The 78

A Burlesque Parody in a Galaxy Far, Far Away…

If you’re a fan of the Star Wars universe, prepare for a night that’s out of this world. The Empire Strips Back is a dazzling burlesque experience that fuses seduction with sci-fi in a way you’ve never seen before.

From jaw-dropping costumes to Hollywood-level stage design, this is a galactic spectacle that’s equal parts hilarious and hypnotic. You’ll see your favorite characters reimagined with a spicy twist—think sultry Stormtroopers, a dangerously dashing Boba Fett, and a lady-like Skywalker ready to awaken the Force within you.

This is burlesque with a twist—and when we say twist, we mean with a slap, tickle, and a whole lot of sass.

With loving attention to detail, side-splitting humor, and just the right amount of risqué, The Empire Strips Back delivers a truly unforgettable intergalactic adventure. Whether you’re a die-hard Jedi or just looking for an unforgettable night out, this show will have you laughing, swooning, and quoting Star Wars like never before.

Catch it now at the Chicago Fine Arts Building—before it jumps to lightspeed after May 4th. May the Force (and the tease) be with you!

The secret to a great Record Store Day isn’t just the exclusive releases — it’s where you spend it. And there’s no better place to drop the needle than Val’s halla Records in Oak Park. This iconic shop has been a vinyl lover’s sanctuary for generations — and for good reason.

From its legendary connection to John Prine, to the quirky Elvis shrine tucked inside, Val’s is more than just a record store — it’s a cultural landmark. Sure, Record Store Day might be what brings you through the door, but once you’re in, ask Shayne or Trevor about any album on the shelf — you’ll walk away with a story, a recommendation, and probably a new favorite artist.

But how did it all begin? Pull up a chair — it’s a good one.

Val’s halla was born on July 26, 1972, just a week after the record chain Val Camilletti managed shut down. Instead of calling it quits, Val leased the same South Blvd location in Oak Park where she’d worked since 1967. With the help of passionate former employees, they brought a dream to life — and the legend of Val’s began.

For the next 40+ years, Val and her loyal crew rode the waves of the ever-changing music industry — from the peak of vinyl, through the CD boom, and the turbulence of the Napster era. No matter what was happening in the world of music, Val’s remained a hub for discovery, nostalgia, and community.

In the late ’90s, a teenager named Shayne Blakeley moved from Michigan to Chicago and started working at Val’s right out of high school. Quickly, he became Val’s right hand — helping steer the store into a new era when the business faced challenges in the early 2000s.

When re-development forced them to move, they found a new home in Oak Park’s Arts District at 239 Harrison Street, surrounded by fellow creatives and small businesses. From 2006 to 2018, Val and Shayne ran the store side by side, continuing to cultivate a space that felt like home for music lovers of all kinds.

In 2016, Val was diagnosed with breast cancer and sadly passed away in July 2018. But Shayne carried on, keeping the spirit of Val’s alive — even when it seemed impossible. By late 2019, as rumors of the store’s closure swirled, a local business partner stepped in, helping Shayne restructure and reimagine the store for the future.

And today? Val’s halla is alive and well. The music plays on. The legacy endures.

So this Record Store Day, make it count. Celebrate at a place where music isn’t just sold — it’s lived. You might come for the exclusives, but you’ll stay for the soul.

Drew Wiegman, a self-taught improvisational cellist and viral TikTok sensation, will return to his hometown for two performances at the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts at the College of Lake County. The concerts will take place on Saturday, March 29, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 30, at 3 p.m.Wiegman, who plays the cello entirely by ear without formal classical training, has gained recognition for his spontaneous and deeply emotive compositions. His music has drawn the attention of television and classical radio, as well as a global online audience.

Ever felt intimidated walking into an art gallery or thought art just wasn’t for you? That may change this weekend as The Other Art Fair returns to Chicago for its seventh edition.

Presented by Saatchi Art, The Other Art Fair runs March 27-30 at Artifact Events, featuring more than 115 emerging and independent artists. Unlike traditional art fairs, this event allows visitors to meet the artists and purchase artwork directly from them.

The fair is designed to be accessible, fun and inspiring, breaking down barriers and redefining the way people experience art. Alongside a wide range of affordable artwork, the event features immersive installations, live performances and interactive experiences.

