Latest news with #Samia
Chicago Tribune
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Live music for summer 2025: 10 must-see concerts in Chicago beyond the fests and arena shows
This summer's concert slate points to a transition that continues to slowly unfold locally and around the country. Shying away from big festivals, artists are opting for standalone tours or participating in smaller, manageable package bills. That's welcome news for music lovers who prefer the equivalent of a savory main course to a prix-fixe buffet. And great for anyone looking to catch performers in more intimate environments where headliners can stretch out with a dedicated show. In the next few months, Chicagoans have no shortage of first-rate options in smaller venues purpose-built for music — and, in most cases, at prices that remain below the three-figure threshold. Here are 10 such stops that should be on your shortlist: Samia: 'I wanna be untouchable,' Samia sings in the first verse of the opening cut of her third LP, 'Bloodless. 'I wanna be impossible,' she wishes two stanzas later. The Minneapolis-based singer-songwriter doesn't hurt for confidence, though she has plenty of doubts, regrets and misgivings. Plenty of 20-something indie-pop tunesmiths fit that mold. Yet few possess the imagination to loosely base a record around the bizarre concept of bovine excision and leverage it as a metaphor for reconciling one's prior relationships with and senses of the opposite sex. Melodic, rich, bittersweet, hushed, intimate, albeit insistent: Samia's voice offers another reason to lean into the narratives. Album art and merch that evoke the dark designs preferred by Norwegian black metal bands lend further credence to her ideation. Alison Krauss & Union Station: The last several times Alison Krauss came through Chicago, she partnered with Robert Plant in support of the duo's surprise second duet record. Though the possibility of a third go-round with the former Led Zeppelin legend cannot be dismissed, the Illinois native recently reconvened with her longtime ensemble Union Station for their first LP ('Arcadia') in 14 years. The songs' myth-busting notion that hardship riddled the 'good ol' days' carries weight in our current age. For the group's first tour in a decade, dobro and lap-steel virtuoso Jerry Douglas receives deserved co-billing with the headliner. And newcomer Russell Moore steps in on co-lead vocals and guitar for former stalwart Dan Tyminski. You won't find a better excuse to connect with the premier purveyors of bluegrass. Kathleen Edwards: Sometimes, you need to follow your heart, not what other people want or expect you to do. Kathleen Edwards quickly established herself as one of the wittiest, spunkiest and craftiest singer-songwriters during the early 2000s. She issued four acclaimed albums that culminated with an effort ('Voyageur') spearheaded by Bon Iver leader Justin Vernon. Then, just like that, she dropped out. Or rather, she opened the cleverly named Quitters, a coffee shop outside of her hometown of Ottawa, Ontario. The Canadian operated the cafe as she slowly returned to music, releasing 'Total Freedom' (2020) and a covers EP this spring. Edwards also sold Quitters, remarried and started writing again. All positive developments for anyone drawn to smart, crackling country-rock and incisive, self-assured narratives. MJ Lenderman: Current indie-rock darling MJ Lenderman used a childhood fascination with the game Guitar Hero as a springboard to learn about predecessors who influenced his own work, which he started documenting on a laptop in fifth grade. After paying his dues in the North Carolina club circuits, Lenderman soon gained a wider following in 2022 after making his first properly recorded album ('Boat Songs'). The ascendency of the shambolic collective Wednesday, which Lenderman joins in the studio, and the fact that he unleashes memorably ragged, go-for-broke guitar solos further raised his profile. Last fall's 'Manning Fireworks,' brimming with penetrating character studies, exquisite detail and barbed humor, signaled the 26-year-old Lenderman had officially arrived. Obligatory magazine profiles, best-of-year nods, meme posts and a sold-out tour provided confirmation. FKA Twigs: FKA Twigs began dancing professionally as a 'tween, advanced to performing for global stars like Kylie Minogue and Jessie J, and got her solo break after playing at a party connected to a fetishwear company. Unsurprisingly, body language, fashion and sensuality serve as principal impetus behind everything the British multi-instrumentalist/singer touches. Especially the club music on 'Eusexua,' an electronically sculpted journey that spotlights her finessed vocals, reveals introspective lyrics and rearranges house, ambient, techno, dubstep and synthpop motifs at will. Built for headphones, FKA Twigs' textured sonic portraits transform into ethereal and empowering physical experiences when the singer gets to act them out onstage. Alabama Shakes: For reasons nobody can explain, promising rock bands that form in the 21st century inevitably have short