They date from an era when “you had to know how to sing,” says one fan.

SWV and Xscape — two of the 1990s’ most successful R&B groups — are slated for the next Verzuz battle at 7 p.m. Saturday via Instagram, the Triller app, and the Fite TV app.

New York-born trio SWV (Sisters With Voices) — Cheryl “Coko” Gamble, Tamara “Taj” Johnson and Leanne “Lelee” Lyons — burst onto the scene in 1992 with their debut, triple-platinum RIAA-certified album “It’s About Time,” which includes standout hits “Anything,” “I’m So Into You,” “Weak” and “Right Here/Human Nature,” among others. Other hits include “You’re the One,” “Use Your Heart” and “Rain.”

In 2017, the trio, which has sold about 25 million records, was the recipient of the Soul Train Awards’ Lady of Soul Award.

Atlanta-based Xscape consists of sisters LaTocha and Tamika Scott, Tameka “Tiny” Harris and Kandi Burruss, who is widely known for being a cast member of Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” and for her recurring role on Showtime’s “The Chi.”

The group made its debut in 1993 with “Hummin’ Comin’ at ’Cha,” a platinum-selling album featuring “Just Kickin’ It,” “Understanding” and “Tonight.” The album peaked at No. 17 on the Billboard 200 Chart. Follow-up “Off the Hook” went platinum with standout tracks “Who Can I Run To” and “Feel So Good” — RIAA-certified gold singles.

Paras Griffin/Getty Images

Kendra G, the co-host of the WGCI-FM (107.5) morning show, says SWV and Xscape were the soundtrack of her high school years.

“I’m a R&B girl at heart even though I host a show at a hip-hop station,” said Kendra, who said her favorite Verzuz battle to date was Brandy vs. Monica. “The cool thing is — not knowing I’d be working in media for over 20 years — I’ve met members of both groups, so it’s like: ‘Wow! You guys were singing the songs I was singing when I was getting over heartbreaks, and I can say I actually know you guys.’ This was a time when you had to be talented; you had to know how to sing — the music industry has changed drastically.”

And Kendra G said the fans of the artists involved are the true winners of Verzuz battles.

“We get to enjoy songs and classics that we’ll never forget,” said Kendra. “We’re the winners because we get to watch.”

Acts have not been announced for upcoming Verzuz battles including a Mother’s Day edition, a “rematch” of previous contestants scheduled for Memorial Day weekend, and a “Ladies Night” edition.

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Police and fire crews were called to the 600 block of East Grand Avenue around 6:25 a.m.

The body of a woman was recovered from Lake Michigan near Navy Pier Friday morning.

Police and fire crews were called to the 600 block of East Grand Avenue around 6:25 a.m., according to Chicago Police. They recovered the body of a woman, believed to be in her 30s.

No other details were released. Police said detectives were conducting a death investigation.

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The suspect allegedly barricaded himself in his home, at one point firing at police outside.

A man is facing several counts of attempted murder of a police officer after allegedly shooting someone, then barricading himself for 17 hours in his home, at one point firing shots at officers in south suburban Calumet City.

The 52-year-old man is also charged with three counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of armed habitual criminal, Calumet City spokesman Sean Howard said.

His name wasn’t released because the investigation is ongoing, Howard said in a statement.

The man allegedly took cover in the home at 1:45 p.m. Sunday after he shot a 62-year-old man in the 100 block of North State Street.

The shooter fled to his home in the 100 block of Maple Court, Howard said. When officers attempted to make contact and approach the home, several shots were fired at police, Howard said.

Officers did not return fire and the South Suburban Emergency Response Team was called to the scene, Howard said. The man came out “peacefully” about 7:15 a.m. Monday and surrendered to police.

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Canceled last year due to the COVID outbreak, the festival this year will for the first time take place over three weekends, Sept. 2-4, 9-11 and 16-18.

One more sign that life is returning to pre-pandemic normalcy: Summerfest on Thursday announced its first wave of headliners for the Milwaukee music extravaganza.

Canceled last year due to the COVID outbreak, the festival this year will for the first time take place over three weekends, Sept. 2-4, 9-11 and 16-18.

So far, more than 100 artists are slated to perform including Chance the Rapper, Miley Cyrus, Luke Bryan, Pixies, Rise Against, Wilco, Diplo, Fitz and the Tantrums and more.

