The first time I saw Gabriel Garzon-Montano in concert was at South by Southwest in 2017. His appearance had generated a lot of buzz; a song from his 2014 EP, Bishoune: Alma del Huila, had been sampled for Drake’s 2015 track “Jungle,” and the multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter had recently released his debut full-length, Jardin. Partway through his performance, he had an audio issue with his keyboard, and as sound technicians addressed it, he kept the crowd engaged by unexpectedly delving into his Colombian heritage: he grabbed a mike and launched into an impeccable a cappella version of the traditional Afro-Colombian fisherman’s tune “El Pescador,” singing in Spanish and gyrating his hips, and then returned to his reconnected keyboard to complete his set. Blessed with a sweet croon and a supple falsetto, Garzon-Montano can cover a lot of territory, and he rarely veers into the conventional. His sound melds influences from both his parents–he was born in New York to a father with Colombian roots and French mother who played classical and experimental music and was once part of Philip Glass’s ensemble–as well as from his own Latino Brooklynite identity. On Aguita the chameleonic musician shape-shifts with Spanglish flair–as usual he combines hip-hop, R&B, funk, and soul, augmented with new forays into reggaeton and trap–and he occasionally frames his mix of genres with string-rich orchestral backing. Sometimes his songs plunge into the pathos of loss and change (he explores his grief over his mother’s passing on “Moonless”) or the possibilities of cathartic frenzy in the dance club (the title track and “Muneca,” his first tunes recorded fully in Spanish), but no matter the topic, Garzon-Montano never fails to intrigue and delight. v
Chicago natives and lifelong hip-hop heads Ibrahem Hasan and Matthew Rivera met decades ago while crate digging at a flea market. Their new self-titled debut as Bless the Mad, released by their own Stay the Course label, exudes a collector’s care for music history and a producer’s ear for finding overlooked diamonds and giving them brilliant new settings. Even the album’s artwork contributes to the vibe, collaging together images steeped in the lore of Chicago architecture and music–it includes the logo for Phil Cohran’s jazz band the Artistic Heritage Ensemble, which looks like two Xes connected by a bold line, and a business card for infamous local music reseller Record Al. Bless the Mad understand the spirit that connects the blues, jazz, gospel, soul, R&B, funk, and hip-hop, and they spend the entirety of Bless the Mad stitching together distinctive elements from all those genres into blissed-out, kaleidoscopic music. Though these tracks sound like sample-heavy hip-hop–especially the beats–Hasan and Rivera have built them entirely from scratch, with help from a small community of Brooklyn musicians that includes bassist Diego Alzate, drummer Flavio dos Santos Silva, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Edson Sean, and vocalist Silka. On “Ancestors, Pt. 2,” a reflective funk melody buoys blurry voices as they recite the names of past greats–Alice Coltrane, J Dilla, Art Blakey, Charles Stepney–in an act of homage that helps link Bless the Mad to this chain of history. v
Following Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy benching Mitchell Trubisky, the NFL world had many reactions.
This season has already been a whirlwind for the Chicago Bears. All training camp long, it was about the quarterback competition. The coaching staff wouldn’t give us much information one way or another, until head coach Matt Nagy made the announcement the team would stick with Mitchell Trubisky as the team’s starter.
The question, beyond the original decision, was how long Trubisky would keep his starting job. After all of the debate and analysis, it made sense for Nagy to stick with Trubisky to begin with.
Let’s be honest with ourselves. How bad would it look for the team to start with Nick Foles and revert to Trubisky? It was the logical, rational decision to roll with Trubisky initially, because pulling him in favor of the guy you traded a draft pick for, Foles, would have looked better to the public eye.
It also likely appeased general manager Ryan Pace, who was the original Trubisky truther. Pace got his wish. Trubisky started the season.
However, the fourth-year pro was pulled midway through the Week 3 tilt against the Atlanta Falcons. Following an interception Trubisky tossed on a play where Allen Robinson was sitting wide open in the middle of the field, Nagy had seen enough.
As the story goes, Trubisky saw Foles replace him and the Bears went on to win the game in dramatic fashion. Now at 3-0, the Bears are sticking with the former Super Bowl MVP while Trubisky takes a back seat.
Still, with an undefeated record, Nagy and the Bears are under a whole lot of scrutiny by people who cannot get over the benching of Trubisky.
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 29: Manager Rick Renteria #17 of the Chicago White Sox signals the bullpen to make a pitching change against the Oakland Athletics during the eighth inning of the Wild Card Round Game One at RingCentral Coliseum on September 29, 2020 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
The Chicago White Sox loss to the Oakland Athletics is proof that the manager Rick Renteria needs to be fired.
