Here is this week’s dose from Chicago’s Tastemakers! Each week we check in with our 60+ Chicago movers and shakers to see what’s going on around town. Stay tuned each week to get each week’s wrap and next week’s view!

Our weekly Tastemaker Spotlight will let you get to know our Tastemakers a bit better because they’re more than a name online, they’re bringing you the hottest events Chicago has to offer!

This week you get to meet Melinda McIntire! Melinda is a local Chicago writer and blogger. You can find her co-authoring the blog solointhesecondcity.com, writing at melindamac.com and RedEye ‘Hoods, and living out her last few days as a twenty-something. She is the co-curator/producer/host of the new Solo in the Second City reading series at Cobra Lounge. She is scared of birds, can’t snap her fingers, and is searching for the man and/or Manhattan of her dreams. She loves hipsters with nerdy glasses and skinny jeans.

What cartoon character is most like you?
Daria for sure. I am a child of the ’90s and definitely spent my high school years wearing flannel and Doc Martens. I love her attitude and anti-establishment ideals that we all had in the late ’90s.

What part of pop culture do you wish would just go away?
Reality TV depicting women as bitches, whores, desperate, and slutty. I mean how many seasons of Flava Flav can one person watch? Disgusting. Ladies, if we’re going to fight over anyone, let’s make it Taye Diggs or Ryan Gosling, please. Flava Flav? Not worth it.

What is your ideal comfort food?
Panang curry with noodles. Or Monical’s Pizza from Central Illinois where I grew up (with french dressing on top).

If you could be invisible, how would you utilize your power?
I think I’d follow Common around. I’m in love with him for some reason, though I’d like to find out more about that reasoning.

What is your favorite article from the past month?
Definitely my commentary on the Hazards of Dating Hipsters. I read this piece at our first Solo in the Second City reading last Monday, and it’s all no lies.

SXSW NEWS

Gapers Block rounds up the Chicago acts & showcases set to perform at SXSW.

NoVo Arts has the SXSW send-off party at Hideout on March 10.

NoVo Arts has Las Guitarras de Espana at Valhalla in Austin on March 13th.

NoVo Arts has LetsGetMessy Day Party (FREE w/ RSVP on Do512) at 512 Bar in Austin on March 15th.

NoVo Arts has JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound at Red Eyed Fly in Austin on March 17th.

White Mystery shares their SXSW schedule:

03/13/12 ART DISASTER Beauty Bar Austin, TX Details
03/14/12 BROOKLYN VEGAN CHICAGO TBA Austin, TX
03/14/12 BURGER RECORD SHOWCASE Trailer Space Austin, TX Details
03/15/12 REGGIE’S ROCK CLUB SHOWCASE The Elysium Austin TX Details
03/15/12 BLACKOUT SHOWCASE Headhunters Austin, TX Details
03/15/12 ON LANGFORD AND DOGFISH HEAD BREWERY Gingerman Austin, TX Details
03/16/12 GIRLS ROCK! Cherrywood Coffee House Austin, TX Details
03/17/12 GET BENT & RUBBERNECK SHOWCASE Beerland Austin, TX Details
03/17/12 BURGERMANIA Spiderhouse Austin, TX Details
03/18/12 BRO FEST Club Dada Dallas, TX Details

Heave Media has I BLAME YOKO / Heave Media Day Party Showcase (FREE w/ RSVP on Do512) at B.D Riley’s Irish Pub in Austin on March 14th.

Do312 and Thrillist are teaming up with Do512, Southwest Airlines, Guitar Center, Fender, AND Spotify to give a lucky winner the following amazing prizes:

• A pair of platinum badges to a certain music festival in Austin, TX.
• Round trip airfare for two on Southwest Airlines
• A 5 night hotel stay
• A limited edition Fender guitar and amp
• A 12 month subscription of Spotify premium
• VIP access to some awesome Do512 and Thrillist parties

That’s a hell of a prize, isn’t it? For your chance to enter, go HERE and follow the directions! HURRY! Contest ends March 1st, 2012.

