Visual artist Rebecca Schoenecker may insist that her “Rollervision” performance “started out as a joke,” but the end result is incredibly thought-provoking. Shoenecker, a former competitive roller skater, initially came up with the concept after a visit to Bridgeport’s spacious Archer Gallery.

Archer’s wood floors are oddly reminiscent of a roller rink floor, which sparked Schoenecker to lightheartedly tell her friend, Patrick Holbrook, that she wanted to skate in the space. He convinced her to go with it. “It’s kind of a subversion of the roller skating that she did when she was a kid,” Holbrook says. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s not every day that you walk into the Empty Bottle and see condoms by the bowlful strewn across the bar. “No need to get all crazy and put your hand in the bowl, just take one,” Pretty, one of the founders of LustandBust.com, shouts to everyone from the venue’s stage. For the Web site’s launch event, Pretty and co-founder Cheeky have successfully transformed the Empty Bottle into a den of debauchery during “The Birds and The Bees X-Rated Spelling Bee.” Read the rest of this entry »

One Illinois town is celebrating its history in a unique way. Elizabeth, Illinois, a town of about 680 people, is sponsoring its second “Gathering of Elizabeths” on June 27. Last year 436 Elizabeths from eight states attended, but Rudy Pascoe, the event’s co-chair, says this year he expects 500-plus friends and family. Anyone whose first or middle name is Elizabeth can register online at mostelizabeths.com. The event itself lasts one day but people are encouraged to stay for the weekend and explore the area. The day will consist of an “Elizabeth” group picture, games and crafts and an opportunity to socialize. Local businesses will also host special sales. During the event the youngest and most senior Elizabeths and the Elizabeth that traveled the furthest will be honored. “People can greet each other, sit around and find out about the community and the area around us,” Pascoe says. “Hopefully they can just make a lazy, enjoyable day out of shopping at local retailers and businesses.” (Beth Wang)

This Week’s Biggest Gainers

1 Barack Obama
Officially nominated Sonia Sotomayor as Supreme Court Justice, who, if approved, will be the first Hispanic member of the high court. Read the rest of this entry »

By Rob Brezsny

ARIES (March 21-April 19): While reading a crime report in the online version of Northern California’s Arcata Eye newspaper, I came across this entry: “A dreadlocked man attacked a lamp post on the Plaza with his mighty fists, punching it while yelling and, in the memorable description of a witness, ‘fighting amongst himself.’” I immediately thought of you, Aries. According to my analysis of the omens, you’ve been fighting amongst yourself with—how shall I say this?—crafty ferocity. I’d be ecstatic if I could convince you to call a truce, begin peace talks and maybe even begin practicing some crafty tenderness toward yourself. Read the rest of this entry »

Newcity celebrates our fifteenth annual Summer Guide—nobody brings the heat like we do—with the launch of Newcity Summer. And before you yawn—not another formulaic servicey thing!—consider a few outtakes from this year’s edition and we’re confident you’ll agree this most precious season’s in good hands:

My late uncle, William Kisslauskiss, used to talk about de Beauvoir whenever Algren’s name was mentioned. “She used to sunbathe nude in the yard of the cottage. I remember the mailman telling me about it, he was shocked,” Kisslauskiss said with a slight chuckle. “We might have nice beaches but it isn’t the French Riviera.” —From “This Particular Patch: Nelson Algren’s Indiana getaway”

The bait menu is extensive. The markup on roaches—baby, medium and large—shocks me, particularly as I get them for free in my apartment. By the front door are dozens of photographs of happy people holding dead fish on hooks, by the gills, or in their arms.  The message of these haunting photos is clear: Fishing is death’s own dark pastime. —From “Of Fish and Feathers: Watching the watchers at Wooded Island”

We think you know what to do from here.

RECOMMENDED

Honestly, do you really need to hear once more that the music industry is, uh, changing? That much you already know. What you might not know is exactly how artists developed new ways to funnel their music to the public, how fans themselves became mouth-to-mouth (or file to file) distributors and live music has become even more essential in the marketplace. In essence, how boomboxes and CD players gave way to laptops and the Internet. Chicago Tribune music critic and co-host of “Sound Opinions” Greg Kot chronicles this progression in his new book, “Ripped: How the Wired Generation Revolutionized Music,” which hits shelves this week. To achieve a greater understanding of where exactly the music business is at the present-plus, with all probability, where it’s headed-Kot’s analysis can work as a textbook. Now if I could just figure out how to open this .rar file…(Tom Lynch)

Greg Kot discusses “Ripped” May 27 at 57th Street Books, 1301 East 57th, (773)684-1300, at 6pm. Free.

By Rob Brezsny

ARIES (March 21-April 19): The fleas infesting dogs’ skin have greater leaping power than the fleas on cats. Why do you think that is, Aries? Maybe you should use your waxing brainpower to get to the bottom of this great mystery. Just kidding! While it is true that in the coming weeks you will have unusual skill in deciphering enigmas and clarifying ambiguities, I think you should direct that skill to really important matters that will improve your life for months to come—not to trivial questions like fleas’ jumping abilities. Read the rest of this entry »

Kentucky Derby Day, and a pair of southern belles in floppy derby hats stagger tipsily on high heels from the Metra station at Ashland and Cortland. Just west, forty bicyclists, nattily attired in vintage woolen formal wear and mounted on English steeds, combine alternative transportation, fashion and alcohol in a far more dignified manner.

It’s Winston’s Tweed Ride, a tour of former speakeasies that celebrates booze, bicycles and Brits, hosted by the group British Bicycles of Chicago. The jaunt was inspired by January’s Tweed Run in London, where dozens of fixed-gear and single-speed enthusiasts donned dashing duds for a leisurely pedal from Saville Row, famous for its traditional “bespoke” custom clothing.

“This is a civilized ride hearkening back to the wonderful times of 1930s bike-touring,” says Chicago organizer Garth Katner, splendidly dressed in britches, sports jacket, bowtie and fedora. Read the rest of this entry »

RECOMMENDED

We knew he was good, but did we know he was this good? The Bosnian-born, Chicago-based author of “The Question of Bruno,” “Nowhere Man” and last year’s National Book Award-finalist “The Lazarus Project”—a staggering work, indeed—returns, rather quickly, with “Love and Obstacles,” a book of short stories that sees its release this week. A collection of eight tales with a linking narrator-yes, a man who immigrated from Yugoslavia to the United States-the book moves chronologically as Hemon’s unique use of prose paints a picture of man who’s path to adulthood cuts through stirring and unsettling world politics. Some of these stories have already appeared in The New Yorker; some see publication for the first time in this assembly. The speedy arrival of “Love and Obstacles” after the praise heaped upon “Lazarus” indicates Hemon’s willingness to become the face of the current Chicago literary scene, and right now, I don’t think we could ask for a better representative. (Tom Lynch)

Aleksandar Hemon discusses “Love and Obstacles” May 17 at Book Cellar, 4736-38 N. Lincoln, (773)293-2665, at 3pm. Free.