Culture
What Classic Novel Character Are You?
Are you adventurous like Tom Sawyer? Fierce like Jo March? Just like Atticus Finch? Indomitable like Celie? Find out which classic literary character you are and get a reading list for your personality from The Great American Read's list of America's best-loved novels.
From Apartheid Johannesbug to the Most Coveted Job in American TV Comedy
The new series Breaking Big attempts to discover how people like Trevor Noah, who was born poor and mixed-race during apartheid in South Africa and is now the host of The Daily Show, achieve their success. Watch it here, and see the other high achievers who are profiled.
From the Archive: 'Grease' Becomes a Movie
The smash-hit film version of Grease premiered 40 years ago on June 16, but it was already a huge success on Broadway, and had originated as a small play in Chicago. One of its co-writers discusses its popularizing transformations into something different from the original.
How a Harry Potter Fan Reimagined the Characters As She Saw Them
Chicago native Eliyannah Amirah Yisrael is an ardent Harry Potter fan who wanted to extend her time with the characters she loved, so she made a web series about a 25-year-old Hermione, using her love of reading and power of empathy to reimagine Hermione in her image.
What to Stream This Month
We have four shows with plenty of episodes to stream this month: something for dads on Father's Day, an uproarious sitcom for LGBTQ Pride Month, and extra seasons of beloved British favorites that return with new episodes at the end of the month.
"Respect Yourself": The Power of The Staple Singers
The Staple Singers combined the Delta blues of Pops Staples' birthplace with the gospel of his adopted home in Chicago to become international stars and civil rights activists. Hear Bob Dylan and Harry Belafonte reminisice on the Staples and learn their history before Mavis headlines the Chicago Blues Fest.
From the Archive: 'Dune' Author Frank Herbert
The author of the world's best-selling science fiction novel discusses the broad base of knowledge he draws on in imagining other worlds, as well as his environmentalism. "I refuse to be put in the position of having to tell my grandchildren, 'I'm sorry, there's no more world for you, we used it all up.' "
Chicago, The 'Vatican and Mecca' of Gospel Music
Gospel music's "Father," and "Mother," "Queen" and "King," all made their career or were born in Chicago, where the soul-stirring music was first developed and popularized. Discover the development of gospel and its main players in Chicago on the weekend of the city's Gospel Music Festival
What to Watch in June
This month, two British favorites return for new seasons – the final season for one – the life and work of a trailblazing black Chicagoan is celebrated, 50 years of LGBTQ history is explored, and a legendary star is saluted by fellow musicians.
The Performers of the 2018 National Memorial Day Concert
Every year American troops are honored with a National Memorial Day Concert on the lawn of the Capitol, broadcast live by PBS the day before Memorial Day. Meet the performers, including some famous Chicago natives, in this patriotic special here.
Can You Guess the Book by Its Cover?
We're always being told not to judge a book by its cover, but in this case you should: can you identify 20 books from The Great American Read's list of America's 100 favorite novels by just their covers? Test your knowledge here, and get reading!
Royal Rules: The Odd Restrictions the Royal Family Follows
From who curtsys to whom to the various forms of deference shown to the queen to restrictions regarding travel and dress, the royal family has some unusual strictures that they follow. Brush up on them before the royal wedding this Saturday.
What to Stream This Month
May brings a lot to celebrate: mothers, spring, a royal wedding. Watch two classic American portrayals of mother-daughter relationships, enjoy some spring-themed cooking, and indulge your craving for all things royal with documentaries that go behind the scenes of kings and queens.
Five Extraordinary Conversations from the Studs Terkel Radio Archive
Studs Terkel talked to everyone, from people down on their luck to people at the top of their career. Now many of his insightful conversations are available through the Studs Terkel Radio Archive – discover five exceptional conversations with remarkable people here.
Beyond 'Little Women': Louisa May Alcott's Other Writings
Louisa May Alcott may be best-known for her classic Little Women, but she also wrote racy potboilers in which women transgress societal norms under a pseudonym that wasn't traced to her until decades after death, as well as children's fables and moralisti young adult books.
