Chicago’s Best Gay Bars That Aren’t NightclubsKali Crameron June 2, 2020 at 5:04 pm

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There seems to be a trend here: Chicago’s gay bars always end up being a place to dance the night away, and we’re not condemning that by any means. Believe us when we say there have been many a night when we’ve wound up in Boystown at 3 am, still somehow ready to tear up the dance floor and instead, totally throwing off everyone else’s groove.

It’s a rarity to find a gay bar that doesn’t get absolutely lit every night of the week, but there are a few exceptions, of course. Though many gay nightclubs don’t even open until the evening, there are some LGBTQ+ friendly bars that have afternoon hours, where you can saunter in, order a beer, and literally just chill. You might see a drag queen drift through the crowd, ready for the evening wave of party people, but for the most part, these bars are just good places to grab a drink with some friends and maybe even get someone’s number.

Visit Chicago’s best gay bars for a hell of a good time, even before the night begins.

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The SoFo Tap

4923 N Clark St 1st Floor

This bar’s got all the fixins: a dartboard, a jukebox, flat-panel TVs, drink deals every night, and a lovable crowd you’ll fit right into. A Ravenswood staple, this low-key hangout is the very definition of a neighborhood bar, boasting a friendly atmosphere every single time you visit.

chicago gay bars — Photo Credit: The Jeffrey Pub

Jeffrey Pub

7041 S Jeffery Blvd

Chicago’s only black- and LGBTQ+ owned bar is located on the South Shore, home to drag shows and excellent cocktails. The owners had the ambition to also open Chicago’s first black- and LGBTQ+ owned sports bar this spring, but unfortunately, haven’t yet been able to open their doors due to COVID-19.

Big Chicks

5024 N Sheridan Rd

It’s cash-only, but they serve amazing bar food, so it’s an even trade-off. Bick Chicks also boasts $1 burgers and free, yes, free, BBQ on Sunday nights. There’s literally no reason not to spend a couple of hours here just grabbing a drink with a friend.

Hamburger Mary’s

5400 N Clark St

Okay, yes, this is technically a restaurant, but who says you can’t skip food altogether and just order a few rounds of cocktails. Plus, once night falls, when most patrons head upstairs to Mary’s Attic for a riot of a drag show, you’ll definitely want to join them.

Second Story Bar

157 E Ohio St #2

This cash-only spot is basically a speakeasy for the gay community, except, instead of being subterranean, it’s vertically smushed between a psychic shop and an Armenian restaurant. Second Story Bar has been around for decades, but it’s honestly a great place to grab a drink midday since it’s lesser-known.

Joie de Vine

1744 W Balmoral Ave

One of Chicago’s few lesbian-owned haunts, Joie de Vine is technically classified as a wine bar, but everybody knows who reigns here. Side note: can we talk about the severe lack of lesbian bars in this city!? Get it together, Chicago. Host to many queer-friendly events, like women’s comedy and storytelling, Joie de Vine is where Chicago’s finest ladies go for a drink, and damn it if we’d miss out on that.

The Kit Kat Lounge

3700 N Halsted St

You’re definitely going to catch a drag show here, and you’ll have a top-notch seat for it too. This upscale LGBTQ+ friendly lounge is relatively small, and the queens glide between booths with the utmost ease, even posing for a picture with you in the middle of their set. It’s a classy experience whenever you hit up the Kit Kat Lounge.

Manhandler Saloon

1948 N Halsted St

We mean, with a name like that, how could you go wrong? This place gets wild when it starts to venture into the early hours of the morning, but come here in the sleepy hours of the early afternoon and you might be able to call dibs on a cutie as you’re both having the first beer of the night.

Little Jim’s Tavern

3501 N Halsted St

The first gay bar to ever hit Boystown back in 1975, Little Jim’s Tavern has an extensive history of being the easiest place to snag a man in the later hours of the night. But if you head there in the afternoon before it gets ridiculously crowded, you’re sure to have a nice time with a few older guys who keep hoping you’ll stay a little longer.

