For nearly 30 years, the Green Book led Black drivers down American roads by outlining restaurants, hotels, safe houses and other safe spaces they could frequent without general fear for their lives.
Stories by Angel Idowu
Green Book Exhibit Explores Life for Black Motorists During the Jim Crow Era
Feb 22, 2023 | Angel Idowu
‘The Bowie Project’ Honors Iconic Performer with Jazzy Twist
Feb 16, 2023 | Angel Idowu
Saxophone player Jim Gailloreto with the Metropolitan Jazz Octet arranged some of the songs on the group’s new album, saying their lyrical interpretation of Bowie’s music informed their musical “adjustments.”
Chicago Collective Uplifts Creatives of Color at WNDR Museum
Feb 11, 2023 | Angel Idowu
A group of Chicago artists is creating a unifying voice in a new collective geared toward strength in numbers. The New Vanguard Coalition is committed to uplifting Chicago creatives.
‘Toni Stone’ Shines Spotlight on Groundbreaking Baseball Player
Feb 4, 2023 | Angel Idowu
The Goodman Theatre's “Toni Stone” tells the story of the first woman to play professional baseball in the Negro Leagues.
Chicago Producer Terry Hunter Brings House Music to Global Audience
Feb 3, 2023 | Angel Idowu
South Side native Terry Hunter is up for a 2023 Grammy Award for his remix of Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul.”
‘Winter Dreams’ Celebrates the Season with Interactive Art Exhibit
Jan 27, 2023 | Angel Idowu
Organizers at a River West gallery said they hope to give the community a reason to celebrate the season through interactive art and reflective storytelling.
Open Books Expands Literacy Mission with Logan Square Location
Jan 24, 2023 | Angel Idowu
The Chicago nonprofit already has locations in Pilsen and the West Loop. Open Books promotes literacy through programming and the sale of new and used donated books.
A Hospital Photographer Turns Her Camera on Chicago’s Artist Community
Jan 9, 2023 | Angel Idowu
Jordan Porter-Woodruff had created a new collection celebrating her favorite artists. It’s now on display in a solo exhibition at the Epiphany Arts Center, 201 S. Ashland Ave., titled, “Portraits: An Intimate View.”
Cherry Mountain Arts Show Shines Spotlight on Local Creatives
Jan 5, 2023 | Angel Idowu
Cherry Mountain Arts, 836 N. Milwaukee Ave., is hosting an end-of-year exhibition, titled “Work Friends,” that showcases the local creatives they will be working with throughout the year.
Actor and Director Isaiah Washington Brings New Film to Chicago
Dec 20, 2022 | Angel Idowu
Actor and director Isaiah Washington’s new film “Corsicana” explores the life of a Black law enforcement officer with some very notable stripes.
Billboard Along Expressway Shares New Artwork Each Month from Local Nonprofits
Dec 15, 2022 | Angel Idowu
Arts Correspondent Angel Idowu shares exactly how Wintrust Bank partners with different organizations around the city to bring these creations to life. The billboard is one of the city’s biggest and most visible forms of public art.
Soul Food Lounge Looks to Bring Upscale Dining Experience to Lawndale
Dec 13, 2022 | Angel Idowu
After being approached to enhance the neighborhood, entrepreneur and chef Quentin Love decided to open what he hopes will be a soul food staple on the city’s West Side.
Inner-City Muslim Action Network Opens New Art Gallery, Ceramics Studio
Dec 8, 2022 | Angel Idowu
The Inner-City Muslim Action Network, or IMAN, is celebrating 25 years of commitment to community with a new art gallery and ceramics studio.
Renowned Conductor Dalia Stasevska to Lead CSO in Three Performances
Dec 7, 2022 | Angel Idowu
Dalia Stasevska has loved music since she was a child. She is carrying on that passion with three Chicago Symphony Orchestra performances.
Christmas Concert Looks to Transport Audience to 17th Century Mexico
Dec 3, 2022 | Angel Idowu
The Newberry Consort is celebrating the holiday season with an annual concert exploring 17th century Mexican Christmas music.
Chicago Musician and Artist Joining Together to Inspire Next Generation
Nov 19, 2022 | Angel Idowu
Musician Nico Segal and contemporary artist Nikko Washington are engaging young artists in a creative partnership with nonprofit Play Together. The collaboration is encouraging students to create either artwork or music based on prompts.
Lawyer Turns to Art in Effort to Explain Criminal Justice System
Nov 15, 2022 | Angel Idowu
A lawyer is using what she learned in that role to create art that helps people better understand the reality of Cook County’s criminal justice system.
Feelin’ the Blues with Chicago Legend Mary Lane: ‘Blues Is Life’
Nov 11, 2022 | Angel Idowu
A local blues legend is receiving her flowers in a new documentary exploring her life. Now 86 years old, Mary Lane says she’s loved singing since she was 12 years old.
Art Program Helps Former, Currently Incarcerated Youth Create
Nov 5, 2022 | Angel Idowu
Just Us is the program created by SkyART to create a safe space for youth ages 14 to 21 in the juvenile justice system. Instead of talk therapy, they’re utilizing art therapy.
Chicago Playwright Explores Racial, Social Biases in New Production
Nov 1, 2022 | Angel Idowu
For Chicago, by Chicago. That’s how local playwright Ricardo Gamboa describes a new production that address the racial and social biases he says he witnessed growing up as a queer Mexican American.
POP! Heights Park Marks First New Public Park in Roseland in More Than 50 Years
Oct 29, 2022 | Angel Idowu
The amenities were created with the goal to ensure the park is utilized by all ages, especially those residing in Roseland, Morgan Park and West Pullman.
Daguerreian Society Aims to Preserve Oldest Photography Form
Oct 26, 2022 | Angel Idowu
Some of the earliest snapshots of American history will be on display this weekend at the Daguerrian Society's annual symposium.
Chicago Photographer Captured Communal Magic of City Festivals
Oct 20, 2022 | Angel Idowu
What do the Greek Independence Day Parade, the Bud Billiken Parade and the Mexican Civic Society Parade all have in common, aside from being parades of course? Well, they were all photographed by Greek photographer Diane Alexander White.
New Exhibition Series to Showcase Work of Incarcerated Young People
Oct 15, 2022 | Angel Idowu
Three Chicago art galleries and programs are partnering for a three-part exhibition series as they work to explore the impact incarceration has on young people.
South Suburban Ballet Company Highlights Hispanic Heritage, Mental Health Awareness
Oct 13, 2022 | Angel Idowu
A ballet company southwest of the city is closing out Hispanic Heritage Month with dancers rooted in the celebration of Hispanic culture, while also bringing attention to mental health.
Museum of Science and Industry Set to Auction Off Huge Collection of Circus Memorabilia
Sep 21, 2022 | Angel Idowu
Despite the ingenuity the circus brought at one time, that’s since changed. That’s why the Museum of Science and Industry is saying goodbye to its collection in an upcoming auction.