Erica Thompson

1 week ago | chicago.suntimes.com | Erica Thompson

When Patti LaBelle took the United Center stage on Friday night, she wasn’t in fighting form. Wearing glamorous blonde curls and a pink dress with a full skirt, she spoke about her ailments using slang popular with people a quarter of her age. “I’ve got a broken ankle and a bad knee, but the show must go on,” said the 81-year-old Philly native.

1 week ago | chicago.suntimes.com | Erica Thompson

On Saturday, Chinthana Wimalasuriya took a few tentative steps into the water at North Avenue Beach and immediately turned back around. A short time later, the 29-year-old Carbondale resident steeled himself and waded deeper into the water for a few minutes before heading back to the sand. His wife, Sunimali Rathnayake, outlasted him. “It’s a little bit cold,” Wimalasuriya said. Down the beach, a Lincoln Park couple sunbathed despite chilly temps in the mid-50s in the early afternoon.

3 weeks ago | chicago.suntimes.com | Erica Thompson

Whether it was traveling thousands of miles or showing off elaborate, cowboy-inspired outfits, Beyoncé fans demonstrated their devotion ahead of the superstar’s Chicago show on Thursday night at Soldier Field. Despite weather concerns, which delayed the show by two hours, the Beyhive remained excited in their cowboy hats, boots, fringe and denim, celebrating the singer’s Grammy-winning “Cowboy Carter” album.

3 weeks ago | chicago.suntimes.com | Erica Thompson

Lynne Jordan never planned to be a professional singer. The Ohio native realized her vocal ability early in life but kept her talents hidden until she attended Northwestern University. One night at a campus party, the bashful journalism major was persuaded by a friend to sing a song with the live band.She was so impressive that she landed another gig for $500 — a pretty penny for the early 1980s. “I thought, ‘Let me get over this shy, humility crap,’” Jordan said, laughing. “I could buy dinner.

1 month ago | chicago.suntimes.com | Erica Thompson

Notable jazz singer and pianist Andy Bey may have been the baby of the family, but his older siblings looked up to him, marveling at his musicality. Two of his sisters, Geraldine de Haas and the late Salome Bey, even teamed up with the young talent, recording albums and touring as Andy and the Bey Sisters.