Roscoe’s

3356 N Halsted St

Listen, Roscoe’s is definitely a nightclub. It’s the perfect place to go if you’re looking for a grand old time, but it also has a few quiet hours on the weekends when they open in the early afternoon. It is kinda weird seeing this giant nightclub pretty dead during the day, but also anticipatory of the night to come.

Progress

3359 N Halsted St

Okay, sure, this place isn’t open until 5 pm on weeknights, but that’s the perfect time to grab a quick after-work drink with a new bae. Weekends are even better, as they are open in the early afternoon hours. Progress doesn’t ever turn absolutely crazy until after midnight anyway, so if you’re not looking for that, it’s easy to avoid. The dancefloor isn’t though, and if you stick around long enough, you’re sure to get in on the action.

The North End

3733 N Halsted St

Hoping to reel in a few hotties while you’re watching the game? Head to the North End, Chicago’s gayest sports bar. You can flirt over the pool table or buy your date a round of beer without hurting your wallet. The prices here are the best you can find in Boystown and the guys who frequent here are cute as all hell.

At UrbanMatter, U Matter. And we think this matters.

Tell us what you think matters in your neighborhood and what we should write about next in the comments below!

9 Outstanding Black Chicago Artists You Should Already Be Listening ToArniecea Johnsonon June 1, 2020 at 5:29 pm

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A lot of popular black musicians has had humble beginnings right here in Chi-town. Some artist even ran in the same circle at one point. You may recognize a few, others you may not. Either way, these stars have succeeded in transforming the music industry, curating albums that make your favorite playlist each time.

So take a listen. Enjoy the journey.

Sam Lay

An oldie, but always a goodie, Sam Lay is one of the most influential blues artists to ever grace Chicago stages, and his reign ain’t over yet! Having moved to the Windy City way back in the 1960s, Sam Lay is still an active participant of the blues scene in Chicago at the graceful age of 82. He released his most famous solo album, Sam Lay in Bluesland, in 1969, and was catapulted in fame thereafter.

Fast-forward to today, and the famed Chicago blues artist has his very own documentary, also entitled Sam Lay in Bluesland, about the making of his groundbreaking career. Partnering with legends like Bob Dylan, Muddy Waters, Iggy Pop, and James Cotton, truly solidified his 60-year blues career into the history books forever and Chicago wouldn’t be the same without him.

Listen to: Sam Lay in Bluesland

Chance The Rapper

Chance The Rapper is a distinct voice in Chicago, dwelling in philanthropy, and making serious moves as an independent artist. His critically-acclaimed mixtape Coloring Book granted him with many awards and made him the first independent rapper to win Best Rap Album.

But dialing it back a bit to 2013, let’s take a listen to the explosive Acid Rap that put him on, and made the success of Coloring Book possible. Capturing his quirkiness and originality, Acid Rap is a staple for those who really listen to Chance.

Listen: Acid Rap

Noname

From the historic neighborhood of Bronzeville, Noname is a poetic performer that has been rapping since she dived into the open mic scene in Chicago, including the noted Slam Poetry competitions. She’s done many features with Chicago natives such as the beloved Chance The Rapper and Mick Jenkins.

Procuring her success, Telephone debuted in 2016, achieving wide critical acclaim and highlighted significant topics within womanhood. As of 2018, Noname has a new album released entitled Room 25. And it’s making a lot of noise in the music scene, solidifying her placement among the recent best rap artists.

Listen: Room 25

Mick Jenkins

Born in Huntsville, Alabama but raised and based in Chicago, Mick Jenkins is a Hip Hop artist, also formerly involved in the open mic scene. In fact, it’s the reason for his discovery. Jenkins has collaborated with many musicians including Vic Mensa, Chance The Rapper, and Saba, eventually leading to his own mixtape Trees & Truths, which lead into The Water[s] and Waves[s] and so forth.

Being a highly conceptual artist, Jenkins places a lot of focus into his album’s theme, one being 2016 The Healing Component. Exploring the various entities of love, The Healing Component also pertains a strong reference to Eric Garner (killed by strangulation from the police) in his second single “Drowning”.

