The long, slow roll to Spring has, as usual, given us ants in our pants. Yes, we know, complaining about the cold in Chicago is like complaining about the heat in Miami. But we can't help. Scooter's is open, baseball is being played, and we're ready to dust off the flip flops and enjoy some sun sun sun. And there's nothing like a satellite image to remind us that, as of this week, we actually have it pretty good. The above image was taken yesterday, March 4, 2010, and shows how the melt line is creeping its way north to us and that we could always have it worse. We could be in Iowa. more ›

This is part of Chicagoist's coverage of the Chicago International Movies and Music Festival, which runs March 4-7. more ›

The Chicagoist Theatre Department has been a pretty lonely place lately. As we wrap up another day of wistfully staring at the empty desk in our barren office, we are comforted by our certainty that hundreds, nay, thousands of you have undoubtedly applied to fill the void. But while El Jefe pours over your brilliant oeuvre(s), we will continue our Sisyphean task of covering as much as we can, however we can. Without further ado, the second installment of our newest series: shows we want to see, but probably won’t. more ›

State Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) may have just narrowly won the GOP's stamp of approval for his gubernatorial run, but a bill he authored was not as successful this week, as SB 3447, which would allow certain tax-exempt religious organizations to discriminate against prospective employees on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or religion, was not called to vote Tuesday. more ›

It's the return of our young Weekend Dance Party, and this week's spot is Saturday at Smart Bar where Felix Cartal will play with local deejay outfit Dark Wave Disco. Felix Cartal is currently on his Popular Music Tour and has been hitting clubs all over North America, showing off his heavily distorted, pounding dance music to adoring, unhinged crowds. Cartal resides on DIM MAK, and like most everything associated with the label, his music is hard-hitting and relentless, almost heavy metal in some ways. His sound points to the major shift electro music has experienced the past couple years, highlighted by the appointed hipster Kings of Dance, Justice. While we are teetering on the very point where this type of sound is overdone (at least in the context of electronic dance music), when it's in practice it still incites a significant amount of uninhibited footwork. There are times where we just don't care if it isn't hip anymore, we just want to have a good time. more ›

Last Friday we gave you the Chatroulette primer, and this Friday we enlist the aide of Jon Stewart to finally break the whole thing down for you. more ›

More classes to sharpen your culinary chops... more ›

As we suspected, the Bears made a big splash to open the 2010 free agent season, landing running back Chester Taylor (formerly of the Vikings) to a four-year, $12.5 million deal with $7 million guaranteed. And now word is that the team is finalizing an agreement with former Panthers DE Julius Peppers, the most highly sought after player in this year's free agent class. Sources are putting that deal at six years, $72 million; reports say as much as $45 million will be weighted to the first three years of the contract. Both deals are in addition to their earlier signing of TE Brandon Manumaleuna. more ›

This is part of Chicagoist's coverage of The European Union Festival, which runs March 5 to April 1 at the Siskel Film Center. more ›

Do you know where the tomato that you're eating right now comes from? more ›

File this under reunions we seriously thought would never happen. We were surprised when The Blacks resurfaced for a set at last year's Bloodshot anniversary party at Hideout, but we're absolutely shocked the band decided to continue on and record an EP of new material, the release of which they will celebrate at Schubas tomorrow night. more ›

Authorities have discovered what they think is evidence in the Darien triple-homicide of Jeffrey Kramer, 50, his wife Lori Kramer, 46, and their son Michael, 20. The evidence was found in a trash bin outside an IHOP Restaurant in Terre Haute, Indiana though the evidence has not yet been scientifically linked to the crime. more ›