Since launching in 2011, The Other Art Fair has worked with more than 3,000 artists from over 20 countries and now hosts 12 fairs annually across the United States, United Kingdom and Australia. It remains the only global art event solely focused on representing independent artists.

Whether you’re an avid collector, a casual browser or simply curious, the fair invites all to explore, connect and experience art in a new way.

Science fiction fans and book lovers will have the chance to meet award-winning author, educator, podcaster and cat communicator Mary Robinette Kowal as she celebrates the release of The Martian Contingency, the latest addition to her acclaimed Lady Astronaut series. Kowal will appear at Volumes Bookcafe in Chicago and Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville for two special events.

Kowal’s Lady Astronaut series has won prestigious honors, including the Hugo, Nebula and Locus awards, and has been recognized as one of the year’s best by Esquire, BuzzFeed, The Verge, Book Riot, Paste Magazine and more. She is also the author of The Glamourist Histories, Ghost Talkers and The Spare Man, and has had short fiction published in Asimov’s, Uncanny and Year’s Best anthologies.

In addition to her writing, Kowal is a professional puppeteer, a voice actor and a co-host of the award-winning podcast Writing Excuses.

Event Details

📅 Friday, March 21 | 6:30 p.m.
📍 Volumes Bookcafe
📍 1373 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60622
🎟 Tickets start at $16.95
🔗 Get Tickets

📅 Saturday, March 22 | 2 p.m.
📍 Anderson’s Bookshop
📍 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville, IL 60540
🎟 Tickets: $23
🔗 Get Tickets

The 47th annual parade steps off at noon on Sunday, March 16, led by Grand Marshal Big Shoulders Fund, an organization that supports schools with demonstrated need, providing a quality, values-based education for children in Chicago and Northwest Indiana. Big Shoulders Fund currently serves more than 25,000 students across 72 Chicago-area schools and 20 Northwest Indiana schools.

Looking for official South Side Irish Parade gear? South Side Irish Imports in Mount Greenwood offers exclusive licensed merchandise and a full line of festive décor.

Need to stock up for your St. Patrick’s Day feast? County Fair Foods is bringing back its popular barrel-style corned beef along with all the traditional trimmings.

Throughout the parade season, local establishments will be spotlighting Keeper’s Heart Whiskey, so be sure to raise a glass!

Join the South Side’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebration and experience a day of music, dance, and community spirit.

Rock and roll is filled with countless stories, but few capture the essence of love, music, and destiny quite like that of Bruce Sudano. From launching his career at just 13 years old with the band Alive N Kickin’ to forming Brooklyn Dreams—where he met his future wife, the legendary Donna Summer—Sudano's journey is one of passion, perseverance, and artistic evolution.Sudano has spent a lifetime crafting songs that reflect his experiences—love, heartache, struggle, and spirituality—all told through music. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, he was drawn to the vibrant sounds of the city, often escaping into the streets to be with the music that surrounded him. By his early teens, he was performing in clubs, setting the stage for what would become an extraordinary career.Find the full article at www.storiesfromthe78.com

Let’s be honest—heading downtown for a show isn’t always a walk in the park, especially with the never-ending Kennedy construction. So why not keep it local? For those on the South Side, there’s a cultural gem right in your backyard: The Center for Performing Arts (The Center) at Governors State University (GovState), located at 1 University Parkway in University Park.

As The Center continues its 29th season into the new year, audiences can expect a vibrant lineup of performances inspired by nostalgia. After celebrating Governors State’s 55th anniversary last July, this season brings bold, joyful, and dynamic productions to the stage.

The Center is keeping the momentum going with an incredible 2025 season:

• Spotlight Series

  – Featuring national and international acts, including the return of

  DRUMLine Live!

  and a soulful celebration of Motown from Uptown.

• Family Series

  – Offering affordable tickets for children ($20) with performances like

  America’s Got Talent

  finalist The Silhouettes in

  LOVE Happens

  and the high-energy blend of live art, rock music, and magic in

  ARTRAGEOUS!

  .

• Opera Up Close & Cabaret Series

  – An intimate experience where audiences sit on stage, just feet from the performers. Highlights include

  HARANA

  , a quartet of Filipino tenors, and a special Mother’s Day Brunch featuring Opera Up Close favorites. The Cabaret Series will showcase local talent, including

  Rosie & The Rivets

  , a tribute to the early days of rock ‘n’ roll.

