Brian Noonan

Brian Noonan takes the reigns for tonight’s Nightside!  We take a look at the historic day of 9/11 and reflect with listeners about the day that continues to live in infamy. Then, we turn the page to some lighter topics with our guests from Begyle and Dovetail Brewing.

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Dovetail Brewery and Begyle Brewing are celebrating their Fourth Annual Oktoberfestiversary on Oct 12 & 13! Join them as they celebrate the season, the neighborhood, and of course… BEER.

Promoting inclusion is more important than ever and having The Chicago Lighthouse to support events and individuals has been a beaming light for the city.  Vice Chair Julie Stark joins host Brian Noonan to discuss their upcoming Center Stage Event happening at Navy Pier on Saturday, Sept. 14th boasting incredible Chicago acts and their headliner YouTube sensation Avett Ray.

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Brian gives a “Bow Tie Theatre Review” of Broadway in Chicago’s production of The Band’s Visit, then discusses the Cooking Up a Cure fundraiser for the Scleroderma Foundation of Greater Chicago.

Brian opens the show with a story about the phrase “when you see something, say something,” and how it impacted him in the parking garage on the way to the WGN Radio studios to do the show. He compares his tale to the experience of visiting Batman’s Batcave, which his producer Cody Gough helps expand on. Brian then shares a funny story about trying to smuggle wine into a concert.

Then, Brian and Cody give a “Bow Tie Theatre Review” of Broadway in Chicago’s production of The Band’s Visit, running through September 15, 2019, at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. The Band’s Visit is the winner of 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, making it one of the most Tony-winning musicals in history. Hear why you don’t want to miss this compelling and unique musical!

Stephanie Gresh and Chef Cleetus Friedman then join Brian in-studio to discuss Cooking Up a Cure, a fundraising event which combines some of Chicago’s best chefs, breweries, wineries and distilleries to raise money and awareness for the Scleroderma Foundation of Greater Chicago. The event takes place on Thursday, September 12, at an all new location, City Hall (838 W. Kinzie). Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for VIP ticket holders and 6:30 p.m. for general admission guests. All proceeds from the Cooking Up a Cure event support the Scleroderma Foundation’s ongoing mission of providing support, education and research for scleroderma patients and their families.

To wrap up the show, Brian and the crew talk about the importance of seeing your doctor, preventative care, and Chicago’s Alhambra Palace Restaurant, which is hosting Chicago Gateway Green’s Green Tie Ball fundraiser Friday, September 13 at 6:30pm.

Brian Noonan in for Nick Digilio.

On the show this morning: Movie critic Blake Stubbs joins Brian in-studio at 1:15 am to discuss all of the summer movie selections.  We also get his trusted recommendations on movies across that board.

Hour number two has the History of United States podcast host, Kevin Kaufmann in-studio to chat about the history of labor day.  Dr. Kaufmann goes in-depth in history-defining moments and shares his expertise in the US.

We then bring back a WGN radio Favorite Arcade Game!! Rules are simple: 2 callers go one on one with trivia questions and until one contestant can’t answer correctly.  Find out how this week’s contestants did!

Brian then finishes talking about trending stories in the news including Chicago Public Schools, return for the school year, Hurrican Dorian, Popeyes Chicken Sandwiches, and more…

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Learn about brown ale, ESB (extra special bitter), and Märzen beers from Revolution Brewing’s John Carruthers, Goose Island Brewery’s Jesse Valenciana, and special guest Michelle Foik from ERIS Brewery.

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Brian talks summer in Chicago and when slang gets to be too much to handle. Plus: learn about the Green Tie Ball and join beer experts who educate and entertain in another edition of “At the Breweries.”

Brian opens the show by talking about summer in Chicago and some of the best ways to spend time outside when the weather is nice. He and his producer, Cody Gough, discuss the arboretums they visited over the weekend, and tried to figure out why so many people were shooting off fireworks even though there no holidays to celebrate.

Then, Brian discusses the most annoying slang words, according to a recent study on how people perceive the use of slang. He tries to make the phrase “straight gravy” catch on, with mixed results.

David Lissner then joins Brian in-studio to talk about Chicago Gateway Green’s Green Tie Ball, which will take place at the Alhambra Palace (1240 W Randolph Street) on Friday, September 13. The theme of this year’s black-tie fundraiser is “I Dream of Greenie” and will feature food from 25 of Chicago’s best restaurants, premium open bars, charitable gaming by River’s Casino, silent auction, an exclusive VIP Experience, live music, and special guest and performer Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy. The Green Tie Ball first made its appearance in 1992 and is now one of the most well-known and exclusive charity fundraising events in Chicago, benefiting Chicago Gateway Green, Chicago’s #1 non-profit greening and beautifying Chicago’s expressways, gateways and neighborhoods.

In a brand-new edition of At the Breweries, Revolution Brewing’s John Carruthers and Goose Island Brewery’s Jesse Valenciana bring a special guest into the studio: ERIS Brewery’s Michelle Foik! They join Brian in-studio to talk craft beers and review brown ale, ESB (extra special bitter), and Märzen beers.

Plant-based reporter & host of “Awesome Vegans with Elysabeth Alfano Podcast” Elysabeth Alfano joins Brian Noonan (in for the Roe Conn Show w/Anna Davlantes) to talk about the James Cameron, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lewis Hamilton, and Jackie Chan produced documentary “The Game Changers” and the exponential growth of the plant-based diet movement.

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Brian and the crew talk about Gen Con and strategy board games, small theatre productions, and the Ravinia Festival. Plus: learn how to join one of Chicago’s Underground Donut Tours, and  where you can see a free concert from Broadway in Chicago at Millennium Park!

Brian opens the show by welcoming his producer Cody Gough back from Gen Con. Cody talks about downtown Indianapolis, a few of his favorite strategy board games, and some of the other highlights of the annual gaming convention that he attends with his friends each August.

Then, Brian gives a “Bow Tie Theatre Review” of Boogieban, playing through the end of August at Chicago Dramatists Theatre (1105 W Chicago Ave). Boogieban explores the lasting affects of war upon two soldiers of different eras, and Brian calls it a very powerful live theatre production.

Jeff Woelker from Underground Donut Tour then joins Brian in-studio to talk about America’s only food tour specializing in donuts. For 4 years, the Underground Donut Tour has been entertaining guests from all over the world and showcasing the truly original and delicious donuts each city has to offer. Woelker discusses the route he takes through the city, the history of donuts in Chicago, and what different donut locations have to offer.

Courtnee Carter then joins Brian in-studio to talk about Broadway In Chicago’s upcoming annual free summer concert, taking place on Monday, August 12, 2019 at 6:15 p.m. at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park (201 E Randolph St). She made her Broadway debut in the 2018 Tony Award-winning Broadway Revival of Once On This Island, which will be performed at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago from January 21 to February 2, 2020. The Broadway In Chicago Summer Concert at Millennium Park will feature performances from productions including: Dear Evan Hansen, Frozen, Hamilton, Mean Girls, My Fair Lady, Once On This Island, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, The Band’s Visit, and The Phantom of the Opera.

To wrap up the show, Brian, Cody, and newsman Roger Badesch talk about seeing performances at Ravinia, which Brian has never done. They talk about the CSO, Nickelback, Ringo Starr, and other performances on the Ravinia schedule around this time of year. Hilarity ensues!

Brian Noonan recently saw the theatrical performance of ‘Come From Away’. From the music, to the acting, to the sets Brian breaks it all down and gives his verdict! The show is at the Cadillac Palace Theatre now through August 18, 2019.

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