CVU151 – Jesse Menendez by DYNASTY PODCASTS
DPLB005 – A John Hughes Valentines Day Live Tribute 02/14/12 by DYNASTY PODCASTS
CVU150 – JBTV by DYNASTY PODCASTS
Dynasty Podcasts shares a few new podcasts this week, including interviews with Vocalo/WBEZ radio DJ Jesse Menendez, JBTV hosts Jerry Bryant and Ryan Manno, and a podcast of the live Dynasty Broadcast from Debonair’s A John Hughes Valentine’s Live Tribute, featuring interviews with Greg Corner, Hey Champ, and Gemini Club

Chicago Mixtape has a new mix out this week titled Various Windows. Local bands featured include Mars Ago, Will Phalen, Curtis Evans, Kirby Kaiser, cloudbirds, The Lawrence Peters Outfit, and Dark Fog.

Dani Deahl shares some pointers on how NOT to interview a DJ on ChinaShop Mag.

Dani Deahl’s Get Nasty Valentine’s Day Mix by SOLREPUBLIC
Dani Deahl shares her Get Nasty Valentine’s Day Mix for Sol Republic.

Funemployed shares Bon Iver is not Bonny Bear, a sequel to their Arcade Fire Hipster Attack video.

Stic-of-the-Week shares Jack White’s new video “Love Interruption”.

Stic-of-the-Week reviews Sleigh Bells’ new album, “Reign of Terror”.

Stic-of-the-Week shares a video of Bon Iver live in studio.

Brooklyn Vegan Chicago covers the Lolla-leak scandal.

The Dead Hub reviews Eye Empire at The Brat Stop in Kenosha, WI on 2.16

The Dead Hub reviews Milagres at the Mercury Lounge.

The Dead Hub reviews Volbeat at The Rave in Milwaukee, WI on 2.12

Bow Wow Wow – I Want Candy (Square Frames Re-edit) by Square Frames
Front 312 shares their new edit Bow Wow Wow – I Want Candy (Square Frames Re-edit)

Yaz- State Farm (Square Frames Re-edit) by Square Frames
Front 312 shares their new track Yaz- State Farm (Square Frames Re-edit).

Melinda McIntire shares a piece on the hazards of dating hipsters.

Huffington Post Chicago covers the Chicago Loop Alliance’s next downtown art project, Color Jam.

Huffington Post Chicago interviews Zola Jesus on songwriting, chocolate, and architecture.

Huffington Post Chicago covers the LollaLeaks announcement that their “leaked lineup” was fake.

Lost in Concert review Bailiff at Lincoln Hall on 1.18.12

Lost in Concert review The Kickback at Lincoln Hall on 1.18.12

JBTV shares thier first national NBC Nonstop broadcast from this past Saturday with rockers AWOLNATION invading the JBTV HD sound stage for a one-of-a-kind performance and chat with Ryan Manno. Toby Jeg interviews Dropkick Murphys, and Indie-rockers Architecture In Helsinki. And we bring you a very special, JBTV live cut of “Supersonic” by Oasis.

Gapers Block shares an interview with Da Brat on her return to Chicago.

Psalm One has been having a pretty great 2012 so far, and Dre Day was no exception! Watch as the first lady of Rhymesayers destroys the Double Door in Chicago with Adad, and she also sneaks in a few favorite tweets from her wildly popular hashtag on Twitter, #Realtalktuesday! If you’ve never seen Psalm live this is a great introduction. More #realtalktuesday to come.

Pocket Protectors: Interview with Cullen Bunn by HEAVEmedia
Heave Media shares their latest installment of Pocket Protectors where they interview Cullen Bunn (author of Marvels’ Fear Itself: The Fearless and Oni Press’ The Sixth Gun)

Heave Media wraps up “My Week with Stacy” in which the writer shares his week of listening to nothing but Stacy’s Mom for a whole week.

Heave Media share a live review of Sharon Van Etten’s show from Friday.

212212211147 by YardieGoals
The Windish Agency shares a video of Foster the People’s performance on The Grammys.

The Windish Agency wins Independent Booking Agency of the Year at the Pollstar Awards.

The Windish Agency shares a video of School of Seven Bells on Jimmy Fallon.

White Mystery featured on MTV’s Jersey Shore.

White Mystery button has been nominated for a design award, one click vote here.

Tavi Gevinson Performs “Heart of Gold” from CADAVER @ The Standard East Village, NYFW 2012 from JAMS on Vimeo.

Mike Raspetello shares Tavi Gevinson performing “Heart of Gold” in NYC for Fashion Week.

Zebo shares his Valentine’s Day mix titled Love – A Promise.

A/S/L_Media took photos of Chicago Reader’s Anti-Valentine’s Day Party.

A/S/L_Media took photos of Cult with Pictureplane, Triple Six Sounds, and #Top8 at Berlin Nightclub.

