[RH Video] Vic Mensa at the Metro (11/28/2014)
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This post was originally published by our affiliate, Chicago Music. Photo and video by J. Frank.
Last Friday, SAVEMONEY's Vic Mensa headlined a show at the iconic Metro alongside some of his SAVEMONEY brothers, including Towkio, Leather Curduroys (made up of Kami de Chukwu and Joey Purp, and a special appearance by Chance the Rapper. Mensa has seen tremendous growth in 2014 following last year's release of his solo debut mixtape, INNANETAPE, such as a European tour with Danny Brown, being named to XXL's 2014 Freshman class, and charting in international markets with his first official single, "Down On My Luck." Friday's Metro show was just another highlight in a year full of them for the Chicago native.
Supremely talented videographer J. Frank was on hand to capture some of the intense energy on display at Vic's show, which you can watch in the video below.
[RH Photos] Antarctigo Vespucci at Beat Kitchen (11/8/2014)
Photos by Geoff Henao.
Antarctigo Vespucci is the love child made between Jeff Rosenstock (ex-Bomb the Music Industry!, Arrogant Sons of Bitches) and Chris Farren (Fake Problems) following a recording session this past spring. Initially envisioned as a one-off project, the duo's style of power-pop caught fire, propelling the duo to embark on a tour that featured a stop at Chicago's Beat Kitchen this past Saturday. Their debut EP, Soulmate Stuff, instantly grabbed me with its infectious, energetic sound and insightful lyrics about breakups, death, and disdain for hometowns - the type of lyrics that are just as attractive at 27 as they were at 17. Just ahead of their first tour, the duo released a surprise EP on Halloween, I'm So Tethered, which picks up exactly where Soulmate Stuff ended with even more powerful pop songs. I dare you to listen to songs like "I'm Giving Up On U2," "Come to Brazil," and "Guest List Spots" without wanting to sing along.
Enjoy the photos and video of "Bang!" I took below. If you haven't already, download (or better yet, donate some money!) Antarctigo Vespucci's two EPs, Soulmate Stuff and I'm So Tethered.
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Concept Art for George Lucas' Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
This past June, it was announced that George Lucas' Lucas Museum of Narrative Art would find a home in Chicago. The museum should further drive tourism to the city, especially considering its proposed 2018 opening will be during the release of the next slate of Star Wars films. Beyond that, it'll serve as another museum along the Museum Campus next to the Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, and Adler Planetarium, not to mention the neighboring Soldier Field.
For a city known for its skyline, the proposed concept art for the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art by Beijing architecture firm MAD will add yet another interesting architectural masterpiece (or eyesore) if its designs are used. Keeping in line with the Star Wars-esque futuristic/space theme, the museum looks very similar to a space headquarters of some sort. It actually fits very well next to Soldier Field, which itself received a very unpopular redesign in 2003 that renovated the upper deck into resembling a spaceship from the street perspective.
Nevertheless, check out some of the concept art for the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art below.
[via The Verge]
[Video] Stream Nik Wallenda's Chicago Tightrope Walk
At 6pm tonight, Chicago will play host to daredevil Nik Wallenda's next feat: a tightrope walk across the Chicago River. Starting from Marina City's West Tower, Wallenda will make his way south across the Chicago River to the Leo Burnett Building's roof, then after making his way back to the West Tower, he will walk another tightrope to the Marina City East Tower completely blindfolded. Weather reports are indicating wind gusts up to 50 miles per hour. Further endangering Wallenda is his decision to not have a safety net hung out below his routes. Just in case you're unfamiliar with the buildings in question, the Leo Burnett Building on Dearborn and Wacker stands at 671 feet while the Marina City Towers across the Chicago River are roughly 588 feet high.
If you're unable to watch the walk in person, you can stream Wallenda's walk below. For more camera angles, you can also visit the Skyscraper Live website.
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[Interview] Toby Jeg (Red Scare Industries Founder)
This year marked the 10th anniversary of Chicago's Riot Fest, but it's not the only Chicago punk rock establishment celebrating the decade mark in 2014. Red Scare Industries, one of the most popular and critically-acclaimed punk rock labels still in existence, has played host to an amazing catalog of punk bands, including The Falcon, Cobra Skulls, Teenage Bottlerocket, The Methadones, and more. To commemorate the label's 10th year, I had the chance to exchange emails with Toby Jeg, Red Scare founder and all-around awesome dude. Click along to read about his relationships with the bands, why he moved the label from San Francisco to Chicago, and what's coming up next for the label.
