It’s Leo Sowerby’s summer. Had 2020 gone as planned, musicians across the city likely would have launched into 125th-anniversary celebrations for the late Chicago composer (1895–1968) and onetime St. James Cathedral organist.…Read More
Chicago Bears minicamp is done and over with, having run this Tuesday through Thursday. With media viewing permitted for certain stretches, fans have gotten plenty of storylines to talk about.
On Apple TV+ series, Rose Byrne plays a candidate’s wife who isn’t ugly like she thinks — but she is narcissistic and nasty and unpleasant to watch.
On the heels of the Justin Theroux-starring “The Mosquito Coast,” Apple TV+ has delivered another well-filmed, well-acted and decidedly downbeat bummer of a series in the Rose Byrne vehicle “Physical.”
In both cases, we’re asked to spend an inordinate amount of time with a thoroughly unlikable, narcissistic lead character who isn’t as captivating and interesting as the series would like us to believe.
Not that Byrne’s Sheila Rubin is a bohemian rebel felon on the run a la Theroux’s Allie Fox. She’s a self-loathing Real Housewife of San Diego circa the early 1980s, and her internal monologue is a constant reminder of her nasty, bitter, petty worldview — and her deeply rooted self-loathing. Time and again, we hear Allie’s bitchy remarks about her friends, her fellow mothers, her husband, people she’s just met.
And when she’s not making catty observations about others, she’s berating herself for being terrible and stupid and “fat,” even though she is not the least bit overweight. She’s bulimic, prone to bouts of binge-eating and purging in a seedy motel room in the middle of the day — a secret she keeps from everyone in her life, including her oblivious husband.
Series creator Annie Weisman (“Desperate Housewives,” “Almost Family”) does an admirable job of re-creating the look and sound of the early 1980s, from the sets and fashions to the use of songs such as “Harden My Heart” by Quarterflash, “Edge of Seventeen” by Stevie Nicks and “Atomic” by Blondie. (Each episode ends with a pop/rock tune that sets the table for the next show and extends into the closing credits.).
With hair straight out of the Jennifer Beals/“Flashdance” catalog and California-tanned skin, Byrne’s Sheila looks gorgeous but feels ugly inside and out, often retreating into her internal monologue even as she tries to maintain her wobbly smile while tending to her 4-year-old daughter, conversing with moms at daycare or mustering up enthusiasm for her loathsome, borderline creepy husband Danny (Rory Scovel), who has been fired from his teaching position at a mediocre college and has decided he’ll run for local assemblyman and try to make history, not just teach it, as he so grandly puts it. (Relax, pal. You’re not gearing up to challenge Ronald Reagan for the presidency.)
We’re told Danny and Sheila were liberal hippie activists at Berkeley in the 1960s and somehow lost their way. But it’s hard to believe they ever cared about anyone but themselves.
Danny hopes to reclaim his idealism with the campaign but seems more interested in trying to hook up with a worshipful former student named Simone (Ashley Liao) and getting effed up on booze and coke than in making a real difference.
Sheila plays the dutiful, supportive wife at social gatherings and fundraising efforts. But her mind wanders as she thinks ugly thoughts, often concerning the physical appearance of other women — though she always directs the most scathing and hateful inner comments at herself.
At the local mall run by the pious, Reagan-era developer John Breem (a miscast Paul Sparks), Sheila is introduced to the world of aerobics. She immediately wants to get physical, physical, in the immortal words of Olivia Newton-John. She becomes obsessed with the classes taught by a scrappy go-getter named Bunny (Della Saba) and eventually partners with Bunny and Bunny’s surfer-dude, porno movie-making boyfriend Tyler (Lou Taylor Pucci) to shoot a series of exercise videos.
We learn Sheila comes from money and has a strained relationship with her WASP-y parents. And we see Sheila becoming inexplicably attracted to Breem the businessman, who just might be the only man in San Diego LESS interesting and appealing than her garrulous husband.
There’s a running subplot about the marriage of wealthy neighbors played by Ian Gomez and Dierdre Friel. (Let’s just say there’s a kink or two in the relationship.)
With so many storylines, there’s a lot crammed into every half-hour episode of “Physical.” But it’s not entirely clear what the series is trying to say about the go-go early 1980s and Sheila’s journey, which is tied so closely to her damaged self-image and her tendency to judge most people she meets by their appearances.
