The first time I tried on a pair of Crocs, I was in study hall. This kid named Marlin slid them off and told me I had to give them a go. Marlin wasn’t known for his sartorial choices. He liked to wear thick white socks with flip-flops; the thong wedged into the cotton between his toes. But curiosity got the best of me, so I slid the Crocs on. The sweat left over from Marlin’s bare feet lubricated the plastic against my own skin, and I felt nothing but repulsion. It was a no for me. But it turns out Marlin was just ahead of the times.

Now, more than ten years after I graduated from high school, I think Crocs are the coolest. I have multiple pairs, and I pine for more. And I am not alone in this. These days Crocs show up in paparazzi photos of Post Malone and on Balenciaga runways. Since the genesis of Crocs in 2001, the wearers of these clunky plastic clogs have shifted from clueless vacation dads to TikTok fashion girlies. What used to be corny is cool—and what’s cool to people is always arbitrary. All I want right now are big comfy shoes that look like cartoons.

Once, I had a friend with a Wrangler explain the “Jeep wave” to me—a two-finger salute that Jeep drivers share when they pass each other by. My buddy was embarrassed by Jeep culture, and pretended to never see the bros gesturing through their wide front windows. I’ve found a similar camaraderie among Crocs wearers, but I am not ashamed at all. When I am wearing Crocs, and I compliment a stranger who is wearing Crocs, we simply have the time of our lives. We talk about the pairs we have, the pairs we want, the sort of innate goofiness that accompanies wearing shoes that are objectively pretty ugly.

It’s funny how owning certain things promotes this sense of community. Do PT Cruiser pilots have an arcane handshake? Do Converse wearers share secret glances? (I’ll never know—my feet are too wide for Converse.) To me, it seems like joining the Crocs club comes with a special kind of energy. Conversations with fellow Crocs freaks take place in the narrow valley between being in on the joke and not making a joke at all.

The tiny charms that plug into the holes in Crocs are called “Jibbitz.” We have not yet licensed a backwards “R” Chicago Reader charm, though it would be cute. Credit: Megan Kirby

And if our conversation lasts long enough, I get to ask if they’ve been to the Crocs shop on State Street: a smorgasbord of options, in every color you could ever name. The single storefront contains enough plastic to ensure the death of our planet, and my god, I need that lime green pair in the window. They also offer an obscene amount of Jibbitz (which are the charms that one can plug into a Crocs’s holes). Weed leaves and Diet Coke cans and a little propeller cap where the propeller actually spins—you name it, they’ve got a Jibbitz version of it. Whenever I hear someone say “Jibbitz” out loud, I feel like I should call the police.

I am not breaking brave new ground by declaring that Crocs are cool. They’ve been en vogue for a while, and I’m just riding that wave. But I feel inspired by their evolution, because the shoe itself never actually changed. It’s like the Ugly Duckling stayed homely but got way better at personal branding. It makes me think about the rapid movement of the trend cycles. One minute, you’re at the top, and the next, you’re in the gutter. Seeing the shift in public response to this one pair of absurd plastic clogs makes me see how pointless it is to try and keep up anyway. Better to focus on your own style, and cherry-pick the trends when they fit.

When I was in my 20s, I liked to try to be the coolest girl in the room. I don’t regret doing this. Sure, it could feel a little shallow, but it was very fun. It was also a ton of work to keep track of what other people thought was fashionable, and measure myself against those judgments. Now that I’m firmly in my 30s, I can see that being cool doesn’t have to be a competition. Lately, it feels more like a little game I play by myself. Crocs are in right now. Maybe in a few years, they’ll be on the outs. But I don’t feel trapped by these cycles anymore. I’d rather pick the fashions that fit my body and my style, and trust that if I think they’re hip, others can be convinced.

I just bought a pair of giant, white, orthopedic New Balances. They are decidedly corny, but I am at a point in my life where it’s necessary to launch arch support into the trend cycle. The other day, a man in his mid-60s got on the bus wearing the exact same shoes as me. We didn’t exchange any secret handshakes or covert nods, but I think we both knew: we’re just ahead of the zeitgeist.  

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The Chicago Blackhawks are clearly emptying the tank. Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane are still there which makes things exciting but the Hawks are resetting the whole thing. They also have Seth Jones who might be hard to trade but you never know.