lifespans. Alabama Shakes count themselves among those ranks. Led by vocal dynamo Brittany Howard, the quartet electrified crowds and won over audiences with two studio albums, particularly the aptly titled 'Sound & Color.' Then, just as the group appeared to leap from mid-sized hall to arena status, it went on hiatus. Howard busied herself with a solo career. Circumstances turned bleaker for former drummer Steve Johnson. Now operating as a trio, Alabama Shakes seek to rekindle their old spark on their first tour in more than eight years — one they hint will involve old and new material. Yeah Yeah Yeahs: If you were fortunate to catch Yeah Yeah Yeahs in their prime at Metro way back in April 2003, you witnessed the band's dervish of a singer, Karen O, attack with a blend of grit, humor, brazenness and New York City-style cool that felt too real and spontaneous to be anything else. Don't bet on the vocalist summoning the ghosts of her younger self here. Instead, the edgy trio plans a tactic that on the surface sounds like the exact opposite: reconceptualizing favorites and deep cuts with piano, strings and acoustic guitars. An arty retort to carefree nostalgia, or the next logical step for a group that seldom adheres to convention and values surprise? Yeah Yeah Yeahs' penchant for unpredictability says all bets are off until the shows happen. Pelican: In its most basic form, Pelican is a rock band that doesn't use a vocalist. Beyond that, the quartet endures as one of the most dynamic, diverse representatives of this city's creative climes. Cheekily characterized as 'Post-Emo Stoner Deathgaze' on its Facebook page, Pelican skirts simple description. Having evolved beyond the churning metal of its early era and even dared to adopt classically inspired motifs, Pelican functions as a two-way bridge to Chicago's hard-nosed noise-rock of the late '80s and anything-goes Fireside Bowl scenes of the mid/late '90s. Melodic devices and mysterious intrigue augment the quartet's palette. Another reason to cheer on the local heroes? The release of 'Flickering Resonance,' its first record with original guitarist Laurent Schroeder-Lebec since 2009. 100 concerts for Chicago summer 2025 — starting with music this weekendKing Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard: Depending on the source, lo-fi cult favorites Guided by Voices have released somewhere in the neighborhood of 40 studio LPs, 20 EPs, four box sets and dozens of singles during an on-again, off-again legacy that stretched to the early '80s. Which means at the rate they're going, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard will lap their prolific forebearers in roughly five years, all the while adding chapters to their 'Gizzverse,' a fascinating galaxy with recurring characters, stories and themes. The forthcoming 'Phantom Island' marks the enviro-conscious sextet's 27th album since 2010 and witnesses the shape-shifting Australians lean in symphonic directions. At this ambitious outing, the Chicago Philharmonic helps the collective bring it to life. Expect fireworks without the boom. Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore: Elder statesmen Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore make up in pedigree what they lack in mainstream-name recognition. Alvin's sparkling resume includes a stretch co-leading the seminal roots-rock outfit Blasters; stints in the Los Angeles punk collective the Flesh Eaters; and having songs from his deep solo catalog hand-picked for revered television series such as 'The Sopranos.' The 80-year-old Gilmore counts membership in 'alt-country' forefathers the Flatlanders; Grammy-nominated records that double as middle fingers to the Nashville establishment; and a memorable acting turn in 'The Big Lebowski' among his achievements. Together, the explorers channel the aura of the lonely highways, high plains dustiness and bordertown barrooms that populate their bluesy folk and cosmic country.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Kenyan president apologises to Tanzania over deportation row
Kenya's President William Ruto has publicly apologised to Tanzania following days of tension between the neighbouring countries. Some Kenyans on social media have been targeting Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan following the recent detention and deportation of prominent East African activists. Angry Tanzanian MPs on Monday accused Kenyans of cyberbullying and disrespecting Tanzanian sovereignty and "meddling in domestic affairs". Speaking at a national prayer breakfast on Wednesday, Ruto appeared to extend an olive branch to Tanzania. "To our neighbours from Tanzania, if we have wronged you in any way, forgive us," he said. "If there is anything that Kenyans have done that is not right, we want to apologise," the president added. Ugandan activist alleges she was raped while in Tanzanian detention Why Samia's hesitant reforms are fuelling Tanzanian political anger 'They aimed to kill' - BBC identifies security forces who shot Kenya anti-tax protesters Ruto also apologised to young Kenyans, popularly known