Outside the Loop RADIO:
Chicago’s Almost Above-Ground Audio Magazine

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago)

(broadcasting on the “locally theatrical” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen crashes a rehearsal for a one-act play at this weekend’s Chicago Fringe Fest, plays a clip from the OTL Archives regarding the Chicago Gluttons, and discusses why you should check the tax on your restaurant bill.

Jay Sukow, Jason Lord, Kerri Van Aukan– Chicago actors in the one-act play, The Meeting

Katie Hawkey– Director of The Meeting

We go inside a rehearsal of this show to discuss the local theater scene and preview the Chicago Fringe Festival, happening this weekend.  You can catch this play Thursday (9/2) at 4 p.m., Saturday (9/4) at 8:30 p.m., and Sunday (9/5) at 7 p.m. at the Edinburgh Stage: 2003 S. Halsted.

OTL Rewind– An interview with the co-founder of the Chicago Gluttons

We rewind back to April 15th of this year on OTL #186 to listen to an interview about this great local food blog.

Sarah Klose– Freelance Writer for the Chicago Reader

In an article she wrote last week, Sarah tells us why we should pay attention to the sales tax on our restaurant bills.  She joins us to recap her story.

OTL #206 local music provided by Mapmaker…

(podcasting from Toons Bar and Grill in Lakeview)

(broadcasting on the “roundtable” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen hosts another in a series of occasional discussions, taking place in the community and covering different local topics/themes.  The topic of this roundtable is BBQ in Chicago.

Mike welcomes:

Gary Wiviott– Author of Low & Slow: Master the Art of Barbecue in 5 Easy Lessons, Founder of LTH Forum

Danny Beck–  Certified BBQ Judge, Chef and Owner of Toons, the sponsor of this roundtable show

Titus Ruscitti– Blogger at Smokin’, Chokin’, and Chowing With the King

BBQ Ribs at Toons.  Photo Courtesy of Gary Wiviott.

The Roundtable is portable!  If you have an idea where we should record the next one or what we should talk about, let the OTL Staff know!

OTL #205 local music provided by The Carl Davis Band…

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago)

(broadcasting on the “working class” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen discusses the local media portrayal of violence in Chicago, previews the Chicago Underground Library’s benefit, and goes inside the future home of the Haymarket Pub in the West Loop.

What’s in a name?– 

Recently, Independent candidate for Cook Co. Assessor, Forrest Claypool, purchased JoeBerrios.com.  Berrios is Claypool’s opponent in the race.  Have you purchased your name’s site?  Looks like MichaelStephen.com is up and running already.  Apparently they have good eats!

Tracy Siska– Executive Director of the Chicago Justice Project

In this blog post, Tracy analyzes local media portrayal of Chicago violence.  He discusses the conclusions of his analysis this week.

Nell Taylor– Co-Founder of the Chicago Underground Library

This non-profit organization collects all independent and small press media in Chicago.  They’re having a benefit coming up on August 27th.  We get the details.

John Neurauter, Pete Crowley, and Chris Buccheri– The Triumvirate Behind the Haymarket Pub & Brewery

We go inside the space that will soon house Chicago’s newest brewpub with an interactive and working class feel.

The Future Home of the Haymarket Pub and Brewery

OTL #204 local music provided by Joel Paterson/The Modern Sounds…

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago)

(broadcasting on the “urban times” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen makes the leap to TV, previews the upcoming Tutor Mentor Jam, learns about a way to get notified of street cleaning on your phone, and talks to the editor of a local online newspaper.

Mike Hosts a TV Show– 

Dovetailing off of a radio interview he did last week, OTL host Mike Stephen hosts an episode of “Issue Forum” on CAN-TV.  Click on the pic below to check out the show.

Trakan– Local Musician

The Tutor/Mentor Jam on August 29th is a benefit for Tutor/Mentor Connection, an organization that helps connect area mentors with at-risk youth.  We get a preview of the event.  The first two people to e-mail trakan@tutormentorjam.org get FREE pairs of tickets to the event!

Vitaliy Levit– Co-Founder of Recess Mobile

There’s a new way for some Chicago residents to get notified of street cleaning in their neighborhood.  Vitaliy gives us the latest.  Check out antitow.com for more details.

Elaine Coorens– Editor and Publisher of Our Urban Times

We go inside this online newspaper that covers the Wicker Park, Bucktown, East Village, Noble Square, Bucktown, and West Town areas.

