Arts & Entertainment
Preservationists have lost their battle to save historic St. James Catholic Church in Bronzeville. Demolition on the 133-year-old church began Wednesday. Watch Eddie Arruza's March story about the efforts of parishioners and preservationists to save the structure.
New details emerge about Friday’s Blackhawks parade and celebration. View a map of the parade route.
While NASA astronauts were lauded as American heroes, it was up to their wives to present the facade of a perfect family life. In her new book, The Astronaut Wives Club, author Lily Koppel tells the story of the dozens of women who tried to maintain normalcy as the nation scrutinized their every move. Read an article and an excerpt.
For the second time in three years, the Chicago Blackhawks are Stanley Cup Champions. They beat the Bruins in dramatic fashion late in the third period last night in Boston. We recap the wild series clincher and the historic Hawks season.
Teenagers from the northwest side create a play about the foreclosure crisis and the various ways activists are fighting to keep people in their homes. We preview the Albany Park Theater Project’s I Will Kiss These Walls. Read an interview with a community leader who helped bring these stories to the stage and watch a web extra video.
Blues singer Bobby Bland died at age 83. A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and recipient of a lifetime achievement Grammy Award, Bland had a memorable performance in WTTW studios back in 1977 on Soundstage with B.B. King. Watch the web extra video.
The Art of Migration, a new book by Peggy Macnamara, animates the journey birds and insects embark on during migration in her vibrant watercolor illustrations.
The city invites you to Movies in the Park; the Chicago Cultural Center celebrates artists Alfonso and Margaret Iannelli; and advance to the frontlines in a Civil War re-enactment; Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend.
The Blackhawks survive a wild night in Boston, emerging with a 6-5 overtime victory. What's next in this back and forth Stanley Cup Finals series? We preview Saturday's Game 5 at the United Center.
Jay Shefsky introduces us to a suburban fisherman who began carving fish out of wood when his taxidermy collection filled his entire basement.
Alfonso and Margaret Iannelli were a husband and wife design team who worked with Frank Lloyd Wright and then struck out on their own. Chicago cultural historian Tim Samuelson joins us to talk about this artistic power couple, and a new show of their work at the Chicago Cultural Center. View a slideshow, read a book excerpt and watch a video.
An Inner History of the New America
A gas station owner in the South who becomes one of the strongest advocates for green energy. A one-time aide to Joe Biden-turned-lobbyist, who now says the system is hopelessly corrupt. Their stories--and a half dozen others--document what author George Packer says is a dissolution of American institutions. Read an excerpt from Packer's book.
Bernie Sahlins died at the age of 90 this past weekend. We talk with the close friends and colleagues of The Second City legend about the man who helped shape American comedy. Watch a 2004 interview with Sahlins from our archives.
Bloomingdale Trail Gets a New Name
Ground is set to break on a major transformation that will turn an abandoned railway into a three mile-long elevated park. Chicago Tonight has exclusive details about the final plan. Read an article and view a slideshow.
The Pleasure Seeker's Guide to the Paris of America
It was the how-to guide to find the best bars and most scandalous shows in the Second City. Originally printed for tourists about to visit the Columbian Exposition of 1893, Chicago By Day and Night: A Pleasure Seeker's Guide to the Paris of America is being reissued by historians Paul Durica and Bill Savage. Read an article.
Book details Superman, America's "most enduring hero"
What's the secret to Superman's success while others have faded away? And who was behind the country's first superhero? As the latest Superman movie, Man of Steel, crushes box-office records, we revisit our conversation with Larry Tye, author of Superman: The High-Flying History of America's Most Enduring Hero. Read a book excerpt and watch a web extra video.