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!
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!
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Josh Caterer is best known as the lead singer of legendary Chicago pop/punk band Smoking Popes. In 2021, he released a pair of lockdown-inspired solo albums, “The Hideout Sessions” and “The SPACE Sessions.” Hailed by fans and critics alike, the Chicago Reader said, “One of the distinctive characteristics of Caterer’s sound has always been the contrast between his choirboy vocals and the crunch of his band, and the allure of that approach has never been stronger.”
The First Time is hosted by Jenn Sodini. Produced by Bobby Evers and Julie Mueller. Podcast produced by Andy Vasoyan and Jenn Rourke. Recorded by Tony Baker.
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Anna Lucero is a comedian, actor, and director in Chicago. She was a founding artist at The Lincoln Loft and produced The Gogo Show there for 10 years. She has performed standup at Zanies, The Laugh Factory Chicago, The NY Underground Comedy Festival, The Burbank Comedy Festival, and The Comedy Store.
The First Time is hosted by Jenn Sodini. Produced by Bobby Evers and Julie Mueller. Podcast produced by Andy Vasoyan and Jenn Rourke. Recorded by Tony Baker.
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Josh Friedberg is an author who is excited to be reading for his first First Time event. His writing has appeared in two books, including the 25th anniversary of Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul, and he has done storytelling with You're Being Ridiculous and a TEDx talk on creativity and autism. You can read his Substack blog, Spectrum Sounds, at joshfrmusic.substack.com. He is also a proud DJ at CHIRP Radio, hosting the nerd-tastic eclectic show Music Historian's Corner on Wednesdays at 9am-12pm.
The First Time is hosted by Jenn Sodini. Produced by Bobby Evers and Julie Mueller. Podcast produced by Andy Vasoyan and Jenn Rourke. Recorded by Tony Baker.
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Keisa Reynolds is a writer, storyteller, and educator. Originally from Richmond, California, they hold a MA in Women’s Studies and Gender Studies from Loyola and a BA in Cultural Studies from Columbia College Chicago. Between 2016-2018, they co-produced Whine Club at Uncharted Books with Nohemi Rosales and CONNECTIONS at Jimmy Beans Coffee with Jenny Chukwu. Keisa's time and energy is split between running a non-profit organization, parenting a toddler, and somehow finishing their first essay collection on navigating mental health and sexuality.
The First Time is hosted by Jenn Sodini. Produced by Bobby Evers and Julie Mueller. Podcast produced by Andy Vasoyan and Jenn Rourke. Recorded by Tony Baker.
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Alicia Nesbary Moore is Chief Veggie Officer of Herban Produce. A native of Richton Park, Illinois, Nesbary Moore is an urban farmer in Chicago’s East Garfield Park neighborhood. Trained as a molecular biologist, Nesbary Moore oversees the cultivation of crops for her business. It was her vision to help bring new life and economic opportunity to her community, that has historically been a food desert.
Nesbary Moore, a graduate of the University of Illinois, holds a Master’s degree in molecular biology, with a specialty in genetics and plant science, from Chicago State University. She also teaches science and urban agriculture at the City Colleges of Chicago.
She is married to her husband JeVon and mommy to her 1 year old daughter Sevyn.
The First Time is hosted by Jenn Sodini. Produced by Julie Mueller and Bobby Evers. Podcast produced by Andy Vasoyan and Jenn Rourke. Recorded by Tony Baker.
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Alex Gilbert is a graphic designer, illustrator, and DJ. Originally from Iowa, he's lived in Chicago for over a decade, working and volunteering with such organizations as the Design Museum of Chicago, the Society of Typographic Arts, Spudnik Press Cooperative, and CHIRP Radio. He currently works for a small design studio in Ravenswood and spends his free time drawing, list making, record collecting, and singing karaoke (sometimes competitively). You can listen to his show on CHIRP every Thursday afternoon, 3-6pm, and you can follow his typographically-focused Instagram at @everyday_type.
The First Time is CHIRP Radio’s Live Lit and Music series. It pairs a reader’s personal story about a specific "first time" -- a different "first" for each show -- with a song performance. This unique structure allows the story to resonate with audience members as they experience the accompanying song covered by The First Time Four. The band takes special care to perform unexpected song arrangements, so it is hard to tell which the audience enjoys more: the story or the song.
The First Time is produced and directed by Julie Mueller with Assistant Producers Bobby Evers, Hadas Werman and Host Jenn Sodini. Podcast recorded and produced by Jenn Rourke. Engineering by Tony Baker.
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Theodore Hahn is a designer, writer and semi-professional glutton living in Chicago. Like any sane human with a beating heart, he loves dogs and fried chicken. People who have literally nothing else going on in their lives may check out his work at the83k.substack.com.
