Traffic is going to suck this weekend

41 million people will be traveling over the Memorial Day holiday weekend; that’s up almost 5 percent from last year. Midway and O’Hare will officially become the 10th and 11th circles of Hell, as air travel is expected to break records this weekend.

Here in Chicago, AAA says the worst time to be on the road will be today, between 4-6 p.m. Plan on at least double your typical commute time if you happen to be stuck on the road then.

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Ken Jennings, former Jeopardy GOD, is now playing HQ Trivia. Here are his tips to winning.

He won millions of dollars playing Jeopardy.

As of last check, Ken Jennings has won about $29 on HQ Trivia.

When you pull up the HQ app on your phone, chances are Ken is playing right along with you.  And he recently shared some tips on winning the big — or, small — bucks.

  • While you are on the phone, pull up Google on a computer.  AutoComplete can be your friend to verify the answer you want to choose.
  • Think about the person writing the question, not JUST the question.  After you see enough HQ questions, you might notice patterns in how they try and trip you up.
  • Go in as a group.  Open the app with your friends, family.  Discuss answers.  If you don’t know, split em up to make sure at least one of you moves on.
  • Sit up straight, treat it like an athletic event.  That might sound weird, but how many times have you accidentally hit the wrong answer.  (Why can’t you change it!?!?!)

With the power of the all-time Jeopardy champ on your side, you are now positioned to win tens of dollars….err…..cents.  Good luck.  — [eric]

Riot Fest 2018’s first wave of band set to be revealed next week

In their consistent smart ass presentation, Riot Fest is teasing their 2018 lineup. They officially announced today that they will announced the first wave acts for this year’s RF on Wednesday, May 30th. And they have a limited pre-sale tonight at 8pm CST.

Here’s their post from today:

You can stop asking us now. Please.

The first wave of the Riot Fest 2018 lineup will be revealed on Wednesday, May 30.

We’re very excited about it, so we’re putting a limited amount of 2018 presale tickets on sale tonight at 8:00 p.m. CDT… do not sleep on this, you lazy sod.

No, we didn’t book all of the exact bands you wanted us to book. The lineup of excellent Riot Fest 2018 artists probably won’t be in the exact order you wanted them to be in. They most likely won’t be playing in the exact location you wanted them to. You even want them all to play for free.

We’re in the business of giving you what you want, which is stuff to bitch about. In that spirit, stand by, because in less than a week, you can start complaining about the Riot Fest lineup instead of just complaining about when the Riot Fest lineup will be released. And that’s all you really want, right?

RF fans have been clamoring after Lollapalooza was announced to see what they get this fall on the south side of Chicago, while the Riot Fest Twitter Guy has teased the masses. Last month, RF even posted this corporate themed video teaser that mocks up the alternative music fest as a spreadsheet-driven creation from a some board room.

 

Did you hear the one about the store coming to Chicago…with NO checkouts?

A all-new kind of store — one without checkoutsis coming to Chicago.  Kevin and I discuss the new Amazon Go concept, the trend of less and less human interaction, and a special cameo from Lauren O’Neil — who discusses her experience with shoplifting.  It’s one story for Chicago — Did You Hear The One?  — [eric]

***music provided by audionautix.com

Chicago’s still the 3rd largest city, but…

For the third year in a row, Chicago’s population has decreased. The Census rolled out info this week that shows Chicago dropped close to 4000 residents over the past year. If you were worried that Houston would ascend to the #3 spot in the U.S., no worries… Chicago’s still .4 million ahead of Houston.

And while the trend is pointing south, the director of research for the Metropolitan Planning Council tells the Associated Press he expects our area to grow through 2030.

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Head to California … There’s a “Star Wars” Burlesque Show Featuring Sexy Stormtroopers

If your main problem with “Star Wars” is that there’s just not enough STRIPPING in it, I am happy to inform you that your problem has been solved.

An Australian burlesque group has put together a show called “The Empire Strips Back: A Burlesque Parody”. And they’re doing a mini-tour of California from May 31st through June 9th. This may be the biggest reason to drive straight to O’Hare or Midway and hop on a plane.

