Checking In

Hear from the spirited wife and husband duo behind KOVAL Distillery as they share firsthand why they chose to forgo stable jobs and a house down payment in D.C. to instead open Chicago’s first distillery since Prohibition. 

Vincent Uribe, Art Director for Arts of Life, sits down with Hector Jones who shares his personal experience as an artist within the local non-profit. Hear inspirational stories that speak to Arts of Life’s mission of providing artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities a collective space to expand their practice and strengthen their leadership.

Put on in partnership with the NRDC, we welcomed Abra Berens, Chef and Author of “Ruffage: A Practical Guide to Vegetables,” along with Chicago Tribune’s Food and Beverage reporter Louisa Chu, NRDC’s Josh Mogerman and Urban Growers Collective’s Laurell Sims for a conversation surrounding climate change and it’s effect on farmers, their food, and the final […]

We join Michael Darling, Chief Curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (MCA), and Lauren Peterson, Chicago-Midwest Regional Representative for Phillips, on a tour of Virgil Abloh’s unprecedented exhibition, “Figures of Speech.” This guided conversation highlights the show with Darling’s insider curatorial knowledge, drawing from three years of close collaboration with Abloh developing the […]

In honor of Pride month, the hotel’s very own David Mor joined a panel of LGBTQIA+ hospitality leaders to discuss the strides being made in Chicago’s bar, restaurants, and event spaces to ensure all guests, and employees, are represented and feel welcome. On the panel: Bre Auberry, Morgan Higgins, Caitlin Laman, and Julieta Campos.

Without a college degree or formal training in any one field, Ben Gott’s curiosity about design and development has always informed his success as a self-made entrepreneur across industries. Get a glimpse inside the mind of Ben – founder of Boxed Water, object company, and more – as he chats with fellow Chicagoan and creative, […]

On this special episode, Nike Master Trainer Emily Hutchins guides listeners through a 20-minute, full body workout that can be completed anywhere – even in the comfort of our hotel rooms!

On this special episode, Nike Master Trainer Emily Hutchins guides listeners through a 30-minute, full body workout that can be completed anywhere – even in the comfort of our hotel rooms!

In conjunction with Art Design Chicago and Video Game Gallery, we checked in with curator Jon Cates and artist Jeffrey Daniels to discuss the largely untold story of Chicago’s role in the history of new media, including the legacy of Chicago’s pioneers and their influence on digital art practice today.

In conjunction with Art Design Chicago and the Museum of Contemporary Photography, we listen in as curator Karen Irvine talks with artist Ayanah Moor about the legacy of Chicago-based artist Ralph Arnold who made photocollages that appropriated and commented upon mass media portrayals of gender, sexuality, race, and politics in the 1960s and 70s. Together […]

In partnership with Empty Bottle Presents, we welcomed in DC power trio, Ex Hex, for an evening talk with fierce musician and avid podcaster, Anya Davidson. Listen in on this exclusive conversation, with stories from tour and insight into the band’s highly anticipated second album.

In conjunction with Art Design Chicago and the Block Museum, we sat down with curators Amy Beste and Corinne Granof, and artist Jan Tichy, to discuss the Goldsholl’s legacy and the ways in which their work resonates with an ongoing history of Chicago artists whose practices cross boundaries between design, art, and film.

Together with Art Design Chicago, we celebrate the 125th anniversary of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago with this conversation. Curator Tricia Van Eck interviews artist Emilio Rojas whose current project references the fair and critically examines its history and influence. Emilio’s work is featured in the exhibition Living Architecture, which runs through December […]

In this collaborative episode with Art Design Chicago, curator Janine Mileaf  for the Arts Club of Chicago’s exhibition, “A Home for Surrealism: Fantastic Painting in Midcentury Chicago,” talks with artist Alexandria Eregbu about the tradition of Surrealism in Chicago and ways in which the characteristics of the genre – fantasy and imagination – are manifest in […]

Another insightful talk put on in partnership with Art Design Chicago. This episode highlights the Chicago Design Museum’s exhibition, “Great Ideas of Humanity: Out of the Container,” as museum Executive Director, Lauren Boegen, talks with designer, Jonathan Solomon, and historian, Lara Allison, about the historic Great Ideas series and its impact today.

In this collaborative conversation with Art Design Chicago, we highlight the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago’s exhibition, Picture Fiction: Kenneth Josephson and Contemporary Photography. Take a listen as exhibition curator, Michael Darling, talks with contributing artist, B. Ingrid Olson, on the photographic legacy of Ken Josephson and his influence on artists of all kinds.