Mad laB Photography took photos of John Hughes Valentine’s Day Tribute at Debonair Social Club.

Mad laB Photography took photos of Zombies Vs. Skeletons at Cobra Lounge.

Mad laB Photography took photos of Rehab at Debonair Social Club.

GlitterGuts took photos of Stacks! A Benefit for the Chicago Read/Write Library.

GlitterGuts took photos of Mary Blood Ball.

Ground Lift Media took photos of Dre Day 2012.

CBS has a Casting Call: CBS Dating Show! ONLINE from Friday, February 17th through Friday, February 24th.

Brooklyn Vegan Chicago previews Willis Earl Beal release show at Cole’s Bar on Tuesday, February 21st.

Front 312 has Modern Love II : Electric Boogaloo at Bonny’s on Tuesday, February 21st.

Lincoln Hall has Zola Jesus, Talk Normal, Chris Connelly at Lincoln Hall on Tuesday, February 21st.

Township has All Eyes West at Township on Tuesday, February 21st.

Stic-of-the-Week has Do312 & Beauty Bar Present: Bargain Wave (RSVP for complimentary beer + more!) at Beauty Bar on Wednesday, February 22nd. RSVP to get a free Schlitz!

Schubas has Dreamers of the Ghetto, Cold Blue kid at Schubas on Wednesday, February 22nd. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

Jenae Williams and A/S/L_Media have Jenae’s Birthday Reality Check at Berlin Nightclub on Thursday, February 23rd. RSVP for no cover ’til 11PM plus Jenae will be buying everyone beer and champagne from 10PM-12AM (while it lasts)!

Front 312 has Bella Notte – an evening of Soul, Garage, Psychedelic & Rare Groove at Three Aces on Thursday, February 23rd. Click “I Like It” for a Dewars 12 scotch tasting from 9-11PM!

KDM has ////Wasted Bass Thursdays presents DANCES WITH WHITE GIRLS (NYC)//// at Evil Olive on Thursday, February 23rd.

Lewis&Clark has Queefer Madness at Studio Be running every week, starting Thursday, February 23rd through Thursday, March 8th.

Reggie’s has Anvil, Admiral Of Black, Beak, Ironfinger at Reggie’s on Thursday, February 23rd. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

Bottom Lounge has Doomtree, Toki Wright at Bottom Lounge on Thursday, February 23rd. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

Zebo has The Booty Up .:. Couples Edition at Evil Olive on Friday, February 24th. RSVP for no cover before 1AM!

Front 312 has Front 312 – The Legend of Dance Edition at Neo on Friday, February 24th.

Congress Theater has Korn “Path Of Totality Tour” at Congress Theater on Friday, February 24th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

Double Door has The Souljazz Orchestra, The Right Now, DJRC at Double Door on Friday, February 24th. RSVP to get on the Do312 guestlist!

Reggie’s has Freeway, Notrydo Sincere & The Kaotic Drumline, Ando Ruckus, Blackeyed Plaga, Famo Squad, Prince Lord at Reggie’s on Friday, February 24th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

Stic-of-the-Week has Another 90′s Party at Beauty Bar on Saturday, February 25th.

Front 312 has Paradise w/ Ron Solera, Victor Lua, Jackin’ Andy, Rafeleux, Out of Control Pete at Exit on Saturday, February 25th.

Front 312 also has PANIC! Dance Party: DJs POGO & ARTURO Plus Performance By SQUARE FRAMES at Darkroom on Saturday, February 25th.

Elbo Room has Peter Terry & The City Profits, Claire Stahlecker, Freetoed, Frantic Sky, Jon Monti, The Barking Irons at Elbo Room on Saturday, February 25th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

White Mystery has White Mystery (tour kick-off show), Earthquake Party!, Dark Fog at Empty Bottle on Sunday, February 26th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

Rockit Bar and Grill has OSCAR VIEWING PARTY HOSTED BY RICHARD ROEPER & BILLY DEC at Rockit Bar and Grill on Sunday, February 26th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

Lincoln Hall has Tennis, In Tall Buildings at Lincoln Hall on Sunday, February 26th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets and Origin 7!

Elbo Room has Bear Lake, Item 9 & The Mad Hatters, Circus Bear, Bearsnail at Elbo Room on Friday, March 2nd.

JBTV has ALLEN STONE – Live Taping at JBTV Studios on Monday, March 5th. RSVP for a chance to win tickets!