A fiesta at the zoo, free jazz concerts, and a Bunky Echo-Hawk exhibit at the Field Museum; Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend.
Stories by hope holmberg
The Story of Curtis Mayfield
Chicago music legend Curtis Mayfield is remembered onstage at Black Ensemble Theater. We talk with the two men who portray Mayfield in the play, including one who knew him. Read an interview with the theater's founder and watch a web extra video of Mayfield from WTTW's archives.
Leading Dolphin Researcher
Randall Wells, one of the world’s leading dolphin researchers, joins us to discuss the longest-running study of a wild dolphin population and his commitment to conservation. Read an interview and view a slideshow.
Weekend Events Around Town: 9/20 – 9/22
Run for Science, Apple Fest and contemporary artwork; Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend.
Expo Chicago 2013
The international art world comes to Navy Pier for the annual Expo Chicago. We get an early look as the artists, curators and gallery owners prepare for the big weekend. Read an interview with an exhibit curator and view a slideshow.
Hedy Weiss: Theater Reviews
Chicago Sun-Times Theater Critic Hedy Weiss joins us to review shows currently on Chicago area stages, including Other People’s Money by Shattered Globe Theatre at Theater Wit, The Mountaintop at Court Theatre, and In the Heights at The Paramount Theatre. For our online audience, Weiss will also review A Raisin in the Sun at TimeLine Theatre. Learn more about the plays, and watch Hedy's web extra video review.
Leon and Sadie Garland
We revisit a story about a pair of artists who met, married and lived at Jane Addams’ Hull House during the Depression era. Their works are currently on view at the Koehnline Museum on the campus of Oakton Community College in Des Plaines. Read an interview and view a slideshow.
Weekend Events Around Town: 9/13 – 9/15
Oktoberfest, model sailboats, and a Day of the Dead exhibit; Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend.
DePaul Theatre School
We get a backstage tour of the newest theater in town – the architecturally significant Theatre School of DePaul University. Read an interview and view a photo gallery.
Weekend Events Around Town: 9/6 – 9/8
A craft fair, classical music, and a half marathon in Jackson Park; Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend.
Beethoven Fest
A festival brings the love to Ludwig van Beethoven. Artists from a dozen countries converge on Chicago for 100 events that celebrate this giant of classical music in surprising ways. Read an interview with the festival's art director and view a slideshow.
Weekend Events Around the Town: 8/30 -9/2
Jazz music, a one-woman show, and a Labor Day parade; Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend.
Rap Class
We take a look at a hip-hop music program that helps kids strengthen their voice and discover the power of the written word. Read an interview.
Leon and Sadie Garland
We look at a pair of artists who met, married and lived at Jane Addams’ Hull House during the Depression era. Their works are currently on view at the Koehnline Museum on the campus of Oakton Community College in Des Plaines. Read an interview and view a slideshow.
Web Extra: Bee Colony Collapse Disorder
Dr. Corrie Moreau, Assistant Curator of Insects at the Field Museum and Karen Kramer Wilson, Living Invertebrate Specialist at The Chicago Academy of Sciences and Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, share their thoughts on the impact of Bee Colony Collapse Disorder.
Weekend Events Around the Town: 8/23-8/25
Sculptures in Grant Park, a craft exposition, and lots of dancing; Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend.
Michael Shannon
Academy Award-nominated actor Michael Shannon is back in Chicago, performing in Simpatico at A Red Orchid Theatre. He joins us to chat about the Sam Shepard play, Boardwalk Empire, and what’s next. Read an interview with the Simpatico director, view a slideshow, and watch videos.
The Drawing Workshop
After 40 years of offering live models for professional and amateur artists to draw or paint, The Drawing Workshop in Ravenswood is now in jeopardy of closing due to the retirement of its founder, George Sotos. We have the story. View a slideshow and read an interview.
Weekend Events Around Town: 8/16 – 8/18
Historic coins, airplanes, and fashion shows; Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend.
Sheila Simon on Joining Race for IL Comptroller
We chat with Lieutenant Gov. Sheila Simon about why she has decided to throw her name into the race for Illinois Comptroller. Read more about the role of comptroller.
Weekend Events Around Town: 8/9- 8/11
Tall ships, street art, and a Fest for Beatles fans. Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend.
"Solo In The 70s"
The Fest for Beatles Fans returns to Chicago for its annual visit. Local author Robert Rodriguez, a Beatles authority and guest speaker at the Fest, has just written a book called Solo In The 70s about the post-Beatles careers of the Fab Four. He joins us. Read an excerpt from the book, Rodriguez's best solo album picks, and watch a web extra video from our archives.
Paul Natkin
Chicago’s premier rock and roll photographer talks about 37 years of incredible access to the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Prince, and everybody who’s anybody in popular music. On the eve of a new, interactive exhibit of his photos at the Elmhurst Historical Museum, we visited Paul Natkin in his home studio and on assignment shooting the Chicago Blues Fest. We revisit the story. Read a Q&A, watch a web extra video, and view a slideshow.
Jazz Saxophonist James Carter
Saxophone great James Carter talks about his lifelong love of jazz and how he became an authority on vintage horns. Watch a video performance, and read a Q & A with Lauren Deutsch, executive director at the Jazz Institute of Chicago
"Slowgirl"
Film and TV veteran William Petersen returns to town to do a two-character play with a promising young Chicago actress, Rae Gray, at Steppenwolf Theatre. We have a conversation with the two stars of the Chicago premiere of Greg Pierce’s Slowgirl. Read an interview with the play's director.
Weekend Events Around Town: 8/2 – 8/4
Shakespeare in the park, a bug zoo, and a fun-run at Soldier Field; Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend.