Rose Byrne is an immensely likable actress playing a character who needs help but is too shallow, too self-consumed and too damaged to know where to look. We get the feeling it’s exhausting to be Sheila. And, unfortunately, it’s exhausting to spend so much time with her.
After 4 a.m. Chicago time, there are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions. The Moon is in Libra.
Today you might attract someone who is powerful and direct to you. Because you are naturally powerful and direct, this conversation will be dynamic! Nevertheless, if push comes to shove, you will have to give way to the other person. Just for today.
You have a lot of energy to work hard today. However, you will feel independent, which means you might also take on a leadership role when working with others. If you feel you have to defend your way of doing things or your point of view, you will!
Today you will express your feelings and share your ideas with others without fear or apology. You’re in a playful mood and you want to have a good time. This is why you will enjoy sports events, social outings and fun activities with kids. (It’s a great date day.)
You want to get something done at home that might involve some physical exertion or a bit of energy. You might do this by yourself, or, perhaps, someone will help you? A family conversation will be lively, but you certainly won’t agree with others just to be polite.
You will express your ideas, wants and needs quite freely to family members. In other words, you will leave them no doubt as to where you stand. However, you won’t offend anyone; you are simply stating your case, which is your right.
Your way of handling money or your ideas about earnings and cash flow might surprise someone today. You might be first to suggest doing something that is different. You might impulsively buy something just because you want. Very likely, no one will object.
Today you feel invigorated and energetic. You’re willing to state your feelings about things. If you have to make a first move in some kind of exchange with others, you will. That’s because today you have the courage to take the initiative. Tally-ho!
Although you might feel a bit reserved today and inclined to play your cards close to your chest, you have your eyes open because you’re in a defensive mode. Nothing will slip by you. You’re watching. You’re watching and you’re seeing.
In working with others today, you will successfully establish a situation where their aims are your aims and vice versa, which means people will cooperate with you and willingly work with you. Quite possibly, you will take on a leadership role. People will follow your example.
Bosses, parents, teachers and people in authority will be impressed with your energy today because you are confident and openly assertive. Be careful that this does not mushroom into something that is too aggressive and off-putting. Easy does it. You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.
You really want to do something different today, so that you feel challenged. Basically, you want a sense of adventure and an opportunity to learn something new. You don’t want to feel that life is stifling you or that you’re stuck in a rut. Never!
You will handle yourself well if you have to defend your own best interests or even defend the interests of someone else today. If there are money disputes or disputes about shared property, you will not hesitate to state your case. You feel confident and ready to meet any situation.
Musician Paul McCartney (1942) shares your birthday. You have a wonderful zest for life and you need to be stimulated! You are charming and articulate. Because you have enormous tenacity, you are also persevering in your goals. This is a more easy-going, relaxed year for you. You will notice that your focus on partnerships and close friendships will be more important. Enjoy networking.
Horoscope for Friday, June 18, 2021Georgia Nicolson June 18, 2021 at 5:01 am Read More »
The Senators overcame a six-run deficit to beat the Wolves 8-7 and win their first baseball state championship.
Prairie Ridge didn’t go down meekly in the Class 3A state championship game on Thursday at Wintrust Field in Schaumburg.
The Wolves attempted to tie the game in the sixth inning with a steal of home. And it nearly worked.
“It took the perfect throw to get him,” Springfield catcher Case Sparks said. “He basically slid right into my glove. So I didn’t have to do much but it sure took us by surprise.”
The Senators beat the Wolves 8-7 to win their first baseball state championship. They trailed 6-0 after two innings but tied the game and took the lead with a four-run fifth inning. The big blast was a three-run triple from shortstop Ben Hartl.
Springfield (31-5) trailed in all six of its playoff games. James Steinwart has coached the Senators for 34 years and is 658-548. He’s seen some baseball in his time.
“God had a hand in a lot of this,” Senators coach James Steinwart said. “You don’t see a string like that. There were things happening that were lining up that was beyond normal. This is special. It’s a blessing. Not everybody gets to do this.”
Springfield starting pitcher Joseph Crum threw just 17 pitches. The Senators burned through four pitchers before finding fire in a bottle with 6-5 senior Richie Snider, who struck out five batters in a row during a stretch in the third, fourth and fifth inning.
