Chicago Lifestyle Podcast & Video Blog
Have you ever walked through a gallery, studied a face in a painting and wondered who that person is and what their backstory is? In “Sunday in the Park with George” originally produced in 1982, playwright James Lapine partnered with composer lyricist Stephen Sondheim to …
“West Side Story” echoes immigration fear and division across generations Music Theater Works in Skokie remains true to their tradition of presenting musical theater that stays very close to the original production, offering a faithful recreation of Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim’s now classic, contemporary …
Recognizing America’s rich and varied musical heritage is the perfect way to celebrate the birth of our republic. 2026 is the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Various semiquincentennial celebrations have taken place nationwide to commemorate the 1776 signing of the document that signaled colonial independence from England.
To mark the occasion, Windy City Winds performed a series of free public concerts in parks around the city during the month of July. Chicago Broadcasting Network is proud to share highlights of their final performance from the series performed at Washington Square Park in Chicago’s Gold Coast Area.
The video opens with a short warm-up by the flute section playing “Canon in D” followed by “My Favorite Things.” The full concert features patriotic marches and distinctly American music, including selections by John Philip Sousa, Charles Ives, Leonard Bernstein, as well as Chicago area composer James Stephenson, along with musical salutes to American jazz standards and musical themes from classic television sitcoms.
Windy City Winds is a community concert band comprised of roughly sixty skilled volunteer woodwind, brass, and percussion players age 21 and older with experience performing at the collegiate level. Founded in 2015 by Mark Mosley and Sarah Good Mosley who serve together as Music Directors and co-conductors. The ensemble’s mission is to present high‑quality performances throughout Chicago while broadening public appreciation for wind band music.
Many band members were accomplished music majors who ultimately pursued careers in other fields but never lost their commitment and love of playing. Because most repertoire for their instruments is written for ensemble performance, Windy City Winds provides a place for them to sustain their lifelong dedication to music-making as an avocation, while performing at an advanced level.
Chicago’s Washington Square Park established in 1842 is thought to be named after a similar inner city park located on Manhattan in New York City. By 1906 improvements were needed. Renovations were planned by the renowned landscape designer, Jens Jensen. After awhile the location became a favorite site for a diverse assortment of soapbox orators earning it the moniker of “Bughouse Square” as it became a popular spot for artists, writers, political radicals, and hobos who pontificated, lectured, recited poetry, or simply ranted and raved.
Today the park is currently lovingly looked after by the Washington Square Park Advisory Council who arrange for concerts such as this, as well as other activities and events for the benefit of the public..
Enjoy concert highlights here on our website or click through to our youtube channel. Please consider subscribing to be alerted when new content is added.
Note: Video is comprised of a recorded livestream from Facebook as well as additional video by Reno Lovison using a Canon 80D and Julie Lovison using an iPhone. Post-production editing by RenoWeb.net
HAIR The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical – – is it a nostalgic romp or does it have relevance to a contemporary audience? Whether you intend to see this Kokandy production at the Chopin Theatre or just want to know more about this historically pivotal musical …
Have you ever heard the name or term Scaramouche? Maybe you remember it in the bohemian rhapsody or maybe you’ve seen the 1952 film? The 18th century tale set on the eve of the French Revolution, based on a novel by Rafael Sabatini’s may not have …
A widowed father informed that his child has been killed during a protest, forces him to consider whether a cash settlement can possibly soothe his grief – in the process, we witness how public institutions and policies, in an attempt to remain impartial, reduce tragedy to a transaction while ignoring the emotional needs of individuals.
This somewhat mystical world premiere production by Tarell Alvin McCraney, features Michael Potts as Mr. Mano receiving advice from Glenn Davis (Steppenwolf Theater’s Co-Artistic Director) as the father’s dead son Marcus, who urges him to take the money and run.
Windfall at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1646 N. Halsted Street, Chicago is recommended and playing through May 31st, 2026 — runtime is about 2 hours with one 10-minute intermission. Visit Steppenwolf.org for tickets and information.
Listen to the podcast at our website, at youtube or wherever you prefer to listen to podcasts.
The Cast
Eli – Esco Jouléy
Henri ‘Mr. Mano’ Tamaño – Michael Potts
First Lady, Miss Second, The Last One – Alana Arenas
Marcus – Glenn Davis
Nurse, Cori – Jon Michael Hill
Officer, Brother 1 – Namir Smallwood
A review of The Ally by Itamar Moses at Theater Wit in Chicago. Directed under the steady hand of Jeremy Wechsler, this is a provocative, sometimes humorous look at activism, identity, and what happens when good deeds lead to bad outcomes. A look into the …
Set circa 1927 — at the height of the Great Migration, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is rooted in personal trauma, systemic racism and economic exploitation. Ma Rainey is the leading artist of a struggling Chicago based blues label. Four of her backing musicians sitting in a rehearsal …
The Sugar Wife, is a compelling and emotionally charged drama by Elizabeth Kuti, presented by Artistic Home at Theater Wit. This episode explores a story where faith, repression, privilege, and desire intersect inside the home of an affluent Quaker couple in mid-nineteenth century Dublin.
When a formerly enslaved African‑American woman and her companion arrive for a ten‑week stay, their presence disrupts the household’s carefully maintained façade. What follows is a revealing examination of integrity, sexual power, and the quiet bargains people make to reconcile their beliefs with their actions.
With standout performances from Annie Hogan, Todd Wojcik, Ashayla Calvin, John LaFlamboy, and Kristin Collins, all guided by the sensitive and intimate direction of Kevin Hagan. This U.S. premiere production offers a rich meditation on renewal, moral struggle, and the complex social expectations of the 19th century.
Running through May 3, 2026, at Theater Wit in Chicago, The Sugar Wife is a highly recommended experience for theater lovers seeking thought‑provoking storytelling and powerful ensemble work.
Be sure to click through to listen to the entire podcast review (~6 minutes).
🎧 Subscribe to Chicago Broadcasting Network for more Chicago theater reviews, arts coverage, and cultural insights — and stay tuned for upcoming episodes, including a review of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom at Goodman Theatre.
White Rooster a darkly funny tale of love, loss and the strange things we inherit, draws from a personal family story rooted in early 1900s China. The inventive and haunting play with original music reimagines an American ghost town, weaving together puppetry, movement, and song. …
This episode is a review of “Changing Channels”, a fictionalized look at the 1950s TV blacklist, inspired by Jackie Gleason and The Honeymooners, exploring the historical roots, standout performances, and modern relevance. Listen to the full audio review to learn more about this production and …
The latest premiere from Thompson Street Opera Company, offered Chicago audiences a campy, queer operatic cabaret production filled with drag performance, bel canto vocal artistry, and a delightfully unconventional storyline.
Presented at Bramble Arts Loft in Andersonville as Off-Nights at the Sometimes Café, the production featured seven sexually ambiguous characters navigating romance and artistic expression during the week day nights of an otherwise bustling drag club.
Narrated by pianist Kingsley Day, whose dry wit and androgynous presence set the tone for this humorously dramatic cantata that showcased exceptional voices including Katherine Petersen, Jade Dasha, Brian Pember, and Alexander Quakenbush.
Composer Dave Walther’s score evokes early 20th‑century operetta while embracing a modern queer sensibility, resulting in a performance that is both nostalgic and boldly original.
With drag‑infused choreography by Jordan Ricks and a finale that builds to a chaotic, contrapuntal climax, Off‑Nights proves that opera, especially in the hands of adventurous companies like Thompson Street Opera, can be accessible, humorous, and irresistibly compelling.
Be sure to use the link above to listen to the complete review.