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Miami death tripEmily McClanathanon November 2, 2022 at 7:19 pm

Teenagers tend to be reckless, sure, but few would gather in a spooky tree house to summon the spirit of Colombian drug cartel leader Pablo Escobar. But then, most aren’t as hardcore—or foolhardy—as the members of the Dead Leaders Club, a group of private school girls in Miami who dabble with supernatural forces in Our Dear Dead Drug Lord. This unsettling, befuddling play by Alexis Scheer is now in its midwest premiere at Steep Theatre, directed by Sophiyaa Nayar.

Our Dear Dead Drug LordThrough 12/10: Fri-Sat 7:30 PM, Sun 3 PM; audio description and touch tour Sun 11/20; open caption performance Sun 11/13; Steep Theatre, 1044 W. Berwyn, 773-649-3186, steeptheatre.com, $30-$40 ($10 access tickets)

Since its founding in 1964, the high school’s Dead Leaders Club has offered students the opportunity to study historical icons such as John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Gandhi, and Princess Diana. When we meet the members in 2008, the club has taken a darker turn under its current president, a firebrand called Pipe (Isabella Maria Valdes), who selects controversial subjects such as Saddam Hussein and Joseph Stalin. Recently, its status as a school-sponsored club has been revoked due to allegations that the members used school funds to buy cocaine. 

Carrying on with their activities anyway, the members initiate a new student, Kit (Isabel Rivera), on the same night they hold a séance to speak with Escobar. The group is now a foursome, with Kit joining Pipe, Squeeze (Elena Victoria Feliz), and Zoom (Lauren Smith), who all go by nicknames determined by a Ouija board. Initially it’s unclear why they choose to summon Escobar, beyond the fact that the girls feel an undeniable attraction to the handsome drug lord, revered by many Colombians as a Robin Hood-like figure despite his crimes. 

Anyone who was a teen in the early 2000s will relate to many references in the play, from the pervasive fear of terrorist attacks—for these characters, 9/11 is a childhood memory and the 7/7 London bombings are a recent event—to lighter throwbacks like Hot Topic, dial-up Internet, and the rise of the hipster. The 2008 presidential election also looms large, with Squeeze and Pipe sparring over their respective support for Barack Obama and John McCain.

Paranormal elements aside, the play takes a serious look at the struggles of adolescence. Between them, the four girls face more than their share of trauma: family deaths, self-harm, domestic abuse, unplanned pregnancy, repressed sexuality, and more. Conversations about race also create tension among the diverse group, which includes Afro-Latina, Colombian, Cuban, and Jewish members. Despite strong performances from several cast members, I found it difficult to connect to individual characters amid this smorgasbord of storylines.

Our Dear Dead Drug Lord held my interest with its well-paced, unconventional plot and morbid humor, but I left the theater unsure of what Scheer wished to communicate to the audience. The play ends in shocking brutality, magical happenings, and a twisted vision of female empowerment, which comes at great cost. A lengthy excerpt of Spanish dialogue is translated on a lobby sign as patrons exit, but this offers little illumination. If you’re looking to carry on the Halloween vibes into late fall, this show might be for you, but I found little payoff in its heavy subject matter and graphic violence.


Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at the Museum of Contemporary Art

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Miami death tripEmily McClanathanon November 2, 2022 at 7:19 pm Read More »

Heavenly bluesKerry Reidon November 2, 2022 at 7:31 pm

Black Ensemble Theater’s latest follows the company’s tried-and-true formula with an otherworldly twist. In Blue Heaven, written and directed by Daryl D. Brooks (BET’s producing managing director), a quartet of deceased blues greats—Chester Arthur Burnett, aka Howlin’ Wolf, Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton, McKinley Morganfield, aka Muddy Waters, and Stevie Ray Vaughan (no nickname)—hang out at “Pearly’s,” a heavenly juke joint, where they await the new arrival: Riley B. King, better known as B.B. 

Blue Heaven Through 11/27: Fri 7 PM, Sat 3 and 7 PM, Sun 3 PM, Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark, 773-769-4451, blackensembletheater.org, $55 ($50 seniors)

The premise is that each new blues great who arrives has to go through a ritual of forgiving themselves for something they did on earth, or resolve some pain inside themselves. So Howlin’ Wolf (Lyle Miller) comes to grips with being abandoned by his mother. Big Mama Thornton (Miciah Lathan) relives witnessing the accidental self-inflicted shooting death of Johnny Ace backstage after a gig. Stevie Ray (Billy Rude) regrets the years lost to addiction. And Dwight Neal’s Muddy? Well, he mostly feels bad about his trip into psychedelia, 1968’s Electric Mud (an album the real Muddy later characterized as “dogshit.”) And though B.B. (Aaron Reese Boseman) claims he made his peace with everyone before he died, a painful story about seeing one of his 15 kids—daughter Patricia—in the audience of prisoners at a jail in Gainesville (he didn’t even know she had been incarcerated) suggests a lot of paternal guilt accompanied him to the other side.

Really, though, what this show mostly does is provide an excuse for the five performers, backed by a killer four-piece band led by Adam Sherrod, to jam out on two dozen classics, beginning with Howlin’ Wolf’s “Smokestack Lightning” to Thornton’s “Hound Dog” and “Ball and Chain” (popularized by white artists Elvis Presley and Janis Joplin) to Muddy’s “Hoochie Coochie Man” and Vaughan’s “Rude Mood.” And of course Boseman’s B.B. tears up “The Thrill Is Gone.”