The Chicago White Sox were eliminated in the 2020 Major League Baseball postseason after their Game 3 loss to the Oakland Athletics in Game 3 on Thursday.
The loss and consequent elimination of the White Sox put an end to a 2020 season in which the White Sox were arguably the most exciting team in baseball.
However, the excitement over the White Sox quickly transformed into concern after the team went from the No.1 seed in the American League to the No.7 seed during the final week of the regular season. Criticism of White Sox manager Rick Renteria was prevalent during the final week of the regular season as many expressed concern over how the veteran manager created his lineup on a game-to-game basis.
Renteria seemed to have temporarily silenced his critics after the White Sox defeated the Athletics in Game 1 on Tuesday, 4-1. However, after the White Sox dropped two consecutive games and were eliminated from the postseason, Renteria is now on the hot seat and rightfully so.
More than Renteria’s inconsistencies with penciling a lineup on a game to game basis, Thursday proved that the postseason is too large of a task for the former Cubs’ manager and the reason why he needs to be fired.
The downfall for Renteria on Thursday was his use of the pitching staff.
Dane Dunning was the starter for the White Sox on Thursday and Renteria had a quick hook as he pulled Dunning in the first inning after allowing two hits. Rookie flamethrower Garrett Crochet was the next man up for the White Sox and he got the White Sox out of the first inning unscathed but was forced to leave the game with left forearm tightness after striking out the first hitter he faced in the second inning.
The seven pitchers that Renteria went to after Crochet’s injury in the second inning proceeded to allow six runs ( five earned) on six hits and nine walks.
While the White Sox bullpen has certainly not been a strength of the team in 2020, Renteria put the unit behind the 8-ball with his quick hook of Dunning in the first inning. It was a shining example of a manager having egg on his face during his first postseason series. It also confirms the theory that Renteria is not the manager to lead a team that has World Series expectations.
Let there be no mistake, the White Sox are going to enter the 2021 season with World Series expectations and rightfully so. But if the plan is for the White Sox to live up to those expectations, then the team must have a new manager when they take the field next season.
Look no further than Renteria’s own career. Renteria was the manager of the Chicago Cubs as the team was grooming their young stars and after the 2014 season when it was clear that the Cubs were nearing the idea of contending, the team moved quickly to replace Renteria with Joe Maddon after he departed the Tampa Bay Rays. In the two immediate seasons after the Cubs made the switch from Renteria to Maddon, they made the 2015 National League Championship Series and then, of course, won the World Series in 2016.
The White Sox have a similar trajectory and the only thing that is keeping them from that reality is their current manager. That is why by the time that the team returns to Chicago from Oakland, Renteria needs to be thanked for his efforts during the rebuild but wished best of luck in his future endeavors.
National League Cy Young favorite and soon to be free agent Trevor Bauer should be the priority for the Chicago White Sox this offseason.
The Chicago White Sox were eliminated for the 2020 Major League Baseball postseason on Thursday after their Game 3 loss to the Oakland Athletics in the American League Wildcard Round.
While it is clear that the White Sox need a manager change, it is also clear that the White Sox need to address their starting rotation this offseason.
If there was one flaw of the White Sox during the 2020 season outside of their bullpen, it was the fact that the team had no dependable starting pitcher in their rotation after Lucas Giolito and Dallas Keuchel.
Had the White Sox had an effective third starter in their rotation, chances are the outcome of Game 3 against the Athletics would have been different.
With Michael Kopech being an uncertainty given the idea that he opted out of this season and is coming off Tommy John surgery, the idea was that Dylan Cease could be the third starter for the White Sox.
Cease was inconsistent for the White Sox during the 2020 season.
in 12 starts for the White Sox in 2020, Cease posted an ERA of 4.01 but his 6.36 FIP and 5.2 walks per 9 innings speak to the struggles that the young pitcher had. While Cease should not be written off, and Kopech for that matter, it is clear that the White Sox are going to need to add a third veteran to their starting rotation.
Bauer was excellent with the Cincinnati Reds during the 2020 season. In 11 starts with the Reds this season, Bauer posted a 1.73 ERA (2.88 FIP) while averaging 12.9 strikeouts per 9 innings and 0.795 WHIP. Bauer is the favorite to win the National League Cy Young Award for his efforts this season and it could not have come at a better time as he set to become a free agent this winter.
For the White Sox, Bauer should be the clear target. If the 2020 Major League Baseball Postseason has made one thing clear, it is that a team must have at least three viable starting pitchers if they have the expectation of advancing to the World Series.
