Afternoon Edition: July 27, 2021

Good afternoon. Here’s the latest news you need to know in Chicago. It’s about a 5-minute read that will brief you on today’s biggest stories.

This afternoon will be sunny with a high near 89 degrees. Tonight will be partly cloudy with a low around 74. Tomorrow will be mostly sunny with a slight chance of showers, a high near 92 and heat index values as high as 97.

Top story

Lollapalooza 2021: From Miley to Megan, 10 must-see acts to catch this weekend

Thirty years ago, in the summer of 1991, Lollapalooza got its start as a touring event, originally intended as founder Perry Farrell’s way of bidding adieu to his rock act Jane’s Addiction. Yet, it soon proved successful and became one of the early American models for the thriving and popular festivals that have now become a cornerstone of contemporary culture across the globe.

In the past two years, the event has shown its resiliency and innovative spirit, quickly vaulting to a comprehensive virtual model amid a global pandemic in 2020, and returning this summer as one of the first major music festival events hosted in Chicago (and the country for that matter).

Though a few things have changed this year — no Kidzapalooza stage and strict, new COVID-19 guidelines to be aware of before heading to the park — the stacked four-day lineup is an impressive feat to have pulled off in record time.

Here are the 10 acts people will be buzzing about when the weekend wraps:

Miley Cyrus

Coming out of her kid star shell over the course of the past decade, Miley Cyrus has been experimenting with her self image and music image in that time span, but where she’s landed recently with the glam rock album “Plastic Hearts” is a great place for that ballsy energy and unique voice. Cyrus’ constant state of flux also means anything goes in this set. Will she unleash her latest Metallica cover? Will former collaborators The Flaming Lips join her for a hamster ball ‘palooza? Will she do a duet with dad Billy Ray? Cyrus no doubt will bring the surprises in this festival opening night finale. (8:45 p.m. Thursday, T-Mobile Stage)

Click here to read about nine other must-see acts coming to Grant Park later this week.

More news you need

1. A man caught downtown during the May 2020 protests with a hammer and a gun he wasn’t legally allowed to possess has been sentenced to one year in prison. Prosecutors said they have no evidence the man caused any damage, but he committed a crime that’s symbolic of a gun problem in Chicago.
2. Police reform advocates made their case for more sweeping search warrant reforms during a hearing today on an ordinance championed by several aldermen. The ordinance is aimed at preventing a repeat of the 2019 botched raid on Anjanette Young’s home.
3. The CDC backpedaled today on its masking guidelines, recommending that even vaccinated people wear masks indoors in parts of the U.S. where the coronavirus is surging. The new guidance comes as national COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have increased, especially in the South.
4. A new PBS documentary centering on Buddy Guy tells the story of the blues icon’s career and his deep ties to Chicago. In his review of “Buddy Guy: The Blues Chase the Blues Away,” Richard Roeper calls it a great American story of a great American life.

A bright one

Netflix reveals the man behind ‘Chicago Party Aunt’ Twitter account, announces series

The person behind the famed Twitter account “Chicago Party Aunt” was revealed today.

He’s 38-year-old Chris Witaske, a Los Angeles-based actor and comedian best known for his role on Netflix’s “Love.” He’s been running the Twitter account, which parodies a party-loving, middle-aged woman from Chicago.

The grand reveal came today along with news that Netflix is turning “Chicago Party Aunt” into an adult animated comedy premiering Sept. 17.

Courtesy of Netflix

Witaske, who grew up in St. Charles, previously lived in Chicago where he performed at Second City and iO.

He has appeared on several series including his role as Chris Czajkowski on “Love.” Other television credits include “Arrested Development,” “Teachers” and “Lady Bird.”

“Chicago Party Aunt” will feature Witaske as well as RuPaul Charles, Ike Barinholtz, Jon Barinholtz, Katie Rich and others.

However, Witaske won’t be voicing the title character. That role goes to Lauren Ash, who will voice Diane Dunbrowski, otherwise known as the Chicago Party Aunt.

Katelyn Haas has more on the new show here.

From the press box

• The Blackhawks kept busy by acquiring reigning Vezina Trophy winner Marc-Andre Fleury from the Golden Knights for a minor leaguer. The question now is whether Fleury will report to the Hawks or opt to retire.
• The White Sox already got back Eloy Jimenez and now Luis Robert is making progress as he’s joined AAA Charlotte as part of his rehab process.
• Bears GM Ryan Pace says the Anthony Miller trade will benefit all parties, including the receiver who failed to live up to expectations as a 2018 second-round pick.
• While the NFL pushes teams to get as many players vaccinated as possible, Pace says the Bears’ vaccination rate is already around 85%.

Your daily question ☕

Say you’ve been tasked with writing a show set in Chicago — who’s the main character? What parts of the city will be featured?

Reply to this email (please include your first name and where you live) and we might feature your answer in the next Afternoon Edition.

Yesterday, we asked you: the National Sports Collectors Convention is in town this week. Do you collect anything? What and why? Here’s what some of you said...

“I’ve collected all the hats worn in the locker room after each Chicago Bulls NBA championship game. Never worn and the tags are still on them! I collected them because I realized it was a historic period in Bulls team history. The Bulls dominated the 1990s decade in basketball — Michael, Scottie and the guys. It was great.” — Charles Woods

“I collect sports cards and am planning to go the National this weekend. I collected as a kid and got back into the hobby 2 years ago. It’s fun opening up a box of cards, because you never know what you’re going to get. The people who are in the hobby are great as well. I go to my local card shop frequently and always learn something new or debate a card’s worth with people who enjoy the hobby as well.” — Art Olvera Jr.

“Vinyl records because I enjoy listening to music.” — Mike Guido

“Angels. I had a near-death experience 35 years ago. When I woke up, I was attracted to stories about angels — books, ceramic angels, etc. At one time, I had a collection of over 100 Angels.” — Genevieve Williams

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