Right before or at the 2022 NHL Draft, they traded away Alex DeBrincat and Kirby Dach for draft picks. Kyle Davidson is clearly a man with a plan that wants to shake things up for his new team. The next phase of his plan is beginning.

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Enjoy all the things you love about summer with a little help from your local grocer. This summer the Dill Pickle Food Co-op is offering a series of free food demos, cooking classes, and much more. Take your taste buds on tour and learn how to take advantage of all of our favorite seasonal produce to make the most of your meals this Chicago summer.

Some suggestions for an incredible charcuterie board:

Firehook CrackersBaldauf der Allgauer cheeseUbriaco Pinot Rosé cheeseUnderground Meats Tuscan Style Salami (local vendor)Marcona almondsMitica Fennel Taralli Italian crackers

All of these items will help create the best and most appetizing charcuterie board for your next social gathering or special event.

Dates of demos and cooking classes 

June 29 July 13July 27August 3 August 24 

Stop by on our “Wine(d) up Wednesdays” and sample international wine offerings and a variety of domestic and imported spirits.

Don’t feel like cooking? We also have amazing in-house prepared takeaways, including handmade sandwiches and salads, which also pack perfectly for your next Chicago adventure. 

Take advantage of our Wellness Wednesdays in which you can save 20% on wellness products, such as vitamins and minerals. Don’t forget to stock up on sunscreen and aloe to keep the UV rays at bay. 

After relaxing and chilling in the sun, visit our spirits department for a few refreshing cocktail ingredients like Vodka (Moscow Mule), Rose Tequila (Tequila Sunrise), Rum (Pina Colada), Gin (Gin Basil Smash), and a diverse selection of wines and beers perfect for sipping in the fresh air. 

Stop by the Dill Pickle Food Co-op, 2746 N. Milwaukee Avenue, 8 am-9 pm, 7 days a week!

For more information visit www.dillpickle.coop

ENTER TO WIN!

Are you ready to win? Head to chicagoreader.com/dillpicklecontest to enter to win one of three prizes! 

Read more about the Dill Pickle Co-Op

Dill Pickle and Mercato: A Partnership on Shared Values

Local Members, Local Food

The Co-Op Wars

This sponsored content is paid for by The Dill Pickle Food Co-op. The co-op seeks to sustain a thriving community that has equitable economic relationships, positive environmental impacts, and inclusive practices grounded in cooperative values. 

Open 8 AM – 9 PM daily | 2746 N Milwaukee Ave Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 252-2667 | dillpickle.coop

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Enjoy all the things you love about summer with a little help from your local grocer. This summer the Dill Pickle Food Co-op is offering a series of free food demos, cooking classes, and much more. Take your taste buds on tour and learn how to take advantage of all of our favorite seasonal produce to make the most of your meals this Chicago summer.

Some suggestions for an incredible charcuterie board:

Firehook CrackersBaldauf der Allgauer cheeseUbriaco Pinot Rosé cheeseUnderground Meats Tuscan Style Salami (local vendor)Marcona almondsMitica Fennel Taralli Italian crackers

All of these items will help create the best and most appetizing charcuterie board for your next social gathering or special event.

Dates of demos and cooking classes 

June 29 July 13July 27August 3 August 24 

Stop by on our “Wine(d) up Wednesdays” and sample international wine offerings and a variety of domestic and imported spirits.

Don’t feel like cooking? We also have amazing in-house prepared takeaways, including handmade sandwiches and salads, which also pack perfectly for your next Chicago adventure. 

Take advantage of our Wellness Wednesdays in which you can save 20% on wellness products, such as vitamins and minerals. Don’t forget to stock up on sunscreen and aloe to keep the UV rays at bay. 

After relaxing and chilling in the sun, visit our spirits department for a few refreshing cocktail ingredients like Vodka (Moscow Mule), Rose Tequila (Tequila Sunrise), Rum (Pina Colada), Gin (Gin Basil Smash), and a diverse selection of wines and beers perfect for sipping in the fresh air. 

Stop by the Dill Pickle Food Co-op, 2746 N. Milwaukee Avenue, 8 am-9 pm, 7 days a week!

For more information visit www.dillpickle.coop

ENTER TO WIN!

Are you ready to win? Head to chicagoreader.com/dillpicklecontest to enter to win one of three prizes! 

