Stories by Marc Vitali
When "The Who" Played Kane County - Part 1
On the Verge of Greatness, The Who Played St. Charles, IL
An eyewitness account: "They were loud and raucous. It was musical mayhem, but it was life-changing."
"Somm" Kind of Wonderful
New DVD Pairs Perfectly with Every Meal
A delicious documentary with notes of humor and suspense, Somm follows four men preparing for the annual test before the Court of Master Sommeliers.
Hemingway's Hamburger Helper
The Old Man and the Seasonings
Ernest Hemingway wrote lean prose but liked his burgers fatty and flavorful. With the new season of Check, Please! in mind, here's a historic recipe from a literary carnivore.
Great Scot(t)
Don't Miss the Waterboys at the Old Town School
Mike Scott and The Waterboys end drought with a rare local appearance.
Big Kup of Chicago
Someone Needs to Write a Play about Irv Kupcinet (Casting is Nearly Complete!)
Remembering the great newspaper columnist Irv “Kup” Kupcinet 10 years after his death – and finding the ideal Chicago actor to portray him on stage.
An E Street Resident Visits Studio B
Little Steven Dreams Big with The Rascals
Guitarist for the E Street Band, Little Steven Van Zandt, visited us in studio to talk about being an underboss to the Boss, James Gandolfini and The Sopranos, and reviving one of his favorite bands, The Rascals.
Immigrant Songs of Rock and Romantic Dreams
New Chicago Recording Spans the Globe
A new rock record by a Chicago-based band is led by a dynamic vocalist who chronicles the experience of a South Asian immigrant. American Desi by the band Clara May might remind you of David Bowie or Robert Plant’s solo work at times, but Clara May stakes new ground with a unique point-of-view and an epic soundscape.
Two Paintings Bookend the Civil War
A Rising Sun and a Setting Sun Illuminated the War
An exhibition explores the visual culture of the Northern home front during the Civil War.
Haunting "Lover" Seduces On Stage
Memory Play Recalls a Taboo Love Affair
Lookingglass Theater opened their 26th season on Saturday with the deeply sensual drama, The North China Lover.
Janis Joplin Rocks Ravinia, Part 2 - Buried Alive
"She was pouring out her soul"
Part 2 of our story about Janis Joplin's final show in the Chicago area -- at Ravinia, two months to the day before she died.
Janis Joplin's Ravinia Jam, Part 1
The Queen of Cosmic Blues Visits Highland Park
Forty three years ago, the blues-rock star rocked Ravinia festival. Eight weeks later, Janis Joplin was gone forever.
Beethoven...Beautifully
A High Priestess of the Piano and Her Early Start on WTTW
A concert pianist of the highest order, Inna Faliks can be as dramatic or as subtle as a great stage actor.
A Mansion of Marvels, Teeming with Tiffany
Dazzling Artwork + Spectacular Setting = Harmony
Rare Tiffany masterworks are on display in a lavish Chicago home of the late 19th century.
Vivid Vivian Maier: The One Who Got Away
The celebrated work of nanny-turned-photographer Vivian Maier remains on view at the Chicago History Museum and opens next week at the Union League Club.
Dance Skin
A Very Different Pair of Dancers
Looking back at a couple of influential dancers, and looking ahead to a weekend dance concert.
Clapton Plays Skokie - Part Two
More Insight into Eric Clapton's 1969 Visit to Skokie
Another look at a truly unusual performance by Eric Clapton -- with additional photos.
The "Block" Stops the Clock
A Museum Takes the Time to Secure Its Collection
Northwestern University's Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art will be closed for the remainder of the calendar year.
Finding the “Wright” Book
Frank Lloyd Wright designed houses, churches and museums, but the great Prairie architect also designed a book or two. The most significant was called The House Beautiful. Only 90 copies of The House Beautiful were printed, and fewer than 30 are accounted for. Read the Artbeat blog.
A Chicago Songbook of Stories
What are some of the finest story songs by Chicago songwriters? Read the Artbeat blog.
A Guitar God Comes to Skokie
Did Eric Clapton perform in a Skokie parking lot in 1969?
1969 was a pivotal point in Eric Clapton's career. Cream had broken up the previous year, and the 24-year-old Clapton was now part of the super-group Blind Faith, which would dissolve within months. But not before Clapton did a surprise show in Skokie, Illinois.
A Bloody Good Painting
Mark your calendars for October 17 to witness a painting that is as gruesome as it is great.
Beating a Drum for the Arts
Welcome to Artbeat, Chicago Tonight’s blog on arts & culture. It’s a privilege to be the curator and share my enthusiasms, but this is a two-way street: help me out, and I’ll return the favor.
Trending
Chicago Bears Say They Are Moving Forward With a Move to Indiana
Obama Presidential Center Is Ready for Its Close-Up: First Look at Obama Foundation’s ‘Beacon of Hope’ and Economic Engine
Officials Hold Groundbreaking for $7B Project to Redevelop Area Surrounding United Center
Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza Launches Chicago Mayoral Campaign
Victory Lap on Digital Ad Tax Was Premature, Brandon Johnson Acknowledges
Sign up for the WTTW News newsletter