It’s kinda chilly and kinda rainy as we write this in May. This is why Chicago loves its summers so much. Because they’re so precious. And this is why we’re publishing the official user’s manual for summer on May 23. So no one takes it for granted.

We launched Summer Guide nineteen years ago, long before any imitations, and it’s become one of Newcity’s finest (and biggest) editions.

So, whether you’re selling a swimsuit for the beach, or shorts for the beer garden; whether you’re operating a beer garden or an al fresco restaurant; whether you’re selling beer, wine or picnic baskets to pack for a night at Pritzker Pavilion, the potential riches of summer abound. And of course we can’t forget theater productions, art shows and street fairs.

Did we say it’s big? Summer Guide is a fusion of three things we consider vital to summer in Chicago: a calendar of all of the fairs, festivals and outdoor concerts coming our way from Memorial Day to Labor Day; a series of handy if sometimes offbeat guides to doing summer things in the city, whether swimming the lake shore or shopping the farmers markets; and, our signature essays that offer the season the level of discourse that it and this city deserve. It’s an issue that gets held onto and read all summer long. Read the rest of this entry »

Newcity is pleased to announce a new partnership with one of Chicago’s cultural icons, the Music Box Theatre, to publish its quarterly calendar and magazine. With an active three-month user life, the events-centric calendar is printed as a pocket-sized glossy magazine (48 pages, 5.375 inches wide by 8.375 inches tall) and functions as both a visitors guide to the venue as well as a marketing tool for neighboring and citywide businesses and events.

Distribution: 30,000 circulation includes comprehensive reach of Music Box patrons, plus standalone distribution to more than 200 locations, including local hospitality, retail, restaurant and dedicated news boxes.

Publication Dates & Deadlines 2013: 
May 25 (Deadline May 1)
August 26 (Deadline August 1)
November 25 (Deadline November 1)

Advertisers Get:
Print ad (summer attendance estimated at 35,000)
Listing on MusicBoxTheatre.com (170,000 unique visitors over three-month ad cycle) in partners section and in rotation on home page Read the rest of this entry »

Newcity’s April 25 issue—”Breakout Artists: Chicago’s Next Generation of Image Makers”—will be our tenth annual edition devoted to showcasing Chicago’s top emerging artists. This annual edition of Newcity is well established as the early indicator of the art world’s future superstars.

So who should advertise in this issue? Well anyone connected to the art world, either as an exhibition venue, a teacher of art or as a seller of art, of course. But beyond that, anyone interested in connecting to culture in its most exuberant form, or reaching the consumers of art—often the most demographically desirable of all—whether to offer them a place to eat, to shop, or to have a cocktail. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s been a tough seven days in our industry, as word that our friends at Boston Phoenix and now Timeout Chicago are turning out the lights on their print publications. We’re heartbroken for all our friends at both companies who are losing jobs, and send them our best.

It’s easy in such times to write headlines about the end of ALL print, and maybe they’re right, but we don’t think so.

We just published the inaugural edition of Design 50 this week, and with it, finished our first quarter of 2013 in terms of print. Revenues for the quarter are up 33 percent over the same period in 2012; March revenues are 42 percent greater than March of 2012, even though we published one more issue last year in the month.

Average circulation increased more than 27 percent in 2012 over the prior year. Read the rest of this entry »

We are pleased to announce that, starting this month, Jason Foumberg has taken on the new role of Associate Editor at Newcity.

Brian & Jan Hieggelke, with American Blues Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside/Photo: Johnny Knight

Newcity founders and publishers Brian & Jan Hieggelke were awarded American Blues Theater’s Focus Award, recognizing “integrity and commitment to Chicago theater,” at its Blue Bash fundraiser on February 28, 2013. Brian’s remarks delivered that night are below.

The Show Must Go On

Remarks by Brian Hieggelke

Back in the mid-eighties, some starry-eyed young dreamers embarked on an artistic undertaking that would allow the fullest expression of their burgeoning spirit. It was the beginning of a long and challenging journey, fueled by a passion for quality and integrity that never diminished. Slowly and surely, this new company grew in size and stature. This last decade, however, was a harrowing one. Mistakes they made and forces outside their control pushed them to the very brink of extinction. But they fought back. And today, they’re growing again, against all odds and expectations, with a renewed optimism about the future, and a strengthened commitment to the work they do. Read the rest of this entry »

Newcity will document the leading forces in Chicago’s fashion, interior and product design worlds when it adds a new special edition to its Leaders of Chicago Culture Series on March 21.

The issue will be printed on premium paper and bound (stitch and trim) to enhance the edition’s higher profile and longer shelf life.

Chicago’s second-oldest ensemble theater, American Blues, is honoring Newcity publishers Brian & Jan Hieggelke with its Focus Award at its Blue Bash on Thursday, February 28.

ABT describes the award thusly: “We proudly recognize those who bring integrity and commitment to Chicago theater.  This year’s 2013 Focus Award is presented to the publishers of Newcity—Chicago’s only locally owned and operated cultural weekly—where they’ve been covering the turf for more than 25 years. During the Blue Bash, we’ll celebrate their focus on the arts.”

We’re extremely honored by this, and hope you’ll come out that night and celebrate with us in support of one of Chicago’s most important theater companies. You can buy tickets here: americanbluestheater.com/tickets/

Newcity is pleased to announce the return of our biggest performing arts issue of the year, The Players: Chicago’s leading performers.

And, for the first time, the issue will be printed on premium paper and bound (stitch and trim) to enhance the edition’s higher profile and longer shelf life. 

We’ll be chronicling the many behind-the-scenes individuals who bring Chicago theater, dance, opera, comedy and performance to life. It’s an insight into the inner workings of Chicago’s arts culture that you can’t find anywhere else, any time.

It will be an issue that lovers of the stage cannot miss. Read the rest of this entry »

We launched Newcity Hearts Arts in 2012 to support the fundraising events of Chicago’s leading cultural organizations. In 2012, that meant we donated $10,534 in print, online and social media support to eight Chicago nonprofits: Young Chicago Authors, American Blues Theater, ThreeWalls, Voices and Faces Project, Fulcrum Point New Music Project, Chicago Dramatists, Striding Lion and Silk Road Rising.

We’re ready to do more in 2013. If you want to learn more, click here for program details.

To be kept up to date via occasional emails about the program, sign up here.