An art exhibition called “Courage …” features work made by first responders. It is running in Skokie through April 3.
Stories by marc vitali
Chicago Artist from Ukraine Dedicates Paintings to Peace
Mar 10, 2022 | Marc Vitali
A long-delayed art exhibition has finally opened but with a new focus. A Chicago artist and teacher born in Ukraine makes both traditional and contemporary paintings. She is now using her ability to create to counter forces of destruction.
‘Downton Abbey’ Actor Hits the Chicago Stage With New Show
Mar 8, 2022 | Marc Vitali
Actor Lesley Nicol earned accolades for portraying the head cook Mrs. Patmore on six seasons of the television show “Downton Abbey” and in two movies. Now, she’s ready to premiere her new stage show in Chicago.
Ancient Sea Creatures Surface in ‘Jurassic Oceans’ at the Field Museum
Mar 2, 2022 | Marc Vitali
The Field Museum is diving deep to introduce visitors to underwater wildlife that lived 200 million years ago. We have a preview of the exhibition “Jurassic Oceans – Monsters of the Deep.”
Staging a Dance in a Frank Lloyd Wright Masterpiece
Feb 23, 2022 | Marc Vitali
It is an uncommon pairing of great architecture and modern dance. In Oak Park, a Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece will soon be the setting for a performance. We visited Unity Temple to find out what makes these dancers move.
Hedy Weiss on 5 Must-See Shows Currently Running at Chicago-Area Theaters
Feb 17, 2022 | Marc Vitali
Theater critic Hedy Weiss joins “Chicago Tonight” to share her thoughts on five shows currently playing on Chicago-area stages.
New Book Looks at Love and Relationships During Pandemic
Feb 14, 2022 | Marc Vitali
The new book “Love in the Time of Contagion: A Diagnosis” explores the lockdown experiences of singles and couples and new approaches to love, intimacy and vulnerability.
Treasures of Ancient Egypt Return to Spotlight at Art Institute
Feb 10, 2022 | Marc Vitali
Back in 1890, the Art Institute of Chicago began collecting Egyptian art. Much of it has been out of view for years, but the museum spruced up the collection and is about to unveil it in a new gallery. We have a preview of ancient art and artifacts from the Nile Valley in North Africa.
A Giant Effort to Create Miniature Rooms Linked to Thorne Rooms
Feb 1, 2022 | Marc Vitali
Big things can come in small packages, and that certainly goes for artwork as well. A local maker of miniatures has a direct connection to the Thorne Rooms – those ever-popular scale-model rooms on view at the Art Institute. We explored some awe-inspiring little worlds on display in a new setting.
Ski Club with Chicago Roots Sends Three Ski Jumpers to Winter Olympics
Jan 27, 2022 | Marc Vitali
There are only four members of the 2022 U.S. Olympic men’s ski jumping team. And three of the Olympians on their way to Beijing trained at a historic club 40 miles northwest of Chicago.
Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival Returns
Jan 20, 2022 | Marc Vitali
The Chicago International Puppet Festival returns for 10 days, and Thursday is opening night. Blair Thomas, the behind-the-scenes puppet master, pulled a lot of strings to keep this festival on the calendar.
WFMT Honors the Musical Legacy of Stephen Sondheim
Jan 4, 2022 | Marc Vitali
Both traditional and groundbreaking, Stephen Sondheim was a one-man era of musical theater. A new appreciation of his music and artistry from WFMT.
COVID Takes Deadly Toll on Dialysis Patients: ProPublica Illinois
Dec 30, 2021 | Marc Vitali
A new report from ProPublica Illinois details the catastrophic loss of dialysis patients during the pandemic. Reporter Duaa Eldeib joins “Chicago Tonight” to discuss her findings
New Book Reveals Secrets of the Chicago Nanny Who Was a World-Class Photographer
Dec 28, 2021 | Marc Vitali
There has always been an air of mystery surrounding the life of Vivian Maier. Maier, was a North Shore nanny who quietly pursued another endeavor – in her spare time she took extraordinary photographs. Author Ann Marks joins us.
Artist Combs Chicago Beaches for Materials and Inspiration
Dec 22, 2021 | Marc Vitali
Discovery is central to the work of an artist who seeks and finds all kinds of things on the shores of Lake Michigan. John Soss makes artwork out of seemingly nothing, sifting the sand for debris left by people and nature.
Stage Shows Go On Despite Some Cancellations
Dec 20, 2021 | Marc Vitali
Following the long pandemic shutdown, many theaters came back in the fall only to pivot once again in the face of the omicron threat.
Photographer Tells Story of Immigration Through Lens of Small Business Owners
Dec 15, 2021 | Marc Vitali
Many immigrants dream of owning and operating a small business. A Chicago-based photographer has a personal understanding of immigration, and he has spent years documenting small businesses. He calls his project “Immigrant Owned,” and it’s about to be expanded in a big way.
Provocative Paintings Lampoon Stereotypes at Chicago Cultural Center
Dec 13, 2021 | Marc Vitali
A rare Chicago showing of provocative paintings by an overlooked African American artist at the Chicago Cultural Center.
Photographer Preserves Native American Heritage Through Images of Regalia
Nov 18, 2021 | Marc Vitali
Articles of colorful clothing and ornaments tell the story of the person who wears them. The whole ensemble is called regalia, and it helps preserve the heritage of an entire community. A local photographer with roots in the Potawatomi Nation documents her people and their legacy.
Jeff Garlin’s Photographs of Funny Friends Show in River North
Nov 10, 2021 | Marc Vitali
Comedian and actor Jeff Garlin opens a new show of his photography featuring some of his co-stars and famous friends — Larry David, J.B. Smoove, John Mulaney – often in candid shots backstage and between scenes.
Ravi Shankar Retrospective on Display at South Asia Institute
Nov 9, 2021 | Marc Vitali
Celebrating the life and music of sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar in a new exhibition at the South Asia Institute.
Acclaimed Actor David Strathairn Portrays World War II Hero at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Nov 3, 2021 | Marc Vitali
Actor David Strathairn will be on stage through Nov. 11 at Chicago Shakespeare Theater portraying Jan Karski, a Polish resistance fighter and diplomat during World War II.
Steppenwolf Theatre Returns After 20-Month Intermission, Dedicates New Wing
Nov 2, 2021 | Marc Vitali
The Steppenwolf Theatre reopens after a 20-month shutdown due to the pandemic. The 46-year-old theater celebrated its return with a ribbon cutting Tuesday for a new wing that includes a state-of-the-art stage.
New Exhibit at Block Museum Looks at Which Art Gets Shown and Why
Oct 27, 2021 | Marc Vitali
We take you to the Block Museum of Art on the campus of Northwestern for a look at a new exhibition that examines narratives of the past and who has a say in which art gets chosen.
Artist Tony Fitzpatrick’s Final Museum Show Fuses Nature with Urban Grit
Oct 20, 2021 | Marc Vitali
From a studio on Western Avenue, artist Tony Fitzpatrick creates work that reflects both the beauty of nature and the grit of the city. Fitzpatrick says a recently opened exhibit at the College of DuPage will be his final museum show.
Chicago Children’s Choir Celebrates 65 Years of Music With New Collaboration
Oct 14, 2021 | Marc Vitali
Since it was founded back in 1956, The Chicago Children’s Choir has grown from a single choir to a vast network of singers across the city. Their latest recording speaks to the resilience of young people working together to raise each other’s voices.