‘My Childhood in Pieces' Review: A Life of Grins and Groans
Ruby objected. A nasty little court battle ensued. Irma prevailed and the boy became Edward Hirsch—or so he and almost everyone else thought. But it turned out Irma didn't bother to file the legal papers to change her son's name until he was about to turn 21. He only found out decades later.
The deception was but one of many odd, occasionally funny and sometimes painful aspects of Mr. Hirsch's life growing up in a Chicago suburb, as recounted in 'My Childhood in Pieces.' The story unfolds in an almost pointillist style, in snippets of recollections, some only a sentence or two long. The result is a sprawling narrative peopled by an eccentric crew of relatives and friends and quickened with an array of setbacks, successes, disappointments and cruelties told with wit and a few regrets.
Mr. Hirsch subtitles his memoir 'A Stand-Up Comedy, a Skokie Elegy,' and he hits both notes. Skokie is a newish town some 15 miles north of downtown Chicago, populated in significant part by Jews, including, in Mr. Hirsch's youth, a fair number of Holocaust survivors.
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Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
Lollapalooza Kicks Off In Chicago With Cage The Elephant, Luke Combs
Following rain Wednesday night, Lollapalooza kicked off in Chicago on a cool, sunny afternoon along the lakefront Thursday in Grant Park. 2025 marks 20 years since Lollapalooza arrived in the Windy City as a destination festival in 2005 boasting headlining performances by acts like Weezer and a then recently reunited Pixies, with country star Luke Combs performing opposite rapper Tyler, the Creator on the festival's two main stages Thursday night, indicative of the festival's diversity as it continues to evolve. During the festival's Chicago run, Lollapalooza has gone to great lengths to embrace local talent, with artists like Chicago-based indie rockers Ratboys taking to the Bud Light main stage for a 45 minute set Thursday ahead of a set by local rapper Star Bandz Friday. 'Being a part of the Chicago Made showcase is incredible,' said R&B singer BJ the Chicago Kid, who took part in a 45 minute celebration of Chicago music dubbed Chicago Made. 'It's a pure testament to hard work and dedication - people working on their dreams and making them come true,' he said. 'It was a really, really special day today.' Coordinated by the city of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Chicago Made featured an array of Chicago artists including BJ, rapper Mike Lawry Baby, singer Clairice, R&B vocalist Feather and dance troupe The Era Footwork Crew. BJ the Chicago Kid returned to Lollapalooza for the first time since 2019 and remains hard at work on new music, teaming with Grammy-nominated producer Nascent (Kanye West, 50 Cent) on a new album. His latest single 'Make It Hot' is now available and will appear in the forthcoming Prime action comedy The Pickup starring Eddie Murphy, which is set for release next week. 'My dad used to work security. And I grew up seeing a picture of my dad and Eddie Murphy every day as a kid in our house. So, to be a part of a project that he's on is so incredible,' explained the singer of the new track. 'My dad used to work the Bulls rallies and a lot of other festivals that were here. And today I performed on the same stage that my dad worked security on,' said BJ of the Chicago Made performance at Grant Park's Petrillo Music Shell, which hosted championship rallies in the 90s following Michael Jordan-led victories by the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals. 'There's just so many cool moments about today and just being blessed for real.' The Chicago Made showcase immediately followed a 45 minute performance by Ratboys, who've toured heavily with acts like the Decemberists since the release of their breakthrough fifth studio album The Window in 2023. 'We're playing on the first day of the festival. So, it's exciting,' said singer and guitarist Julia Steiner. 'Because it feels like people have a lot of energy and they're stoked to be here - and we feel the same way! So, we're excited to get things off on a fun foot.' For drummer Marcus Nuccio, performing at Lollapalooza marked a return after years spent attending as a fan. 'I haven't been since 2009. That was the last time I came,' he said. 'I went as a teenager a couple of times and it was amazing. It was kind of life changing. Rage Against the Machine was crazy. I saw Ben Kweller early on and M83 early. It was amazing.' Nuccio added that he was excited to catch an afternoon set by alt pop duo Magdalena Bay with Steiner shouting out Sierra Ferrell, who performed Thursday for one hour on the festival's north end. 