Read more about the Dill Pickle Co-Op

Dill Pickle and Mercato: A Partnership on Shared Values

Local Members, Local Food

The Co-Op Wars

This sponsored content is paid for by The Dill Pickle Food Co-op. The co-op seeks to sustain a thriving community that has equitable economic relationships, positive environmental impacts, and inclusive practices grounded in cooperative values. 

Open 8 AM – 9 PM daily | 2746 N Milwaukee Ave Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 252-2667 | dillpickle.coop

Read More

The first weekend of Las Vegas Summer League is in the books, and the NBA hasn’t disappointed. Paolo Banchero and Jabari Smith Jr. kicked things off with a highly anticipated meeting between the lottery draft picks.

No. 2 overall pick Chet Holmgren carried his momentum from Utah into Saturday’s 90-88 Oklahoma City Thunder loss to the Houston Rockets, while several other rookies have delivered big performances. But the newbies aren’t the only ones who stole the show.

Golden State Warriors center James Wiseman made his return from a torn meniscus in his right knee that has sidelined him since April 2021.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James didn’t need to be on the court to leave an impression, as he took in his team’s matchup with the Phoenix Suns courtside, while new coach Darvin Ham addressed the team’s future.

Brooklyn Nets guards Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons also watched the action from Vegas as the NBA world waits for the Nets to decide on their future.

What are players, coaches and front-office personnel buzzing about in the desert? Here’s what our NBA insiders are discussing.

MORE: Rookies who have stood out in Vegas

What’s next for Wiseman and the Warriors?

Wiseman made his summer league debut Sunday — a highly anticipated and important moment for the Warriors’ offseason.

In his first game since March — when he spent time in the G League — Wiseman finished with 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting, two rebounds and two blocks in 19 minutes.

As Wiseman made his way into the locker room after the game, he was greeted by a standing ovation from his teammates.

“I’ve been through a lot of hard times. To see everyone rooting for me, it’s a great feeling,” Wiseman said.

There were a lot of questions surrounding Wiseman’s availability and why he didn’t play in the California Classic, or the first game in Las Vegas.

2 Related

According to Warriors summer league head coach Jama Mahlalela, the decision for Wiseman to play Sunday — the Warriors’ second summer league game — instead of their first was based on the time table the training staff planned.

Trainers wanted Wiseman to log a certain amount of time in the gym before being exposed to the public, Mahlalela told ESPN. And that predetermined the date he’d be allowed to play.

The Warriors also wanted to make sure Wiseman was as confident as possible before he took to the court, a source said.

Now that Wiseman has a game under his belt, the Warriors can start to plan out how they want to use him next season alongside Kevon Looney.

“There’s no doubt you see his dominance already,” Mahlalela told ESPN. “He’s a screen setter and a roller, and the Warriors haven’t had a dynamic roller for many years. I think that’s an opportunity for us to change our game a little.”

“Defensively, it is about rim protection. And he’s a huge human being,” Mahlalela said. “The more we can get him to be a great off-ball, weakside defender and be able to alter or change or rim protect, it’s a simple package for him.”

The Warriors hope by the start of August they will have an even clearer idea of how they want to use Wiseman.

Unlike his rookie season, when the Warriors threw the center into more playing time, they won’t give him free rein to start out. They are emphasizing the need for him to master the fundamentals first.

But simply having him play a game in Las Vegas is a step in that direction. And it helped both Wiseman and the Warriors get the weight of his return off their shoulders.

— Kendra Andrews

What happens in Brooklyn …

The drama that surrounds the Nets never really stops.

The latest chapter in the soap opera came over the weekend as both Simmons and Irving made appearances inside the Thomas & Mack Center at summer league. The fact that Simmons — who hasn’t played in over a year as he recovers from back surgery and mental health concerns — watched the Nets play Friday and Sunday, while Irving, who recently picked up a player option worth over $36 million but is the subject of trade speculation, watched a game between the Detroit Pistons and the Washington Wizards on Saturday night only heightened the organization intrigue.

The fact both players did this as a gym full of fans and league executives tried to figure out where Brooklyn’s star Kevin Durant will play next season made the past few days even stranger.

Stay up to date on the latest NBA free agency and trade news all summer long:

In the short term, none of the main characters in the Nets’ ongoing saga want to discuss things publicly. Simmons declined comment Sunday but appeared to be in good spirits while joking with reporters. The same goes for Nets general manager Sean Marks, who maintains a friendly demeanor while being repeatedly asked about Durant’s future.

