught me a lot about myself as a singer. I felt like a Swiss Army knife. It’s amazing that in that band we were able to somehow distinctively bring our own sounds. You have a group of nine very idiosyncratic people, all very different, and it somehow coalesced into this really interesting music.

My folks were involved in church music, like from the Catholic angle. My mom was always playing this one cassette tape of Sandi Patty’s “Pour On the Power.” I can’t with that song. My mom is a great singer, and she often had jobs at churches as the music or choral director. So I learned the harmony style of Catholic music kind of through osmosis, which is great from a music-theory standpoint. I hit “cancel” when it came to Catholic confirmation–I was done after the free trial. But, you know, those formative sounds are always with you.

One particular memory I have from childhood is hearing the end credits to the Coneheads movie, and Morten Harket from A-ha sings a Frankie Valli song (“Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”). And I just remember thinking, “How do I get to be a disembodied voice over the credits for a movie?”

I’m attracted to things on the margins. I can put a couple of weird things on a plate, and it makes sense to me. I definitely have a lot of memories of failing spectacularly at that sort of thing, but I think I’m at a point where I can go, “Well, maybe like a Balkan-style harmony would make sense over this, and then this sort of progressive underpinning with an R&B bass line . . . ” I’m not typically composing in the sense of music theory; I can, but I want to assemble things as if I’m storyboarding in my head. In a way, I feel like a casting director for sound.

During the COVID lockdown period, I felt like there were times that my heart stopped–there were moments where things fell apart because we couldn’t be near anyone. There was a reunion of an old band that I was involved in, and we got pretty far in the recording stages of a project and it just all fell apart–the energy was gone, the mojo was gone. I had a relationship I was in that fell apart because of the distance.

But limitations always create opportunity when you get over the sulking. The benefit was that I focused on my apartment that I’ve been in for eight years and realized, “This isn’t just a stopping point; maybe you should finally unpack a couple of boxes.” I bought a nice mirror and I assembled a desk, and now it looks like I live in a Michaels. So, small things.

And I was working–I was teaching voice, and I had been working as an administrative assistant for a long time. I also work with Darien Williams at Cafe Mustache, putting together events (filmed live and streamed on Twitch during the pandemic). Thankfully we’re now in a time and space where a “live studio audience” is welcomed back in, and the support has been great.

I was able to finish a record that I started a couple of years ago with Todd Rittmann [of Dead Rider]. Todd is a very good friend of mine and an absolute goofball. I think that we’ve made something really cool. And I am elated that I was recently signed to Dog & Pony Records, who are scheduled to release my album with Todd early next year. They might help me release a digital reissue of my 2017 album Duplex as well.

If someone asks me to sing backup, I am there. It’s my favorite thing to do–resonating against someone else’s voice. But I’m excited about this new record with Todd. It’s really great to feel like I’m in my own skin with this record. v

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Led by Jon Langford of the Mekons and the Waco Brothers, Chicago alt-country band the Pine Valley Cosmonauts have covered plenty of ground in their quarter century or so of existence: they’ve made tribute albums for icons such as Bob Wills and Johnny Cash, spearheaded a series of death-themed covers compilations called The Executioner’s Last Songs, and provided backing for solo musicians, including Chicago folkie Kelly Hogan and Chumbawamba cofounder Danbert Nobacon. The ensemble’s latest endeavor is The Closing Time, a track-by-track interpretation of Tom Waits’s 1973 debut, Closing Time. In the Pine Valley Cosmonauts’ hands, the album’s melancholy ballads of reminiscence and regret feel like the perfect memorial for the times before the pandemic, and their evocations of lonely late nights and community arrive as a balm after more than a year of isolation. (I know what the Hideout, which is hosting these shows, smells like at 6 AM–and I appreciate that knowledge more now than ever.) The Closing Time reminds us of some of the things we’ve been missing since venues were forced to close last spring: camaraderie with folks you don’t know well but keep seeing at shows, for instance, or the experience of having an intimate conversation with someone you’ve never seen in daylight, so that you don’t recognize them in the supermarket. Tom Waits was only 24 when he made Closing Time, and it’s been argued that he hadn’t yet accumulated the weight of life experience to sing about what he did on that album. But the brilliant barfly talents present on this record certainly have put in the years, and not just collectively–joining Langford is a cast of alt-country and folk-rock royalty that includes Andrew Bird, Sally Timms, Jeff Tweedy, Rosie Flores, and Janet Bean. These shows, which will feature Langford, Bean, Timms, Bethany Thomas, John Szymanski, Rick Cookin’ Sherry, Nora O’Connor, and Dave Crawford, are benefits for the Chicago Independent Venue League (CIVL). Langford will also moderate Q&As with the show’s coproducer, Gregory Hall of Virtue Cider. v

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Chicago White Sox: Billy Hamilton is the ultimate super-weapon by Vincent Parise

While Chicago Bears fans have celebrated the selection of Justin Fields back in April, another story they’ve been keeping an eye on has been the drama unfolding in Green Bay between the Packers’ front office and quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Many speculated that Rodgers would opt out of the 2021-22 NFL season because a trade this summer seemed unlikely. Now that the deadline to opt-out has passed, it is clear that Rodgers will either be traded or return to suit up for one final season in Green Bay.

The Aaron Rodgers story shouldn’t really matter to the Chicago Bears at all.