as Gen-Zs, who have been critical of his administration since the deadly anti-tax protesters last June. The president made the remarks in response to a call by visiting American preacher Rickey Allen Bolden, who urged leaders to pursue reconciliation. The diplomatic row was triggered by the deportation of activists who had travelled to Tanzania to attend the trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu. Among them were Kenyan Boniface Mwangi and Agather Atuhaire from Uganda. The two said they were held incommunicado for several days and tortured, before they were left at the border by Tanzanian security forces, sparking widespread condemnation across the region and from international rights groups. Tanzania is yet to comment on the torture claims but President Samia had earlier warned that she would not allow activists from neighbouring countries to "meddle" in her country's affairs and cause "chaos". Both Kenya and Ugandan had formally protested against the detention of the activists, accusing the Tanzanian authorities of denying consular access despite repeated requests. The alleged mistreatment of the activists triggered an online war, with social media users from Kenya and Tanzania clashing over the claims. In a heated debate on Monday, Tanzanian parliamentarians expressed outrage over the young Kenyans trolling President Samia. The MPs said Samia had every right to defend Tanzania's national interests. The legislators' comments angered some Kenyans who hit back by sharing lawmakers' contacts and flooding their phones with messages to express their disapproval. Tanzania's Iringa Town MP Jesca Msambatavangu said that most of the messages came via WhatsApp, forcing her to temporarily switch off her phone. Msambatavangu, however, welcomed the engagement, encouraging Kenyans on social media to "counter ideas with ideas". She asked young Kenyans to create a WhatsApp group for further engagement and promised to engage them in a live session on Saturday. "Kenyans are our neighbours, our brothers, and we cannot ignore each other," she added. El Chapo & Deputy Jesus - why Kenya's president has so many nicknames Could this be the end of the road for Tanzania's great survivor, Tundu Lissu? How Kenya's evangelical president has fallen out with churches X restricted in Tanzania after police targeted by hackers Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Kenyan president apologies to Tanzania over deportation row
Kenya's President William Ruto has publicly apologised to Tanzania following days of tension between the neighbouring countries. Some Kenyans on social media have been targeting Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan following the recent detention and deportation of prominent East African activists. Angry Tanzanian MPs on Monday accused Kenyans of cyberbullying and disrespecting Tanzanian sovereignty and "meddling in domestic affairs". Speaking at a national prayer breakfast on Wednesday, Ruto appeared to extend an olive branch to Tanzania. "To our neighbours from Tanzania, if we have wronged you in any way, forgive us," he said. "If there is anything that Kenyans have done that is not right, we want to apologise," the president added. Ugandan activist alleges she was raped while in Tanzanian detention Why Samia's hesitant reforms are fuelling Tanzanian political anger Ruto also apologised to young Kenyans, popularly known as Gen-Zs, who have been critical of his administration since the deadly anti-tax protesters last June. The president made the remarks in response to a call by visiting American preacher Rickey Allen Bolden, who urged leaders to pursue reconciliation. The diplomatic row was triggered by the deportation of activists who had travelled to Tanzania to attend the trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu. Among them were Kenyan Boniface Mwangi and Agather Atuhaire from Uganda. The two said they were held incommunicado for several days and tortured, before they were left at the border by Tanzanian security forces, sparking widespread condemnation across the region and from international rights groups. Tanzania is yet to comment on the torture claims but President Samia had earlier warned that she would not allow activists from neighbouring countries to "meddle" in her country's affairs and cause "chaos". Both Kenya and Ugandan had formally protested against the detention of the activists, accusing the Tanzanian authorities of denying consular access despite repeated requests. The alleged mistreatment of the activists triggered an online war, with social media users from Kenya and Tanzania clashing over the claims. In a heated debate on Monday, Tanzanian parliamentarians expressed outrage over the young Kenyans trolling President Samia. The MPs said Samia had every right to defend Tanzania's national interests. The legislators' comments angered some Kenyans who hit back by sharing lawmakers' contacts and flooding their phones with messages to express their disapproval. Tanzania's Iringa Town MP Jesca Msambatavangu said that most of the messages came via WhatsApp, forcing her to temporarily switch off her phone. Msambatavangu, however, welcomed the engagement, encouraging Kenyans on social media to "counter ideas with ideas". She asked young Kenyans to create a WhatsApp group for further engagement and promised to engage them in a live session on Saturday. "Kenyans are our neighbours, our brothers, and we cannot ignore each other," she added. El Chapo & Deputy Jesus - why Kenya's president has so many nicknames Could this be the end of the road for Tanzania's great survivor, Tundu Lissu? How Kenya's evangelical president has fallen out with churches X restricted in Tanzania after police targeted by hackers Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Samia Longchambon's 'wild times' on Corrie as she celebrate 25 years on ITV soap