For their part, the Nets’ young summer league team is trying to take it all in stride. Second-year guard Cam Thomas said he remains in contact with Irving, and no matter what might happen in the future, “that will still be my guy, my brother.”

Thomas isn’t concerned about whether Irving shows up to watch the summer Nets play in Vegas.

“That’s on him, but I don’t really care,” Thomas said. “He can come watch, he don’t have to, I’m going to still do my thing. I’m still going to play. It doesn’t matter who’s watching. That’s his choice.”

Nets guard David Duke Jr. said he appreciated Simmons being in Vegas to watch the young Nets, but he isn’t paying attention to all the storylines surrounding his team. He has made sure that people in his inner circle aren’t asking him questions about it all either.

“All the people that have my number are my close friends, my family,” Duke said. “They don’t really care about that stuff, so they let me do my thing and that’s all that really matters to be honest.”

The only thing that most in the gym agreed upon over the weekend in regard to the Nets’ predicament is they don’t think a potential Durant deal will happen any time soon. But as has been the case all year in Brooklyn, it’s always best to expect the unexpected. The Nets remain on top of a news cycle that shows no signs of ending soon.

— Nick Friedell

Pelicans’ Grand Theft Alvarado

A year ago at summer league, New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado was on a two-way contract and didn’t even start for the team in any of its five summer league games — playing the ninth-most minutes on the team.

Slowly but surely, however, Alvarado carved out his place on the NBA scene. He fought for minutes and took advantage of absences during the year to cement himself in the Pelicans’ rotation, and by the playoffs he was going toe to toe with one of the greatest point guards of all time in Chris Paul while earning himself a full NBA contract.

Alvarado carried that momentum into the offseason when he joined the Puerto Rican national team during the most recent FIBA qualifying round, which included an eight-point loss to the United States and a 10-point victory over Mexico. Alvarado was Puerto Rico’s leading scorer in both games.

The fan favorite said he found it jarring to be walking around with former NBA player and Puerto Rican native Carlos Arroyo or former NBA point guard Mike Bibby, and people would want to take pictures with just him.

Choose your league size, customize the scoring and set the rules you want to follow in order to create the fantasy basketball league you want to play in.

Create your custom league for free!

“I’m like, ‘Do y’all know who this is?'” Alvarado said.

Because of the national team experience, Alvarado, who is listed on the Pelicans’ 2022 summer league roster, took the first night off and enjoyed watching from the sidelines with his New Orleans teammates.

“I just want to keep building for myself,” Alvarado said. “This is my little legacy. I can tell my kids I did it my way. I didn’t have to pretend and be nobody else. I just did it Jose way. This whole summer has been great.”

Alvarado’s presence has also been felt in AAU gyms across the country as everyone tries to pull off his patented sneaky steal in which he hides on the baseline after a made basket or change of possession and sprints down an unsuspecting defender as they are bringing the ball up the court.

Coaches from all over have talked about how they’ve seen kids trying to pull it off, and it’s something Alvarado gets a kick out of.

“Everybody is telling me you got everybody doing that,” Alvarado said. “It’s cool, man. It never gets old to me. Even coming here and sitting with all these guys that have been in the league and them coming up to me and showing love, it’ll never get old to me. For the AAU prospects, just keep doing it. Make me look good. Hopefully they doing it the right way.”

By the way, what’s the steal called?

“I gotta figure that one out,” he said. “I gotta think about that one.”

The leader in the clubhouse: Grand Theft Alvarado.

— Andrew Lopez

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The Chicago White Sox cannot maintain any consistency this season. That is one reason they are one of the most disappointing teams in baseball.

They are two games under .500 and sit behind the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central Division. This was a team predicted by many to run away with the division.

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The first weekend of Las Vegas Summer League is in the books, and the NBA hasn’t disappointed. Paolo Banchero and Jabari Smith Jr. kicked things off with a highly anticipated meeting between the lottery draft picks.

No. 2 overall pick Chet Holmgren carried his momentum from Utah into Saturday’s 90-88 Oklahoma City Thunder loss to the Houston Rockets, while several other rookies have delivered big performances. But the newbies aren’t the only ones who stole the show.

