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The iconic Ramova Theatre is set to reopen in Chicago with the help of Quincy Jones, Jennifer Hudson and Chance The Rapper. The three natives of the city are now part of an ownership group that has reclaimed the theater which first opened in 1929.Â
The Ramova was a popular movie theater in the Bridgeport neighborhood of South Side Chicago until it shut down in 1985, according to Blavity.
âI believe the cultural divides in our communities will always be bridged and uplifted by music and the arts,â the 90-year-old Jones said in a statement. âWith Ramova, I see a future where the rich cultural heritage of Chicago shines even brighter alongside the countryâs most talented artists, which will inspire future generations to come and bring glory to Americaâs Second City.âÂ
In her statement, Hudson referenced her late mother, Darnell Donnerson who was killed in the city in 2008. âMy mother always taught us to take care of home first, so to support the rehabilitation of this extraordinary theater with such a rich history in Chicago means more to me than one could imagine,â Hudson said. âI am honored and thrilled to help build this new home for artists and highlight this special community in new ways that will reach far beyond the neighborhoods we call home.â
The Ramova Theater features an iconic sign and spanish-inspired architecture, it became the jewel of the neighborhood â a place for people to gather and communities to come together, according to the official website.Â
It will now be reimagined as a 1500+ person live concert hall, independent craft brewery, beer garden and grill.
âWeâre doing a complete rehabilitation to this pillar in the community, bringing back its historic grill, creating a world-class entertainment space, adding a brewery where we hope people will meet their new best friends. Weâre working closely alongside locals who have kept this space standing to allow us this opportunity to do something special for Bridgeport and Chicago,â developer Tyler Nevius wrote.Â
The Ramova Theater, which is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, will also amplify educational programs and workshops, as well as community initiatives from local non-profits.
âChicago will always be part of who I am,â Chance The Rapper said in his statement. âI joined the team at Ramova to give back to the city thatâs given me so much and to provide a stage to showcase the incredible talent Chicago has to offer. This is our moment to revitalize Chicago neighborhoods through one of the most beautiful ways possible â the arts.â
The space is set to open in Fall 2023.Â
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Another high-stakes sneaker robbery took place, but this time it went down the old fashion way with thieves breaking into a sneaker consignment store and taking any and everything they could.
WGN9 is reporting that Chicago sneaker spot Flee Club was hit hard Wednesday (Oct. 25) when thieves rammed their SUV into the brick-and-mortar store around 4:30 a.m. and ransacked the place for its high-end sneakers and attire. After it was all said and done, thieves made off with more than $100,000 in merchandise, according to Flee Club co-owner Darris Kelly.
Per WGN9:
âJust devastation, my heart is broke,â Kelly said. âYou put so much time and money into your store, someone just comes in overnight and takes your dream away.â
Following The Flee Club incident, authorities were trying to determine if the building can support the apartments above due to the severity of the damage. On Wednesday afternoon, owners told WGN News the structure has been deemed safe.
At around 6:05 a.m., Chicago police responded to an attempted retail burglary at the Louis Vuitton store in the 900 block of North Michigan. A group of five to six were unsuccessful after trying to damage the front glass door.
Itâs not the only recent âcrash-and-grab.â
We lowkey wish we knew which exact sneakers were taken. Sneakerheads love to know that kind of information.
Whether the thieves plan to sell all the merchandise or actually keep it for their own collection is anyoneâs guess, but regardless, it was definitely a quick come-up for everyone involved as $100,000 worth of clothes and sneakers is quite the haul.
Donât be surprised if sneaker consignment stores up their security protocols and invest more in protecting their spots. Smash-and-grabs are on the rise across the U.S. these days. These spots might begin hiring armed security sooner or later the way things are going.
What do yâall think of the latest high-stakes sneaker jux? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Rudy Acosta III, a former Chicago drug boss and record label chief, helped the authorities take down several key figures in a massive drug case. Because of his federal cooperation, Rudy Acosta III, known on the streets as King Rudy is essentially a free man after being given a yearlong prison sentence that will see him go free after time served.
Rudy Acosta III and his case were profiled by the Chicago Sun-Times, highlighting that Acosta was once the focus of a DEA investigation for moving large amounts of cocaine through the Chicago area via a connection with a Mexican cartel.
