Welcome to a brand-new Daily Reader!

We've got a fresh new look. [View this email in your browser]( | [chicagoreader.com]( by Maja Stachnik Welcome to the Daily Reader, which looks a little different than what you might be used to! I’m Maja—I’ve been putting together this newsletter behind the scenes for almost a year, and I’ll continue to be in your inboxes every morning to bring you the unique coverage you’ve come to expect from the Reader. Because it’s our 53rd anniversary today, we wanted to take the opportunity to celebrate by shaking things up a little. We’ll still have Ben Joravsky here on Tuesdays, plus the occasional guest appearance from other staff members. Reach out anytime by replying to this email—I’d love to know what you want to see more of in the newsletter. Thanks for spending some of your morning with us! Von Harris, aka Fat Jesus [Credit: Sandy Noto for Chicago Reader] [What would Fat Jesus do?]( Von Harris was given his nickname in a parking garage after arising from the smoke of a hotboxed car like a vision—and it stuck. “Fat Plate Fridays” came out of the pandemic, featuring the smoked wing recipe he’d become known for at Classick Studios. The attention his food got, as well as his contacts from promoting shows and managing artists, led to other gigs inclduing a Modern Notoriety–Adidas–Derrick Rose photo shoot. He’s been at Emporium Fulton Market all summer as a pitmaster: [his last stand turned into a stint at Femdot.’s after-party last Sunday](. Harris sold out of 450 wings, trays of mac and cheese, baked beans, and his grandmother’s greens and cornbread—but he’ll be bringing Fat Plate Fridays to Monday Night Foodball on October 21. Stay tuned. [READ MORE](  MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE - Jamie Ludwig is back with September’s [Chicago Record Report]( featuring new releases from Adia, Levity, Laura Jane Grace, Lightleak, and more. Brothers Dave and Harry Trumfio only released one full-length album back in 1997, but Rolling Stone ranked the duo (if you don’t count Theodore 9000) among its [40 greatest one-album wonders](. They’re gearing up for a national tour in 2025 with a reissue of their self-titled album. Don’t miss the other twenty-eight(!!) local releases out this month.  FILM & TV - As writer Mariah Eakin puts it, most animated kids’ movies are “absolute garbage”, but [The Wild Robot]( is an exception to the rule. Starring Lupita Nyong’o and Pedro Pascal, along with Kit Connor, the adaptation of the children’s book of the same name is elegantly simple and drawn delightfully. - Daniella Mazzio writes that [A Different Man]( is an interesting, entertaining film that brings complexity to its character study—if not to complicate regressive attitudes about disability, then to challenge our feelings about the empty pursuit of performing change without looking inward. It’s playing now in limited theaters in Chicago, to be followed by wide release.  ARTS & CULTURE - Check out the event that markets itself as [“a poetry show that’s not a total bummer”]( Giggle Hour is the first Tuesday of every month (tonight!) at the Lincoln Lodge. Co-organizer Kost believes that humor makes Giggle Hour’s audience more receptive to serious issues underlying some of the performers’ work: “The comedy lens makes the vulnerability digestible in a way that you are laughing really hard, and then you walk away, and you’re like, ‘Jesus.’”  PODCASTS Speaking of [Femdot.]( the rapper is also the most recent guest on [The Sit Down hosted by Shawnee Dez]( He shares his journey starting as a poet in the spoken word scene, discussing how his experiences in poetry helped him develop confidence and storytelling skills for his rap lyrics. The conversation explores the role of artists in society, particularly their responsibility to use their platform to engage with social issues.  BEHIND THE SCENES I’ll be celebrating the Reader’s birthday this Thursday at the UnGala! [Grab your ticket now if you haven’t already]( we’ll have an open bar, access to exhibits after-hours, and DJ Terry Hunter of The Chosen Few DJs. I’m not huge on celebrating my own birthday, but I’d never say “no” to special dinner plans. Let me know how you like to spend yours! 🎂 📰 LATEST ISSUE: FALL THEATER & ARTS 📰 [READ ONLINE]( | [COVER]( | [DOWNLOAD PDF]( [Facebook icon]( [Instagram icon]( [X icon]( [LinkedIn icon]( [Threads icon]( [YouTube icon]( [logo] You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from the Chicago Reader. Want fewer emails from us? [Click here to choose what you want us to send you](. Or, [unsubscribe from all Reader emails](. We’ll miss you! [Sign up for emails from the Chicago Reader]( | [Forward this e-mail to a friend]( © 2024 Chicago Reader. All rights reserved. Chicago Reader, 2930 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 102, Chicago, IL 60616