Culture Music

The Top 5 Musical Moments of 1913

By Andrew Gill

The Top 5 Musical Moments of 1913 — Finnish National Ballet dancers perform “The Rite of Spring” ballet at Bolshoi Theater in Moscow. The original 1913 production with Igor Stravinsky’s music, Vaslav Nijinsky’s choreography and Nikolas Roerich’s decorations was revived to celebrate the centennial of groundbreaking ballet. The production centers around an imaginary pagan ritual of human sacrifice.

1913 has been a year of huge changes in the world of music. Not only has the phonographic cylinder finally been supplanted by the flat phonograph, but the fine arts of classical music and ballet have also lept into the modern era. Who knows what 1914 holds in store for us?

More year-end lists: 9 fashion trends worth remembering

5. Edison Records finally gives up and joins the flat phonograph revolution. Though the Diamond Disc sound quality is arguably inferior to their Blue Amberol Record cylinder, the public demand for flat records could not be ignored.

4. “When The Midnight Choo Choo Leaves For Alabam” by Collins and Harlan spends 12 weeks on the Billboard chart:

3. “Last Night Was The End Of The World” by Henry Burr spends 22 weeks on the Billboard chart:

2. “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” by Chauncey Olcott tops the Billboard chart for the year:

1. The premiere of “The Rite Of Spring” ballet by Igor Stravinsky causes a riot in Paris:

The Latest

Jane Addams Hull-House Museum has a new leadership

Culture

What’s ahead for the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum under new leadership

Liesl Olson started as director at The Jane Addams Hull-House Museum earlier this month. She joins WBEZ to talk about her future plans for this landmark of Chicago history. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Lauren Frost

By Lauren Frost

Culture

Are Chicago's yellow lights unsafe? Unfair?

The city faces criticism for issuing red light camera tickets at intersections where yellow lights fall slightly short of the city’s 3-second policy. And many traffic engineers say the lights should be even longer.

By Odette Yousef

New York Rivalry

Chicago's rivalry with New York shaped both cities

There was a time Chicago gave New York a run for its money. How did we end up the Second City?

By Jesse Dukes

Sam Collins poses for a portrait at Reedy Chapel-AME Church.

Culture

The new Juneteenth federal holiday traces its roots to Galveston, Texas

Union Gen. Gordon Granger set up his headquarters in Galveston, Texas, and famously signed an order June 19, 1865, “All slaves are free.” President Biden made Juneteenth a federal holiday last year.

By John Burnett

People take pictures next to a mural during a Juneteenth celebration in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 2021. Last year, the U.S. designated Juneteenth a federal holiday with President Joe Biden urging Americans "to learn from our history."

Culture

Four enduring myths about Juneteenth are not based on facts

As the U.S. celebrates the second federal holiday honoring Juneteenth, several myths persist about the origins and history about what happened when enslaved people were emancipated in Texas.

By John Burnett