Acosta appeared at the Everett M. Dirksen U.S. Courthouse this past Tuesday (September 19) with Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Erskine speaking on his behalf and noting that Acosta was âone of the most prolific and successful cooperators with our office.â
U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman handed down a sentence to Acosta of a year and one day, which would be wiped away due to time already served. The judge also told Acosta that he may be relocated to a halfway house.
Some might recall Acostaâs King Rudy nickname from his time in establishing The Legion recording label, which found its footing in the mid-2000s.
Acostaâs cooperation led to 36 people being slapped with drug and public corruption charges. One of the most notable names was the late Illinois Sen. Martin Sandoval, who died in December 2020 after pleading guilty to corruption.
Acosta entered into a plea agreement, admitting to the fact that he distributed drugs across the city of Chicago while stating that he worked alongside drug suppliers out of Mexico. Over seven years, Acosta provided investigators with inside information to take down the three dozen individuals in the case.
DEA Special Agent Tom Asselborn spoke on behalf of Rudy Acosta III, saying that the former drug lord is completely rehabilitated and that heâs turned his life around.
Read the full breakdown here.
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Itâs been a rough week for venue management firm ASM Global. On Thursday, OVG signed a contract to privately manage one of ASMâs largest clients, Chicagoâs McCormick Place, the largest convention center in North America, and then on Friday (July 28) OVG won the venue management and food service contract for Tulsaâs BOK Center and the 275,000-square-feet Cox Business Convention Center.Â
The BOK Center had been managed by ASM and formerly its predecessor SMG since the building opened in 2007 and was a crown jewel for the company, regularly landing a spot on Billboardâs Boxscore Chart for building capacities of 15,0001 seats or more. But during a special meeting Friday, the Tulsa Public Facilities Authority unanimously voted to begin exclusive negotiations with OVG360 and OVG Hospitality to manage venue operations, booking, partnerships and sponsorships, and food and beverage operations at the two venues.
âOVG will focus on creating momentum in three main areas: ensuring Tulsa is the top destination for major concerts in Oklahoma, continuing to grow the cityâs national and regional convention business, and assisting the city and its stakeholders in the development of a full-service convention center hotel,â company officials announced in a press release.
âThe BOK Center and Convention Center are key economic drivers in our community, and their success is critical to Tulsaâs future vitality,â Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum said. âAs a thriving world-class city with world-class entertainment venues, we must always be focused on continuous improvement â not self-satisfied with the success of today but focused on being even better tomorrow. I have complete confidence in OVG and their ability to build upon the success weâve enjoyed at the BOK Center and Convention Center over the last fifteen years.â
In Chicago, an unanimous vote from the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) Board Thursday awarded the contract for private management and food services on the McCormick Place campus to OVG360 and OVG Hospitality.Â
The contracts, scheduled to begin on Oct. 1, 2023 and run through September 2028, were unanimously awarded following an extensive public procurement process. The change will affect the McCormick Place Convention Center, the 10,00-seat Wintrust Arena, and Arie Crown Theater.Â
âWeâre incredibly proud that McCormick Place has entrusted OVG360 and OVG Hospitality as the new keepers of this world-renowned complex. While McCormick Place has set the industry standard for decades, we are honored to help shape its future,â said Chris Granger, president of OVG360. âWe see an incredible opportunity to elevate the guest experience, support the surrounding community, drive sustainability, and grow and inspire a diverse workforce. We look forward to bringing our depth of experience from around the globe to Chicago and to building upon McCormick Placeâs incredible track record.â
Chicago-based ghetto house pioneer DJ Deeon has died. An update posted to the artistâs Facebook page on Tuesday (July 18) by an administrator states that âI am sorry to announce the legendary Artist, Producer, DJ, Label owner, and my friend Deeon âDJ Deeonâ Boyd gained his wings today. The family thanks you for your support […]
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Summer Smash, the annual musical festival curated by the minds behind Lyrical Lemonade, will be rocking Chicagoland this weekend with headlining acts Kid Cudi, Future, and Playboi Carti. Culture Kings, one of the leading streetwear since 2008, partnered with Summer Smash for a festival-ready merch line that can be purchased online and onsite at the jam.
Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash 2023 goes down today (June 23) through Sunday with the aforementioned headliners and other rising stars such as Juicy J, Vince Staples, GloRilla, Trippie Redd, Rico Nasty, Lil B, and many more.
Culture Kings is the official brand sponsor of the 2023 Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smashâs second stage, which will host the likes of Ski Mask the Slump God among other notables. The fashion brand will also host a half-sized basketball court where fans can put up shots for chances to win NFS Hydrations bags along with other prizes.