For the Chicago Bears, no matter the result of the Packers-Rodgers drama, their mission in 2021 remains the same. Their future outlook over the next 10 years is still brighter than their historic rival if Justin Fields is everything the team drafted him to be.

If the Packers do trade Rodgers, the Bears become the favorite to win that division. The media will tell you it’s the Minnesota Vikings but the Bears’ 5-1 record over the last three years versus Minnesota paints a different picture. However, even if the Packers do keep Rodgers, is a run to the playoffs out of the question for the Bears this season?

The Chicago Bears could definitely make the playoffs this season with an emerging Justin Fields and a return to 2018 or 2019 form for the defense. The NFC has gotten weaker as Drew Brees has retired and most of the other teams are relatively even with only the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a clear level above the competition.

This is why the Packers drama should not matter to Bears fans or the organization because whether or not Rodgers plays for Green Bay this season, the Chicago Bears could find themselves back in the playoffs. The primary goal of this season is the development of Justin Fields. Whether they make the playoffs as a division winner or wildcard takes a backseat to the importance of Justin Fields’ growth as a leader and franchise quarterback.

If the Bears ride their defense back to a division crown as they did in 2018, that would be great. However, the season would only be considered a true success if, for the first time in franchise history, the Chicago Bears field a quarterback who can lead them consistently week in and week out. With this goal in mind, the importance of the Packers drama is minimal for Matt Nagy and the Chicago Bears and should be for fans also.

I believe people have played up the significance of the Packers’ situation for the Bears because Matt Nagy is allegedly coaching to keep his job in 2021. A division without Aaron Rodgers would surely make it easier for him to stack enough wins to keep him around another year. However, this line of thinking is flawed. Matt Nagy’s seat would only begin to get hot if there was no improvement in QB play regardless of whether or not the team itself made the playoffs.

For example, if the Chicago Bears have a repeat of 2020 and once again rank in the bottom 10 in QB play but somehow make the playoffs in a division without Aaron Rodgers, his seat would be much hotter than if Justin Fields shows exceptional promise as a rookie and they narrowly miss the playoffs at 9-8 or 8-9 in a division with or without Aaron Rodgers.

Related Story: Chicago Bears’ QB Justin Fields looks ripped in latest photo

Ultimately, it would be exciting to potentially start the season without having to schedule two losses to the Green Bay Packers because of Aaron Rodgers. However, I for one, am more excited to watch the development of Justin Fields. He could potentially turn the rivalry around and help them pencil in two wins against the Packers every year for the next 15 seasons.

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Two people were killed, and nineteen others were wounded, in shootings Wednesday in Chicago, including a man who was killed, and a woman who was injured in a shooting in Lawndale on the West Side.

They were near the sidewalk about 7:40 p.m. in the 1300 block of South Lawndale Avenue when they heard shots and felt pain, Chicago police said. The 59-year-old man was struck in the chest and was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He hasn’t been identified. The woman, 46, was shot in the foot and was transported to Stroger Hospital in good condition.

A man was shot to death in Austin on the West Side. Someone fired shots at the 26-year-old about 5:53 p.m. in the 4800 block of West Van Buren Street, police said. He was struck in the abdomen and knee. Witnesses drove him to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Witnesses who dropped off the man wouldn’t cooperate and with officers.

In non-fatal shootings, a 41-year-old man was critically wounded in Austin on the West Side. About 11 p.m., he was standing outside in the 5500 block of West Chicago Avenue, when he heard several shots, police said. He was struck throughout the body and taken to the Loyola University Medical Center for treatment.

Minutes prior, a 20-year-old man was shot in Rogers Park on the North Side. About 10:30 p.m., he was standing outside in the 6500 block of North Ashland Avenue, when he heard several shots and felt a pain, police said. He was struck in the leg and taken to St. Francis Hospital in good condition.

Three people were wounded, one critically, in a shooting in East Garfield Park. They were on the sidewalk about 7:30 p.m. when someone opened fire in the 3500 block of West Lake Street, police said. A 35-year-old man suffered multiple gunshot wounds on the body and was taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition. A 24-year-old woman was grazed by a bullet in the thigh. Her hospitalizations were unknown. Another woman, 27, was shot in the back and taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital in critical condition.

Two men were wounded in a shooting in Back of the Yards on the South Side. Two 30-year-old men were walking about 6:40 a.m. in the 5300 Block of South Hoyne when someone opened fire, police said. One man was shot in the leg, while the other sustained lacerations to his face. The two men drove themselves to Mercy Hospital and Medical Center before being taken to Stroger Hospital. Their conditions were stabilized.

Eleven others were wounded in shootings citywide.

One person was killed, and seven others wounded in shootings Tuesday across Chicago.

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Welcome to our roundup of movie screenings and events in Chicago. Bookmark this page and check back for updates on shows and activities.