The show features 12 dancers acting out 60 different characters, including Luke, Leia, Han, and Chewie … plus sexy Stormtroopers and even an erotic Boba Fett!

The show actually started back in 2011, but it’s grown over the years. And it’s particularly relevant now, since “Star Wars” has never been hotter. (Pun intended?)

Mind you, this isn’t just a lame, costumed strip show. Character MATTERS. (???)

The director says, quote, “We make sure that everyone has a good understanding of who the characters are. We might change the character’s gender, costume, etc., but the core characteristics always stay the same.”

I’M IN! See you all in California! – Tim Virgin

Check it out here The Empire Strips Back

Less then a month till our California tour dates start.

A post shared by Empire Strips Back (@theempirestripsback) on

Our little leia backstage very pleased with herself. Another shot by @leslieliuphoto

A post shared by Empire Strips Back (@theempirestripsback) on

Queued Up #280 Playlist – 5.20.18

Hour 1

  1. grandson – Blood // Water
  2. Welshly Arms – Sanctuary (PIQNIQ 6/30)
  3. Kyle Nicolai – American Hymns
  4. Lovelytheband – These Are My Friends
  5. Rex Orange County – Loving Is Easy
  6. The Knocks (feat. Foster The People) – Ride Or DIe
  7. AJR – Burn The House Down
  8. Flora Cash – You’re Somebody Else (Queued Up Artist Showcase 6/6)
  9. Pale Waves – There’s A Honey
  10. Post Malone – Over Now
  11. Phantogram – Someday
  12. Rainbow Kitten Surprise – Fever Pitch
  13. Florence + The Machine – Hunger
  14. SYML – Where’s My Love

Hour 2

  1. CHVRCHES – Miracle
  2. Albert Hammond Jr. – Far Away Truths
  3. Fitness – Matter Of Time
  4. Meg Myers – Numb
  5. Nine Inch Nails – God Break Down The Door
  6. Moon Taxi – Too High (Queued Up Artist Showcase 6/6)
  7. Royal Blood – Hole In Your Heart (Courtesy Concert 6/2)
  8. Jungle – Happy Man
  9. Mt. Joy – Silver Lining
  10. American Authors – Deep Water
  11. Foo Fighters – The Line
  12. The Ramona Flowers – Ghost
  13. King Princess – 1950
  14. Childish Gambino – This Is America

Field Museum welcomes the world’s largest dinosaur, Maximo

The world’s largest dinosaur will have new home soon in Chicago at the Field Museum.

The Chicago Tribune today reported on the current installation of Maximo, the skeleton cast of a Titanosaur who comes Argentina. The creature was the largest land mammal when he roamed the Earth, and when the skeleton is completed it will stand at an astonishing 122 feet 122 feet from head to tail and 28 feet from floor toward the ceiling of the ceiling of the acclaimed museum.

Maximo will replace the other famed creature of the Field Museum, Sue the T. Rex who moves to a new exhibit on the second floor which is currently being constructed.

Maximo will be fully constructed on June 1st.

 

Let’s watch chimpanzees in a ball pit

The most joyful thing you’ll watch all day: Chimpanzees playing in a ball pit. They had to watch their caretaker take a dip first. After they saw that, they were all in.

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WKQX AWOLNATION Puppy Pit 101WKQXperience Web Contest

WKQX-FM’s “AWOLNATION Puppy Pit 101WKQXperience Web” Contest
Official Rules

A complete copy of these rules can be obtained at the offices of radio station WKQX-FM (“Station”),owned and operated by Cumulus Media Holdings Inc. or one of its subsidiary companies, 455 N. CityFront Plaza Chicago, IL 60611, during normal business hours Monday through Friday or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the above address.

The Station will conduct the WKQX-FM “AWOLNATION Puppy Pit 101WKQXperience Web” Contest(the “Contest”) substantially as described in these rules, and by participating, each participant agrees as follows:

1.No purchase is necessaryto enter or win. A purchase will not increase your chance of winning. Void where prohibited. All federal, state, and local regulations apply.

