Roger Ebert loved movies.

Except for those he hated.

For a film with a daring director, a talented cast, a captivating plot or, ideally, all three, there could be no better advocate than Roger Ebert, who passionately celebrated and promoted excellence in film while deflating the awful, the derivative, or the merely mediocre with an observant eye, a sharp wit and a depth of knowledge that delighted his millions of readers and viewers.

"No good film is too long," he once wrote, a sentiment he felt strongly enough about to have engraved on pens. "No bad movie is short enough." [Chicago Sun-Times]

RIP, Roger.

Jeff Tweedy @ Fifth Third Bank Ballpark with Wilco, July 2012 (more by Matt Ziegler)

Wilco frontman, Chicago resident, and all-around good guy Jeff Tweedy has written a letter in support of same-sex marriage to the editor of The Belleville News-Democrat. Tweedy, who was raised in Belleville, is calling for folks to join him in support of SB 10 which if passed by the Illinois General Assembly would give same-sex couples the freedom to marry. "By excluding same-sex couples from marriage, our state saddles them, their children and itself with second-class status. That is wrong, and it hurts Illinois families and businesses," said Tweedy.

Read Jeff Tweedy's letter to the editor in full, below...

Continue reading "Jeff Tweedy pens letter in support of same-sex marriage "

Jeff Tweedy @ A.V. Fest/Hideout Block Party, September 2012 (more by Sara Pieper)

Chicago high school Northside College Prep are currently holding an online auction to help raise money for school programs. They've got over 200-items up for grabs, including an eight-hour recording session with Northside parent Jeff Tweedy at the Wilco Loft. It'll be tracked by a staff engineer and supervised by Tweedy himself, who will help you produce, arrange, and may even play on your tune if you need him to. Bidding is up to $20,250.00(!) as of this post.

As discussed, Jeff Tweedy will participate in a Q&A session with Low at Saki Records on Thursday night (3/7). They'll be talking about the group's forthcoming album, The Invisible Way, which was produced and tracked by Tweedy at the Wilco Loft. Low will also be performing stripped down selections from the LP. The event kicks off at 7PM and is open to the public.

Kuma's Too (via)

As discussed, Kuma's Corner are opening a second Chicago location, in Lincoln Park called Kuma's Too. When it was announced that the heavy metal eatery would be taking over the extremely appropriate address of 666 W. Diversey Pkwy. back in December, it was said that they'd be opening up within the next few months. Today, Eater Chicago reports that opening day will be on February 13.

Stay tuned for more information on the new restaurant.

Exterior of the original Kuma's Corner (via) // future location of Kuma's Too

Heavy metal and foodie haven Kuma's Corner are set to open a second Chicago location in Lincoln Park. While the Woodfield Mall and/or Naperville joint is still rumored, Kuma's Too will be setting up shop at 666 W. Diversey Pkwy. within the next few months(!). According to Chicago Magazine, the new restaurant will be replacing current tenants The Counter. Hopefully, like the original location, the menu will feature items named after YOB, Neurosis, Weekend Nachos, High On Fire, and more.

Stay tuned for more information on Kuma's Too.

The Chicago Police Department spotted what an ABC News reporter called "a mountain of marijuana" growing on a farm on the South Side of the city...

Police in a helicopter stumbled upon what may be the largest outdoor pot farm in the city's history. Planted in rows and spread over an area the size of two football fields, as many as 1,500 plants averaging 6-feet tall were growing amidst heavy brush in an industrial area on the city's South Side.

"This would not be visible from the street," said Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy at a press conference today. "It's surrounded by a huge field that you wouldn't see anywhere (but) from the air. "

He estimated the hidden pot to be worth $7 million to $10 million.
[ABC News]

Check out a clip of an ABC reporter walking through the field (it's slightly hilarious) below...

