‘Wet Hot American Summer’ at Music Box tonight
Have a hankering to see absurdist 80′s parodies on the big screen? It’s your lucky night: The New Cult Canon will present “Wet Hot American Summer” tonight at Music Box Theatre (3733 N. Southport),...
View ArticleIn a relationship…with Trader Joe’s
I have a bizarre tendency to fall in love with corporate behemoths. When Borders shut down in Lakeview and then for good, I mourned. I’ve now transferred my affections to Trader Joe’s. And like all...
View ArticleBicyclist injured by vehicle on North Side
The Tribune has a report about a bike accident that happened in Lakeview last night: A bicyclist was injured when struck by a vehicle in the Wrightwood Neighbors neighborhood on the North Side,...
View ArticleLookin’ out my back door (er, window)
I live close to a major intersection in Lakeview. Because I don’t have cable, and because I’m 80 years old, I enjoy people-watching out my living room window. You would not believe the stuff that goes...
View ArticleSangria + manicures? I think yes.
Spoiling yourself from time to time is totally necessary. You work hard, you play harder - but when’s your down time? Judge me if you may, but I totally believe in the importance of me time. You know,...
View ArticleEek! Music Box Massacre 7 tomorrow
From dusk till dawn (or more precisely, from noon till noon), you can experience 24 hours of horror on the big screen at Music Box Massacre 7. The annual film fest kicks off tomorrow at noon at Music...
View ArticleTonight on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Guy Fieri stops by DMK Burger Bar
Lakeview residents! Burger lovers! DMK regulars! Be sure to tune into the Food Network tonight to watch Guy Fieri hanging out at your favorite burger bar: Last March, Fieri interviewed Chicago chef...
View Article‘Weekend’: Tender is the night
When my friend Stan and I walked into “Weekend,” I was surprised at the crowd: very substantial considering it was 9:45 p.m. on a Monday and the film had been out a few weeks. Ninety minutes later, I...
View ArticleThe biz don’t stand a chance
There’s something really depressing about walking past quirky places with a For Sale sign glaring out the window. One of the many things I love about Lakeview is the proliferation of local businesses....
View ArticleYep, it’s October
By now, you know, it’s October. And if you didn’t, well then you’re probably late to something. The tops of buildings in the Loop are bathed in a sweet pink glow at night. The NFL is ensconced in...
View ArticleJack o’lanterns and gratitude
I can remember my first Halloween in Lakeview. After that, it’s kind of a blur. On October 31, 2006, I had been unemployed for exactly one week. My roommate and partner in crime Bob was at class that...
View ArticleYou gotta ‘Rocky Horror’ at least once
This morning, I was doing my thrice-weekly scour of the Music Box Theatre website, to see what’s on tap that I can share with y’all. When I learned they’ll once again present “The Rocky Horror Picture...
View ArticleDrink (er, ring) in Halloween at Roadhouse SixtySix
My friend Cat works at Roadhouse SixtySix, a cool bar located at 3330 N. Clark in Wrigleyville. I often run into her after getting my namaste on at Moksha Yoga Center a few doors down. Cat always...
View ArticleNorthalsted’s Legendary Halloween Parade, Monday, Oct. 31st
Halloweekend might be over, but there are still plenty of opportunities to show off your costume. Tonight’s Northalsted Halloween Parade is a good example: The Halloween weekend reaches its peak when...
View ArticleNaNoWriMo awaaaaay!
You’ll have to excuse me. For the next month, my posts may be peppered with the following words and phrases: Starbucks, sleep-deprived, character development, third-act problems, rough draft,...
View ArticleWorst date movies ever
Last night I saw “Martha Marcy May Marlene” at Landmark Century Centre Cinema (2828 N. Clark). It was excellent. I highly recommend it. Unless you are on a date. I remember having a similar reaction...
View ArticleReeling LGBT Film Fest continues this weekend
They’re here, they’re queer and they’re coming to Lakeview. And we love it. Reeling: The Chicago Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival kicked off last night and continues this weekend at...
