Stories by maya miller

Sift through thousands of records at the CHIRP Record Fair.

10 Things to Do This Weekend: April 6-9

A “delightful” record fair, drink festivals and giant horse show usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in Chicago.

Evan Haase, “Old Glory,” 2015. (Courtesy of the Jackson Junge Gallery)

‘Oppositions’ Gallery Exhibit Invites Political Reflection

Curators of a new show at the Jackson Junge Gallery wanted to highlight political issues without taking sides. “I didn’t want it to be a political, Trump-bashing show,” said Chris Jackson, the gallery’s owner and director. 

From left: Works by Charles Dawson, Lee Godie, and Dorothy and Otis Shepard.(Courtesy of the Terra Foundation for American Art)

Art Design Chicago to Take Spotlight in 2018

A new art initiative in Chicago will include dozens of exhibitions and hundreds of public programs in 2018.

From left: Ameya Pawar, Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor and Craig Futterman participate in this weekend’s symposium at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. (Courtesy of SAIC)

Weekend ‘Wokeshops’ Address Shifting Political Climate

About 15 speakers will lead “conversations and wake-up calls” this weekend as part of a three-day symposium at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

The Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise kicks off the season Saturday. (Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise / Flickr)

10 Things to Do This Weekend: March 30-April 2

River tours, film festivals and a whole lotta bacon. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago this weekend. 

Nineteen men and women discuss gender biases Wednesday morning as part of the Chicago Foundation for Women’s Talk It Out initiative. (Maya Miller / Chicago Tonight)

Talking Out Gender Equity, Biases Across Chicago

More than 100 conversations on gender equity and bias are taking place around the Chicago region this week as part of the Talk It Out initiative. 

(Courtesy of University of Chicago Special Collections Research Center)

Saul Bellow Archives Reveal ‘Softer Side’ of Nobel Laureate

The archives of the award-winning author who spent 30 years teaching at the University of Chicago offer a window into his personal life and creative process.

(Allen McGregor / Flickr)

Report: Segregation Costs Chicago, Residents Billions Annually

Racial and economic segregation across Chicago impacts economic growth, educational attainment and crime rates, according to a report released Tuesday by the Metropolitan Planning Council and Urban Institute.

TechGirlz is “dedicated to reducing the gender gap in technology occupations,” according to its website. (Courtesy of Tracey Welson-Rossman)

TechGirlz Announces Expansion to Chicago

An organization dedicated to teaching technology to middle school-age girls is coming to Chicago this spring.

Firearm Proposal Advances in Springfield, Triggering Pushback

A controversial bill that would allow for the confiscation of firearms under certain circumstances made progress last week in Springfield.

Alvin Ailey Dance Theater brings its unique, mixed-dance style to Chicago. (Courtesy of Paul Kolnik)

10 Things to Do This Weekend: March 23-26

Dance performances and festivals, Bon Jovi and street markets. Here are 10 things to do in Chicago this weekend. 

Chicago made significant strides as a technology innovation hub in the eyes of industry leaders, according to KPMG’s 2017 Global Technology Innovation Survey. (Ken Lund / Flickr)

Report: Chicago Jumps in Technology Innovation Rankings

Chicago made significant strides as a technology innovation hub in the eyes of industry leaders over the last year, according to a new report. Why the jump?

(Maria Varela / Courtesy of the National Museum of Mexican Art)

Activist-Turned-Photographer Sharpens Focus on Social Movements

A collection of photographs by Maria Varela at the National Museum of Mexican Art portrays the evolution of social movements in the U.S.  

Twenty-seven families gathered together at the John Hancock High School in early March to attend an emergency family planning workshop. (Courtesy of  Antonio Gutierrez)

Demand Fuels Creation of Immigrant Hotline, Crisis Planning Workshops

Increased requests for immigration-related legal services led one Chicago group to launch an immigration hotline, “know your rights” workshops and emergency family planning sessions to address concerns.

Easy Rider, a member of the Disc-Connected K9s Frisbee Dog Team, is performing at the Chicagoland Pet Expo this weekend. (Courtesy of Disc-Connected K9s Frisbee Dog Team)

10 Things to Do This Weekend: March 16-19

A pet expo, classical music-themed brunch, cultural events and more usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.  

Chicago has expanded the pilot program a Day for Change in an effort to offer increased support to those struggling with homelessness. (Nltram242 / Flickr)

Chicago Expands ‘Day for Change’ Homeless Program

The city is allocating $540,000 toward a program that offers temporary work to hundreds of Chicagoans who are struggling with housing and economic stability.

(Art by Ambrosia Gertraude Bartośekulva)

UIC Exhibit: What does ‘Sanctuary’ mean?

Artistic responses to the politically pointed term are on display starting this week at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Learn about the “Sanctuary” exhibit.

(Women in Tech / Flickr)

State Bill Aiming to Close Gender Wage Gap Advances

A bill prohibiting employers from screening job applicants based on wage or salary history advanced out of the Senate’s Labor Committee this week.

About 100 veterans and coders are participating in the Tech for Justice and ABA Techshow Hackathon from March 11-17.

Chicago Hackathon to Address Resources for Veterans

A weeklong event brings coders and innovators together – both virtually and in person – to build websites and mobile apps to help veterans.

(Courtesy of Jahmal Cole)

Jahmal Cole is Challenging Perceptions One Block at a Time

Meet the founder of the nonprofit group My Block My Hood My City, who believes in the power of change.

Saturday’s annual dyeing of the Chicago River celebrates St. Patrick’s Day a little early. (Mike Boehmer / Wikimedia)

10 Things to Do This Weekend: March 9-12

A trio of St. Patrick’s Day parades, cultural events and more usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Pete Marra appears on Chicago Tonight with host Phil Ponce on Feb. 1.

‘Cat Wars’ Interview Stirs Up Emotions, Sparks Response

Last month, ornithologist Pete Marra sat down with Chicago Tonight to discuss his book detailing outdoor cats’ impact on U.S. bird populations. It was an interview that stirred up emotions on all sides. 

On Jan. 21, an estimated 250,000 demonstrators participated in the Women’s March on Chicago. (Alexandra Silets / Chicago Tonight)

International Women’s Day Events in Chicago

Wednesday marks the 106th International Women’s Day. From a Chicago rally to a neighborhood restaurant crawl to stand-up comedy, there are plenty of ways to celebrate.

(Kheel Center / Flickr)

A Brief History of International Women’s Day

Though the United Nations didn’t designate March 8 International Women’s Day until 1975, its origins trace back to 1909, according to information compiled by the United Nations.

The Altgeld Gardens Homes on Chicago’s Far South Side provide affordable housing to low-income households, something Illinois and Chicago have a significant shortage of, according to a new report. (Zol87 / Wikimedia)

Report: Impoverished Households Face ‘Critical’ Rental Shortage

For extremely low-income households, there is a shortage of affordable housing across the U.S., according to a report released last week by the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

(Maya Miller / Chicago Tonight)

Organizers of Women’s March on Chicago Expand Platform, Look Forward

Organizers of last month’s Women’s March on Chicago are hoping to channel the momentum of that event into action through information, education and advocacy.