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Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky riffs on the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty, and interviews politicians, activists, journalists and other political know-it-alls. Presented by the Chicago Reader, the show is available by 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays at chicagoreader.com/joravsky—or wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t miss Oh, What a Week!–the Friday feature in which Ben & producer Dennis (aka, Dr. D.) review the week’s top stories. Also, bonus interviews drop on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. 

Chicago Reader podcasts are recorded on Shure microphones. Learn more at Shure.com.

Chicago Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky discusses the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty on The Ben Joravsky Show.

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Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky riffs on the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty, and interviews politicians, activists, journalists and other political know-it-alls. Presented by the Chicago Reader, the show is available by 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays at chicagoreader.com/joravsky—or wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t miss Oh, What a Week!–the Friday feature in which Ben & producer Dennis (aka, Dr. D.) review the week’s top stories. Also, bonus interviews drop on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. 

Chicago Reader podcasts are recorded on Shure microphones. Learn more at Shure.com.

Chicago Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky discusses the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty on The Ben Joravsky Show.

Read More

Baltimore band Praise have been working within a classic melodic hardcore sound since their 2010 debut seven-inch, and they dig even deeper into that terrain on their newest album, All in a Dream—their first for legendary hardcore label Revelation. While they started out in a more traditional mosh-heavy vein, Praise started diving hard into the emotional hardcore associated with D.C.’s Revolution Summer on the 2016 EP Leave It All Behind (which even included an Egg Hunt cover). That record proved to be just a peek into what they’re capable of, though. All in a Dream borrows Dag Nasty’s formula of creamy, ringing guitars, high-energy rhythms, and catchy yelled vocals, then builds it into a melodic masterpiece with heartfelt hooks, clever harmonies, and absolutely delicious guitar interplay. A highlight of the record is drummer Daniel Fang—hardcore fans might know him from a little band called Turnstile. Much as he does in that group, he brings an incredibly bouncy, lively feel to Praise, while essentially turning his drum fills and phrases into hooks of their own. This sort of music has been made on the east coast since the 80s, and while Praise aren’t reinventing the wheel, they honor the style so expertly that All in a Dream feels like the freshest record you’ll hear all year—it’ll keep you coming back for more. Due to Fang’s obligations with Turnstile, Praise don’t get out and play—let alone tour—very often, so this show is not to be missed.

Praise Mil-Spec, Instill, Subliminal Excess, and Absolute Truth open. Sat 9/10, 7 PM, Chitown Futbol, 2343 S. Throop, $15, all ages

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Baltimore band Praise have been working within a classic melodic hardcore sound since their 2010 debut seven-inch, and they dig even deeper into that terrain on their newest album, All in a Dream—their first for legendary hardcore label Revelation. While they started out in a more traditional mosh-heavy vein, Praise started diving hard into the emotional hardcore associated with D.C.’s Revolution Summer on the 2016 EP Leave It All Behind (which even included an Egg Hunt cover). That record proved to be just a peek into what they’re capable of, though. All in a Dream borrows Dag Nasty’s formula of creamy, ringing guitars, high-energy rhythms, and catchy yelled vocals, then builds it into a melodic masterpiece with heartfelt hooks, clever harmonies, and absolutely delicious guitar interplay. A highlight of the record is drummer Daniel Fang—hardcore fans might know him from a little band called Turnstile. Much as he does in that group, he brings an incredibly bouncy, lively feel to Praise, while essentially turning his drum fills and phrases into hooks of their own. This sort of music has been made on the east coast since the 80s, and while Praise aren’t reinventing the wheel, they honor the style so expertly that All in a Dream feels like the freshest record you’ll hear all year—it’ll keep you coming back for more. Due to Fang’s obligations with Turnstile, Praise don’t get out and play—let alone tour—very often, so this show is not to be missed.

Praise Mil-Spec, Instill, Subliminal Excess, and Absolute Truth open. Sat 9/10, 7 PM, Chitown Futbol, 2343 S. Throop, $15, all ages

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Chicago White Sox ace Dylan Cease missed a no-hitter by one out. The outing showed that Cease is capable of closing out a frustrating season for the Chicago White Sox strong and win the American League Cy Young Award.

He is currently in a tight race with Houston Astros legend Justin Verlander and Tampa Rays ace Shane McClanahan.

Cease is currently running third in the race according to MLB.com’s latest straw poll.

Nearly throwing a no-hitter against the Minnesota Twins on national television hopefully has narrowed the gap. Also, it helps that Verlander and McClanahan are both currently on the IL.