The theme of appropriation by white musicians is broached. When Rude’s Vaughan says “practice makes perfect,” Miller’s Wolf retorts, “Practicing? Or stealing?” Rude (a vet of the national tour of Million Dollar Quartet) plays Vaughan as a deferential, though blisteringly talented, disciple of those who came before him. As the only woman (and a lesbian, too), Lathan’s Thornton pays tribute to Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey, while making it clear how much harder the road was for her than for the guys.

Though the stories may just scratch the surface of these phenomenal lives, the songs raise the rafters. Miller’s guttural growl, Neal’s assured swagger, Lathan’s straight-from-the-shoulder delivery, Boseman’s flashes of anguish, and Rude’s superb guitar work all land with force and joy. Black Ensemble Theater’s founder and CEO, Jackie Taylor, jokes that coming to her theater is like coming to church (because there are collection baskets in the lobby). Brooks’s ensemble shines in this heavenly dive into the blues.


Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at the Museum of Contemporary Art

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Heavenly bluesKerry Reidon November 2, 2022 at 7:31 pm Read More »

Villainy and vindicationAlbert Williamson November 2, 2022 at 7:41 pm

Every superhero saga needs a villain, and Mark Pracht’s new play The Mark of Kanean origin story for the comic-book character Batman—provides one in the figure of Bob Kane. In Pracht’s account, Kane was an ambitious freelance illustrator who, in 1939, came up with the concept of a crime-fighting vigilante who could fly with the aid of batlike wings inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s ornithopter design. But it was writer Milton “Bill” Finger—Kane’s former schoolmate at DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx—who shaped Kane’s idea into a workable alternative to Superman, who had made his debut in print the previous year. 

Finger—a fan of “The Shadow,” Edgar Allan Poe, and Robert Louis Stevenson’s Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde—saw the mysterious, dark-cowled, night-prowling Batman (originally known as “The Bat-Man”) as embodying the idea that everyone carries a dark inner “secret identity.” But Kane, an aggressive entrepreneur, for decades claimed sole credit for being the Caped Crusader’s creator, while Finger was relegated to the status of an uncredited ghostwriter in Kane’s studio. 

The Mark of Kane Through 12/4: Fri-Sat 7:30 PM, Sun 3 PM; also Mon 11/21 and 11/28 7:30 PM; City Lit Theater, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr, 773-293-3682, citylit.org, $34 ($29 seniors, $12 students and military)

Finger died in poverty in his late 50s in 1974; Kane was rich and famous when he passed away in his 80s in 1998. Not until 2015—under pressure from Batman fans and Finger’s descendants—did DC Comics begin acknowledging Finger’s role in inventing one of popular culture’s most enduring icons.

In City Lit Theater’s entertaining world premiere, directed by Terry McCabe, Josh Zagoren plays Kane as a glad-handing, ascot-wearing dandy who bears a bit of a resemblance to Adam West’s portrayal of Bruce Wayne, Batman’s daylight alter ego, in the 1966-68 ABC TV series Batman. Weirdly, Zagoren’s Kane never ages, even though the play’s action spans 35-plus years. Finger is played by Todd Wojcik as a sweet, sad dreamer who has developed a rich fantasy life to compensate for low self-esteem instilled as a boy by his psychologically abusive family. 

The narrative is framed as flashbacks recounted by Kane and Finger’s former colleagues Jerry Robinson (played by Lee Kanne), Sheldon (Shelly) Moldoff (David Valenta), and Arnold Drake (Adam Bitterman), veteran artists and writers of the “Golden Age of Comics,” as they are being interviewed by artist and historian Jim Steranko (Michael Sherwin) at a 21st-century comic-con. The show benefits greatly from the visual design by G. “Max” Maxin IV and the ominous music by Petter Wahlback—augmented occasionally by the wailing of real-life sirens from Bryn Mawr Avenue outside the theater.


Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at the Museum of Contemporary Art

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Villainy and vindicationAlbert Williamson November 2, 2022 at 7:41 pm Read More »

Forced dialoguesJosh Flanderson November 2, 2022 at 7:53 pm

American Son by Christopher Demos-Brown and directed by Tim Rhoze, now playing at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre in the Noyes Cultural Arts Center in Evanston, opens with a quote from Ta-Nehisi Coates that “race is the child of racism, not the father.” The quote carries a powerful truth that encourages the audience to dwell on deeper issues, such as the impact of racism in America, and to expect that this play will do the same. And it does, though only with limited success.

American SonThrough 11/13: Sat 7 PM, Sun 3 PM, Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes, Evanston, fjtheatre.com, $30

The play centers around an estranged interracial couple who meet up at a police station. Their son Jamal, who recently turned 18, has been missing for a day and they are distraught, trying to find out the details surrounding his apparent arrest. Kendra (Alexandria Moorman) is livid, seeking answers from the policeman on duty, Officer Larkin (Michael Manocchio), who is white, about the whereabouts of Jamal, if he can help her find him, and what he is doing to pursue this missing young adult. Larkin’s treatment of Kendra, who is Black, simmers with microaggressions, asking her if her son had a “street name,” whether he had distinguishing characteristics like gold teeth or scars, and the like.

Kendra’s husband Scott (Martin Andrews), who is white, left Kendra and Jamal to have an affair. When he shows up at the police station, the dynamic changes and the white police officer starts treating him with more respect, getting him coffee and sharing more information about the case than he had with his wife, in part because Scott works for the FBI. Both men work in law enforcement and bring with them the values of that profession.

When the couple is left alone, they alternately bicker about their son and their dissolving relationship, all of which is peppered with their perspectives on race, identity, and respectability politics. Moorman and Manocchio are engaging as the estranged couple. Their concerns are not only palpable but they are real. Any parent who had to go to a police station to inquire about the whereabouts of their child, and not get immediate information, would feel equally as frustrated and as powerless. Add to that the clear racism that Kendra encounters with the white officer and her outrage seems all the more justified. Some of the statements the officer makes are so head-shakingly ignorant they almost seem contrived—if they were not so commonplace.