Listen: Healing Component

Common

Common has always been a stable for Hip Hop music, illuminating the black experience in an intelligent and lyrical manner. Many of his projects, such as Like Water for Chocolate, Can I Borrow a Dollar?, and Thisisme Then: The Best of Common, receive high decorum, attracting critical success and respect for its innovation.

But Common’s first major album Like Water for Chocolate was an astounding breakthrough record, capturing socially conscious and Afrocentric themes, that should always be regarded when discussing Common’s legacy.

Listen: Like Water for Chocolate

Jamila Woods

Jamila Woods is beautiful and distinctive sound in the Chicago music and poetry scene. Her angelic vocals have showcased in a variety of Chicago artists (a highlight and fav being Sunday Candy with Chance The Rapper and Donald Trumpet), and her music tackles themes of feminism, black ancestry, and self-love.

In 2016, she released her debut album entitled Heavn, that can be described as protest music, with popping, airy beats that steady its radical and deeply-felt message.

Listen: Heavn

Kanye West

Kanye West is a living legend for the Hip Hop industry and is credited for many sounds that appear in today’s music. Since his debut in 2004, West has been quite the eccentric roller coaster ride, making noise in just about every category, from music to social media, to politics. One thing’s for sure; Kanye has many artistry albums to replay over and over again.

One album, however, that can be debated as one of his best work is his debut album The College Dropout, for it’s the explosive record that started it all.

Listen: The College Dropout

Da Brat

Da Brat was raised on the West Side of Chicago and is credited a pivotal voice in the rap industry. She’s the first solo female rapper to receive a platinum certificate for her debut album Funkdafied and has received a total of two Grammy award nominations.

So let’s travel back to her premiere album, Funkdafied that won her the Number One spot on the rap singles chart and Number Six on Billboard Hot 100.

Listen: Funkdafied

Vic Mensa

Currently signed to Roc Nation, Vic Mensa is a Hip Hop artist who’s also heavily active in his hometown of Chicago. He was originally a member of Kids These Days, but the band split, generating the debut of his solo mixtape Innanetape. He would later go on to release his debut studio album, The Autobiography, accumulating a plethora of features along the way.

The Autobiography was released in 2017 and explores his humanity and self-perception. The album receives mix reviews but overall is credited as a collection of his charms.

Listen: The Autobiography

Tags: artists from chicago Black Chicago artist Black Chicago Musicians chance the rapper Chicago-Based artists Common Da Brat Jamila Woods kanye west mick jenkins noname Vic Mensa

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9 Outstanding Black Chicago Artists You Should Already Be Listening ToArniecea Johnsonon June 1, 2020 at 5:29 pm Read More »

10 Black-Owned Businesses to Support in ChicagoEmily Zale Comstockon June 4, 2020 at 5:57 pm

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With every sip of punch and every bite of home-style cooking, Chicago’s bars and restaurants bring people together. With snow on the ground, hunger in your stomach, and memories to be had, you’ll want to explore these black-owned bars, restaurants, and businesses throughout Chicago. Chicago’s food and bar scene fosters family across every nook and cranny of the city so you, too, can participate in your city’s home. Come for the friendship and live music, stay for the warm-family welcome and hearty portions.

black owned businesses — Photo Credit: The Delta

The Delta

1745 W North Ave

Whether you frequent happy hours between 4 pm and 6 pm or you stay up for the late-night menu between 11 pm and 1 am, you’re sure to find the quintessential form of comfort and solace at The Delta. This Black-owned business and restaurant in Chicago offers inventive takes on classic dishes (did someone say vegan tamale?) all the while paying homage to the Civil Rights history of the Mississippi Delta region. With $3 sweet tea, craft beers, and smashing-cocktails (you won’t want to miss the daily specials), you’ll definitely want to be a regular The Delta. What’s more? This gem has Rotating DJs on Tuesdays and Bottomless Rosé on Wednesdays. The Delta gives a whole new meaning to dining out while maintaining its home-like ambiance.

