Gwen Ihnat

My hand to God, if/when we all get through this, I will die happy and never fret about stupid tedious everyday bullshit ever again. Anyone else feel that way? Thinking fondly of days when you could worry about a stain at the dry cleaner or passing your vehicle emissions test?

Ian McKellen Enchants Chicago Students With Tales Of X-Men And Shakespeare The acclaimed stage and screen actor, well known to movie audiences as Magneto from "X-Men" and Gandalf from "Lord of the Rings," regaled the crowd during a benefit performance at the Chicago Shakespe...

I was fortunate enough to get to see Sir Ian McKellen last night for an evening I will never forget. For @blockclubchi.bsky.social:

blockclubchicago.org/2026/01/30/i...

Chicago Under Siege: How Operation Midway Blitz Changed Our City Federal agents arrested thousands during an unprecedented immigration mission in Chicago. They also killed a man, shot a woman five times, tear-gassed a 1-year-old, separated families and brutalized p...

For the definitive account of the federal government's invasion of Chicago this year, you have got to read
@blockclubchi.bsky.social 's year-end project that went up today. The accounts, the photos, the reporting — I am so proud of this team, I have no words.

blockclubchicago.org/2025/12/30/c...

Man Who Thought Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Chain’ Was Over In For Thrill Of His Fucking Life BOSTON—Prematurely assuming he had reached the end of the 1977 rock masterpiece, local man Peter Verran, who thought Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain” was over, was reportedly in for the thrill of his fucki...

Man Who Thought Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Chain’ Was Over In For Thrill Of His Fucking Life

What Would Happen If Chicago Got Nuked? A Nuclear Expert Talks About 'A House Of Dynamite' The surprisingly prescient Kathryn Bigelow movie that just dropped on Netflix explores what happens when a presumably nuclear missile is headed toward the United States.

My favorite story on the @blockclubchi.bsky.social site this morning:

A fascinating deep dive by @clintworthing.bsky.social into the fact vs fiction details of Netflix's current No. 1 movie:

blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/30/w...

Judge Partially Blocks Trump's National Guard Mobilization To Chicago In explaining her decision, U.S. District Judge April Perry expressed doubt over Homeland Security's "credibility and assessment" of conditions in the Chicago area.

blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/09/j...

Celebs Turn Out For Goodman Theatre's 'Ashland Avenue' Premiere Starring Jenna Fischer The play stars Fischer of "The Office" and was written by her husband, Lee Kirk. It runs through Oct. 12.

Aiming to become the next Michael Sneed. Related: I had a really fun time at the Goodman last night-

blockclubchicago.org/2025/09/16/c...

'Ironheart' Drops Tuesday On Disney+, Starring Chicago's Marvel Superhero The series was filmed in the city and created with input from Chicago writer and academic Eve L. Ewing, who helped reinvent the Ironheart character.

Excited for this latest MCU entry that's actually based in Chicago! ‪‪@zacharylee.bsky.social‬ talked to "Ironheart"'s creators and star for @blockclubchi.bsky.social ahead of the series debut Tuesday:

blockclubchicago.org/2025/06/23/i...

ICE Mass Arrests Spark Chaos In South Loop As Activists Fight To Disrupt Operation At least 10 people were arrested at check-ins under an ICE monitoring program for immigrants, while an alderman said he was thrown to the ground by agents while protesting the arrests.

blockclubchicago.org/2025/06/04/i...

Da Pope: Chicago Loses Its Mind Over Homegrown Pontiff Within minutes of the announcement, Chicagoans had Photoshopped the new pope holding an Italian beef sandwich and made at least 50 Malört jokes.

A Chicago pope! Visit @blockclubchi.bsky.social for the latest in crucial updates on the new local-born pontiff:

blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/08/d...

Heart Of Lincoln Square Expected To Reopen To Cars Next Week ComEd crews completed emergency repairs Wednesday, and previously scheduled construction should be done by late next week — but a Leland Avenue closure is coming, according to Ald. Matt Martin's offic...

