If you’ve read Leah Pietrusiak’s 2011 Reader story on the Arts of Life Band, then you know that the group—a project of Chicago nonprofit the Arts of Life—includes members with developmental disabilities who are also kick-ass rock stars. This wolf has seen them play, and they rule! On Saturday, November 5, they host their annual Charitable Chili Cook-Off at the Arts of Life headquarters, judged by the likes of Hot Doug’s founder Doug Sohn and Chicago Fire star Doug Eigenberg. Your ticket gets you unlimited chili, gelato from Black Dog, and two Lagunitas beers. The Arts of Life Band are also accepting Indiegogo donations to fund the pressing of their first album—please give if you can, because this wolf would love to see it in local shops!
Chicago’s hip-hop scene recently lost two vibrant players. Bryan Snow Jr. (aka producer Space Snow), who wrote for Lyrical Lemonade and worked with Young Chicago Authors, died in a car crash last weekend. And Fake Shore Drive reports that Izerrick Aigbokhan, aka Smylez (producer of King Louie’s “Live & Die in Chicago”), passed away last week of a brain aneurysm. v
