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Good morning, Chicago,
I haven’t even been with Block Club Chicago for six months, but I already know it’s the greatest job I’ll ever have.
I started as the editor for the new Arts & Culture section in June, and I feel like we’ve already accomplished so much. Thanks to our fantastic neighborhood reporters and a crew of talented freelance writers, we’ve offered stories on everything from rock tribute bands to a deep dive into how the SAG/WGA strikes affected Chicago TV and film productions.
We’ve covered local film fests, up-and-coming bands, intriguing art and museum exhibits, indie comics, award-winning authors — there’s a lot that falls under the Arts & Culture umbrella, and we aim to reach all of it.
My job is basically to find out everything new, fun and interesting across the city and bring it to you. That’s what I mean when I say I can’t imagine a greater job than to explore the city I love and share it with Block Club readers.
To that end, I am super excited to announce the launch of our Arts & Culture newsletter today. The twice-weekly newsletters will include stories from across the city, as well as event recommendations and other fun stuff. You can expect to see that in your inbox this afternoon (along with a chance to win "Hamilton" tickets)!
Have arts and culture story ideas? Email me at gwen@blockclubchi.org. I want to hear them all!
We know how important it is to not only do impactful investigations — like the story below by The Watch team on the CHA’s neglect of affordable units — but to also showcase the creative, fun and life-affirming art happening in our city.
If this work matters to you, please consider subscribing or gifting a subscription to a loved one. We’re aiming for 500 new subscribers before 2024, and still have a ways to go – every subscription counts.
It’s been an amazing beginning – and we’re just getting started.
Gwen Ihnat
Arts & Culture Editor
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The Chicago Housing Authority is supposed to provide affordable homes for those in need. But the agency has nearly 500 scattered-site units that are vacant — many causing problems for their neighbors. |
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UPTOWN |
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The historical church and social services building was sold to Daniel Ivankovich, who will turn the building into an entertainment and community center. |
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SPONSORED
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We understand the cold winter months can be challenging. Our Share the Warmth program provides heating grants to limited and fixed-income households. Eligible customers can receive grants of up to $200 on their bills. Learn more.
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DOWNTOWN |
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Humble, hardy cabbages and kale are outshining mums in the Loop this season thanks to a viral video.
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GOLD COAST |
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In his new book, media writer and former WLUP employee Rick Kaempfer drafts a riveting oral history of the iconic Chicago radio station. |
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CHICAGO |
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The churches can house 20 migrants each as part of a new city partnership with faith groups to get people out of the cold.
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SPONSORED
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CHICAGO |
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Your car will get towed if you park on designated streets in the morning. The ban will remain in effect through April 1. |
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RAVENSWOOD |
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The second location of the farm-to-table restaurant offers modern twists on Midwestern fare using ingredients from owner TJ Callahan’s Wisconsin farm. |
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CHATHAM |
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Homes and street poles on Martin Luther King Drive will be decorated as part of the organization’s Be A Part Of The Light initiative.
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FULTON MARKET |
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The 143-room hotel would incorporate circadian lighting, use no fossil fuels and ditch on-site parking in an effort to be a net-zero property. |
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GREATER GRAND CROSSING |
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Three women received their certification and will take the state licensing exam for free thanks to a partnership between the South Side nonprofit and PulseFinders Healthcare Institute. |
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Thanks for supporting Block Club Chicago, an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. Every dime we make funds reporting from Chicago’s neighborhoods. Click here to support Block Club with a tax-deductible
donation. Subscribe here.
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