However, the play falls short in two regards. Most notably, Demos-Brown’s play gets too caught up in having the various issues surrounding racism fall into dialogue and debate with each other, rather than the characters themselves. Coming from an interracial relationship, I find it difficult to imagine that after at least 18 years together,  this couple has not already had all these seminal discussions about ethnicity, having a biracial child, law enforcement (especially with Scott working for the FBI), and the like. It seems like this plot was devised to thrust two people together who vaguely know each other’s position on these issues, but still haven’t come to terms with them. This couple would either have gotten divorced long ago, or have found a common ground, but their encounter feels manufactured.

From the perspective of direction, the play would benefit from finding some softer, quieter moments. So much of the dialogue is presented at a “10” that it often leaves the audience reacting rather than reflecting. A play can be “powerful” and “heavy” without always hitting the audience over the head. This is a solid piece of community theater and there is a great deal of important discussion to be had here. American Son starts to address many of those issues; however, in large part due to the underlying premise, it falls short of leaving a lasting impact.


Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at the Museum of Contemporary Art

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Forced dialoguesJosh Flanderson November 2, 2022 at 7:53 pm Read More »

Piñatta conquers Monday Night Foodball with a plant-based, precolonial Mexican MenuMike Sulaon November 2, 2022 at 7:54 pm

Before the Spaniards showed up, nobody ate carne asada super burritos in this hemisphere. Nobody celebrated their birthday with a sombrero-topped flan. The Aztecs definitely didn’t start off dinner with queso fundido washed down with “Infamous” margaritas.

And neither will you, when plant-based, precolonial taqueria Piñatta takes over the kitchen at the Kedzie Inn this November 7 for Monday Night Foodball, the Reader’s weekly chef pop-up in Irving Park.

In 1967 Emilio and Santiago Guererro’s dad opened Lakeview’s El Jardin, but they didn’t grow up around the killer, high-octane margarita the spot became infamous for either. “We didn’t grow up super close to our dad, so we never were taught ‘This is traditional Mexican,’” says Santiago, who works as a server at Etta. (Emilio is the kitchen manager at the Publican).

But during the pandemic the brothers gave themselves an education in the cuisine of precolonial Mesoamerica: “How many things from Spain were brought over here and ingrained in Mexican culture like pork and wheat and dairy–things that just weren’t here before. We found a lot of it leaning towards being plant-based. A lot of the diet was corn, beans, and squash.”

They launched Piñatta two Novembers ago, and though their menus evolved beyond a strictly orthodox approach to ancient cuisine, it’s still often vegan or vegetarian, and always uncommon. This Monday they’re headlining with a cashew cheese-stuffed yellow corn masa tetela with toasted pumpkin seed mole, riffing on the triangle-shaped antojito common to Puebla and Oaxaca. There’s rice and beans, specifically heirloom mayocoba puree with garlic confit, epazote, and lacto-fermented tomato water. (The brothers are also “big fermentation nerds.”) And then there’s a vanilla-scented coconut milk kabocha squash flan to finish.

“I grew up Mexican American and I didn’t even know what epazote was until a couple years ago,” says Santiago. “Piñatta is a way to figure out our identity to a degree. We’re still learning about our own culture.” 

It’s all vegan and all Mexican, friends, and it’s walk-in orders only, starting at 5 PM at 4100 N. Kedzie. No need to preorder.

And I’m not saying Jon Pokorny won’t make you a killer margarita, but he will have something special up his sleeve.

Meanwhile, gape the full fall Foodball schedule below:

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Piñatta conquers Monday Night Foodball with a plant-based, precolonial Mexican MenuMike Sulaon November 2, 2022 at 7:54 pm Read More »

Ex-Bears LB Smith ‘shocked’ by trade to Ravenson November 2, 2022 at 9:40 pm

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Marcus Spears: Roquan Smith is a perfect fit for Ravens (1:37)Mina Kimes and Marcus Spears break down the Ravens’ decision to trade for Roquan Smith. (1:37)

Exactly one week after breaking down in tears when teammate Robert Quinn got traded by the Bears, inside linebacker Roquan Smith was all smiles after his first practice since leaving the Bears himself.

Smith, who was acquired by the Baltimore Ravens on Monday, acknowledged he was “shocked” to be dealt a day before the NFL’s trade deadline.

“I didn’t plan to [get traded], but you know, life happens at times and got traded,” Smith said, flashing a wide grin. “So initially I was shocked. But I’m excited to be here. Good group of guys that’s contending for a title and that’s what I’m in the game to play for – playing for a title.”

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The NFL’s leading tackler, Smith goes from the rebuilding Bears (3-5) to the first-place Ravens (5-3). He is looking to provide a boost to a Baltimore defense that ranks No. 24 in the NFL that has allowed a league-worst 83 fourth-quarter points this season and has failed to hold three double-digits leads.

And, despite reaching the playoffs five times this decade, the Ravens have yet to advance past the divisional round since they won the Super Bowl in 2012.

“I know they trying to get over the hump and win the big game,” Smith said. “So I feel like I can be one of the guys that can help with that. So I’m excited to be able to give everything I got to make that happen.”

Baltimore traded a second- and fifth-round pick in 2023 for Smith along with linebacker A.J. Klein to Chicago for Smith, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Bears paid $4.833 million of Smith’s $5.408 million salary for the rest of the season, a source added, which allowed the Ravens to get Smith under their salary cap.