Golden State Warriors center James Wiseman made his return from a torn meniscus in his right knee that has sidelined him since April 2021.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James didn’t need to be on the court to leave an impression, as he took in his team’s matchup with the Phoenix Suns courtside, while new coach Darvin Ham addressed the team’s future.

Brooklyn Nets guards Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons also watched the action from Vegas as the NBA world waits for the Nets to decide on their future.

What are players, coaches and front-office personnel buzzing about in the desert? Here’s what our NBA insiders are discussing.

MORE: Rookies who have stood out in Vegas

What’s next for Wiseman and the Warriors?

Wiseman made his summer league debut Sunday — a highly anticipated and important moment for the Warriors’ offseason.

In his first game since March — when he spent time in the G League — Wiseman finished with 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting, two rebounds and two blocks in 19 minutes.

As Wiseman made his way into the locker room after the game, he was greeted by a standing ovation from his teammates.

“I’ve been through a lot of hard times. To see everyone rooting for me, it’s a great feeling,” Wiseman said.

There were a lot of questions surrounding Wiseman’s availability and why he didn’t play in the California Classic, or the first game in Las Vegas.

2 Related

According to Warriors summer league head coach Jama Mahlalela, the decision for Wiseman to play Sunday — the Warriors’ second summer league game — instead of their first was based on the time table the training staff planned.

Trainers wanted Wiseman to log a certain amount of time in the gym before being exposed to the public, Mahlalela told ESPN. And that predetermined the date he’d be allowed to play.

The Warriors also wanted to make sure Wiseman was as confident as possible before he took to the court, a source said.

Now that Wiseman has a game under his belt, the Warriors can start to plan out how they want to use him next season alongside Kevon Looney.

“There’s no doubt you see his dominance already,” Mahlalela told ESPN. “He’s a screen setter and a roller, and the Warriors haven’t had a dynamic roller for many years. I think that’s an opportunity for us to change our game a little.”

“Defensively, it is about rim protection. And he’s a huge human being,” Mahlalela said. “The more we can get him to be a great off-ball, weakside defender and be able to alter or change or rim protect, it’s a simple package for him.”

The Warriors hope by the start of August they will have an even clearer idea of how they want to use Wiseman.

Unlike his rookie season, when the Warriors threw the center into more playing time, they won’t give him free rein to start out. They are emphasizing the need for him to master the fundamentals first.

But simply having him play a game in Las Vegas is a step in that direction. And it helped both Wiseman and the Warriors get the weight of his return off their shoulders.

— Kendra Andrews

What happens in Brooklyn …

The drama that surrounds the Nets never really stops.

The latest chapter in the soap opera came over the weekend as both Simmons and Irving made appearances inside the Thomas & Mack Center at summer league. The fact that Simmons — who hasn’t played in over a year as he recovers from back surgery and mental health concerns — watched the Nets play Friday and Sunday, while Irving, who recently picked up a player option worth over $36 million but is the subject of trade speculation, watched a game between the Detroit Pistons and the Washington Wizards on Saturday night only heightened the organization intrigue.

The fact both players did this as a gym full of fans and league executives tried to figure out where Brooklyn’s star Kevin Durant will play next season made the past few days even stranger.

Stay up to date on the latest NBA free agency and trade news all summer long:

In the short term, none of the main characters in the Nets’ ongoing saga want to discuss things publicly. Simmons declined comment Sunday but appeared to be in good spirits while joking with reporters. The same goes for Nets general manager Sean Marks, who maintains a friendly demeanor while being repeatedly asked about Durant’s future.

For their part, the Nets’ young summer league team is trying to take it all in stride. Second-year guard Cam Thomas said he remains in contact with Irving, and no matter what might happen in the future, “that will still be my guy, my brother.”

Thomas isn’t concerned about whether Irving shows up to watch the summer Nets play in Vegas.

“That’s on him, but I don’t really care,” Thomas said. “He can come watch, he don’t have to, I’m going to still do my thing. I’m still going to play. It doesn’t matter who’s watching. That’s his choice.”

Nets guard David Duke Jr. said he appreciated Simmons being in Vegas to watch the young Nets, but he isn’t paying attention to all the storylines surrounding his team. He has made sure that people in his inner circle aren’t asking him questions about it all either.

“All the people that have my number are my close friends, my family,” Duke said. “They don’t really care about that stuff, so they let me do my thing and that’s all that really matters to be honest.”

