Chicago

Vicarious thrills via YouTube

The Via Maris: A Song Worth Checking Out

Nicole Mitchell's Black Earth Ensemble

Black Unstoppable
(Delmark Records)

The Dark Knight

Black Unstoppable
(Delmark Records)

Steve Miller's Live from Chicago DVD takes fans back to his formative Windy City years

Black Unstoppable
(Delmark Records)

Miller Time

Black Unstoppable
(Delmark Records)

Monday Night Martha: Alinea's Liquefied Caramel Popcorn

The new cookbook from Alinea certainly topped a lot of Christmas lists, and some of us were lucky enough to get it. For those not completely obsessed with molecular gastronomy, Alinea is the hoity-toity Chicago restaurant that's famous for its ueberly deconstructed food. The twenty-five course ... More >>

Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood Coming to Jobing.com

Fresh off a three-night stint at Madison Square Garden, Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood have announced a 14-city U.S. tour beginning in June, which stops in Glendale on Friday, June 26. Tickets go on sale Monday, February 23 at 10 a.m. through LiveNation.The duo teamed up at the Chicago Crossroads Gu ... More >>

Budget Beat: Boomer's Sweet Home Chicago

Sliders: Why eat just one burger when you can have six? Given the ridiculous number of Chicago transplants (count me among the ridiculous) in the Valley, you'd think there would be more eateries specializing in the dietary staples of that great Midwestern metropolis. To my knowledge, there's ... More >>

Luke's of Chicago Plans to Open Downtown

Did I live in Chicago in a former life? Because the thought of a good Italian beef sandwich, drenched in meaty juice, sounds insanely appealing right now. A Chicago-style hot dog with the works sounds good, too. I'm getting all hungry at the thought of a brand-new Luke's of Chicago opening righ ... More >>

The Nightmare Years

Reliving the glory days of boners and acne in Chandler

Chef Stephanie Izard

Reliving the glory days of boners and acne in Chandler

You Can't See Me

Reliving the glory days of boners and acne in Chandler

Big Top Circus Punks

Crazy marching band makes with the sis-boom-bah

A One-Two Punch of Rock

Crazy marching band makes with the sis-boom-bah

Felix Da Housecat

Virgo Blacktro & the Movie Disco
(www.nettwerk.com)

David *Netherland* Van Alphen Opening Reception

Virgo Blacktro & the Movie Disco
(www.nettwerk.com)

Little Room for Improv-ment at the Phoenix Improv Festival

It sounds like the premise of an especially horrific nightmare: You're on stage in front of at least 100 strangers. One of them yells out the phrase "Silly String in the Desert." And then the crowd, who all paid $15 to be entertained for the evening, expects you to use that phrase as the title of th ... More >>

Blues Brother

It sounds like the premise of an especially horrific nightmare: You're on stage in front of at least 100 strangers. One of them yells out the phrase "Silly String in the Desert." And then the crowd, who all paid $15 to be entertained for the evening, expects you to use that phrase as the title of th ... More >>

On Mexican Professionals, Napkin Dispensers, and Improvised Purses

It sounds like the premise of an especially horrific nightmare: You're on stage in front of at least 100 strangers. One of them yells out the phrase "Silly String in the Desert." And then the crowd, who all paid $15 to be entertained for the evening, expects you to use that phrase as the title of th ... More >>

Big Brothers

Mixed-race ensemble play authentic afro-pop

Shootout at the MV Corral

Panel discussion focuses on the Wild Wild West, circa 1982

Battle of the Sliders

Chicago Hamburger Company vs. Boomer's Sweet Home Chicago This week we went to two Chicago-style restaurants to compare sliders, those adorable mini burgers that are so small they slide down your throat. Why Chicago? It's not completely clear but apparently Walter Anderson, the founder of White ... More >>

Sex Scenes Late at Night with Diana Gabaldon

Chicago Hamburger Company vs. Boomer's Sweet Home Chicago This week we went to two Chicago-style restaurants to compare sliders, those adorable mini burgers that are so small they slide down your throat. Why Chicago? It's not completely clear but apparently Walter Anderson, the founder of White ... More >>

Snow Birds: They're Coming in Droves! Phoenix/ Scottsdale Ranks 11th in Travel Desinations For the Remainder of '09

www.scottybud.com​As we sit on the cusp of kissing the daunting 110 degree days goodbye for eight glorious months, we can be certain of one thing: They're coming.That's right; as the majority of the country prepares to freeze its ass off for the rest of the year, as Phoenicians we prepare for the ... More >>

Peachcake Does Daytrotter

​Local psychedelic dance duo Peachcake are the latest Phoenix band to record a session for Daytrotter, an influential Chicago music blog. Like Dear and the Headlights and some others before them they were treated to a cool mid-fi recording session and the above portrait -- though we have to say it ... More >>

Fred's, Modern Steak, and Marcella's Opening Soon

​It's fun to shop 'til you drop, but even better to shop up an appetite. Shopaholics are buzzing about the new Barneys New York opening at Fashion Square on October 15, but there's plenty for restaurant-goers to look forward to as well. Three new eateries are set to open along with the mall ... More >>

Russian Circles

​It's fun to shop 'til you drop, but even better to shop up an appetite. Shopaholics are buzzing about the new Barneys New York opening at Fashion Square on October 15, but there's plenty for restaurant-goers to look forward to as well. Three new eateries are set to open along with the mall ... More >>

