TyK was started as a project to explore modern stereotypes of women in the biking community and to raise money for a good cause. 

The response has been fantastic, with calendars reaching as far as Asia.

Now in it’s second year, TyK has already received 50% more sponsorships and has expanded to include a men’s “Superhero” calendar as well (photographed by Christopher Dilts)

Nolan describes her work on the project as possessing “a Vargas-style with a modern contemporary edge,” noting that the men’s Superhero-themed calendar has a harder edge.

Although this year, TyK had access to more resources including studio space, a set designer, a stylist and makeup artist, the models in the calendars still come from the Chicago biking community.

“That’s the cool factor,” says Nolan. “These are all real people, not models pretending to be a pinup girl or a superhero or a biker, just real people that wanted to be a part of the project.

“I always have liked that better as a photographer, because there is a new experience there for most of those people. You’re witnessing and participating in a new experience.”

Calendars will be available to purchase. Proceeds benefit the Chicago Women's Health Center.

Tortoise @ The Empty Bottle (Chicago)

In August, jazz-brushed, hip-hop-infused post-rockers Tortoise dazzled a lunchtime crowd on a rainy day at Millennium Park's Pritzker Pavilion. The high-fidelity performance was one of the esteemed group's last in Chicago, and now the Thrill Jockey standouts return to The Empty Bottle for their first small-setting Chicago performance since July.

The highly lauded group will be testing out material from its upcoming, unnamed album, due out on Thrill Jockey around June.

Friday, February 6

Thought You Knew (TyK) Pinup Calendar "Going to Press" Party @ Green Eye Lounge (Chicago)

ALARM contributing photographer Michelle Nolan took the photos for this 1950s-style pinup calendar, showing local lady bicycle riders in glamorous and relatively racy poses with their work instruments. Proceeds for all calendar sales go to The Chicago Women's Health Center, and proceeds from the door ($5 suggested donation) go toward printing calendars.

Saturday, February 7

Mi Ami, onYou @ The Hideout (Chicago)

Squeaky, percussive, reverberating rock trio Mi Ami heads to Chicago in advance of Watersports, its debut full-length for Touch and Go due out February 17. Inspired by African disco and featuring shrieking, overdubbed vocals and spastic feedback solos, the trio's sound is, to say the least, unique. Local abstract psych group onYou opens.