Stories by drew kann

Herb Alpert & Lani Hall

We revisit a conversation with trumpeter Herb Alpert and his Grammy award-winning wife, Chicagoan Lani Hall Alpert. View a timeline of Herb Alpert's career and watch a web extra conversation with the duo.

Portrait Artist Greta Kempton

We meet an elusive portrait artist who painted Hollywood stars and a U.S. President, and find out how a giant collection of her artwork ended up in a suburb of Chicago. Read a Q&A and view a slideshow.

Weekend Events Around Town: 6/14 - 6/16

The country's largest comedy festival, food from the city's top purveyors, and butterflies at the Botanic Garden; Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend.

"Laugh" It Up

America’s biggest comedy fest enjoys its fifth anniversary year with a diverse group of performers. From the “Just for Laughs” festival, we’ll be joined by Scott Adsit (30 Rock), Brian Babylon (Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me) and renowned improv performer Susan Messing for a freewheeling conversation about Chicago’s key role in the art of comedy. Read a Q&A.

James Cotton; courtesy of the Chicago Blues Festival

Weekend Events Around Town: 6/7 - 6/9

The world's largest free blues festival, ancient mummies brought (nearly) back to life, and a celebration of Indian arts and culture; Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend.

Herb Alpert & Lani Hall

Trumpeter Herb Alpert and his Grammy award-winning wife, Chicagoan Lani Hall Alpert, joins us to talk about their legendary careers.

Weekend Events Around Town: 5/31 - 6/2

Chicago's best young violinists and cellists in concert, a German spring celebration, & lively street fests; Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend.

Linda Johnson Rice

Johnson Publishing Company is a Chicago media institution, known for its magazines EBONY and Jet, as well as its impacts on the civil rights movement, fashion and politics. JPC chairwoman Linda Johnson Rice joins us.

Suzuki-Alegre String Ensemble

The Merit School's Suzuki-Alegre String Ensemble, a diverse group of young violin and cello players, joins us to perform in-studio, fresh off their recent trip to Japan.

Artist Hale Woodruff

Dramatic works of art by a little-known artist, African-American painter Hale Woodruff, visit Chicago for the first time.

Weekend Events Around Town: 5/24 - 5/27

Chicago's Memorial Day Parade, star-gazing at the Adler Planetarium and the NCAA Division-1 Tennis Championships; Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend. 

Rondi Charleston

A highly successful TV journalist changed careers and is now making a name for herself in music. We meet Rondi Charleston.

Scientific Chicago with Neil Shubin

Songbirds, Psychopaths & Salt

What can the songs of the Zebra finch tell us about the development of language in humans? Our science guy, Neil Shubin, tells us more in this edition of Scientific Chicago.

Portrait Artist Greta Kempton

We meet an elusive portrait artist who painted Hollywood stars and a U.S. President, and find out how a giant collection of her artwork ended up in a suburb of Chicago.

The Ghost Army

We look at a group of artists enlisted by the military to trick the enemy during World War II.

Weekend Events Around Town: 5/17 - 5/19

Close encounters with stingrays, graffiti-turned-fine art, and Yo-Yo Ma in a special event at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra; Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend.

Yo-Yo Ma

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma joins us for a solo performance, and tells us about his latest project with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Bodies of Work Festival

The human body is the focus of Bodies of Work  -- an arts festival that surprises as it challenges notions of disability.

2 Chicano Artists Showcased at the National Museum of Mexican Art

Two Los Angeles-based Chicano artists currently have exhibits at the National Museum of Mexican Art. We take a look at the art of Chaz Bojórquez and John Valadez.

Weekend Events Around Town: 5/10 - 5/12

Oklahoma! on stage, an immersive journey through 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, and the Art Institute "After Dark;" Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend. 

Chicago Bulls Series Heats Up

The Bulls lose their composure-- and the game-- last night in Miami.  How did things go from so good to so bad so quickly? And can the team rebound tomorrow night at the United Center? We have a preview.

Bill McGlaughlin: 10 Years of "Exploring Music"

Radio host Bill McGlaughlin joins us to talk about 10 years on the radio and a lifetime of "Exploring Music."

Web Exclusive: Junior High Book Ban

The decision to ban a popular book from a west suburban school angers students and parents.

Lyric Opera's "Oklahoma!"

A brand new staging of a classic American musical arrives in Chicago with some very authentic dancing. We meet the 91-year-old choreographer behind Lyric Opera of Chicago's Oklahoma!

Weekend Events Around Town: 5/3 - 5/5

Music from Poland's golden age, high fashion and Cinco de Mayo festivities; Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend.