End Days Near: Vienna Beef Factory Closeson July 13, 2020 at 11:19 pm

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End Days Near: Vienna Beef Factory Closes

End Days Near: Vienna Beef Factory Closeson July 13, 2020 at 11:19 pm Read More »

HHY & the Macumbas soundtrack the bonfire at the end of the worldon July 13, 2020 at 11:00 am

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No sensible person can argue against the proposition that America is crying out for a cleansing ritual fire. The only grounds for disagreement that I can see concern which oppressive institutions should be fed to the flames first. As it happens, I’ve recently discovered a wonderful soundtrack for torching prisons of all kinds.

HHY & the Macumbas make just that kind of liberatory music. This Portuguese group have existed in one form or another since 2008, but I learned about them only last month, when Kampala label Nyege Nyege Tapes released Camouflage Vector: Edits From Live Actions 2017-2019 on June 3 (I bought it as part of my July “Bandcamp day” binge). If you know that Nyege Nyege Tapes has also put out two EPs by brilliant drums-and-synths troupe Nihiloxica, whose membership is split between Uganda and the UK, then I’m going to flatter myself and take credit because I mentioned it in these pages nine months ago.

Based in the city of Porto and arising from its multifarious arts collective SOOPA, HHY & the Macumbas have no fixed membership. Nine people are credited on the cover of Camouflage Vector, but I’m only sure that one of them has been involved from the start: bandleader Jonathan Uliel Saldanha, the artist, musician, and composer who founded SOOPA in 1999. His other projects have included Oxidation Machine, a 40-hour immersive noise-and-light installation, and the stage piece Shark: The Celestial Emporium of Benevolent Knowledge, a mock execution of “bodies” created by bundling trash into human shapes.

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Some parts of Camouflage Vector were recorded in a club in Barcelos, others inside a huge oil tank on Tenerife in the Canary Islands; two tracks include live contributions from UK dub producer Adrian Sherwood. These aren’t songs so much as they are evocations–and what they evoke is a subterranean place, full of smoke and infernal red light but bustling with all types and colors of life. It’s the chaotic, left-hand obverse of the daylight world and its sterile, gleaming white-collar rationalizations for exploitation, racism, genocide, and environmental apocalypse.

Frenzied, mutating cycles of hand drums and trap set tangle in a dense polyrhythmic weave beneath sinister smears and screams of brass, while synths buzz and pulse and a kick drum throbs like your heartbeat when you can feel it in your eyes. Everything is bathed in “skull cave echo,” as Saldanha puts it. “It comes with a love for trance, otherness, and sound pressure,” he explains.

I especially love the dislocating effect of the music’s multiple simultaneous metabolic rates. The layers of percussion sometimes phase with one another or slip in and out of sync; the horns move with stately, almost funereal deliberation while everything else boils with deranged fury. All we need now is the biggest bonfire since the Big Bang, so we can all dance around it. v

The Listener is a weekly sampling of music Reader staffers love. Absolutely anything goes, and you can reach us at [email protected].

HHY & the Macumbas soundtrack the bonfire at the end of the worldon July 13, 2020 at 11:00 am Read More »

Prolific Chicago rapper Chris Crack shows off his range on Cute Boyson July 13, 2020 at 1:00 pm

In June, Chicago rapper Chris Crack self-released Cute Boys (The Rise of Lil Delicious) on Bandcamp roughly two months after dropping White People Love Algorithms. Most artists releasing 36 songs in a couple months would qualify as prolific, but Chris Crack isn’t most artists; last year, he’d put out four albums by July. All of which is to say we could very well be at the beginning of a new deluge from one of the country’s most prodigious underground MCs. Chris has a puckish streak, and his vocal inflections can cut like barbed wire. His stylish, irascible verses are shot through with humor (he released an album called Troll Till They Fold in 2016), but Cute Boys also highlights his flexibility as a vocalist: much of the album marinates in bubble-bath R&B, somnambulant jazz, or twilight boogie, all of which he complements with sensual singing. But Chris doesn’t spend long focused on any particular style or mood–it’s as though he’s driven by whatever novel idea inspires him to get on the mike and start recording, and that only seems to intensify the animated fervor of his vocals. On “White Lies Cost Black Lives,” his morose hook captures the anxiety, anger, and grief that erupt when white cops kill Black people, and his sullen lilt hints at the despair that grows every time it happens again. v