The First Time is CHIRP Radio’s Live Lit and Music series. It pairs a reader’s personal story about a specific "first time" -- a different "first" for each show -- with a song performance. This unique structure allows the story to resonate with audience members as they experience the accompanying song covered by The First Time Four. The band takes special care to perform unexpected song arrangements, so it is hard to tell which the audience enjoys more: the story or the song.
The First Time is produced and directed by Julie Mueller with Assistant Producers Bobby Evers, Hadas Werman and Host Jenn Sodini. Podcast recorded and produced by Jenn Rourke. Engineering by Tony Baker.
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Jen B. Larson plays in the band beastii and contributes music writing to Victim of Time, 50Thirdand3rd, Please Kill Me, and more. She also draws comics and authors fiction for Pulp Oddyssey, Earth's first newspaper from outer space. During the day, she teaches special education at an arts high school in Chicago, and at night and on the weekends, spends whatever free time she has researching for and drafting her first book. You can find links to most of her work at [url=http://www.disappearingmedia.com]http://www.disappearingmedia.com[/url]
The First Time is CHIRP Radio’s Live Lit and Music series. It pairs a reader’s personal story about a specific "first time" -- a different "first" for each show -- with a song performance. This unique structure allows the story to resonate with audience members as they experience the accompanying song covered by The First Time Four. The band takes special care to perform unexpected song arrangements, so it is hard to tell which the audience enjoys more: the story or the song.
The First Time is produced and directed by Julie Mueller with Assistant Producers Bobby Evers, Hadas Werman and Host Jenn Sodini. Podcast recorded and produced by Jenn Rourke. Engineering by Tony Baker.
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Ines Bellina is a writer, storyteller, and bon vivant. She has performed in shows all over town like Is this a Thing, You're Being Ridiculous at Steppenwolf, Story Club, Miss Spoken, and the Chicago Women's Funny Festival. Her writing has also appeared in Block Club Chicago, The Takeout, The A.V. Club, and more. She is currently working on a contemporary YA novel that combines her hatred of Catholic school with her love of high school musicals.
The First Time is CHIRP Radio’s Live Lit and Music series. It pairs a reader’s personal story about a specific "first time" -- a different "first" for each show -- with a song performance. This unique structure allows the story to resonate with audience members as they experience the accompanying song covered by The First Time Four. The band takes special care to perform unexpected song arrangements, so it is hard to tell which the audience enjoys more: the story or the song.
The First Time is produced and directed by Julie Mueller with Assistant Producer Bobby Evers and Host Jenn Sodini. Podcast recorded and produced by Jenn Rourke. Engineering by Tony Baker.
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Karen Clanton is an attorney whose law degree did not stifle the English major lurking within. She has forged a career as a writer in the legal profession, where she has led complex editorial projects in securities law, women's history and diversity. Karen currently works in a large law firm in the area of Diversity & Inclusion. She is a single mom living on the South Side of Chicago chronicling her adventures through stories told on her back porch (or at the kitchen table when it's cold outside) that end up being heard on stages across the city.
The First Time is CHIRP Radio’s Live Lit and Music series. It pairs a reader’s personal story about a specific "first time" -- a different "first" for each show -- with a song performance. This unique structure allows the story to resonate with audience members as they experience the accompanying song covered by The First Time Four. The band takes special care to perform unexpected song arrangements, so it is hard to tell which the audience enjoys more: the story or the song.
The First Time is produced and directed by Julie Mueller with Assistant Producer Bobby Evers and Host Jenn Sodini. Podcast recorded and produced by Jenn Rourke. Engineering by Tony Baker.
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Originally from Cleveland, Ohio Rodescu Hopkins II has been ripping up the Mid-West for the past five years. Currently based out of Chicago, you can see Rodescu at The Comedy Bar, The Laugh Factory, or at The Cards Against Humanity Comedy Theatre.
Rodescu also produces a very popular storytelling show called “We Still Like You” and runs Chicago’s most popular open Mic “ Trigger Warning”. Follow Rodescu @RodescuHopkins on all social medias.
The First Time is CHIRP Radio’s Live Lit and Music series. It pairs a reader’s personal story about a specific "first time" -- a different "first" for each show -- with a song performance. This unique structure allows the story to resonate with audience members as they experience the accompanying song covered by The First Time Four. The band takes special care to perform unexpected song arrangements, so it is hard to tell which the audience enjoys more: the story or the song.
The First Time is produced and directed by Julie Mueller with Assistant Producer Bobby Evers and Host Jenn Sodini. Podcast recorded and produced by Jenn Rourke. Engineering by Tony Baker.
