Chicago: One Big Village

Nourishing Our Culture [READER]( What will it take to make sure our city comes back from this pandemic? Not just the same, but better? No one person, including any of our elected officials, has the answer. But I am confident the answers are here among our city’s creatives, activists, and leaders. We have the solutions, but sometimes it is frustrating how disconnected from reality—and the people—those in charge of the resources can be. often get to meet and tell the stories of people who contribute to our city. From musicians and performers, to social justice advocates and entrepreneurs, we have got some major talent and skills in Chicago, and we love covering those people, nonprofits, and businesses who make this city sparkle. Every issue of the Reader covers just some of those talented folks and groups, including the current issue, available [here]( as a downloadable PDF. Sometimes I wish our leaders paid more attention to those doing this work. One of my biggest frustrations is that the higher up that people go in leadership, whether that is politicians, heads of foundations, corporate boards, or CEOs, they seem to more often than not lose their original passion and heart. There are people and groups in every neighborhood that know how to solve the problems they face, create a culture they want, run the businesses they need, and build media that represent them. But sometimes the ones doing that work are not connected enough to—or are intentionally cut off from—the very resources they need to do this work. We need a major shift in how this city does business. From an “us vs. them” model of policing, bridge raising, and hoarding all the money, to a “gather ’round the campfire” model of shared resources and leadership. We will all do better when that happens. Co-Publisher Wear a mask please! For more details on the Reader, see [www.chicagoreader.com]( and for ways to support, see [www.chicagoreader.com/support](. [Farmers, drive-ins, and shrines]( Upcoming events and recommendations from our listings coordinator By [Salem Collo-Julin]( [@hollo]( [Blown away]( What was lost—and gained—in 2020’s historic Rogers Park tornado. By [Kirk Williamson]( [THE LISTENER:]( barely documented 1989 Chicago rap record gets a surprise reissue]( Original copies of Me & E’s Rap have sold for hundreds of dollars, but Canadian archival label Mixed Signals is about to burst that bubble. By [Leor Galil]( [@imLeor]( [A multigenerational trio reaffirms the wide-open aesthetic of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians]( By [Bill Meyer]( [Bil Vermette continues his galaxy quest on Hunting for Planet 9]( By [Salem Collo-Julin]( [@hollo]( [AyoChillMannn and Valee spotlight each other’s strengths on The Trappiest Elevator Music Ever!]( By [Leor Galil]( [@imLeor]( [Issue of April 15 - 28, 2021 Vol. 50, No. 15]( [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, All rights reserved. You are receiving this e-mail as an opted-in subscriber via our website, Facebook, or event to one or more of our newsletters, memberships, or e-mail lists. Our mailing address is: Chicago Reader 2930 S. Michigan Ave. Suite 102Chicago, IL 60616 [Add us to your address book](