Federal prosecutors say R. Kelly’s former manager called in a gun threat to a New York theater screening a docuseries about the R&B singer’s alleged abuse in 2018.
Donnell Russell, 45, is charged with one count of threatening physical harm and one count of conspiracy to threaten physical harm, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New York.
On Dec. 4, 2018, the NeueHouse Madison Square theater in New York planned the premiere screening of “Surviving R. Kelly,” which details Kelly’s alleged sexual abuse of women and girls, according to a complaint. The premiere also was to feature a panel discussion that included some of R. Kelly’s accusers. That day, the feds allege, Russell made multiple attempts to stop the screening, leading up to a call threatening to shoot up the theater.
He allegedly emailed a cease-and-desist letter to the theater and tried contacting New York fire and police officials to stop the screening, the complaint said. Russell eventually called the theater from his landline, according to the feds, saying there was a person at the screening with a gun ready to shoot.
Guests were evacuated, and the event was canceled, according to the complaint, though there was no shooting.
In August 2019, investigators interviewed Russell, and he told them he contacted NeueHouse but denied making a threat, the complaint said. Charges were filed under seal in March, and announced Friday, the day Russell was to appear in federal court in New York.
“By allegedly threatening a shooting at the theater, Russell prevented the screening, which was attended by a number of R. Kelly’s alleged victims,” Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said in a statement issued Friday. “Threats of gun violence aimed at intimidating and silencing victims of sexual abuse are unlawful as well as unacceptable. We are committed to aggressively investigating and prosecuting such crimes.”
After almost a quarter-century at its famed location at the northwest corner of Ohio and Clark, River North’s Rainforest Cafe location is closing a year early. The jungle-themed restaurant chain closed its Schaumburg location at the start of this year “due to a natural lease expiration.”
Photo Credit: Rainforest Cafe Yelp Page
The property owner of the building that the River North Rainforest Cafe location is situated in, Sean Conlon, confirmed with Block Club Chicago that the closure was partly a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The two-story building was “due to leave in one year’s time but [the pandemic] accelerated things,” said Conlon, a real estate developer and “The Deed: Chicago” star. “It’s an iconic restaurant that’s served families well, but there was simply no business.”
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Like other restaurants, diners, and attractions popular for both tourists and residents alike, spring’s lockdown hit the River North Rainforest Cafe hard with the restaurant closing its doors initially because of the pandemic, but then never reopening for dining (indoor or outdoor) or carryout service.
Photo Credit: Rainforest Cafe Yelp Page
Houston-based Landry’s Restaurants, the owners of the chain and operators of other notable brands such as Bubba Gump Shrimp and Morton Steakhouse, have given no comment as to why the location shuttered its doors. The iconic, neon “Rainforest Cafe” sign was removed from the building last weekend. Conlon has an agreement with the leaving tenants to keep one of the animatronic gorillas, but there’s no word on what will happen to the famed tree frog, “Cha! Cha!” (Could we put our hat in the ring for him?)
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Colon said his lawyers were surprised to see a gorilla being mentioned. “Looking over the contract, my lawyer told me it’s the first time he’s encountered a gorilla clause,” Conlon said. “But I didn’t ask them for the frog. Perhaps I was a poor negotiator?”
Photo Credit: Rainforest Cafe Yelp Page
The future of the River North site is unclear but Conlon imagines that two things will probably happen, the existing space will be renovated for a new retail tenant or the structure itself will be demolished and rebuilt in place as a high-rise. Rainforest Cafe turning into a high rise wouldn’t make it the first for an establishment in the neighborhood. Regardless, Conlon is optimistic.
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Photo Credit: Tapas Valencia
View the Best Tapas Places in Chicago
Wanna go somewhere that is open? View our list of the best tapas restaurants in the city.
“Obviously the world has changed, but even in a crisis this is still one of the premier corners in Chicago,” Conlon said. “It’s too early to say [what the outcome will be], but I get several calls a week about it. Some opportunity will emerge.”
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Imagine this: you have a group of friends or family visiting over the weekend. You want to treat them to a nice, long meal but you’re not sure what everyone likes. Your solution? Tapas! Take your loved ones on a culinary adventure by ordering up a variety of interesting dishes. Add some sangria or fancy cocktails and by the end, everyone will be impressed (and very full). These are the best restaurants you can find for tapas in Chicago.
Photo Credit: Mercat a la Planxa Facebook
638 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
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Looking for a modern interpretation of timeless Catalan traditions? Of course, you are. Mercat’s robust menu invites foodies to experience a masterful twist on authentic Spanish cuisine. From meal-sized classics to street food starters, each item offers a new journey for your tastebuds. To top it off, Mercat offers a finely curated selection of sangria, wine, and cava. ¡Qué Rico!
