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An 'Unsung Hero of Uptown' has a portrait in a bus shelter near you Jun 17, 2024

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Yman Huang Vien is a former refugee who emigrated to Chicago with her family over 40 years ago, moved to Uptown and quickly co-founded the Chinese Mutual Aid Association, in order to serve low-income, immigrant and refugee communities across Chicago.

Today, she’s one of six community members whose portrait and profile you might run into in a Chicago bus shelter for a project called “Unsung Heroes of Uptown: Art of People ON the Streets IN the Streets.”

In today’s episode, The Rundown podcast host Erin Allen talks to Huang Vien about her journey to Chicago, as well as the creator of the project, Hana Bleue Chaussette, about why she’s putting profiles of community leaders in bus shelters.

Editor's note: A previous version of this episode incorrectly identified the number of portraits on display and the country of origin of the company JCDecaux.

Morning News: Monday June 17, 2024 Jun 17, 2024

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Four neighborhoods in Chicago are developing ways to reduce gun violence through partnerships with public and private groups. Governor J.B. Pritzker touts $41 billion in spending on infrastructure. A hard foul at the Chicago Sky-Indiana Fever game drew some controversy.

Afternoon News: Friday June 14, 2024 Jun 14, 2024

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Multiple CTA workers allege they received chemical burns while washing train cars with harsh cleaning materials they weren’t properly trained to use. The Chicago Police Department still does not ban officers from joining specific extremist groups despite promises of reform. High humidity and heat are in the forecast for early next week.

Nudia Hernandez, Erin Kilmurray and a hot ticket: ‘The Function’ dance show Jun 14, 2024

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Every Friday from here we’ll be checking in with Nudia Hernandez of WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo, who’s gonna bring us a conversation with an artist or musician doing big things in Chicago.

Today, we hear from Erin Kilmurray, creator of “The Function,” an immersive dance production that’s wrapping up its multi-week run in Garfield Park tonight.

Plus, we hear from Nudia herself, how she followed her high school dreams to get into the music and radio scene, and an embarrassing admission about her first concert.

Morning News: Friday June 14, 2024 Jun 14, 2024

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Abortion rights leaders in Illinois are celebrating a recent ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court. The Chicago Teachers Union and school district officials will participate in a public bargaining session this evening. The Illinois state treasurer helps a Lake County veteran get a half million dollar payout from an old life insurance policy.

Afternoon News: Thursday June 13, 2024 Jun 13, 2024

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Governor J.B. Pritzker reacts to the Supreme Court ruling tossing out a challenge to the accessibility of abortion pills. The Illinois Department of Public Health is launching a new data collection process to better track syphilis cases. The Chicago Bears wrapped up their annual organized team activities and are looking ahead to training camp and the preseason.

Chicago’s Mandala Makers Festival is celebrating South Asian arts this month Jun 13, 2024

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Pranita Nayar wanted to give young South Asians in Chicago a platform to express themselves and their culture through art and music. So, in 2014, she created Mandala South Asian Performing Arts, and five years later, the organization kicked off the first Mandala Makers Festival, a celebration of that art and culture happening in June at locations across Chicago.

Nayar, a decorated Indian classical dancer, and multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Chethan Anant sat down with The Rundown podcast host Erin Allen to talk about some of the upcoming events, including the unveiling of a Devon Community Mural on June 16 and a finale concert featuring violinist Ambi Subramaniam and the Mandala Music Circle in downtown Chicago on June 27.

Nayar and Anant also explain how their respective work is so intertwined and how the festival helps bring the South Asian community in Chicago closer together.

Morning News: Thursday June 13, 2024 Jun 13, 2024

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The Chicago Park District did not vote on whether to approve another year of Riot Fest in Douglass Park after festival organizers moved locations. Senator Tammy Duckworth tries to force Republicans to take an election year vote on IVF treatments. A proposal to fine and suspend lobbyist donations to a mayor’s campaign was blocked from a final vote.

Afternoon News: Wednesday June 12, 2024 Jun 12, 2024

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Four wrongfully convicted men will be paid a $50 million dollar settlement by the city. A neighborhood group in McKinley Park on Chicago’s south side is unveiling a plan to create a three-mile bike path along the South Branch of the Chicago River. Riot Fest is forcing the Chicago Red Stars out of their home stadium.

Painter Damiane Nickles says Chicago artists ‘magnetize to one another’ Jun 12, 2024

Show notes

Painter Damiane Nickles loves playing with texture and color in his work. He sees his Trinidadian heritage in the vibrant colors he uses. Nickles grew up in New York, but he said he found his artistic home in Chicago.

“There’s something here where people just magnetize to one another,” Nickles said. “That has really stuck with me.”

In this episode, Nickles talks about inspiration, texture and finding community.

This episode was produced by Ari Mejia for WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo and their Chi Sounds Like series.

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