Patti Smith has worn many titles through the years — rocker, godmother of punk, poet, artist, writer, wife, mother, sister, advocate, friend, mentor, muse. For a brief chapter at the beginning of her story, she was also a Chicagoan. Returning to the city where she was baptized in 1947, Smith joined Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy […]
Few composers have shaped the sound of modern cinema as profoundly as Howard Shore. Across more than 90 genre-spanning film scores — from The Silence of the Lambs, Philadelphia, and The Aviator, to lighter favorites like Big and Mrs. Doubtfire — the Canadian composer has built a career defined by musical storytelling. But it is […]
Chicago-born rapper, writer, actor, and activist Vic Mensa first gained national attention through his music, emerging alongside Chance the Rapper and a generation of boundary-pushing Chicago artists. Since then, his career has continued to expand across mediums, from music and film to essays, interviews, and public dialogue tackling timely cultural and political issues. From his […]
As Chicago winter makes its last stand, the March calendar is filling with reasons to get out the door. From St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and museum exhibitions to buzzworthy stage premieres and neighborhood food festivals, there’s no shortage of ways to spend a late-winter weekend around Chicagoland — but we’ll help you narrow it down. […]
When people talk about gun violence, they often start with statistics. Since 2020, firearms have emerged as the leading cause of death among children in the United States, where youth are 10 times more likely to die by a gun than their peers in Canada. Each year, nearly 43,000 Americans die from gun-related injuries, and […]
Chicago winters don’t slow the city down. February is stacked with performances, exhibitions, and high-energy fundraisers, from Black History Month programming to buzzy benefits and can’t-miss shows across the city and suburbs. This is your field guide to the month. Don’t forget to tag us in your posts on Instagram @makeitbetter_foundation. All Month Short Shakespeare! […]
January in Chicago offers the perfect mix of festive finales and fresh starts. From last chances to see holiday light displays to cultural exhibitions, performances, and culinary delights, we’re highlighting the best ways to kick off the new year in style with the best things to do in Chicago and the suburbs in January 2026. […]
A fresh blanket of snow won’t keep Chicagoans home. December is when the city shines brightest, with seasonal traditions like the Joffrey Ballet’s The Nutcracker and Goodman Theatre’s A Christmas Carol anchoring the holiday calendar alongside new experiences, expanded light installations, and more. All across the city and suburbs, the festive season is here. Let […]
Anyone who has ever tried to schedule a specialist appointment, make sense of a medical bill, or advocate for a loved one in the hospital knows how challenging America’s healthcare system can be. It’s a maze of forms, follow-up calls, insurance approvals, and costs that pile up. When things get more complex, it can be […]
More than 60 years after The Beatles changed pop culture forever, their influence continues to unfold across stages, galleries, and screens. From Paul McCartney’s Got Back Tour to a newly revealed archive of his 1963–64 photography, an expanded edition of The Beatles Anthology, new 2026 tour dates for Ringo Starr’s All Starr Band, and more, […]
