Chicago Public Schools Reports Increased Access to Arts Education, Despite Statewide Budget Crisis

Ingenuity Inc., an organization that works to improve and expand arts education in Chicago, released its annual progress report surveying arts education in Chicago Public Schools.  Considering that earlier this year, Illinois’ public school districts were $20 billion in debt, Ingenuity’s findings may surprise you. In 2013, CPS announced its Arts Education Plan, which states: “Through a comprehensive and sequential …

North Shore Guitarist Adam Levin Brings Music to Mexican Community Founded Atop Former Landfill

When Levin and his colleague, guitarist Matthew Rodhe, began conversations about how to give back to the community several years ago, they decided they wanted to make a contribution to the people of Yuguelito.

VIDEO: “A Shot of Malört” Is the Song Every Chicagoan Needs to Hear

Two of the most famous songs about the Windy City have been recorded by Frank Sinatra: “Chicago” and “My Kind of Town.” WFMT host Robbie Ellis has composed his own Chicago song, “A Shot of Malört,” that he shared during the station’s first Classical Cabaret, hosted at the Uptown Underground nightclub and broadcast live. For those who aren’t familiar, Jeppson’s …

Second City and Lyric Look for the Lighter Side of Wagner with “LONGER! LOUDER! WAGNER!”

The  latest collaboration between Lyric Opera of Chicago and Second City is LONGER! LOUDER! WAGNER!, which runs through Sunday, October 30 at the Civic Opera House. Actor Tim Ryder, who appeared in The Second City Guide to the Opera  (also in collaboration with Lyric), said: “This show tells two stories in parallel: the story of Richard Wagner as he creates the Ring …

Batter Up! 10 Tunes to Enjoy Between Baseball Innings

Got baseball on the brain? You’re definitely not alone! Here are some tunes you can enjoy in between innings this baseball season.

Author Alan Wieder on His Book ‘Studs Terkel: Politics, Culture but Mostly Conversation’

Wieder’s book is the first attempt to synthesize many facets of Studs Terkel’s life, including stories and details about Studs’ 45 years at WFMT.

New Yorker Illustrator Tom Bachtell Talks Trump, Clinton, and Obama

Even if you don’t know the name Tom Bachtell, you know his work. For over 20 years, the Chicago-based illustrator has been a regular contributor to The New Yorker, which includes his drawings and caricatures in “The Talk of the Town” each week. You may also have seen Bachtell’s art in other publications including The New York Times, The Wall …

Video: How A 440 Became Standard Concert Pitch

Surprisingly, Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood is at the center of this musical standard.

Philip Glass: “What’s Most Misunderstood About My Music”

Philip Glass is simultaneously one of the best known and most misunderstood composers of our time. Though he has many fans, he also has many critics.

How Grammy Award-Winning Jazz Singer Kurt Elling Developed His Chops Singing Motets by J.S. Bach

As Elling returned to his native Chicago for performances at City Winery, he spoke about how classical music has influenced him throughout his life.

How Stevie Wonder’s Hit Songs Got to Chicago’s Symphony Center

Because the names Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, and Wagner are inscribed on the façade of Symphony Center, it may come as a surprise to some that the music of Stevie Wonder will pour out of Orchestra Hall.

Barbara Gaines, Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s Artistic Director, Shares Her Favorite Theater Music

We spoke with the Chicago theater institution’s founder and artistic director about the music that inspires her.

Mystery Writer Sara Paretsky’s 5 Favorite Pieces of ‘Mysterious’ Classical Music

Chicago-based author Sara Paretsky is known for her crime and detective novels, but what may be less well-known is that Paretsky is a longtime fan of classical music.

Natya Dance Brings the Ancient Art of Bharatanatyam to Modern Audiences

Thousands of years before European ballet was born, Bharatanatyam flourished in India. The ancient art of Bharatanatyam seems to be having a bit of a moment in modern times. Months after appearing in Chicago, dancer Aparna Ramaswamy recently made her debut at the Joyce Theater in New York: one small step for a Bharatanatyam dancer, one giant, dazzling leap for Bharatanatyam …

5 Women on Being Modern Women in Dance

Choreographer and modern dance maven Claire Bataille: “But gender discrimination is really no different in the dance world from what it is in the corporate world…”

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