âWeâre excited to work together with Culture Kings for the 2023 Summer Smash. Their desire to ensure attendees have the best possible time at the festival has blown us away and we canât wait for the masses to see what weâve been working on together,â shared Toni Sudimac, Head of Partnerships at Lyrical Lemonade in a statement.
âWeâre excited to team up with Summer Smash 2023 and bring the Culture Kings âretailtainmentâ narrative to life on stage, through this exclusive merch line, and our activation on the ground. As huge fans of the festival and Lyrical Lemonade, the synergies were clear between both brands, so we hope to continue recreating this experience for hip-hop fans in the future, added Jonathan Yuska, US Brand President of Culture Kings.
To learn more about Summer Smash 2023, click here.
To shop the new Culture Kings merch drop, click here.
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Photo: Culture Kings
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Jamie Foxx suffered a medical emergency last month with details still largely unknown by the wider public, but it appears that Foxx is on the mend. The celebrated actor and entertainer is currently in recovery and rehabbing in Chicago with his family in tow, according to a new report.
TMZ reports that Jamie Foxx, 55, has been housed inside the facility in Chicago late last month after suffering a medical emergency while filming on set in Atlanta. According to the outlet, the facility Foxx is receiving treatment is one of the best of its kind in the country.
Foxxâs family, most specifically his daughters and the mother of one of his children were in Chicago over the weekend and visited the facility. While the details of Foxxâs condition and what sent him into recovery have been kept mum, he is said to be inside a facility known for stroke recovery and spinal cord injury rehab among other focuses.
Previously, one of Foxxâs daughters said that her father was moving around and actually playing pickleball with his family and friends amid reports that his condition had taken a turn for the worse. The latest news comes after that announcement made by Corrine Foxx.
Salute to Jamie Foxx and strength to him as he continues his recovery.
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Itâs officially been 10 years since Chance the Rapper burst on the scene with his record-breaking, Billboard-charting mixtape Acid Rap. Over the next few months, Chance will honor the project through a series of canât-miss live events, pop-ups, merch drops, and special music releases.Â
Chance will also headline an Acid Rap Ten Year Anniversary Show on August 19, produced by Live Nation Chicagoâs United Center. Rapper and record producer Saba will be the show opener.Â
Tickets and VIP packages will be available starting with an Artist presale beginning today, Wednesday, April 26. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general onsale beginning Friday, April 28 at 10am local time at livenation.com.
Tickets for the show are selling fast.Â
In the first event to mark the occasion, Chance is returning his single, âJuiceâ to its original glory and format, available worldwide for the first time ever across streaming services this Sunday, April 30.
The Chicago native is also releasing new merch to celebrate the occasion available on his website starting this weekend.Â
When it dropped on April 30, 2013, Acid Rap was heralded as âBest New Musicâ by Pitchfork and Rolling Stone called it one of the âBest Mixtapes of 2013.â Across fourteen dynamic tracks, Chanceâs lyrical prowess shines bright as he spits heavyweight bars over psychedelic, soulful, juke-filled beats, encapsulating the sound and feel of Chicago. Top Chicago-based and national artists including Vic Mensa, Childish Gambino, Twista, Action Bronson, BJ The Chicago Kid, Ab-Soul, and Noname lend their talents to the project. In 2019, Acid Rap hit DSPs and catapulted to #5 on the Billboard Hot 200, cementing Chance the Rapperâs role as a voice of a generation.
The anniversary is just part of an exciting year for Chance as he prepares to release his next body of work, Star Line Gallery. The project sees Chance intertwine the worlds of art, music, and cinematography through a series of interdisciplinary works in collaboration with fine artists from The Continent and The Diaspora. The resulting pieces redefine the notion of âalbum artâ and are compelling conversations and meditations on Black life.
Star Line Gallery works âChild of Godâ (collaboration with Gabonese artist and painter NaĂŻla Opiangah), âA Bar About A Barâ (collaboration with Chicago-based painter Nikko Washington and filmmaker Troy Gueno), âThe Highs & The Lowsâ feat. Joey Bada$$ (collaboration with Gabonese photographer Yannis Davy Guibinga), and âYAH Knowâ (collaboration with Chicago-based visual artist MĂa Lee) have been showcased at art institutions around the world including Expo Chicago, Art Basel, Chicagoâs Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), The Art Institute of Chicago, and Los Angelesâ Museum Of Contemporary Art (MOCA).
