Chicago articles & Resources

Clicked by Avik Chakraborty / Moment / Getty Images Chicago is home to some of the most iconic musical acts in history, from jazz greats like Miles Davis to classic rock legends such as The Blues Brothers. But what about the lesser-known bands that made their mark on the city's musical landscape?  Let's take a look at four up-and-coming bands from Chicago who made their mark on music.  What Music Originated From Chicago? Chicago has long been a hub of musical talent and has produce

The city of Chicago is full of great (and free!) resources to get you and your family learning and having fun at the same time. Here are some local favorites from Chicago, IL tutor Samantha S...   Living in a major cosmopolitan city provides abundant cultural and learning opportunities. Knowing where and how to find these opportunities is key. Once you get clued in, going deeper into your interests won’t even cost a thing. Here are a few tricks to the Windy City to get you hooked up to

The Lollapalooza of 2014 is quite a bit different from its original '90s incarnation. What was once a solidly grunge celebration of founder Perry Farrell’s “Alternative Nation” and national tour is now an annual 3-day destination event. This king of music festivals in Chicago features a dizzying array of genres, and while the focus and location of Lollapalooza have changed, the commitment to pairing the best new bands with top-selling acts remains the same. For your perusal, here are 3 up-

When you think of the city of Chicago, there are certain things that, for the vast majority of people, quickly come to mind: Sears Tower, the Cubs, the Bears, and deep dish pizza, to name a few. Chicago is not as well known for its music venues, at least not in the way that other big cities, like Nashville, New York, and LA are known for theirs. But there are at least five Chicago music venues that make it a city worthy of being on that list! And many of the biggest names in music, both past and

If you really want to experience what it's like to perform on stage, you have to go to a live band karaoke event! It's nothing like that PA system stuff… you'll get the thrill of live musicians who improvise and work with you to create a truly fabulous performance. Here are the best live band karaoke Chicago hot spots where you can strut your stuff: PIECE Brewery and Pizzeria: Piece Brewery is known for serving up some of the best craft beer and pizza slices around. And on Saturday ni

Chicago has one of the richest music scenes in the world. Jazz may have been born in the Big Easy, but it learned how to walk and talk in the Windy City! You may not be able to hire one of Chicago's legends for your next event, but you have a bountiful selection of up-and-coming Chicago bands and musicians for hire to choose from. Pick the Type of Music That Fits Your Audience Before starting your band hunt, put some thought into the type of music that best suits your audience. If it's a da

Does your kid have what it takes to storm the Windy City? If you live in Chicago, you'll find inspiration abounds as theater and the performing arts are such a big part of the culture. This means that your child has lots of opportunities to become a star within the Chicago theater scene! Know the Big Opportunities There are a number of production agencies in Chicago, including Alphabet Soup Productions. These performances are not exclusively cast with children, but they do audition for child

Getting your child involved with artistic pursuits at an early age has a number of benefits. Not only can art be fun for your child, but creative outlets have been linked to many developmental skills. Artistic children typically show improved fine motor skills, as well as enhanced visual learning and language ability. The best way to introduce your kids to the arts is to engage them early on with fun-filled activities - and lucky for you, there are tons of Chicago art museums to start with! W

From its genesis as the touring '90s grunge brainchild of eccentric singer Perry Farrell to its current status as a once-a-year Chicago concert destination, Lollapalooza has remained a live music mainstay. A massive, all-day festival can be an endurance test for attendees - you’ll need to schedule your time wisely and take care of your body to survive the experience. But before we teach you how to do all that, let’s begin with a little history. Know Your History Lollapalooza began as a f

Gigging in the Chicago music scene is a milestone in any music career. It's the third biggest city in America, and the most important music industry city in the Midwest. Getting exposure in the "Windy City" can be a stepping stone to national airplay, and many legendary artists have come from Chicago. The city has grown to be a force in the evolution of indie music, particularly with the Pitchfork Festival. The following information can be used as your guide to finding venues to play in Chicago.