The third in a series of co-hosted conversations with Art Design Chicago, this episode was put on in alignment with the National Museum of Mexican Art’s exhibition, Arte Diseño Xicágo: Mexican Inspiration from the World’s Columbian Exposition to the Civil Rights Era. Curator Cesáreo Moreno talks with artist Errol Ortiz about the experiences of Chicago’s Mexican-American […]

The second in a series of collaborative conversations with Art Design Chicago, this episode highlights DePaul Art Museum’s featured exhibition, Barbara Jones-Hogu: Resist, Relate, Unite 1968–1975. Listen in as Museum Director, Julie Rodrigues Widholm, and exhibition catalog contributor, Faheem Majeed, dive into the important legacy of Chicago-based artist Barbara Jones-Hogu, who was a central figure of the Black Arts […]

Put on in partnership with Art Design Chicago, this episode’s conversation complemented Art Design Chicago’s featured exhibit, “Bill Walker: Urban Griot.” Exhibition curator Juarez Hawkins talks with muralist Damon Reed about the legacy of Bill Walker, one of the forefathers of the modern mural movement, and his influence on socially engaged art practice and street art […]

Animal Collective members, Brian and Noah, took a moment from their whirlwind of weekend shows in Chicago to chat with writer and music critic, JR Nelson, about their memories as lifelong friends and band mates, unexpected sources of inspiration over the years, and where the future is headed for their music.

Chicago-based artist, Daniel Baird, dives deep into his creative process – referencing his pieces on display, at the time, within our hotel’s Fine Arts Display Case – on this episode of the Storytelling Series. Alongside Stephanie Cristello, Director of Programming at EXPO Chicago and Editor-in-Chief of THE SEEN, Baird dissects how elements of time, history, […]

Artist Mike Rea, fresh off installing an exhibit of intricate and magnificently detailed wood sculptures in the Chicago Athletic Association hotel, sits down with fellow artist Ethan Gill, sharing personal insight into his artistic process.   

For  special edition of the Storytelling Series, avant garde drummer Jamire Williams and scene sage Carlos Niño stop in from Los Angeles for a very rare Chicago visit. Joined by Uncanned Music curator Scottie McNiece, the two musicians enlighten listeners with stories of their music and experience working together on the production of ///// EFFECTUAL, Williams’ first solo record.

In partnership with Empty Bottle Presents, the Texan synthesizer auteurs of S U R V I V E take an afternoon to share honest insights, tribulations and successes of being a band with Kevin Warwick of the Chicago Reader and A.V. Club.

Innovative artist, Petra Bachmaier, one of the founding members of Luftwerk – the Humboldt Park-based art studio specializing in temporary public art and sculpture – discusses her project, “Turning Sky,” a stunning light installation on Chicago’s 606 trail. Alongside Mimi Zeiger, an LA-Based critic, editor, curator, and instigator, Petra explores how science, technology, and community find their way into art. 

Listen in as Lifestyle Journalist Ari Bendersky is led through the Museum of Contemporary Art by Michael Darling, James W. Alsdorf Chief Curator. Inside, Darling takes Ari on a tour of “The Octopus Eats Its Own Leg,” a retrospective exhibition of Japanese artist Takashi Murakami curated by Darling. Photo: Nathan Keay, © MCA Chicago.  

On this episode of the Storytelling Series, our Event Programmer Jill Kaye talks to Sam Farrar fresh off installing work in the hotel, which was the first formal public viewing of his drawings. Next, Sam is working on a full exhibition of SAMAPS including a mural, in Venice, California that will run through May 14th, […]

Fresh from their self-titled album release show, Indie-Rock band American Football join music critic, Leor Galil, for a candid conversation about the realities of facing the spotlight through the many stages of being a tenured band.

As a documentarian, artist Carlos Javier Ortiz has focused on urban life, gun violence, racism, poverty and marginalized communities for well over a decade. Listen in as Ortiz discusses his ongoing work as a director, filmmaker, and photographer, with nonprofit arts director James Pepper Kelly. (pictured, from the project We All We Got.)

Listen to one of the city’s best food writers, AV Club’s Kevin Pang, chat with Andy Ricker of the Pok Pok empire. one of the country’s most acclaimed chefs, about Ricker’s passion for Thai cooking, running restaurants all over the country, and more.

The Wednesday leading up to Chicago’s 2016 Art EXPO weekend, Naomi Huffman of Featherproof Press lead a Storytelling Session with Chicago-based Artist Tony Fitzpatrick – a household name in Chicago’s art scene and beyond.  

