Next week, Chicago will host the Interfaith Leadership Summit. For 23 years, the event has brought together students and educators from across the country to promote religious pluralism.
Stories by marc vitali
Building Bridges, Not Barriers: Interfaith Summit in Chicago a Call to Action
Aug 4, 2022 | Marc Vitali
Chicago’s Newest Music Venue Breathes New Life into Iconic Salt Shed
Aug 3, 2022 | Marc Vitali
The city’s newest concert venue, appropriately called the Salt Shed, which just celebrated its opening day Tuesday. The concert hall is on the site of the renovated Morton Salt shed.
From Eastland Disaster to Train Derailments, Chicago Artist Inspired by History and Tragedy
Aug 2, 2022 | Marc Vitali
Painter Eric Edward Esper creates accurate historical depictions of terrifying tragedies – fires, tornadoes and nautical disasters that took place in Chicago and elsewhere.
Chicago and Ukraine Artists Rage Against the War Machine
Jul 27, 2022 | Marc Vitali
An art show near Ukrainian Village is a cry of protest against the ongoing war in Ukraine. Artists from Chicago and Ukraine are raising their voices in opposition to the Russian invasion.
As Monkeypox Numbers Grow, a Journalist Who Had the Disease Speaks Out
Jul 25, 2022 | Marc Vitali
Additional monkeypox vaccines are arriving in Chicago, but they will be in limited supply. This as the World Health Organization this declared monkeypox a public health emergency.
Calls for Dedicated Place to Host Summer Music Festivals, Keep Out of Neighborhood Parks
Jul 20, 2022 | Marc Vitali
This summer hundreds of thousands of music lovers will descend on the city for its annual music festivals. And that impact on public land is a point of contention for some neighbors who live near the parks.
UChicago Researchers Aim to Transform the Nation’s 911 Call System
Jul 7, 2022 | Marc Vitali
A University of Chicago initiative aims to modernize and strengthen the nation’s 911 system – and they’ve just published a blueprint for how to do it.
New Musical at Chicago Shakespeare Theater Heads to Space
Jul 6, 2022 | Marc Vitali
The recent Broadway smash “Six” is perhaps their most notable success. Now, the Chicago Shakespeare Theater is bringing aliens to center stage with a musical-comedy adaptation of the 1950s sci-fi film “It Came From Outer Space.”
Theater Critic Hedy Weiss on 3 Must-See Productions Running This Month
Jun 30, 2022 | Marc Vitali
Local stages are heating up this summer. While there may be plenty of worthwhile options, Hedy Weiss joins “Chicago Tonight” to give a rundown of some of her must-see productions.
Chicago Rapper Vic Mensa Curates New Art Show
Jun 27, 2022 | Marc Vitali
The show curated by rapper Vic Mensa is called “Skin and Masks.” It was inspired by Frantz Fanon, the influential 20th century thinker and author of “Black Skin, White Masks.”
New Book Highlights Influential LGBTQ Artists
Jun 21, 2022 | Marc Vitali
From “Swan Lake” to “Frankenstein” movies to the pop charts, the arts have always been deeply influenced by artists from the LGBTQ community. An about-to-be-released book shines a light on 50 pioneering artists from around the world who made indelible contributions to culture.
Lasting Impressions of Cezanne at the Art Institute
Jun 14, 2022 | Marc Vitali
Paul Cezanne was thought of as the greatest by some very great artists, including Pablo Picasso and Claude Monet, to name just two. The Art Institute along with the Tate Modern in London is presenting its first exhibition of Cezanne in 70 years.
Singer-Guitarist Melody Angel Playing Chicago Blues Festival
Jun 10, 2022 | Marc Vitali
A local singer-songwriter has been going to the festival since her mother took her in a stroller. Now she’ll be onstage, and mom will be watching from the wings. Melody Angel – yes, that’s her real name – has blues in her DNA.
Trumpeter Orbert Davis on the Musical Legacy of Miles Davis
Jun 8, 2022 | Marc Vitali
Jazz great Miles Davis is the focus of an ambitious concert this weekend at the Kehrein Center for the Arts in the Austin community. It is part of a new partnership between the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic and the Art Center.
Court Theatre Wins Tony Award for Best Regional Theater
May 31, 2022 | Marc Vitali
Each year, the Tony Awards give special recognition to only one local theater in the U.S. Court Theater has just become the sixth theater in Chicago to win the Tony Award for Best Regional Theater.
Onstage Around Chicago With Hedy Weiss
May 26, 2022 | Marc Vitali
Arts critic Hedy Weiss gives us her recommendations.
Library in West Garfield Park Home to Artist-In-Residence Who Will Create and Connect
May 19, 2022 | Marc Vitali
For the next two years, The Legler Regional Library in West Garfield Park will be home to artist-in-residence Alexandra Antoine. She’ll work on her own art while also connecting with people in the community.
Music Prodigy from Ukraine Finds Community in Chicago
May 11, 2022 | Marc Vitali
A local music prodigy began studying in his native Ukraine before he moved to Chicago with his family. The community of musicians he found here – and music itself – have helped sustain him during an uneasy time.
Inside ‘The Matrix’ Auction with Lilly Wachowski
May 3, 2022 | Marc Vitali
The four Matrix films set new standards for visionary moviemaking, and now artifacts from them and other movies are up for bid in an auction with a cause.
Pediatrician’s Book Aims for Social Change to Unlock the Potential in Every Child
Apr 27, 2022 | Marc Vitali
A patchwork child care system, a lack of paid family leave and millions of busy and stressed parents — a new book argues the current model of raising children isn't always the best for kids' brain development. In that book, the author writes society should give all parents more time and tools to optimize the growth of young minds.
Washington Park Camera Club Helps Celebrate Frederick Law Olmsted With New Photos, Historical Context
Apr 24, 2022 | Marc Vitali
Washington Park Camera Club members are combining their passion for pictures with early Chicago history to celebrate Frederick Law Olmsted.
Chicago Doctor Says Individuals Will Have to Make Personal Decisions After Transit Mask Mandate Lifted
Apr 20, 2022 | Marc Vitali
State and local officials offered some mixed messaging Monday on whether or not public transit riders would be required to wear mask after a federal court ruling. The day ended with Gov. J.B. Pritzker lifting his executive order.
Chicago’s Fine Arts Building, Still a Haven for Creatives, Undergoes Updates
Apr 11, 2022 | Marc Vitali
The building, 410 S. Michigan Ave., opened as the Studebaker Building in 1885 as a showroom and assembly plant for carriages. Thirteen years later, it was remodeled and repurposed as the Fine Arts Building.
What Today’s STEM Students Can Learn from Benjamin Franklin
Apr 6, 2022 | Marc Vitali
The new Ken Burns documentary “Benjamin Franklin” looks at the life of one of the founders of the United States. Of course, Benjamin Franklin’s scientific achievements are a big part of the story. But how do they resonate with today’s students of science?
Theater Critic Hedy Weiss Shares 4 Must-See Productions Now Running in Chicago
Mar 30, 2022 | Marc Vitali
Chicago theater is in full bloom for the spring season with a number of new productions and a return of some classic favorites. Hedy Weiss, theater critic for WTTW News, joins “Chicago Tonight” to share her must-see recommendations.
Steppenwolf Theatre’s New Play ‘King James’ Spotlights Work of Two Ensemble Members
Mar 22, 2022 | Marc Vitali
The world premiere play “King James” spotlights the work of two Steppenwolf Theatre ensemble members who loved basketball long before they loved theater.