Tuesday, February 23, 2021 | Section 4 + ARTS+ENTERTAINMENTAE

Twitter Where are all temporarily those promised suspends Music Box relief funds? By Michael Phillips Chicago Tribune Running on fumes, music venue and theater Twitter can suspend an operators wait for full federal grant guidelines account for all sorts of reasons. A president or ex-president By Steve Johnson “I still cannot apply for the might violate the rules of hate Chicago Tribune Shuttered Venue Operators speech or incendiary language Grant,” wrote Donnie Biggins, designed to foment an insur- When the Shuttered Venue owner of the Lincoln Park music KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/GETTY rection, for example. Operators relief package became venue Tonic Room, in a Twitter Joe Shanahan, owner of iconic Chicago concert venue Metro, poses Or the suspension might law at the end of 2020, arts in- thread Sunday. “To still be wait- on Dec. 29 outside his venue. involve a beloved Chicago dustry business owners saw it as ing for the chance to apply for theater and an Oscar-winning a long-delayed means of survival: SVOG is crushing the live music which was part of the nation- gram and doling out the cash. song from “Top Gun.” $15 billion in grants designated industry even worse.” wide lobbying effort that got the But there is qualified good Over the weekend, a ripple for the music venues, movie and Said Ryan Oestreich, general relief package passed into law. news for the arts-business own- of cinephiliac panic spread live theaters and museums and manager of the independent “The law was passed in Decem- ers, who stand to be awarded up virally as the result of the sud- zoos that had been closed or movie house the Music Box ber. January goes by. OK, we all to 45% of their 2019 revenues den, unexplained suspension operating at limited capacity Theatre, “A lot of us are just get that, change of (presidential) when the process is complete. of the Music Box Theatre’s since the pandemic began. waiting patiently — or impa- administration, I’m empathetic. “It’s a lifeline for a small busi- Twitter account. But now it’s late February and tiently — for the full grant guide- But now we’re closing in on the ness,” Biggins said in an inter- Was the 92-year-old Lake- the organizations — many of lines to come out.” end of February.” view. “It gives you hope that we view movie emporium in dire which are running on fumes and “Open the program,” said Joe There is no target date to would be able to continue on for trouble? Had current owner the kindness of their landlords — Shanahan, owner of Chicago announce or even point toward, years to come.” William Schopf given up are getting anxious about the fact music clubs Metro and Smart according to the federal Small The good news? Politicians abruptly on the film exhibition that they can’t even apply for the Bar and a founder of the Chicago Business Administration, tasked game, after nearly a full year of grants yet. Independent Venue League, with developing the grant pro- Turn to Grants, Page 2 pandemic capacity restrictions and economic losses? No. That wasn’t it. Devotees of the brick-and-mortar movie- going experience in general and the Southport Avenue landmark in particular needn’t worry, at least about the Music Box. Turns out it’s a four-year old copyright infringement matter. On Feb. 17, Twitter informed the Music Box of its temporary account suspension, because of the theater’s Twitter account violation of the Digital Millen- nium Copyright Act. In 2017, the Music Box did what it did every year in pre- COVID times: It created a coming-attractions trailer for its annual 70 Millimeter Film Festival. That year’s lineup included “Spartacus,” “West Side Story,” “Interstellar” — and the 1986 flyboy and volley- ball smash “Top Gun,” the sequel to which is arriving July 2, 2021, depending on likely pandemic scheduling reshuf- fles. The theater’s festival trailer used the “Top Gun” theme song, “Take My Breath Away,” as underscoring. Sony Music Entertainment, rights-holders of the Giorgio Moroder/Tom Whitlock song, eventually got wind of it and called foul. The trailer, which had been floating around for years on Twitter and Facebook, has been taken down, according to Music Box senior operations manager Buck LePard. Twitter, LePard said Sunday, heard from Sony mid-January. And last week the Music Box heard from the Content Protection & JOSE M. OSORIO/CHICAGO TRIBUNE 2020 Enforcement division of the In 