Do you have anxiety? It’s real and it’s spectacular(ly awful)Judy Marcuson June 17, 2020 at 2:44 pm

Opinionated Woman

Do you have anxiety? It’s real and it’s spectacular(ly awful)

ChicagoNOW

Do you have anxiety? It’s real and it’s spectacular(ly awful)Judy Marcuson June 17, 2020 at 2:44 pm Read More »

RSVP today For help with family members with bail from our BAIL PROJECTMarksallenon June 17, 2020 at 3:51 pm

And The Ordinary People Said

RSVP today For help with family members with bail from our BAIL PROJECT

RSVP today For help with family members with bail from our BAIL PROJECTMarksallenon June 17, 2020 at 3:51 pm Read More »

It takes more than #OpenYourLobby to address racism in American theaterMiranda Gonzalezon June 16, 2020 at 10:25 pm

On June 3, Chicago theater artists flooded my social media with #openyourlobby; a call for theaters around the nation to open their doors to #blacklivesmatter protesters. As the producing artistic director at UrbanTheater Company, a Black and Mexican Chicago native, and mother, this call exposed the truth about our theater community: the privilege of deciding to close our doors and separate ourselves from our neighbors is nonexistent.

When you grow up in and around your audiences, people hold you and your organization accountable in ways that a mainstream theater has never experienced. You see, UTC is a theater of color founded by, led by, and for people of color. This May, our beloved organization turned 15. Founded in 2005, and having done work in Humboldt Park since 2006, we use grassroots marketing to draw audiences who have never seen a live theatrical performance. We’ve never had the privilege of putting up art, just for art’s sake. Our mere existence is a rebellious act. We exist because of need.

Our audiences raised us. Many of our neighbors have worked assembly lines with our grandparents, gone to school with our parents, and have had their children taught by our artists. Closing our doors would be turning our backs on our family. We are and have always been in service to them. UTC has been a donation center many times over, a press conference room, a polling place for numerous elections, a place for healers to gather, a screening location, and so much more. We’ve had an open-door policy since occupying a permanent space in between the Puerto Rican flags on Division Street. By partnering with our nonprofit neighbors, like El Rescate, Vida/SIDA, the Honeycomb Network, and the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, we are able to provide accessible theater productions to our residents. We are and will continue to be a theater based in our community.

Our last season was titled “Born and Raised: Chicago Stories by Chicago Playwrights.” It began with a commissioned piece, Not For Sale/No Se Vende, written by Chicago native Guadalis Del Carmen and focused on the issues Humboldt Park residents face with gentrification. We closed out our season with Back in the Day: An 80’s House Music Dancesical, written by myself and inspired by Jose Echevarria’s memoir on Chicago dance crews, The Real Dance Fever: Book One. Both stories reflected the voices of the residents in our community and had sold-out runs.

And yet we are constantly on the precipice of exclusion because of the coming and going of artists seeking to enhance their career, resulting in the gentrification of Chicago theater. Because UrbanTheater has not been given the same value by the institutions that are committed to Eurocentric ideology, our contributions to the ecology of theater are overlooked. It is a cycle of value that is perpetuated through academia, the press, and the regional theaters themselves that make BIPOC artists reject the learning or support of BIPOC theaters, in lieu of investing in the regional ecosystem.

The larger Chicagoland theater community will protest at Victory Gardens asking for fair and equitable treatment but will not rally, uplift, or visit UrbanTheater, while selectively choosing whose work to amplify. Why is that? Theater artists should not believe the lie that theaters of color are inferior to white-founded larger institutions. Larger institutions are inequitably funded in comparison to theaters of color. Marginalized artists will continue to be drawn to spaces where microaggressions feed their internalized inferiority by being sold on the idea of equitable pay. American theater began during the colonial era and gave birth to blackface, so why do we continue to uphold a model that was meant to exploit us?

In American Theatre magazine’s November 2019 issue, dedicated to Chicago theater, there was an article entitled “How Chicago’s Scrappy Storefront Scene Sustains Itself.” As one of the few theaters of color with a space, UTC’s contribution to theater was entirely overlooked. Our existence was absent, as were all Chicago theaters of color. Only white-founded organizations were covered. When our executive director wrote the author of the piece explaining how UTC “tends to be left out of the narrative,” we were e-mailed the following response: “I’d prefer theater companies focus on treating their actors well and producing meaningful work, rather than telling writers and critics who they ‘should have’ written about–essentially, how to do their jobs, which is what you are doing here.” After making a Facebook post in a space for artists of color and tagging the editor of the magazine, we immediately were sent an apology e-mail. “I realize my response was unnecessarily aggressive and defensive, and I sincerely apologize for it–you are right that erasure is a very common issue for companies of color and a very valid concern.” American Theatre is not the only publication that has left us out. The journalist of this story is not the only author to respond to us with a tone rooted in white supremacy. This is all very common.