2.Eligibility. This Contest is open only to legal U.S. residents, excluding Florida and New York residents, age eighteen (18) years or older at the time of entry with a valid Social Security number and who reside in the Station’s Designated Market Area (“DMA”) as defined by Nielsen Audio, who have not won a prize from the Station in the last 30 days or a prize valued at $500 or more in the last 60 days, and whose immediate family members or household members have not won a prize from the Station in the last 30 days or a prize valued at $500 or more in the last 60 daysVoid where prohibited by law. Employees of Cumulus Media Holdings Inc., its parent company, affiliates, related entities and subsidiaries, promotional sponsors, prize providers, advertising agencies, other radio stations serving the Station’s DMA, and the immediate family members and household members of all such employees are not eligible to participate. The term “immediate family members” includes spouses, parents and step-parents, siblings and step-siblings, and children and stepchildren. The term “household members” refers to people who share the same residence at least three (3) months out of the year. The Contest is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and Station’s decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Contest. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.

3.Contest Period. The Contest will begin at 4:30 pm CT on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 and will run until 12:00 am CT on Thursday, June 8, 2018 (the “Contest Period”). The Station’s computer is the official time keeping device for this Contest.

4.How to Enter. To enter:

(i) Online: Visit the Station’s website www.101wkqx.com during the Contest Period, click on the “Contest” link, click on the “Play In A Puppy Pit with AWOLNATION!” Contest link, and complete an entry form. All entries must be received by 11:59 pm CT on Thursday, June 8, 2018to be eligible for the Grand Prize drawing. Limit one (1) entry per person per email address. Multiple participants are not permitted to share the same email address. Any attempt by any participant to submit more than one (1) entry by using multiple/different email addresses, identities, registrations and logins, or any other methods will void that entry and the participant may be disqualified. Use of any automated system to participate is prohibited and will result in disqualification. Station is not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, invalid, unintelligible, inappropriate or misdirected registrations, all of which will be disqualified. In the event of a dispute as to any registration, the authorized account holder of the email address used to register will be deemed to be the participant. The “authorized account holder” is the natural person assigned the telephone number by the wireless carrier or an email address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted address. Potential winner may be required to show proof of being the authorized account holder. All entries become the sole and exclusive property of Station and will not be returned. Station reserves the right to contact entrants and all other individuals whose email address is submitted as part of this promotion. No mail-in entries will be accepted.

5.Winner Selection. At approximately 1:00 pm CT on Friday, June 9, 2018, Station will select two (2) entries for the Grand Prize in a random drawing from among all valid entries received by Station during the Contest Period. The winning entrant will be contacted using the email address and/or telephone number provided with the entry and may be awarded the prize (subject to verification of eligibility and compliance with the terms of these rules). Station’s decisions as to the administration and operation of the Contest and the selection of the potential winner are final and binding in all matters related to the Contest. Failure to respond to the initial verification contact within three (3) days of notification will result in disqualification.

6.Verification of Potential Winner. THE ELIGIBILITY OF ALL POTENTIAL CONTEST WINNERS IS SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION BY STATION WHOSE DECISIONS ARE FINAL AND BINDING IN ALL MATTERS RELATED TO THE CONTEST. The potential winner must continue to comply with all terms and conditions of these Official Rules, and winning is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements. The potential winner may be notified by email and/or telephone call after the date of random drawing and/or winner determination. The potential winner will be required to sign and return to Station, within three (3) days of the date notice is sent, an affidavit of eligibility and a liability/publicity release (except where prohibited) in order to claim his/her prize, if applicable. A winner who returns the affidavit of eligibility and liability/publicity release will be deemed to have accepted the contest prize and thereafter will not be permitted to rescind their acceptance of the prize and/or return the prize. If a potential winner cannot be contacted, fails to sign and return the affidavit of eligibility and/or the liability/publicity release within the required time period (if applicable), or if the prize or prize notification is returned as undeliverable, potential winner forfeits prize. In the event that the potential winner of a prize is disqualified for any reason, Station may award the applicable prize to an alternate winner by random drawing from among all remaining eligible entries.