2013, Jahmal Cole founded an organization called My Block, My Hood, My City, its ambitious aim to provide opportunities for the archaic-sounding International disenfranchised young people of the city’s disenfranchised neighborhoods and otherwise heal what ails us. Federation of the Phono- graphic Industry. (That’s “phono’,” by the way, not “porno-.”) The London-based IFPI trade group represents various record companies, Sony among them. To heal what ails us The Music Box’s Twitter account, which LePard man- ages (and manages to make ‘Ripple of Hope’ documentary is about Chicago activist Jahmal Cole, a very entertaining), should be father, neighborhood organizer and now political hopeful back up by Feb. 24. Per Cook County COVID Filmmaker Jason Polevoi is not at all cian/activist/politician Che “Rhymefest” restrictions, the 750-seat main surprised. “Over the years people were Smith; poet/activist/teacher Kevin Co- auditorium will continue to always suggesting that he run for politi- val; Cook County Commissioner Bridget operate with a 50-person ca- cal office, for alderman, for mayor.” Gainer and Liz Dozier, the former prin- pacity. The second, much He met Cole four years ago, when he cipal of Fenger High School and later smaller auditorium, meantime, was producing a special on My Block, My founder and CEO of Chicago Beyond. will extend its rent-a-theater Hood, My City for WGN-TV, where his There is Lena Waithe, the native Chi- programming. Rick Kogan work as a producer had won him many cagoan who is a screenwriter and pro- “It’s doing very well, and it Sidewalks local Emmys. He was taken not only with ducer of, most prominently and topically, helps,” Music Box publicist Cole’s mission and efforts but also with “The Chi,” who says, “Even when the Steve Prokopy said. For Before the pandemic began to take its the man and the price being paid for his dark clouds hover, you can’t keep the months, both auditoriums have terrible toll and before the city erupted in cause. sunlight out.” There are articulate oth- been made available for private spasms of protest and other assorted During 2018, Cole was followed by ers. viewing parties. “Last Saturday turmoil, Jahmal Cole had been doing his camera-toting Polevoi and the result is a But Polevoi does not overuse any of it was ‘Moulin Rouge’ in one best to make a difference in the lives of riveting and powerful and enlightening these “stars.” His focus is firmly on Cole theater and John Carpenter’s people few of us ever see in neighbor- film titled “A Tiny Ripple of Hope,” and the kids with whom he works, many ‘The Thing’ in the other,” he hoods most of us never visit. which is currently having its world pre- of them part of the Explorers program, said. “Some people bring in He is still at it, this young man who in miere, as part of the Slam Dance Film which monthly takes young people into their Blu-rays; other people 2013 founded an organization called My Festival, a virtual event this year. places in the city and beyond that they actually have prints. We had a Block, My Hood, My City, its ambitious Polevoi, working on a shoestring might never have seen. We meet the kids ‘Moana’ party the other day.” aim to provide opportunities for the budget, shows us Cole addressing crowds and observe the joy and excitement as As for the temporary Twitter disenfranchised young people of the in the film and you’ll see the people in they travels and wander the Notre Dame suspension, LePard said, “it’s a city’s disenfranchised neighborhoods those crowds watch and listen with rapt campus in South Bend. We see the pal- very isolated incident. Just like and otherwise heal what ails us. attention, heads nodding. You easily pable pride of some of the kids’ parents. Trump. Though I’d like to He now plans to jump into politics. grasp Cole’s charismatic persona, a qual- Cole, rightfully, is the star, rivaled only think our Twitter (infraction) Though he is unlikely make a formal ity mentioned by virtually anyone who by his charming, scene-stealing daugh- was a little less incendiary.” announcement until early April, he has has ever met him. ter, Khammur, in a few tender scenes made public his desire to challenge Rep. You’ll hear from some of those. There’s that belie the tension that his work has Bobby Rush for the 1st Congressional that former Chicago mayor named Michael Phillips is a Tribune District seat in Congress. Emanuel; the late Karen Lewis and musi- Turn to Kogan, Page 5 critic.