Frontier

1072 N Milwaukee Ave

Go H.A.M. at Frontier in Wicker Park. This place has been known for its ambitious interpretation on large proteins (i.e. an entire pig) but did you also know that it offers pitchers of alcoholic punch, craft beer, and rustic yet classically inspired cocktails (don’t miss the Vieux Carre)? Perfect for large groups and yourself, Frontier manages to simultaneously create an unforgettable experience that will still make you feel welcomed and warm. In other words, Frontier has a knack for being inventive yet inviting. And that’s what makes this place a must for you.

Mr. Brown’s Lounge

2301 W Chicago Ave

Did someone say reggae? Is that a Jamaican-jerk chicken? Transport yourself to a warmer climate and your new happy place at this black-owned restaurant and business, Mr. Brown’s Lounge. Mr. Brown’s Lounge offers a change of pace for you and your friends for this winter in the city. With its bright, tropical-Caribbean vibe, soul-centric Friday events, and hearty portions, Mr. Brown’s Lounge brings you the perfect escape full of joy and happier times. Be sure to keep the vibe going by bringing their jerk sauce home with you!

Soulé

1931 W Chicago Avenue

If any song would inspire you to create an establishment, which song would it be? The founders and creators of Soulé felt inspired to create an establishment after Biggie Smalls “Juicy”. Located in West Town, Soulé is a place where family, friends, and everything in-between can gather, share, and join a community. Rekindle old friendships or create new ones and share a plate of fried chicken or cat-fish and enjoy the hum of conversations and joy.

* Note: Soulé is BYOB. Be sure to bring your beer from Vice District Brewing (Chicago) or 18th Street Brewery (Hammond, IN) — both of which are Black-owned and local.

Eleven | Eleven

1111 W Lake St

It’s really a small world when you enter Eleven | Eleven. Honestly, this place single-handedly gathers Chicago around with versatile dishes (meat-eater and vegan alike), adventurous cocktails (try the Paper Plane; you won’t be disappointed), and Chicago-crafted artwork and music. Created and owned by Ahmed Braimah, a son of Ghanaian immigrants and a native to Chicago, Eleven | Eleven brings comfort from family-recipes into an elevated, eclectic space inspired by the community.

Ja’ Grill Hyde Park

1510 East Harper Court

Fancy live melodies of Jamaican music? How about jerk spice? With a variety of rum-centric cocktails and plenty of heat, Ja’ Grill in Hyde Park brings its authentic A-game to Chicago as a black-owned business and restaurant. Enjoy a plate of Jamaican cuisine (such as jerk chicken or spicy goat curry) with a Dark and Stormy (or a Red Stripe) at Ja’ Grill. Because of their authenticity and genuine kindness, Ja’ Grill is the perfect oasis for any chilled Chicagoan.

Truth Italian Restaurant

56 E Pershing Rd

Truth be told: Truth Italian Restaurant will become your number one choice for upscale, comfort Italian-food in the city. Head to Bronzeville and you’ll instantly be transported to refined, comfort, Italian cuisine with classic cocktails. Walk through to the heated-back patio and you’ll discover the perfect ambiance for your pork-chops and Old-Fashioned or steak marsala and pinot. And, if you can’t get enough of Truth, be sure to come for brunch and breakfast! Served daily from 8 am – 3 pm you can explore their French-toast options or savor their classic ribeye steak and eggs. Dinner or breakfast — this Truth is truly a staple.

black-owned bars — Photo Credit: M Lounge

M Lounge

1520 S Wabash Ave

Live Jazz, Blues, R&B Music? Check. DJs on Fridays and Saturdays? Check. Martinis? Obvi. M Lounge puts the “M” in your magical mojo with its extensive calendar of events. With plenty of happy hours and live music, you’re sure to find your new and improved evening plans for the next week. Bring a friend or make a friend — either way works when you’re at M Lounge.

Some Like It Black

810 E 43rd St

A staple in South Loop from its founding in 1999, Some Like It Black is a home-town hub for creatives and artists alike. With plates ranging from tacos to paninis, Some Like it Black gives you the space to be yourself without any form of judgment. Here, you’re inspired to honor your idiosyncrasies and artistic endeavors all the while savoring a tequila-based cocktail or non-alcoholic-fruit-packed smoothie.