Fans are also loving him on Season 23 of NBCâs The Voice, where he is the first rapper to serve as a coach.
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Late-night host Bill Maher is under fire for his âboneheaded and wrongâ recent comments on gun violence and race in Chicago in a segment on his show.
The Real Time with Bill Maher panel segment this past Friday (April 21st) featured Maher and University of Washington professor Daniel Bessner in a discussion on race, crime, and poverty. During that discussion, Maher asked Brown University professor & economist Glenn Loury about Chicago: âLike Chicago, most of the shootings are young Black men killing other young Black men. Is that not correct?â When Loury answered in the affirmative, Maher responded: âOK, much more than what the cops do. Why doesnât anybody talk about that? Why arenât there a hundred giant Black celebrities, who would have the respect of those people, saying, âWhat are you doing to yourselves? Why are you killing each other?ââ
Bessner responded that other factors ââ more linked to social conditions, socioeconomic conditions, the disbelief that there is anywhere to go in terms of improving your lot in society,’â had to be considered, to which Maher dismissively replied, âYou sound like the Mayor-Elect,â referring to Brandon Johnson, the recently elected mayor of Chicago and Chicago Teachers Union activist considered more progressive than the previous mayor, Lori Lightfoot. Maher and Loury would then say more âmoral leadershipâ would help the situation. Bessner disagreed, saying the change would require that Johnson âattack it at the level of socioeconomics, not culture.â Right-wing outlets including Fox News amplified Maherâs Chicago comments â ironic as his opening monologue on the show skewered the network over its $787 million defamation settlement with Dominion Voting Systems.
Maherâs comments were criticized heavily by Ben Burgis of The Daily Beast, who pointed out how Maherâs rise as someone who was antiwar in the 2000s has given way to him devolving into more conservative positions. âBut that doesnât mean heâs ever been a leftist in any deeper sense. If you want to hear old jokes about Sarah Palin reheated and served up as jokes about Marjorie Taylor Greene, watch Bill Maher. If you want to hear well-thought-out analysis of whatâs wrong with our society, then â at least on nights when Daniel Bessner isnât on Billâs panel â youâre better off changing the channel,â he concluded.
Maher has been no stranger to making racist comments, which include his statement that using the N-word âisnât racist.â
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The long-running Lollapalooza music festival announced this yearâs lineup with Kendrick Lamar as a top headliner along with Billie Eilish.
The organizers for Lollapalooza announced the lineup for their 2023 festival on Tuesday (March 21st), which will be held in the historic Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois. The Grammy Award-winning artist behind the recent album Mr. Morale and The Big Steppers was named as a featured headliner. Other artists who will be headline performers are Billie Eilish (in which it is rumored this could be her only U.S. concert performance this summer), Red Hot Chili Peppers, Odesza, Lana Del Rey, Karol G, The 1975, and Tomorrow X Together. Itâs another major festival for Lamar, whoâs slated to be a headliner at this yearâs Outside Lands Festival as well.
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Lollapalooza 2023 will have over 170 artists and bands across its nine stages. They include Pusha T, Fred again, Lil Yachty, Noah Kahan, A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, J.I.D., Maggie Rogers, Carly Rae Jepsen, Diplo, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Tems, the Rose, Rina Sawayama, Lil Yachty, Rema, Morgan Wade, Lainey Wilson, LâImpĂ©ratrice, Ivan Cornejo, Sudan Archives among others.
The three-day festival will take place from August 3rd to August 6th. A pre-sale of festival tickets coordinated through SMS for fans will begin on Thursday (March 23rd) at 10 A.M. CST for those who sign up at the festivalâs website. Theyâll have access to the Tier 1 4-day passes priced at $365Â along with general admission passes, VIP and Platinum passes. The public will get a chance to purchase the remaining tickets at a later date, along with one-day passes.
Lollapalooza 2023 will also see the continuation of its community initiatives, primarily through the Lollapalooza Arts Education Fund, which gives $2.2 million to bolster arts programs in the Chicago Public Schools system. âBradyâ, an afternoon host and musical director with local radio station 103.5 Kiss FM, spoke about the glowing reaction the lineup has gotten. âMy phone has not stopped. And letâs be honest, music fans can be a little cynical and opinionated. But the reaction Iâve seen all day has been nothing but positivity,â he said.
Sign-up for the presale and other information can be found on Lollapaloozaâs website.