The White Sox have two of three already in Giolito and Keuchel. Giolito was near perfect in his Game 1 victory over the Athletics this past Tuesday and cemented his role as the ace of the rotation. Keuchel, despite his struggles in Game 2 of the series against the Athletics, was an anchor for the White Sox rotation in 2020.
Adding Bauer to the mix would give the White Sox three ace quality starting pitchers at the top of their rotation. Not to mention, the addition of Bauer will take weight off the shoulders of Cease and Kopech. With Cease still trying to find his consistency and Kopech returning after opting out of the 2020 season, a relaxed workload as the fourth and fifth starting pitchers in the rotation would do wonders for the two young starting pitchers.
The Chicago White Sox are knocking on the door of World Series contention and Trevor Bauer is the starting pitcher that will allow them to burst onto the scene. What are your thoughts of the potential signing? Sound off in the comments section with your thoughts.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JULY 24: Manger David Ross #3 of the Chicago Cubs talks with Kyle Hendricks #28 of the Chicago Cubs on the mound in the game against the Milwaukee Brewers on opening day at Wrigley Field on July 24, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
After an early playoff exit, what’s next for the Chicago Cubs?
The Chicago Cubs had plenty of opportunities to get the job done on Friday afternoon. But they were never able to capitalize. After a game one loss at home the Miami Marlins, the Cubs seemed poised to win game two, extending the series to a third game.
The story for the Cubs has been the same every year since 2016: Get to the playoffs, hope to win, only to find no signs of life, and eventually get eliminated at the hands of an opponent the team probably should have handled.
If anything, even the shortened regular season seemed to be like a roller coaster ride, with so many ups and downs, if one really wanted to, they could argue that the Cubs barely did enough to get into the postseason.
What happens next is yet to be determined. But here’s what we do know: First, expect David Ross to be back as the manager next year. In a shortened season, Ross kept his team focused and weathered an unprecedented storm in COVID-19.
However, beyond that, the arrow continues to point sideways. For the Cubs right now, there’s a lot of uncertainty that continues to exist. If any changes are on the way, it’s likely to the same core that carried the Cubs to the World Series back in 2016. Even that World Series championship seems like it was forever ago when in reality, it was just four short years ago.
Maybe it’s time to breakup the tandem of Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant. The duo, which was once one of the signature duos in Chicago sports, hasn’t been the same since 2016. Of the two, it’s more likely that Bryant is traded this offseason. Moving him could net the Cubs a significant return that could help the Northsiders in both the present but also build for the future.
Maybe Kyle Schwarber is on the move this offseason too. To where? Nobody knows. However, the Cubs are better off making one major move that improves the outlook of the team rather than just a few smaller moves that are likely to fail. Patching a few holes around the current core hasn’t worked out over the last few years, so a big move that shakes things up significantly may be the only way to go.
The silver lining in an early playoff loss is that the Cubs do have some extra time to explore their options about what they’d like to do this winter. Will it be hard to see some fan favorites like Schwarber potentially traded? Yes. However, doing what’s best for the team in the long-run is what should be the priority over anything else.
Take solace in knowing that changes are likely coming to the North Side this winter but whatever happens, has the potential to change the outlook of the Cubs moving forward. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer have some work to do this offseason if the Cubs are going to continue to be relevant. It’s better to attack the issues that plagued the Cubs in 2020 and in years past, rather than waiting before it’s too late.
I’m struggling. I’m finding myself on the couch fearful, upset, and unmotivated. As a Black man, seeing the President of the United States openly encourage racists has messed me up.
I have Republican friends and I have friends that will vote for Donald Trump. After seeing the President of the United States fail to condemn white supremacy again, I’m left struggling and questioning those friendships.
I’m not talking about a handful of my Facebook “friends” whose applications to the Proud Boys were returned with a bottle of Xanax and a note saying “dude, fucking relax!” Knowing these guys is one of the perks of being raised in Elmhurst, I suppose.
I’m talking about the people whose homes I’ve been in and who have been in mine. My friends. The people who are part of my village.
This isn’t about political party anymore. I have voted for many Republicans. I have neither wanted nor allowed politics to invade my friendships. I want my friends to have different opinions enabling me to see the world from different perspectives which provides an opportunity to learn something.
This election is different. This particular president has made it different for me. For me, the issue no longer about tax policy; the issue no longer is about Wall Street; the issue is no longer about the Supreme Court; the issue is no longer about marriage equality, foreign policy, war abroad or terrorism at home.
The issue is white supremacy.
It’s 2020 and we’re seriously talking about whether white supremacy is OK in a presidential election.