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In the 20-some years since he graduated college, Andrew Huff has been a public relations professional, a journalist, the editor and publisher of Gapers Block (a Chicago-centric online magazine that ran for 13 years), a professional blogger for corporate clients, and host of 20x2 Chicago, a show in which 20 interesting people have two minutes each to answer one question. He's also cohost of Tuesday Funk, a long-running monthly reading series where he's known for his topical haiku. He lives in Chicago's West Ridge neighborhood with his wife and three cats, and is currently trying his hand at writing fiction.
The First Time is CHIRP Radio’s Live Lit and Music series. It pairs a reader’s personal story about a specific "first time" -- a different "first" for each show -- with a song performance. This unique structure allows the story to resonate with audience members as they experience the accompanying song covered by The First Time Four. The band takes special care to perform unexpected song arrangements, so it is hard to tell which the audience enjoys more: the story or the song.
The First Time is produced and directed by Julie Mueller with Assistant Producer Bobby Evers and Host Jenn Sodini. Podcast produced and recorded by Jenn Rourke. Engineering by Tony Baker.
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After 14 years in Chicago, Jim Burchill is happy to call Chicago his home. He spent many years doing tech/video work for sketch groups and storefront theatres, then became the long-running musical guest/host for the Monday Night Improv at Mullen's show. If you hadn't heard him on CHIRP Radio from 12 am – 3 am on The Real Saturday Night, there's a good chance he has taken you to the airport during his day job as a Lyft driver. He'll be happy to tell you about his best and worst passengers in exchange for your listening to his new podcast The Essentials, which covers the classic music that people missed while getting entranced by the popular singles. It can be found at itstheessentials.blogspot.com.
The First Time is CHIRP Radio’s Live Lit and Music series. It pairs a reader’s personal story about a specific "first time" -- a different "first" for each show -- with a song performance. This unique structure allows the story to resonate with audience members as they experience the accompanying song covered by The First Time Four. The band takes special care to perform unexpected song arrangements, so it is hard to tell which the audience enjoys more: the story or the song.
The First Time is produced and directed by Julie Mueller with Assistant Producer Bobby Evers and Host Jenn Sodini. Podcast produced and recorded by Jenn Rourke. Engineering by Tony Baker.
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Lindsey Charles is a Chicago actor/singer/performer/artist, known mostly for fronting the girlpop grindcore power trio The Cell Phones.
The First Time is CHIRP Radio’s Live Lit and Music series. It pairs a reader’s personal story about a specific "first time" -- a different "first" for each show -- with a song performance. This unique structure allows the story to resonate with audience members as they experience the accompanying song covered by The First Time Four. The band takes special care to perform unexpected song arrangements, so it is hard to tell which the audience enjoys more: the story or the song.
The First Time is produced and directed by Julie Mueller with Assistant Producer Bobby Evers and Host Jenn Sodini. Podcast produced and recorded by Jenn Rourke. Engineering by Tony Baker.
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Abby Muldoon is from the sleepy beach town of Melbourne, FL and is never going back! After earning her psychology degree at Florida State University in 2012, she moved to Chicago, IL where she earned her master's degree in women and gender studies making her a Professional Feminist Buzzkill. Abby has performed improv, sketch, and stand-up all around Chicago including Second City, Stage 773, and the Playground Theater. Her sketch group, Needless Productions, can be found performing at Second City and various festivals year round. During the day, she is a behavioral health researcher focusing on LGBTQ/queer young people, HIV prevention, and sexual health. In her free time, Abby and her husband enjoy writing songs about their pit-bull who is a very good boy.
The First Time is CHIRP Radio’s Live Lit and Music series. It pairs a reader’s personal story about a specific "first time" -- a different "first" for each show -- with a song performance. This unique structure allows the story to resonate with audience members as they experience the accompanying song covered by The First Time Four. The band takes special care to perform unexpected song arrangements, so it is hard to tell which the audience enjoys more: the story or the song.
The First Time is produced and directed by Julie Mueller with Assistant Producer Bobby Evers and Host Jenn Sodini. Podcast produced and recorded by Jenn Rourke. Engineering by Tony Baker.
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Jasmine Davila has appeared in venues both small and medium sized, reading in live lit shows such as Essay Fiesta, The Skewer, and 20x2. She currently co-produces and co-hosts lady live lit show Miss Spoken, which can be found at The Gallery Cabaret on the last Wednesday of the month. The next show is Wednesday, October 30, and the the theme is Ghost Stories. If you want to know more about Jasmine, she tweets and instas as @jasmined.
The First Time is CHIRP Radio’s Live Lit and Music series. It pairs a reader’s personal story about a specific "first time" -- a different "first" for each show -- with a song performance. This unique structure allows the story to resonate with audience members as they experience the accompanying song covered by The First Time Four. The band takes special care to perform unexpected song arrangements, so it is hard to tell which the audience enjoys more: the story or the song.