Photo Credit: Café Marbella
5527 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60630
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For over 40 years, restaurant Chef Virgilio Trujillo has perfected classic dishes like Gambas al Ajillo, Tortilla Espanola, and Gazpacho Andaluz. And Chef V. knows a thing or two about presentation — some of the items are almost too pretty to eat. Almost. With items like Albondigas Al Vino Tinto and Escalopes De Cerdo, you’ll leave Cafe Marbella feeling satisfied, guaranteed.
Photo Credit: Bar Roma Facebook Page
441 N Clark, Chicago, IL 60654
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You don’t have to venture far to explore soulful Spanish tapas. Chef Hisanobu Osaka has curated a small plates menu with savory delights such as house-made tomato bread, Mushroom Pintxos, and Galician Octopus. Plus Bar Ramone’s wine program features an extensive list of just over 100 bottles. Decisions, decisions.
Photo Credit: Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!
2024 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
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A Spanish tapas with a fun name? Sign us up. This Lincoln Park staple has been dishing up authentic Spanish cuisine since 1985. Their menu was crafted to share and features tapas, pintxos (bite-sized tapas), and paella. They also have killer pitchers of sangria which go down a little too easy.
Photo Credit: Bulerias
3656 N Ashland Ave, Chicago IL 60613
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Did you know: ‘Bulerías’ is a fast, rhythmic form of flamenco dancing? It’s a fun, energetic experience which is exactly what the folks at Bulerias Tapas aim to deliver with their cuisine. Stop by with a large group and order favorites like Chicken Croquettes, Carne En Tostada, and Gambas Al Ajillo. You’ll be happy you did.
Photo Credit: Iberico Express
737 N LaSalle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654
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After 30 years of serving up the finest Tapas in Chicago, Iberico Express has adapted to serve fresh, ready-to-go items during the pandemic. Their combination plates come with a main dish and two fresh, prepared sides. Or try their Paellas, Garlic Chicken, and famous Empanada Gallega in small, medium, or large sizes.
Photo Credit: Tapas Valencia
1530 S State St, Chicago, IL 60605
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As Chicago’s Taste of Spain™, this South Loop joint offers a vibrant atmosphere, intriguing cocktails, and creative Spanish tapas. Whether you’re dining with co-workers or just looking for something different, Tapas Valencia is the perfect spot for any occasion.
Photo Credit: Roof ontheWit
201 N State Street, Chicago, IL 60601
Set at 27 stories above it all, ROOF on theWit has earned international awards for its gorgeous design and lively entertainment. Explore unique hand-crafted cocktails and cuisine with a side of sweeping skyline views.
A post shared by Boqueria (@boqueria) on Jul 19, 2020 at 6:10am PDT
807 West Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607
Imported from New York in 2019, this Barcelona-style tapas bar offers a cozy vibe with a design aesthetic inspired by European modernism. Indulge in a rotating menu of seasonal dishes and Spanish classics.
Photo Credit: Emilios
4100 Roosevelt Rd, Hillside, IL 60162
In 1988, Emilio Gervilla opened his first restaurant. He quickly gained the title “Tapas King” for his own impressive recipes, honed over a lifetime of working his way through restaurants in Spain, and traveling to the US to share his talent. The menu is seemingly never-ending, in both Italian and English.
Photo Credit: Tapas Barcelona
1615 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL 60201
Traveling to the ‘burbs? Check out this colorful, modern space. Since 1995, Tapas Barcelona has been serving fine Spanish cuisine in Evanston at an affordable price. Their Tapas menu is stacked with popular items like Pulpito a la Plancha and Filete con Patatas. It’s worth the trip.
A new era is truly being ushered in for the ChicagoBulls in the Windy City.
After a few weeks of speculation that the franchise may retain Jim Boylen as head coach for another year, the team made a big announcement on Friday. They have officially relieved Boylen of his duties as head coach and will move in a new direction:
Boylen took over for Fred Hoiberg and went 39-84 in his first two seasons as head coach. The team struggled to really develop any sort of chemistry under Boylen despite having some talent on the roster.
With the franchise hiring Artavius Karsavious as President of Basketball Operations and Marc Eversley as General Manager, it’s clear they want to go in a new direction. Rumors swirled over the Summer that Karsavious could have his hands tied in terms of picking a new head coach due to financial situations but on Friday, that wasn’t the case.
The search now begins (or continues) to find a new head coach for the franchise ahead of the 2021-22 season, whenever that starts. Adrian Griffin is a name that has been floated out there with ties to the new regime and might make the most sense for the Bulls.
