Acclaimed singer/songwriter Chris Vallillo joins Rick Kogan to talk about his latest album Oh Freedom!: Songs of the Civil Rights Movement.  They discuss music as a tool for social change, how Vallillo first got turned on to civil rights issues, the stories behind some of the songs on the album, and more.  

Rick Kogan leads a discussion on the 1993 classic “Groundhog Day” with some insight from Woodstock native and crowd-scene extra Rick Bellairs; groundhog handler Mark Szafran of Animal Rentals shares some facts on the creature’s behavior; “Ned Ryerson” himself Stephen Tobolowsky talks about his memories of the film and casting process and late director Harold Ramis shares a few words on the film’s reach. For more info on Woodstock’s Groundhog Days event, visit WoodstockGroundhog.org.  

Rick Kogan spends the last After Hours of 2015 with some philosophical thoughts on the bittersweet nature of ending the year and beginning a new one, courtesy of songs and poems from Dylan Thomas, Ella Fitzgerald, Fred Holstein, Mary Oliver, Nina Simone, The Roche Sisters, and Danny Kaye.  

Rick Kogan welcomes founder/publisher Victor David Giron and editor-in-chief Naomi Huffman of Curbside Splendor Publishing, one of Chicago’s leading independent book publishers.  They discuss the label’s beginnings as a punk rock outfit Giron played with in college, the challenges and rewards of hands-on, local publishing and some of the notable works published under the Curbside banner.  

Rick Kogan talks with Maureen and Marc Schulman, son of the legendary owner of Eli’s the Place for Steak, Eli  Schulman.  They discuss the restaurant’s status as a who’s-who of Chicago nightlife where the likes of Frank Sinatra would hang out, the birth of Chicago style cheesecake as Eli’s signature item, and Maureen’s new book The Eli’s Cheesecake Cookbook: Remarkable Recipes from a Chicago Legend.   http://serve.castfire.com/audio/2631981/2631981_2015-12-14-031521.64kmono.mp3?ad_params=zones%3DPreroll%7Cstation_id%3D3782.mp3

Rick Kogan talks with Dr. Cory Franklin about his book Cook County ICU: 30 Years of Unforgettable Patients and Odd Cases, a collection of stories and vignettes from Franklin’s 30-year medical career that provide snapshots of medical innovations, historical contexts and the complex relationships between doctors, nurses and patients. Rick and Dr. Franklin also discuss the challenge of finding the balance between emotion and “blood and guts” medical description, and presenting these true stories as honestly as possible.  

Rick Kogan talks with author Bill Natale about his book 1968: A Story As Relevant Today As It Was Then.  The book explores racial tension and a slice-of-life of 1968 Chicago through the story of two young whiter workers in a predominantly black industrial plant.  The experience proves to be a coming-of-age story for the two during the year of assassinations, Vietnam offensives, and the Democratic National Convention.  

Magician David Parr visits with Rick Kogan to talk about his work with the Magic Cabaret, how the spirit of Halloween and magic taps into the human desire to experience awe and wonder, and his upcoming Haunting History show, which combines real history, mystery and magic at the Evanston History Center’s Dawes House.