Going Streakin’–Cubs 2 Royals 0Mike Bangharton August 4, 2020 at 3:55 am

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Going Streakin’–Cubs 2 Royals 0

Going Streakin’–Cubs 2 Royals 0Mike Bangharton August 4, 2020 at 3:55 am Read More »

How Will History Museums Remember This Moment?on July 31, 2020 at 5:19 pm

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How Will History Museums Remember This Moment?on July 31, 2020 at 5:19 pm Read More »

Chicago producer and multi-instrumentalist Cutta finds tranquility in a blur of rock subgenres on PhysicalismLeor Galilon August 3, 2020 at 5:00 pm

Paul Gulyas is one of those tireless contributors to Chicago music whose work largely goes unnoticed by the public. If you’ve gone to a show at Beat Kitchen or Subterranean in the past few years, you might’ve seen him behind the soundboard. He’s also a musician and producer, and he’s earned a modicum of fame in Chicago hip-hop under his stage name, Cutta–New Deal Crew dynamo Chris Crack regularly shouts him out in his songs. (I’ve lost count of the times Chris ad libs “Cutta what up?”–and not just because he puts out albums faster than I can keep up.) In his solo recordings, Gulyas usually blends hip-hop, R&B, and funk, but on his new EP, Physicalism, he goes full rock, blurring glam swagger, psych transcendence, and roots-rock rambunctiousness into tight, lean songs. Earlier this year, Gulyas and his partner were sidelined with COVID-19, and though they both recovered before the release of Physicalism in early July, he worked on the EP while still sick–he says he felt the need to create something when faced with his own mortality. Despite the emotional and physical obstacles he endured while making these songs, he infuses them with a generous sense of calm. At the top of the earthy “A Strange Flower,” Guylas drops from a strange falsetto into a slack near whisper, exuding a tranquility I can only hope to find. v

Chicago producer and multi-instrumentalist Cutta finds tranquility in a blur of rock subgenres on PhysicalismLeor Galilon August 3, 2020 at 5:00 pm Read More »

Matt Damon Improv goes online with In-DianaBrianna Wellenon August 3, 2020 at 7:45 pm

Zoom work meetings are now a way of life. Those who used to frequent offices and conference rooms have had more than their fair share of coworkers with clever Zoom backgrounds, surprise appearances by pets, and “Sorry, can’t hear you, you’re muted” moments. Less frequent are enthusiastic descriptions of pornography, kitchens on fire, and views inside a coworker’s bathroom–and their unsavory bathroom habits. The characters of the web series In-Diana experience it all.

The seven-episode series was written and directed by, and stars, the women of Matt Damon Improv–Allison Reese, Ana Silva, Maria Konopken, Phylicia McLeod, Tina Arfaee, and Yazmin Ramos–and was all recorded over Zoom.

“The reason why we made this was because we love working together and we just have so much joy being together and creating together,” says Silva. “This whole series came from a place of just us reveling in the glory of each other and being able to share that with people.”

When performing live isn’t a threat to public safety, Matt Damon Improv performs a weekly show at the Annoyance Theatre. All the regular cast members are women of color, and there is one guest, designated the “Matt Damon,” who can only speak using lines that have already been said by one of the core cast members.

“A big part of our improv group, and what we do as a form, is we are women of color and we want to empower ourselves, empower people who look like us or who maybe identify with us in some way, and that’s always been the backbone of what we do,” Reese says. “But first and foremost, we’re all freaks.”

The freak flags fly strongly and proudly in In-Diana. The story follows six women who work at a company called In-Diana that makes, among other things, personal back massagers. Boss Alex (Reese) and her employees have to readjust when it becomes clear people aren’t using the massagers for their backs, and the company finds sudden success as a go-to for quarantine vibrators. What starts as a series of typical Zoom meetings soon descends into hilarious, very not-safe-for-work madness, each five-minute episode going further than the last.

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The idea was originally written by Reese for a late-night show-writing packet. She soon realized the idea was bigger than a three-minute sketch and brought it to the women of Matt Damon Improv to expand into a web series. It was a welcome excuse for the group to connect.

“We’ve been seeing each other like every single week for three years, so not having that was super crazy to start,” Silva says. “Once we started having those weekly meetings [for the web series] it was not only a little bit of routine in the fact that we were still keeping at least one part of ourselves going, but also we gave ourselves a schedule, and we gave ourselves deadlines, and we were able to hold each other accountable. For me that’s a huge thing, because if no one’s holding me accountable I turn into a bit of an artistic blob.”

