Welcome to Culture Hound, InsideHook’s deep dive into the month’s most important cultural happenings, pop and otherwise.
DO: Chicago Architecture Biennial
Bringing together the world’s most respected thinkers in design and architecture (see: Marshall Brown), the Chicago Architecture Biennial returns this month and kicks off its season-long residency throughout the city. Trust there will be tons to see. Luckily, the organizers have laid out just about everything you’d ever want to know right here. This year’s theme: “Make New History,” which will have participants reflecting on the significance of the past and the ways history has inspired new forms of architectural thought. (Opens 9/16)
PREP: “Origins” Chapter One: Curb Your Enthusiasm
A new podcast that explores the “epochal beginnings” of pop-culture landmarks. Up first: A five-part history of Curb Your Enthusiasm, featuring convos with Larry David, Cheryl Hines, Susie Essman, Ted Danson and more. A good primer for Curb’s return in October. (9/6)
LAUGH: The Roast of George Wendt
Who doesn’t love George Wendt? The comedy legend and Beverly native will be in the hotseat when the Second City hosts I Can’t Believe They Wendt There: The Roast of George Wendt. A benefit for Gilda’s Club Chicago (a cancer support charity named after Gilda Radner), the roast will be hosted by Jason Sudeikis, with guests including Keegan-Michael Key (Key & Peele), Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul) and Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy. (9/9)
BINGE: American Vandal
A Netflix spoof of Serial/Making a Murderer that asks the important question, “Who drew all the penises on those cars?” (9/15)
WATCH: The Deuce
David Simon (The Wire) and a mustachioed James Franco (playing twins!) dramatically tackle New York’s thriving sex industry during the ‘70s in HBO’s next big thing. (9/10)
SEE: Hebru Brantley: Forced Field
No doubt you’ve seen Hebru Brantley’s mural work around town — his Flyboy character is as synonymous to Chicago as Chance the Rapper. The Bronzeville native will be debuting new work at a solo exhibition at the Elmhurst Art Museum. (Opens 9/9)
SEE: United Flight 232
And you thought the United’s Dr. Dao debacle was bad. Returning for a limited eight-week run, the House Theatre’s much-acclaimed United Flight 232 recounts the 1989 crash landing of United Airlines flight that coasted 44 minutes to a deadly crash landing. A riveting, tense theatre experience not to be missed. Aviophobians beware. (Opens 9/1)
Fulton Market Festival
DO: Fests, Fests and More Fests
Oh, you thought festivals were only reserved for summer? Nah. This month offers plenty of opportunities to get your fest on, starting with Riot Fest’s new Würst Music and Beer Fest (9/8-9/10), and the return of the Hideout’s end-of-summer block party (9/23). Meanwhile, Revolution Brewing is moving its Oktoberfest celebration (9/29) outside their Logan Square brewpub. The same weekend: the foodie-approved Fulton Market Harvest Fest (9/30-10/1), with headliners Wild Belle and Tortoise.
PERUSE: Playboy: The Complete Centerfolds
Every single Playmate of the Month from 1953 to February 2016 — 734 in all — in an 844-page hardcover tome for your coffee table. It’s art, dammit. (9/5)
LISTEN: LCD Soundsystem
David Bowie and Suicide’s Alan Vega both passed away in 2016. And while their legacy lives on in the stacks of infinitely playable records they each left behind, it finds new life in the “discopunk” sounds of LCD Soundsystem, who return — after a massively controversial hiatus — for their fourth studio album this month. Standout tracks include slow-burning opener (and Vega homage) “Oh Baby,” funky second track “Other Voices,” the spaced-out psych rock of third track “I Used To” … who are we kidding? The whole album is a standout. Put it on repeat from now until October. (9/1)
Plus, enjoy our Spotify playlist of the 30 best new songs of the month.
And don’t forget: Jerry Before Seinfeld revisits the comic’s earliest material (Netflix, 9/19) … … Old gamers, rejoice: Revamps of the Sega Genesis, Super NES and Atari 2600 are on the way … New gamers, immerse yourself in the epic Destiny 2 (9/6) or the bonkers cartoon antics of Cuphead (9/29) … You like Eddie Vedder? You like whiskey? You’ll lap up Louisville’s Bourbon & Beyond Festival (9/23-9/24) … Salman Rushdie aims for a modern Gatsby (with a Trump twist) in The Golden House (9/5) … Fall TV means the return of Narcos (9/1), American Horror Story (9/5), You’re the Worst (9/6), BoJack Horseman (9/8), (surprise!) MTV Unplugged (9/8), Broad City (9/13), Better Things (9/14), a new Star Trek (9/24) and Nathan For You (9/28) … Oh, and South Park (9/13), which returns for its 21st year after an eight-day marathon of past seasons.
Film buffs: Be sure to check out our 2017 Fall Movie Guide.
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