If you want to get involved with the festivities, you can make your way to the Northside for a trio of amazing punk shows. Friday at the Gman Tavern will feature acoustic sets from Nothington and Elway, a set from Dan Vapid, and some secret guests (tickets can be purchased here). Saturday is an all-day affair at the Metro with Reaganomics, The Brokedowns, Elway, Direct Hit!, The Holy Mess, Brendan Kelly and the Wandering Birds, Teenage Bottlerocket, The Sidekicks, Enemy You, Masked Intruder, The Methadones, The Lillingtons, and THE FALCON all performing. Trust me, the price is worth it for The Falcon's reunion set alone (tickets can be purchased here). The party returns to the Gman Tavern Sunday night for a special Brendan Kelly solo set, an acoustic Cobra Skulls set, and more (tickets can be purchased here).
[Through My Lens] Discovering Hidden Gems with Open House Chicago
Photos by AngieStar Photo
For one weekend every year, the Chicago Architecture Foundation opens 150 sites around the city that aren't typically open to the public. Everything from modern marvels to old cathedrals, to vintage mansions, libraries, and more are put on display for anyone to enter- for free. The annual event is titled Open House Chicago, and it highlights the deep history, diverse culture, and innovating aspects of architecture that makes the city the unique marvel that it is. Allowing the public to discover hidden gems around the city, while providing guided tours, proves to be a great success every year, and I could only see it growing.
Although it's hard to see every site in just one weekend, tons of information and maps are provided so that each person can find locations to their liking. As a local, I sought out locations that I thought may not be as popular, hidden inside neighborhoods that not many stray to see. I also sought out historical buildings that we all may see frequently from the outside, but can never see inside.
From Casa Bonita, the vintage luxury condominiums in Rogers Park, to Uptown rehabs and theaters, Edgewater's famed roaring 20's celebrity hangouts, the historical Newberry Library, Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts in Gold Coast, The 1893 Brewster Building and the Elks National Memorial in Lincoln Park, old cathedrals in Ukrainian Village, to the 40th floor Luxury Library and the Federal Reserve Building in the Financial District. All had a story to tell, with secrets that reach far beyond what the eye can see. And others were shear examples of lost eras in history, full of unique architectural beauty and innovation.
Check out some of the photos along the way, and imagine all the decades of light and people they've seen. Be sure to find more here.
[Contest] The Glitch Mob at Aragon Ballroom (10/17)
The Glitch Mob will be returning to Chicago next Friday at the Aragon Ballroom, and we're teaming up with our friends at Chicago Music to give away a pair of tickets to the show. All you have to do is follow us on Facebook and comment on this post to enter. One winner will be chosen at random by 11:59pm CST next Wednesday. Also appearing on the bill will be The M Machine and Chrome Sparks. Details on the show are below.
To get you hyped for The Glitch Mob's set, check out this awesome video recap from their performance at this year's Festival d'été de Québec below, as well!
Aragon Ballroom
1106 W Lawrence
Chicago IL 60640
8:00 pm Doors
18+ w/ valid ID
(no camelbacks and backpacks allowed)
312-833-9331 - info line
Buy tickets here.
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Sandro Miller's Malkovich, Malkovich, Malkovich: Homage to Photographic Masters
John Malkovich is known for his transformative roles that call for him to play essentially any role. Teaming up with photography Sandro Miller, Malkovich channeled pop culture icons of yesteryear for a photo Miller's latest photo series, Malkovich, Malkovich, Malkovich: Homage to Photographic Masters. In the series, Malkovich re-enacts some famous (and not-so famous) photos of various icons from Hollywood, across art, and even politics, including Jack Nicholson's portrayal of Joker in Batman, Andy Warhol's pop-art painting of Marilyn Monroe, revolutionary Che Guevara, and more.
Check out some of the photos below, and be sure to check out the full exhibition on the Catherine Edelman Gallery website. The exhibition will be on display from November 7th to January 31st. Chicagoans, I highly suggest checking this one out in person!
[via Catherine Edelman Gallery]
