Chicago Sun-Times

Radiohead’s Thom Yorke, other musicians protest Spotify’s policies

Tue, 01 Oct 2013 16:39:22 -0500

Some performers and independent record labels that say the popular digital streaming service is building its business model on their backs, paying them a pittance in royalties while luring customers with the promise of full access to their music.

Two of Chicago’s top toques to compete on ‘Top Chef’

Tue, 01 Oct 2013 16:15:07 -0500

Aaron Cuschieri, executive chef at River North’s Slurping Turtle, and Carlos Gaytan, chef-owner of Michelin-starred Mexique, are among 19 hopefuls competing on “Top Chef.”

Nick Offerman pens his own guide to living well

Tue, 01 Oct 2013 17:28:54 -0500

You probably know him best as Libertarian manly man Ron Swanson on NBC’s “Parks and Recreation,” but actor Nick Offerman’s new book, a collection of unique life wisdom called “Paddle Your Own Canoe: One Man’s Fundamentals for Delicious Living,” hits bookshelves today.

In ‘Broadsword,’ a metal band’s thoughts get heavy

Tue, 01 Oct 2013 02:17:32 -0500

HEDY WEISS: Marco Ramirez’ intriguing play, produced by the Gift Theatre, finds faded rockers reunited and contemplating success and failure.

Lori’s List: ‘Super Fun Night,’ ‘Ironside’ go nowhere

Tue, 01 Oct 2013 02:17:43 -0500

“SUPER FUN NIGHT” (8:30 p.m., Wednesday, WLS-Channel 7): Rebel Wilson’s comedy about a trio of misfit shut-ins testing the social waters is neither super, nor fun. It’s more like Sad Downer Night watching the talented Wilson (“Bridesmaids,” “Pitch Perfect”) repeatedly exploit her own heft in a failed attempt for cheap laughs. Rating: ★ “IRONSIDE” (9 p.m., Wednesday, WMAQ-Channel 5): What do beehives, freshly painted fingernails and Raymond Burr’s old cop drama have in common? They’re all things better left alone. But that didn’t stop NBC from rebooting this generic series with Blair Underwood as the detective in a wheelchair. While …

Nickelodeon gets into radio with Clear Channel

Mon, 30 Sep 2013 10:34:00 -0500

Nickelodeon is getting into the radio business. The children’s entertainment network has joined forces with Clear Channel Media and Entertainment to create its own station on Clear Channel’s online iHeartRadio.

‘Extraordinary Chicago Women’ at Theatre Seven a labor of love

Mon, 30 Sep 2013 02:16:14 -0500

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the women’s suffrage movement, the company presents seven short plays about greats including Jane Addams, Mavis Staples and Ann Landers.

‘Veronica’s Room’ will creep you out

Tue, 01 Oct 2013 15:53:09 -0500

HEDY WEISS: Scares are certain as BoHo Theatre’s tightly spun story unfolds.

Ideal conductor, soloists in synch at CSO’s ‘Macbeth’

Sun, 29 Sep 2013 21:48:29 -0500

Riccardo Muti, a Verdi expert, lets loose the fury and the understatement of the composer’s masterpiece.

‘I like to drive fast,’ says ‘Rush’ star Daniel Bruhl

Sun, 29 Sep 2013 22:00:00 -0500

Formula One legend Niki Lauda felt no need to rush it. When actor Daniel Bruhl called him for advice about playing him in “Rush,” Lauda was his usual pain-in-the-you-know-what self. “Niki was quite cautious at first,” says the Spanish-born German actor. “The first conversation was like, ‘Yeah, I guess we have to meet now. You’re playing me. But only bring one little piece of luggage to Vienna in case we don’t like each other.” Bruhl laughs. “He told me, ‘If we don’t like each other then you can leave right away.’ Fortunately, we did like each other and I had …

ORANGE CRUSH — Your guide to area pumpkin picking adventures

Sun, 29 Sep 2013 22:18:27 -0500

Fall is here and it’s time for pumpkins

Carpentersville ‘guitar guy’ an artist at his craft

Sat, 28 Sep 2013 02:11:50 -0500

CARPENTERSVILLE — There isn’t much that can’t be made into an electric guitar — from car mufflers to cigar boxes, according to local luthier Robby Bakes. Bakes, owner of Bakes Guitar here, has experimented with just about any combination to make the instrument. He has been either making or repairing guitars for 30 years after first discovering the occupation in high school. He has owned the shop on Main Street in Carpentersville for the past three years but is preparing to return to his Genoa home to focus less on repair and more on the building of custom guitars. His …

Phoenix focusing on music, less on success

Sun, 29 Sep 2013 11:45:42 -0500

Frontman and singer Thomas Mars says Phoenix’s latest album, “Bankrupt!,” was born out of the negative influences going on after the unprecedented success of the band’s Grammy-winning 2009 album “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix.” “At that time, we started talking about success and not music,” Mars said. “I guess it was time to protect ourselves and focus on music again.” The band said it took some time to get on track when they began writing songs for “Bankrupt!,” released four years after “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix” was named a Top 10 album on end-of-the-year lists for Rolling Stone, Time and Spin magazines, among …

Berwyn rocks with arrival of new club Wire

Fri, 27 Sep 2013 02:26:17 -0500

A suburban Music Row is taking shape with the arrival of a new concert hall (and future studio) down the road from FitzGerald’s.

‘King of podcasts’ Adam Carolla speaks his mind

Fri, 27 Sep 2013 18:20:00 -0500

It’s been nearly 20 years since Adam Carolla made a life-altering decision: He volunteered to train Jimmy Kimmel in a celebrity boxing match in Los Angeles.

‘Rush’: Chris Hemsworth in an instant auto racing classic

Fri, 27 Sep 2013 02:28:30 -0500

RICHARD ROEPER: Director Ron Howard gives an edgy “euro” feel to the exciting story of the ’70s Formula One rivals Niki Lauda and James Hunt.