Both are expected to pitch sometime before the season is over but Cease does get a few more extra performances to show why he is the best pitcher in the American League.

The numbers for all three are nearly identical.

Verlander has more wins but in today’s game with starters pitching limited innings, individual wins are overrated. You want to look at WAR and other stats to compare the pitchers.

Cease is leading all AL pitchers in WAR with 5.5 wins above replacement according to Baseball-Reference.com. Fangraphs.com calculates WAR differently and has Verlander ahead of Cease in WAR.

Verlander is ahead of Cease and McClanahan in ERA but Cease leads both in expected-ERA. Also, Cease has a lot of starts where he gave up no more than one earned run.

Verlander also barely leads Cease in adjusted pitching wins and base-out runs saved.

Cease is also ahead of Verlander and McClanahan in strikeouts. McClanahan is ahead of both in hits per nine innings. The only blemish Cease has on his resume is he leads the American League in walks.

Opponents are hitting just .185 off of Cease. McClanahan is also allowing opposing batters to hit .185 of off him. Verlander’s opponents average is .190.

Cease’s September will determine if he wins the Cy Young.

You can compare the numbers all day long but narratives will also play role. The narrative supports Verlander over Cease and McCalanhan.

Verlander is the veteran two-time winner pitching great coming off missing 2021 after Tommy John surgery. He also happens to be the ace for the best team in the American League. A lot of voters will feel compelled to reward the future Hall of Famer with another Cy Young.

McClanahan is anchoring a rotation for a team within striking distance of catching the New York Yankees for the AL East title. Voters might pick him over Cease based on that little nugget.

Cease’s Cy Young hopes will come down to how he pitches in September. If he dominates like his outing against the Twins during the rest of his starts, he should have a chance to leapfrog both.

If the Chicago White Sox can complete a once unthinkable comeback and win the AL Central Division, that will only bolster Cease’s chances. The Chicago White Sox chances of winning the division are still below 30% according to Fangraphs.

The Sox still have a shot though despite playing below expectations. If they can close out the season by winning the division, Cease will have to put on some outstanding performances. If he turns those in along with the Southsiders somehow pulling off a September comeback to win the AL Central, Cease should win the AL Cy Young.

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The International Cat Association (TICA) presents Chicago: Feline Infurno, the 41st annual cat show hosted by TICA and a chance to view at least 400 registered cats ready for judging (yes, it’s usually the other way around, but at a cat show, people judge the cats). Rare breeds like the Lykoi (also known as the “werewolf cat”) and the Selkirk Rex (the curly cat) will be living in relative harmony (more accurately, being kept happy in their individual cat corners with plenty of treats) with favorites like British Shorthairs and Ragdolls. In addition to the cat competition, plenty of vendors will be on hand to sell you catnip goodies and the latest in feline fashion. It’s at the Hilton Chicago (720 S. Michigan Ave.) from 9 AM-5 PM and registration is required for entry. Check out the TICA website to register and get more details. (SCJ)

It’s that special time of year: when ZINEMercado takes over Comfort Station (2579 N. Milwaukee) in Logan Square. From 11 AM-5 PM, nearly 40 vendors will be selling DIY publications (zines, comics, etc.) and artwork. Styles and perspectives always run the gamut, making this a visual feast of ideas that celebrates the unique depth and diversity of Chicago’s zine community. It’s free and outside in a very walkable part of town, so why spend your Sunday doing anything else? (MC)

The Hardcore Hearse Club car enthusiasts organization presents a day of oddities in Avondale along with the help of the Alley (2620 W. Fletcher), longtime Chicago purveyors of oddities and gear for goths and friends. From noon-7 PM today, visit the store for special visits from a DC comics writer and the actual Batmobile used in the Tim Burton-directed Batman series. Stick around for giveaways and special local vendor pop-ups. More information is available at the Alley’s Facebook page. (SCJ)

Living the mod vs. rockers fantasy? Kick it up a notch and attend today’s Amplified Chicago, a scooter rally and dance party hosted by All Mod Chicago in honor of this weekend’s Slaughterhouse (a yearly scooter enthusiast gathering that invites Vespa lovers and others to Chicagoland each Labor Day weekend). DJs including All Mod Debbie and Eric from FCS Sound System will offer soul, R&B, ska, garage, and more, and drinks will be flowing from the bar. It all goes down from 2-5 PM today at Golden Dagger (2447 N. Halsted). 21+ please, and proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be requested. (SCJ)

