The Medinah Shriners’ former temple is now Chicago’s first casino
The fraternal order after which the building is named hosted circuses, ice shows and more at the downtown venue during the 20th century.
Listen — 20:13
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Curious City
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WBEZ’s Curious City series is an ongoing news experiment at WBEZ, online and on the radio dial around Chicago at 91.5 FM. Our mission is to include the public in editorial decision-making, make journalism more transparent and strengthen multimedia coverage about Chicago, the surrounding region and its people (past or present).
Curious City airs on Thursdays during All Things Considered on WBEZ
Recent
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Who enforces the rules at dog parks?
Dogs must be vaccinated and have a permit to visit a dog park. But is anyone checking?
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Listen — 16:51The Fireside Bowl: An unlikely place for punks of all ages
About 30 years ago, a run-down bowling alley hosted its first few punk shows. Then, for a little over a decade it became the all-ages heart of Chicago’s indie scene.
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Listen — 28:16What’s it like to be a Chicago garbage collector?
The job is full of heavy lifting, tight turns and stinky smells. But the members of this all-women garbage crew say their bond keeps them going.
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Listen — 13:36Is suburban Chicago taking away Devon Avenue’s “Little India” title?
More South Asian businesses have set up shop in the suburbs to meet the demand of a growing community. What does that mean for Devon Avenue?
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Listen — 20:01¿Qué es lo más inexplicable que te ha pasado? Buscamos historias de apariciones.
El podcast Curious City de la estación de radio WBEZ quiere escuchar tus historias escalofriantes de visiones y sonidos inexplicables, objetos misteriosos y otras experiencias espantosas.
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Traveling parties are part of a queer Chicago culture of partying as resistance
Starting in the 1980s, Executive Sweet was a traveling party that focused on Black lesbians. Two of its longtime organizers say they aren’t finished yet.
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Listen — 23:15What’s the most unexplained thing that’s happened to you? We’re seeking stories about hauntings.
WBEZ’s Curious City wants to hear your spine-tingling stories of unexplained sights and sounds, mysterious objects and other spooky things.
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Love, peace and Soul Train
For decades, the TV show was the “hippest trip in America.” And it was Chicago that birthed the cultural phenomenon that took the world by storm.
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Listen — 20:28Meet the lobster-like crustaceans invading the Chicago River
Bright red and about five inches long, red swamp crayfish look like mini lobsters. But they’re an invasive species, and scientists want them gone.
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Listen — 16:00