[email protected] Twitter @phillipstribune 2 Chicago Tribune | Arts+Entertainment | Section 4 | Tuesday, February 23, 2021

CELEBRITIES Daft Punk breaks up after 28 years ASK AMY From News Services By Amy Dickinson Grammy-winning elec- [email protected] Twitter @askingamy tronic music pioneers Daft Punk have announced that they are breaking up after 28 years. The helmet-wear- Man’s ex should warn other women ing French duo shared DearAmy: I was with my that I’ve remained silent. you don’t feel comfortable the news Monday in an former partner for several — Only In Bad Movies attending. Send your niece eight-minute video called years. He traveled often for and her fiancé a warmly “Epilogue.” Kathryn work. Dear Bad Movies: I worded note. Frazier, the band’s long- We had what I thought wouldn’t describe your It isn’t necessary for you time publicist, confirmed was a very happy relation- situation as “a woman to lay on too many details the breakup. ship and were both profes- scorned” so much as “a regarding why you won’t Daft Punk, composed sionally and financially woman not warned.” The be able to attend, but wish of Thomas Bangalter and successful. We bought a minute you learned about them well and tell them Guy-Manuel de Homem- home together when I was your guy’s double life, you both that you look forward Christo, have had major close to completing my packed up and left the rela- to seeing them in person success over the years, Thomas Bangalter, left, and Guy-Manuel de Homem- master’s degree. tionship. Good for you! as soon as you get the “all winning six Grammy Christo of Daft Punk. The Grammy-winning French act have A week after moving in, I Fully examine your clear.” Awards and launch- announced their breakup. MATT SAYLES/INVISION 2013 discovered he’d been living motives. If your sole ing international hits a double life with another motive is to spare another DearAmy: “Confused with “One More Time,” sounds, funk, rock, R&B and Emmy-Award winning woman (with children). woman what you went Mom” asked you a ques- “Harder, Better, Faster, and more. Rolling Stone screenwriter and actor They were planning to take through or protect her tion about “polyamory.” Stronger” and “Get Lucky.” ranked it No. 295 on their Lena Waithe’s produc- a “family trip” together children, then warn her. Apparently, her son and his Bangalter and de list of the “500 Greatest tion house Hillman Grad (including her kids and Understand that when wife had taken on an extra Homem-Christo met at a Albums of All Time” last Productions. parents). She knew noth- you attempt to warn “partner” in their marriage Paris school in 1987. Prior year. The 10-episode half- ing of me. another woman about your and wanted to force this to Daft Punk, they formed hour dramedy marks I then learned that his ex’s behavior, you must not relationship onto the rest an indie rock band named Kunis lands lucky role: If Waithe’s third origi- afairs had been going defame him. Report only of the family. Darling. she wasn’t already, Mila nal production with on for years with various about what happened to This is adultery, plain They oicially formed Kunis is now the “Luckiest the brand— her other women, and that he’d also you and the facts you know and simple, and your Daft Punk in 1993, and Girl Alive,” signing on to two series with BET are had trysts with strangers. and urge any woman who acceptance of it is immoral. the helmeted, mute and star in the film adaptation “Twenties” and “Boomer- In addition to all this, he has questions to also do a — Upset! mysterious musicians of the best-selling novel for ang.” possessed tons of “upskirt” background check. released their debut Netflix. “Birth of Cool” follows photos of various young Your ex will probably Dear Upset!: I don’t album, “Homework,” in Kunis stars as Ani FaNell the adventures and misad- women who were obvi- portray you as “a woman view polyamory as adul- 1997. They first found in the upcoming film, ventures of both students ously being photographed scorned.” It is likely that he tery, because all parties are success with the interna- based on Jessica Knoll’s and teachers at Crispus surreptitiously. is gaslighting his current consenting to the relation- tional hit “Da Funk,” which 2015 New York Times Attucks High, a predom- After this discovery, I partners the way he did ship. “Confused Mom” was topped the