Norman’s Bistro

1001 E 43rd St

Do you hear something? That must be the live Sunday evening jazz at the bar in Norman’s Bistro. That’s right, Norman’s Bistro is a black-owned restaurant that brings you live music — from jazz on Sundays to DJs throughout the week — so you can get right at home with your martini and melodies. At Norman’s, you’re sure to find your groove and your dish. As your ears savor the smooth jazz and relax with R&B, Norman’s serves up Brazilian-inspired takes on classic Creole dishes. It’s a sure-fire way to satisfy your craving and gather with your newfound friends at this black-owned restaurant.

With this curated list of black-owned restaurants and bars in Chicago, you’re sure to find a place to call home and friends to call family. Make your way around the city and discover the shining and hidden gems in everything — from artistic bars and soul-food to live jazz and elevated Caribbean or Italian cuisine!

At UrbanMatter, U Matter. And we think this matters.

Tell us what you think matters in your neighborhood and what we should write about next in the comments below!

Chicago Blackhawks: Three options for Patrick Kane’s centerVincent Pariseon June 4, 2020 at 12:00 pm

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(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

On which line will Patrick Kane be for the Chicago Blackhawks in the playoffs?

Patrick Kane is perhaps the greatest player to ever lace them up for the Chicago Blackhawks. Older generations might not like hearing it but he is the cornerstone of the best years this franchise has ever seen. When they drafted him with the first overall pick in the 2007 NHL Draft, things have really started to come up for this organization. ESPN had them as the worst franchise in all of the sports at one point before Kane showed up and now they are always amongst the top.

Kane uses his unique offensive abilities to create for both himself and his linemates. He has even made defenseman on his team look good by his natural puck skills. He is a right-wing that has driven a line in the way that a center does. That is why, despite being a winger, people want to play on a line with him. If you have a nice shot or the ability to get to the hard areas, Kane will find you.

He also has the ability to score goals with the best of them. His shot is incredibly deceptive and that has developed over time because goalies don’t know if he is going to pass or shoot. It is honestly incredible to watch because nobody in the building ever knows if Kane is going to shoot or pass. Earlier in his career, he almost exclusively passed first but his knack for the shooting game has developed him into one of the game’s best offensive players.

He is a big key to this team’s chances in the playoffs. In fact, he is probably the biggest key for any team looking to pull an upset. There are some different options for Jeremy Colliton to use Kane. It isn’t going to be a fourth-line center for Kane by any means, but he very well could be paired with one of these three centers come playoff time:

Next: Jonathan Toews

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Chicago Blackhawks: Three options for Patrick Kane’s centerVincent Pariseon June 4, 2020 at 12:00 pm Read More »

Chicago Bulls Rumors: Are Jim Boylen’s days numbered?Patrick Sheldonon June 4, 2020 at 11:00 am

Chicago Bulls (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Could the Chicago Bulls be on the verge of making a coaching change?

Welp — that’s it. The Chicago Bulls‘ season has come to an end. Well officially at least, because let’s be honest — their season was realistically over months ago. The news of the NBA’s likely return, which was announced Wednesday afternoon simply pulled the plug on their 2019-20 season, and potentially the tenure of head coach Jim Boylen.

When Arturas Karnisovas was hired, he promised to be very thoughtful and deliberative with the process of evaluating the organization from top to bottom. He’s now had nearly two months to conduct that review, with Marc Eversley, his new general manager, alongside him for six of those weeks.

The league has settled on a proposal, to be voted on later this week, that would include 22 teams — 16 of which are currently in a playoff spot, and an additional six teams, with the potential for a play-in tournament for the 8th seed.

Big news for the Chicago Bulls

That’s a lot of information, but the salient point for Bulls fans is it won’t include your favorite team. That is not to say that this isn’t significant news for the Bulls, because it certainly might be.

You see, Karnisovas, in conducting his evaluation, was believed by many to want to wait until the season was over to make a decision on the head coach.

Well, with the season now over, there is nothing stopping Karnisovas, literally or figuratively, from announcing that Jim Boylen is no longer the head coach of the Chicago Bulls.