View ArticleLakeview fire claims 1 life but injured resident alerts neighbors
A fire in a Lakeview apartment building on Friday killed one person and injured another. The Tribune has more: One person was dead and another injured in a fire at a Lakeview East apartment building...
View ArticleReeling Film Festival continues through Nov. 12
In case you missed it this past weekend, the Reeling Film Festival continues its showcase of the world’s best LGBT films through Saturday, November 12. Many screenings will take place at Landmark...
View Article‘Martha Marcy May Marlene’: damage intrigue cult art
Viewer beware: “Martha Marcy May Marlene” will disturb you. It will have you saying “oh my God” out loud and curled into a little ball come the closing credits. It will have you craving comfort food...
View Article‘The Nerdist Way’ is self-help for the rest of us
About a year ago, I got into the Nerdist podcast. Though I was never a “Singled Out” fan, I was drawn to Chris Hardwick’s dorky enthusiasm for everything from celebrities to comedy to “Doctor Who.”...
View ArticleNaNoWriMo-ing at Kickstand
Almost halfway into NaNoWriMo and it’s all good. Well, not all good. My protagonist feels the need to comment on everything, the love interest only just made an appearance and I’ve found I use “kind...
View ArticleA retail nightmare before Christmas
Ah the holidays. A time of year that I used to look forward to. Presents, time spent with family, a break from school, and the ability to sleep in and drink lots of egg nog. Not anymore. As I’ve hinted...
View ArticleWeighing my options at Landmark
As November wears on and the weird Chicago weather gets even weirder, I find myself drawn to the movie theatre. (Oh, who am I kidding? I find myself drawn to the movie theatre all year long.) This week...
View ArticleGaslight is a tasty Lakeview treat
Last night, tired and overworked after a long day, I ventured out in the Lakeview area for a drink and a bite to eat. I wanted somewhere I could relax with a glass of wine in hand, somewhere without a...
View ArticleWhat I’m thankful for in Lakeview
In the first of three Thanksgiving-related posts this week – take a minute to appreciate my utter originality – I give you a greatest hits of the neighborhood spots for which I give thanks: 1. Moksha...
View ArticleNookies Tree and thanks giving
“Hello?” One year ago, I sat on my bed anticipating the sounds of keys unlocking a door and the voice I’d known for a decade. Then I heard them, and I gave thanks. I still do. In 2007, my best friend...
View ArticleChicago man charged with Thanksgiving carjacking
Nothing like a little Thanksgiving carjacking to raise holiday spirits: A West Side man is behind bars after trying to steal a Range Rover with a Wisconsin woman and her two small daughters inside...
View ArticleLakeview residents react to brand new Wal-mart Express
The city’s second Wal-mart Express is now open in the Lakeview neighborhood, at 3636 N. Broadway. The store officially opened its doors yesterday, November 30, with an opening ceremony. RedEye visited...
View ArticleNaNoWriMo’ing in Lakeview: SUCCESS!
On November 1, I set out on a quest. One really badly written rough draft to rule them all. This was my third year participating in NaNoWriMo, a nationwide movement for writers at all levels to get...
View ArticleTaking the plunge with LVAC
Wednesday night I dared to go where no Lauren Whalen has gone before. I joined a gym. Now before you label me as a total couch potato, let me assure you: I do way more than sit on my keister at the...
View Article‘Melancholia’: Depression was never lovelier
What to say about “Melancholia”? In many ways, there’s not a more accurate portrayal of depression on film. Because it’s directed by Lars von Trier, it’s heavy on imagery, light on dialogue. But unlike...
View ArticleAlternative Christmas Double Feature Dec. 19-20
If you want to celebrate the holidays but “White Christmas” isn’t your bag (and it sure isn’t mine, as the treacle factor is off the charts annoying), Music Box Theatre (3733 N. Southport) has an...