'We're here to experience the ups and the downs. We hold the power, remember,' said the alt country star, putting a contemporary spin upon the bluegrass genre as she set up 'In Dreams' to close her Lollapalooza set. 'Life is hard enough - don't be hard on yourselves,' said Ferrell following the song. 'Bring your magic.' Backed by a four piece group including upright bass and mandolin, Ferrell and company worked a bit of Black Sabbath's 'Iron Man' into 'Fox Hunt' near the end of the set. Ozzy Osbourne, who passed earlier this month, came up frequently on day one of Lollapalooza 2025, with Cage the Elephant working up Ozzy's 'Changes' near the end of arguably Thursday's most rollicking, energetic live set. 'Lollapalooza! Chi-town, my town!' shouted Cage the Elephant singer Matt Shultz, bounding from the stage down a runway as pyro soared during opening cut 'Broken Boy.' 'We like being here and I truly mean this,' explained the singer later, recalling formative moments on stage at Lollapalooza. 'Each band member attributes our rise to this,' he continued, recalling the band's 2007 festival debut. 'We played right after Lady Gaga. That's the truth,' said Shultz. 'Brad threw up on stage. I guess we've come a long way!' Shultz left the stage to mix it up with fans along the guardrail as the group ripped into the garage rock heart of 'Cry Baby' early, with guitarist Brad Shultz crowd surfing as Matt made his way through the festival throng. Bathed in orange light as the sun began to set on Chicago, Cage the Elephant delivered 'Spiderhead,' with the group tackling hits like 'Social Cues' and 'Ain't no Rest for the Wicked' despite early sound issues. A massive early crowd assembled on the festival's north end as Role Model took to the Tito's stage at Petrillo Music Shell, with the size of the densely packed audience drawing comparisons to an equally crowded 2023 performance on the same stage by singer songwriter Noah Kahan. 'Lollapalooza… You are sexy tonight!' said singer songwriter Tucker Pillsbury,' introducing 'Look at that Woman.' 'I see you out there!' he declared. Country star Luke Combs kicked off Lollapalooza week in style performing in front of just about 1,000 lucky fans during one of the week's most coveted aftershow tickets on stage at vaunted intimate Chicago club Metro Tuesday night, calling Tracy Chapman's 'Fast Car' one of the first songs he learned to play on guitar as he offered up a stirring take on the iconic cut. Performing for 90 minutes on Lollapalooza's Bud Light main stage Thursday, Combs welcomed singer and YouTuber Alex Warren, whose set ended on stage at Petrillo as Combs started up. Branded Dollapalooza for the day, Perry's stage became the home for a stage headlining performance by Australian producer and DJ Dom Dolla. Leading into Dolla's set, Mau P performed for one hour on stage Thursday night. 'It was really cool. It was huge. There was a lot of people. I haven't been in front of a lot of people for a couple of weeks. So, you sort of have to adjust,' said the Dutch producer and DJ following his set. 'I look at the crowd a lot and I try to see what they like. So, like halfway into the set, I sort of change it up. But it's fun to freestyle, you know? It makes you feel alive.' Following the release of his Too Big for B-Side EP earlier this year, Mau P is set to drop the new track 'Tesla,' his latest production and a song which features him on vocal, August 8. Following an appearance at Coachella, Mau continues racing up festival bills and remains in the midst of his 'Baddest Behaviour' Ibiza residency. While casting a keen eye on the business side, Mau P prioritizes creativity as an artist. 'There's two sides to it. Because I like to just be really focused on the creative. But being at this level there's just so many people that are now working with me. It's a big team. And it turns into an actual business thing you have to keep up. And I'm very blessed to have people around me that let me focus on being the artist and the creative,' he explained. 'There are a lot of DJs that are very business-oriented too. Which works. But, for me, it doesn't. So, I really enjoy just focusing on the music and the art and sort of also the marketing. The backend business side of it, I have really good people for that,' said Mau P Thursday backstage at Lollapalooza. 'I'm very blessed that they take care of that side. Because that, to me, is the boring side. The paperwork.'
