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Back Bar is a rollicking deep dive into the events, phenomenon, relationships and human foibles that shaped the world’s most iconic drinks. Hosted by food and beverage writer Greg Benson and featuring guest appearances from industry luminaries like Derek Brown, Robert Simonson and Sother Teague, Back Bar’s vaudevillian approach to storytelling is a refreshing cocktail of history and humor.
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House music got its start in the early 1980s — and it originated right here in Chicago. Many people say The Warehouse, a prominent house music club, is where the music genre got its name. Curious City talked with house heads (superfans) who danced at The Warehouse as teenagers to learn more about what the scene was like in Chicago.
And, stick around to hear from a mother who has transformed her Logan Square garage into a remote learning classroom, where preschool, kindergarten and second grade all happen under one roof.
In this episode, we hear about the Prince of Antioch, Reynald, who invaded Byzantine Cyprus and provoked the Byzantine Emperor Manuel I to intervene in Syria. At first, it seemed as if there would be war between the Byzantines and the Crusaders, but a carefully constructed marriage alliance was to provide a very different and unexpected outcome.
Please take a look at my website nickholmesauthor.com where you can download a free copy of The Byzantine World War, my book that describes the origins of the First Crusade.
What happens when happy hour is illegal? You cry. That’s what. Who doesn’t love a drink discount when unwinding from another day at the office? Massachusetts doesn’t. And neither does North Carolina, or New Mexico, or Virginia, or …. the list goes on. Because if there’s anything the government hates more than fun, it’s people having fun at a discount. So pour a drink and brace yourself for outrage.
The famous poet and writer Carl Sandburg spent more than two decades in Chicago, from 1912 to 1930. In this archival episode from 2017, we explore how the city’s people and places helped shape his work — and gives us a personal window into Chicago’s past.
Plus, the City of Chicago created programs to provide eligible Chicago Public School students with devices and free Internet access for remote learning. We hear from residents at a Back of the Yards community event about how these programs are working.
In this episode, we hear about the rise of the Crusaders' new enemy, Nur ad-Din, meaning "Light of the Faith" in Arabic. Nur ad-Din was the son of Zengi, who had united the Emirates of Mosul and Aleppo, and captured the Crusader city of Edessa, which had in turn caused the Second Crusade. Nur ad-Din's reign marked another step towards the unification of Islam against the Crusaders.
Please take a look at my website nickholmesauthor.com where you can download a free copy of The Byzantine World War, my book that describes the origins of the First Crusade.
Recent wildfires on the West Coast and Mayor Lightfoot’s plan to replace lead service lines in Chicago have brought the environment to the top of our minds. And as reporter Monica Eng found last year, Lake Michigan is already being affected by climate change. For a look at what we can expect moving forward, we return to a question from 2019. Plus, we take another peek inside the new school year in the city.
In this episode, we hear about life in Outremer, as the Crusader states were called, meaning 'Overseas' in French. We'll find that the Crusaders never really established themselves in sufficient strength to be a viable long-term power in the region. In addition, the Crusader's growing commercial relations with the Islamic world, which promised a more peaceful and friendly future, were ruined by the aggression of the Catholic Papacy in Rome which only wanted war with Islam.
Please take a look at my website nickholmesauthor.com where you can download a free copy of The Byzantine World War, my book that describes the origins of the First Crusade.
Arrogant Bastard. Raging Bitch. Big Red Coq. Edgy and offensive beer labels are everywhere. They’ve become a part of the craft beer movement. They are accompanied by boundary-pushing illustrations and drawings, too. But sometimes the government says: No way. Welcome to the litigious world of swear words, suds, and free speech.
Follow Jarrett Dieterle on Twitter @JarrettDieterle
In this episode, we hear about the disastrous conclusion of the Second Crusade, which stands in complete contrast to the spectacular success of the First Crusade. It also marked a turning point for both the Crusaders and the Byzantines, as their mutual hostility grew amidst the rising tide of Islamic power.
Please take a look at my website nickholmesauthor.com where you can download a free copy of The Byzantine World War, my book that describes the origins of the First Crusade.