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The CHIRP Blog
KSanders writesPolitical Poetess: How Stevie Nicks’ “The Lighthouse” and Other Recent Releases Have Influenced Our Elections
by Kyle Sanders
Talking politics when meeting new people might be considered taboo, but there is one subject I won't hesitate to bring up at some point in conversation: Stevie Nicks.
I am a huge Stevie Nicks fan. I have been since 1998, a year when Nicks was still riding high off a very successful comeback tour with Fleetwood Mac (The Dance) while supporting the release of a retrospective boxed set celebrating her work as an enduring solo artist (Enchanted). I know every song, have read every interview, and—I still can’t believe I managed this—touched her hand.
What I’m trying to say is, I have an authority on all things Stevie, so when I tell you that her recent single, “The Lighthouse,” is the most political song she's ever recorded, I hope you’ll take my word for it.
Kevin Fullam writesThe Fourth Wall: Does Horror Matter in 2024?
Welcome to The Fourth Wall, CHIRP's e-conversation on cinema. This week's subject is the the state of the horrror film genre.
This edition is written by CHIRP Radio volunteers Kevin Fullam and Clarence Ewing.
Clarence:
It’s Halloween season once again! And of course, a perfect time to fire up the horror movies old and new.
I’m not what you would call a hardcore fan of the genre, but I do respect it when it’s done well. I also appreciate the detailed history of scary movies, from the classic monster flicks of the ‘30s to the atomic scares of the ‘50s to the the psychedelic arthouse cinema of the ‘60s to the Golden Era of the ‘70s and ‘80s (which gave us classics ranging from mainstream blockbusters to grindhouse B-movies) to the self-aware Scream / I Know What You Did Last Summer kicks of the ‘90s to the Saw franchise (and its imitators) of new millennium.
KSanders writesHighlights From the 60th Annual Chicago International Film Festival
by Kyle Sanders
As the 60th Chicago International Film Festival settles to its conclusion, I find myself feeling a tad overwhelmed. I've just spent a week visiting family in my home state of Kentucky and returned with a nasty sinus infection.
Those circumstances certainly affected my festival-covering abilities, but that shouldn't suggest I wasn't able to watch some really great international films while away from the Windy City!
CHIRP Radio writesCHIRP Radio Weekly Voyages (Oct 28 - Nov 3)
Upcoming Events:
- Friday Oct 25: CHIRP Welcomes Allegra Krieger and Greg Mendez to Schubas
- Tuesday Oct 29 - Wednesday Oct 30: CHIRP Welcomes Nick Lowe with Los Straitjackets to Lincoln Hall
- Saturday Nov 2: CHIRP Welcomes Blitzen Trapper to Evanston SPACE
- Saturday Nov 9: The 20th Annual CHIRP Radio Record Fair and Other Delights
- Saturday Nov 16: CHIRP welcomes Low Cut Connie to Evanston SPACE
- Monday Nov 18: The CHIRP Music Film Fest presents Hairspray at Gman Tavern
- Tuesday Nov 19: CHIRP Monthly Music Trivia at Beermiscuous
- Monday Nov 24: CHIRP supports Quiet Pterodactyl's 5th anniversary
Nikki Stout writesCHIRP Champion: Mike Sirvinskas
Welcome to our new volunteer feature: CHIRP Champions! We'll be using this space to highlight special folks within the CHIRP sphere who have been recognized by their peers for making extraordinary contributions to the organization. Next up is Volunteer Mike Sirvinskas!
What first drew you to get involved with CHIRP, and how long have you been with the organization?
Live music moves me. I learned of CHIRP when I attended a Bully concert at Thalia Hall in, I think, 2017. I held on to the post-it note swag pad I picked up and reached out to volunteer during COVID about 3 years later. I then joined in one of the first post-COVID volunteer groups about 2.5 years later.