‘The Lord of the Rings Trilogy’

New Line Cinema

When: July 9-15

Where: Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport

What: Hard to believe it’s been nearly 20 years since Peter Jackson’s adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Fellowship of the Ring” hit movie screens and wowed audiences with its epic cinematic storytelling. To celebrate this anniversary, the Music Box Theatre presents all three films in their original 35mm theatrical editions. Follow the adventures of young Hobbit Frodo Baggins (Elijah Woods) who inherits the Ring and is tasked with saving civilization in “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,” “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” and “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.” Tickets: $11.x

More information: musicboxtheatre.com

‘The World of Gordon Parks’

When: Through July 22

Where: Online

What: Chicago Film Archives presents a free online program featuring film work inspired by the iconic photographer’s photo essays created for Life magazine. In collaboration with the Gordon Parks Foundation and Anthology Film Archives, three documentary works are featured: “Flavio” (1964), a film centering on Flavio da Silva, a young boy from the favelas of Rio de Janeiro; “Diary of a Harlem Family” (1968), which utilizes Parks’s photographs and narration to reveal the racism and economic hardships experienced by Harlem residents and “The World of Piri Thomas” (1968), which looks at the issue of poverty through the eyes of the Puerto Rican-Cuban writer and poet. Also included is Romas Slezas’s 1973 short “Listen to a Stranger: An Interview with Gordon Parks” — the photographer-filmmaker would go on to make five feature films including the Blaxploitation classic “Shaft” (1971).

More information: chicagofilmarchives.org

‘Movies in the Parks’

When: To Sept. 14

Where: In parks throughout Chicago

What: The Chicago Park District’s series returns with films ranging from Hollywood classics to retro childhood favorites and family-friendly offerings from recent years. Admission is free.

More information: For a complete list of films and parks, visit chicagoparkdistrict.com/movies.

Garden Movies

Music Box Theatre

When: All summer long

Where: 3733 N. Southport

What: The Music Box Theatre is screening films in its expanded courtyard under the stars. Tickets: $9.

More information: musicboxtheatre.com

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Chicago Craft Beer Weekend, July 9-11

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By Mark McDermott,
today at 11:47 pm

It’s entirely possible I may be missing a few more events, as I try to push more of them into these articles, and to prepare for upcoming vacations. I’m expecting that as I find out about events after the publication date of these updates (Wednesday for the weekend calendars, Saturday for the Mon-Thu), I can encourage you to keep checking my sort-of Beeronaut Calendar App.

Friday, July 9

7:00 – 9:00 pm • Trivia Night
Miskatonic Brewing Co., 1000 N. Frontage Rd., Darien, IL (630) 541-9414 Map
Are you tired of sitting at home answering every question correct on Jeopardy with nothing to show for it?
Join Heather with Baig of Tricks Entertainment at Miskatonic Brewing Co. for two full hours of general knowledge trivia, including awesome themed bonus rounds and everyone’s favorite – the music round!
While we’re testing your wit, Miskatonic will keep you fueled up with their fantastic selection of craft brews!
Trivia is always free to play, but we’re not just playing for fun – the top teams each night take home some awesome prizes!
**Please follow ALL Covid-19 guidelines and restrictions put in place by the venue, and here are a few extra tips:
1) Please bring your own pen/pencil. Our host will have pencils just in case, but it would be best to use your own for everyone’s safety & comfort.
2) The questions will be read by your host over our PA system, but may not be displayed on a screen if one is not easily available.
3) Any and all rules/restrictions are subject to change.

Flossmoor Station’s 25th Anniversary
Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery, 1035 Sterling Ave., Flossmoor, IL (708) 957-BREW Map
We’re celebrating our 25th Anniversary at the Station – and in the Craft Beer Garden – all weekend long from Friday, July 9 through Sunday, July 11! The event will highlight the Station’s 25 years in the community with some 90s nostalgia, including menu favorites, signature craft beer, music, raffles, giveaways and more!
On Friday we will be releasing a 25th Anniversary B.A. Wooden Hell Barleywine! This special edition 2021 Wooden Hell was aged for 25 months in Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels. We’ll be tapping and releasing bottles of it when we open that day to kick off the anniversary weekend!
We’ll also have a limited release of Wooden Hell 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2020 bottles. Plan to stop by the Station early to add them all to your collection!
We’ll be releasing our The Hidden Gem Kölsch! This beer was brewed in honor of Flossmoor and The Hidden Gem Half Marathon. We’re so excited for its return!

10:00 am – 3:00 pm • Iron&Glass Hop Butcher Pickups
Iron&Glass, 632 S. Weber Rd., Romeoville, IL (815) 782-5559 Map
& Iron&Glass Minooka, 104 Ridge Rd., Minooka, IL (815) 255-2114 Map
It’s time to get those Hop Butcher for the World orders in – pick up on Friday 7/9
Old School Hawaii Vibes: Citra & Strata-hopped Double Milkshake India Pale Ale Brewed With Pineapple, Coconut & Vanilla
Unwind Your Mind: 2017 Can Can Awards Gold Medal Winner (Imperial India Pale Ale Category). Mosaic, Motueka & El Dorado-hopped Double India Pale Ale
Order at
Romeoville: ironglasstap.shopsettings.com
Minooka: ironglasstapminooka.shopsettings.com

12:00 – 5:00 pm • Sunday Fun Day
The Beer and Now, 2801 Ogden Ave., Ste 7, Lisle, IL (630) 946-6660 Map
Every Sunday stop by for $1 off all draft beers!

2:00 – 5:00 pm • Dry City Friday Tapping
Dry City Brew Works, 120B N. Main St., Wheaton, IL (630) 456-4787 Map
Tapping Light as the Breeze. Music from the Good Combo Jazz Trio, 6-9 pm.