OTL #203 local music provided by Trakan…

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago)

(broadcasting on the “mayoral in stature” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen recaps his experience on the YMTE podcast, talks to a Chicago mayoral candidate, checks in with the Parking Ticket Geek, and discusses the relationship between low-power FM radio and social justice.

Jay Stone– Candidate for Mayor of Chicago

In an exclusive interview Jay tells us why he’s running to be Chicago’s next mayor.

The Parking Ticket Geek– Official OTL Parking Correspondent and Blogger at thexpiredmeter.com

The Geek returns to the show to discuss the rise of ticketing for drivers using their cell phones in the car.

Allan Gomez– Co-Founder of Radios Populares

This Chicago-based group uses radio to help communities who are struggling for social justice.

OTL #202 local music provided by Lasers and Fast and Shit…

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago)

(broadcasting on the “free speech” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen chats with a local artist who is fighting local laws he feels are unconstitutional, previews the 2010 Printers’ Ball, and goes inside Felony Franks, a hot dog stand in West Town with some controversy.

Chris Drew– Local artist and Executive Director of the Uptown Multicultural Art Center

Chris continues to challenge Chicago’s peddlers license and Illinois’ eavesdropping law.  We get the latest on his legal fight.

Fred Sasaki– Associate Editor for POETRY Magazine

We get a preview of this year’s Printers’ Ball and discuss the relationship between print and digital media.

Jim Andrews– Owner of Felony Franks

This hot dog stand on the corner of Western and Jackson has caused some controversy in the community.  We go inside to find out what all the fuss is about.

OTL #201 local music provided by Icy Demons…

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST…

(podcasting from the studios at WLUW)

(broadcasting on the “and they said it wouldn’t last” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen talks to outgoing Chicago Reader reporter Mick Dumke, gets an update on Chicago’s “Fashion Man,” Vincent Falk, and takes a look back at some great moments on the show.

Mick Dumke– Outgoing Writer & Editor at the Chicago Reader

We find out where Mick will land next and what his final Reader story is all about.

Mick Dumke

Jennifer Burns– Director & Producer of the film, Vincent: A Life In Color

Vincent Falk, aka: “Fashion Man,” and the subject of Jennifer’s film, went through some hard times recently.  We get an update on Vincent’s condition.

Vincent Falk

Looking Back on Some Great OTL Moments Over the Years – 

Former Executive Producer Andy Hermann drops by to reminisce about some great times on the show.  We play back some classic clips!

Mike Stephen & Andy Hermann

OTL #200 local music provided by Mike Stephen’s Harmonica…

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago)

(broadcasting on the “greened weekly” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen discusses Andersonville’s green initiatives, anchors the OTL News Desk, and talks to the creator of the Book Bike about giving out free books in Chicago’s parks.

Sara Dinges– Managing Director of the Andersonville Development Corp.

ADC runs the eco-Andersonville environmental initiative that promotes local business sustainability.  We learn more and find out some of the cool events happening during “Green Week.”

The OTL News Desk–

Mike Stephen puts on his best 70s anchorman mustache and updates us on some Chicago stories of interest.

The OTL News Desk

Gabriel Levinson – Creator of the Book Bike

Since 2008 the Book Bike has been providing Chicagoans with free books.  Recently, Gabriel ran into some problems with the city.  He tells us the story and lets us know if there’s a happy ending.

The Book Bike

OTL #199 local music provided by The Damn Choir…

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago)

(broadcasting on the “properly assessed” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen plays another awesome voicemail from his Mom, chats with Independent candidate for Cook County Assessor, Forrest Claypool, learns about the Cubs Fan Report, and talks to the founder of Chicagoland Radio and Media.

Forrest Claypool– Independent Candidate for Cook County Assessor

Cook County Commissioner Claypool recently joined the race for assessor as an Independent candidate.  He joins us to tell us why he’s running and how he plans to curb corruption in our government.

Andrew Hilsberg– Founder of the Cubs Fan Report

If you’re looking for the latest buzz on the Cubs that’s consolidated into one daily e-mail, you’ve found the right place.  We find out how the CFR works and how it got started.

Larz – Founder of Chicagoland Radio and Media

CRM recently celebrated 5 years of providing up-to-the-minute info about the Chicago media scene.  Larz tells us why he started the site, where it’s going, and chats about Chicago media in general.

OTL #198 local music provided by the Katie Todd Band…