Smith, who is the final year of his rookie deal, declined to say whether he has started negotiations on a contract extension with Baltimore.

“I’m not really focused on that right now,” he said. “Everything’s happened really, really quickly, so I’m just trying to focus on honing in on this playbook right now and getting to that. But my main focus right now is learning the playbook and getting a great relationship with the guys and then going from there.”

The Ravens will have five months to reach a new deal with Smith before he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Baltimore would be unable to use the franchise tag on Smith unless the team can sign quarterback Lamar Jackson to an extension before March. The Ravens are expected to put the tag on Jackson to keep him from free agency.

Like Jackson, Smith does not have an agent and represents himself. Ravens officials have said previously that the lack of an agent has created an “unusual” contract negotiations with Jackson. Now, the Ravens have a similar situation with Smith.

“Times are changing,” Smith said on why he doesn’t have an agent. “Honestly, I think players want to be at the table and want like a 100% transparency. I think that’s the major thing. The fee you’re paying agents, you know some do great jobs. I can be giving that to charity or family. But I also have a team of advisors as well, so it’s not just me, by myself.”

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Ex-Bears LB Smith ‘shocked’ by trade to Ravenson November 2, 2022 at 9:40 pm Read More »

BREAKING: Chicago Bears Make Major Roster Move At OL

The Chicago Bears’ offensive line should be better soon

Offensive line play has been a problem for the Chicago Bears all season. Recently, several significant injuries to the unit have caused problems for the offense. Cody Whitehair had to be placed on the injured reserve in early October. Lucas Patrick suffered a toe injury on MNF against the New England Patriots in Week 7. He was also placed on the injured reserve. With a concussion, Larry Borom was ruled out of the Bears’ Week 8 game against the Dallas Cowboys.

According to a statement by the Bears Wednesday afternoon, the team has designated Whitehair to return from the injured reserve.

#Bears roster move:
We have designated OL Cody Whitehair for return from Reserve/Injured.

This is an excellent sign for the Bears. The Bears pretty much punted away their season after making trades that have dismantled the defense. However, the addition of wide receiver Chase Claypool will allow quarterback Justin Fields to progress with the nine games left on the schedule. The better the offensive line play to protect him, the more offensive coordinator Luke Getsy can dial up some passing plays and let Fields toss it to the newly acquired wide receiver.

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100 Best Phone Chat Line Numbers With Free Trials in 2022Corvelay Mediaon November 2, 2022 at 11:00 am

There are so many ways to meet new people, but nothing is more adventurous and electrifying than calling a phone chat line. It’s exciting to think about all the new people you could meet through a phone dating line, all from the comfort of your own home. It’s a testament to how far dating has come, and how phones have enhanced our ability to make meaningful connections.

We’ve put together a list of the top chat lines in 2022. The top 10 are in the table and the runner-ups are below.

Best Free Phone Chat Lines of 2022

RankBrandPhone NumberFree TrialBest For1.LiveLinks888-901-268860 minutesMeeting local singles2.FreeChatGirls866-995-533130 minutesBest free trial3.Local Hot Chat888-710-26255 minutesGreat singles4.Livetalk800-444-LIVE10 minutesHybrid naughty/singles5.RedHot Dateline855-933-061030 minutesLate night chat6.Vibeline866-488-080930 minutesMeeting black singles7.Fonochat866-605-301630 minutesChatting with latina singles8.Talk121855-677-054530 minutesBest early day number9.Phone and Flirt800-381-54555 minutesBest flirty line10.Desires Chat888-598-83365 minutesBest confessional line

More Chat Lines To Call

Moonlight Line: 855-677-0538Local Hot Chat: 888-710-2625Lover’s Lane: 509-876-5930Adult Talk: 833-937-ADULTHowl Line: 888-655-6366Azul Line: 888-589-4999Sexy Live Connections: 800-317-4475Hollar Line: 888-650-2223Taboo Chat: 855-50-TABOOExotic Chat Line: 888-633-9453Lavalife Voice: 877-800-5282Girls Flirt Free: 800-364-4757Social Voice USA: 844-706-5518Hot Latinas Chat: 800-309-9388Latino Phone Chat: 888-702-8887Nightline: 877-834-4044Questchat: 888-889-6565Black Singlez: 800-287-3991Night Exchange: 866-917-8328Español Chat: 888-674-8887College Party Line: 888-598-3927Black Phone Chat: 800-319-7277America’s Hottest Talk Line: 206-876-56711PartyLine: 562-621-1201Grapevine Personals: 250-984-3322Metrovibe: 877-390-6677TangoPersonals: 800-810-8108MegaMates: 866-718-4930Metrochat: 206-876-56751-800-DATE-LINE: 800-DATE-LINE1800Personals: 213-687-7675Party Lines Uncensored: 712-432-4800

Chat Line 101

These toll-free numbers can be used to flirt or start a full-blown relationship with a hot local single. What’s more is that they all offer free trials, so you might even meet that special someone without paying a dime.

Rather than swiping through images on a vapid app, chat lines promote conversation and help you get to know your match on a deeper level. It’s also great for more sexual relationships too! Most chat lines follow a similar setup:

Call the number
Record a personal greeting in which you introduce yourself
Listen to other greetings to see who sounds most appealing
Send private messages through virtual mailboxes
Request to chat live with someone
Have an awesome phone chat experience

Scroll below for in-depth reviews of the best free phone chat numbers.