“Holy cow, he had to be touching 90,” Prairie Ridge coach Glen Pecoraro said. “He sure made a difference. I thought we started to figure him out late, but nothing that fell for us.”
Both teams won semifinal games earlier in the day. Prairie Ridge (19-14) beat Washington 4-3 and the Senators knocked off St. Laurence 6-4 in eight innings.
“These guys fought to the end,” Pecoraro said. “We started the season 2-6. At the end of the year we started to find consistency. We knew the players were there. It was just a matter of having the confidence to play at a high level the entire ballgame.”
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Matthew Porter hit a two-run triple for the Wolves in the first inning. Prairie Ridge led 6-0 after two innings and 7-1 after three. The Wolves were hitless for the final four innings.
Springfield is an extremely young team. Three sophomores (Ryne Crum, Griffin Burk, Cooper Burk) and a freshman (Jack Swaney) are in the starting lineup. That’s even more notable considering there was no high school baseball season in the 2019-20 school year due to COVID.
“They came up and hit the ball hard and did their part,” Sparks said. “They deserved to be up here. We’ve been talking about winning this since 2016, since the last time the Senators were here.”
The woman was listed in serious to critical condition, Chicago fire officials said.
A woman was hospitalized in serious to critical condition after inhaling smoke during a fire Thursday night in Wentworth Gardens on the South Side.
The blaze broke out after 9 p.m. in the 200 block of West 38th Place, Chicago fire officials said.
Still & Box on 200 Block of W. 38th Place has been struck out. One adult female transported to U of C (red due to smoke inhalation). No further info at this time. 4-1-10
— Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) June 18, 2021
One woman suffered injuries brought on by smoke inhalation and was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center, officials said.
She was listed in serious to critical condition, according to officials.
1 hurt in Wentworth Gardens fireSun-Times Wireon June 18, 2021 at 3:59 am Read More »
Members of the Chicago Police Board voted Thursday to fire a troubled officer who shot his close friend while off-duty and then lied about what happened.
In the 8-0 vote, the Police Board ruled that Officer Patrick Kelly “pulled the trigger” in a shooting over a decade ago that left his friend Michael LaPorta permanently disabled.
Kelly was off-duty when he and LaPorta hit a pair of bars and returned to his home in the early morning hours of Jan. 12, 2010, the board said in a written ruling. LaPorta testified that an argument then arose over Kelly “yelling at and hitting his dog.” The board ruled that Kelly ultimately fired his service weapon, striking LaPorta in the head.
Kelly later called 911 and falsely claimed that LaPorta had committed suicide before realizing he was still breathing, according to the board, which also concluded that Kelly lied about the shooting during a subsequent interview.
A federal jury in 2017 found that Kelly shot LaPorta under similar circumstances and hit City Hall with a hefty $44.7 million verdict. However, the federal appellate court later overturned that massive judgment in February, noting that Kelly “was not acting as a Chicago police officer but as a private citizen” when LaPorta was shot.
On Thursday, LaPorta’s attorney, Antonio Romanucci, called the Police Board’s ruling “a small measure of justice” for his client “and a solid decision for the residents of Chicago.” Still, Romanucci slammed the city for not acting sooner to address Kelly’s “years and years of egregious and violent behavior.”
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Kelly, who had been suspended without pay as recently as February, has faced 25 allegations related to his police work and 62 use of force reports, according to the Invisible Institute. In 2017, the city settled for $500,000 in another lawsuit brought by a woman who said she suffered a miscarriage after Kelly used a Taser on her three times in 2013.
“Had the CPD implemented an early warning system, Kelly easily would have been identified as a problem officer and not have been allowed to shoot Michael LaPorta,” said Romanucci. “The real focus should remain on the tragic and life-changing impact Kelly’s violence had on his former best friend, Michael LaPorta, who will spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair because Kelly shot him in the head.”
Kelly’s attorney didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
HOUSTON — A total of 4,703 major league wins combined have been pocketed by 76-year-old Tony La Russa, running the White Sox in the visitors dugout Thursday night, and 72-year-old Dusty Baker, sitting across the field in the Astros’ dugout when two of the best teams in the American League run by baseball’s oldest managers opened a four-game series at Minute Maid Park.
