Jessica Herman

Gangly four-foot-tall Beautys and Cinderellas trample down the stairs to the basement of the Chicago Access Network television studio, where the featured band huddles, suited up in matching Mexican ponchos and straw sombreros that barely cover their sideburns. Arriving in costume isn't particular to Halloween for Chic-a-go-go, a public-access dance show described as "a cross between American Bandstand and Soul Train." The guests-munchkins, their parents and twentysomethings in the mood for some limelight--typically dress up to rock out with Miss Mia and her puppet Ratso.

Staffers lure the dancers into the "green room" with platters of orange-frosted Oreos, root beer, bagels and chips. "I'm like the Energizer Bunny," offers one dancing regular who has tapes to prove it. A "medium-size fries" stands with his arms crossed in the corner, while a bumbling bee searches for the basket of chips that looms above her head. Finally it's show time.

"This is our Halloween show, and welcome to Chic-a-go-go," announces a cheese-head, introducing the first of three episodes he will film in the next few hours. When the music gets rolling, the princesses aren't quite sure what to make of Outkast--it's a song about ghosts says Miss Mia--but the dozen or so Storm Troopers and the bare-chested, cape-wearing bald guy bump and grind freely.

The children exhibit surprisingly good behavior, except for the kid who perpetually swings his sword at the ceiling mics from his father's shoulders. And so do the featured guests-LA-based clothing designer Paul Frank and a drag king in from Boston.

(2004-10-20)

Also by Jessica Herman

Really easy riders
"This is Rob's bike," says Bob Burns, better known as "Big Bob," pointing to the scooter beside him, his bouncer's body stuffed into black coveralls...
(2004-10-13)

Hiccup to the chief
The man in a beret, the foursome of grad students, the blonde in her trench coat and Halloween socks are all double-fisting full cups of alcohol in the regal Ruggles Hall at the Newberry Library
(2004-10-13)

Material girls
Julie Laffin shuffles through a deck of photographs that evolve from a pure ivory wedding-type gown draped over her body into tarnished rags that seep off her skin, giving her the look of Ophelia, if not a sea creature
(2004-10-06)

Custom couture
Nestled in industrial flatlands between an auto-repair shop and the Goose Island Brewery, Dame Couture , a custom dressmakers' studio, is an anomaly in her neighborhood
(2004-09-29)

Ziggy lives
(2004-09-29)

Dialogue by design
(2004-09-23)

Spin Control
(2004-09-14)

To the Gill
(2004-09-08)

The art of the discount
(2004-08-31)

Boutiqueville
(2004-08-31)

Unabashedly cheesy
(2004-08-25)

Bird watching
(2004-08-25)

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