Weekender seeks out Olympic-sized cultural fun

Jul. 27, 2012
Inspired by the armchair and amateur athletic opportunities of the 2012 Summer Olympics, Weekender checks out rare baseball newsreels and a Triple Crown yo yo competition.

New battleplan for Chicago culture

Feb. 22, 2012
"If you can mandate these meetings, mandate some money!" That was one of many recommendations greeted with applause and hollers at a local meeting last night, held at the National Museum of Mexican Fine Art in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood.Listen to Alison Cuddy on

Input sought for city's '12 Cultural Plan

Feb. 15, 2012
If you are a fan, creator or purveyor of arts and culture in Chicago (or even a neutral bystander) get thee to a series of public gatherings coming soon to a neighborhood near you.

Culture czar seeks public input

Nov. 23, 2011
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) will conduct “many community conversations” in early 2012 as the department begins the process of crafting a long-term, comprehensive cultural plan for the City of Chicago.So writes DCASE Commissioner Michelle T.

The CityArts Program: an open letter to DCASE

Nov. 17, 2011
Early last April, when Rahm Emanuel merely was Mayor-Elect, I used this blog space to send him an open letter about the CityArts Program. I never heard back from him.

More money, but more fears for Chicago Gospel Fest

Nov. 10, 2011
The Chicago City Council is set to vote on a budget next Wednesday, and one of the proposals could make fans of a musical genre with deep, local history sing out loud.Video via Flickr/Tim WilsonMayor Rahm Emanuel wants to spend more money on the Chicago

Department of Cultural Affairs takes a step back under Emanuel's new budget

Nov. 3, 2011
Just a year after former Mayor Daley did a gut job on the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) over the strenuous objections of long-time Cultural Commish Lois Weisberg, the new mayor and his new Commish, Michelle T.