Ime Udoka is another name to keep an eye on and has been called a “front runner” to win the job due to his connections inside the franchise.
I imagine that list could continue to grow as the team gets through the process over these next few weeks in Chicago.
When it was announced the Art Institute of Chicago was reopening I swore I wouldn’t go. Museums are severely restricted places in the best of times. Would there be anything left to enjoy while masked, distanced, and subject to mandatory directional signage? Can art, which can give a window to the infinite, be appreciated despite the new and necessary scrims and barriers? Yet, when my old college friend Frank asked if I wanted to go, I was among the first in line outside the entrance to the Modern Wing a few minutes before noon on Thursday, July 30, waiting for the doors to open.
The first hour was limited to museum members and inside there was a receiving line of employees welcoming us back. We went up to visit an old friend first. Frank and I were students at SAIC at the start of the 90s. We have both been to this museum hundreds of times these past 30 years and have rarely missed a look at Willem de Kooning’s Excavation. Curators have moved it several times as the museum has expanded and reconfigured, but to us it is a touchstone the way Georges Seurat’s A Sunday at La Grande Jatte or Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks is to the general public. Excavation is currently in a room which is a little too small for it, but at least it’s got a couple other de Koonings to keep it company.
In the week prior to reopening the big art world tabloid news item was local billionaire Ken Griffin’s announcement that he’d parked the Jean-Michel Basquiat he’d recently purchased for $100 million on one of the museum’s walls. A few minutes after leaving de Kooning we found it. There were a couple other viewers in the gallery straining to see what $100 million looks like. I couldn’t see it either. The painting, Boy and Dog in Johnnypump, is certainly big enough to pretend to be important, but without the famous dead artist’s name, if encountered, say, at a regional art fair, it wouldn’t rate a slowdown to one’s pace. Its importance has less to do with art than with the state of the world, where a rich guy can display his latest status symbol purchase in a public place for the envy of others.
One thing I noticed, which marked this visit as different from any previous one, is how much interaction there was between visitors and guards. They are usually just part of the scenery. The only time one talks to them is to ask for directions or be admonished for coming too close to the art. But this day every guard was acknowledged like a long-missed friend. It was like greeting distant relations at church after not having attended in years.
New signs were all over. Arrows, Xs, squares, and circles form a now-familiar Hobo Alphabet to everyone living through this plague time. The museum’s floors and doors bore the telltale markings. Movements through rooms I know by heart are now micromanaged and regulated. Strolling through the Old Masters galleries we encountered a guard who pointed out an X on the floor and told us to turn around. Not being able to choose one’s path is a sure sign of a drastic realignment.
It was just after 1 PM when we wandered near the Michigan Avenue entrance to see a stream of visitors slowly filing in. The public was here, it was time for us to leave, but out of the corner of his eye, Frank noticed something new. Gustave Caillebotte’s Paris Street; Rainy Day, 1877–practically a mascot for the museum–didn’t look like its old self. We came closer and noticed little differences; bits of color now popped, where once they’d receded, contrasts were now accentuated where they were once blurred. Restorers had obviously spent serious time deep cleaning the painting during the shutdown. It was like seeing an old movie in hi-def; perhaps more crystal clear than it needs to be.
I don’t know when I’ll return. For now, the first hour of every day–the museum is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays–is restricted to members. Even before COVID, I had no love for crowds, so the chance to spend time with paintings I’ve loved for decades without being oppressed by groups of audio tour zombies staggering about is tempting. On the other hand, wearing a mask and being ever vigilant of breaking new rules is no way to lose oneself in the moment. This is our lot now. We have to take our respites and pleasures wherever they’re offered, no matter how circumscribed or limited. v
The ChicagoBulls will finally, officially look to replace Jim Boylen after he was fired Friday.
The deed has been done. Chicago Bulls head man Arturas Karnisovas, along with his collective front office, finally came to the decision to fire head coach Jim Boylen.
To clarify: Jim Boylen has been fired. He’s gone. Adios, goodbye and salutations to Mr. Boylen. It’s over.
After months upon months of speculation, the Bulls made the decision fans have been calling for. Let’s be honest, the players have all been secretly calling for it too.
After the hiring of Karnisovas a few months back, every sign pointed to the team bringing in a new head coach and relieving Boylen of his duties. There were reports suggesting the team was in on guys like Adrian Griffin and Ime Udoka to replace Boylen, but for some reason, Jimbo stuck around.
Then, we came to the recent reports that suggested Boylen would stick around for a little while — or longer. Bulls fans shuddered at that thought, and surely the players did too. Why on earth would the Bulls allow Boylen to stick around?