Of course, he could decide to keep Boylen next year, but the word on the street is Karnisovas is leaning more towards letting him go despite the reports that Jerry Reinsdorf, Michael Reinsdorf, and John Paxson are all inexplicably infatuated with him.

Next: 3 Bulls coaching candidates with ties to Karnisovas

If those rumors are true, then you can expect the dominoes to fall pretty quickly as other teams needing a new head coach will want to get to the front of the line to start interviewing candidates. The front office has had months to make the decision on Boylen. If they are parting ways, there is no benefit to delaying the news. In fact, there is a tangible negative impact if they do. So buckle up Bulls fans — you may get your wish very soon!

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Chicago Bulls Rumors: Are Jim Boylen’s days numbered?Patrick Sheldonon June 4, 2020 at 11:00 am Read More »

Chicago Bears unite in a powerful way amidst nation’s turmoilRyan Heckmanon June 4, 2020 at 2:00 pm

Chicago Bears (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Times are uncertain, uneasy and full of unrest. But, the Chicago Bears are committed to change.

It has been one of the most hectic 10-day stretches in recent memory for our country. While most of us were complaining and wondering if we’d get to see our beloved Chicago Bears in person this season, decades upon decades of tension continued to build in our nation — much of which many of us do not see on a daily basis.

A week and a half ago, yet another innocent black man’s life was lost at the hands of the police. This time, it was the straw that broke the camel’s back. When George Floyd passed away in Minneapolis this past Memorial Day, the country provided scenes some of us have only seen in movies.

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Protests and riots broke out around the country. To put it simply, enough was enough.

The question then became, how would athletes and professional sports teams respond to such events? Many athletes decided to join hands with those protesting in the streets, showing their support for immediate change. Others released statements, while plenty of video reactions surfaced around social media.

One thing was for certain: It seemed better to say something rather than remain silent, and for the most part, we saw plenty of players and teams carrying themselves in an outspoken matter. This is, of course, how change happens — coming together, not staying silent and being advocates for a different America.

As for the Bears, head coach Matt Nagy decided to call a virtual team meeting this week to address the matters at hand. One of the Bears’ vocal leaders, Akiem Hicks, was pretty uneasy going into this particular Zoom call.

“I wasn’t too excited to get on that call. I didn’t think anything was going to come from it. I didn’t know why we were having this moment where we were singing Kumbaya and trying to get over what’s really happening in the world.

“I felt like it might be a control situation where they want to control the narrative and point us in a direction so when we talk to [the media] there’s only going to be a certain message that you guys hear.” -Akiem Hicks (via Chicago Sun Times)

What Hicks didn’t know: Nagy was about to bring his Chicago Bears closer and more united than ever before.

According to the report out of the Sun Times, there were 139 players and coaches on the call. Roughly 40 of them spoke during the 2-hour meeting. In the end, Hicks said the meeting changed his perspective on life.

Hicks said there were some real, honest conversations and experiences shared on that call. He even said some of what was said was hurtful, although it was needed. He opted not to share details, and justifiably so. Something so sensitive, intimate and personal such as that meeting should remain between those involved.

Nagy did say that it was probably the most powerful 2-hour meeting he had ever been a part of, explaining the goal of the meeting this way:

“To listen and to let our players know how much I and we support them. And then let them feel our love. That starts by listening. We did that.”

Nagy also went on to say he was proud of their family, which speaks volumes about a group of professionals from all different backgrounds and races.

The Bears are a family. While there are other athletes, coaches and organizations releasing questionable statements lately, the Chicago Bears remain united as a family. That, friends, is something we should all be thankful for. That is something we should be proud of.

Hicks’ original thoughts on the meeting went on to change drastically. The meeting was “the complete opposite” to what he expected.

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As it turns out, something so trivial as the sport of football can be a catalyst in bringing grown men together in the most powerful of ways. To Nagy and the Bears, it’s more than just football. It’s about impact.

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Chicago Bears unite in a powerful way amidst nation’s turmoilRyan Heckmanon June 4, 2020 at 2:00 pm Read More »

Chicago Cubs: How playoff odds are impacted by 50-game seasonRyan Sikeson June 4, 2020 at 1:00 pm

Can the Chicago Cubs return to the postseason in a 50-game season?