Soap star marks major milestone as Maria Connor and shares what has kept her on the show so long Samia Longchambon says she's proud to have played Coronation Street 'strong woman' Maria for 25 years - and even answers to her character name now. She's been a Weatherfield staple playing the unlucky-in-love hairdresser since she was 17. Only coming in on a three-month contract, Samia, 42, looks back at her 'wild times' as Maria and what's kept her on the ITV soap so long. 'If someone had said at the start that I'd be around this long, I would have laughed,' she said. 'I thought maybe I'll be a jobbing actress, or go to university, or become a director when I'm older. 'Playing Maria for 25 years is a surprise, but I think Corrie can be quite addictive once you get here. The people make it such a nice atmosphere to be a part of.' Samia says she's played Maria for so long she's taken on the moniker too. 'Maria's my second name now,' she laughed. 'I literally answer to 'Maria' as easily as I do to my own name. I get it – we look alike, after all! And she's trying to be a good mum, as am I.' But she says that's where she hopes their similarities end. 'She's had quite a colourful past!' explains Samia. 'Maria has had some wild times over the years. Now she seems to have settled down a bit with Gary. I don't know if that's going to be forever, because you just never know in Corrie. 'I feel like I'm quite proud of her, how she's overcome some massive obstacles in her life, and she still seems to have kept her sanity throughout it all. I'm not sure I would have been able to do that. I think she's one of Corrie's 'strong women' now.' Away from Corrie, Samia is married to Dancing On Ice skater Sylvain, 44, and mum of two to Freya, 15, and Yves, nine. Meeting her future husband on the ITV skating show in 2012, she insists it wasn't an instant connection. 'It wasn't love at first skate for me and Sylvain,' she said. 'I was too busy learning to move around on the ice to be thinking about anything like that! Things between us didn't start until months after we first met.' Losing her dad in 2009, who had French as his second language, Samia feels he had a hand in her finding love. 'I think my dad sent Sylvain to me,' she explained to Prima magazine. 'He loved France, and his sister Samia, who I'm named after, lives about an hour away from where Sylvain grew up in Lyon. Once we got to know each other, I was like, 'Oh, this is weird.' There were so many common threads with him that I was like, 'I feel like my dad just sent you.'' Continuing her skating now, Samia says she's much better at it now the pressure is off. And would be up for another reality show to push her out of her comfort zone. 'When it comes to other TV shows, I say 'never say never' to anything," she said. 'I've spent a lot of my life being scared because of anxiety. A challenge is always good.' Samia has been open about her struggles with anxiety - sharing her story with her followers. But says yoga and meditation have helped her cope better. She explained: 'I can ruminate over things for a long time, and have it ruin weeks of my life, to the point where I can't eat because of anxiety – so when it's bad, I do what I can to stay busy. I did a CBT [cognitive behavioural therapy] course, which also helped. Sometimes, it does get the better of you, but you just have to accept it and think, 'This too shall pass.'' Being in the public eye has opened Samia up to some negative comments, and says they sometimes get the better of her. 'I've had to deal with loads of trolling over the years, it's usually when Maria's caught up in something that's not great and people forget that I'm not this character! It's not nice – this industry can be hard if you're not thick-skinned, and I'm not," said the actress. 'So I have to discipline myself with social media – reading mean comments can feel like picking a scab; you don't want to read it, but then you do end up reading it, and it ruins your day. Historically, there's been a couple of times I have responded to trolls. Weirdly, though, I find that most people back down and apologise when you call them out. 'Sorry, I didn't mean it like that,' they might say. And I'll think, 'Well, I'm a human with feelings, and it hurts – but it's fine, let's move on.'' The July 2025 issue of Prima is now on sale or read here.
