Dancer Isaiah Day took the stage for his Chicago debut last week with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Established in 1958 by renowned dancer Alvin Ailey, the dance company has been a beacon for dancers of color for more than six decades. During a residency at Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre from April 17-21, the company showcased the skills of its dancers with a lineup of contemporary works and Ailey classics. Just hours before he took the stage on April 17, Day sat down with Vocalo host...

Chicago artist Goalden Chyld makes music with an impact, sending a message of positivity while stressing the importance of community. Less than a month following its release, his March 2024 album ‘War Cry’ found its way to number three on the Apple Music charts. Often seen wearing army attire, Goalden Chyld represents putting forth a united front and fighting for what is right in the community. Born to a single mother raising children without help, Golden Chyld’s struggles not only motivated...

Angry Blackmen blend authenticity and innovation in the realm of hip-hop. Brian Warren and Quentin Branch redefine the genre with their experimental sound on their latest project ‘The Legend of ABM.’ Angry Blackmen’s music explores the lens of two young Black men navigating the complexities of life in America. In conversation with Vocalo host Bekoe, they shared about the album, their upcoming performance at Pitchfork Music Festival and the social commentary that defines their music. This...

Just before the 2024 WNBA Draft on April 15, Vocalo host Bekoe spoke with sports expert Marquita Wiggins — AKA Quita Loves Sports — (from the Chicago Public Media audience team) to discuss their predictions. The 2023-2024 NCAA Division 1 women’s basketball season was record-breaking, with all eyes on standout players Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. As the Chicago Sky has the top three and seven picks for the WNBA draft, take a listen as Wiggins lays out her mock lineup. This...

Reggie "The Reel Critic" Ponder shares his insights on the apocalyptic film ‘Arcadian’ directed by Ben Brewer. The film follows Paul, portrayed by Nicolas Cage, and his twin sons, Thomas and Joseph, as they navigate a world where nighttime brings forth terror. Check out the Reel Critic’s review of both the film’s strengths and shortcomings. ‘Arcadian’ is in theaters now. "The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on...

Adam Rust is the co-owner of Andersonville oddities shop Woolly Mammoth. Located at 1513 W. Foster Ave. since 2010, Woolly Mammoth has showcased the macabre and mystifying rarities from Chicago and beyond. Owned and operated by couple Adam and Skye Rust, Woolly Mammoth has grown into a staggering collection of oddities attracting locals and tourists alike. Featuring everything from human hair and bones to funerary and medical tools to taxidermied raccoons, stepping into Woolly Mammoth is like...

2024 action thriller ‘Monkey Man’ is Dev Patel’s directorial debut. The film follows a young man named Kid — played by Patel — who embarks on a journey to exact revenge on a mob of corrupt leaders responsible for the death of his mother. On his quest to fulfill his vendetta, Kid becomes the savior to a faction of helpless people experiencing torment from the same mob leaders he was pursuing. Check out the Reel Critic’s thoughts on the film — which hits theaters April 5. Find more information,...

On March 8, International Women’s Day, Chicago singer and guitarist Vivian Garcia headlined a celebratory show at the Epiphany Center for the Arts featuring an all-female lineup. Ahead of the show, she sat down with Vocalo’s Nudia Hernandez and Rocío Santos to break down her international career journey, her experiences as a woman in music and more. This segment originally aired on Vocalo Radio 91.1 FM during Nudia In the Afternoons on March 7. It was edited and produced by Nudia Hernandez....

In 1968, Shirley Chisholm became the first Black woman elected to Congress in the United States. Four years later, she made history again as the first woman and African American to seek the presidential nomination from one of the two major political parties. Her life and legacy are honored on the screen for the first time in John Ridley’s 2024 biographical drama film: ‘Shirley.’ The film stars Regina King in the titular role and features Lance Reddick, Terrence Howard, Lucas Hedges, Christina...

Legendary DJ Mista Sinista of the X-Ecutioners DJ crew returns to Chicago after nearly 20 years to spin at Brown Sugar Tuesdays on April 2, a weekly old-school hip-hop DJ night at Renaissance Bronzeville. Mista Sinista, AKA Joel Wright, is known for his technical tricks during his mixes and has collaborated with artists including Common. He sat down with Vocalo’s Jesse De La Peña to discuss his work and what fans can expect from his Brown Sugar Tuesdays mix. This interview was edited and...

Lori Branch, Lady D and VITIGRRL are the Good Girls, a Chicago DJ trio that’s “not good for girls, just good.” With Branch’s mixes dating back to the ‘80s and Lady D’s back to the mid-‘90s, the DJs have long-standing roots in multiple generations of Chicago house music. The trio keeps the sound and spirit of house music alive, honoring the femme and LGBTQ pioneers who came before them. They celebrated their fourth anniversary this week, and will be performing at ARC Music Festival this...

‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’ is director Adam Wingard’s newest monster film, hitting American theaters March 29. Reggie Ponder shares his thoughts on this new installment of the Godzilla and King Kong cinematic universe. Following the events of ‘Godzilla x Kong’ (2021), humans and mighty titans coexist — mostly — harmoniously. But when an unidentified signal causes the creatures to experience hallucinations, the fragility of this relationship is pushed to the forefront, erupting in a...