For one, Jerry Reinsdorf loves money — but, more than winning? That’s what we were all waiting to find out. Reinsdorf reportedly wouldn’t allow the firing of Boylen at one point in recent weeks, but alas, the finish line has been reached.
In a statement given to NBA.com, Karnisovas had this to say about Boylen’s firing:
“After doing a comprehensive evaluation and giving the process the time it deserved, I ultimately decided that a fresh approach and evolution in leadership was necessary.”
It seems as though, despite the rumors of Reinsdorf not allowing such a move, Boylen’s firing was indeed a call made by Karnisovas. After all, how would you possibly explain hiring a new Vice President of Basketball Operations and immediately putting the clamps on him in terms of decision-making?
This is a win for the organization. It is a win for the fans. Most importantly, it’s a win for the players.
This is a young core with guys who have enormous potential together, and they cannot function and develop at a high level if they do not have faith in their head coach. It had become apparent, for quite some time now, that the players were out on Boylen. They had no faith, no trust and all hope was lost in his ability to coach an NBA basketball team.
This is a statement made by Karnisovas. It’s a statement that says these players can trust him to look out for their best interest. It’s a statement that signals a true new beginning for the Bulls. Now, it’s on to an official coaching search that will begin “immediately,” per the press release.
EDMONTON, ALBERTA – AUGUST 13: Brandon Saad #20 of the Chicago Blackhawks misses a first period opportunity against Robin Lehner #90 of the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on August 13, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)
The ChicagoBlackhawks had a chance to win the game but they weren’t able to finish it off.
The Chicago Blackhawks didn’t look very good in game one so that made people feel pretty skeptical about their chances in game two. Well, they went down 2-0 rather quickly in the second game so it was really starting to feel like the Vegas Golden Knights were running away with the series. The Blackhawks showed some heart, however, and came back to tie the game at two.
The two kids, Kirby Dach and Dominik Kubalik scored goals to get the Hawks and Knights tied. It was a great way to see this team show some fight against a much better team. It felt a bit deflating to see Mark Stone push Vegas ahead again not long after Chicago got it tied. However, Dylan Strome finally did something good when he tied the game as the second period was expiring. They always felt like they were in this game which was good to see.
Both teams went scoreless in the third period to force overtime. The Hawks had their chances but Reilly Smith scored at 7:13 of overtime to give the Golden Knights a 2-0 series lead. It was a tough break for Chicago but they have a steep hill to climb now.
It felt like they were always in the game but they were outshot by a total of 39-25. Corey Crawford had some good and bad moments in the game but he did almost face 40 pieces of rubber in this one. The Golden Knights come at you in waves as good as any team in the league and they really made it difficult on the Blackhawks.
One thing that people might be able to take away as a positive from this one is the play of Patrick Kane. It was clear that they needed a big game from him on the scoresheet to have a chance to win and he did. He had three assists and seemed to make his teammates better every time he was on the ice. Kane was never the problem as he needs so much more help getting the puck than he is getting. It was good to see him feeling good about things in this one. Hopefully, he can take that performance and carry the momentum into the next one.
Now, they have a day off (today) before a weekend back to back against the Golden Knights. They need to win at least one to bring the series into next week. It feels like this game three is must win because they have big problems if they go down 3-0. This game was a step in the right direction but they have a long way to go.
Retired Boeing CEO Jim McNerney and his wife, Haity, sold their five-bedroom, vintage French country-style mansion in Lake Forest on Aug. 10 for $3.98 million. (VHT Studios)
He’s been ordered to appear in court at 1 p.m. (Chicago time) to explain why he shouldn’t be held in contempt of court. As Cook, Count Record explains:
The order directing the governor to appear comes two days after State Rep. Darren Bailey, R-Xenia, and his attorney, Tom DeVore, filed the contempt petition before Judge McHaney.
That, in turn, came about a month since McHaney had ruled Pritzker overstepped the bounds of his authority under the state constitution and state law in using emergency powers to issue orders statewide, which Pritzker has said are needed to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Will he show up? Will he send a lawyer instead? How will the judge react to having his order summarily ignored by Pritzker. I thought no one is above the law, not even a governor.
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Final Thoughts: Kris Bryant is out again with left wrist discomfort. Nico Hoerner and Jason Kipnis are both in the lineup Friday. Woodruff is the Brewers best starter, while Chatwood looks to rebound from a beat-down in KC.
Update: Tyler Chatwood is a late scratch with back stiffness, Alec Mills gets the start.
Cubs scratch Tyler Chatwood with back tightness. Alec Mills will start
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