1. LiveLinks: 888-901-2688 – Best overall chat line

LiveLinks is the most prominent and well-known chat line in North America. For genuine connections, there’s no better line than LiveLinks. Not only has it been around since the 90s, but it’s also famous for its ability to establish all sorts of relationships, from the friendly to the romantic. Not many lines cater to such a large variety. It also implements great features, like the ability to add people you like to your Hot List. Like most lines, women chat for free. First-time male callers can enjoy a hefty one-hour trial, which is an extremely generous amount of free time that can be used to get to know a special someone.

2. FreeChatGirls: 866-995-5331 – Best for new chat line callers

FreeChatGirls is a naughty adult line where the ladies always talk for free. It’s a phone sex line without any paid operators, only real people who are just like you. This chat line is for hot like-minded individuals who want to dive into their fantasies with strangers on the phone. You are allowed a half-hour free phone chat trial, which you can use to meet up with a kinky girl on the line. Once you use up that time, you’re going to want to purchase one of their affordable memberships.

3. Local Hot Chat: 888-710-2625 – Best hybrid naughty/singles number

Local Chat may appear to be on the risqué side of phone dating, but it caters to callers of all types. Whether you’re looking for something serious or spicy, Local Hot Chat delivers. The gender ratio skews female, so if you’re want to chat with a single lady, this is the number to call. The 5 minute free trial allows you to browse profiles and request connect. As soon as you talk live, you’ll have to pay. But it’s worth it. The memberships are affordable. What’s one downside? The user interface (IVR) system is a little outdated, but it gets the job done.

4. LiveTalk: 800-444-LIVE – Best for real connections

LiveTalk provides a safe and secure phone dating environment for adults over the age of 18. People come to LiveTalk when they want to meet someone who is like-minded and genuine. Locals from different cities across the U.S. flock to this newer chat line. While it hasn’t been around since the 90s like LiveLinks, it’s one of the most favored and talked about chat lines right now. This premier phone chat service does a great job of connecting folks who are truly interested in creating a bond. You will never meet anyone flaky when you call LiveTalk.

5. Redhot Dateline: 855-993-0610 – Best late night number

Redhot Dateline is a line most notable for its ability to link sexy individuals to each other for steamy phone chat. It’s a very popular line, making finding a match a seamless experience no matter when you call in. If you are seeking a little wild fun, Redhot Dateline is for you. However, if romance is more your pick, we’d suggest heading to one of the lines dedicated to dating rather than erotic chat. Redhot Dateline doesn’t shy away from its namesake; it really is red hot. The only unfortunate thing about Redhot Dateline is that the 30-minute free trial is limited. To take full advantage, you’ll need a membership.

6. Vibeline: 866-488-0809 – Best black chat line

Vibeline has long been a chat line that has attracted Black callers. But in more recent years, it has expanded into a more diverse bunch of young and trendy folks. It’s known as a pretty “hip” line, which is why it brings in a younger and more vibrant crowd. Callers on this line are looking for all sorts of relationships. Some want something serious, but many are seeking a flirty fling. Women can talk on Vibeline free of charge and men can take advantage of that sweet 30-minute free trial. These 30-minutes can be spread out over time if you’d like, which is a nice and unique touch that other chat lines usually don’t offer.

7. Fonochat: 866-605-3016 – Best latina chat line

Brought to you by the same people who created LiveLinks, Fonochat is the best Latinx chat line available for Hispanic singles in your area. It’s an exciting place where Latinx people and those looking for Latinx partners can come and be themselves. If you prefer to chat in Spanish, that’s an option for you at Fonochat (but you don’t have to if you don’t want to). Like Livelinks, Fonochat allows you to create a Hot List of potential partners. You can also send private messages to people you wish to explore a friendship or relationship with.

8. Talk121: 855-677-0545 – Best to meet local singles over the phone

Talk121 is a chat line that’s been around for a long time and has done a good job at keeping up with the tech innovations in the chat line space. It’s a great competitor in the chat line game and keeps the other lines on their toes. Thousands of people call into Talk121 on a regular basis, and they stay because the line is always very reliable. Though aged, it doesn’t feel like an outdated chat line. It’s a leader in the industry and promotes everything from friendship to long-term relationships.

9. Phone and Flirt: 800-381-5455 – Best for quick, flirty phone chat

This safe and discreet chat line is used by people who want to laugh, flirt, and have a good time. When calling Phone and Flirt, there’s an underlying expectation that you are there to have a frisky good time. That doesn’t mean that all the callers are looking for erotic chat. Some are simply seeing who can give them those chat line butterflies. Phone and Flirt is very popular for this reason, saturated with younger flirters who love how unexpected and surprising this line can be.

10. Desires Chat: 888-598-8336 – Best for confessional

Desires Chat is a leading chat line that operates solely for adults who want to share their secret desires with one another. Discretion is taken very seriously over at Desires Chat, so you should feel completely free to let your wild side out on the line. There’s a level of open-mindedness not seen on every chat line that attracts some of the most interesting callers. Get lost in conversation with one of these dreamers on the Desires Chat line. You will feel as sexy as you will liberated.

Chat Line Dating FAQsHow did you judge these lines?We look at a lot of things when deciding which chat lines are best. The first are reliability and call volume. We don’t want you calling a chat line that gets little to no calls because that means your dating or chatting options are far too limited. We chose lines that get a lot of callers, even during non-peak hours of the day. They also have to have free trials so that you can enjoy a taste of their features before you even pull out your wallet. And finally, we judge these phone chat lines based on user experiences we’ve read about, like on Mr. Chat Line, heard about, or experienced ourselves.