Prolific Chicago rapper Chris Crack shows off his range on Cute Boyson July 13, 2020 at 1:00 pm Read More »

Bob Nanna lays his post-divorce life bare on Celebration Stateson July 13, 2020 at 5:00 pm

Midwestern emo cornerstone Bob Nanna made his bones working guarded feelings into nervy posthardcore with anthemic ambitions. Nanna started his streak in the early 90s with teenage band Friction, and by the end of the decade he’d established himself as scene royalty, fronting Braid and then Hey Mercedes. He also took up writing solo material in 1997, and in the mid-2000s he began issuing it as City on Film. As prolific as he’s been, only now is he finally releasing music under his given name. The timing is significant: Celebration States (New Granada) is his first album since his divorce. He recorded these songs–the most openly autobiographical of his career so far–on what would’ve been his anniversary last year. Atop unvarnished acoustic guitars, he sings about his dissolving marriage and the malaise that followed in diaristic detail, but even at his lowest–suffering from loneliness that keeps him up at night (“Come Home”), self-medicating with pills (“In Reverse”)–he never lets himself abandon his sense of personal responsibility. Ultimately Celebration States is less a breakup record and more a measured recollection of the difficult steps he took to build a new life afterward. In most other contexts, Nanna pushes his voice till it starts to unravel, but here he’s gentle with his throat–and eventually with himself. v

Bob Nanna lays his post-divorce life bare on Celebration Stateson July 13, 2020 at 5:00 pm Read More »

Here’s Everything You Need to Know About the 2020 Chicago Bears Training Campon July 13, 2020 at 1:14 pm

In just a few short weeks, the Chicago Bears training camp for the 2020 season begins. While it’s unlikely that any fans will be allowed to attend, given the league’s plans for the season, football remains on track to start as scheduled this year. And that means one thing is for sure, Chicago Bears football is back!

On July 28, the Chicago Bears report to training camp for the 2020 NFL Season. Last season, training camp was held in Bourbonnais, but this year, they’re packing up and heading to team headquarters at Halas Hall. Despite the lack of fans, the NFL is allowing for teams to hold two practices at their stadiums if state and local regulations permit it. With plenty of old and new faces at the Bears training camp, we’ve got you covered on what to look out for when the team takes the field at the end of the month.

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The New Faces Of The Bears Training Camp

There’s plenty of new faces that will be present at the 2020 Bears training camp, including a pair of new tight ends. When the Bears entered this year’s NFL draft, the team made their first selection with the 43rd pick. This pick turned out to be Notre Dame tight end Cole Kmet. Ranked as the top tight end in the draft, Kmet is sure to see plenty of reps in training camp. Kmet isn’t the only new tight end in camp, as the team added veteran Jimmy Graham back in March. Having a legendary tight end like Graham will definitely benefit the development of Kmet during his rookie year.

Tight ends aren’t the only position with new players. As far as rookies go, the team drafted cornerback Jaylon Johnson, linebacker Trevis Gipson, cornerback Kindle Vildor, and receiver Darnell Mooney. Each rookie will have a chance to earn their spot on the team throughout the entire camp. And speaking of earning spots, this year’s Bears training camp is going to feature an interesting battle for the starting quarterback job.

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A Quarterback Battle

One of the biggest focuses of training camp in Chicago this year will be the battle for the starting quarterback job between Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles. Since game five of the Bears 2017 season, Trubisky has held the starting job. However, after a lackluster showing in 2019, the team made it a point to create a competition for the starting job. And that’s exactly what they did when they acquired Foles from the Jaguars via trade. The team views Nick Foles as a great fit given his familiarity with our coaches and offense. In his eight seasons in the league, Foles has a pretty decent resume, with one Pro Bowl appearance, a Super Bowl ring, and a Super Bowl MVP trophy to go with it. Let’s hope this battle brings out the best in both guys.

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@roquansmith3 & @dattrev59 will combine for _______ tackles this season. 👀

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Return of the Injured Defense

Everyone around the league knows how devastating the Bears defense can be. They aren’t named the Monsters of the Midway for nothing. When the defense led the league in 2018, they were completely stacked and led by All-Pro linebacker Khalil Mack. After a wave of injuries hit in 2019, the team lost defensive tackle Akiem Hicks, and linebackers Danny Trevathan and Roquan Smith. This led to an obvious regression in the team’s defensive output last season, but nearly all of those starters are expected to return this year. Is it too early to fire up the Super Bowl Shuffle yet?