UrbanTheater’s legitimacy was never dependent upon receiving a Joseph Jefferson Award or being featured in American Theatre. While Not For Sale, a show that featured white actors, received a Jeff nomination, Back in the Day, a fully immersive experience centering queer Black and Brown stories, did not receive any Jeff recognition, even with double the budget of any show in UTC history. Both productions received critically acclaimed reviews, and even so we cannot ignore that access to more resources is a result of more mainstream press and awards.

The truth about American theater was exposed last week. A truth that BIPOC theaters have known for quite some time: very little has changed. Solidarity statement after statement flooded my inbox while I was still grieving, still hugging my Black sons, still praying they never have to call for me the way I read George Floyd called for his mother. I will never watch that video and I will never know what it’s like to write a statement in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. As you can tell, I am teetering between anger and sadness, as I put words to paper.

As an artistic leader, the following has never been clearer to me: our artists need to come home and BIPOC theaters deserve to be funded in order for us to adequately do so. We deserve to heal and we deserve to sustain ourselves while serving our communities. We deserve to have our voices lifted in every publication. We deserve to have whatever resources are needed to tell our stories. We deserve to have capacity to implement it all. We deserve to exist. Being in solidarity with that radical thought is nice, but being an accomplice and implementing that ideology is the most anti-racist thing the American theater can do. v

It takes more than #OpenYourLobby to address racism in American theaterMiranda Gonzalezon June 16, 2020 at 10:25 pm Read More »

The Sixth Bar Sells Ice Cubes Made of Memes for Your At-Home CocktailsAudrey Snyderon June 16, 2020 at 3:57 pm

When everyone was told to stay home and practice social distancing in mid-March, a lot of things changed for Chicagoans. We couldn’t see our friends and loved ones (at least not in person), and things we had taken for granted — like making last-minute plans to meet up for drinks and being in a crowded bar — were suddenly no longer an option.

Not only did our everyday interactions change, but the bars, restaurants, and other gathering places which ordinarily facilitated these social exchanges had to close (at least partly), therefore losing a lot of revenue. Chicagoans managing these spaces have had to think quickly and creatively to salvage their livelihoods, as well as the livelihoods of at least a portion of their staff.

One such business to ride the wave of change and uncertainty with a certain degree of style is The Sixth, an award-winning cocktail bar in Lincoln Square. The bar, whose name was inspired by a time early in whiskey-distilling history when it was said (according to The Sixth’s website) that 1 in every 6 men was somehow involved in whiskey production, has been serving craft cocktails and specialty ice since it opened in December 2015.

Since temporarily closing its doors for dine-in this March, The Sixth has been accepting online orders for its high-quality ice (if you are skeptical about the importance of ice in cocktails, you will be won over by this article) as well as a selection of whiskey through its online store on Upserve. Not only does the bar sell the classically attractive Collins ice (a 12-pack), floral Collins ice (also a 12-pack), and 2×2 rocks (a 16-pack), but it has also begun offering 16-packs of 2x 2 “meme” ice for $20 per pack.

“What is meme ice?” you might ask. “What have the kids gone and done now?” Luckily, these cubes rather effectively capture the time we’re in and the peculiar mental space we’ve all come to know (really what memes tend to do best), and will probably appeal to you even if you aren’t a meme-crazed millennial.

Two cube designs feature Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot; one is a close-up of her face, captioned with block letters reading, rather threateningly, “STAY INSIDE,” while the other captures the mayor standing in front of the Chicago flag, looking judgmentally out from her icy environs at anyone who might dare venture to the lakefront before it’s safe.

The other two cubes are devoted to the meme simply known by many as “This Is Fine,” which is a set of two drawings (each of those drawings is featured on one cube in the set) featuring a smartly-hatted dog who, while sitting in a room absolutely filled with flames and smoke, is saying aloud to himself, “This is fine.”

Whether you need a Lori Lightcube to remind you that COVID-19 is still out there, or you would rather be reassured by a cartoon dog that the world isn’t really on fire (except, you know, the Amazon), these delightful specialty ice cubes will look up at you cheerily (or threateningly) from your at-home cocktail, and no one need know (or worry) how much alcohol is ending up in your body by the end of the day.

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: The Sixth Bar

Chicago Lakefront Trail, Millennium Park, Bars & Breweries Will Reopen This JuneNishat Ahmedon June 16, 2020 at 4:14 pm

Chicago is making its comeback yet! Yesterday, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced that the city’s Lakefront Trail and bars in the area are planning to reopen with new safety guidelines and some restrictions in place. Millennium Park just reopened on Monday.