They made quick work of the project–writing for the series started in early April, and the final two episodes premiered on YouTube today. The six women did every aspect of the project themselves except the editing, and even then they made sure to bring in women of color to stick to their core mission. They are also using the series to give back, using each episode to request donations via @InDianaWebSeries on Venmo to be distributed to Brave Space Alliance, Chicago Birthworks Collective, and Chicago Community Bond Fund. So far they’ve raised nearly $400.

“We had taken some time off and away from the series when protests were happening so people could do that and we could protect our hearts through all of everything that was going on,” Reese says. “We realized that we can’t release this without giving back to the communities that helped us and are doing so much for us right now.”

One episode of the series in particular, “Dark Side of the Zoom,” addresses the feeling of dread that frequently hits because of the current state of our world. Taking a pause from the bizarre and laugh-out-loud moments from the other episodes, the cast members simply show off their pets, baked goods, and, in Reese’s case, her wife (it’s one of many purposeful Easter eggs for those who know the women of Matt Damon Improv on- and offstage). It’s a tender moment that speaks to the depth of the characters the women have created and radiates love from within the group. Moments like this are why there may be a season two of In-Diana on the horizon and why Matt Damon Improv will keep creating, no matter what.

“I don’t see it stopping,” Reese says. “Beyond that show and that form, we’re all just really tight friends, so there’s no end in sight.” v

Matt Damon Improv goes online with In-DianaBrianna Wellenon August 3, 2020 at 7:45 pm Read More »

You Can Visit These World-Famous Chicago Museums for Free Right NowAudrey Snyderon July 30, 2020 at 8:05 pm

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Though some of the biggest museums in town remain closed in the interest of public health and safety, there are still plenty of other great Chicago institutions to visit that have opened their doors to visitors. Some of these museums are either resuming preexisting free-day programs, while some are charging no admission fees for a special block of dates to celebrate their reopening; still, others have been and continue to be free for all visitors year-round. Consider taking your next weekend excursion at one of these Chicago museums for FREE.

free chicago museums — Photo Credit: Museum of Contemporary Art Facebook Page

Museum of Contemporary Art

220 E Chicago Ave, Chicago IL 60611

Ordinarily, MCA offers free admission to Illinois residents on Tuesdays, but in the weeks immediately following reopening, the museum going a step further. For the entirety of July and August this year, free admission extends to all visitors, with the hour of 11 am through 12 pm, reserved specifically for high-risk individuals.

Museum of Science + Industry

5700 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago IL 60637

MSI is opening its doors to curious minds August 1 and is offering free admission to all through August 14. You have a whole two weeks to explore a massive model railroad, the future of space exploration, and more!

Art Institute of Chicago

111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago IL 60603

Starting with its reopening date of July 30, the Art Institute is offering free general admission through August 3, so don’t delay! This is a great weekend to check out the jewelry of South Asian nomadic cultures or the bold-colored paintings of Malangatana.

Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center

9603 Woods Dr, Skokie IL 60077

If you happen to have a debit or credit card through Bank of America or Merrill Lynch, you can present your card (along with photo identification) for free general admission to the Illinois Holocaust Museum on August 1 and 2, September 5 and 6, October 3 and 4, November 7 and 8, and December 5 and 6.

Swedish American Museum

5211 N Clark St, Chicago IL 60640

Nestled in the Andersonville neighborhood, the Swedish American Museum includes special art exhibits, a genealogy center, and a shop. General admission is free on the second Tuesday of each month.

Museum of Contemporary Photography

600 S Michigan Ave, Chicago IL 60605

Hosted by Columbia College, MoCP is a free-admission museum year-round. Currently, visitors must reserve a timed ticket, but admission remains free — perfect for exploring the exhibit Temporal: Puerto Rican Resistance.

International Museum of Surgical Science

1524 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago IL 60610

Did you know that “North America’s only museum devoted to surgery” is right here in Chicago? IMSS currently includes exhibits on dental history, polio and the iron lung, and much, much more. Free admission days in 2020 include November 30 – December 4, December 7 – 11, and December 14 – 18.

View the Best Water Parks near Chicago

Need to get outside? View our list of the best water parks near Chicago.