Show times and locations of the 11 stages of live music have not yet been announced.

Multi-day passes are $57-$100; one-day, general admission tickets: $23; $15 (seniors 62 and older); $5 (children 10 and under). Visit summerfest.com or on-sale dates for specific shows.

If you purchased tickets for last year’s concerts they will be honored for the rescheduled 2021 festival dates. Refunds will be available from the original point of purchase, 30 days from the announcement of the rescheduled date.

According to the announcement, the American Family Insurance Amphitheater will be hosting special “Wednesday Kick-Off Concerts” prior to each weekend of the festival dates. The Jonas Brothers and Dave Matthews Band are scheduled to perform; a third artist will be announced at a later date. Kick-Off Concerts ticketholders will also receive a digital Summerfest ticket via email, valid for any of the nine days of the festival.

To purchase tickets and to view the full lineup, visit Summerfest.com.

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You might have noticed that houses got pretty expensive pretty fast. Chicago’s market has been at a 15-year high, while inventory is down 48% from last year, and nationwide the inventory of single-family homes is at its lowest point since 1982. And building a new house won’t save you: high lumber prices are adding $36,000 … Read moreRead More

We can never repay everything our mothers have given us, but we can certainly try! Odds are, she’s made many a great dish for you, and even if making a meal for her isn’t do-able, you can still repay that kindness. Treat your mom to an amazing meal this Sunday, and give her the chance to kick back, relax, and let someone else do the cooking. Here are our favorite brunch spots for Mother’s Day 2021. 

2701 S Eleanor St, Chicago IL 60608

Take it easy on the patio at Duck Inn with your mom as she sips on a mimosa or a bloody mary. Nurse your own coco & joe (rum, coffee and coconut) in between bites of the bananas foster french toast or the smoked salmon avocado toast.

1709 W Chicago Ave, Chicago IL 60622

Check out the very funky “Brunchenhausen” at this West Town fusion of Southern and German cuisine. Sweeten your meal with some crepes, or stick to the savory stuff with a ham biscuit. Don’t forget to chase whatever you eat with a tasty cocktail!

2700 W Chicago Ave, Chicago IL 60622

You and Mom can keep it classic with some french toast or eggs benedict, or if she’s feeling a little fancy, you can try something from Heritage’s selection of caviar (served with bread, pickles, and chips).

56 E Pershing Rd, Chicago IL 60653

Truth of Bronzeville has an impressive breakfast menu full of french toast, waffles, egg dishes, and special savory dishes like lobster and grits. 

4609 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago IL 60625

Treat your mom to a stick-to-your-ribs Southern brunch this Sunday, courtesy of Luella’s. The chicken and waffles are legendary, and are even available with Nashville hot chicken. Whether you’ve caught mom on a sweet or a spicy day, she’ll have her pick of brunch food.

2523 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago IL 60647

This Logan Square-based Italian restaurant offers a prix fixe Mother’s Day brunch with a family-style menu. Along with pastries to share, you and your fellow diners can choose three main dishes to share from a selection that includes french toast, truffle bruschetta, a cured salmon platter, and more.

435 N Clark St, Chicago IL 60654

Southern-style brunch awaits at Bub City! From shrimp n’ grits to buttermilk waffles, this amazing feast comes with bottomless mimosas and live acoustic music.

Brunch Spots Mother’s Day Featured Image Credit: Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar

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Chicago Cubs: 3 players to sell high on before June hits by Vincent Parise

Adbert Alzolay has made back-to-back quality starts for the Chicago Cubs, and he’s doing it by putting his trust in catcher Willson Contreras.

We knew heading into the 2021 season, there were going to be opportunities in the starting rotation. The Chicago Cubs let Jon Lester and Jose Quintana walk in free agency, and they traded Yu Darvish to the Padres for a package of Zach Davies and several prospects.

Adbert Alzolay has been waiting for his chance to prove himself in a limited sample size over the last two seasons. The 26-year-old made six appearances, including four starts in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, posting a 2.95 ERA while fanning 29 batters in 21.1 innings. He struggled with his command in that sample size, allowing 5.5 BB/9.