Billboard dance best-selling thriller about a inantly black high school immediately left him. you, but your strength now seeking a way to under- charts and earned them New York magazine editor in Compton, as they try to After moving out, I ran is in not caring what he stand this, knowing that their first Grammy nomi- whose “meticulously make it through the weird, a background check and thinks of you. her relationship with her nation. A second No. 1 hit crafted life” is upended hilarious, stressful, often discovered that years ago, son hinged on her willing- and Grammy nomination when a crime documen- sobering and sometimes he was charged (but not DearAmy: My niece is ness to accept this unusual followed with “Around the tary forces her to relive surreal academic year convicted) of molesting a getting married in two relationship triangle. World.” the shocking truths of a while hopefully growing a minor “younger than 12.” months. It is an indoor As parents, I believe Daft Punk spent time devastating incident from bit in the process on- and In light of what I now wedding. I love her dearly, we are called upon to find touring around the world her teenage years. The of-campus. know about him, I am but do not feel safe attend- ways to love and accept and reached greater “Bad Moms” star will also The show was created extremely concerned. ing anything where people our children, unless their heights with their soph- produce the project under by writer-director Juel Should I reach out to will be eating and talking choices are deliberately omore album, 2001’s her Orchard Farm Produc- Taylor and writer Tony the women whose contact without masks. harmful. I don’t believe “Discovery.” But it was the tions banner. Rettenmaier. information I have and What is the right thing that polyamory is the gate- 2014 Grammys where Daft Knoll is adapting the prompt them to look him to do here? I have many way to happiness, but that Punk really took the spot- screenplay and will serve Feb. 23 birthdays: Steel up and do with the infor- health issues. same caution would also light, winning album of the as an executive producer guitarist Rusty Young is 75. mation what they will — Worried Relative apply to many conven- year for “Random Access on the film, directed by Actor Patricia Richardson regarding their own chil- tional marriages. Memories” and making Mike Barker. is 70. Actor Kristin Davis is dren? DearWorried: People I’d love to hear from history as the first elec- 56. Actor Niecy Nash is 51. I have been wrestling have varied responses to people who grew up in tronic act to win the high- ‘Birth of Cool’dramedy Songwriter Robert Lopez with this question for the CDC recommenda- polyamorous households. est honor at the Grammys. in works: BET Plus has is 46. Actor Kelly Macdon- nearly a year now. I don’t tions during the pandemic, “Random Access Memo- ordered the original series ald is 45. Rapper Residente want to behave as a woman but you have an absolute Copyright 2021 by Amy ries” was regarded as a “Birth of Cool” in its first- is 43. Actor Josh Gad is 40. scorned, but I do often obligation to guard your Dickinson genre-bending album ever partnership with Actor Aziz Ansari is 38. think about what harm he own health. highlighted by its mix of “Gentefied” producers Actor Emily Blunt is 38. could be capable of, and it The right thing to do is Distributed by Tribune live instrumentation, disco Macro Television Studios Actor Dakota Fanning is 27. weighs on my conscience to decline the invitation if Content Agency

Grants “Open the pro- gram. The law Continued from Page 1 was passed in appear to be on the case. Shanahan was on a webinar December. Janu- on the topic Friday with Cook County Commis- ary goes by. sioner Bridget Gainer, Ald. Tom Tunney (44th), Illi- Okay, we all get nois U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley that, change of (D-5th) and others. “One of the things that I (presidential) ad- said was that we are at the cliff and we need the help,” ministration, I’m Shanahan said. The week before that, empathetic. But Illinois U.S. Sens. Richard J. Durbin and Tammy Duck- now we’re clos- worth sent a joint letter to ing in on the end the SBA to “urge you to establish a timely applica- of February.” tion process, as small busi- nesses and nonprofits are — Joe Shanahan, owner of making difficult decisions Chicago music