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The International Cat Association (TICA) presents Chicago: Feline Infurno, the 41st annual cat show hosted by TICA and a chance to view at least 400 registered cats ready for judging (yes, it’s usually the other way around, but at a cat show, people judge the cats). Rare breeds like the Lykoi (also known as the “werewolf cat”) and the Selkirk Rex (the curly cat) will be living in relative harmony (more accurately, being kept happy in their individual cat corners with plenty of treats) with favorites like British Shorthairs and Ragdolls. In addition to the cat competition, plenty of vendors will be on hand to sell you catnip goodies and the latest in feline fashion. It’s at the Hilton Chicago (720 S. Michigan Ave.) from 9 AM-5 PM and registration is required for entry. Check out the TICA website to register and get more details. (SCJ)

It’s that special time of year: when ZINEMercado takes over Comfort Station (2579 N. Milwaukee) in Logan Square. From 11 AM-5 PM, nearly 40 vendors will be selling DIY publications (zines, comics, etc.) and artwork. Styles and perspectives always run the gamut, making this a visual feast of ideas that celebrates the unique depth and diversity of Chicago’s zine community. It’s free and outside in a very walkable part of town, so why spend your Sunday doing anything else? (MC)

The Hardcore Hearse Club car enthusiasts organization presents a day of oddities in Avondale along with the help of the Alley (2620 W. Fletcher), longtime Chicago purveyors of oddities and gear for goths and friends. From noon-7 PM today, visit the store for special visits from a DC comics writer and the actual Batmobile used in the Tim Burton-directed Batman series. Stick around for giveaways and special local vendor pop-ups. More information is available at the Alley’s Facebook page. (SCJ)

Living the mod vs. rockers fantasy? Kick it up a notch and attend today’s Amplified Chicago, a scooter rally and dance party hosted by All Mod Chicago in honor of this weekend’s Slaughterhouse (a yearly scooter enthusiast gathering that invites Vespa lovers and others to Chicagoland each Labor Day weekend). DJs including All Mod Debbie and Eric from FCS Sound System will offer soul, R&B, ska, garage, and more, and drinks will be flowing from the bar. It all goes down from 2-5 PM today at Golden Dagger (2447 N. Halsted). 21+ please, and proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be requested. (SCJ)

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The International Cat Association (TICA) presents Chicago: Feline Infurno, the 41st annual cat show hosted by TICA and a chance to view at least 400 registered cats ready for judging (yes, it’s usually the other way around, but at a cat show, people judge the cats). Rare breeds like the Lykoi (also known as the “werewolf cat”) and the Selkirk Rex (the curly cat) will be living in relative harmony (more accurately, being kept happy in their individual cat corners with plenty of treats) with favorites like British Shorthairs and Ragdolls. In addition to the cat competition, plenty of vendors will be on hand to sell you catnip goodies and the latest in feline fashion. It’s at the Hilton Chicago (720 S. Michigan Ave.) from 9 AM-5 PM and registration is required for entry. Check out the TICA website to register and get more details. (SCJ)

It’s that special time of year: when ZINEMercado takes over Comfort Station (2579 N. Milwaukee) in Logan Square. From 11 AM-5 PM, nearly 40 vendors will be selling DIY publications (zines, comics, etc.) and artwork. Styles and perspectives always run the gamut, making this a visual feast of ideas that celebrates the unique depth and diversity of Chicago’s zine community. It’s free and outside in a very walkable part of town, so why spend your Sunday doing anything else? (MC)

The Hardcore Hearse Club car enthusiasts organization presents a day of oddities in Avondale along with the help of the Alley (2620 W. Fletcher), longtime Chicago purveyors of oddities and gear for goths and friends. From noon-7 PM today, visit the store for special visits from a DC comics writer and the actual Batmobile used in the Tim Burton-directed Batman series. Stick around for giveaways and special local vendor pop-ups. More information is available at the Alley’s Facebook page. (SCJ)

Living the mod vs. rockers fantasy? Kick it up a notch and attend today’s Amplified Chicago, a scooter rally and dance party hosted by All Mod Chicago in honor of this weekend’s Slaughterhouse (a yearly scooter enthusiast gathering that invites Vespa lovers and others to Chicagoland each Labor Day weekend). DJs including All Mod Debbie and Eric from FCS Sound System will offer soul, R&B, ska, garage, and more, and drinks will be flowing from the bar. It all goes down from 2-5 PM today at Golden Dagger (2447 N. Halsted). 21+ please, and proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be requested. (SCJ)

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