The First Time is produced and directed by Julie Mueller with Assistant Producer Bobby Evers and Host Jenn Sodini. Podcast produced and recorded by Jenn Rourke. Engineering by Tony Baker.
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Dylan Carey is a comedian, actor and musician from Chicago. A graduate from Chicago’s Second City Training Center, Annoyance Theater, and iO Theater, he has been performing comedy and music for over 15 years. Dylan improvises at iO weekly, and produces fire beats for many local rappers and comedians. Credits include TruTV, Zanies Comedy Club, SoFar Sounds, and the Green Mill.
The First Time is CHIRP Radio’s Live Lit and Music series. It pairs a reader’s personal story about a specific "first time" -- a different "first" for each show -- with a song performance. This unique structure allows the story to resonate with audience members as they experience the accompanying song covered by The First Time Four. The band takes special care to perform unexpected song arrangements, so it is hard to tell which the audience enjoys more: the story or the song.
The First Time is produced and directed by Julie Mueller with Assistant Producer Bobby Evers and Host Jenn Sodini. Podcast produced and recorded by Jenn Rourke. Engineering by Tony Baker.
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STEVE REIDELL is a typography enthusiast and a Chicago musician: he is one-half of DJ/production duo The Hood Internet, and one-half of the band Air Credits alongside fellow Chicagoan ShowYouSuck. He formerly worked as the in-house art director at Metro and Smart Bar.
The First Time is CHIRP Radio’s Live Lit and Music series. It pairs a reader’s personal story about a specific "first time" -- a different "first" for each show -- with a song performance. This unique structure allows the story to resonate with audience members as they experience the accompanying song covered by The First Time Four. The band takes special care to perform unexpected song arrangements, so it is hard to tell which the audience enjoys more: the story or the song.
The First Time is produced and directed by Julie Mueller with Assistant Producer Bobby Evers and Host Jenn Sodini. Podcast produced and recorded by Jenn Rourke. Engineering by Tony Baker.
Photo credit: Graham Gardner
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Paul Farahvar has been delighting audiences with his self-deprecating dry humor, centered on being an aging single. After training at The Second City and iO in Chicago, Farahvar quickly became a regular at local stand-up clubs, Zanies, Comedy Bar and Laugh Factory. Farahvar's hard work, prior stage life (He was/is also a musician) and ease at connecting with audiences have allowed him to achieve remarkably rapid success by industry standards, including the rare opportunity to host and produce his own monthly (now weekly) called "Drink Date Laugh" about dating and a new comedic game show called "Everyone's a Lawyer" both at the World Famous Laugh Factory. He currently tours regularly with national headliners Demetri Martin, Jen Kirkman, Keith Alberstadt and Chris Franjola when he is not headlining. Farahvar currently performs stand up regularly at Laugh Factory (Chicago, Las Vegas, Hollywood), Zanies (Chicago, Rosemont, and St. Charles), House of Comedy (Phoenix, Minnesota), Skyline Comedy Club (Wisconsin and Tacoma), Comedy Club on State, Comedy Bar (Chicago) and McCurdys (Florida). He is also the host of the Podcast "Singles Only" (iTunes, Laugh Factory Channel) and a regular guest on Pretty Late with Patti Vasquez on WGN Radio. He also played "Karam Haddad" on NBC's "Chicago Med" in 2017.
The First Time is CHIRP Radio’s Live Lit and Music series. It pairs a reader’s personal story about a specific "first time" -- a different "first" for each show -- with a song performance. This unique structure allows the story to resonate with audience members as they experience the accompanying song covered by The First Time Four. The band takes special care to perform unexpected song arrangements, so it is hard to tell which the audience enjoys more: the story or the song.
The First Time is produced and directed by Julie Mueller with Assistant Producer Bobby Evers and Host Jenn Sodini. Podcast produced and recorded by Jenn Rourke. Engineering by Tony Baker.
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Tony Breed is cartoonist, DJ, and UX Architect. His comic Muddlers Beat is a queer slice-of-life comic about how life is what happens when you don't know what you're doing; he also created Finn & Charlie Are Hitched, about a gay married couple and their friends. You can listen to his show on CHIRP Radio every Friday morning, 6-9am, and watch him dance in the studio on Instagram. Right now he's probably thinking about what he's going to eat next.
The First Time is CHIRP Radio’s Live Lit and Music series. It pairs a reader’s personal story about a specific "first time" -- a different "first" for each show -- with a song performance. This unique structure allows the story to resonate with audience members as they experience the accompanying song covered by The First Time Four. The band takes special care to perform unexpected song arrangements, so it is hard to tell which the audience enjoys more: the story or the song.
The First Time is produced and directed by Julie Mueller with Assistant Producer Bobby Evers and Host Jenn Sodini. Podcast produced and recorded by Jenn Rourke. Engineering by Tony Baker.
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