Stories by Chloe Riley
Choreographer William Forsythe: Why He’s not the 'Heir of Balanchine'
Hubbard Street Dance stages a tribute to the international choreographer
| Chloe Riley
The internationally recognized choreographer discusses his history with the Joffrey Ballet, the de-gendering of ballet, and who – if not him – acts as the true successor to the father of American Ballet.
Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review, Oct. 2
| WTTW News
Joel Weisman and his panel of guests discuss top stories of the week, including the issue of gun violence and a new push for tighter gun laws.
Top Stories of the Week: Oct. 2
| WTTW News
From a new online sex ed course to an extremely rare celestial event, here are the five stories "Chicago Tonight" readers were most interested in over the past seven days.
Bela Lugosi Film Among Those Restored at UCLA Festival of Preservation
The festival kicks off Sunday at the Gene Siskel Film Center
| Chloe Riley
Catch a restored version of Lugosi's "White Zombie," a 35 mm film considered to be the original Hollywood zombie flick.
Rauner Slashes Social Services, Cites Lack of State Budget
| Evan Garcia
For nearly half of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s term, Illinois has been without a budget. Rauner argues the budget impasse constitutes a state of emergency, which is his rationale for using an obscure rule-making procedure to cut spending and set up stricter eligibility requirements for social services. Amanda Vinicky joins us to discuss the governor’s plans.
Preview of the First Chicago Architecture Biennial
| Erica Gunderson
Cutting-edge architecture built by a robot, spiders and even you! That's just a small part of what you can experience when the Chicago Architecture Biennial opens Saturday at the Chicago Cultural Center and sites around the city. Geoffrey Baer has been watching 75 top architects put the finishing touches on it all, and he's here to give us a preview.
Chicago Tonight's Weekly News Quiz: Round 8
| WTTW News
From Alice the corpse plant to liquid water on Mars to the Chicago Bears: Test your news knowledge with this week's set of questions.
Elder Abuse Warning Signs and Tips for Keeping Seniors Safe from Fraud
| Andrea Guthmann
With the over-65 population in the U.S. expected to grow significantly in the coming decades, financial exploitation of senior citizens will increase dramatically, according to a new book.
Chicago Ideas Week Brings Books to CTA, Notable Speakers to City
| Hunter Clauss
Martha Stewart, David Petraeus, Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards and many more notable speakers will be in town this month for Chicago Ideas Week. Tonight we’ll talk with the founder of the annual cultural event about what to expect this year.
Teller Talks Magic Motives in Shakespeare Theater's ‘Tempest’
| Marc Vitali
Teller, the usually silent half of magic duo Penn and Teller, speaks his mind about the new production of "The Tempest" at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, in which he weaves stage illusions into the story of an exiled duke who uses the supernatural world to protect his daughter.
'In My Father’s House’ Documents Rhymefest’s Quest to Find Father, Self
| Andrea Guthmann
The number of single-parent households has tripled since 1960. Grammy and Academy award-winning hip-hop artist Che "Rhymefest" Smith, a native of Chicago's South Side, embraces this subject in a new documentary titled "In My Father's House," which chronicles his reconciliation with the father who abandoned him as a child. Rhymefest joins us tonight to discuss his new film.
Variety Comics Closing at the End of October
Owning the store a ‘dream fulfilled’ for co-owner
| Kristen Thometz
For more than four decades, Variety Comics has anchored the corner of Western and Wilson avenues and attracted comic book fans and the curious alike with its superhero murals. At the end of October, the Lincoln Square comic book store will close.
Goodman’s First All-Female Writing Group a ‘Happy Accident,’ Says Theater
| Chloe Riley
In light of a nationwide gender disparity among playwrights, all four of Goodman’s new resident playwrights just happen to be women. Meet them all right now.
Park District Hosts Public Hearings for Lucas Museum
| Brandis Friedman
The Chicago Park District is hosting tonight the second of two public meetings on the proposed Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. Brandis Friedman will have a live report from McCormick Place.
'Rebel' Lawmakers on State's Political Impasse
| Hunter Clauss
As summer turns to fall, time seems to be at a standstill in Springfield. With the House not scheduled to meet anytime soon, is now the time for state lawmakers to break ranks and come up with a plan B? And if so, what practical options do they have? We talk with a group of so-called rebel lawmakers.
Home Run in Attendance for Playoff-Bound Cubs? Crain’s Roundup with Ann Dwyer
| Hunter Clauss
As the Cubs head into the playoffs for the first time since 2008, the team is seeing an almost 12 percent increase in attendance. What effect might this have on future ticket prices? Crain’s Chicago Business deputy managing editor Ann Dwyer sheds light on this story and others with Eddie Arruza.
New Brain Initiative Aims to Fully Map the Human Brain
| Paul Caine
An ambitious new government-led research initiative aims to fully map the human brain. The goal is to advance understanding of how the brain works and develop treatments for crippling neurological diseases. But for researchers, the Holy Grail is to understand the origins of human consciousness. Two leading neuroscientists join us to talk about this potentially groundbreaking project.
Weekend Agenda: Oct. 2-4
Mozart, museums and maniac cats
| Chloe Riley
From incredible feline feats to free museum admission, to a pooch parade to hot apple cider, we've got your weekend covered.
David Adjaye on Challenging Assumptions Through Architecture
| Nick Blumberg
An architect with a global portfolio but a laser-like focus on context. Works deeply embedded in culture but devoted to breaking stereotypes. And a talented eye with more of an approach than a style. "Chicago Tonight" takes a look inside David Adjaye's new solo architecture exhibition at the Art Institute’s modern wing.
Retooling Special Education at Chicago Public Schools
| Brandis Friedman
Amid controversy and an outcry from parents and principals regarding budget cuts to special education and layoffs for teachers and aides, CPS announces plans to change the way the district serves students with special needs. Tonight, find out how the district plans to change its focus.
Surprise! Corpse Flower Blooms at Chicago Botanic Garden
| Kristen Thometz
There was no public countdown, no fanfare this time. And yet, a corpse flower is blooming – right now – at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Watch a livestream of the rare event.
Array of Things Awarded Federal Funds to Deploy 500 Sensors in Chicago
| Andrea Guthmann
After a year of delays, the Array of Things urban data sensor project is back on track and prepping to collect all sorts of information on Chicago's streets by early next year. Joining us to discuss the initiative are the project’s lead scientist Charlie Catlett and author Lori Andrews.
West Ridge Nature Preserve Offers Urban Oasis Along Western Avenue
| Jay Shefsky
Along a busy stretch of Western Avenue on the North Side of the city is the newly opened West Ridge Nature Preserve. The 20-acre park includes woods, wetlands, walking paths and a 4.5-acre pond. Jay Shefsky goes for a tour.
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