clubs Metro daily regarding their finan- and Smart Bar and a cial situations.” founder of the Chicago “We have a lot of people Independent Venue League, who are in a delicate posi- which was part of the tion financially,” Durbin nationwide lobbying effort said in an interview. “Some JOHN J. KIM/CHICAGO TRIBUNE that got the relief package of them may not survive.” Moviegoers order food and drinks on July 3 at Music Box Theatre in Chicago. passed into law He and his colleague recognize that translating structured so that the first legislative language into a applications in the first two Personally, he said, “I’m new, real-world grant pro- weeks will be open to busi- not surprised that it’s al- gram is complex and im- nesses that lost 90% or ready been two months” portant to get right, he said. more of revenues in the for the SVO program. “I want it to be a solid, pandemic months of 2020 But the pressure club trustworthy, credible pro- versus the same time pe- and theater owners are gram,” said Durbin. “But riod in 2019. feeling is intense, especially there is a sense of urgency.” The second, two-week with uncertainty about As of the Friday inter- wave will be for those who how long it will take to view, Durbin said he had lost 70% or more. $3 billion process applications and not received a response will be held in reserve for then actually award the from the SBA to the Feb. 12 the third, open phase of money. letter. applications, and $2 billion Oestreich seconded that. SBA officials said they is designated for operations “I’m hopeful but also very are aware of the communi- with 50 or fewer full-time much anxious,” he said. cation and plan to “respond employees. “You can be hopeful that accordingly,” said Andrea The Biden adminis- you will have a good chance Roebker, a regional com- tration Monday touted of applying and receiving munications director for changes in its PPP formu- the money, but you’re anx- the agency currently work- lation that aim to help ious because the timeline is ing at administration head- smaller businesses, which completely up in the air. quarters on relief programs may make the program When is the application including the SVOG. more attractive to some going to come out? How “The SBA is building the JOHN J. KIM/CHICAGO TRIBUNE 2020 arts venues, especially if quickly will the money SVOG program from the Moviegoer Elijah Groth has a row to himself at the Music Box Theatre in Chicago. they are worried about the actually be dispersed?” ground up and working $15 billion in grants run- That timeline to the expeditiously to ensure all registered in the federal “You can tell from the mean you cannot apply for ning out. actual direct deposit of a the mechanisms required government’s System for FAQ a lot of the questions an SVO grant. But paycheck protection shuttered venue grant by law and the federal grant Award Management we’re wondering about are “The PPP is a forgivable is not so meaningful when cannot be made too short, application/awarding proc- (SAM.gov), as this will be getting answered, but loan up to a certain per- you’ve had to let most of he said: “For anyone who ess, as well as front-end required for an entity to there’s still a ton more,” he centage, where the SVO is a your employees go and looks at their bank state- protections, are in place to receive an SVOG.” said. complete grant,” he said. essentially don’t have a ment and sees that money ensure these vital grants Oestreich, of the Music During the delay, he said, The PPP loan option payroll to protect, said it’s probably going to be the are delivered to those the Box, said he is somewhat a number of venues have might seem more attractive Robert Gomez, owner of most joyous moment law intended to assist,” she encouraged that the SBA been considering applying to businesses who won’t be Subterranean and the Beat they’ve felt in over a year.” said via e-mail. has been steadily updating for the new wave of federal able to apply for shuttered Kitchen clubs in Chicago A key thing venue op- its FAQ section on the Paycheck Protection Pro- venue grants until the third and co-chair of the Chicago sajohnson@chicagotri- erators can do to be ready shuttered venues grant gram loans instead, al- wave, he said. Independent Venue bune.com to apply, she said, is to “get page. though doing so would The SVO grants are League. Twitter @StevenKJohnson