3:00 – 8:00 pm • Food Truck Friday w/ Lil’ Deb’s
Werk Force Brewing, 14903 S. Center St., Plainfield, IL 815-531-5557 Map
Lil’ Deb’s Express Eats will be with us this Friday! Come on down for hot dogs, polish sausages and more! We’ll keep the beer cold for you!

4:00 – 7:00 pm • BBQ & Dovetail
The Beer Cellar, 488 Crescent Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL 630-315-5060 Map
Friday is shaping up to be the greatest day in history. Not only is the weather scheduled to be perfect, but we have two amazing popups Friday July 9th from 4-7! Steamboat BBQ will be here serving Chopped Brisket Sandwiches, Pulled Pork Sandwiches and their World Famous Brisket Smash Burgers! We’ve teamed up with Dovetail Brewery to bring you 6 Lambics! We will have the following Lambic on draft: Cherry, Raspberry, Plum, Peach, Strawberry, Blueberry! We will also have Helles and Kölsch to wash down your tums with!

4:00 – 8:00 pm • BBQ Benefit Pop Up
Goldfinger Brewing Co., 513 Rogers St., Downers Grove, IL (630) 541-9728 Map
Chuckheads, it’s time for another BBQ Pop Up Stop!  Chuck’s Cafe Darien was supposed to be setting up shop at Skeleton Key on this date but due to the horrific storms, Goldfinger has stepped up and we’re setting up shop for the night there!
We want to continue to give back to SKB and all cash sales that Chuck’s rings in from 4-8p this evening will go directly back to SKB & it’s amazing staff!
We’re bringing our killer $6 Menu w/ us so be sure to swing on by & visit us for some great local brews & BBQ!

4:00 – 8:00 pm • Happy Lobster Truck
Solemn Oath Brewery, 1661 Quincy Ave. #179, Naperville IL (630) 995-3062 Map
Three words. LOB IS LAW. Alright so maybe one of them is an abbreviated word, but we’ve been saying it long enough for most SOBs to know what that means. For the uninitiated, we’ll simply say that Happy Lobster Truck doesn’t miss and you don’t want to miss it.
Pre-order only for Friday seafood feasting in the Solemn Springs Community Oasis or take-home lobster roll kits for the whole fam. Either way you shake it, it’ll shake up your taste buds.

4:00 – 8:00 pm • Biker Dude Burgers at Mikerphone Brewing!
Mikerphone Brewing, 121 Garlisch Dr., Elk Grove Village, IL  Map
Smashburger Friday! Stop by for a burger or two on Friday July 9th. 
Biker Dude Burgers will be serving from 4p-sellout. Get here early to make sure you get one! No reservations required, plenty of seating options.

4:30 – 8:00 pm • Food Truck: Serna’s Grill
Plank Road Tap Room, 39W149 Plank Rd., Elgin, IL 224-238-3527 Map
Serna’s Grill will be rolling into the beer garden this summer! They are known for their monster burgers and gyros. But, they have a little something for everyone…. tacos, Italian Beef, and more! Check out their menu here.
Please note: Times and menus are subject to change. PRTR is 21+ only. Children are not allowed on premise.

5:00 – 10:00 pm • Pixie Dawgs Food Truck
Liquid Love Brewing, 1310 Busch Pkwy., Buffalo Grove, IL (630) 699-2628 Map
Join us when Pixie Dawgs food truck will be in the house slangin dawgs, tots, mac & cheese and more!

5:00 – 8:00 pm • Happy Lobster at Tighthead
Tighthead Brewing Co., 161 N. Archer Ave., Mundelein, IL 847-970-9174 Map
Happy Lobster is your Maine source of happiness. We bring the freshest lobster rolls to the streets of Chicago!
We will be accepting orders for pickup at Tighthead Brewing in Mundelein from 5pm-8pm!
All meals come with chips and malt vinegar slaw. 
This service will be Preorder only, through Tock.
$4–$21 required add-ons
Prepaid pickup

9:00 pm • Drive-In, Dinner, and Drinks
Rock Island Public House, 13328 S. Olde Western Ave., Blue Island, IL 708-388-5513 Map
We kick off Robert De Niro weekend with the creepy film, Cape Fear!

Saturday, July 10

9:00 am – 4:00 pm • Bistro Smoothies are back!
Energy City Brewing, 917 First St., Batavia, IL (630) 597-5581 Map
This week’s drive-thru beer release will feature our newest Bistro Smoothie: Pink Guava, Kiwi & Banana!

• Bistro Smoothie – Pink Guava, Kiwi & Banana, fruited Berliner Weisse (6.5% ABV)
• Pineapple & Habanero Heat Wave Turbine, fruited American Sour Ale w/ Sabro hops & medium spiciness (6.5% ABV)
• Crimson Guava Sorbet IPA – Pink Guava & Blood Orange IPA w/ Sabro hops (6.5% ABV)
• Pineapple Coconut MOSA, Hard Seltzer Smoothie (6.5% ABV)
• Strawberry Banana MOSA, Hard Seltzer Smoothie (6.5% ABV)
• Bistro Orange Velvet – Orange, White Chocolate & Vanilla, fruited Berliner Weisse (6.5% ABV)
• Orange Swirl Turbine – Orange & Vanilla w/ Citra hops, fruited American Sour Ale (6.5% ABV)
• Triple Berry MOSA – Blueberry, Blackberry, Raspberry, Hard Seltzer Smoothie (6.5% ABV)

New beer will be available for online pre-order Wednesday, July 7th at noon via shop.energycitybrewing.com
Drive-thru beer pickup time: Saturday, July 10th from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

9:45 – 11:00 am • Twist & Taste Yoga
Mad Hatchet Brewing, 913 Brookforest Ave., Shorewood, IL  Map
Twist & Taste Yoga with Carrie Barnes of CVB Yoga is returning for a class on July 10th! Tickets are $20 and include a complimentary beer tasting pre-class, 1 hour of instruction for any level in our tap room, and a beverage of your choice after (or during) class.