Chris Connelly – best known for his participation in the 80’s & 90’s industrial scene including bands such Revolting Cocks, Ministry & Pigface, impressive discography as a solo artist, and published author – sits down with Chicago-based musician and 15 years+ Reckless Records manager, Matt Jencik, to talk music among many other markers and milestones in the […]

Largely credited with launching Brooklyn’s artisanal food movement, Andy Tarlow (Diner, Marlow & Sons, Reynard, Wythe Hotel, and more) has grown a restaurant empire on the simple idea that a meal can somehow be beautiful and ambitious, while also being unfussy and inviting. For this conversation, curated in conjunction with Land and Sea Dept., we invited […]

Stephen Eichhorn and Cincinnati curator Austin Radcliffe joined for a discussion about Eichhorn’s artist practice and his exhibition “The Flower Knows”, while it was on view in Chicago Athletic Association hotel’s Drawing Room during Fall 2016.

In the first half of a conversation led by publisher Tim Kinsella, writer Keegan Jennings Goodman reads an excerpt of his most recent book “The Tennessee Highway Death Chant,” and then talks in depth about his specific writing style, especially related to the esoteric-nature of his book.

In the second half of a conversation, Robert talks with publisher Tim Kinsella about his practice, career and complete dedication to the process of making the 160-page monograph, covering two decades of stunning paintings & tattoos, interviews with art and music luminaries about his work and subject matter, detailing Ryan’s personal journey and progression as an […]

The day after their Lollapalooza 2016 performance, the Philadelphia-based rock band sat down with Kevin Warwick (Chicago Reader, AV Club) for stripped down, intimate conversation about the trials and tribulations the band faced in their past that ultimately paved the road to recent big successes they’ve found in the present. 18+ please note this podcast […]

Bethany Claus Widick received her Master of Science in Historic Preservation from the School of the Art Institute (SAIC) in Chicago, with her master’s thesis is entitled, “Inside the Cherry Circle: The History and Restoration of the Chicago Athletic Association,” which examined the successful restoration and adaptive reuse of the CAA as well as provided […]

In celebration of the first anniversary of opening our doors to the public, the Chicago Athletic Association hotel was very pleased to present Mrs. Cindy Pritzker – one of the most distinguished women in Chicago today –  as keynote speaker, with the talk in Cindy’s Rooftop, the crown jewel of the Chicago Athletic Association hotel.  Mrs. Pritzker’s Storytelling Series […]

Honoring the hotel’s collaboration with Ship To Shore Productions on Cherry Circle Yacht Club – a pop-up bar experience that debuted at Chicago Athletic Association hotel during the America’s Cup sailing competition on Lake Michigan – STS co-founder and sailing photographer Zachary James Johnston and fellow Great Lakes surfer/photographer Mike Killion share tales of surfing in the freezing winter […]

Naomi Huffman of Featherproof Press lead conversation with Sam Bailey, a writer, actor and filmmaker whose screenwriting and directing credits include the Tribeca Film Festival and Gotham Award nominee: You’re So Talented (Best Breakthrough Series Short Form Nominee).  

Tim Kinsella of Featherproof Press lead conversation with writer and critic from Chicago, J.R Nelson, chock-full of stories, delving deep into Chicago’s music & literature scene while provoking some serious belly laughs along the way.  

This round, we brought in partners of the Chicago Athletic Association hotel, Heritage Bikes!  The shop partners with us to provide guests of the hotel one-of-a-kind bicycles, including two amazing tandems to see the local sights about town in style. Alan and Derek from Heritage discussed some Chicago and bicycle history.

When you ask a Chicagoan about Ryley Walker, it’s inevitable that nearly everyone has their own story to account for the guitarist’s tenure in the city – so we were thrilled to have him share his own versions during this storytelling series. Listen in as Walker joined Tim Kinsella of Featherproof Press in another installment of the […]

Following their sold-out show at Thalia Hall the night before, Parquet Courts headed to the Chicago Athletic Association hotel for a night of storytelling. Listen to them discuss life on the road and their writing process with Kevin Warwick, Chicago Reader associate editor and A.V. Club music contributor.

In partnership with Empty Bottle, Kevin Warwick, Chicago Reader Associate Editor and A.V. Club music contributor, hosted a intimate, fireside discussion with Fred & Toody Cole. Enjoy untold stories and opinions about their career and approach as a duo, including a look at the evolution of Portland over the last decade, from when they came up in the DIY punk […]

National Geographic photojournalist Brian Skerry has spent his 38-year career exploring and capturing breathtaking images of the wonders of Earth’s vast oceans. He has logged over 10,000 hours underwater and his work was selected as part of National Geographic magazine’s “50 Greatest Photographs” series. Shortly before his National Geographic Live appearance at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre, Skerry joined Ship to Shore Productions at […]

Since the early ’90s, Ted Leo has been one of the most progressive forces in East Coast independent music, with a unique combination of punk and folk, soul and hardcore, and tradition and experimentation. Experience the live performance and conversation with Tim Kinsella of Featherproof Press, as Leo shares memorable moments and life lessons learned as a […]