However, he’s starting to find his groove this season, especially in his last two starts.

Alzolay took the mound on Wednesday, trying to help the Cubs sweep the defending World Series-champion Los Angeles Dodgers – a tough ask for a pitcher with limited Major League experience.

The San Felix, Venezuela native, gave the northsiders five strong innings, allowing just three hits, two earned runs while walking one and fanning seven. He needed just 79 pitches to complete the quality; his second straight quality start to boot.

“I’m putting a lot of trust in Willy,” Alzolay said after the Cubs 6-5 win on Wednesday. “[He] has been the one guiding me during my games, trusting him, trusting his experience in this game, and executing my pitches. Sometimes we just think about getting strikeouts, but pitching for contact when we need to is something that I have been working on lately.”

The two battery mates have called a game that has yielded a .174 average against in 26.0 innings of work.

On the flip side, Alzolay helped the Cubs avoid being swept in Atlanta last week, pitching six innings against a potent Braves lineup and fanning six.

“It was huge for me that I was able to throw my first quality start in the big leagues today,” Alzolay noted after quieting the Braves last week. “As a team, I feel like we needed it. We haven’t been as good as everyone was expecting as starting pitchers, but tonight, I felt it was good, as a team for the starters to that I went out there, and I gave the team six innings.”

A big reason for his success, Alzolay has utilized his slider more often in 2021, quite a bit more actually.

Opponents are hitting just .111 off Alzolay’s slider, his primary pitch, which is something you don’t see very often. He complements the slider with a sinker-fastball and a four-seamer, with the latter pitch yielding a .143 average against thus far.

Next: Ed Howard is starting in a good spot for himself

Sent back to the alternate training site earlier in the season, Alzolay looks poised to remain with the big league club for the foreseeable future, especially with Jake Arrieta landing on the injured list.

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Neville said embarking on multi-date tours is no longer appealing. “Don’t see this as a permanent goodbye, by the grace of God, I will keep making more music and may show up at a special event or concert down the road,” he said.

NEW ORLEANS — Fans of the sweet, melodic sounds of New Orleans’ legendary vocalist Aaron Neville won’t have many opportunities to hear him live from now on.

In posts Thursday on his official website and via social media, Neville announced his official retirement from touring.

Now 80, Neville said embarking on multi-date tours is no longer appealing.

“The time has come for me to stop ripping and running on the road,” Neville wrote. “I waited for someone to invent a way to beam me from show to show but no such luck. … Unfortunately, the grueling nature of travel and the schedule needed to make a tour work has become less than desirable. The current climate of our world brought me many realizations. Life is short and I’d like to spend my remaining time on this earth being less hurried.”

Still, Neville said his love for singing has not waned.

“It provides so much joy for me, at least as much as for those listening, if not more,” he said.

“Don’t see this as a permanent goodbye, by the grace of God, I will keep making more music and may show up at a special event or concert down the road,” he promises.

Neville hasn’t performed live since March 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic caused concerts to come to an abrupt halt in the U.S. Instead, he has livestreamed solo performances from Freville Farm, the 12-acre home in upstate New York where he and his wife, photographer Sarah A. Friedman, have lived since 2013.

The virus is of great concern to Neville, whose old age and asthma makes him especially at risk of developing a severe case of COVID-19.

“I don’t want to get sick,” Neville said in an article last year written for AARP. “So, I canceled my tour dates and we’ve been home and isolated on our farm in New York.”

Neville’s solo career flourished after the 1966 release of “Tell It Like It Is” and a later collaboration with Linda Ronstadt on “Don’t Know Much” and “All My Life.”

He also garnered much of his fame from his work with the Neville Brothers, an R&B, funk and soul group that was based in his hometown of New Orleans and also consisted of his brothers Art, Charles and Cyril.

The group, which formally disbanded in 2012, was known for closing out the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival’s two-weekend run each spring.

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The Chicago Cubs are in a very tough spot right now as an organization. The future is as bleak as it has ever been, despite the recent past being so successful for the most part. Of course, they won one World Series when many thought they would win multiple but that isn’t how baseball works. […]

Chicago Cubs: 3 players to sell high on before June hits – Da Windy City – Da Windy City – A Chicago Sports Site – Bears, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks, Fighting Illini & More

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