10:00 am – 2:00 pm • Saturday Eats at Sew Hop’d
Sew Hop’d Brewery & Taproom, One Union Special Plaza Suite 113, Huntley, IL  Map
Featuring Huntley’s Taste of Jamaica & Southern Cooking.

12:00 – 4:00 pm • Hops for Hospice
Porter County Expo Center, 215 East Division Road Valparaiso, IN (219) 464-0133 Map
Taste exceptional brews from over 20 brewers in support of nonprofit end-of-life care in Northwest Indiana! Featuring 80+ beers from local and national breweries, food trucks, live music, and more. 
Your admission gets you unlimited tasting, a free commemorative glass, and supports the nonprofit hospice services of VNA of Northwest Indiana, a premier advocate for aging members of the community, providing hospice care, palliative care, Meals on Wheels, community education, grief support for families and children, and recognition programs celebrating the lives of loved ones.
Tickets $10 – $50 at www.hopsforhospice.org.

12:00 – 3:00 pm • Acoustic Pranksters, and Pizza Puff Truck
Miskatonic Brewing Co., 1000 N. Frontage Rd., Darien, IL 630-541-9414 Map
The Cosmic Pranksters‘ first show of 2021 where we played our first ever show in 2019 at Miskatonic Brewing Company. Come for the beer, music and food available from The Pizza Puff Truck!

12:00 pm – 12:00 am • Harborpalooza 2021
Harbor Brewing Co. Lakefront Craft Biergarten, 701 North Point Dr., Winthrop Harbor, IL  Map
Harborpalooza Music Festival! Music all day long from local musicians! Ben Mulwana, Brecken Miles & Talkin Trash!
Food available from local food vendors! Lawn seating available so pack your folding chairs!
Beer from Harbor Brewing Company & Full Bar!

1:00 pm • Oswego Backyard BBQ
Oswego Brewing Co., 61 S. Main St., Oswego, IL (331) 999-1991 Map
Join us for 2021’s Backyard BBQ! Enjoy BBQ from Station One BBQ out of Plainfield, they will be on site from noon to 10 PM! Come and get some BBQ, Beer and Music all day! Here’s what else is happenin’ on Saturday:
MUSIC:
1PM-2:30PM: Moon Rules Apply
3PM-6PM: Michael Rawls Music
7PM-10PM: Aaron Kelly Trio
What’s On The Menu?
Brisket Slider: $4
Brisket/Hot Link Combo Slider: $5
Hot Link: $4.50
Smoked Chicken Leg Quarter: $6
Elote Style Corn: $3
Pinto Beans with Pork Belly: $3
Potato Salad: $3

1:00 – 6:00 pm • Mac Dynamite
Solemn Oath Brewery, 1661 Quincy Ave. #179, Naperville IL (630) 995-3062 Map
Return of the Mac! Mark Morrison had no idea when he dropped his absolute banger that 25 years later we’d all be right here singing the chorus in our head while we think about rearranging our Saturday afternoon schedules to indulge in the gloriousness that is Mac Dynamite. You’re welcome in advance for getting you out of that pesky weekend project you didn’t really want to deal with in the first place. Grab a cabana, grab a fresh Lü Radler, and fire up some cheesy delights for you and the crew this Saturday.

2:00 – 7:00 pm • Food Truck Saturday w/ Calogero’s Pizza 7/10
Werk Force Brewing, 14903 S. Center St., Plainfield, IL (815) 531-5557 Map
Calogero’s Pizza will be with us this Saturday. Come join us for some amazing pizza and brews!

2:00 pm – 12:00 am • Red, White & Brews
Shoreline Brewery, 208 Wabash St., Michigan City, IN 219-879-4677 Map
3 Bands, Fireworks Show After Dark, Various Guest Taps, Awesome Food Specials.
Gerry Hundt 2:30pm
Stealin’ the Farm-6pm
Chester Brown 9pm
$15-Advanced Tickets
$25-Tickets at Door Day of Event
Advanced tickets are now available to purchase at the brewery, or through Eventbrite.

3:00 – 8:00 pm • Lord of the Fryz Pop Up
Imperial Oak Brewing Co., 501 Willow Blvd., Willow Springs, IL (708) 559-7311 Map
Come see us at Imperial Oak this Saturday evening!

5:00 – 8:00 pm • Acoustic Pranksters, and Pizza Puff Truck
Miskatonic Brewing Co., 1000 N. Frontage Rd., Darien, IL 630-541-9414 Map
The Cosmic Pranksters‘ first show of 2021 where we played our first ever show in 2019 at Miskatonic Brewing Company. Come for the beer, music and food available from The Pizza Puff Truck!