View the Best Water Parks near Chicago

Museum of Broadcast Communications

360 N State St, Chicago IL 60654

MBC is offering free general admission now through August 2, which also marks the time you have left to check out its current exhibit, Stay Tuned: Rock on TV; for the rest of the weekend, you can view video archives, rock artifacts, and more.

Smart Museum of Art

5550 S Greenwood Ave, Chicago IL 60637

This art museum at the University of Chicago is generally closed to the public right now but is holding a limited-time event now through August 9, which — in keeping with the museum’s usual admission pricing — is free to attend. Visitors can reserve their time to view the exhibition The Allure of Matter: Material Art from China for groups of up to 6 people.

At UrbanMatter, U Matter. And we think this matters.

Tell us what you think matters in your neighborhood and what we should write about next in the comments below!

Featured Image Credit: Museum of Contemporary Photography Facebook Page

11 Best Chicago Cubs Bars Around AmericaAlicia Likenon August 3, 2020 at 1:43 pm

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With the second-oldest ballpark in America and over a century of games played, the Cubs have some of the most unique and loyal fans in MLB. So it should come as no surprise that Chicago-inspired bars have popped up all over the United States. From our neighbors in Michigan all the way to Hawaii, you can find Cubbies just about everywhere! Here are the best Chicago cubs bars around America, minus the obvious bests in Chicago.

Windy City Pizza

35 Bovet Rd, San Mateo, California 94402

Yup, you can travel almost 2,000 miles and still feel at home at this Chicago-inspired pizzeria. Twenty-nine years ago, owner Bob (Bubba) Yeats thought, “Why not take food from two delicious places – Texas and Chicago – and share it with Southern California folks, who also love great food?” And during football season, you’ll find lots of locals cheering on #DaBears, too!

best cubs bars — Photo Credit: Wrigley’s Chicago Bar & Grill

Wrigley’s Chicago Bar and Grill

18200 W Colfax Ave, Golden, Colorado 80401

Get a taste of Chicago in the heart of the Rockies. Longtime Cub fans, Paula and Skip Perry have been serving up Chicago style food and broadcasting Cubs game since 2008. They have a great sense of humor writing on their website, “P.S. If you’re a Packers fan, we also broadcast every game, but you will have to watch them on the 12″ TV’s in the rest rooms!!!”

RB Sports Bar & Grill

2535 Coyne Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96826

Don’t miss a single game — even in paradise. This sports bar broadcasts every NFL and MLB game. And if there’s something you want to watch, just ask and the folks at RB will do their best to make it happen.

Joey D’s Chicago Style Eatery

945 10th St E, Palmetto, FL 34221

Traveling south to the Sunshine State? Drop into Joey D’s for an authentic Vienna Beef Hot Dog, a traditional Chicago thin crust pizza, or one of their famous Chicago Stuffed Pizzas. Top it off with a few innings of America’s favorite pastime on their big screen TVs and you’re golden!

Hob Nob Sports Grill

7200 W Chandler Blvd, Chandler, Arizona 85226

This bar and grill has a Chicago-friendly atmosphere, perfect for true diehard Bears and Cubs fans… and everyone else, too! You’ll find all the must-haves on their menu: the Chicago Dog, Italian Beef, and Gyro Plate. What more could you ask for?

Rush on Main

112 S Main Street, Zionsville, Indiana 46077

Cubs fans can be Hooisers, too. Head to “Home of da beef” for some Chicagoland eats. Both owners Jeff and Johnny claim to love the Indianapolis area, but miss what they consider some of the World’s Finest Foods. Enjoy lofty open spaces and multiple TVs throughout their establishment.

710 Beach Club

710 Garnet Avenue, San Diego, California 92109

Trading in the Windy City for the Golden State? Find your Cubs crew at this beachy location. It’s the place for Chicago Cubs, Bears (ask about their Lil’ Ditka’s), White Sox, Blackhawks, and Bulls fans. Stop in for some sunshine and great vibes.

Pauli’s

6750 Mercy Road, Omaha, Nebraska 68106

For over 30 years, Pauli’s has been THE place to be for Cubs games in the Big O. You’ll notice Chicago decor around the bar — from a hand painted “C” flag and various Cubs license plates hanging in their hallway. Kick back with a Pabst Blue Ribbon and you’ll feel right at home.