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Featured Image Credit: Chicago Bears Instagram

7 Iconic Chicago Museums Opening This Julyon July 13, 2020 at 4:55 pm

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Looking for something fun to do this summer? How about a museum? As Chicago enters Phase 4 of reopening, many local museums were given the green light to open their doors once again. Visitors must follow social distancing guidelines and face masks are required to be worn at all times. But whether you want to take the kids out for an educational afternoon or mix up date night, check out these Chicago museums opening in July.

Shedd Aquarium

1200 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605

Got a fish lover in your fam? Spend the day perusing this massive aquarium that’s home to everything from belugas and bluegills to stingrays and sturgeons. The Shedd has implemented several changes to keep visitors safe. The Aquatic Presentation, 4D Theater, and some play areas will be off-limits and water fountains won’t be available (but guests can bring water bottles or use the water refill station). Plus assistive listening devices, wheelchairs, and noise-canceling headphones will be first-come, first-serve. Adult admission (age 12+) starts at $39.95 (Chicago residents $19.95), get your tickets here.

chicago museums opening — Photo Credit: American Writers Museum Facebook

American Writers Museum

180 Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601

Brush up on your American writers, both past and present. The AWM is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. It’s strongly recommended to purchase your tickets online to cut down on contact with employees. Other safety measures include providing hand sanitizing stations throughout the museum as well as regular cleaning of contact surfaces. Adult admission is $14, get your tickets here.

Chicago Architecture Center

111 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601

Chicago is known for its epic skyline and famous structures. And now the Architecture Center is welcoming back visitors on Thursdays through Mondays from 10 am to 4 pm. While the CAC Design store and galleries are open, the Grand Lecture Hall and ArcelorMittal Design Studio are still closed. You can still explore nearly 10,000 square feet of exhibition space filled with super-sized models and breathtaking views of skyscrapers. Adult admission is $12, get your tickets here.

Frederick C. Robie House

5757 S Woodlawn Ave, Chicago, IL 60637

Considered one of the most important buildings in architectural history, the Robie House is a forerunner of modernism in architecture — designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Indoor and outdoor tours are available Thursday through Monday from 10 am to 3 pm. Wright Around Oak Park and The Rookery Light Court have also resumed normal operating hours. Admission starts at $20, get your tickets here.

Museum of Contemporary Photography

600 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605

Film lovers rejoice! MoCP has reopened on Columbia College’s campus. From now until September 9, explore Puerto Rico’s contemporary history with their current exhibition, Temporal: Puerto Rican Resistance. Admission is free but you’ll need to reserve a timed ticket on Tock and you can bring up to 4 guests. Just a heads up, reservations are limited to 30 minutes.

Pritzker Military Museum & Library

104 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603

Know a big military buff? Take ‘em to this fascinating location filled with the history of the sacrifices made by those who’ve served. To keep visitors safe, the museum will only be open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. Other updates include: a maximum of 50 people will be allowed in at a time (which is 25-percent capacity), the library stacks and 3rd-floor exhibits will be closed to the public, and contactless entry and sales at the Gift Shop will be enforced. Admission is $5 or free for members and all visitors with an active military ID.

Field Museum

1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605

Who misses Sue the T-Rex? We certainly do. But good news: starting July 24th, you can see all the dinosaurs at the Field Museum once again! New hours will be 9 am to 5 pm on Thursday through Monday and closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. A few things to know before you visit: nearly 150 hand sanitizer stations will be peppered throughout the building, floor markers will direct one-way walking paths, and highly interactive exhibitions will be temporarily closed. Order a Sue mask online (cutest covering ever) and you’ll be ready! Basic admission for adults starts at $26 for out-of-staters and $24 for Chicago residents, get your tickets here.

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Featured Image Credit: Shedd Aquarium

A Floating Rooftop Bar Will Dock at the Chicago Riverwalk Every Weekend This Summeron July 13, 2020 at 5:45 pm

While the state of Chicago beaches is still in limbo due to the coronavirus pandemic, that doesn’t mean the option of waterside lounging and luxury is completely impossible. For anyone craving an evening out on the water, Chicago’s First Lady Floating Rooftop, one of the largest floating rooftop bars in the city, is now open for the summer!