5:00 – 10:30 pm • Elburn Fireworks from the Beer Garden
Obscurity Brewing and Craft Mead, 113 W. North St., Elburn, IL (630) 320-2255 Map
Elburn Fireworks from the Beer Garden this Saturday!
The Obscurity Beer Garden has an incredible view of the fireworks as well as live music leading up to them!
We are pre-selling Fireworks Food & Fun Boxes. One for adults and one for kids to add to the fun…and as usual great beer, mead, cocktails, and food!

7:00 pm • Side Lot Bingo!
Side Lot Brewery, 110 Slocum Lake Rd., Wauconda, IL 847-714-2584 Map
We’re playing Bingo again!
Get ready to shake your balls every Tuesday night at Side Lot Brewery. Limited seating is available both inside and outside. Reservations are HIGHLY recommended.
MASKS ARE REQUIRED TO ENTER THE PROPERTY & ANYTIME YOU’RE NOT SEATED. If this is a problem, stay home.

9:00 pm • Drive-In, Dinner, and Drinks
Rock Island Public House, 13328 S. Olde Western Ave., Blue Island, IL 708-388-5513 Map
Robert De Niro weekend continues with the feel good hit, Taxi Driver! Reds The People’s Pie will be taking over the kitchen this Saturday.

Sunday, July 11

8:00 – 11:00 am • Sunday Funday: Puff Truck Pizza Puffs & Lara Bell Music Live
Sew Hop’d Brewery & Taproom, One Union Special Plaza, Ste. 113, Huntley, IL (815) 701-8819 Map
Live music & delicious Puff Truck pizza puffs? Count us in for a family friendly Sunday Funday at the brewery starting at 1p.

11:00 am – 12:30 pm • Molly’s Cupcakes Beer-Cider Pairing (Summer Edition)
Tapville Social – Naperville, 216 S. Washington St., Naperville, IL (630) 536-8739 Map
Come celebrate Summer with Tapville Social as we pair craft beer & cider with Molly’s Cupcakes. Sample five delicious cupcakes and five beer & cider selections.
Get Tickets here ($35).

11:00 am – 5:00 pm • Sunday with BBQ, Cam & Sam, and the Most Awesome Brew Ride
D and G Brewing, 303 N. 4th St., Suite A, Saint Charles, IL (773) 203-2325 Map
Oh, what a Sunday this is.
First, Strawberries BBQ is popping back up at 2pm. Some delicious stuff will be coming at you, like pork belly burnt ends and cheesy potatoes.
Second, Sam & Cam are here. Steel drums and keyboards. They are a great time. Super talented and entertaining. They go on at 3.
Third, it’s the Most Awesome Brew Ride.
Fun bike ride from D and G to Obscurity Brewing & Craft Mead Co. in Elburn, IL and back.
25 mile ride on St. Charles streets, The Great Western trail and quiet country roads.
Out and back ride so you can shorten the distance if needed. $25.00 registration includes Ride T-shirt, Bike Rack water bottle with $20.00 gift card and chips for one beer at each brewery.
eventbrite.com/o/the-bike-rack-33421507281
Everyone is invited for food and music, but you need to register for the ride.

12:00 – 5:00 pm • Sunday Fun Day
The Beer and Now, 2801 Ogden Ave., Ste 7, Lisle, IL (630) 946-6660 Map
Every Sunday stop by for $1 off all draft beers!

12:00 pm • Smallbar 19th Anniversary
Smallbar Logan Square, 2956 N. Albany, Chicago 773-509-9888 Map
Come celebrate our 19th birthday with us, we promise it’s gonna be prettttttty cool.
BBQ plates from Slow Motion Meats, DJs playing real music, special guests and dancing!

12:00 pm • K94Keeps at Kuma’s Corner
Kuma’s Corner, 2900 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago (773) 604-8769 Map
Get on over to Kuma’s Corner on Belmont Ave on July 11th to support K9 4 KEEPS.
A portion of the day’s proceeds will benefit the rescue dogs!
This event is dog friendly to socialized dogs.
We will be there with merch for sale and a raffle basket for you to win!

3:00 – 5:00 pm • Trivia Night at Noon Whistle Lombard
Noon Whistle Brewing, 800 E. Roosevelt Rd., Lombard, IL ​(630) 376-6895 Map
Are you tired of sitting at home answering every question correct on Jeopardy with nothing to show for it?
Come out for our General Knowledge trivia night and join your host as they quiz your teams through two full hours of general knowledge trivia, including awesome themed bonus rounds and music rounds!
While we’re testing your wit, Cellar Door will be keeping you fueled up an incredible food menu and delicious drinks all night, PLUS the top teams will win bragging rights and prizes, so bring your friends, family, and even your enemies (if they’re good at trivia) to increase your chances of winning.
Be sure to get there early and snag your team a spot and fuel up with some drinks, see you soon!
Please follow ALL Covid-19 guidelines and restrictions put in place by the venue, and here are a few extra tips:

1. Please bring your own pen/pencil. Our host will have pencils just in case, but it would be best to use your own for everyone’s safety & comfort.
2. The questions will be read by your host over our PA system, but may not be displayed on a screen if one is not easily available.
3. Any and all rules/restrictions are subject to change.