This is no longer about Democrats vs. Republicans. From my perspective as a Black man, it is about right and wrong. From my perspective as an American, it’s about whether the Constitution applies to all of us or just some of us.
Do you support a man for President of the United States that does not condemn white supremacists?
Do you support a man for President of the United States that encourages white supremacists?
If you care more about your brokerage accounts than white supremacy, how comfortable should I be about having you in my home?
If it took this last debate for you to notice that this president won’t condemn white supremacists, then you haven’t been watching. Did the leader of our country speak out when a Black man in Georgia was murdered for jogging in a white neighborhood? Did the leader of our country speak out against an epidemic of white people calling the police on their black neighbors for simply being around that particular white person? The name “Karen” was entered into the national lexicon, yet the leader of our country won’t speak out against white people calling the police on Black people for birdwatching in Central Park?
(and don’t get me going on this president and Central Park. Please google “Donald Trump Central Park Five” if you aren’t aware of bigoted (racist?) statements he made in the past about five Black and Latino men accused and convicted of the rape of a white woman jogger who were ultimately proven innocent).
Do I feel comfortable ending relationships with people that vote for Donald Trump in this election? Is that fair? I can, have, and will continue to disagree with friends on political issues. My state representative (Democrat) can vouch for me yelling in his ear about Illinois tax policy. A few years ago, Illinois Democrats told us they had to temporarily raise income taxes to get out of a hole. Now that temporary tax is permanent AND they seek a Constitutional amendment so they can raise my taxes again?!? All while the lieutenant governor, Juliana Stratton, extorts Illinois voters saying if the amendment doesn’t pass everyone’s tax bill will increase 20%?!! Don’t get me started on Illinois Democrats’ fiscal irresponsibility.
But we can disagree on issues like taxes and remain friends. Not racism.
What America do I want to live in?
I know what American I want to live in. A better question is what America do YOU want to live in?
Do you want to live in an America where All Men Are Created Equal? Or one where white men are maybe a little more equal than their black and brown counterparts?
Do you want to live in an America where our president can’t condemn racism and racists?
Do you want to live in an America where the President of the United States tells white supremacists, on national television, one month before an election to stand by?
Is that the America YOU want to live in?
Is that OK with you?
I know the one that I want to live in. I’d like to live in the America where our chief executive doesn’t need to be prepped by aides on whether white supremacists are “fine people”.
After Kamala Harris was chosen as Joe Biden’s running mate, I had a civil conversation over a drink with a man that supports the president. I like this man; I have been on vacation with this man and his family. We had a civil conversation about Kamala Harris and how she could come around to support Joe Biden after the things she said abut him when she was running for President.
I now want to ask that man, whom I consider a friend, this: do you support a man for president who has repeatedly failed to condemn white supremacy? Do you support a man for president who has consistently encouraged white supremacists?
Do you support a man who has deputized white supremacists by telling them to “stand by?”
If your answer is yes—why? Are you saying that your pocketbook is more important than fighting white supremacy in the United States?
If your answer is yes, then I need to ask myself: is this someone that should be in my life? Do I value people who care more about (insert issue here) than fighting white supremacy? Is that a person that should be in my home? If I want to live in integrity with my beliefs, shouldn’t I have people who are against racism standing with me?
We’re not talking about tax increases. We’re talking about racism and white supremacy.
It is sick that I have to go through my friendships and do his calculus. But as a Black man, who has pretty successfully fought against bias and racism (and is frankly exhausted by it), how can I have someone in my home that cares more about his money than they do about my rights as an African American? How can I pour a drink for someone that values their money more than my Constitutional rights?
This isn’t an election for school board or village president or state representative (I would argue that we should reject people who won’t condemn and encourage racists for these positions too). This is the President of the United States; this is the most important position on the planet. How can we as Americans support a man for that that won’t condemn racists in that office?
The fact that we’re having this conversation proves that racism is alive and well. For those of you that don’t believe white privilege exists…. US HAVING THIS CONVERSATION PROVES IT DOES.
Do I love Joe Biden? No. My hope for the debate was that Joe would not have a fucking stroke. That Joe Biden has become Bernie from “Weekend at Bernie’s” to earn my vote is a 100% absolutely ridiculous hurdle to earn a vote for President of the United States.
But would I rather have Bernie or a racist?
Does Joe Biden have to “clarify” comments (again!) on whether he supports white supremacy?
Does Joe Biden need to consider whether white supremacists are “fine people”?
The President of the United States sets an example not only for our country but the world.
Aren’t we better as a nation than this?