View Article‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ at Music Box
If you were a child in the 80′s – or you crave relief from the emotional drain that is “Melancholia” – you might want to mosey on down to the Music Box this week. Now through December 15th, Music Box...
View ArticleChicago police return stolen car, wedding dress in time for Saturday ceremony
The wedding of an Iowa couple was almost ruined this weekend when their car was stolen with the bride’s wedding dress in the trunk. Luckily the police recovered the car and the dress just in time for...
View ArticleChicago’s Uncommon Ground named “greenest” restaurant in America
Nice work, Uncommon Ground! The restaurant’s Devon location was named the number one green restaurant in America, with the Lakeview location coming in second place: Chicago’s north side Uncommon Ground...
View Article‘Spring Awakening’ continues at Theater Wit
Need a break from the holiday hoopla? I know I do. This weekend, trip down Belmont Avenue and take in “Spring Awakening” at Theater Wit (1229 W. Belmont). The Griffin Theatre Company’s production of...
View Article‘Nutcracker’ at Athenaeum through Sunday
If you love ballet and want to feel like a kid again – in the best possible way – take in “The Nutcracker” this weekend in Lakeview. Ballet Chicago’s production of Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic...
View ArticleShop in the ‘hood
I’m not a fan of Christmas shopping. Let’s just get that out there. Two holiday stints at bookstores cured me of any and all affinity for braving the masses while “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the...
View ArticleMusic Box Christmas Show through Dec. 24
Two of my life philosophies: “no man is a failure who has friends” and “the best things happen while you’re dancing.” Both of these are illustrated in fabulous Technicolor at the 28th Annual Music Box...
View ArticleThank you, Graham Crackers
A couple days ago, my friend Bob hurt his knee. I took great pleasure in calling him a gimp, because I’m a jerk like that. Then I felt guilty and asked if there was anything I could get him....
View ArticleWhat are you doing New Year’s Eve?
Call me lame, but I’m not a huge fan of going out on New Year’s Eve. Paying a ridiculous cover charge so some inebriated stranger can slobber on me at midnight? Nah. The only thing I like less is the...
View ArticleS.S. Poseidon at Music Box New Year’s Eve
There’s got to be a morning after…if you can hold on to Dec. 31. If bar-hopping and candlelight yoga aren’t your bags, the ever-splendiferous Music Box Theatre has a fun alternaplan for New Year’s Eve:...
View ArticleMy favorite posts of 2011
2011 was a cool year. I tried Okcupid. I got a new job. And best of all, I translated my movie obsession into a gig that keeps me in Starbucks. As an added bonus, I get to say, “oh yeah, so that...
View Article‘The Descendants’: De-pressing
I tried to like “The Descendants.” I really did. The trailer was heartwarming: a truly sad story of letting go broken up by gentle hijinks. George Clooney is befuddled and doesn’t understand his...
View ArticleMidnight at Music Box: Party time! Excellent!
If you haven’t already guessed this weekend’s Music Box Midnight Movie…I’ll tell you. “Wayne’s World” will go from suburban cable access to midnight movie January 6-7 at Music Box Theatre (3733 N....
View Article‘The Artist’: Things that make you go ‘aww’
The term “feel-good movie” gets thrown around a lot and misused even more. For instance, I wouldn’t consider “Slumdog Millionaire” a feel-good movie. I don’t care if it ends with a dance scene. It...
View ArticleChicago Sketch Comedy Festival at Stage 773
What with the unexpected almost-spring that is January thus far, the winter blues have yet to set in. Stave them off a little longer with the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival, which continues tomorrow...
View ArticleRules for picking your seat
Last weekend I went to the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival and enjoyed some excellent giggles. I could, however, have done without The Seat Drama. See, Sketch Fest is at Stage 773 with performances...
View ArticleWhat to see this weekend in the LV
Staring down the prospect of a three-day weekend with way too many film choices? Never fear, I’ll narrow it down for you! Below are my personal picks of what’s playing in Lakeview: At Landmark Century...
View Article