Photo Credit: Chicago’s First Lady Floating Rooftop

Located on the Chicago Riverwalk, Chicago’s First Lady Floating Rooftop sits dockside, offering breathtaking views of the city coupled with a refreshing selection of cocktails, wines, bottled drinks, drafts, and cans. Some highlights of Chicago’s First Lady Floating Rooftop’s cocktails include their Chicago Mule, which has all the usual suspects of the drink but, instead of just plain vodka, the Chicago Mule has botanical grapefruit and rosé-infused vodka to bring a little more of that summer burst into your life! (Can we make this a Chicago staple?)

In a call towards Chicago’s history, the Prohibition Punch features Bacardi, Myer’s Dark Rum, Amaretto, and a nice mix of cranberry, orange, and pineapple juice, making this drink strong and sweet. Of course, Chicago’s First Lady Floating Rooftop has classics like a margarita and a spiked lemonade, but for those of you who crave a little adventure with your imbibing, The Heat Wave is what you need to try: orange vodka, ginger beer, lime, and (this is the kicker) jalapeño simple syrup. This is a variation of a mule where the mule kicks back!

Those not deep in the cocktail game can find comfort in knowing that buckets of White Claws are available for purchase as well as bottles of select wines or classic choices of domestic and imported beers. (Think along the lines of Coors, Miller, Corona, and so on.) Chicago’s First Lady Floating Rooftop full drink menu is available here.

View the Best Rooftop Bars in Chicago

Need views from even higher up? View our list of the best rooftop bars in the city.

View the Best Rooftop Bars in Chicago

Guests can drink atop the vessel Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 3 pm to 11 pm. Admission is first-come, first-served, completely free, and there is no need for a reservation. Tables are available for a maximum of 90 minutes so as to ensure as many guests as possible can enjoy Chicago’s First Lady Floating Rooftop experience. Per city safety guidelines, tables on the rooftop maintain six feet distance, and table service has been instituted to encourage social distancing. Staff will be masked at all times while guests are required to wear masks when not seated at their table.

Restrooms are available on board with soap and hot water equipped to keep hands clean and hand sanitizer stations are provided. Take note, too, that all transactions aboard Chicago’s First Lady Floating Rooftop are cashless and touchless to mitigate further risks posed by the ongoing pandemic. There are also accessibility ramps available, making the vessel wheelchair accessible, but motorized scooters and electric wheelchairs are not allowed for safety reasons. Guests who can transfer can use the company’s manual wheelchair based on its availability.

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: Chicago’s First Lady Floating Rooftop

Chicago Cubs: 3 benefits of 60-game season over other teamson July 13, 2020 at 11:00 am

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Chicago Cubs (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)

As the Chicago Cubs prepare and adjust to playing just 60 regular-season games, here’s why they stand to reap the benefits more than most teams.

Baseball season is right around the corner for the Chicago Cubs, and new manager, David Ross already has his work cut out for him and his team. The organization has to adjust on the fly to playing a condensed schedule, with new in-game rules taking place such as the designated hitter being implemented now on a regular basis.

In addition, the Cubs are already down one starter in their rotation to begin the season, as Jose Quintana underwent surgery recently to repair a serious cut on his left thumb. Still, even though the Cubs may be short-handed to a certain degree when the season begins, there are numerous reasons mentioned below why they still have a distinct advantage over most teams to successfully navigate these strange circumstances taking place.

1. Team chemistry

While many teams over the offseason made significant changes to their rosters, the Cubs in typical fashion chose largely to remain pat with their core players. In fact, nearly every key position player who was a part of the 2016 World Series championship still resides with the team today.

Even though the team hasn’t lived up to the lofty expectations set upon them following their World Series victory, let’s not underestimate how important team chemistry is. The players on the roster know each other from spending years playing together, so they won’t have to deal with that unfamiliarity that comes from joining a new team. It can take weeks, if not months or even years for new players, no matter how good they are, to adjust to a new team and its surroundings (Ask Yu Darvish). Often, this leads to teams struggling to find their footing out the gate to begin the season.

Even though David Ross is new on the job, he already has a keen sense of what works best with his players in certain game-situations, from having both played with and analyzed his former teammates, both as a player and in the broadcast booth. This will be an added boost of chemistry that the Cubs will employ better than most teams, thus giving them another advantage.

Next: 2: DH Ruling

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Chicago Cubs: 3 benefits of 60-game season over other teamson July 13, 2020 at 11:00 am Read More »