Achy Obejas

Last Saturday night, I went out looking for some Latin music, a little Spanish banter at the bar, a bit of sweat on an otherwise frosty night. Oh, sure, there...

Los Hidalgo Los Hidalgo (WEACaribe) These guys were arguably more exciting as Urbanda, a rock band with some vaguely experimental leanings. But the three brothers at the core -- Jesus,...

Last Monday night, as the new year's first sunset glazed the skies a deep magenta, a small group of friends gathered at the Lunar Cabaret to hear an informal revival...

The year 2000 brought a number of achievements, not the least by some Chicagoans in the arts community. For the 16th year, the Arts & Entertainment staff has chosen Chicagoans...

The best piano bars have a capacity for both giddy joy and a late-night, hazy melancholia. They create a space -- usually right around the piano -- where both emotional...

Pops for Champagne claims one of the largest selections of champagnes in the world, with as many as 140 kinds, but don't expect big, boisterous celebrations here. Oh, sure, bottles...

Los Amigos Invisibles Arepa 3000: A Venezuelan Journey Into Space (Luaka Bop) Los Amigos Invisibles are the quintessential party band, and "Arepa: 3000," their sophomore effort, does nothing to dispel...

Milton Cardona Cambucha (Carmen) (American Clave/Justin Time) Milton Cardona has been well-known to tropical music fans for almost 30 years, playing with artists such as Mario Bauza and Willie Colon....

Nestled under the steel girders of the "L" tracks on West Lake Street, Nocturnal the nightclub is made discernible by two things: The smear of blue neon on the wall...

Last week, the Friday-night crowds at the venerable Kingston Mines swooned over the music and drank their beer as usual, while the musicians in the more elegant confines of the...