In head to head tilts between them, Baker easily closed the gap to 102-100 with a 10-2 rout of the Sox.
Sparks did not fly, but they have in the past between La Russa — who surpassed John McGraw this season to become the second-winningest manager of all time with 2,771 victories, and Baker (1,932) who ranks 12th — most notably in 2013 when La Russa was with the Cardinals and Baker with the Cubs. Both managers acknowledged the testy history.
“Dusty and I had a long relationship,” La Russa said. “The only time there were sparks was when we were in the same division when he was in Cincinnati and Chicago. Glad he’s in the [AL] western division. Like anybody else who you respect, I’ll be glad when the series is over.”
“It’s professional,” Baker said of their relationship today. “I got a lot of respect for Tony and what he’s done and accomplished in the game. We’ve had a couple run-ins.”
La Russa’s Cardinals brawled with Baker’s Giants in 2002, and La Russa and Baker, managing the Cubs in 2003, shouted profanities at each other during a five-game series in September featuring a beanball tiff between pitchers Matt Clement of the Cubs and Dan Haren of the Cardinals.
With Sox right-hander Dylan Cease (5-3) getting zinged for seven runs over 3 1/3 innings, this one appeared lost almost from the get-go. Michael Brantley’s three-run homer followed Jose Altuve’s leadoff single and an error by third baseman Yoan Moncada.
Cease retired the next nine batters but was charged with four runs in the fourth. Carlos Correa bounced an RBI double over the right-center field wall and Abraham Toro, subbing for injured third baseman Alex Bregman, singled in two runs. Zack Burdi gave up a sacrifice fly that went on Cease’s tab after he left.
“I wasn’t getting count leverage, and the off-speed wasn’t there like it usually is,” Cease said. My stuff felt decent, but I wasn’t able to utilize it.”
Cease allowed four hits and two walks, hit a batter and threw a wild pitch. His ERA climbed from 3.38 to 3.99.
“We’re not going to be perfect,” Cease said. “We’re going to have bad ones. I’m going to feel bad for tonight and then tomorrow I’m going to get back after it.”
The Sox were 8-2 in Cease’s previous 10 starts but the Astros were 6-1 in right-hander Jose Urquidy’s last seven. Urquidy pitched five scoreless innings before Adam Engel and Jose Abreu had RBI singles in the sixth. Jose Altuve and Toro homered against Matt Foster.
The series marks the second in a row for the Sox (43-26), who took two of three from the Rays at home this week, against the best in the AL. The Astros (40-28) won for the seventh time in eight games and lead the AL in runs, hits, batting average, on-base percentage, slugging and OPS.
“Their lineup is hands down the best lineup in the American League, so we’re going to have our hands full,” said Sox left-hander Dallas Keuchel, a former Astro.
The game was the first with two managers over 70 years since Aug. 2, 2006 when 71-year-old Felipe Alou of the Giants faced 70-year-old Frank Robinson of the Nationals. It was the first La Russa vs. Baker matchup since September 4, 2011 when Baker’s Reds beat the Cardinals 3-2 at Busch Stadium.
Baker’s Astros will be a handful.
“They’re obviously a good offensive team, and if you put them in hitter’s counts, it’s going to be tough,” Cease said.
Astros rout White Sox in opener of four-game serieson June 18, 2021 at 2:56 am Read More »
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The woman was walking with her husband in the 2900 block of West 25th Street when a male in a green SUV fired shots, striking her in the back.
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Jun 17, 2021, 10:16pm CDT
For fans of any genre, live music isn’t hard to come by in Chicago. Check out our highlights for concerts, festivals and live performances in and around the city.
Welcome to our highlights for concerts, festivals and live music in Chicago. From free shows at Millennium Park to large festivals like Ravinia and Lollapalooza, and intimate shows at small local venues, our guide has all the latest music entertainment. Bookmark this page and check back for updates on concerts and events.
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What: The venue presents a free stream of “Freedom Songs Juneteenth Celebration” featuring a performance by the Original Chicago Blues All Stars Revue, which includes members of blues great Willie Dixon’s band. The evening begins with singer-poet Ugochi and the Afro Soul Ensemble.
