Hello, Block Clubbers,
Like many Gen-Xers in Chicago, I was stunned by the news on May 7 that Steve Albini had died from a heart attack. Not only was he the creative force behind the production of so many seminal albums of my generation, he was also just slightly older than we were. And Electrical Studio was still a solid musical force, both as a studio and an online forum.
Despite his rockstar status, Albini was known by Northwest Siders as the neighbor who gave out the best candy on Halloween.
His recent birthday on July 22 (he would have been 62) led many to describe memories of him on social media, with the hashtag #thankyoustevealbini. I wondered about how his iconic studio was doing without him.
Writer Michael C. Harris found out. Read about the current state of Electrical Audio — and plans for its future — below, with amazing photos by Colin Boyle.
As summer draws to a close, what are you determined to check out this month? Let us know at arts@blockclubchi.org.
Enjoy,
Gwen Ihnat
Arts & Culture Editor
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Employees of the legendary studio, open since 1997, are exploring new options in the space, including hosting a sold-out concert there Sunday. |
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When We're Not Reporting, Here's What We're Checking Out
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Hyde Park and South Shore reporter Maxwell Evans was worried how long it would take to get to see Tirzah perform after she canceled her tour due to illness last October. He'll finally get his chance to hear Tirzah's hypnotic, personal brand of songwriting in-person Wednesday at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St.
Photojournalist Colin Boyle spent Sunday afternoon paddling around the Chicago River to hear a range of artists perform at the latest Secret River Show by Lawrence Tome. The next show will be by the Belmont Avenue bridge over the Chicago River noon-5 p.m. Sunday.
Avondale reporter Ariel Parrella-Aureli treated herself to Anatolian tapas at Avaspi, 1258 W. Belmont Ave., a new Lakeview restaurant that specializes in cuisine native to Anatolia, a region of Turkey, offering small plates in an upscale setting. She enjoyed delicious bread, sauces, roasted eggplant and more.
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MUSIC: Dozens of Lolla attendees took to social media to warn their phones had been stolen at the mega-festival. Last year, a cellphone-stealing ring was thwarted by police. |
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MUSIC: The “Midwest Princess” drew the largest daytime crowd for the mega-festival, a spokesperson told Block Club. |
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MUSIC: Dave Matthews’ tour bus emptied its 800-pound septic tank on people taking a cruise 20 years ago this week. |
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FOOD: Growing Home hopes to break ground on its campus by next spring. The West Englewood development will have a commercial kitchen, processing facility, retail cafe and more. |
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Join us for a huge Block Club Block Party Sept. 7 at McCormick YMCA just off The 606. Learn more and RSVP.
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Top Picks This Week |
The Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party – including members Bobby Rush, Bob Brown and Fred Hampton – was just getting started when the Democratic National Convention came to Chicago in 1968. Decades later, ahead of another DNC, the party’s former meeting place is highlighting that history with a new exhibition. An opening reception for “Preserving the Heritage of the Black Panther Party in Illinois” takes place 6 p.m. Wednesday at The Epiphany Center for the Arts, 201 S.
Ashland Ave. Arts Coordinator Leen Yassine got the story on the exhibit, which runs through Sept. 28.
Billy Joel Jr. says they’re “the next big Chicago band you don’t know about.” The band is on the rise after dropping their new EP, “Rubberhose”; their music — borne out of Chicago’s DIY music scene — offers a raw, punk-rock feel, with plenty of sardonic lyricism and earworm melodies. They perform 8 p.m. Wednesday at Sleeping Village, 3734 W.
Belmont Ave., with Pool Hall and Rainbow Cobra.
The Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W 111th St., is offering "1619: The Journey of a People," commemorating the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in America. This poignant production takes audiences on an evocative journey through history, as a dynamic cast of singers, actors, spoken word artists and dancers reflect on the past while tackling critical contemporary social issues. “1619” runs 3 p.m. Sunday, 2 p.m. August 17 and 3 p.m. August 18; tickets are $20.
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