What should I say in my chat line greeting?Your chat line greeting is what other callers will hear before they decide if they want to meet you. It’s an introduction and should sound like one. But remember, you are going after someone for a flirty or romantic relationship. You aren’t at a job interview. With that in mind, try to keep your greeting short, sweet, and interesting. Show your personality off without taking up too much time. And make sure you sound excited when you are speaking. This will attract others to you!

Are chat lines safe?Chat lines are one of the safest ways to flirt with a stranger. Again, you are virtually meeting a new friend from the comfort of your very own home. As far as physical safety, that’s pretty much taken care of! Chat lines also work very hard to make sure they are both safe and secure so that you’ll feel as comfortable as possible expressing yourself on the line. You can always change your name if you wish to remain anonymous, and no line will ever share identifying or sensitive information. Be wary of people on chat lines who try to coax information out of you that feels too personal.

What happens when the free trial is up?When your free trial is up on a chat line, we’d encourage you to try another trial! But if you love the line you’ve just called or want to spend more time with a certain phone date, you will need to purchase a time package. These are usually pretty affordable. If you want to have erotic chat, chat lines are far less expensive than traditional phone sex numbers with much longer free trials.

How likely am I to hook up because of a chat line?Calling a chat line is like going to a popular local bar. There are so many people who you’ll meet that live very close to you. Most chat line callers are calling so that they can eventually hang out in person. That common goal of connecting with new people in your area is what makes chat lines such a unique and reliable way to meet someone new to flirt with, hang out with, and hook up with.

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100 Best Phone Chat Line Numbers With Free Trials in 2022Corvelay Mediaon November 2, 2022 at 11:00 am Read More »

60 Best Phone Sex Numbers with Free Trials in 2022Corvelay Mediaon November 2, 2022 at 11:00 am

Phone sex numbers are the quickest way to connect with adults in sexy conversation. When you’re in the mood to have a sizzling conversation with a stranger, there are so many numbers to choose from. Some numbers are chat lines, which introduce you to like-minded people in your area. Others are classic numbers with professional operators.

Whichever version of phone sex you crave, there are plenty of numbers available. Instead of spending all the time dialing, trying to figure out which number is worth your time, we’ve compiled a list of the best phone sex numbers available. And yes, all of these numbers offer free trials. Technically, you can call each of these lines, use the trial, and enjoy totally free!

The numbers in the table below are the cream of the crop. The remaining phone numbers are below the table. Call them all!

Best Free Phone Sex Numbers in 2022

RankBrandPhone NumberFree TrialBest For1.1-800-PHONESEX1-800-PHONESEX5 minutesBest overall number2.LiveLinks1-855-948-478860 minutesRunner-up best3.1-800 Sex Chat1-800-375-22235 minutesBest late night callers4.1-844 Phone Sex1-844-746-63735 minutesMost experienced PSOs5.Taboo Chat1-855-50-TABOO5 minutesBest for chatting taboo topics6.Phone Sex Chat Line1-844-955-011530 minutesBest day time number7.Free Chat Girls1-866-995-533130 minutesBest free trial8.Nightline1-877-834-404460 minutesRunner-up best late night number9.Night Exchange1-866-917-832860 minutesBest for first time callers10.Talk To Me1-800-452-606730 minutesBest mainstream number11.Jet Doll1-800-538-365530 minutesBest for diverse PSOs

Here are even more phone sex numbers that offer free minutes categorized by type:

Late NightDesire’s Chat: 1-888-598-83361-800-SEXTALK: 1-800-SEX-TALKAdult Talk: 1-833-937-ADULTNight Exchange: 1-866-917-83281-800-SEX-LINE: 1-800-739-5463Sexy Live Connections: 1-800-317-4475FreeChatGirls: 1-866-995-5331Redhot Dateline: 1-877-626-8194Two Talked: 1-800-963-7792Nightline: 1-877-834-4044Night Exchange: 1-866-917-8328

PartyCollege Party Line: 1-888-598-3927Girls Party Line: 1-800-307-2625Girls Flirt Free: 1-800-364-4757

KinkExotic Chat Line: 1-888-633-9453Adam and Eve Chat: 1-800-278-5181Kink Connections: 1-855-949-KINKTalk Dirty Chat Line: 1-800-410-2742Kinky Convo: 1-855-936-KINK

LatinaHot Latinas Chat: 1-800-309-9388Beeper Love: 1-855-972-7944Axxess Latino: 1-702-966-2200Hot Latinas Chat: 1-800-309-9388

BlackBlack Phone Chat: 1-800-319-7277Yummyvibe: 1-888-907-0202Howl Line: 1-888-655-6366

Here are in-depth reviews of our top 10 picks:

1. 18000 PHONESEX: Oldest and most reliable phone sex experience – 1-800-746-6373

1-800-PHONESEX has been in operation since the 1980’s and it continues to deliver the most quality, authentic phone sex experience. You speak to paid operators, but these girls know what they’re doing. They guide you through your fantasies and get you off in no time. The free 5 minutes goes by quickly, but the per minute price of $.89/min is reasonable compared to other numbers on the market.

2.  Livelinks: Runner-up best phone sex number – 1-855-948-4788

Livelinks is the number one erotic chat line in the U.S. and Canada, making it the ultimate breeding ground for an intense pleasurable experience. You never have to wonder if you’ll be connected with someone on Livelinks because the number is ringing off the hook constantly. You can enjoy some free phone sex by taking advantage of their free trial, but just know that there’s a good chance you’ll get hooked. The packages are affordable, though, and the raunchy sex chat you’ll be having with hot locals is pretty much priceless.

