Sarah Jessica Parker Wine and The Fat Babe Pool Party

[READER]( As a treat for myself on Valentine’s Day, I bought a bottle of Sarah Jessica Parker’s wine. It’s not something that would have even remotely crossed my mind if not for the recent news that one of my favorite writers, Chicago’s own [Samantha Irby]( will be [writing on the HBO Max reboot of Sex and the City](. The wine was at best inoffensive, an adjective that I would never use to describe the now iconic television series. Also unlike wine, the show did not get better with age—when I heard they were trying to revive it, I laughed in disgust, vowing to never lay eyes on a single episode. That is until I heard THE Sam Irby would be in the room. Reflecting on her recent writing for both the page and the screen I couldn’t help but wonder: could she bring intersectionality in race, gender, sexuality, and size to Carrie and the gang? Or will Broadway and 7th be the only intersection getting any attention? (Sorry sorry sorry.) If Irby’s work on the TV adaptation of [Shrill]( is any indication, then we’re in for a treat. The episode she wrote of the Hulu series is one of the most iconic: the fat babe pool party. A crowd of bodies of size are celebrated in their swimwear and other revealing outfits, outdated body and fashion norms be damned. It’s an episode that always makes me emotional because it’s unfortunately such a rare sight on screen—and I felt similarly emotional when looking through the work of local photographer Ez Powers, featured this week in a Reader [story by Tim Frisbie](. Powers’s [“I Woke Up Like This]( utilizes boudoir photography to do more than sexualize bodies. They use their work to highlight marginalized bodies not represented in the media, and while looking through the images I couldn’t help but get misty eyed seeing all these beautiful people photographed with such care while really feeling themselves. Sometimes tenderly, sometimes overtly sexually, but all on their own terms through their own gaze. We need more folks like Ez Powers and Samantha Irby in the world, folks who are changing the narrative of what “sexy” can be, whether it be through redefining a genre of photography or completely upending a pop culture institution to be more inclusive. I for one will be looking for a much better wine to sip on while I watch what these two, and the many others doing work like them, do next. Culture Editor curated by Brianna - [Celebrity Book Club]( - [Keeping Records]( - [Spotted: A Gossip Girl Podcast]( - [Tropes and Dreams]( - [TV, I Say w/ Ashley Ray]( [Making social distancing sexy]( Boudoir photographers get creative during COVID. By [Tim Frisbie]( [@timfrisbie]( [Parvesh Cheena invites you into his home]( From a call center in India to the socially distant confines of video chat, he's starred in television shows that have defined an era. By [Vignesh Ramachandran]( [@VigneshR]( [Chicago museums and galleries prepare to optimistically reopen]( The leaders of the city’s cultural institutions remain encouraged after facing the most recent round of closings in November. By [Arionne Nettles]( [@ArionneNettles]( [Old Ways New Tools explores performance "beyond the rectangle"]( SAIC's grad students control (and explode) the frame in an online performance festival. By [Irene Hsiao]( [@IreneCHsiao]( [Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell takes charge at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago]( She's the first company alum to head the 43-year-old ensemble. By [Irene Hsiao]( [@IreneCHsiao]( [Issue of Feb 4-17, 2021 Vol. 50, No. 10]( [Download Issue]( (PDF) 1971 Chicagoans have relied on the Reader for trusted alternative coverage of our city. The Chicago Reader is now a 501c3 nonprofit organization which means our survival is in your hands. In order to continue to be your trusted alternative voice of Chicago, we need your help. If you can donate just $5 today, we can show the world that community funded, independent journalism is the future. [DONATE TODAY!]( [View this e-mail as a web page]( [@chicago_reader]( [/chicagoreader]( [@chicago_reader]( [Chicago Reader on LinkedIn]( [/chicagoreader]( [chicagoreader.com]( [Forward this e-mail to a friend](. Want to change how you receive these e-mails? You can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe from this list](. Copyright © 2021 Chicago Reader Store, All rights reserved. You were subscribed to the newsletter from Chicago Reader Store Our mailing address is: Chicago Reader Store 2930 S. Michigan Ave.Chicago, IL 60616 [Add us to your address book](