Looks like all those online debates (cars vs. no cars) in the neighborhood are about to wrap up. Vital Lincoln Square news courtesy of @avhndz.bsky.social and @blockclubchi.bsky.social :
blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/01/h...

Riot Fest 2025 Lineup Is Out With Headliners Weezer, Green Day And Blink-182 The 2025 fest, which will mark the 20th anniversary of the alternative music festival, will again take place in Douglass Park on Sept. 19-21.

Damn Riot Fest dragging me back in with Weird Al and the Didjits. Also extremely curious about the Hanson and Beach Boys sets.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/04/23/r...

Massive Crowds March Downtown Against Trump, Musk At 'Hands Off' Protest An estimated 30,000 people joined the Chicago edition of the "Hands Off" day of action, which saw communities across the country protest President Donald Trump and Elon Musk's cuts to government and s...

Amazing photos and reporting on yesterday's march by @blockclubchi.bsky.social

blockclubchicago.org/2025/04/05/m...

Sound Opinions Hits 1,000 Episodes As 'World's Only Rock 'N' Roll Talk Show' The nationally syndicated, long-running program is helmed by veteran Chicago journalists Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis.

Amazing to get to talk to @gregkot.bsky.social and @jimderogatis.bsky.social about reaching a major "Sound Opinions" milestone this week, congrats! On @blockclubchi.bsky.social today:

blockclubchicago.org/2025/01/23/s...

Well, that Surgeon General announcement about alcohol being a carcinogen sure makes this year's Dryuary challenge easier, since both my parents died of cancer. Here for any and all mocktail recipes, meditation apps and any other Sober Challenge tips- good luck all! #DryJanuary

Now we only need 40. Please subscribe and help us reach our end-of-year goal! Last day for your free neighborhood print-

In New Holiday Rom-com 'Christmas In Chicago,' Lincoln Square Is The Star Local businesses — including Timeless Toys in the square — feature prominently in the to-be-released film by writer/director Mark Nathan.

I love a holiday rom-com, so obv. I am super-excited about one filmed not in Toronto standing in for a nondescript small town, but in my very own neighborhood. Full story on @blockclubchi.bsky.social today:

blockclubchicago.org/2024/12/16/i...

The 15 best classic Christmas movies to watch this year EW compiles the finest classic Christmas movies to enjoy this holiday season, from revered staples like "It's a Wonderful Life" to underrated picks such as 'I'll Be Seeing You.'

Looking for some classic black-and-white holiday movies that you haven't already seen a million times? EW just re-circulated this list I wrote a few years ago, with a few new adds: If you're sick of "It's a Wonderful Life," I highly recommend "The Shop Around the Corner":

ew.com/best-classic...

Hello Blue Sky, what's up?
As Arts & Culture Editor of @blockclubchi.bsky.social, I'm looking for pitches on Chicago music, theater, exhibits, books, comics etc. — from every neighborhood. (Block Club Chicago is hyper-local, so city only.) Email pitches@blockclubchi.org or gwen@blockclubchi.org!

Hubbard Street Pays Homage to Bob Fosse And Gwen Verdon In Sold-Out Fall Dance Series The series kicks off Friday at the Steppenwolf Theatre and runs through Nov. 24. Performances are sold out, but some standby tickets may become available.

What's the connection between iconic dancer Gwen Verdon and Beyoncé's "Single Ladies"? Find out here on @blockclubchi.bsky.social

blockclubchicago.org/2024/11/14/h...

How To Cook The Perfect Turkey: Chicago Experts Weigh In We talked to local butchers, chefs and turkey farmers to get unusual and helpful advice on selecting and preparing your turkey this year.

Frustrated with dry turkey at your Thanksgiving dinner every year? Aimee Levitt is on the case with a variety of options and suggestions from the experts, from farm-raised turkeys to sending your bird out to be cooked! On Block Club Chicago today:
blockclubchicago.org/2023/11/14/h...