Much like a plate of frog legs, Oucho Sparks' latest release "Silver Daddy" is an acquired taste that's hard to swallow. Acid Jazz Oucho Sparks An intuitive balance of composed music and improvised erratic tangents of andriod melodies. 1. Customer Service...

Today's secret word is...ahhh! By Gary Schaefer Weekender Reporter What do actors Phil Hartman and Lawrence Fishburne and director Tim Burton have in common? Three words - Pee Wee Herman. The movies, the toys and the TV show. Paul Reubens, a.k.a. Pee...

It's not often that one can get a glimpse of a portrait of Phillis Wheatley, the first African American poet, or see a book signed by Gwendolyn Brooks. These and about 20 other books and photographs will be on display at Founders Memorial Library for...

When most people think of the word "retro," they might envision shag carpeting, plastic furniture and platform boots. At the NIU Art Museum Gallery in Chicago, the current show by the same title contains more subtle imagery. "Retro" will remain in the...

Before Sevendust's sold-out show last Friday at the House of Blues, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago, the Weekender got the chance to sit down with Clint Lowery, guitarist and backing vocalist. Weekender: You guys recorded "Live and Loud" in Chicago. What's...

Before I get into what a terrible movie "Collateral Damage" was, I have something I need to say: If I'm in the mood for an old-school action flick, the Slys, the Jean-Claudes and the Seagals of the industry just aren't going to cut it. I need the one...

G-D-E-C are the chords to nearly every punk rock song ever made. The band The Ataris even wrote a song about it called "Four Chord Wonder." So there needs to be something more that separates one punk band from the other. Local punk hero Amazing Transparent...

"Group Therapy," Concrete Blonde's first original album since 1994, is reminiscent of the band's earlier works in a way that brings any fan right back to the place he or she was mentally upon first discovering what a great band this is. The first track...

An alternative, grunge rock band meets a blind, bluesy, soul street singer. The result? Detroit-based Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise. Together since 1992, "New Ground" is its third release. It may prove hard to meld the sounds of a 30-something...

"He's the exact opposite of everything I really hate." Rarely do quotes encapsulate a movie, a plot or a philosophy. But with this off-the-cuff remark from Enid (Thora Birch), a girl who is the epitome of all that's sarcastic, witty and aimless about...

Attention future Oliver Stones and Cameron Crowes: Now's your opportunity to get your foot in the door with the fourth annual Scriptapalooza screenwriting competition. The deadline for the competition is April 15, but entries postmarked by March 1 get...

Want to travel around the world in three hours and have a blast doing it? The the Miles 4 Monty Orchestra may be your best ticket. M4MO performed Feb. 8 at The House, 263 E. Lincoln Highway, for an enthusiastic, abundant audience. Before the golden curtains...