9:00 pm • Drive-In, Dinner, and Drinks
Rock Island Public House, 13328 S. Olde Western Ave., Blue Island, IL 708-388-5513 Map
Robert DeNiro in Raging Bull!

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TAMPA, Fla. — It only took scoring once for the Tampa Bay Lightning to strike twice and repeat as Stanley Cup champions.

Backstopped by their playoff MVP goaltender and the only two Tampa Bay players on the ice without their name on the Cup, the Lightning won it all for the second time in 10 months by beating the Montreal Canadiens 1-0 in Game 5 on Wednesday night.

Andrei Vasilevskiy had a series-ending shutout for an NHL-record fifth consecutive time dating to the 2020 final. Finishing with a handful in a frantic final minute, he made 22 saves to remain undefeated in games after a loss over the past two playoffs, both contested during a deadly pandemic with the Lightning coming out on top each time.

“It’s unbelievable,” captain Steven Stamkos said. “This group, to go back to back after everything we went through last year in the bubble, to go through this year ups and downs it’s amazing.”

Minutes later, Stamkos paraded the Cup around with fans cheering and pyrotechnics going off behind him.

Ross Colton and David Savard weren’t around last year and made sure to put their stamp on Tampa Bay’s latest title run. Savard set up Coleman’s goal midway through the second period past Canadiens stalwart Carey Price that fired up the crowd of over 17,000 fans at Amalie Arena.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said of Tampa Bay winning a championship, “It feels like things are normal.”

“To do it in front of our fans and our families, it’s so special, special,” defenseman Victor Hedman said. “It’s out of this world. Winning a Stanley Cup is one thing. But doing it in front of our fans, family means the world.”

The scene couldn’t have been any further from the mirthless, empty arena where the Lightning won the Cup last September in a quarantined bubble across the continent in Edmonton, Alberta. Tampa Bay joined Pittsburgh as the only back-to-back Cup winner in the salary-cap era, but even more impressively did it amid virus protocols with the shortest span between championships in the long history of the NHL.

Never losing twice in a row thanks to a combination of Vasilevskiy’s brilliance and one of the deepest rosters constructed since the cap was implemented in 2005, the Lightning solidified their status as a modern-day dynasty.

How deep? Nikita Kucherov had 32 points to join Mario Lemieux as the only players to lead the postseason in scoring two years in a row, and Brayden Point scored 14 goals through three rounds. Kucherov, Point and Hedman all played through injuries, too.

It was just to much for the Canadiens, who relied again on Price to keep them in a game. He finished with 29 saves — one too few to prevent a Cup celebration for Tampa Bay.

The sunbelt franchise in a nontraditional market that didn’t even exist until 1992-93 went through the NHL’s most storied franchise to do it. The Lightning won the Cup for the third time in franchise history and denied Montreal a 25th league championship banner.

The Lightning also added another title for “Champa Bay,” with this title coming on the heels of Tom Brady leading the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl victory in February. The Tampa Bay Rays went to the World Series last fall.

Tampa Bay’s mayor had suggested the Lightning lose Game 4 on the road so they could win at home, and she got her wish as coach Jon Cooper’s team became the first since Chicago in 2015 to hoist the Cup on home ice.

That paved the way not only for fans to roar in approval but for families to join in the celebration, something that wasn’t possible in the bubble. Patrick Maroon became the fourth player in NHL history to win the Cup three years in a row with two teams while Kucherov joined Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky as the only players with 30-plus points in back-to-back playoffs.

The back-to-back title run was spurred by the adversity of the team overcoming the shock of getting swept by Columbus in the first round of the 2019 playoffs. They learned from each loss after that to build up a resolve that’s hard to maintain over as playoff hockey takes a toll.

The Canadiens ran out of gas in what was an otherwise surprise playoff run for a team that opened the postseason with the worst record of the 16 qualifiers. Montreal rallied from a 3-1 first-round series deficit against Toronto and eliminated Winnipeg and Vegas in reaching the final round for the first time since winning the Cup in 1993.

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Three people were wounded, one critically, in a shooting Wednesday night in East Garfield Park.

They were on the sidewalk about 7:30 p.m. when someone opened fire in the 3500 block of West Lake Street, Chicago police said.

A 35-year-old man suffered multiple gunshot wounds on the body and was taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition, police said.

A 24-year-old woman was grazed by a bullet in the thigh, police said. Her hospitalizations were unkown. Another woman, 27, was shot in the back and taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital in critical condition.

No one is in custody as area detectives investigate.

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At least one member of the Cubs’ bullpen likes to wear a shirt with “Failed Starter” emblazoned across the chest, but it’s not likely that Alec Mills will be donning one himself. His vision for his future involves pitching every fifth day.

Mills’ start Wednesday against the Phillies — which helped the Cubs to an 8-3 victory that snapped a hideous 11-game losing streak — was his fifth in a row since sliding into the rotation in mid-June. He pitched five scoreless innings before allowing three runs in the sixth on Bryce Harper’s RBI double and Andrew McCutchen’s two-run homer.

In all, Mills (4-2) went 5 2/3 innings with the three runs, five hits, five strikeouts and a walk, giving the bullpen a much-needed rest after relievers were called upon to pick up 7 2/3 innings in a 15-10 loss Tuesday night. Cubs starters have struggled to go deep into games this season, and the strain on the bullpen shows in a 6.75 ERA among relievers since June 21. The pen had 332 1/3 innings entering Wednesday, the seventh-most in baseball.