3.  1-800 Sex Chat: Classic number – 1-800-375-2223

1-800 Sex Chat is a classic sex line number that connects you with live actresses. These women are professionals, so they know how to get you off. These experienced gems are interested in talking about anything and everything you can fathom. No fetish is too kinky, no kink too naughty. You will be asked early on for credit card information (whereas other lines on this list let you have a few free minutes before paying up). If you are wary about the lack of free trial, you can check out the numerous positive reviews online of 1-800 Sex Chat from guys who have called in and had great experiences with the people on the line.

4.  1-844 Phone Sex: The name says it all – 1-844-746-6373

This phone sex number does offer a free trial, but it’s very short (only five minutes). That said, 1-844 Phone Sex is a unique one on this list because it’s the one most similar to a classic late night number. There are so many sizzling conversations to be had on this line with the experienced women who run the show. 1-844 Phone Sex will ask you for payment information pretty early on, so that’s one of the only qualms we have with this number. What we can tell you is that an experience over at this phone sex line is always satisfying and often exceeds our expectations!

5.  Taboo Chat: Discuss your kinks – 1-855-50-TABOO

Taboo Chat is an adult fantasy line for people who want to share their erotic fantasies with each other. This phone sex number is unique because it gives you the chance to choose from fetish categories, such as bondage chat, voyeurism chat, and more. It advertises itself as a safe place where people can talk about their “forbidden fantasies” and secret sexual desires. Many callers choose to remain anonymous on this line because it makes them feel more comfortable expressing their most vulnerable secrets to strangers. Discretion and privacy is taken very seriously over at Taboo Chat.

6.  Phone Sex Chat Line: Perfect chat line/phone sex hybrid – 1-844-955-0115

This number doubles as a chat line, making it the perfect place to dish your naughty fantasies to a local stranger. Everyone who calls Phone Sex Chatline is there because they want naughty phone chat, so there’s no guessing when you call this erotic line. Women can call this number for free, but men will have to pay to chat with someone live. However, before paying, men are able to send hot messages to other members and see who finds them appealing. This can be a good way to decide whether or not Phone Sex Chat Line is right for you.

7.  Free Chat Girls: Affordable – 1-866-995-5331

Free Chat Girls is not an entirely free phone sex number. It does offer a free trial if you choose to give it a test run. Free Chat Girls is an older number, but it’s one that is used pretty frequently. You can choose from different fetishes, fantasies, ethnicities, and experiences. They have an option to call a Phone Sex Virgin, but we are a little skeptical as to how new these girls really are to this world. They are good at acting very innocent, though, if that’s the sort of thing you’re into. You can also call a local city number if you want to talk to someone who is not a PSO. These are just horny locals who want to engage in naughty chat with a stranger!

7.  Nightline: Kinkiest callers – 1-877-834-4044

Nightline lets callers connect with each other for erotic or more hardcore sexual conversation. They have a customizable feature that makes it stand out from other lines. When you dial into Nightline, you have the option to select a chat category to make finding like-minded matches easier. Their name might have you believing that you can only call at night, but Nightline is available to users 24/7. Whenever you are in the mood, Nightline will be there for you. We will admit though that both the quantity and quality of callers improve as it gets later into the night. New users can enjoy a free trial.

9.  Night Exchange: Best for extreme kink – 1-866-917-8328

Night Exchange is an adult line that allows you to flirt with hot local singles, 24/7. There are peak hours that usually fall between 8 PM and 1 AM. The line itself connects you to flirty individuals who want to talk about their kinks to you. But if you hop onto their website, you’ll find that Night Exchange allows other forms of communication like direct messages. Plus, you can search by fetish on their homepage to find people who are into the same kinks as you.

10..  Talk To Me: Most unique options – 1-800-452-6067

This effective phone sex number has a unique model that tons of folks love. They offer a large variety in terms of communication methods. From calls, to cams, from texts, to Skype, there are endless ways to use Talk To Me. The women you will speak with are all rated (from one to five stars) by other callers, which gives you a chance to request only the best partner for your phone fun. Each has their own fantasies that they love to talk about. If their kinks match yours, give it a go. Customers usually report that Talk To Me is high quality.

11  1-800 Jet Doll: Seasoned professionals – 1-800-538-3655

Jet Doll has been in operation for more than 20 years now, giving it major chops in the phone sex industry. Though the webpage appears to be out of date, the line has managed to keep up with the times after all these years. When you dial the Jet Doll number, a rep will answer to set you up with your phone sex session. The women of Jet Doll are professionals, so this won’t be your run-of-the-mill phone chat experience with a local hottie. People who prefer Jet Doll to other platforms enjoy that there’s no question that the Jet Doll girls know what they are doing, and know how to do it well. They can satisfy any kink or fetish you can come up with, all directly through the phone.

How To Act on A Call

You might be nervous about your call, but there’s nothing to be worried about. When you call into these lines, you will be connected with people who are also down to have phone sex with you. There’s no need to fear rejection because whether the person is an operator or a local like you, they all know why they’re on the phone in the first place. As far as how to behave, acting respectful is key. Ask questions if you want to know what turns your phone sex partner on and tell them about your fantasies. When you are describing kinky things, try to be imaginative and descriptive. This will enhance the world of imagination that you’re creating on the line.

Phone Sex FAQs

Should I call a classic phone sex number or a chat line?Some folks love their old school lines. These are lines that you dial into. The person on the other line is a professional who is willing to talk about whatever you’re into! Meanwhile, chat lines connect you with regular people in your area. A late night line might not connect you to phone sex experts, but they will lend themselves to a more genuine and meaningful experience. It’s also exhilarating to meet new people over a sexy chat line. Plus, there’s always a chance to meet up in real life with the person you’ve met on a chat line. Other phone sex numbers don’t offer that possiblity. More than that, chat lines usually offer much longer free phone sex trial periods.