The only thing that most in the gym agreed upon over the weekend in regard to the Nets’ predicament is they don’t think a potential Durant deal will happen any time soon. But as has been the case all year in Brooklyn, it’s always best to expect the unexpected. The Nets remain on top of a news cycle that shows no signs of ending soon.

— Nick Friedell

Pelicans’ Grand Theft Alvarado

A year ago at summer league, New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado was on a two-way contract and didn’t even start for the team in any of its five summer league games — playing the ninth-most minutes on the team.

Slowly but surely, however, Alvarado carved out his place on the NBA scene. He fought for minutes and took advantage of absences during the year to cement himself in the Pelicans’ rotation, and by the playoffs he was going toe to toe with one of the greatest point guards of all time in Chris Paul while earning himself a full NBA contract.

Alvarado carried that momentum into the offseason when he joined the Puerto Rican national team during the most recent FIBA qualifying round, which included an eight-point loss to the United States and a 10-point victory over Mexico. Alvarado was Puerto Rico’s leading scorer in both games.

The fan favorite said he found it jarring to be walking around with former NBA player and Puerto Rican native Carlos Arroyo or former NBA point guard Mike Bibby, and people would want to take pictures with just him.

Choose your league size, customize the scoring and set the rules you want to follow in order to create the fantasy basketball league you want to play in.

Create your custom league for free!

“I’m like, ‘Do y’all know who this is?'” Alvarado said.

Because of the national team experience, Alvarado, who is listed on the Pelicans’ 2022 summer league roster, took the first night off and enjoyed watching from the sidelines with his New Orleans teammates.

“I just want to keep building for myself,” Alvarado said. “This is my little legacy. I can tell my kids I did it my way. I didn’t have to pretend and be nobody else. I just did it Jose way. This whole summer has been great.”

Alvarado’s presence has also been felt in AAU gyms across the country as everyone tries to pull off his patented sneaky steal in which he hides on the baseline after a made basket or change of possession and sprints down an unsuspecting defender as they are bringing the ball up the court.

Coaches from all over have talked about how they’ve seen kids trying to pull it off, and it’s something Alvarado gets a kick out of.

“Everybody is telling me you got everybody doing that,” Alvarado said. “It’s cool, man. It never gets old to me. Even coming here and sitting with all these guys that have been in the league and them coming up to me and showing love, it’ll never get old to me. For the AAU prospects, just keep doing it. Make me look good. Hopefully they doing it the right way.”

By the way, what’s the steal called?

“I gotta figure that one out,” he said. “I gotta think about that one.”

The leader in the clubhouse: Grand Theft Alvarado.

— Andrew Lopez

Read More

It’s impossible to listen to DakhaBrakha right now outside a political context; they’re a Ukrainian folk band based in Kyiv. After Russia launched its full-scale war on their country in February, the band published an impassioned anti-Putin post on their website. But long before that explicit statement of solidarity, the four-piece group were using their music to offer a vision of an antifascist, cosmopolitan, vibrant, and independent Ukraine. “DakhaBrakha” is a blend of the old Ukrainian words for “give” and “take,” and the band treat traditional music like a smorgasbord, not a straitjacket. Their stage outfits and towering fuzzy hats are influenced by Ukrainian folk costume and the band’s roots in avant-garde theater, and members Marko Halanevych, Olena Tsybulska, Iryna Kovalenko, and Nina Garenetska play a bewildering array of instruments originating from India, Russia, Australia, the Middle East, and Africa. Likewise, DakhaBrakha’s compositions soar and twirl with nods to genres from around the globe while remaining rooted in their homeland. The stunning “Dostochka,” from the self-released 2020 album Alambari, weaves blues and gospel into Ukrainian themes and rhythms, creating a slow, haunting lament that slides between English and Ukrainian lyrics, with piercing solo keening by male and female singers and sweetly urgent vocal harmonies, jazzy piano, and drone instruments. “Lado,” from the same album, is an up-tempo barn burner that sounds like bluegrass that’s taken a ton of amphetamines and stolen a motorbike. DakhaBrakha’s approach is open, passionate, and joyous—listening to them, you feel like you know what their country is fighting for.

DakhaBrakha The Chicago Immigrant Orchestra opens. Mon 7/18, 6:30 PM, Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph, free, all ages

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