Business Wire
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Tanzania's Foreign Policy Launch Strengthens Afro-Latin Solidarity and South-South Cooperation
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tanzania's new Foreign Policy framework, which was recently launched in Dar es Salaam calls for deeper Afro-Latin American solidarity and cultural diplomacy. It highlights the historical ties and shared development priorities between Tanzania, Brazil, and Cuba. The policy was launched on 19 May during an event officiated by the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan. The launch was also attended by Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, members of the Diplomatic Corps, senior government leaders and representatives from the private sector. Since independence, Tanzania's diplomacy has upheld anti-colonial values and cultural pride. The new policy revisits these roots while advancing people-centered development, multilingual engagement, and innovation partnerships with Latin America. With strong foundations in education, health, and liberation history, Tanzania invites renewed collaboration with Latin American partners The policy also supports Kiswahili promotion, South-South innovation, climate justice, and people-centered development — offering new pathways for engagement under platforms like the G77, UNCTAD, and the African Union-CELAC dialogue. Speaking during the launching ceremony, President Samia told the delegates that the drafting of the policy included views of Tanzanians from all walks of life. 'The drafting of the policy was participatory since we wanted everyone to participate in the process; it was high time we revised the policy to cope with the global shifts in various spheres,' she remarked. She mentioned some of the global shifts as the ongoing scramble for strategic minerals as the world seeks to move towards renewable energy from fossil fuel as well as disruptions of trade value chains caused by conflicts in some countries. According to President Samia, the renewed policy sets a clear course on how Tanzania engages with the world-grounded in national interest, principle and responsive to evolving global context. 'This policy speaks on who we are as a nation, firm in our values, proactive in our diplomacy and committed to constructive partnerships that advance peace, security and shared prosperity,' she affirmed. The guidelines plan special training for officials and envoys to achieve goals of economic diplomacy, where a key feature is granting special status to the Tanzania non-citizen Diaspora, formalizing their role in national development. The President urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation to make use of retired diplomats to conduct special trainings for officials in the ministry and other government offices on implementation of the policy. For his part, President Mwinyi said the updated policy will unlock potentials in many areas socially, economically and politically. 'Tanzania continues to position itself in greater heights globally and the revised policy aligns with the needs of the evolving world,' he stated. On the other hand, Dr Mwinyi urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to woo more countries to open consulates in Zanzibar with the aim of opening up the isles to the world. He went on and called on Tanzanians to protect the interests of their country through implementation of the new policy. 'We should use the policy to protect the interest of our country, the new guidelines will benefit both parts of the union Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar,' he noted. Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo said the revised policy seeks to foster deeper economic cooperation with development partners; support non-alignment and South-South cooperation. The Minister explained that the revised Foreign Policy focuses on 10 thematic areas, namely economic diplomacy; the promotion of peace, security, and political stability; the ratification and domestication of international treaties and protocols. The new policy also seeks to embrace effective participation in bilateral, regional and international bodies; the use of Kiswahili as an instrument of diplomacy and mobilizing international resources for national development, he stated. Other areas of focus are diaspora participation, maximizing opportunities arising from the blue economy and dispensing human rights and good governance in accordance with the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania of 1977 and its social and cultural values. As part of efforts to promote Kiswahili, the governments of Tanzania and Cuba hosted the First International Kiswahili Conference in Havana, from November 7 to 10, last year. President Samia's advocacy for Kiswahili has marked a historic milestone in Tanzania's cultural diplomacy. Through strategic engagements at the United Nations and UNESCO, she successfully campaigned for the recognition of July 7th as World Swahili Language Day. This achievement, secured through a UNESCO Resolution in November 2021, was followed by further efforts that led to the UN General Assembly's 2024 decision to officially recognize Kiswahili Day starting in 2025. President Samia's vision extends beyond symbolic recognition; she has established Kiswahili language centers in international universities and promoted its study worldwide, cementing Tanzania's role as a cultural leader in global forums. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Tanzania Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation. Download Image (1): Image Caption (1): H.E. Amb. Mindi Kasiga, Director of Communication at the Government Communications Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African cooperation speaking at the Tanzania Foreign Policy 2024 Launch event in Dar es Salaam recently Download Image (2): Image Caption (2): H.E. Amb. Samwel William Shelukindo, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation addresses attendees at the launch of the Tanzania Foreign Policy (2024) event in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Download Image (3): Image Caption (3): H.E. Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council speaks during celebrations to mark the official launch of the Tanzania Foreign Policy (2024) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Download Image (4): Image Caption (4): Young Tanzanian singers entertain the audience during celebrations to launch the Tanzania Foreign Policy (2024) recently in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Download Image (5): Image Caption (5): H.E. Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete former President of the United Republic of Tanzania (centre) with H.E. Amb. Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation at an event to mark the launch of Tanzania Foreign Policy (2024) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Download Image (6): Image Caption (6): H.E. Amb. Mahmoud Thabit Kombo speaking at the launch of the Tanzania Foreign Policy (2024) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Download Image (7): Image Caption (7): H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania addressing attendees at an event to officially launch the Tanzania Foreign Policy (2024) held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania recently
