Stories by chloe riley

A rove beetle collected by English naturalist Charles Darwin at The Chicago Field Museum (Chloe Riley)

Field Museum Rediscovers Beetle First Collected by Charles Darwin

Go behind the scenes with 'Chicago Tonight'

A beetle collected by Charles Darwin was recently discovered at the Field, which is in the process of cataloging its 12 million insect specimens – the museum's largest collection. Go behind the scenes as we check out this tiny wonder.

Artist Annie Markovich - the New Art Examiner's longtime managing editor - stands in the publication's former offices at 230 E. Ohio St.

New Art Examiner Struggles with Relaunch After Internal Rift

World-renowned Zhou Brothers show support, then pull funding for longtime Chicago arts criticism mag

A longtime Chicago arts criticism magazine is trying to get back on its feet after folding in 2002, but two separate groups are now attempting to publish it–and the world-renowned Zhou Brothers, after an initial show of support, decided to pull their funding. Learn about the rise and fall of the Examiner–and how it echoes the history of Chicago arts funding. 

Malic White, left, and Molly Brennan (Chloe Riley)

Molly Brennan and Malic White Become the New Tom Waits, Iggy Pop

The professional-personal couple discuss gendered casting, depression and why being an actor is hard, with or without Chris Jones

The creative duo talks about “Pop Waits,” the clown rock opera they’re developing that was sparked by a conversation between Iggy Pop and Tom Waits in the 2003 film “Coffee and Cigarettes.”

Weekend Agenda: Oct. 16-18

Chili fest, artist documentary, aerial dancing. Oh yeah.

It's the annual return of Open House Chicago, the season finale of Vintage Garage and the U.S. premiere for the Joffrey Ballet. Here is your weekend lineup.

Weekend Agenda: Oct. 9-11

Rob Zombie, pseudo-marching bands, and running 'till you drop

Looking for a good time Chicago? Scope out our lineup of events for the whole weekend.

Cap Gun Collective Executive Producer Matt Abramson, Cap Gun Producer PJ Fishwick, and “Teachers” co-creator Matt Miller (Photo / Chloe Riley)

Meet the Chicago Production Company Changing the Face of Comedy

Cap Gun Collective has been behind both NBC’s “Bobby & Iza” and TV Land’s “Teachers”

The past year has seen national attention for the Chicago-based production group. The group, which has offices in Chicago and LA, was behind the pilot for “Bobby & Iza,” which won NBC's Playground Contest last month, and additionally produced the web series that led to TV Land’s “Teachers,” now helmed by “Community’s” Alison Brie and set to premiere in January. 

The Hypocrites "All Our Tragic" (Evan Hanover)

Hypocrites' 12-Hour Play 'All Our Tragic' Nets Six Jeff Awards

Director/adaptor Sean Graney also announces plans for his mystery spring show with the company

Despite being one of the lowest-budget shows, the Chicago theater company took home six awards for its 12-hour production. 

Food Network host Alton Brown

Alton Brown Coming to Chicago for One-Night Only Show

The Food Network host will perform a culinary variety show at the Cadillac Theater May 7. 

William Forsythe rehearses N.N.N.N. with Hubbard Street Dancers Ana Lopez, Alicia Delgadillo, and Emilie Leriche (Photo / Todd Rosenberg)

Choreographer William Forsythe: Why He’s not the 'Heir of Balanchine'

Hubbard Street Dance stages a tribute to the international choreographer

The internationally recognized choreographer discusses his history with the Joffrey Ballet, the de-gendering of ballet, and who – if not him – acts as the true successor to the father of American Ballet.

Bela Lugosi in "White Zombie."

Bela Lugosi Film Among Those Restored at UCLA Festival of Preservation

The festival kicks off Sunday at the Gene Siskel Film Center

Catch a restored version of Lugosi's "White Zombie," a 35 mm film considered to be the original Hollywood zombie flick.

Goodman Theatre's four new resident playwrights.

Goodman’s First All-Female Writing Group a ‘Happy Accident,’ Says Theater

In light of a nationwide gender disparity among playwrights, all four of Goodman’s new resident playwrights just happen to be women. Meet them all right now.

Weekend Agenda: Oct. 2-4

Mozart, museums and maniac cats

From incredible feline feats to free museum admission, to a pooch parade to hot apple cider, we've got your weekend covered.

Frank Galati (Photo by Juan Davila)

Frank Galati on 'East of Eden': 'I Didn’t Know How to Do It, But It Persisted'

The longtime Steppenwolf ensemble member talks about his struggles with adaptation and the company's future under Anna Shapiro. 

Chicago-Based ‘Bobby & Iza’ Pilot Wins NBC Web Series

The pilot, which follows the trials of a Chicago actor, will now move forward as an NBC Web series. 

Free Saturday Night Screening of 'Hocus Pocus' at a Cemetery

A free screening of the 1993 film starring Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker starts at 7:30 p.m.

Weekend Agenda: Sept. 25-27

Raise a glass to Oktoberfest and other fall festivals

The return of Redmoon's Great Chicago Fire Festival, an annual Oktoberfest celebration, jazz fest and other weekend events.

Anne Elizabeth Moore hanging out in her hammock in Beverly. (Photo by Chloe Riley)

Anne Elizabeth Moore on New Book and the Shoddy State of Chicago Publishing

The former Punk Planet co-editor speaks about the ties between sex trafficking and the fashion industry and laments the state of Chicago's independent publishing scene.

Kristen Wiig at the Toronto Film Festival premiere of "Welcome to Me." (GabboT / Flickr)

Kristen Wiig Coming to Music Box for her New Film 'Nasty Baby'

The comedian is scheduled to participate in two Q&As following screenings of her new film at the Lakeview movie theater.

Great Chicago Fire Festival Returns After Disastrous Display Last Year

Redmoon Theater rolls out a scaled-back version of the fest Saturday

The festival, from Pilsen-based Redmoon Theater, will take place at Northerly Island on Saturday. Find out what other changes are in store this year.

Steve Martin and Martin Short: One Night Only at Rosemont Theatre

Tickets to see the two comedians go on sale Friday. Find out what the duo has in store.

Victory Gardens Artistic Director Chay Yew (lower right) and the five emerging directors chosen for a new program at the theater.

Lack of Diversity Among Chicago Stage Directors, Says Victory Gardens Theater

Theater’s new program targets directors of various races, genders, and abilities

Victory Gardens announces the launch of a new program aimed at diversifying Chicago's stage directors. 

Previous public installation piece from Chicago Loop Alliance (Photo / Jennifer Catherine Photography)

Free Pop-up Fashion Show Downtown Friday

The show, curated by Chicago visual artist Cheryl Pope, includes live music, performance and fashion. 

Weekend Agenda: Sept. 18-20

Catch a show at the newly reopened Second City, watch "Game of Thrones" burlesque and weep for the state of mankind at The Internet Cat Video Festival. 

Tina Turner (Henry Diltz) Mick Jagger and Linda Ronstadt (Carinthia West) Pattie Boyd and George Harrison (Pattie Boyd)

Pattie Boyd, Henry Diltz and Carinthia West on Photography, Celebrity

Iconic '60s and '70s photos on view at River North gallery

The forces behind some iconic 1960s and '70s photographs of Robin Williams, George Harrison, Janis Joplin, Neil Young and other celebrities speak with us about their work.

'1984' at Steppenwolf (Photo by Michelle Nolan)

Steppenwolf Poised to Open '1984' as Young Adults Show

This adaptation was first produced at Lookingglass Theatre in 2004

George Orwell’s dystopian classic takes the stage at Steppenwolf starting Oct. 21 as part of the theater's Young Adults series.