By The Beachwood Rock Local Affairs Desk
You shoulda been there.
1. The Pretty Reckless at Beat Kitchen on Thursday night.
Posted on March 11, 2011
Death And The Powers: The Robots’ Opera
By Opera Of The Future
An animated synopsis of Tod Machover’s new work at the Chicago Opera Theater.
Posted on March 10, 2011
City Needs New Policy For The New Maxwell Street Market: An Open Letter To Mayor-Elect Emanuel
By Steve Balkin
Dear Mayor-Elect Emanuel,
Congratulations on your election victory.
I write this letter because I hope you are sincere about making positive change for Chicago.
But if you want positive change for the city, you need to know that a world-class city is more than neatness, corporate headquarters’, and big-box stores. A world-class city also includes social harmony, quality conversations across race and class, and preservation of the historical fabric, authenticity, and vibrancy in public places.
I expect you know about this, having lived in Washington D.C., and having visited places such as New York City and Paris; Manny’s delicatessen and Valois cafeteria.
I want to suggest how some simple changes in public policy can make the city money, create businesses and jobs, and enhance the reputation of Chicago as a world-class city.
Posted on March 9, 2011
The Weekend in Chicago Rock
By The Beachwood Rock Local Affairs Desk
You shoulda been there.
1. Avicii at the Mid on Saturday night.
Posted on March 7, 2011
The Week in Chicago Rock
By The Beachwood Rock Local Affairs Desk
You shoulda been there.
1. Cage The Elephant at the Vic on Wednesday night.
Posted on March 4, 2011
Remembering Diane Izzo
Extraordinary Chicago Songwriter Succumbs
“Diane Izzo debuted in 1999 with one of the best singer-songwriter albums ever out of Chicago, One,” Greg Kot writes for the Tribune. “She never officially followed it up, though she continued to record prolifically and was working on an ambitious movie project when she died Friday of cancer in Albuquerque, N.M.”
See also: “When Diane Izzo’s debut album, One, arrived in 1999, I said it marked ‘the arrival of one of the most breathtaking young singer-songwriters to emerge out of Chicago in recent years.'”
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“There have been a million angry kiss-off songs written throughout rock history,” Jim DeRogatis wrote when he reviewed One. “In 1999 it takes a strong voice to put a unique spin on the form, but it’s one of several impressive feats by Chicago singer-songwriter Diane Izzo on her debut album One.
“Partly Izzo accomplishes this via the poetic touches in the lyrics of her story-songs. ‘Once upon the ship you waved back to all your subjects/Shooting from your hip and your gorgeous death trap,’ she sings of a self-inflated amour in ‘The Real One.’ Even more impressively, Izzo cycles through a wide range of emotions – anger, pain, pride and defiance – while somehow making a powerful hook out of the tune’s short but emphatic kicker: ‘Now you’re gone, and to me you’re done.'”
Posted on March 3, 2011
In Action: Lady Gaga at the United Center
By The Muffin Bluffin’ Affairs Desk
“‘It’s raining unicorns and gay teddy bears,’ Lady Gaga said Monday at the sold-out United Center as the audience hurled gifts at her,” Greg Kot writes for the Tribune. “Then she bit the heads off several dolls, but allowed a mini-Paul Stanley to live another day and watch the show from the lip of the stage. Kiss, and Kiss-style spectacle, still rules in the Land of Gaga.
“The singer appreciates the circus of performing, and has turned herself into the pop world’s most incisive commentator on its seductions and pitfalls. Every eye-catching moment had a few more layers to it that made this 100-minute performance something more than just a collection of stunts.”
Posted on March 2, 2011