Continue reading ""Chicago Pot Farm's Plants as Big as Trees""

The Chicago City Council Wednesday voted 43-3 to approve a new city pot policy.
The ordinance gives police the option to issue a ticket for possession of 15 grams of marijuana or less. Arrests would still be mandated for anyone caught smoking pot in public or possessing marijuana in or near a school or in or near a park. The new rules go into effect Aug. 4.

Ald. Danny Solis (25th), who introduced the proposal last fall, called it a "monumental ordinance" that will have "a definite impact."

"I don't have any problem with people arresting somebody as far as a crime," Solis said, "but when this arrest basically turns out to be where nothing happens ... I have to seriously look at what we're doing."

Supporters of the ordinance, including Mayor Rahm Emanuel, said issuing tickets frees up cops for more serious crime and ultimately will save the police department about $1 million.

"This is about being efficient and realistic," said Ald. John Pope (10th). [NBC Chicago]

Speaking of Juicy J, Three 6 Mafia are here to play Metro tonight (6/28). YP, GLC, and Mikey Rocks will act as main support, and tickets are still available.

All Smokers Club tour dates are listed below, along with some song streams.

Continue reading ""City Council Approves Pot Tickets Over Arrests;" The Smokers Club are coming to Bottom Lounge"

"The first thing I saw today was a cab inside schubas......Stephanie Tanner style" - Lindsey Romes

"If I'm late for work today, I hope the old "a cab crashed into Schubas and blocked my bus" excuse will suffice." - Mike Proper

Early this morning, a cab apparently crashed into the side of Schubas. It seems to be causing some delays (like Mike's bus). Retribution Gospel Choir are scheduled to play the venue tonight (thx Nevona).

UPDATE: Here's a view of the damage from inside the venue.

a blurry Mike Pascal @ Metro w/ Coliseum in October (more by Grant MacAllister)

It is with a heavy heart that I announce that Mike Pascal will no longer be a member of Coliseum. For over seven years, Mike has been our bass player and like a younger brother to me. He joined the band in Fall 2004 for our first extended tour and made his recorded debut in Coliseum on the Goddamage EP a few months later, playing every show since then and on every following release. We've traveled the world together and had more great times than I can count. While this is difficult at the moment, Mike's departure from the band is the right thing for him and I know we will all be better for it.

There are certainly times when I've considered throwing in the towel and putting an end to Coliseum, but ultimately I remain as inspired and passionate about the band as ever. There are always peaks and valleys and there have been times when I felt like we were fighting a losing battle, but the good has always outweighed the bad. Coliseum played its first show just over eight years ago and I am humbled by all we've accomplished, all the people we've met, all the places we've played, all the bands we've toured with and all of the great guys who have been members of the band. I feel incredibly lucky to continue to have Carter [Wilson] as a bandmate and Temporary Residence as our label. We are very excited about the new material we've been writing and look forward to recording the fourth Coliseum album this Fall.

We will play our show with Tragedy in Louisville on May 18th with a friend filling in on bass and will take our time finding a new permanent member. Thanks for your continued support, it means the world to us.

Ryan Patterson
April 30, 2012

The 10th annual CHIRP Record Fair is slated to take place this weekend, April 14-15 from 10AM-5PM, at the Chicago Journeyman Plumber's Union near Union Park. Participating vendors throughout this weekend include Addenda Records/Plustapes, HoZac Records, The Whistler/Whistler Records, Shimby Presents, Saki, Record Breakers, and more.

There will also be some live entertainment featured at Journeyman:

Saturday, April 14:
11AM Numero Group's Jon Kirby: Tobacco-a-Go-Go
12PM Blue Ribbon Glee Club!
02PM Pop Quiz Trivia hosted by Jake Austen
03PM Constantine, Psychedalex & Moe Madness make the fair psychedelic!

Sunday, April 15:
11:00AM Eccentric Soul from Numero Group's Zach Myers
12:45PM Beyond Luck (Radius, DJ Moppy & Kenny Keys)
02:00PM Plastic Crimewave DJ set
04:00PM *Mary Nisi's "Finds From The Fair"*

plus vendor DJ sets.