Culture

Nick Sheedy spends hundreds of hours digging through records and paper trails to discover the ancestors of guests on Finding Your Roots. “You want to have a feeling that you belong and that there’s a community out there that belongs to you," he said of the interest in genealogy.

The coronation of King Charles III in the United Kingdom is soon, with all the accompanying pomp. Here are some shows both historical and fictionalized to sate your curiousity about royalty in the meantime. 

Take our ten-question April news quiz now to see how much you paid attention to the news in Chicago and Illinois this month.

We're exploring volcanoes both through NOVA and a new miniseries focusing on the magisterial natural landscapes of Scandinavia and Iceland. Plus, a new food show on New Orleans, Frontline on Clarence Thomas, and more. 

Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this May with a series of engaging programming on WTTW.

With a mayoral runoff election next week, more expressway traffic, and plans for a busy summer in Grant Park, there were plenty of headlines to keep up with in Chicago this month. Take our March news quiz.

With Earth Day in April, we have several shows examining the changes needed to adapt to—and further forestall—climate change, as well as stories of World War II, icons of America, and new dramas. 

J'Nai Bridges, the subject of a new American Masters documentary, was a member of the Lyric Opera of Chicago's Ryan Opera Center for three years, and is currently singing Carmen at the Lyric. She has also worked with the Chicago area composer Shawn E. Okpebholo.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Bartlett, Illinois has won the Most Beautiful Bracket Challenge!

It's time for the finals of our Most Beautiful Bracket Challenge, with BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Bartlett facing off against Unity Temple in Oak Park. Vote for your favorite!

The semifinals for the Most Beautiful Bracket Challenge have arrived! In this round, we've got Ping Tom Park vs. Unity Temple, and Tribune Tower vs. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir. Vote now! 

What do you think is the most beautiful place in Chicago? Vote in round one of our bracket challenge! Round one features eight locations included in The Most Beautiful Places in Chicago with Geoffrey Baer.

If you're in search of beautiful buildings, the biggest bang for your buck is to explore Chicago-area college campuses, which have noteworthy structures within easy walking distance of each other. Geoffrey Baer highlights a few. 

A new Geoffrey Baer special, a Frontline on our uncertain economic times, an exciting drama line-up, St. Patrick’s Day, and a profile of Dr. Fauci are all coming up!

Did you keep up with the news in and around Chicago in February? Test your knowledge of local headlines with our February news quiz.