Blog

Get Chicago & Great Lakes culture news sent to your inbox every weekday morning. Subscribe to Newcity Today here.

ART

65Grand Presents “Carlos Rolón: The Division Street Riots” 

“The Division Street Riots,” a new exhibition by Chicago-based artist Carlos Rolón, will feature “new graphite and charcoal drawings, works on aluminum, a DIY bicycle sculpture with audio, and a hand-embroidered textile inspired by the 1966 Division Street uprising in Humboldt Park and West Town,” 65Grand announces. “On June 12, 1966, one day after Chicago’s first Puerto Rican Day Parade, police shot twenty-year-old Arcelis Cruz near Damen and Division. The incident ignited three days of protest, marking the first major U.S. riot attributed to Puerto Ricans… It became a turning point in Puerto Rican civic life in Chicago, catalyzing grassroots political organizing and the transformation with the likes of the Young Lords into a civil rights movement. Nearly sixty years later, Rolón revisits this history through a restrained, material language that foregrounds memory, dignity and collective witness.” The exhibition opens March 6.

Naomi Beckwith Talks Art, Culture And Tokyo

At last November’s Art Week Tokyo, Guggenheim chief curator and Chicago native Naomi Beckwith “used a classic protest song to ask what art can do in fractured times—and why Tokyo’s tightly knit, globally connected art scene is well placed to lead those conversations,” posts Tokyo Updates. Her question, borrowed from Marvin Gaye: “What’s going on?” “For Beckwith, art and everyday life are inseparable. ‘Art is not separate from the real world—just a very special place within it,’ she says. It is a space where people can try out new ways of seeing and feeling. ‘Art can educate, build community, and help you engage with your inner thoughts. When your mind is expanding through art, you can change the world.’”

Venice Biennale Names 111 Artists For Koyo Kouoh’s Posthumous Exhibition

This year’s Venice Biennale, the sixty-first, opens to the public on May 9, announces ARTnews. Curator Koyo Kouoh “died suddenly last year during the making of the exhibition, a first in the 131-year history of this storied exhibition. To see through her vision, she appointed a set of advisers that includes curators Gabe Beckhurst Feijoo, Marie Helene Pereira and Rasha Salti; Siddartha Mitter, a critic who will serve as the editor of written materials; and Rory Tsapayi, who will act as an assistant to the team. Kouoh’s Biennale is titled ‘In Minor Keys’ and appears to focus on art with a decidedly understated vibe—a sensibility all the more notable in a world riven by violence and tension.” The full artist list, viewable at the link, includes Nick Cave and Ebony G. Patterson.

Crystal Bridges Museum Names Deputy Director, Curatorial Affairs

Crystal Bridges’ chief curator Austen Barron Bailly has been promoted to deputy director, curatorial affairs. In this role, she “will continue to support the institution as it expands access to all through a complete gallery transformation and substantial expansion set to open June 6 and 7.” Bailly has been chief curator since 2019, and “will continue to guide curatorial strategy while expanding her leadership across departments, including oversight of the Crystal Bridges Library and Archives and research and scholarship programs. She will help shape and implement the museum’s strategic objectives, mentor cross-functional leaders, and foster a culture of creativity, collaboration and excellence.” More Crystal Bridges here.

Epstein Trove Illuminates How The Wealthy Borrow Against Their Art Collections

“A $484 million art loan secured by billionaire Leon Black was disclosed in the latest Epstein files,” reports CNBC. “The loan made headlines for its size and the exotic collateral, which included blue-chip works by Picasso, Giacometti, Titian, Matisse and others. Art loans are typically used by the wealthy to provide ready cash, leverage financial investments and avoid hefty tax bills.”

DESIGN

Congress Theater Rebuild Begins Within Weeks

A long-planned overhaul of the Congress Theater in Logan Square is expected to start soon “after the city secured a $25 million loan,” reports Block Club. “The revival of the century-old theater at 2135 North Milwaukee [is expected to] be complete by December 2027… Built in 1926 by Fridstein & Co., the Congress is one of the last remaining theaters associated with famous ‘moving picture theater’ operators Lubliner & Trinz. Years later, it was refashioned into a music venue.” The renovation design work is being overseen by Woodhouse Tinucci Architects.

Pullman’s Historic Hotel Florence Awarded $100 Million Renovation Grant

“Developers of Pullman’s historic Hotel Florence and the surrounding area announced plans to create a ‘mind-blowing entertainment experience’ that is mixed with history and a new hub for local artists to showcase their talents—all headlined by a ‘world class’ music venue,” reports the Sun-Times. “The roughly $100 million revitalization project will transform the nearly 145-year-old hotel within the Pullman National Historic Park into a boutique hotel with new restaurants. The hotel’s annex will be rehabilitated and a concert hall will be added in the old Pullman Factory across the street.” Construction is set to begin in March 2027, with completion expected in late 2028.

Waymo Begins Mapping Chicago With Human Drivers

“Waymos are coming to Chicago—but they’re not driving themselves yet,” reports the Tribune. “The self-driving taxi company is deploying about ten vehicles in Chicago to start mapping the city’s streets—thus ‘laying the early groundwork’ for future operations here—Waymo said… The cars will be driven by people. State officials say legislative change is likely needed to give the green light to self-driving cars in Illinois, and Waymo’s Chicago soft launch comes as a battle over the issue is heating up in Springfield.”

Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Gets Grant From National Trust

“A West Side Baptist church—once documented by photographer Gordon Parks and listed on the National Register of Historic Places—has received a $500,000 grant to help fix up the 125-year-old building,” reports the Sun-Times. “The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund announced that it had awarded the funds to the architecturally significant” church, which Gordon Parks photographed in 1953. “The funds will help the congregation repair aged terra cotta pieces and glazed brick on the building’s south facade. Other repairs include removing and rebuilding portions of the structure’s exterior masonry and stopping water from leaking into the edifice.”