Mills’ outing continued a recent trend for him. Against the Reds on July 2, he struck out nine in 5 2/3 innings while allowing just two runs. On June 20, he threw five scoreless innings against the Marlins.

Last September, he tossed a no-hitter against the Brewers.

“He’s done nothing but give us a nice start,” manager David Ross said before the game. “I have a lot of confidence when he’s out there. He throws strikes. He works quick.”

He also sees himself as a permanent member of the rotation in the future, even though he has started just six times in 18 appearances this year — consistent with the way the Cubs have used him since he joined the organization in 2018.

“Multiple roles, very versatile,” Ross said. “Kind of a Swiss Army knife — he fills in in the bullpen, [and] even though he wants to start, he’s willing to do what’s best for us.”

With the Cubs’ pitching situation in flux, Mills probably stands to play a bigger role going forward. Starter Jake Arrieta went on the injured list Wednesday with a hamstring issue, and although Trevor Williams was activated Tuesday, Ross said the plan for the near future is to use Williams in long relief because that’s where the bullpen is thin.

If Arrieta’s hamstring keeps him out of the rotation for a while and Williams continues to be needed out of the pen, Mills might see more time as a starter.

“That guy’s got extreme confidence in himself, and I have a lot of confidence in him,” Ross said. “He’s been a huge piece in our organization and our team that you rely on, and knowing that you can fill him in a lot of spots and you kind of plug some holes.”

The Cubs picked up on offense where they had left off the previous night, when they scored 10 runs for the first time since May 29 against the Reds. They lit up Phillies starter Zack Wheeler — who had a 1.15 ERA in his previous six starts — for five runs in the first two innings and added two more runs in the sixth after Wheeler was pulled.

A call reversal in the first inning set up the Cubs’ first three runs. On a line out by Willson Contreras, Kris Bryant was originally called out at second in what would have been an inning-ending double play. Instead, he was ruled safe upon review and then scored on Jason Heyward’s single. Nico Hoerner and Rafael Ortega followed with RBI singles before the inning was over.

Bryant left in the fourth with tightness in his right hamstring.

Anthony Rizzo’s at-bat in the second was interrupted by a 12-minute rain delay, but when play resumed, he hit an RBI triple, his third three-bagger of the season, then scored on a single by Contreras.

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Community activists on Wednesday called on Gov. J.B. Pritzker to declare a state of emergency decree for gun violence after Chicago recorded its deadliest and most violent weekend yet this year.

Standing outside Chicago Police Department’s headquarters in Bronzeville, activist and former mayoral candidate Ja’Mal Green and founder of My Block, My Hood, My City Jahmal Cole were joined by two other community activists as well as a mother whose 18-year-old son was fatally shot in 2006.

Green called gun violence a “public health crisis” and said “it’s clear” city leadership can’t get a handle on the situation. That’s why, he said, the group is asking Pritzker to step in.

“We are in a state of emergency in our neighborhoods and we need some help,” Green said, noting that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday declared gun violence in his state a disaster emergency.

Cole, who’s running for Congress, agreed with Green and called for “commonsense gun control laws to make sure we put an end to this madness.”

“We got babies dying left and right, we got more technology in our light poles than the classrooms, you got to order your breakfast through bulletproof glass. It’s been a state of emergency,” Cole said.

Over the Fourth of July weekend, 104 people were shot — 19 fatally — in Chicago, and at least 13 children were wounded in the shootings. The violent weekend prompted Ald. Anthony Beale (9th) — whose ward has seen an increase in shootings this year compared to 2020 — to call for the deployment of the Illinois National Guard.

Green disagreed with Beale’s proposal, saying the South and West Side communities plagued by gun violence need more federal funding, not more force.

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

“We’ve seen police try to tackle crime by increasing the police department’s numbers every year. What does that do? They put officers on overtime on holiday weekend, we still had the most violent weekend, so whether they’re in the neighborhoods or not, that’s not going to decrease the number,” Green said.

Green and Cole believe, with Pritzker’s help, that they can address some of the root causes of gun violence, including the lack of mental health facilities, job opportunities and funding for small businesses. Green asked for $1 billion worth of federal funds to be used as an investment into communities in need as well as support organizations embedded in those neighborhoods.

“We need funds for publicly funded mental health services, we need some resources, we need our block clubs to get back to work,” Cole said.

Green said, “We need this now. We can’t take another month, we can’t be doing this press conference in another week, after another bad weekend of violence, after another holiday of gunfire. We got to step in and we got to step in now.”

The group has recently reached out to Pritzker and is still waiting on him to act on their request, according to Green.

In a statement Wednesday evening, Jordan Abudayyeh, a spokeswoman for Pritzker’s office, did not mention Pritzker issuing a state of emergency decree, though she said the Democratic governor is committed to a “comprehensive approach to gun violence,” which includes investing in programs that produce pathways to better education, careers and safe communities.

“The Governor believes we have to treat the epidemic of gun violence as a public health crisis, which is why since day one his administration has significantly increased funding for violence interruption and prevention programs,” said Abudayyeh, noting that Pritzker increased funding to these programs by $50 million in his first year in office.

Abudayyeh also said this year’s budget allocates $128 million for violence prevention programs.

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