Kelly’s Sports Bar

12 Avenue A, New York, New York 10009

The Big Apple has top notch sports bars, but this local favorite is the best spot for Cubbies. You might feel like you’ve stepped into Timothy O’Toole’s or O’Callaghans with classic Irish vibes in the heart of the East Village. Grab a cold one with your buddies and reminisce on the 2016 World Series win.

Getaway Grill & Cubbie Bar

9489 Red Arrow Hwy, Bridgman, Michigan

Visiting the Mitten? Check out the “The Other Wrigley Field” for some fun! Take selfies outside against the ivy covered walls, under the scoreboard, beside the replica of the infamous Billy Goat, or with a cardboard cutout of a Cubs MVP. The head in for plenty of memorabilia that celebrates the Cubs back when they were still the Lovable Losers.

Brando’s

3725 Blue Diamond Rd, Las Vegas, Nevada 89139

Whether you’re visiting for a bachelor party or seeing Cher in concert, you’ll want to hit up Brando’s along the way. They’re known for delicious Chicago Style “Vienna” Hot Dogs, Chicago style pizza, and Italian Beef Sandwiches. And you can count on Brando’s to broadcast all your favorite games: Blackhawks, Bears, Cubs, White Sox, and Bulls.

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11 Best Chicago Cubs Bars Around AmericaAlicia Likenon August 3, 2020 at 1:43 pm Read More »

3 New Drive-In Theaters & Watch Parties Coming to ChicagoNishat Ahmedon August 3, 2020 at 8:41 pm

It’s (still) the summer of social distancing! With many of our favorite spots either shut down for the time being or operating in a limited capacity due to the restrictions put in place by the city, entertainment is finding a new (technically, old) way to bring the summer fun to us. Pop-up drive-in theaters are roaring back all over the city and the state, and we’ve recently even seen a drive-in concert breaking ground in the Chicagoland area. We’ve got the whole scoop on what new Chicago drive-ins are coming to town!

Drive ‘N Drag

Friday, August 7 @ Soldier Field

While there have been some amazing virtual drag shows for folks to get their fill, there’s no doubt that a different kind of energy exists when seeing these electrifying performances break it down live. If you’re someone who’s been missing that as well, you’re in luck! This month, Voss Events’ Drive ‘N Drag comes to Chicago and will be featuring all-stars and alumnus from RuPaul’s Drag Race! The line-up brings Asia O’Hara, Crystal Methyd, Gigi Goode, Jaida Essence Hall, Vanessa Vanjie, Plastique Tiara, and Yvie Oddly to the Soldier Field United Club stage. From Friday, August 7th to Sunday, August 9th, guests can drive in two-to-a-car to catch the show on stage and on jumbotron LED screens. Equipped with a quality light show, sound pumping both on the FM and outdoors, the Drive ‘N Drag is just another way entertainment during COVID is evolving to fit the new normals we’re living with.

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Floating Boat Cinema

September 9 – 13 @ Location TBD

If we’re talking about innovation, we definitely need to be talking about how there’s a float-in theater (yes, boats!) coming to Chicago in just about a month. Australian production company Beyond Cinema has been bringing its Floating Boat Cinema all over the world and recently announced that the Chicago run is scheduled for September 9th through September 13th. While there isn’t an exact location announced yet, nor a line-up of movies, the company says the films screened will be a mix of some golden classics and some newcomers! Roughly 12 – 24 mini-boats will comprise the audience, each boat holding a max of eight people. When purchasing a ticket, one will be required to purchase seating for the whole boat so as to ensure one sits only with friends and family; this precaution will hopefully help maintain social distancing on the boats and between them. Movie snacks and drinks will be ready for purchase before people embark on the boats with the added perk that attendees get free popcorn!

View Other Private Events and Watch Parties in Chicago

Need more of that viewing fill? View our list of other private events and watch parties in the city.

View Other Private Events and Watch Parties in Chicago

Chicago Blackhawks Watch Party

August 3 & 5 | 9:30 pm @ Schaumburg Bloomers Stadium

While not technically in Chicago, hockey fans should be excited to know that Chicago Blackhawk watch parties are happening tonight and Wednesday, August 5th starting at 9:30 pm at the Schaumburg Boomers Stadium. Presented by Bud Zero and AT&T, guests can pull up in their vehicles drive-in-style and watch the Chicago Blackhawks take on the Edmonton Oilers in Game 2 and Game 3 of the Qualifying Round of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs. If there is a Game 4 and/or Game 5 (which, come on, there won’t be because we’re the best), those watch parties will be announced at a later date. While VIP tickets that come with better viewing are already sold out, General Admission tickets are available for $40; parking spots come on a first-come, first-served basis.