I’m shocked that in 2020, we’re even having this conversation. I’m shocked that a man who has continually and constantly failed to condemn racism and encouraged white supremacists enjoys such broad support. And that’s why I struggle. It’s tough to see a man stoke flames of racial hatred get applause. Do I have to reevaluate me? Do I have to reevaluate my position in this society? Will everything I’ve struggled to earn be taken away from me because of the color of my skin? What about my children? I admit these questions seem a little far out, like that would never happen.
Then again, I never thought I’d see the day in my lifetime the President of the United States openly encourage white supremacists on national television and get applause for it.
If you give him your vote, you’re one of the people applauding.
Harris County of TX is 1700 square miles with over five million people and yet the GOV. of TX, Wayne Abbott, is per a gubernatorial order eliminating ballot drop-off locations demanding that there be only one per county. The governor claims it’s due to security concerns but local officials in those counties contradict that claim.
Fortunately, the matter will be decided by the courts, as voting rights groups will sue to insist that the ballot boxes already in place may remain.
What’s amazing is that Abbott who gets around via a wheelchair would completely disregard how his order might affect those with a similar handicap.
So let’s hope the COURTS GO DO GOOD and make it easier for people to vote during a PANDEMIC. If you want to read more about this, check out the story: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/Voting-rights-groups-sue-Abbott-over-mail-ballot-15615617.php
William Natale is an Emmy-award-winning TV producer/director and author of “1968 – A Story As Relevant Today As It Was Then,” (a tale that takes place in Chicago based in part on a true story). Natale served as the director and associate producer for “Water Pressures,” featuring HBO ENTOURAGE star Adrian Grenier, shot on location in India and various cities in the U.S. “Water Pressures,” was broadcast on over 224 PBS stations. Natale was the Chairman of the Broadcast Promotional Marketing Executives (BPME now known as Promax). Natale served as the Marketing & Promotion Director for NBC5 Chicago and the VP/Director of Corporate Communications for WTTW. He also has experience in the education field as the Executive Director for both the downtown and Lombard campuses of the IL Media Schools (vocational colleges that teach broadcast media arts). He also served as the Executive Producer for the Internet Streaming Corporation and WATCH312.com – working with talented individuals such as Candace Jordan (aka Candid Candace). Natale is a native Chicagoan and proud father of three adult children, two daughters and a son.
Whether you own a restaurant, coffee shop or retail store, making sure your customers are comfortable and happy is probably near the top of your priority list. No matter who comes into your establishment, they should feel welcome and taken care of. For many individuals who have physical disabilities or use mobility aids, this isn’t always the reality for every business they enter.
Many businesses design for the masses, not for accessibility, which can leave many people feeling left out. Ensuring your business welcomes people of all ability levels can set you apart. No matter how big or small your establishment is, you can do a few specific things to make your facility easier for everyone to navigate:
1. Accessible Parking Spaces
If your business has public parking, handicap parking spaces are required. To make your handicap parking as accessible as possible, it should be readily available, clearly marked and as close as possible to the business entrance. Additionally, there should be space for cars and vans, and the spaces should be at least 8 feet wide.
Besides these things, there are more technical regulations you should account for. Understanding the needs and rules surrounding handicap parking will help you create an accessible, welcoming space.
2. Ramps and Rails
If your business has inclines of any kind, adding ramps, slopes and handrails should take high priority. People who use mobility aids such as transport chairs and wheelchairs simply can’t go upstairs in them, so even small inclines need a slope as an option. Even people without traditional mobility aids might need some assistance with balance and stability. This is why handrails are so important, too.
3. Accessible Seating
If your business has seating, you should ensure that everyone can take a seat. Having wider spaces around tables and chairs, space to accommodate mobility aids and designated handicap seating are all great ways to make your seating more accessible and comfortable. If you have a small space or more enclosed seating, try designing and designating a few specific seating areas for those who need accommodations.
4. Wide Bathrooms and Stalls
Everyone needs to use the bathroom, and creating restrooms and stalls that work for everyone is a large part of building an accessible business. To provide the necessary space for those who use mobility aids or need assistance, handicap restrooms and stalls must allow for a wheelchair to make a 180-degree turn. Sinks also need to be no more than 24 inches high, and they should leave room for wheelchair and knee space underneath.
If your facility only has one bathroom, making it handicap accessible and comfortable should be a top priority so every customer can use it.
Welcoming Everyone Into Your Establishment
Making your business accessible is the key to ensuring that everyone feels welcome and at home. You want your business to bring everyone together. When you do your best to accommodate everyone, people will be happier, feel taken care of and return time and time again.
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