On Wednesday, MLB owners officially rejected the MLBPA’s proposal for a 114-game schedule, as expected. Does that mean no Chicago Cubs this year? Not necessarily. The owners stated that they don’t plan to counter, but rather, the league will have private conversations with owners regarding a shortened season.

Earlier this week, we learned that the owners much preferred a shorter year, like 50 games shorter, which would essentially be a sprint to the finish line with no room for error.

After four years of making the postseason, which included three trips to the NLCS and a World Series title, the Cubs missed the postseason last year for the first time since 2014. The talent is certainly still there, but now under rookie manager David Ross, the Cubs are in danger of seeing their window of contention closing.

Under normal circumstances, the Cubs were pegged to win 85 games in 2020, according to Fangraphs, which oddly enough would have won the NL Central. However, should the owners and MLBPA agree on a 50-game season, let’s see how the north siders would have faired in the last five years.

Per the figure above, the Cubs should have easily made the playoffs last year, which hurts to see how they collapsed down the stretch. The had better odds in 2018 than 2019 to make the postseason after the first 50 games, but again, they failed to secure the Central title and lost in the Wild Card round.

Obviously, everything went right for the Cubs in 2016 on their way to their first World Series Championship since 1908. And we had to expect that they would come out sluggishly in 2017, a hangover if you will.

Next: Players set up for success against AL Central

Through the first 50 games, they were at .500 with just a 30 percent chance to make the postseason, and if you recall, they made their third consecutive trip to the NLCS. Now facing an unknown future with several of their key players, 2020 could be their last true shot.

So if there is a season, the Cubs will have to finish with a 27-23 record, at worst. An interesting tidbit here, the Nationals were 19-31 at the 50-game mark last year.

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Chicago Cubs: How playoff odds are impacted by 50-game seasonRyan Sikeson June 4, 2020 at 1:00 pm Read More »

Chicago Blackhawks: Three underrated players against Edmonton OilersRyan Sikeson June 4, 2020 at 3:00 pm

We look at some of the underrated players for the Chicago Blackhawks ahead of their playoff matchup against the Edmonton Oilers.

Last week, the NHL formally announced its return-to-play plan, which excluded the remaining handful of games for each team. Rather, it’s going to be a 24-team playoff, and the Chicago Blackhawks have snuck as a 12 seed.

They are matched up against the five-seed Edmonton Oilers, who are now three years removed from a breakout season in which they scored 103 points. The Oilers regressed the following two years but returned to finish second in the Pacific Division with 83 points.

They are led by their two young stars in Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, who combined to tally 207 points this year. At the blue line, they also have talented defensemen in both Oscar Klefbom and Darnell Nurse, who recorded 29 and 28 assists, respectively.

In net, the Oilers have the veteran Mike Smith, who made a name for himself with the Arizona Coyotes, but they also feature Finnish standout, Mikko Koskinen. The two pretty much alternated starts all year long, combining for a .910 save percentage and 2.85 GAA.

The Blackhawks, of course, are the veterans here led by core offensive pieces in Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. The duo, along with defensemen Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook have combined to win three Stanley Cups and are looking to have another shot at hoisting Lord Stanley’s Cup. First, they’ll need to get past the Oilers.

Here are three underrated players that can help them move past the first round:

Calvin de Haan

de Haan is one player who might benefit the most from the league temporarily shutting down. He injured his shoulder back in December that would have ended his season otherwise. After six years with the Islanders and one year with the Hurricanes, the Blackhawks acquired him before the 2019-2020 season.

He was limited to just 29 games by said shoulder, but he recorded a +10 plus-minus while logging a goal, five assists, and helping to solidify the defense after two dreadful years. Seabrook is likely to miss the postseason, so the Blackhawks will need de Haan to step up in his place.

Dylan Strome

At 23 years of age, Strome averaged nearly 16 minutes of ice time per game and complemented Patrick Kane perfectly on the second line. Kane, of course, led the team in points, but Strome was no slouch either.

