We're happy to be nominated in four categories for the Reader's 2024 Best of Chicago poll. Find them all here and cast your ballot by December 31!
The CHIRP Blog
KSanders writesAll That You Can Leave Behind: Art and Pep, One Fine Morning, EO, and The Return of Tanya Tucker
written by Kyle Sanders, reporting from the 58th Chicago International Film Festival
Barely a week through the Chicago International Film Festival, and I feel as if I'm slacking! Then again, my goal for reviewing films this year was supposed to involve a little organization, but as any press accredited film critic would probably tell me, watching festival flicks in the order of my choosing would NOT go so smoothly. That being said, I'm four films in, and while they aren't exactly how I'd planned to watch them, these films share more similarities than I initially gave them credit for...
Art and Pep
First things first, a Chicago-oriented documentary about one of Chicago's popular gay bars owned by a pair of Chicago activists: Art and Pep (U.S.). Since opening Sidetrack in 1982, Art Johnston and Pepe Pena had the goal of creating a welcoming space for the gay community of Northalsted (formerly known as Boystown). They had no idea it would become a haven of joy and solidarity through 40 tumultuous years, with its humble beginnings during the AIDS crisis and persevere through the uncertainty of the Covid pandemic. In between that time, they found themselves becoming local civil rights leaders, co-founding Equality Illinois while expanding their meager bar into an iconic Chicago establishment.
CHIRP Radio writesCHIRP Radio Weekly Voyages (Oct 17 - Oct 23)
Upcoming Events:
- October 12 - 23: CHIRP Radio is proud to sponsor the 58th Chicago International Film Festival
- Friday October 21: CHIRP Radio welcomes Preoccupations to Lincoln Hall
- Saturday October 22: It's the 18th Annual CHIRP Record Fair and Other Delights!
- Saturday October 22: CHIRP Radio partners with the Chicago Humanities Festival for Miranda July on Art in all its Forms with Carrie Brownstein
- Tuesday October 25: CHIRP Radio welcomes serpentwithfeet to Thalia Hall
- Friday November 4: CHIRP Radio welcomes Madi Diaz to Sleeping Village
- Saturday November 5: CHIRP Radio partners with the Chicago Humanities Festival for Jerry Saltz: Art Is Life
- Friday November 11: CHIRP Radio welcomes Dream Synicate to Lincoln Hall
- Saturday November 12: CHIRP Radio partners with the Chicago Humanities Festival for Reza Aslan on an American Martyr in Persia
- Wednesday, November 16: First Time: First Family at Martyrs'
On the Podcast:
- Jessi D interviews Moritat
On the Blog:
- Kyle S previews the 58th annual Chicago International Film Festival
Top of the CHIRP Charts for the week of 10/17/22:
Alvvays – Blue Rev (Polyvinyl/Transgressive)
KSanders writesKyle Sanders Goes to the 58th Annual Chicago International Film Festival
This summer I read an enlightening biography on the late Pauline Kael (A Life in the Dark for those interested), one of the most influential and provocative film critics of the twentieth century. She climbed her way up through the ranks (as a working single mother no less!) to claim her throne at The New Yorker where she reigned for nearly twenty-five years.
What's interesting is that her approach to reviewing cinema involved no technological prowess or scholarly theory on the art form--it was all emotion. Watching a film meant undergoing a transformative experience; to Kael, it was personal.
Kael's tenure at The New Yorker ended in 1991 when I was much too young to connect with her biting reviews. By the time I learned of her significance in film criticism, she had already passed away in 2001. But finishing her biography left me with the impression that her influence still lingers, because I realize her sensibilities toward cinema march in unison with my own: I no longer yearn for a film to entertain me, I want to feel it.
That wish is granted every October during the Chicago International Film Fest. In it's 58th year (and my SIXTH year of CHIRP coverage), CIFF brings over ninety features and sixty short films to the Windy City, ranging from life-affirming dramas to eye-opening documentaries and midnight shockers.
Ninja writesThe CHIRP Radio Interview: Al Rose
by Features Contributor DJ Ninja
Chicago musician Al Rose talks 8th album, future-proofing protest songs, and a storied flute history
Despite flute being the first instrument that Chicago musician Al Rose picked up at age 10, he doesn’t play it on stage anymore. He played in the school band, was classically trained. But no more on stage.
“I used to play flute more often in the early part of my career, but I got tired of drunk people in particular shouting out ‘Tull!’ every time I picked up the flute,” Rose said. “I mean, don't get me wrong. I really do like Jethro Tull. But I got tired of people going ‘TUUULL!’ It's kind of the flute version of ‘Freebird.’”
Rose focuses these days on the acoustic guitar as his primary instrument at gigs, and he occasionally plays electrics when recording in the studio, including a 12-string Rickenbacker on his latest album, “Again the Beginner.” But he still picks up other instruments from time to time.
“I do harmonica at some of the live shows,” Rose said. “I have been teaching myself mandolin over the last couple of years but have not had the courage to play it in front of people yet.”
CHIRP Radio writesCHIRP Radio Weekly Voyages (Oct 10 - Oct 16)
Upcoming Events:
- Tuesday October 11: CHIRP Radio welcomes Altopalo to Schubas
- October 12 - 23: CHIRP Radio is proud to sponsor the 58th Chicago International Film Festival. The opening night Block Party is Wednesday the 12th at The Music Box!
- Friday October 21: CHIRP Radio welcomes Preoccupations to Lincoln Hall
- Saturday October 22: It's the 18th Annual CHIRP Record Fair and Other Delights!
- Saturday October 22: CHIRP Radio partners with the Chicago Humanities Festival for Miranda July on Art in all its Forms with Carrie Brownstein
- Tuesday October 25: CHIRP Radio welcomes serpentwithfeet to Thalia Hall
- Friday November 4: CHIRP Radio welcomes Madi Diaz to Sleeping Village
- Saturday November 5: CHIRP Radio partners with the Chicago Humanities Festival for Jerry Saltz: Art Is Life
- Friday November 11: CHIRP Radio welcomes Dream Synicate to Lincoln Hall
- Saturday November 12: CHIRP Radio partners with the Chicago Humanities Festival for Reza Aslan on an American Martyr in Persia
On the Podcast:
- DJ Ninja talks with Al Rose
Top of the CHIRP Charts for the week of 10/10/22:
The Comet Is Coming – Hyper-Dimensional Expansion Beam (Verve)