OTL: Episode #449- A conversation with the future of Chicago

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (broadcasting on the “future of Chicago” radio station WGN-AM 720) Mike Stephen visits Chicago Vocational Career Academy in South Chicago and talks to three high school students about their views on life in Chicago and the city’s future.   Pierre Walton, Monique Covington, Shakayla Walker– Students at Chicago Vocational Career Academy This week we take the show on the road and visit Dave Stieber’s history classroom so we can talk about the future of Chicago with…the future of Chicago!   (L to R) Dave Stieber, Pierre Walton, Mike Stephen, Shakayla Walker, Monique Covington at the Chicago Vocational Career Academy.     OTL #449 local music provided by Deeper…

OTL: Episode #448- Hit Like a Girl drum contest, Chicago is taco heaven, The Secret History of Chicago Music: The Hounds

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (broadcasting on the “taco heaven” radio station WGN-AM 720) Mike Stephen gets the story of one awesome local female drummer, discusses how Chicago is the best taco city in America, and learns about a 70s band from the south side: The Hounds.   Kaylee Preston– Local drummer and finalist in the Hit Like a Girl Contest We visit Kaylee in her practice space to get the story of how she was a finalist in a unique international drum contest.   Kaylee Preston on the drums.  Photo by Alen Kahn.   Jason Mathews– Writer, Playboy.com Recently Jason penned the article, The Windy City’s Top Taco Joints.  We catch up with Jason at a local taqueria to get his take on tacos in Chicago.    Jason Mathews after a taco dinner.   The Secret History of Chicago Music– Local music historian and artist Plastic Crimewave (aka: Steve Krakow) profiles Chicago rockers, The Hounds, in this week’s Chicago Reader.  He gives us the lowdown on their musical contribution to the region.       OTL #448 local music provided by Rabble Rabble…

OTL: Episode #447- YMTE Podcast, Chicago Wildlife Watch, Inside the Koval Distillery

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (broadcasting on the “wildlife watch” radio station WGN-AM 720) Mike Stephen previews a YMTE podcast recording event, learns about cataloging Chicago’s wild animals, and visits the Koval Distillery in Ravenswood to learn about local craft distilling.   Brandon Wetherbee– Host of the You, Me, Them, Everybody podcast We preview the YMTE podcast recording at Saki in Logan Square coming up on May 21st and learn about the Brightest Young Things Chicago site that’s starting up soon.     Dr. Seth Magle– Urban Wildlife Institute director, Lincoln Park Zoo Dr. Laura Whyte– Citizen Science director, Adler Planetarium The Chicago Wildlife Watch aims to find out what wild animals live in and around Chicago by utilizing a network of cameras.  We get the lowdown and this ambitious and very cool project from two of the scientists involved.       Robert Birnecker and Sonat Birnecker– Founders and owners of Koval Distillery We go inside this organic distillery in Ravenswood to learn about its history and how it revitalized craft distilling in Chicago.    Sonat and Robert inside the Koval Distillery   OTL #447 local music provided by Blind Moon…

OTL: Episode #446- Using your DNA as art, The story of local rocker Marty Grebb, Previewing Chicago Zine Fest

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (broadcasting on the “DNArt” radio station WGN-AM 720) Mike Stephen learns about a local artist using found DNA in her projects, gets the story of Buckinghams member Marty Grebb, and previews the Chicago Zine Fest happening next weekend.   Heather Dewey-Hagborg– Assistant professor of art and technology studies at The School of the Art Institute DNA says a lot about who we are and Heather’s Stranger Visions project uses random DNA to make art.  We get the story.   An example of a Stranger Visions DNA portrait   The Secret History of Chicago Music– Local music historian and artist Plastic Crimewave (aka: Steve Krakow) profiles Chicago rocker, Marty Grebb, in this week’s Chicago Reader.  He gives us the lowdown on his musical contribution to the region.       John Wawrzaszek– Co-organizer of Chicago Zine Fest Zines are a form of independent publishing and are popular in Chicagoland.  We get a preview of the Chicago Zine Fest, a two-day event on May 8th and 9th that celebrates the art of zine-making.       OTL #446 local music provided by Redfield…