At UrbanMatter, U Matter. And we think this matters.

Tell us what you think matters in your neighborhood and what we should write about next in the comments below!

Featured Image Credit: Beyond Cinema

Northwestern suspends football activities after player tests positive for coronavirusMadeline Kenneyon August 3, 2020 at 9:41 pm

Northwestern has halted football workouts after a player tested positive for COVID-19.

The university tweeted a statement Monday saying the university “medical staff will implement the University’s rigorous contact tracing and quarantine protocols.”

The player is isolating and several teammates are quarantining, the school said Monday. The team’s most recent workout was Friday. The next one will be Wednesday at the earliest.

Northwestern’s news comes shortly after Illinois’ athletic department announced it has recorded 23 positive COVID-19 test results since players started arriving on campus for voluntary team activities in early June.

The football team’s more than 100 football players have accounted for greater than 75% of the athletic department’s positive tests, the university said, though it’s unclear the exact number of players the virus has infected.

A vast majority of the players who have tested positive have since recovered as only three cases remain active, the athletic department said.

As part of its coronavirus protocol, Illinois said it’s testing the 164 student-athletes who are currently on campus at least weekly and has administered more than 1,200 tests.

Other Big Ten programs — Ohio State, Indiana, Michigan State, Rutgers and Maryland — have suspended practices at some point because of coronavirus concerns.

College football conferences have already made several changes this year because of the pandemic. The Big Ten, Pac-12 and SEC will play only conference schedules. The ACC will play an 11-game schedule with 10 league games. Notre Dame will participate as a full football member of the ACC this year.

This weekend, a group of Pac-12 players said they would sit out practices and games if their universities don’t provide adequate COVID-19 protections.

Other smaller conferences, including the Ivy League, have canceled all fall sports.

Contributing: Associated Press

Northwestern suspends football activities after player tests positive for coronavirusMadeline Kenneyon August 3, 2020 at 9:41 pm Read More »

Chicago Blackhawks: Game two is a must win gameVincent Pariseon August 3, 2020 at 12:00 pm

The Chicago Blackhawks are in must-win mode for game two of their series.

The Chicago Blackhawks shocked the hockey world when they won game one of their play-in series against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday afternoon. They allowed a power-play goal to Connor McDavid right away and it seemed like it was going to be a long series. Then, with ice in their veins, Jonathan Toews and Dominik Kubalik led the team to victory. It was awesome to see a legendary veteran and one of the NHL’s finest rookies take matters into their own hands.

Well, now they have a chance to take a stranglehold on the series. If they win game two and go up 2-0 in the series, that would certainly put a big seed of doubt in the heads of the Edmonton Oilers. That is exactly what you need if you are the Blackhawks, make Edmonton think they don’t have a chance anymore. If they start to look at it through a negative light, they will take themselves out of the series.

The Blackhawks are not the best defensive team of all time but they have some players who can make the Oilers feel bad about their game. They, of course, have Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl but the Blackhawks should want to get in a track meet with them all day long. The Oilers will certainly score some goals but you can absolutely rely on Corey Crawford in the playoffs a whole lot more than either of their goalies.

If each team earns a crazy amount of scoring chances, the Blackhawks should like their chances of coming out on top. With that said, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t do their very best to contain their stars. McDavid and Draisaitl were largely shut down at even strength in game one. That is going to need to continue if they are going to take game two and eventually the series.

Another thing they need to worry about is staying out of the box. Edmonton has one of the league’s best power plays and you can imagine why. They did score two on the man advantage in game one so if a game was ever a bit closer, the Hawks really need to avoid penalties because Edmonton is capable of changing a game with its power play.

It isn’t must-win in terms of going home (or even trailing in the series) for the Hawks but we all know how this could shake out if Edmonton wins game two. They are the five seed opposed the Hawks’ 12 seed for a reason. For that reason, it is time to take a stand and turn this into a nice little run for a team that needs it during a retool.

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Chicago Blackhawks: Game two is a must win gameVincent Pariseon August 3, 2020 at 12:00 pm Read More »