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Arts

The Arts & Culture Section of the Chicago Journal.

Music

Jussie Smollett drops a new song while out on appeal and, yep, he addresses his own fake hate crime

You may recall that some...stuff...happened in our fair city and Jussie does indeed address it in the new song. He is currently out of jail pending appeal in his case, released just three weeks ago.

Jussie Smollett drops a new song while out on appeal and, yep, he addresses his own fake hate crime
Theater

"MJ," Broadway musical about Michael Jackson to kick off tour in Chicago in 2023

“MJ,” packed with dozens of songs by the King of Pop and others kicks off in Chicago at the Nederlander Theatre on July 15, 2023 and is scheduled to run through September 10, 2023.

"MJ," Broadway musical about Michael Jackson to kick off tour in Chicago in 2023
Arts

"House that Madigan Built" covers speaker's peak to plummet

Chicago Tribune investigative reporter Ray Long's soon to be released book, The House That Madigan Built, is not a biography of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, but a series of vignettes marking highs and lows of a remarkable political timeline.

"House that Madigan Built" covers speaker's peak to plummet
Arts

Chess Records to reopen for tours next month

Beginning April 1, Chess Records will be open for tours Tuesdays through Saturdays at noon, 1, 2 and 3 p.m. $15 suggested donation.

Chess Records to reopen for tours next month
Education

CPS to drop mask requirement in classrooms

The district said the change applies inside school buildings, on school property, and on school buses, though students and employees will still be encouraged to wear masks.

CPS to drop mask requirement in classrooms
Education

Grant covers cost of bilingual license for Illinois teachers

A $4 million federal grant program is available to pay for Illinois teachers to earn a state license to teach the English language.

Grant covers cost of bilingual license for Illinois teachers
Arts

Naperville native Bob Odenkirk sketches a showbiz life in memoir

Perseverance with a heavy dose of luck has propelled Bob Odenkirk’s ascent from fringe sketch comic to fringe leading man.

Naperville native Bob Odenkirk sketches a showbiz life in memoir
Arts

Old Morton Salt warehouse to reopen as concert venue this summer, tickets on sale this week

Brilliantly renamed, The Salt Shed (no, we’re not joking), will open this summer featuring outdoor concerts followed by a full indoor schedule for 2023 after renovations are complete.

Old Morton Salt warehouse to reopen as concert venue this summer, tickets on sale this week
Film & Television

94th Academy Awards: Nominations

No streaming service has ever won best picture, but half of the 10 nominees were released by streamers.

94th Academy Awards: Nominations
Music

Blues drummer Sam Lay dies at 86; played with Wolf, Butterfield, Waters, and Dylan

Lay is best known as drummer for the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, but also played with Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, and Bob Dylan at the legendary 1965 Newport Folk Festival.

Blues drummer Sam Lay dies at 86; played with Wolf, Butterfield, Waters, and Dylan