Now Evanstonians Can Name Their Bike Lane Sweeper

The City of Evanston has launched a community-wide contest to name its new Bike Lane Sweeper: “This specialized machine is crucial for maintaining the functionality of our bike lanes and sewers. We encourage all residents to use their creativity and civic pride to suggest a name that reflects the spirit of Evanston.” More here.

DINING & DRINKING

James Beard Foundation’s Taste America Series Returns

The James Beard Foundation is bringing its Taste America series back to Chicago with a dinner at Bar Sótano. James Beard Award winner Rick Bayless will serve as honorary chair for the Chicago dinner. The intimate evening will feature TasteTwenty chef Jaqueline Hernandez of Bar Sótano—one of the Foundation’s 2025-2026 “ones to watch”—collaborating with chef Stephen Gillanders of S.K.Y., Apolonia and Valhalla on a multicourse menu celebrating contemporary Mexican cuisine, paired with wines and cocktails. Highlights include Cordoniz Rostizado and Calabaza Rellena. Tuesday, March 10. Tickets ($160) are sold out, join waitlist here.

Trader Joe’s May Finally Land In Logan Square

Trader Joe’s “is taking over a long-vacant CVS building on Milwaukee, according to Ald. Daniel La Spata,” stocks Block Club. “A Trader Joe’s spokesperson said the company is planning to open a store in Logan Square in ‘the next few years,’ but declined to confirm a location or timeline.”

The Reservation Platform Wars Are Heating Up

“The battle to bring restaurant reservations online has been brewing for more than a decade between Resy and OpenTable,” writes CNBC, noting that it could escalate soon thanks to DoorDash’s entry. “Delivery giant DoorDash announced in June its $1.2 billion acquisition of SevenRooms, a reservation platform focused on direct bookings through a restaurant’s own website. Several months earlier, UberEats and Booking Holdings’ OpenTable announced a partnership to integrate reservations on Uber’s app. And in 2024, American Express, already the owner of Resy, bought Tock, a reservation platform focused on upscale restaurants, for $400 million.” Tock was founded by Alinea co-founder Nick Kokonas, which he sold to Squarespace in 2021. The company is still headquartered in Fulton Market.

FILM & TELEVISION

Christian Bale Hints That Michael Mann’s Shooting “Heat 2” in Chicago

Christian Bale tells a Fox reporter he will be back in Chicago for the filming of Michael Mann’s “Heat 2,” aggregates IGN. “I’ll be back in Chicago soon for ‘Heat 2’!” says Bale, who previously filmed in the city for “Public Enemies” and “The Dark Knight.” “The ‘Heat 2’ novel tells the story of the main characters before and after the events of the first movie… Star Wars actor Adam Driver is rumored to be playing a younger version of De Niro’s character, while Elvis star Austin Butler is reportedly playing Chris Shiherlis, the late Val Kilmer’s character.” Jake Malooley recently wrote about the Chicago story that inspired the original film.

Physical Media Attracts A New Generation

As streaming dominates the film and television industry, “Gen Z is reviving DVDs and Blu-rays, with video rental shops reporting record months and membership numbers as young people embrace physical media,” shelves the Los Angeles Times. “Physical media sales declined just nine-percent in 2025, compared to drops of over twenty-percent in 2023 and 2024, marking a dramatic shift in a shrinking market. Young customers cite frustration with subscription fatigue and content scattered across platforms, viewing physical media ownership as a form of cultural rebellion.”

MUSIC

Andrew Bird To Make CSO Debut

Chicago-area native Andrew Bird will celebrate the twentieth anniversary of his album “The Mysterious Production of Eggs” with an orchestral collaboration in November, reports the Sun-Times. The performances are November 13-14 at Symphony Center. “It will mark Bird’s first time performing the album in its entirety alongside a full orchestra.”

Third Coast Percussion Adds Performance For Sold-Out Bill With Tigran Hamasyan

Third Coast Percussion, the Chicago-based percussion quartet and composer collective, has set an additional performance of its double bill program with jazz pianist Tigran Hamasyan. Logan Center for the Arts, Friday, March 13. Tickets ($12 and up) here.

North Side DIY Space Hightails To Louisville

“Chicago rocker Ryan Ingham announced that his DIY space, My Place Ohio, is relocating to Louisville,” writes Leor Galil at the Reader. Ingham “began hosting occasional shows in the backyard of his North Side home in 2022, and the following year, as bookings ramped up, he started hosting them in his basement, too. My Place Ohio showcased touring bands and plenty of locals, and the space briefly endured national attention due to its penultimate concert: a May 2025 backyard set by 2000s pop-punk poster boys All-American Rejects on their well-publicized tour of unconventional venues.”

STAGE

Chicago Shakes Premieres Star-Studded “Fault”

The world premiere of “Fault” has been added to the Chicago Shakespeare Theater season. The production’s cast includes Enrico Colantoni, Teri Hatcher and Jack Ball. “Directed by Jason Alexander and written by Scooter Pietsch, ‘Fault’ is a wickedly dark comedy, full of blistering humor and searing revelations. All’s fair in love and marital warfare as Lucy and Jerry Green go head-to-head after thirty years of marriage in a late-night tangle of lies, ambition and betrayal.” “Fault” replaces the postponed spring production of “Ain’t Misbehavin’.” The Yard, April 18-May 24. Tickets ($64 and up) and more here.

Send culture news and tips to [email protected]