Is it possible to have phone sex for free?

Free phone sex is just a phone call away! The reason why it’s possible to have phone sex for free is because sex chat lines almost always offer free trials. There are always going to be so many numbers out there for you to try, so when you’ve used up your free minutes at one line, hop onto another! Each number offers a different amount of free minutes. Some lines only allow you to message other users with those minutes rather than chat with a live person. This is why free phone sex is possible, but can be tedious if you decide you never want to pay for your time.

What should I expect when calling a phone sex number?When you call a number for phone sex, you will be introduced to someone who works for the line or matched with other locals. Initially, you’ll be prompted to follow some basic instructions that will inform you on how to get started. Prepare for the automated voice on the line to be sultry and dramatic. On a sex chat line, you’ll have the chance to record a greeting and listen to other greetings. That’s how you’ll decide who you want to talk to! Let them know you’re interested by sending them a message or connecting live on the line!

Are phone sex numbers safe?There is a lot to consider when calling a phone sex line. You might worry about how it appears on your bill, fear for your privacy, or wonder if your conversations are being recorded. The lines on this list are discreet, private, and allow anonymity if that’s what you choose. They are usually run by large companies who make your safety a priority. They have reputations to uphold and don’t want to compromise that by compromising your security. Sex lines also often utilize secure billing systems and toll-free numbers (which are untraceable).

What kind of people call sex lines?People just like you! Tons and tons of people call phone sex numbers. They are often normal folks who are looking to spice up their sex lives. Phone sex is one of the quickest, easiest, and safest ways to do that with new people.

How Do Free Trial Sex Lines Work?

Most sex lines operate in the same fashion. The steps laid out for you below are applicable to most erotic chat line numbers.

State your chat line name: Most people want to remain anonymous on sex lines, so they’ll make up a nickname or pseudonym for the call.
Start your free trial: You will be instructed on how to begin using your free trial.
Record a greeting: A greeting is a quick recorded blurb about you. You can use your greeting as an opportunity to state what you are into and looking for. If another caller is into the same things you are, they’ll likely connect with you.
Match, message, meet: Once you record your greeting, you can listen to other greetings. Send users messages or meet them live for an erotic phone chat!

Safety Tips:

Phone sex is a thrilling experience. And, for the most part, it’s one of the safest ways to have sexual contact with someone you don’t already know. However, there are always risks involved with trying new things. That’s why you should always keep these safety tips in mind when calling a phone sex line:

Don’t share personal information.

This is the most important safety tip of all. Do not reveal identifying information about yourself to strangers on phone sex lines. That information includes but isn’t limited to: your full name, your banking information, your home address, social security number, or personal facts. You are speaking to someone on the line who you’ve never met before. There is no reason why they’d need any of this information.

Talk about your boundaries.

Phone sex requires consent from both parties. While calling a late night number implies that you are interested in having phone sex, it doesn’t tell your partner what your sexual boundaries are. Perhaps there is language you find offensive or subjects you don’t want to talk about. Be vocal about your boundaries so that your partner knows how to respect them.

Hang up if you feel uncomfortable.

Some bad apples can ruin it for everyone. Don’t let a bad person ruin your phone sex experience. If someone is being abusive to you on the line, you have the right to block that person, hang up, or report them to the phone sex company.

Trust your intuition.

If your gut is telling you that something isn’t right, trust that feeling. No amount of phone sex is ever worth jeopardizing your safety. Plus, there are always so many callers to choose from. It’s easy to hang up on someone who is making you feel strange and have it with someone else.

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60 Best Phone Sex Numbers with Free Trials in 2022Corvelay Mediaon November 2, 2022 at 11:00 am Read More »

Medicine showKelly Kleimanon November 2, 2022 at 7:07 pm

It’s hard to write a play whose hero is the American Medical Association (AMA), even as embodied by crusading Dr. Morris Fishbein (the appealing Andrew Bosworth) and his equally earnest sidekick (Shawn Smith, without enough to do). The AMA’s erstwhile role as the scourge of quack medicine has been eclipsed by its more recent history of opposing every effort to expand access to health care. 

So playwright Dolores Díaz has that obstacle to overcome. In her favor is our hunger to see a con man get his comeuppance, and especially to see him fail politically. Enter John Romulus (J.R.) Brinkley (the appropriately smarmy Michael Peters), an historical figure who got rich and famous claiming to cure impotence by implanting goat testicles. Who wouldn’t hate this guy who masters new communications techniques to spread lies? Who wouldn’t cheer his election loss, even when secured by fraud?

Man of the PeopleThrough 11/20: Thu-Sat 8 PM, Sun 2 PM; also Mon 11/7 (industry night) 8 PM and Mon 11/14 (understudy performance) 8 PM; Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W. Chicago, 773-883-8830, stagelefttheatre.com

A script tightly focused on the battle between Fishbein and Brinkley, between honesty and deceit, between good and evil—which the good guys win by cheating—could be a fine political thriller with satisfying moral heft. But that’s not the play Díaz has written or Anna C. Bahow has directed. Theirs is a story of parallel unhappy relationships (Brinkley’s with his wife, Fishbein’s with his mother) set against the backdrop of a battle between men who are only in the same room once. And while I’m as interested as Tolstoy in unhappy families, these two don’t have enough momentum or connection to sustain the piece’s two and a half hours length. There’s a play in there somewhere—probably more than one—but it will take a few more iterations to get to it. Fine performances and an evocative set aren’t enough to carry it in its current form.


Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at the Museum of Contemporary Art

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Medicine showKelly Kleimanon November 2, 2022 at 7:07 pm Read More »