Since opening in 1995, The Center has welcomed over 1.5 million guests, introduced more than 300,000 schoolchildren to the performing arts, and hosted over 8,000 artists from around the world. Serving more than 50,000 residents across Cook, Will, and Kankakee counties in Illinois and Lake County in Indiana, The Center offers a state-of-the-art, 1,165-seat venue in a dynamic university setting.

Beyond the stage, GovState’s campus is home to an on-site Visual Arts Gallery and The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park (theNate)—making it the perfect spot for pre- and post-show experiences.

For tickets and show details, visit CenterTickets.net. Why battle the downtown chaos when you have world-class entertainment right here?

For more Stories From The 78, follow @tombarnas78 on Instagram and @storiesfromthe78 on TikTok.

A Stellar 2025 LineupMore Than Just a Theater

Rock and roll is filled with countless stories, but few capture the essence of love, music, and destiny quite like that of Bruce Sudano. From launching his career at just 13 years old with the band Alive N Kickin’ to forming Brooklyn Dreams—where he met his future wife, the legendary Donna Summer—Sudano’s journey is one of passion, perseverance, and artistic evolution.

Sudano has spent a lifetime crafting songs that reflect his experiences—love, heartache, struggle, and spirituality—all told through music. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, he was drawn to the vibrant sounds of the city, often escaping into the streets to be with the music that surrounded him. By his early teens, he was performing in clubs, setting the stage for what would become an extraordinary career.

In 1969, at just 20 years old, Sudano scored his first hit, co-writing Ball of Fire with Tommy James, whom he met while navigating the New York club scene. A year later, his band Alive N Kickin’ climbed the charts with Tighter, Tighter, a song co-written and produced by James, reaching No. 7 on the Billboard charts. The band’s success led them to tour with Chicago and Frank Zappa.

By 1977, Sudano co-founded Brooklyn Dreams, releasing their debut album under Jimmy Ienner’s Millennium Records. That same year, he met Donna Summer, who was signed to Casablanca Records. Their musical chemistry was undeniable, and their creative partnership quickly turned into romance. Together, Brooklyn Dreams and Summer collaborated on multiple projects, including the 1978 soundtrack for Thank God It’s Friday and the Top 5 hit Heaven Knows, where the band provided backing vocals.

In 1979, Sudano co-wrote Bad Girls, which became a No. 1 smash for Summer. His songwriting continued to make waves throughout the ‘80s, penning hits such as Tell Me I’m Not Dreamin’ (Too Good to Be True)—a duet between Jermaine and Michael Jackson, later covered by Robert Palmer—and multiple tracks for Summer’s She Works Hard for the Money album. He also contributed Closest Thing to Perfect, the title track for the John Travolta and Jamie Lee Curtis film Perfect.

Beyond his career, Sudano and Summer built a family together, raising two daughters, Brooklyn and Amanda. Brooklyn is an actress and director, helming the 2023 documentary Love to Love You, Donna Summer, while Amanda is a singer-songwriter and member of the duo Johnnyswim.

Since Summer’s passing in 2012, Sudano has continued to evolve as an artist, writing and performing with a renewed sense of purpose. His latest album, Talkin’ Ugly Truth, Tellin’ Pretty Lies, features collaborations with producer Ken Lewis (Taylor Swift, Drake, Kanye West, BTS) and includes the rhythmic anthem Make the World Go Away.

Through decades of change, love, and loss, Bruce Sudano remains a storyteller at heart, proving that his journey in music—and in life—is far from over.

For more Stories From The 78, follow @tombarnas78 on Instagram and @storiesfromthe78 on TikTok.

In this episode, Tom reflects on his return to work following the birth of his daughter, Willow, while navigating the challenges of fatherhood and maintaining work-life balance. He shares unique stories from his career as a television producer in Chicago, including memorable segments he’s covered, and offers insights into the city’s rich history and vibrant culture.

Tom underscores the importance of community and presents engaging interviews with a diverse range of guests, including a professional bull rider and the son of Leonard Nimoy. The episode wraps up with a heartfelt tribute to Chicago radio legend Dick Biondi, celebrating his enduring impact on the industry and the city.