In a recent interview with Minnesota Public Radio host Andrea Swensson, rapper Chad Heslup (aka Longshot) talked about his history of involvement in protest movements since moving from Chicago to Minneapolis 11 years ago. He was inspired to join his first march after Minneapolis police shot and killed 24-year-old Jamar Clark in November 2015, and he returned to the streets to protest the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin on May 25. “My energy felt like I wanted to be up front with this,” Heslup told Swensson. The spirit that got him marching also drives his efforts on the mike throughout the new I’m Saying (SureShot Productions). Floyd’s death catalyzed Heslup’s ruminations about police brutality, the racial stratification of society, and Black life and death in the U.S., and he’s pledged to donate proceeds from Bandcamp sales of I’m Saying to Chicago and Minneapolis organizations dedicated to ending police brutality and social injustice. Heslup hates being forced to live in a country that prioritizes financial rewards over the lives of its Black citizens, and on the grimy, dramatic “P.O.P. (Profit Over People)”, that grief and anger are palpable even in his quietest bars. v
Sun Ra may have told everyone he was from Saturn, but the Afrofuturistic avant-gardist spent the 1950s in Chicago. While he was here, he recorded “El Is a Sound of Joy,” jazz’s greatest tribute to the city’s public transport system. No one in improvising trio Icepick–bassist Ingebrigt Haker Flaten, trumpeter Nate Wooley, and drummer Chris Corsano–now lives in Chicago (Haker Flaten spent a few years here in the aughts), but in 2018 the group came to town to play a benefit for Experimental Sound Studio’s Option Series, a weekly concert and salon launched in 2015 that served as a beacon for improvisers around the world until COVID-19 closed everything down. Hellraiser, the trio’s splendid third album, was recorded at that gig, which took place at Fulton Street Collective, a near-west-side loft space where it’s possible to hear the Green Line trains when the music goes quiet. So it’s only fitting that two of the LP’s three tracks (“El-Bound” and “Blueline”) are titled in homage to the CTA’s elevated train system. The collective experience of Icepick’s members encompasses a myriad of improvisational possibilities, and their technical acumen allows them to tackle tradition-steeped swing as easily as post-everything noise, but they keep their focus on evolving sonic narratives that resolve each knotty exchange or coarse textural exploration with a nakedly emotional tune. v
Before I first press play on an “aging punks still at it” record, I try to prepare myself for the worst.
Whether the band in question have retained only one original member in a completely retooled lineup (like present-day Gang of Four), or replaced their figurehead (like the Misfits did in the 90s), or awkwardly embraced current musical trends (remember Iggy Pop’s 2003 collaboration with Sum 41?), or pivoted to whatever the fuck “Black Flag” were doing on 2013’s aptly titled What The . . . , the odds of disappointment are high. But I guess I should’ve given experimental postpunk pioneers Wire more credit: their recent 17th album, Mind Hive, can easily sit alongside their best. The London band formed in 1976 and initially split in 1980, but they’ve operated on and off since they first came back together in 1985. Today, their lineup still features three of the four original members. Perhaps it’s due to the amount of genuine Wire DNA at work that Mind Hive has everything you’d want in a Wire record: terse rhythms, robotic vocals, alien melodies, and angular guitar interplay from the band that invented it. “Cactused” sounds like it was pulled off Chairs Missing, while “Off the Beach,” the new record’s poppiest song, would be right at home on 154. This month Wire dropped their second record of the year, an odds ‘n’ sods collection called 10:20. This delayed Record Store Day release consists of previously unissued material they’ve accumulated over the past decade–half its tracks are outtakes from 2010’s Red Barked Tree, while the other half are from the Mind Hive sessions. With songs built on motorik Krautrock as well as the band’s signature dreamy postpunk, 10:20 demonstrates how modern-era Wire have managed to stay fresh while honoring their roots. Talk about aging gracefully–they’re doing it right, and really, none of us should be surprised. v
If you’ve been locked down in Chicago and feeling some wanderlust, you might be able to sate your appetite for travel (at least for a little while) with the help of your own tastebuds! Check out some of these local restaurants specializing in the cuisines of a number of different countries around the world.
Photo Credit; Original Rainbow Cone via Facebook
View the Best Desserts in Chicago
Sweettooth ringing? View our list of the best dessert spots in the city.
Located in the Fulton Market District and offering a menu of modern Japanese food and beverages, Momotaro will fill you up with sushi, robata, and more.
If you’re craving the kind of carbs and meaty sauces that only traditional Italian food can deliver, look no further than Andersonville’s Bar Roma, where you can pair your beloved carbs with craft cocktails and great wines.
Photo Credit: Artango Bar & Steakhouse Facebook Page
According to Artango’s website, an evening at their restaurant “feels as if you’ve traveled to Buenos Aires,” which is probably as close as you’re going to get for a while to real international travel — why not enjoy some grass-fed Argentinean beef and pretend you’ve flown thousands of miles to taste it?
