City Cast Chicago
🦢 Swan boats flock back to Humboldt!
April 15, 2026 · — Michelle Navarro
Big news — our spring membership campaign starts today!
Every story, conversation, and city guide we bring you is our attempt to give you the information and context you need to show up for this city.
When you become a City Cast Chicago Neighbor, you help us keep doing that — and you get great perks like:
- 📣 Shouting out your favorite local gems on the podcast and in this newsletter
- 🗓️ A weekly members-only events preview
- 🌟 Regular members-only events
- 🎙️ Brand new: members-only podcast content with extra insight, hot takes, and a little city gossip
Plus, join during this campaign, and we'll send you a custom Oxford Pennant — a beautiful American-made wool felt pennant designed just for this city. Scroll down to take a peek and claim yours!
What's CITY Talking About
Pope Vs. Trump
President Donald Trump claimed that Pope Leo XIV supports Iran having nuclear weapons. The Chicago-born pope denounced the use of weapons and war on multiple occasions and has called for an end to the war in Iran. [PBS]
- Related: Why Pope Leo XIV is “Da Pope” [City Cast Chicago 💻]
- Listen: How the New Pope Got to the Vatican. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
CPD Extremism. Plus, “safronia” Premiere
Will City Council vote to ban cops from extremist groups? On today’s podcast, we discuss the latest, as well as the Sky’s draft night and avery r. young’s world premiere at Lyric Opera. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
Ald. Raymond Lopez, Conservative Media Darling
The 15th Ward's tough-on-crime alder repeatedly defended President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement on conservative news shows since the start of Operation Midway Blitz. Lopez blamed violence enacted by federal agents, targeting many of his residents, on Democrats and failing to amend the Welcoming City ordinance. [Block Club]
Summer Smash Lineup
Lil Uzi Vert, Playboi Carti, Skrillex, Chief Keef, and Baby Keem are among the fest headliners June 12-14. G Herbo and Adamn Killa (of “arrest me daddy” internet fame) will also be representing Chicago at SeatGeek Stadium. [Sun-Times]
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What To Do
Wednesday, April 15
- 🎤 Adult Listening Circle | Harold Washington Library | Loop | Free
- ✍️ June Jordan and the Protest Poem | South Shore Branch | Free
- 🎭 “Out Here” | Court Theatre | Hyde Park
- ⚾️ Sox vs. Rays | Rate Field | Bridgeport
- 🦖 Free admission | Field Museum | Museum Campus
- 🎨 Art After Dark | Garfield Park Conservatory | Free
- 🪐 Free admission | Adler Planetarium | Museum Campus
- ✍️ New Visions: A Broadside Exhibition | Haymarket House | Uptown
Thursday, April 16
- 🎥 Chicago Latino Film Festival starts | Landmark Century Centre Cinema | Lakeview
- 🖼️ Third Thursdays | Intuit Art Museum | West Town
- 🎤 Grown Folks Stories | DuSable Black History Museum | Washington Park
- ⚾️ Sox vs. Rays | Rate Field | Bridgeport
- 🎭 “The Ally” | Theater Wit | Lakeview
- 🎤 Airway Stories | Cole's Bar | Logan Square | Free
- 🖼️ Free admission | Art Institute | Loop
- 🤪 Crazy Bingo | Ludlow Liquors | Logan Square
- ✍️ April Blue Hour | Haymarket House | Uptown
Thank you to our latest City Cast Chicago Neighbors, Christopher H., Natalie C., and Cheryl K.
Become a Neighbor today to get a shoutout and this sweet pennant for your home!
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