Uptown Theatre - Chicago

06/19/2026

Thumbs up for Roger Ebert today. We miss him.

Today we remember Roger Ebert on what would have been his 84th birthday.

A compassionate, insightful film critic — and a true Chicagoan.

We miss you, Roger!

06/18/2026

!!!WE ARE SILVER AWARD WINNERS!!!

JUNE 18, 2026 -- "The UPTOWN: Chicago’s Endangered Movie Palace" book by authors James A. Pierce and Robert Loerzel (CityFiles Press) has been awarded a Silver Medal by the Independent Publisher Book Awards in the category of Architecture.

This is a prestigious Indie Book Award, and we are happy to receive the recognition.

In addition to announcing the 2026 IPPY Medalists, the organization is celebrating a major milestone—the 30th anniversary of the Independent Publisher Book Awards!

When the IPPY Awards began in 1996, the idea was simple: independent books deserve to be recognized. Over the past three decades, they have had the privilege of honoring thousands of authors and publishers whose creativity, passion, and dedication continue to shape the world of independent publishing.

Thirty years later, Independent Publisher Book Awards continues to be inspired by the books independent authors and publishers bring into the world. This year’s entries made the judges’ task both rewarding and incredibly challenging, and the quality, originality, and diversity of submissions served as a reminder of why celebrating independent voices remains so important.

For more information and media contacts, please view the IPPY website online: https://ippyawards.com/

06/15/2026

"The UPTOWN" book is out of stock with the publisher but there are a few copies left for sale at the Buddy at the Chicago Cultural Center shop. If you are at the Chicago Cultural Center visiting "Tangible Sound" or for another destination, then please stop in and pick up a copy before they are all gone!

Opened a century ago, the Uptown Theatre is now in limbo, its beauty hidden behind a plywood barricade. Too costly to tear down and too expensive to restore, the theater faces a precarious future. That’s why this book was created. To document its potential and to spark a movement to save this one-...

06/12/2026

Friday Time Capsule Comment:

The late designer and theatre historian Joe DuciBella shares some information about the Uptown's vertical sign in this piece he wrote several years ago for Theatre Historical Society of America:

https://historictheatres.org/vertical-theatre-signs-1997/

06/11/2026

Throwback Thursday: It is Summer 2003 and Chicago area members of Theatre Historical Society of America and Friends of the Uptown are hosing the annual convention and historic theatre tour for THS.

06/10/2026

A salute to Dave Jemilo as we all wish the new owners and operators of the Green Mill Cocktail Lounge all the best!

Hint: If you recognize them and/or read the story, then you will know they both have long-term relationships with the Mill.

The celebrated Chicago jazz club’s longtime owner, Dave Jemilo, has sold it to Jason Cole and Jill Skintges, both Green Mill employees who say they plan to keep running it the same way he did.

05/28/2026

Fans of the Uptown often ask: "What can I do to help?"

Right now, you can sign the petition, sign up for our e-mail updates and donate to the chandelier restoration effort. That's three positive actions you can take to help keep the momentum going.

Thank you!

05/19/2026

A shoutout for the historic Aragon Ballroom for a City of Chicago Department of Planning & Development 2026 Preservation Excellence Award for their recent work on their historic facade. Congratulations, and keep up the good work! -- with Alderwoman Angela Clay - 46th Ward.

Also, a hat tip to the Perkins-Nordine House in Edgewater! -- with Alderwoman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth - The 48th Ward.

At Chicago Cultural Center.

Held in honor of Preservation Month, the awards showcase the best preservation work to advance through the Landmarks Commission's Permit Review Committee in the last year.

05/19/2026

From the "How it's Done Dept" A high relief plaster cornice section is labor intensive in this old world method.