This chic spot near Fulton River District is serving up makhani, curry, and more to satisfy your cravings for modern Indian flavors. Choose from a variety of chutney, naan, or even some wine to go with your large plate items.
According to their website, Avli’s “core philosophies” include “Philoxenia (hospitality), Kefi (joy), and Meraki (passion).” If you have a passion for experiencing joy through Greek food, then this is a good spot for you. Get your mitts on some gyros, shish kabobs, or even a pork souvlakia plate (it comes with garlic aioli).
Whether you’re in the mood for noodle soup or you’re feeling more like a banh mi sandwich, this no-frills Vietnamese restaurant has what you need to fill the void in your heart left by lack of travel (and also human contact).
The soups at this Albany Park Chinese restaurant are supposedly for two, but in these wild times, we’re pretty sure you can stuff as much egg drop soup into your face as you want. If you’re looking for some protein or veggies to go with it, the menu is chock full of options.
If you’ve dreamed of waking up in the Philippines, the breakfast options (full of meat, eggs, and garlic) are just one small section of a stacked menu on offer at Kawayan, a Jefferson Park spot for Filipino fare.
Photo Credit: Paladar Cuban Restaurant: Rum Bar Facebook Page
There are few bad days that pierogis, stuffed cabbage, and some hearty stew can’t at least make a positive dent in. If you need some comfort food and a taste of Poland, look no further than the deliciously traditional Podhalanka.
According to customers, this Mexican restaurant blessing Irving Park with its presence has delicious food at great prices. Their tortas are supposedly a real strong point, as well as their carne asada.
This family-owned Puerto Rican restaurant near the Hermosa neighborhood boasts a menu full of fresh ingredients and homemade recipes — including, of course, jibaritos.
The home of “family-style Thai food” for 3 decades, Siam Noodle and Rice (in Buena Park) continues to bring you and your growling stomach an assortment of rice dishes, homestyle “esan” dishes, and all-around deliciousness.
Shawarma, falafel, dolmas — these are just a couple of the tasty treats you can find at this Ravenswood Manor Lebanese restaurant, which dutifully prepares all of its menu items from scratch.
To satisfy your Korean food cravings, head over to this spot in Lincoln Square — but don’t forget your bevies! It’s BYOB at Cho Sun Ok, where you can get soups, BiBimBap, and even BBQ for “tabletop cooking.”
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Tell us what you think matters in your neighborhood and what we should write about next in the comments below!
It goes without saying that Juneteenth should be more widely recognized as a national holiday. Instead, it’s known as a Texas state holiday, commemorating the day a Union general rode into Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, to declare that all slaves were now free. Nevertheless, Black people around America have reclaimed this holiday as their independence day; this year feels especially important in light of the continued Black Lives Matter protests. When we saw that Black People Eats® put together this list on Instagram of Black-owned restaurants with patios that are offering Juneteeth specials, we wanted to give these businesses some more attention. So, what are you waiting for? You can get a meal for just $6.19 in Chicago all weekend long!
An adorable breakfast cafe that caters a balanced blend of healthy food and guilty pleasures, Lizzy J Cafe can meet all of your needs this Juneteenth. Enjoy outdoor seating in this divine oasis.
Juneteenth Special: French Toast Side Any Flavor ($6.19)
Smoked meats are the name of the game at Mae’s Que House, a Hazel Crest restaurant just past the tip of South Side Chicago. With a few tables outside, Mae’s Que House is allowing patrons to dine in again.
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Juneteenth Special: Pork, Turkey, or Chicken Mini Tips with Fries ($6.19)
Featuring an eclectic menu that highlights dishes from varying cultures, The Woodlawn is offering a flatbread special on Juneteenth that includes the Gyro, Italian Beef, Buffalo Chicken, and Jambalaya.
Frontier’s outdoor space is a breezy haven away from the streets of Chicago, and though their Juneteenth special is a $6.19 martini, you’d be remiss not to also order some delicious meats served right off their patio grill.
A quintessential Chicago food truck that roams where it may, Lexington Betty Smoke House will be located in Pullman all weekend, serving up their Juneteenth special.
Juneteenth Special: Mini Rib Tips with Fries or Smoked Chicken with Fries ($6.19)
This straightforward restaurant has been giving back to the neighborhood since they opened. Having gifted over 150,000 free meals to people in the community, Litehouse is a shining beacon of hope in Hyde Park.
Juneteenth Special: Fire Glazed Salmon Bowl ($6.19)
ChicagoBears’ Tarik Cohen recently shared that he didn’t prioritize his fitness last season which was a big reason why the Bears took a big step backward.
