Rick Kogan – Page 28 –

A stairway in the Chicago Cultural Center in 2021. It was built as the main branch of the Chicago Public Library in 1897.

Some usual suspects but also real treasures as WTTW brings us some more ‘Beautiful Places’

December 5, 2023 at 2:54 p.m.

Near the end of a fine WTTW-Ch. 11 program called "The Most Beautiful Places in Chicago" that first aired in early March and remains available online, host Geoffrey Baer said,...

The city skyline glows a golden hue as the Alcala's Western Wear sign lights up, as the sun sets over Chicago Avenue near Ashland Avenue on Oct. 18, 2022.

Are there any secrets left in Chicago? Author Lauren Viera says there are 500 of them

November 21, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

Knowing that the world's secrets are as close as your phone or computer keyboard — "Alexa, what's the meaning of life?" — do we really need to buy and read...

A selection of Mark Ballogg's photographs from his book, "Making Space," are on exhibition at Rare Nest Gallery.

Inside the messy and inspiring world of artists, via the camera of photographer Mark Ballogg

November 16, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

Mark Ballogg, now moving into his seventh decade with a coltish energy and a spectacular new book under his arm, is a distinctive looking man, with a beard that any...

Star Richie Davis (left) and older brother and director Andy Davis on the set of their 1978 film "Stony Island."

‘Fugitive’ director Andy Davis returns to Chicago to screen his first movie ‘Stony Island’

November 14, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

Andrew Davis lives in Santa Barbara, California, which is a very nice place to live, all sunshine and warm breezes. He and his wife Adrianne have lived there and elsewhere...

Detail of one the dozens of posters created by Sergio Mayora, initially to help promote Weeds.

A good tavern is hard to find. This new book is about Weeds, its bartender and his creations.

November 1, 2023 at 2:20 p.m.

Two men walked into a tavern. This was not unusual for these two men to walk into taverns. The two men, who were myself and the writer and filmmaker Dave...

Gene Siskel, left, and Roger Ebert are flanked by Joe Antelo, "At the Movies" executive producer, at a show taping on July 11, 1985.

Would Siskel and Ebert give thumbs up to this new book about them?

February 2, 2024 at 11:52 a.m.

I do not know Matt Singer, the author of "Opposable Thumbs: How Siskel & Ebert Changed Movies Forever," which was published Oct. 24 and which the Tribune's Michael Phillips recently...

Music producer Ira Antelis works in his home studio in Jan. 2021. He is one of the creators of the "We Are Here" concert coming to the Salt Shed.

‘We Are Here’ concert at Salt Shed will have music from the past, played now ‘when we need it most’

October 25, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

Sitting across from Ira Antelis, having lunch one day last week, the conversation was, as it was at nearby tables, about the tragic troubles in the Middle East. "Heartbreaking," he...

The White Sox scoreboard message "Please return to your seats" goes unheeded as thousands of spectators engulf the field during an anti-disco demonstration at Comiskey Park.

Disco came and disco went, with Chicago’s Comiskey Park a memorable battleground in ‘The War on Disco’

October 24, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

If you can hum a few bars of "Disco Duck," have I got a show for you. It is the latest episode of the distinguished PBS "American Experience" series, which...

Musician Corky Siegel, second from right, in a photo with Howlin' Wolf.

There’ll be no singing the blues when Corky Siegel turns — can you believe it? — 80

October 18, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

Corky is a kid's name and the only Corky I have ever known has ever been childlike in his energy, enthusiasm and worldview. My Corky may actually be your Corky...

Claude-Aline Nazaire-Miller wears a garment designed by Jack Cave in her home in Chicago on Oct. 11, 2023.

Nick Cave invited her to make her first movie about his work, with magical results. It’s part of the CIFF.

October 17, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

Of the many films — more than 175 by my count — that are part of the current edition of the Chicago International Film Festival, one of the shortest is...

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