Food from Felons

​Getting a job after you've left prison may not be the easiest thing in the world. So some restaurants around the country are focusing on hiring ex-cons to serve food. Gadling.com reports that one eatery in Chicago, hilariously called Felony Franks, serves up hot dogs, steak sandwiches and mo ... More >>

VW Trainwreck On Hiatus Following One Incredible, Earth-Shaking, Scene-Shattering Show

​Just weeks after totally remaking the Arizona music scene with a show that rivaled the insane intensity of the Beatles at Shea Stadium, VW Trainwreck is on hiatus.I'm just kidding about their show, folks, it probably sucked. But the band, who you may recall caused a big stink with the release of ... More >>

Creep Show

Reconnect with your inner teen

Creep Show

Reconnect with your inner teen

Al's Beef Celebrates Grand Opening Tonight

​Chicago-based Al's Beef has become synonymous with the classic Italian beef sandwich, starting as a small family-owned business in 1938 in the Windy City's Little Italy neighborhood, and eventually becoming a chain with locations across Illinois. Condering the strong connection between Chi ... More >>

Chicago and San Jose Pass Toothless "Boycotts" Against Arizona; Councils Afraid to Rock the Money Boat

Wikimedia CommonsChicago City Hall's garden roof.​ The Chicago City Council passed a resolution today urging city departments not to sign any new contracts with Arizona companies because of SB1070. The resolution, which passed on a 46-2 vote, doesn't have any real teeth or affect current contr ... More >>

U.S. Postal Service Loses Cremated Body of 89-Year-Old Phoenix Woman

www.upnorthjersey.comWhen shipping human remains, it never hurts to go Priority.​A memorial service for 89-year-old Mabel Bink was held in Chicago on Saturday despite a few setbacks. For starters, it rained, which reportedly hurt attendance. The other setback: the U.S. Postal Service lost Bink's c ... More >>

Lollapalooza 2010: Everything That Rises Must Converge

Look! It's the Cribs (and that guy who used to be in the Smiths)!​Lollapalooza 2010 on Sunday was a little off from the other days from the start.  At the begininng of the day, it looks like the elements were going to ruin the day with a nasty storm running through downtown Chicago.  Th ... More >>

Sunday Best

Chi-town cat posts up at weekly club event

Why Bob Corritore Is Phoenix's Bluesman

Chi-town cat posts up at weekly club event

Chicago Afrobeat Project

Chi-town cat posts up at weekly club event

Ask a Mexican on AeroMexico and Shaving Heads

Chi-town cat posts up at weekly club event

T-Model Ford @ The Rhythm Room

Chi-town cat posts up at weekly club event

The Duce Defies Your Preconceived Notions of Downtown Phoenix

Chi-town cat posts up at weekly club event

Sweet Home Chicago

Chi-town cat posts up at weekly club event

Chicago Shoot Out: Luke's vs. Lobby's

​In order for a hot dog to be called a Chicago Style Hot Dog, the purveyor must adhere to a very specific, very detailed list of toppings and preparations. The first rule: No Ketchup. The second: all-beef kosher dogs, usually Vienna Beef ( first sold at the Chicago World Expo in 1863). The ho ... More >>

Food Trucks Go to the Dogs: From Gourmet to Gourmutt

​While the recent popularity of food trucks has many giddy with excitement, here's one that literally makes tails wag -- and it just might be the first food truck to cater to our four-legged friends. Got yer ears on, Phoenix food truck hopefuls? Here's the pooper-scoop:

Spinato's Opens Fifth Pizzeria in Ahwatukee

​They say living in Phoenix is like living in Chicago -- only a lot hotter. There certainly are enough Windy City transplants here. And Chicago-style pizza. Now the Valley gets one more taste of Chicago in the form of Spinato's fifth metro Phoenix location, which opened recently in Ahwatukee. ... More >>

Vote Your Favorite Local Restaurant Into Zagat's 2012 Guide

The "Burgundy Bible" of food.​Pissed off that New York, L.A. and Chicago restaurants always get the glory -- and half the entries in most national dining guides -- while Phoenix gets totally ignored (Pizzeria Bianco aside)? Then put your fingers where your mouth is.New York-based Zagat, the compan ... More >>

The Chicago Brizza from Scramble

​Last year we marked the hundred day countdown to Best of Phoenix by sharing our 100 Favorite Dishes with you. Now we're back - with the 2011 edition. Have a suggestion for a dish you'd like us to try? Leave it in the comments section or email laura.hahnefeld@newtimes.com. 62: The Chicago Br ... More >>

Peggy Neely, Who Vows to Strengthen Ethics at Phoenix City Hall if Elected Mayor, Exhibited Questionable Ethics to Help Financially Friendly Developer. UPDATED with Links

We reported yesterday on the questionable ethics demonstrated by Phoenix mayoral candidate Peggy Neely as she helped the Klutznicks, Chicago-based developers who were filling her campaign coffers with political donations.Check out the story, now updated with some links to excerpts from the original ... More >>

Portillo's Is Coming to Arizona (and I Am So Flippin' Happy)

Ah, the memories. My Portillo's at 100 West Ontario in Chicago.​Sheesh Portillo's, what took you so long? That's what a lot of Chicago transplants in the Valley may be saying to themselves upon hearing the news that the Chicago-area restaurant company is bringing its Chicago-style hot dogs, I ... More >>