Many fans and media pundits out there have continually blamed quarterback Mitch Trubisky’s performance on the field being the main reason why the Chicago Bears went from being 12-4 in 2018 to 8-8 last season. The criticism is certainly warranted, given Trubisky’s regression as a quarterback, but it’s not entirely justified to make Trubisky the lone scapegoat here.
Head coach Matt Nagy seemingly struggled to get into any sort of a good rhythm with his play-calling, while the offensive line couldn’t generate enough holes for runners to power through. Furthermore, Khalil Mack and the entire defense struggled to generate the type of impact they produced in 2018 when they led the league in turnovers created.
Most notably, however, was the fact that the Bears just couldn’t rid themselves from the injury bug all season long. Akiem Hicks, Kyle Long, Trey Burton, Anthony Miller, and a whole cast of noteworthy players on the roster couldn’t stay healthy throughout the season. Add all of these factors up, and it’s no wonder the Bears found themselves back to being a .500 team, missing the postseason in disappointing fashion.
Recently, Tarik Cohenopened up to the Chicago Sun-Times about the grueling effects that the physicality of the season brings.
‘I’ve been doing yoga now, stretching more often and just like the small training room — in-house things you do to keep your body durable,” he said. ”And to keep the wear-and-tear of the season off of you longer.” Cohen later added: ”I really slacked on that. I always had older guys that would keep me on that, keep me in line.”
Cohen’s noteworthy comments here reflect how the entire 2019 season played out for the Bears. It’s entirely possible that the Bears as a unit felt high-and-mighty from their previous success, therefore not displaying the same focus and intensity, whether on the field or during team workouts, that propelled them to a division title. Cohen also mentioned that reliable veteran players like running back Benny Cunningham weren’t around last season to keep him focused on taking care of his body.
The Bears, despite their previous success under Matt Nagy, seemingly had a void in leadership in 2019, possibly because many impact players were hurt on the sidelines, focusing more on their own rehab as opposed to being on the field practicing and playing in actual games. Maybe like Cohen, it’s because they too didn’t properly take care of their bodies.
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It all comes down to doing all the little things necessary to avoid these types of hurdles that plague teams like the Bears who were seemingly on the rise before the 2019 season began. That means the Bears can no longer be complacent because they’re no longer the ones being hunted in their own division. Whether it’s in practice, during workouts, or once the games actually matter, the Bears must not take anything lightly from here on out if they want to get back to winning frequently again.
ChicagoBears (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bears defense will be a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.
Last season, the Chicago Bears defense was among the best in the league, ranking in the top five in DVOA. One area, however, where they took a step back — besides turnovers forced — was in the sack department. In 2018 they recorded a whopping 50 sacks, but that number fell to just 32 in 2019.
However, based on a significant offseason acquisition in Robert Quinn and an apparently rejuvenated Khalil Mack, NFC North quarterbacks could become an endangered species this season.
While Leonard Floyd did a lot of things adequately, he was not adept at rushing the quarterback. Perhaps he was above average against the run, but the Bears seem more interested in their edge rushers being able to rush.
In steps Quinn who comes over from the Dallas Cowboys where he recorded 11.5 sacks last season, which is only seven fewer sacks than Floyd recorded in his entire four-year Bears career.
Perhaps we are already seeing this play out, as other comments from Monachino suggest Mack might be on a mission this year. Monachino mentioned that Mack has been “training like I’ve never seen anybody [train] before” and that “he’s approached this offseason with something to prove.”
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Mack is one of the best defensive players in the entire league and has been absolutely dominant throughout his career. Granted, by his standards, he had what would be considered a down year last season, but considering the number of double and triple teams he faced, he was still quite effective. Add to that the fact that he was missing his running mate, Akiem Hicks for much of the year, and the aforementioned lack of pass-rushing production from Floyd and Mack’s performance looks even better.
But now the defensive line will have a healthy Hicks, a motivated Mack, and a second edge rusher who knows how to consistently get to the quarterback. Sunday afternoons in the NFC North might be full of carnage, as these bloodthirsty Bears will be looking to decimate their opponents. In some ways, you have to feel bad for opposing quarterbacks. On second thought — no you don’t.
While the odds are not favorable, if the ChicagoBlackhawks landed the number one overall pick, the results would be franchise-changing.
Alexis Lafreniere is the consensus number one pick in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft. He is, in every way, the next great talent to enter the National Hockey League. This past season, he tallied 35 goals with 77 assists for 112 points and a +41 plus-minus rating playing for Rimouski Oceanic of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. And the Chicago Blackhawks have a chance to land him.
Sure, the odds are not favorable by any means. In fact, with just a five percent chance to land the top pick in the draft, they’d probably have better odds playing the PowerBall right now. All joking aside, while still not great, the Blackhawks have a 16.0 percent chance to luck into a top-three pick.
