Local rock band Empires knows a thing or two about close calls.Aug. 4 started out as a sunny second day of Lollapalooza, where the band—comprised of Tom Conrad, guitarist, Sean Van Vleet, vocalist, and Max Steger, guitarist and producer—was scheduled to play at 4 p.m. But a sudden rainstorm and evacuation of the fest made the likelihood of a performance seem bleak.“Our set is cancelled,” Empire tweeted. “Nothing we...

WASHINGTON — Chanting “keep the promise,” thousands of AIDS advocates marched through the streets of Washington, D.C. on June 22 calling for an end to the epidemic with more funding and access to AIDS care.“People living with HIV, you are the conscience of the world,” said Michael Weinstein, AHF president, to the crowd. “Your voice must be louder. The solemn promise to conquer AIDS must be kept—history is watch...

The deep vibrations of bass and rhythmic riffs of M.I.A and all things vulgar brought Chicago-based band Spider to the Fly together.Two Columbia students—Jack Collier, junior interdisciplinary major with a focus on music and fashion, and Sid Blastfemmy, music business major, magnetically connected in the summer of 2011 to spread messages of rebellion and awaken primal instincts in their fans.Over the past year, the eclectic...

Chicago hosted the 12th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates April 23 - 25, to promote empowering youth to activism and action. The three day summit was co-chaired by former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, former Mayor of Rome, Walter Veltroni and Mayor Rahm Emanuel served as the honorable chair.[kml_flashembed publishmethod="dynamic" fversion="10.1.8276" useexpressinstall="true" movie="https://columbiachronicle.com/soundslides/Wo...