New York Post
5 hours ago
- New York Post
Pope Leo ‘devours' pizza shipped from his favorite Chicago pie shop — here's what toppings he got
Call him Pope Pieus. Pope Leo XIV recently received a special delivery at the Vatican which came all the way from Chicago. The Illinois-born pontiff, 69, was treated to a personal-size pepperoni pizza from Aurelio's Pizza, a chain he's reportedly loved since he was a boy. Advertisement 3 Pope Leo XIV was gifted a personal-size pepperoni pizza from Aurelio's Pizza. REUTERS/Carlos Osorio Pope Leo XIV, formerly known as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost before he was elected the first American pope earlier this year, received the gift as he rode through Saint Peter's Square in Rome on Wednesday, July 30. His brother, John Prevost, told Chicago TV station WGN that the pontiff 'devoured' the personal pepperoni pie. Advertisement According to NBC News, friends from the Midwest came up with the idea to get the pope a box of his favorite pie. 'It started 30 days ago when I started a challenge to deliver a pizza to the pope,' Catholic content creator Jayden Remias, from Ohio, told WGN. He drove to Chicago to pick up a frozen Aurelio's pizza and delivered it to Madeline Daley from Cincinnati, with whom he connected online, before she left for Rome. Advertisement 3 Pope Leo XIV received the gift as he rode through Saint Peter's Square in Rome on Wednesday, July 30. Instagram / @jaydenremias Daley, 22, made the final leg of the trek to deliver the pizza to the pope as he toured the historical plaza. She got his attention by waving the pie's box and holding a sign that read 'We have Aurelio's pizza.' Leo appeared to signal to his security guard to accept the slice of home. As he accepted the cheesy gift, the leader of the Catholic Church gave a thumbs up and had a big smile on his face. Advertisement 'When Pope Leo came around, he kept grabbing babies to bless them, but as soon as he saw the pizza, he had babies in his hand, but he's still saying, like, 'Get me that pizza, I want that pizza,'' Daley told NBC News. 'And seeing the logo made him light up, and his smile was from ear to ear and he was extremely excited about it.' 3 As Pope Leo accepted the cheesy gift, he gave a thumbs up and had a big smile on his face. Instagram / @jaydenremias Joe Aurelio, president and CEO of Aurelio's Pizza, said it was 'amazing' to be able to deliver the Chicago pizza to the pope. 'Pope Leo has been a lifetime Aurelio's fan and going to Aurelio's Pizza in Homewood, Illinois, since the 1960s,' he said. 'So it's been part of his life and for him to recognize [the pizza] and actually stop there in the audience was amazing.'
Associated Press
5 hours ago
- Associated Press
PHOTO ESSAY: Polaroids capture Chicago's Cubs vs. White Sox 'Crosstown Classic'
CHICAGO (AP) — A fierce rivalry between Chicago's North and South Siders comes to life each summer during the ' Crosstown Classic,' when the Cubs and White Sox face off in their home stadiums. This unique series is loaded with team history and memories for both sets of fans, who hail from the North and South Sides respectively. Polaroids convey nostalgia, and there's nothing that says nostalgia quite like baseball. The film format requires a level of intimacy not often seen in modern photo coverage of baseball games, when speed and instant images are prioritized. Many people were excited by the camera's familiar boxy case, the distinctive sound of the photos sliding smoothly out. 'Is that a Polaroid?' they ask. 'I haven't seen one of those in forever.' Shooting with a Polaroid requires patience, planning for the right moment. You need the right light and direct interaction with the subject. The result takes several minutes to appear, often with a soft or slightly faded focus. The experience reflects baseball in many ways. Major League Baseball was officially established 149 years ago, but the methodical work it takes to win, team traditions and a personal connection to the game are what keeps many fans engaged season after season. Outside the White Sox home stadium, Rate Field, fans are allowed to grill, drink, play games and socialize in a sea of parking lots surrounding the park. Over the rivalry weekend, White Sox and Cubs fans mingled under the sometimes brutal July sun. Flory Aquino, wearing Sox gear, and Kristina Willer, in Cubs gear, played beer pong together before a game. They said they are 'friends before anything.' 'We just have a good time, that's it, you know?' said Aquino. 'And actually, it doesn't matter what team it is. They're both from Chicago, and we just come out here to have a great time.' Inside the park, too, Polaroids made a memory tangible — a single image that can be seen and held instantly. There's no negative, no possible way to replace it. Aylin Servin, 8, and her father Aldo took pictures together behind a giant 'Chicago' sign inside the ballpark, the city skyline in the background. The elder Servin said while he is a long-time Cubs fan, his daughter picked the White Sox. She was attending her first baseball game ever. The images also capture the White Sox fan base's recent embrace of their most famous member — Pope Leo XIV. Born Robert Prevost on Chicago's South Side, the new pope attended Game 1 of the 2005 World Series sweep of the Houston Astros. A fresh mural memorializes that moment. And there are T-shirts and other merchandise nodding to the famous fan sold everywhere. Tom Dermody has been a security guard at the park for the last 14 years and remembers many a Crosstown Classic. He's got a positive view of his job and the fans he interacts with. But he admits the stickier moments are hard to forget. 'Almost three years ago today, I broke up a fight out in the left field bleachers on a Sunday and wound up tearing, completely tearing my rotator cuff,' he said. 'I found out later on, it was an irate Sox fan that threw a beer on a Cubs fan and the whole section went up for grabs. 'It looked like a food fight from one of John Belushi's movies,' he reminisced.