7.Grand Prize. Two (2) Grand Prizes will be awarded in this Contest. The Grand Prize is two (2) tickets to PIQNIQ on Saturday, June 30, 2018 at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre. ARV: One Hundred and Thirty Nine Dollars ($139).Winner is responsible for all taxes associated with prize receipt and/or use. Odds of winning the Grand Prize depend on a number of factors including the number of eligible entries received during the Contest Period and listeners participating at any given time.

There is no substitution, transfer, or cash equivalent for prizes, except that the Station may, at its sole discretion and to the extent permitted by law, substitute prizes of comparable value or cash. The prizes are expressly limited to the item(s) listed above and do not include taxes, gratuities or any other expenses. Any tickets and/or gift certificates/cards awarded as part of a prize will be subject to the terms and conditions set forth by the issuer and are valid only on the date(s) printed on the tickets or gift certificates/cards. Other restrictions may apply.

8.Entry Conditions and Release. By entering, each participant agrees to: (a) comply with and be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Station, which are binding and final in all matters relating to this Contest; (b) release and hold harmless Station, Cumulus Media Inc., and its subsidiaries, related and affiliated companies, participating sponsors, the prize suppliers and any other organizations responsible for sponsoring, fulfilling, administering, advertising or promoting the Contest, and each of their respective past and present officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liability, including but not limited to negligence and damages of any kind to persons and property, including but not limited to invasion of privacy (under appropriation, intrusion, public disclosure of private facts, false light in the public eye or other legal theory), defamation, slander, libel, violation of right of publicity, infringement of trademark, copyright or other intellectual property rights, property damage, or death or personal injury arising out of or relating to a participant’s entry, creation of an entry or submission of an entry, participation in the Contest, acceptance or use or misuse of prize (including any travel or activity related thereto) and/or the broadcast, exploitation or use of entry; and (c) indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Released Parties from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liabilities (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or relating to an entrant’s participation in the Contest and/or entrant’s acceptance, use, non-use or misuse of the prize.

9.Publicity. Except where prohibited by law, participation in the Contest constitutes winner’s consent to use by the Station and its agent of winner’s name, likeness, photograph, voice, opinions and/or biographical information (including hometown and state) for promotional purposes in any media, worldwide, without further payment or consideration.

10.Taxes. All state, local, federal and/or other taxes, duties, tariffs, title fees, licensing fees, or other fees for prizes awarded become the sole responsibility of the winner. All those who win a prize or prizes valued $600 or more in any given year will be issued an IRS Form 1099 to report their winnings.

11.General Conditions. Station reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify the Contest, or any part of it, if any fraud, technical failures or any other factor beyond Station’s reasonable control impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the Contest, as determined by Station in its sole discretion. Station reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or acting in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Station reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Station’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.

12.Limitations of Liability. The Released Parties are not responsible for: (1) any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by Station, entrants, printing errors or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Contest; (2) technical failures of any kind, including but not limited to malfunctions, interruptions, or disconnections in phone lines or network hardware or software; (3) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the Contest; (4) technical or human error which may occur in the administration of the Contest or the processing of entries; or (5) any injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant’s participation in the Contest or receipt or use, non-use or misuse of any prize. No more than the stated number of prizes will be awarded. In event that a production, technical, programming or other error causes more than stated number of prizes as set forth in these Official Rules to be claimed, Station reserves the right to award only the stated number of prizes by a random drawing among all legitimate, unawarded, eligible prize claims.

13.Disputes. Entrant agrees that: (i) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Contest, or any prizes awarded, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action; (ii) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Contest, or any prizes awarded, shall be resolved exclusively by the United States District Court or the appropriate state court located in the Station’s listening area; (iii) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering this Contest, but in no event attorneys’ fees; and (iv) under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental and consequential damages and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses, and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of entrant and Station in connection with the Contest, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the state in which the Station is located, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the state in which the Station is located or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the state in which the Station is located.

14.Entrant’s Personal Information. Information collected from entrants is subject to Station’s Privacy Policy, which is available on the Station’s website under the “Privacy Policy” link. All entry blanks, forms, devices, and materials gathered during the course of entry, as well as all information contained therein, shall become the sole property of Station to be used, disposed of or destroyed in its sole discretion. Station is not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information entered by website users, and assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to Station’s website.