A year ago, the Hawks had a 2.5 percent chance at the top pick, and they ended up with the number three overall pick, taking Kirby Dach, who scored eight goals with 15 assists for 23 total points in 64 games in his rookie year.
What would it mean for the Chicago Blackhawks to win the No. 1 pick and a chance to draft Alexis Lafreniere?
Landing the top draft pick would be the equivalent of the Chicago Bulls grabbing Derrick Rose number one overall in 2008, despite having a 1.7 percent chance to do so. Lafreniere is the most NHL-ready player in this draft. He is an excellent skater. His vision is off the charts. He’s the quarterback on the ice, leading rushes down the ice while having a keen sense of where everyone is. His timing is impeccable; fitting passes between tightly-knit windows. He’d be an immediate plug-in along the third or fourth line of the Blackhawks, thus bolstering their offense from their top two lines.
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What would winning a top-three pick mean for the Chicago Blackhawks?
Missing out on Lafreniere is not the end of the world. This class is loaded with NHL talent, and grabbing Quinton Byfield in the top three is the next best thing. The Newmarket, ON native turns 18 in August and is a left-handed centerman. He’s spent the last two years playing for the Sudbury Wolves in the OHL, tallying 32 goals with 50 assists for 82 points and +26 plus-minus rating in 45 games.
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The Blackhawks have an immense amount of talent at center on their roster, but Byfield would fit well on the fourth line to start, working his way up to the top line. They could potentially find salary relief by trading Andrew Shaw, again, who carries a cap hit of $3.9M through the 2021-2022 season.
Byfield is widely viewed to be the second-best pick in this draft, so if the Blackhawks land the number three pick again, they can go with Lucas Raymond. The 18-year-old is from Goteborg, Sweden, and can play both winger positions. He’s one of the faster forwards in this class. Raymond tallied four goals with six assists for ten points this past season for Frolunda HC of the SHL.
What if the Chicago Blackhawks pick outside the top three?
If the Blackhawks end up on the outside looking in of the top three draft picks, then it starts to become a bit unclear who the top choice is. Do they draft based on need or take the best overall player on the board? Cole Perfetti, who we have discussed before, is a talented winger who can score in bunches. Might they grab Corey Crawford‘s replacement in Yaroslav Askarov? He’s considered to be on the best goalie prospects in quite some time.
Regardless if they go with other players like Tim Stutzle, Marco Rossi, Jamie Drysdale, or Jake Sanderson, the Blackhawks will be adding to an already talented farm system. Ideally, outside of the top three picks, the preferred option would be a defenseman to shore up the issues at the blue line.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MAY 31: Eloy Jimenez #74 of the Chicago White Sox speaks with Chicago Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky before the game against the Cleveland Indians at Guaranteed Rate Field on May 31, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bears are hoping that Mitchell Trubisky could have a similar turnaround to two stars from Chicago’s baseball teams.
The Chicago Bears have a lot on their plate when football gets going. They have one of the best defenses (if not the number one best) in the National Football League. That means that bad quarterback play has kept them down over the past year and will continue to keep them down if it doesn’t get better. They traded a fourth-round pick for Nick Foles earlier this offseason to compete with Mitchell Trubisky for the starting job.
The Bears took Trubisky with the second overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft ahead of studs like Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes and he has been awful, especially in 2019. He seems to be getting one more chance to be the Bears starting quarterback as they didn’t pick up his fifth-year option. If this year goes poorly for him, he will be gone.
There are two baseball stars in this town that make you wonder if we should give Trubisky one chance to rebound from his lousy 2019 season. Friend of the program, David Kaplan, discussed the topic on his ESPN 1000 show “Kap and Co.” with his co-hosts about the fact that they need to “let things play out”. They used that logic because of the rebound that Javier Baez had with the Chicago Cubs.
Baez was awful in his rookie 2014. He was so bad that he was in trade rumors and a deal with the San Diego Padres was extremely close to happening. Now in 2020, it is clear how bad of a trade that would have ended up being. Javy proved that letting it all play out is sometimes the best possible strategy because the Cubs now have an MVP level player on their roster.
I’ll even do Kap one better, how about Yoan Moncada? He was so awful in 2018 and struck out a billion times for the Chicago White Sox. It was tough to see Moncada truly ever living up to being one of the world’s best baseball prospects but in 2019 he made us all look bad by being a top-ten hitter and third in the American League. It was an incredible turnaround for both of these guys and now both of them are some of the best players in the world.
Now, keep in mind that Moncada and Baez might both be players that are so good that they go to the Hall of Fame one day. Nobody, including Kap and company, is saying that will happen for Trubisky. What we’re saying is that we let things play out with those two guys and look how it turned out. Trubisky doesn’t even have to become one of the league’s best like Moncada or Baez, he just needs to be average and this football team will win games. Hopefully, something like this could happen.