After logging 57 points last year – albeit split between the Coyotes and Blackhawks – tallied 38 points, including 12 goals and 26 assists. Throughout his career, he’s played quite well against Edmonton, logging one goal, two assists, and a +4 plus-minus rating.

Kirby Dach

Dach had a fantastic rookie year, averaging just over 14 minutes per game. The 19-year-old was the Blackhawks’ third overall pick in last year’s draft and made his debut in the team’s seventh game of the year. Primarily playing alongside Kubalik and Drake Caggiula on the third line, Dach tallied 23 points, including eight goals and 15 assists

Next: 3 players who can redeem themselves in playoffs

He’s going to be thrown into the fire that is the NHL Playoffs, but his track record thus far is impressive, which includes helping the HG18 Team Canada to a gold medal in 2018.

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Chicago Blackhawks: Three underrated players against Edmonton OilersRyan Sikeson June 4, 2020 at 3:00 pm Read More »

This Friday’s ‘Bandcamp day’ benefits more than the artistsLeor Galilon June 4, 2020 at 3:40 am

At the end of April, Bandcamp announced that it would waive its revenue share on the first Fridays in May, June, and July to help support the independent labels and artists who use the platform to sell their work. Bandcamp had already done this on March 20, just as COVID-19 cancellations began to disrupt the live-music ecosystem upon which so many artists rely; that day, Bandcamp sales totaled $4.3 million. When “Bandcamp day” returned on Friday, May 1, total sales increased to $7.1 million.

The third Bandcamp day is this Friday, June 5. But since the start of protests decrying the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, many musicians and labels who sell their music through Bandcamp have made pledges to donate this Friday’s Bandcamp earnings to Black and Brown community organizations–and Bandcamp’s own list of special releases includes dozens of examples.

Similar donations began even before the latest mass uprising against anti-Black policing and white supremacy. A couple weeks ago, for example, local hip-hop label and collective Why? Records released a pay-what-you-want Bandcamp compilation called Art Is Love Vol. 1 to benefit the Chicago Community Bond Fund.

Over the weekend, two Black female music executives, Jamila Thomas (a senior director of marketing for Atlantic) and Brianna Agyemang (a senior campaign manager for A&R company Platoon), launched a campaign called #TheShowMustBePaused to encourage “gatekeepers of the culture” to “disconnect from work and reconnect with the community.” The campaign included “Blackout Tuesday” on June 2, which asked industry professionals to refrain from self-promotion and take a stand.

Thomas and Agyemang wanted to start a conversation about how an industry built on exploiting Black labor and creativity could be held accountable for supporting and protecting Black people.
But those good intentions were quickly obscured as major labels and music-centric technology companies rolled out confusing and largely toothless messages of support in an attempt to rally around Blackout Tuesday. As the campaign spread beyond the music business, it became a hollow branding exercise on social media–even the San Francisco 49ers, who infamously cut quarterback Colin Kaepernick after he began protesting racial injustice in 2016, tweeted a black square.

On Monday, Bandcamp announced that it would donate 100 percent of its cut on Friday, June 19, to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. The site promised to repeat the donation every subsequent Juneteenth, and pledged to spend an additional $30,000 annually to work with racial-justice organizations.

The work of fighting racial inequality will continue long after protesters leave the streets, and Bandcamp’s willingness to make an ongoing commitment to marginalized communities is one of many reasons I support the site. As I did last month, I’ve listed all recent Reader reviews of albums available on Bandcamp. I encourage you not only to find music that’s new to you but also to search out artists using their platforms to help community organizations–on Friday and on every day to come.

Big Silky, Big Silky Vol. 1

Black Dahlia Murder, Verminous

Buscabulla, Regresa

Cafe Racer, Shadow Talk

Damacy, Sun Spot EP

Danzig, Danzig Sings Elvis

Dark Fog, Escape Into This and Escape Into This 2

DJ Taye, Pyrot3k

Tashi Dorji & Tyler Damon, To Catch a Bird in a Net of Wind

Steve Earle & the Dukes, Ghosts of West Virginia

Wu Fei & Abigail Washburn, Wu Fei & Abigail Washburn

Kassel Jaeger & Jim O’Rourke, In Cobalt Aura Sleeps