Dave Hoekstra talks with author and journalist Beth Finke about her book Writing Out Loud: What a Blind Teacher Learned from Leading a Memoir Class for Seniors.

Dave Hoekstra talks with photographic journalist Mariah Karson and Stan Klein, director of Firecat Projects (2141 N. Damen), for a conversation on Karson’s book American Legion, which explores the lives and stories of Legion members in posts in four small towns across the country.  Karson talks about uncovering the posts’ connections to the towns they’re in, Vietnam veteran Jerry Fullerton joins the show to talk about his experience being featured in the book, and the American Legion’s current goal of […]

Dave Hoekstra visits with director Vince Uribe of The Arts of Life, a studio that supports adults artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Uribe talks about his background as a gallery director and using his industry connections to open the door for these artists to make a living in the art community, the organization’s four core values for its artists: inspiring expression, building community, developing independence and fostering self respect, the upcoming rooftop fundraising event “Art on a Hot Tin Roof” […]

Grammy Award winning jazz producer, composer and trumpet player Maurice ‘Mobetta’ Brown joins Dave Hoekstra to preview his upcoming release party and show for his album The Mood, which hits Chicago this Friday 7/28 at Martyrs’ (3855 N. Lincoln Ave.) with guests Talib Kweli, J. Ivy and Chris Turner.  Brown and his band set the Allstate Showcase Studio ablaze with some live tracks and he talks about his path from Harvey to New Orleans where he came across a trumpet […]

Dave Hoekstra shares an in-depth visit with righthander Mark Hamburger of the St. Paul Saints before a home start at CHS Field in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota. Hamburger talks about his journey through professional ball that eventually brought him to the Texas Rangers organization, where he had a cup of coffee in the big leagues, followed by two failed drug tests that derailed his career.  He discusses the ensuing period of rehab and self reflection that brought him to a […]

Dave Hoekstra visits with Andrew Robb, Mike Christensen and Randy Johnson of The Tree, appearing July 4th at Phyllis’ Musical Inn in Wicker Park.  They talk about their time with defunct Chicago “alt-everything” outfit Tribe, the lo-fi feel of their music and the emphasis on risk taking and improvisation in their songwriting, why they decided to reform the band for the 30th anniversary of their album Primordial Bop, and more.

Dave Hoekstra visits with managers Chris Fields and Tony Mata of The Matchbox, beloved neighborhood bar at the corner of Milwaukee and Odgen Ave.  Along with musician Tom Gerlach, they talk about the bar’s upcoming 22nd anniversary party on July 4th, featuring live music from Gerlach’s band Situation Davis and food from sister restaurant Silver Palm.

Bill and Kate FitzGerald join Dave Hoekstra to preview the 36th American Music Festival, which starts Friday June 30th at Fitzgerald’s Nightclub in Berwyn.  They handicap some of the highlights of the festival including Shinyribs, Dave Alvin, Robbie Fulks and The Waco Brothers, among many others over the three-day stretch of the fest.  They also discuss the the evolution of the festival and that whole stretch of Roosevelt Road in terms of nightlife. We also hear from award-winning blues saxophonist Terry […]

Dave Hoekstra is joined by authors Pat Colander and Jack Clark for a conversation on writing and storytelling, and how both are shaped by the city of Chicago.  Colander discusses her book, Hugh Hefner’s First Funeral, and Other True Tales of Love and Death in Chicago, which spans some of the offbeat stories she came across during her career writing for the Chicago Reader and Chicago Tribune.  Clark talks about his self-published works as the city’s own cab driver-writer, including […]

Dave Hoekstra visits with longtime Late Night/Late Show bandleader Paul Shaffer, whose tour with the World’s Most Dangerous Band hits the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles on June 30.