Chicago’s independent cinema scene is second only to New York’s (sorry, LA) and this well-preserved/updated/expanded 95-year old North Side movie palace is a key reason why, with a good mix of new releases, repertory, and très-Chicagahh traditions (you haven’t Christmas’d ’til you’ve sung Christmas carols in a big drunk crowd with organ accompaniment before watching It’s a Wonderful Life). They’re always screening 35mm/70mm prints when available and if the programming isn’t niche enough for ya they also host screenings by the celluloid-only Chicago Film Society.
Nov 15, 2024
Related Recs
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I live in Chicago! Depending on where you're staying, there's a bunch of cool things to do as Chicago is a city of neighborhoods.
Wicker Park and Logan Square are popular neighborhoods to check out and they're on the cheaper end. California Clipper, Rainbo Club, and Common Decency are bars that are worth checking out. I know that Common Decency has a happy hour 4-6pm 7 days a week.
If you're into movies, check out the Music Box Theatre! It's a 95 year old arthouse movie theatre in the Southport Corridor/Lakeview neighborhood that shows independent and second run films. Speaking of Lakeview, Clark Street is pretty popular if you're going to check out Wrigley Field! There are bars up and down the block so you won't need to walk far to find a place to drink at for cheap.
If you need any more ideas or recommendations, let me know!
Nov 29, 2024
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Live music scene here is amazing, and there are independent venues all over doing great shows. Follow @chicagoshowcal on IG, she posts EVERY show at EVERY indie venue EVERY week.
And if you ever need a concert buddy here, hmu 😇👋
Mar 29, 2024
Check out the Chicago Show Calendar for mostly DIY bands, touring folks and DJs! The website’s calendar seems to be down at the moment but their Instagram and stuff are still updating frequently - at least on my phone. Chicago also has a lot of classic house music so go dancing!
Jul 2, 2024
Top Recs from @iconicindex
Finally saw this for the first time (on 35mm thxx Prince Charles Cinema) and wow. Jonathan Glazer and co-writer Jean-Claude Carrière spending all of pre-production re-writing the script without informing the studio… DP Harris Savides pushing the boundaries of underexposed film and getting the craziest deepest browns and purples out of Kodak stock… Alexandre Desplat starting with what seems like a very polite classical score and then gradually bringing in heavy synth bass… and of course Nicole Kidman throwing herself headlong into an insane role (and apparently bullying the producers for more $$$ when they finished under budget)
Nov 10, 2024
The less you read about it (or look at maps) the better. Just enter via Haight Street, turn your phone off and wander 'til you reach the ocean. If you go on a Sunday afternoon and you didn't already come across it, proceed to turn your phone back on and track back to the 6th Avenue Skate Park to check out the roller disco party 🛼🔊😎
Mar 3, 2024
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Because of the extensive tradition of pirate radio in the UK (from Radio Caroline on down), London probably has the most insane landscape of 24/7 internet radio in the world. I've tried to rank these in terms of approximate popularity ranging from NTS (as mentioned) on down to purely DIY weekend-only amateur collectives like LWSTD. If you don't know the stations in your city, just have a quick google and do some Instagram "Following" list exploration and it should be pretty easy to find more (e.g. in Amsterdam check out Echobox, Radio Tempo Não Pára, RRFM, etc...)
- NTS (Dalston) https://www.nts.live/
- Rinse FM (Hoxton) https://rinse.fm/
- Worldwide FM (Islington) https://worldwidefm.net/ (currently mostly on ice but great archive)
- Balaami (Peckham) https://www.balamii.com/
- Soho Radio https://sohoradiolondon.com/
- Reprezent Radio (Brixton) https://www.reprezentradio.org.uk/
- Netil Radio (Hackney) https://www.netilradio.com/
- Subtle Radio (Hackney) https://www.subtleradio.com/
- Voices Radio (Kings Cross) https://www.voicesradio.co.uk/
- Aaja (Deptford) https://aajamusic.com/radio/
- Do You!! Radio (Hackney) https://doyou.world/
- LWSTD https://www.lovewillsavetheday.fm/
Apr 4, 2024