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lakefront trail reopen — Photo Credit: Lakefront Trail Yelp Page

Starting Wednesday, June 22nd, stretches of the Lakefront Trail will be open daily from 6 am to 7 pm east of Lake Shore Drive. The caveat? You have to be moving at all times. The mayor’s office wants a “keep it moving” strategy, meaning that only activities such as walking, running, biking, and rollerblading will be allowed.

Until further notice, swimming pools, playgrounds, outdoor fitness equipment, tennis and basketball courts, and athletic fields will remain closed until public health officials can strategize with the park district on a safe reopening option. About half of the access points to the trail will also remain closed so as to attempt a minimization in traffic.

The recent storm damage on the lakefront, as well as the high lake levels, have moved officials to merge three sections of the trail to accommodate those affected. Fullerton to North Avenue will be a shared trail, North Avenue to Ohio Street will see trail users redirected to a detour on the street, and trail users from 43rd Street to 51st Street will merge onto one trail.

A park that did open Monday was Millennium Park. Though only opened in a partial capacity, the park will now be open daily from 8 am to 9 pm for groups abiding by the rule of 10 or fewer and, of course, wearing masks. While The Bean is only viewable from a distance (RIP to all of our Instagrams), the Boeing Galleries, Lurie Garden, and the Chase Promenades will be open to the public. The Crown Fountain and Wrigley Square will also be accessible, but the water features will be turned off.

Millennium Park’s Welcome Center, The Great Lawn, the McDonald’s Cycle Center, and the BP Bridge connecting the park to Maggie Daley Park will remain closed. Fortunately, if you’re craving a quick bite, The Park Grill will be open with limited carryout service. To control the flow of traffic and monitor capacity, visitors will be asked to enter at Michigan Avenue and Madison Street. The exit to the park will be at Michigan Avenue and Washington Street. If the park does reach capacity, it will be temporarily closed until it is safe for more guests to enter. Social distancing ambassadors (they’ll be in lime green, you can’t miss ‘em) will be around to make sure guests are staying with their groups and adhering to the social distancing guidelines.

millennium park reopen — Photo Credit: Eris Brewery and Cider House Facebook Page

Along with the plans to reopen the Lakefront Trail, beginning Wednesday, June 17, taverns, bars, and breweries can start offering outside services. Venues that have a Tavern License are also eligible for obtaining an Expanded Outdoor Dining Permit, allowing them to expand the outdoor seating areas (like into parking lots and streets closed to traffic for dining!) on their properties. Breweries already ready and open for you tomorrow include Begyle Brewing and Eris Brewery and Cider House.

Cameron and Suzie Compton, owners of Midwest Coast Brewing, had turned their operation towards helping make hand sanitizer amid the nationwide shortages, but now hope to turn their parking lot into customer seating. While these breweries are offering curbside and delivery, we hope this announcement means we’ll be able to sit back and relax at some of our local favorites again!

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: Lake Michigan Yelp Page

11 Black-Owned Boutiques You Can Shop Right Now in ChicagoLindsey Congeron June 16, 2020 at 8:45 pm

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Protests supporting the Black Lives Matter movement continue to occur peacefully across the city and the country. With these protests comes a surge to support Black-owned businesses.

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Go on social media, and you’ll find a variety of resources, pictures, guides, and hashtags that help demonstrate your support for the Black community. According to CNN, there was a spike of 300 percent for the search “how to find Black-owned businesses in your area.”

Companies like Yelp and UberEats have stepped up their game and are helping to support Black-owned businesses on their site. The company plans to introduce a tool to help people filter for Black-owned businesses more easily. UberEats announced that it will waive all fees for black-owned businesses until the end of the year.

Financially supporting these businesses is a great way to advocate for the BLM movement, so we’ve compiled a list of Black-owned boutiques in the Chicago-area. If you are thinking of buying something, consider spending your money and demonstrating your support for one of these black-owned businesses.

Shop Opulence

This small local boutique is black-owned and is the perfect place to find dresses, jumpsuits, tops, rompers, and more. They are currently offering a Mystery Box that contains 3-4 curated pieces.

Kim Products

Kim Products decided to delay their upcoming product drop until a later time as they plan a way to give back to the community. That means a lot of their merchandise on the website is sold out right now, but subscribe so you can get updated on when they restock their Chicago-branded sweats.

Ripped Off

Everything on the site is hand-stitched by the owner, with some of the options, available including hats, hoodies, jackets, and tote bags. DM the brand on Instagram for custom inquiries.

Bronzeville Boutique

Bronzeville Boutique makes a name for itself by helping people style themselves. Their website is filled with products for women of all sizes, including dresses, jumpers, and tops.

Essential Elements

This Southside store is aimed at women who want to change the world. In addition to their usual products, they are also selling fashionable masks so you can stay safe.

Sir & Madame

As you might have guessed from the name, Sir & Madame is a luxury men’s and women’s clothing brand. The husband and wife team wanted to create casual wear with an elevated twist.