15.Contest Results. A winners list may be obtained within thirty (30) days after the Contest Period expires by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Station identified below.

CONTEST SPONSOR: Cumulus Media Holdings Inc., WKQX-FM, 455 N. CityFront Plaza, Chicago, IL 60611.

Live Nation Entertainment, 111 E. Upper Wacker Dr. #1400, Chicago, IL 60601

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The Royal Wedding

Upon waking to 35 missed text messages Saturday morning giving a play-by-play of the Royal Wedding, I realized that I couldn’t care less.  I couldn’t care less to watch two people I’ve never met and will never meet get married in a country I have yet to visit.  And I have to get up at 5am to watch it?  No thanks.  Thanks to my friends at Bad Lip Reading, now I feel like I was actually there.

Congratulations you two crazy kids!

<3 @laurenoneil

Tool & Alice in Chains pay tribute to Chris Cornell at Rock on the Range

 

This past weekend at the Rock on the Range festival in Ohio, Alice in Chains and Tool  paid tribute to Chris Cornell following the one year anniversary of his death.

Seattle rock veterans Alice In Chains performed two Soundgarden tracks: “Hunted Down” and “Boot Camp.” Jerry Cantrell and company dedicated the set to Cornell.

Check out Instagram clips of both covers by AIC here:

Tool showed their love by dedicating their set to “the friends and family of Chris Cornell,” according to Consequence of Sound.

AIC just released their first new single in five years with “the One You Know.” Check it out here:

Watch the Smiths’ final show from 1986

 

Rolling Stone turned us onto this bootleg video today of the Smiths’ final show in 1986. The influential UK group, which featured alternative icon Morrissey on vocals, helped spark a growth of more emotive rock music both in Europe and the United States, but had a brief run that ended after just four years. This roughly-shot video comes from London’s Brixton Academy on December 12th, 1986 on a charity show called Artists Against Apartheid.

If you are fan of classic alternative from the 80’s and 90’s, listen to ALT_Backspace every Sunday morning 10a-12pm CST on 101WKQX and our stream with Brian. He’ll play vintage alt from bands like the Smiths and many more.

 

 

 

Instagram will (soon) let you ignore certain accounts

Coming soon to your Instagram account: The ability to mute accounts and take more control over your feed.

Instagram made the announcement today, saying “When you mute an account, you can still see posts on their profile page and get notified about comments or posts you’re tagged in. The accounts you mute will not be aware that you’ve muted them. You can always unmute an account to get their posts back in your feed.”

The Mute function will be rolling out over “the coming weeks.”

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30-year-old sued by parents for not moving out

“Honey, it’s time for you to leave the nest… no, really.”

A man who’s been living with his parents near Syracuse, New York is being sued by his parents for refusing to move out. Michael Rotondo is being sued by Christina and Mark Rotondo for not paying rent or helping around the house.

The parents told Syracuse.com that they didn’t know any other way to get him out of the house, other than with the court’s help.

Syracuse.com also says the parents previously had no luck with their “eviction letters.” The first, issued February 2, 2018, said, “You have 14 days to vacate. You will not be allowed to return.” The second, dated February 13, reads, “You are hereby evicted… A legal enforcement procedure will be instituted immediately if you do not leave by 15 March 2018.” More letters followed, so the couple ended up filing a petition with the New York Supreme Court on May 7.

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I don’t understand fashion

First it was the “distressed bum detail” where the butt has been torn out of your jeans…

Then it was the extreme cut out jeans where you are left wearing seams and pockets…

Now thanks to Al Shal, I present the clear-knee jeans…

WTF is this?!

WHY?!  Why does my knee need a window?  So it can see out of my pants?  Is it lonely in there?  Are knees too sexy to be left unseen?  Do you have to windex these things?  Is this just a lame excuse for a come-on about how you can see yourself in some poor girls pants?  I am at a loss.

Thoughts?  Tweet me: @laurenoneil #Idontunderstandfashion