In the Loop

When you think circus, you might think acrobats, trapeze artists, clowns. Maybe even bearded ladies.  Some of that's still around, but the contemporary circus features well-trained artists who perform choreographed moves through the air on silk ropes, balance on each other’s bodies and fly through the air from trampolines. In Chicago, circus artists can hone those skills and keep them sharp at Aloft Circus Arts, which now has a new location in Chicago’s Logan Square. The new space offers some of the necessary requirements such as high ceilings and good light--it’s an old church. Aloft Circus Arts founder and artist director Shayna Swanson gave us a tour (and even got Tony to conquer his fear of the trampoline.)

Yesterday, a group of protesters went to a predominantly Muslim neighborhood in the southwest suburbs and lined one side of the street while holding giant American flags, including one that said "America: Love it, live it or leave it."  Residents say that they think the protesters came to intimidate locals with their presence. It made us wonder: What has changed in 15 years? What is it like to be Muslim in America on 9/11, especially when one of the presidential candidates is calling for an ideological test for Muslims who want to immigrate to America, if not an outright ban? 

Eleven hundred residents of a public housing complex in East Chicago, Indiana are being forced to move because soil surrounding their homes is contaminated with lead. Some of the residents have lived in the West Calumet complex for decades. There’s fear among some of those moving, with the city providing little answers. Some also say the city could have handled the issue better since the lead issue is not a new one. In fact, it’s been around for years and years. Morning Shift talks to WBEZ’s Michael Puente, who’s been covering the issue, and Thomas Frank, an activist with Calumet Lives Matter, a group formed to assist residents of the town.

Ever give a nickname to the barista to write on your latte, because maybe people have a hard time pronouncing your name? Or have cringe-worthy memories of teachers just butchering your name in front of the entire class? The Morning Shift talks with journalist Tasbeeh Herwees to discuss the lasting impact mispronouncing children’s names has on their perceptions of culture and identity. 

High paid actors are one thing, but what’s the reality for young students seeking support from teachers and parents to pursue their passion? We talk to public school teacher Meghan Reilly Michaud who has been a very vocal advocate for STEAM-Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math, about the importance of arts in curriculum. And, The Chicago High School for the Arts Executive Director Jose Ochoa explains the model the school uses to create> between traditional and arts-focused learning.

We also check with Chicago-based business consultant Quirtina Crittenden, who created the #AirbnbWhileBlack hashtag on Twitter, and Stefan Grant, whose negative experience with Airbnb as a black man prompted him to start his own short-term home rental site Noirbnb.

Luvvie Ajayi wears many hats: Comedian. Activist. Pop culture blogger. And now she adds her lifelong dream of being an author to her many roles. Leaving Nigeria at a young age to come to Chicago with her family, Ajayi faced issues with identity, culture and race—all of which she’s used to fuel her comedic work and bring light to a common experience. She talks with the Morning Shift about her new book I’m Judging You, where she tackles topics from “oversharing on social media” to social justice.

Thirty years ago Oprah Winfrey stepped onto the national stage with the first syndicated episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show. The rest is history. The Chicago-based show ran in hundreds of markets for 25 years, earned more than 40 Emmy awards and made Oprah the richest and most famous African American woman in the country. Of course, the show changed quite a bit over the years. Morning Shift talks to Chicago Magazine writer Mike Thomas about the show’s first season in syndication in 1986.

In 1984, Alice McGee started as an intern on Oprah Winfrey’s local Chicago talk show and moved up the ranks during her nearly two decades with the media queen. Morning Shift talks with McGee about what it was like behind the scenes from the early years right on through to the point where Oprah was running a media empire worth billions.

Today we celebrate the 50th anniversary of cult classic series Star Trek. The original series, which sparked countless spin-offs, premiered in 1966 with Captain James T. Kirk navigating the USS Enterprise through the Milky Way galaxy. Generations later, the Star Trek franchise has continued to captivate adults and children alike with its message of togetherness through diversity. We sat down with one proud Trekkie, Gordon Dymowski, to talk about the life lessons he learned from the original series and how it helped shape him into the man he is today.