Taste of Lebanon fits the description of many generationally-loved Chicago staples: Good prices, better food, small menu and nothing fancy. Manned by Ali Faraj, Taste of Lebanon is a no-frills, family-owned restaurant in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood, serving up shawarma and falafel to hungry neighbors for decades. Taste of Lebanon was opened by Faraj’s father in 1996, after trying his hand at numerous business ventures. Since then, the eatery has consistently served Lebanese street...

Alynda Segarra is the driving force behind the band Hurray For The Riff Raff. After a little more than a year of production, HFTRR released their newest album ‘The Past Is Still Alive’ in February 2024. The album serves as a kind of memory box for Segarra, paying homage to both loved ones they have lost and those who continue to support them. Segarra sat down with Vocalo audio and community storytelling producer Ari Mejia and host Nudia Hernandez ahead of their Chicago tour stop to discuss...

Ghanaian-American artist Amaarae brought her ‘Fountain Baby’ tour to Chicago’s House of Blues on Thursday, March 21. Vocalo mornings host Bekoe was in attendance, and said the performance felt like a movie; the packed crowd (and the bartenders) were dancing all night long, with a diverse array of fans from all over the city. She performed fan favorites from the album including “Co-Star” and “Angels In Tibet,” leaving the audience mesmerized. Amaarae’s Fountain Baby tour continues through...

Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder sat down with Christina Jackson to discuss her role in the film ‘Shirley’ and the film’s importance. Set in 1972, ‘Shirley’ takes viewers on the campaign trail with Shirley Chisholm as she made her monumental run for president. Jackson stars as Congresswoman Barbara Lee, and the cast stars co-producer Regina King as Shirley Chisholm. ‘Shirley’ is now streaming on Netflix. “The Reel Critic” is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and...

Multi-media performance collective Manual Cinema brings audiences into their world of puppetry, intricate soundscapes and immersive visuals. Founded in 2010 by Ben Kauffman, Julia Miller, Drew Dir, Sarah Fornace and Kyle Vegter, Manual Cinema’s works go beyond puppetry to become multimedia, multi-sensory works of art akin to live cinema. The Emmy-winning collective has worked on countless stunning projects since 2010, including a collaboration with the Chicago Poetry Foundation, and their...

Cubs PA announcer Jeremiah Paprocki is starting “Late Nights In Chicago,” a local, independently produced late night talk show taping its first episode on March 24 at the Studebaker Theater. Paprocki made history at 21 years old when he became the first African American announcer for Wrigley Field and the youngest in major league baseball. His new endeavor, with collaborator Caleb Brookman, is “Late Nights in Chicago,” which hopes to compete with other major talk shows while highlighting...

Helene Achanzar grew up throwing herself into any and every hobby — but she’s always been a writer. She found a natural voice for poetry at a young age; it was something she could engage with and practice without a formal environment. Now, Achanzar is the director of programs at the Chicago Poetry Center, where she manages poetry residencies, workshops and other educational programs for Chicago Public Schools. Bringing opportunities to students in Chicago Public Schools makes Achanzar look...

Sid Sriram transcends geographical boundaries and delves into his transnational identity on his debut English album ‘Sidharth.’ The Carnatic musician, playback singer, songwriter and producer sat down with Vocalo host Bekoe before his Chicago performance on March 4 at Lincoln Hall to talk about the South Indian cultural influence on his music and the album. ‘Sidharth’ is Sriram’s first all-English release, a moody blend of R&B and pop with strong elements of Carnatic music, the South...

Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder delves into the buzz surrounding the oldest entertainment awards ceremony as he sheds light on both the good and the bad. Despite being the “granddaddy” of award shows, the Oscars have faced substantial backlash for their historical lack of inclusivity of Asian, African American and Latinx actors, films and filmmakers. As Ponder lays out his predictions for the awards categories, he invites viewers to join him on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube @TheReelCritic...

Erin Rembert is a pole dancer and “tooth fairy” (or tooth gem artist) inspired by her firm roots in Chicago and tangible alchemy. Honoring her ancestors is a throughline in all of Rembert’s work, with an emphasis on personal and spiritual wellbeing. Whether she’s helping people fall in love with their gem-adorned smiles or performing burlesque and cabaret, Erin Rembert honors her ancestors and spreads love to those around her. This is what her Chicago sounds like. This segment of “This Is...

The highly-anticipated second chapter in Denis Villeneuve’s ‘Dune’ brings the action back to the big screen, hitting the box office on March 1 — and collecting $81.5 million opening weekend. Vocalo resident film critic Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder called the film “a heroic tale worthy of the big-screen experience,” pointing out that, while Chalamet commands the screen, the actors surrounding him (especially Zendaya and Rebecca Ferguson) truly make the film stand out. ‘Dune: Part Two’ is in...

Glamhag is a multimedia artist, performer, director, production designer and fabricator who channels playfulness into every facet of their work. Whether it’s performance art on a major stage (or in someone’s living room), shooting films and music videos, creating their own brand or releasing work through Glam Productions, Glamhag hopes to create space for themself and others to create DIY works and inspire future artists. This is what their Chicago sounds like. This segment of “This Is What...