Kiwi’s Boutique

This Chicago boutique was designed for trendy women who want to shop on a budget. They have everything you need from head to toe in the store, so you are likely to find something you want to buy here!

Kayra Imports

Featuring clothes, skincare, fabric, custom appeal from Africa, Kayra’s Imports has some beautiful products for you to purchase. They are even selling a face mask and headwrap set so you can look stylish while practicing social distancing protocols.

Cannon’s T-shirts & More

If you need custom T-shirts or bulk T-shirts at warehouse prices, then Cannon’s T-shirts and More is the place for you to be.

Z Couture

Buy your jeans, tops, jumpers, and more from Z Couture. They are located on Stony Island and have a limited amount of their products for sale online.

Shop 500

Shapewear, dresses, tops, accessories, shoes, and swimwear… Shop 500 Boutique has got it all! Shop online to support this local, black-owned business.

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: Shop 500 Instagram Page

Chicago Bears: Players who could revive career in 2020Usayd Koshulon June 16, 2020 at 2:00 pm

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Chicago Bears (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

Who are some players that could end up reviving their careers with the Chicago Bears in 2020?

One theme that the Chicago Bears have kept consistent all offseason has been competition. The Bears have added competition at nearly every position on the roster in hopes of finding the best possible players to start each week in 2020.

With competition comes opportunity. The opportunity to prove that you belong and can play football at a high level compared to other people. There are two types of players involved in competition. The first type, are young rookies, who are looking to make a name for themselves in NFL. The second types are veteran players, who are looking to get their careers back on track and prove that they belong after being let go by another team.

The Bears have a number of players who fit option two. Guys like Germain Ifedi, Jason Spriggs, and Artie Burns were all once viewed as being integral parts of the teams that they were drafted by. However, a few years later, Ifedi, Spriggs, and Burns are now all fighting for a chance to secure a spot on an NFL roster.

Additionally, each of the players mentioned above have all signed one-year deals with the Bears. For both sides, it’s a low-risk, high-reward move. If the player fails, the Bears don’t lose much. However, if the player succeeds and proves his worth, then both sides win because the player is rewarded with a new deal while the team has another solid starter on the roster locked up for the foreseeable future.

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With the Bears signing a number of players to one-year deals during free agency in 2020, who are some names that could revive their careers in 2020 and how will they do so? Let’s break everything down and find out.

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Chicago Bears: Players who could revive career in 2020Usayd Koshulon June 16, 2020 at 2:00 pm Read More »

Chicago Bears: Remembering Brian Piccolo and his enduring legacyPatrick Sheldonon June 16, 2020 at 3:34 pm

Chicago Bears (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Brian Piccolo’s Chicago Bears career was short but impactful.

If you are a Chicago Bears fan, then there is a pretty good chance you have seen the movie Brian’s Song, and if you have not, then it should be next on your list.

For those that are not at least familiar with the story, it captures the incredible and beautiful bond between former Chicago Bears running backs Brian Piccolo (played by James Caan) and Gale Sayers (played by Billy Dee Williams).

The movie chronicles the relationship between Piccolo, who passed away 50 years ago today, and Sayers, starting when they were rookies in 1965. As you may already know, Piccolo’s Bears career is very short-lived as he is diagnosed with cancer, which ultimately takes him on June 16, 1970.

Besides being an absolute tear-jerker at times, the movie carries with it an incredibly important message. Despite their distinctly different backgrounds and their relatively short time together, Piccolo and Sayers formed an incredibly strong and unbreakable bond.

Courage.
Loyalty.
Teamwork.
Dedication.
Sense of humor.

The world needs people like Brian Piccolo. pic.twitter.com/xvoGETIheX

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) June 16, 2020

This is pretty remarkable considering the circumstances under which their relationship was formed. Not only were they each competing for the same running back position, but as noted above, they each came from racially diverse backgrounds.

In fact, Piccolo and Sayers would eventually become the first interracial roommates in the history of the NFL.

Despite these circumstances, the two set it all aside and forged a true friendship because each saw in the other their character, spirit, and human qualities. It might be easy to forget now, but when you take into consideration the societal climate of the late 1960s and the fact that these two were competing against one another for their jobs, you realize the significance of their relationship and what it endured.

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It is yet another example of sports reflecting the ideals we hope for as a society while transcending the obstacles that stand in the way of us getting there.

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As society continues to grapple with the injustices and inequalities we see today, the lessons learned from their relationship should not be lost on us. They were two human beings who saw past the superficial and connected with what made them who they truly were. That’s a message that endures fifty years later and is a part of Piccolo’s legacy.

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Chicago Bears: Remembering Brian Piccolo and his enduring legacyPatrick Sheldonon June 16, 2020 at 3:34 pm Read More »