When: Livestreams at 8 p.m. June 19
Visit: oldtownschool.org
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What: Grammy Award-winning R&B singer-songwriter Anthony Hamilton, known for such songs as “Comin’ From Where I’m From,” “You’ve Got the Love I Need” and “Pray for Me,” performs a livestream concert. During an encore segment, Hamilton will perform for the first time in concert his new single “You Made a Fool of Me.”
When: 8 p.m. June 19
Tickets: $9.99-$129.99. Visit sessionslive.com/anthonyhamilton/tickets
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What: The summer solstice is celebrated with “Light of the Sun,” saxophonist Paul Winter’s annual concert this year presented virtually from the loft of Winter’s barn in the hills of Northwest Connecticut. Special guests are vocalist Theresa Thomason and cellist Eugene Friesen, who is joined by pianist Henrique Eisenmann and bassoonist Jeff Boratko.
When: The performance livestreams at 3:30 a.m. June 19 ($20) and is available on demand to Aug. 31 ($15).
Visit: paulwinter.com
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What: American Blues Theater ensemble member Denzel Tsopnang performs “An Evening of Legends,” featuring the music of Sammy Davis Jr., Dinah Washington, Nina Simone and more.
When: Streams at 7 p.m. June 18
Tickets: $25 suggested donation. Visit americanbluestheater.com
What: Summer Nights with Northlight is a cabaret series held at Evanston restaurants to benefit Northlight Theatre. The performers are Alexis J. Roston and Kelvin Roston Jr. (June 10, Good to Go Jamaican, 711 W. Howard), Linda Solotaire (July 27, Sketchbook Brewing Company, 4901 Main, Skokie) and Heidi Kettenring (Aug. 24, Peckish Pig, 623 W. Howard).
When: Performances times are 6 p.m.
Tickets: $60 includes light dinner and select drinks. Visit northlight.org.
What: Labyrinth Arts and Performance Collectivepresents “Emerge,” a new cabaret series featuring music, drag performance, comedy and spoken word.
When: every second Friday of the month
Where: Porkchop, 1132 W. Grand
Tickets: $20. Visit labyrinthartsperformance.com.
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WHAT: The Chicago Puerto Rican experience is celebrated in “Raices to Roots.” Using “home” as a theme, a cast of artists embody stories of pride, struggle and resilience through original Afro-Latin dance, spoken word and music. The performers are poet Luis Tubens a.k.a. Logan Lu; dancers Maria Luisa Torres, Alyssa Harslton and Angela Townsend; and musicians and performers Peter “Maestro” Vale, Natalie Land and Lester Rey.
WHEN: June 5-6, 24-27
WHERE: Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center, 4048 W. Armitage.
TICKETS: $30-$50. Visit segundoruizbelvis.org.
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When: 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays June 1-Aug. 31
Where: Museum of Contemporary Art’s outdoor sculpture garden, 220 E. Chicago
What: Tuesdays on the Terrace returns to the Museum of Contemporary Art’s outdoor sculpture garden. The popular jazz concert series features an array of Chicago jazz musiciansFirst up on June 1 is Alexis Lombre’s Ancestral Awakenings. Free with advance reservations. Visit mcachicago.org.
When: July 29-Aug. 1
Where: Grant Park
What: Lollapalooza returns to Grant Park July 29-Aug. 1 with Foo Fighters, Post Malone, Tyler, the Creator, Miley Cyrus, Dababy, Marchmello, Journey, Megan Thee Stallion, Roddy Ricch, Kaytranada and more. $375+/festival pass. Visit lollapalooza.com.
When: Sept. 10-12
Where: Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph
What: The Pitchfork Music Festival returns to Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph. Performers include Erykah Badu Phoebe Bridgers, St. Vincent, The Fiery Furnaces, Angel Olsen, Kim Gordon Waxahatchee, Flying Lotus, Thundercat and more.
Tickets: $90/day, $195 festival pass. Visit pitchforkmusicfestival.com.
When: Sept. 17-19
Where: Douglass Park, Chicago
What: Riot Fest is back, this year with Nine Inch Nails, The Smashing Pumpkins, Run the Jewels, Pixies, Faith No More, Devo, Lupe Fiasco and more.
Tickets: $125+/day $155+/festival pass. Visit riotfest.org.
