Axios Chicago

November 17, 2024
☀️ Welcome back to Axios Sunday!
- It's our leisurely exploration of arts, culture, food, nature, history, and other subjects that define the city we live in.
🎵 Sounds like: Jamila Woods.
🎂 Happy birthday to our Axios Chicago members Ralph C. Gaillard Jr., Edward Schober and Martin Fischer!
Today's newsletter is 836 words — a 3-minute read.
1 big thing: Chicagoans remember Pitchfork
Pitchfork announced this week it would no longer host the music festival in Chicago, ending a summer tradition of great music, local artists and unique fashion.
Flashback: The first Pitchfork was in 2006 in Union Park and headliners included Yo La Tengo, The Mountain Goats, Jens Lekman and The Walkmen.
- It returned nearly every July and was headlined by legends such as Chaka Khan but also featured acts that were relatively unknown but later blew up, including St. Vincent and Run the Jewels.
Context: To celebrate the nearly two decades of the music and arts fest, we asked Axios Chicago music lovers, artists and readers for their favorite memories.

Greg Kot, co-host of "Sound Opinions": "In its early days, it often felt like a chill community jamboree rather than a Lollapalooza-like corporate shopping mall. There were issues with logistics, amenities, the sound system. But it often got the music right, thanks in large [part] to the bookings of Chicago jazz drummer and Pitchfork co-founder Mike Reed."
Mary Dixon, host, WBEZ Morning Edition: "Really loved seeing PJ Harvey and A Tribe Called Quest in 2017. Ric Wilson on the Blue Stage last summer was pure joy."

Eve Ewing, author and activist: "Seeing Jamila Woods open for Solange, who was on tour for 'A Seat at the Table.' Amazing performance and was so proud of Jamila."
Chris Witaske, actor and writer, "The Bear" and "Chicago Party Aunt": Pitchfork 2010, the lineup was insane. Broken Social Scene, LCD Soundsystem, Beach House, Pavement. Perfect Chicago summer days. The drugs helped, too."

Joe Shanahan, owner, Metro Chicago: "LCD Soundsystem on stage bringing the LCD dance party to Union Park was amazing. My wife Jen, my daughter Tara in the mix dancing and singing to the songs. Plus, the added bonus of my son Michael working the stage? It was a family affair that Pitchfork brought us over the decades."
Ryan Arnold, former WXRT disc jockey: "One of my favorite performances was Saturday in 2016 watching Brian Wilson perform the Beach Boys' 'Pet Sounds.' It was surreal to hear him play those iconic songs live, especially when John and Joan Cusack joined in for backing vocals on 'Sloop John B.' That's a once-in-a-lifetime moment."

Katie Tuten, co-owner, The Hideout: "For five years, Tim [Tuten] introduced the bands at [Pitchfork]. When Tim introduced Yoko Ono, everyone thought it would be a typical Tim Tuten rant — sound engineer gets up to go grab a drink or snack — but nope! Tim's introduction was 'Ladies and gentlemen, from N-Y-C, N-Y, Y-O-K-O-O-N-O!' We were all in shock."
Serengeti, hip-hop artist: "Seeing the band The Streets when it was Intonation Fest was cool. I remember f**king up 'Dennehy' playing there once."
Terry Alexander, co-owner, One Off Hospitality: "For the past four years, I've taken my daughter to the fest, beginning with the Horsegirl show opening the 2021 fest. When I told her it was canceled she about cried and said, 'I'd rather go to Pitchfork than have a Christmas."
2. Kaufmann quiz: Outdoor music
With the sad news about Pitchfork, we thought a quiz on outdoor music would be the ultimate tribute.
Before we get to that, we had multiple winners for our Election Day quiz. I emptied out the spam folder to find that Jill B., Andrew H., Barbara G., Matt A., Gary G., Mark S., Randall S., Marshall S., Matt R., David W., Mary G., John R., Mike R. and Marcus F. all scored perfectly.
- If you score 10/10 on this quiz, screenshot the results and email them my way for a shout-out next week.
Now, from the lawn seats … take the quiiiz!
3. Honoring children's singer Ella Jenkins
👋 Hi, it's Monica.
I felt like I lost a childhood friend when I heard about the Nov. 9 passing of singer-songwriter Ella Jenkins at 100.
Zoom in: For more than 60 years the "first lady of children's music" delighted kids at schools, libraries, community centers and on TV, including her 1950s WTTW show, "This is Rhythm."
Her call-and-response songs like "Did You Feed My Cow" infuse some of my earliest musical memories.
- And her 1970s-era performance at my elementary on the Northwest Side was the talk of the school.
- I was so sad to have missed Jenkins by just a few minutes when I arrived late for her 99th birthday party in Lincoln Park two summers ago. But I was thrilled to pick up a kazoo, CD and Hanukkah-themed 45 that demonstrates her wacky range.

What they're saying: "I went to the Bernard Horwich JCC day camp when I was young, and Ella Jenkins was the music instructor! I remember all the songs and loved all of the call-and-response ones! We still sing "No More Pie," "Did You Feed My Cow," "Moon Don't Go," "Tah-Boo," and others. I loved her!" Susan Miller Tweedy said.
What's next: A public tribute to Jenkins is being planned for next summer in Ella Jenkins Park and Chicago filmmaker Tom Ferrin is working on a documentary about her.
Edited by Lindsey Erdody.
🎄 Carrie is looking forward to checking out Christmas Around the World at the Museum of Science and Industry and really getting into the holiday spirit.
🏈 Justin is going to try his boss Jim's Sunday recipe for the game today.
⛱️ Monica is on vacation.
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