Inspiring/Influential female artists:

1. •India Arie
   

2. •Jonatha Brooke
   

3. •Eva Cassidy
   

4. •Sheryl Crow
   

5. •Shawn Colvin
   

6. •Ani DiFranco
   

7. •Melissa Etheridge
   

8. •Indigo Girls
   

9. •Carole King
   

10. •Sarah McLachlan
    

11. •Joni Mitchell
    

12. •Alice Peacock
    

13. •Jill Scott
    

14. •Kathleen Wilhoite
    

Local and/or Independent artists you should catch/support; check back often for additions!

1. •Samantha Twigg Johnson
   

2. •Brad Cole
   

3. •Urban Djin
   

4. •Bruce T. Holmes
   

5. •Rose Fries
   

6. •Jeff Libman
   

7. •Abe Quigley
   

8. •Lucia Spina
   

9. •Victoria Fuller
   

10. •Tom Orland
    

11. •Sue Fink
    

12. •Laura Glyda
    

13. •Stephanie Morris
    

14. •Larry O. Dean
    

15. •Julie Moreno & Aguafuego
    

16. •Nikki Capra
    

17. •Peter Oyloe

Local Chicago Theatre Companies:

1. •A Red Orchid
   

2. •American Theatre Company
   

3. •Bailiwick Rep.
   

4. •Blindfaith Theatre Co. 
   

5. •Chicago Dramatists
   

6. •Circle Theatre
   

7. •City Lit 
   

8. •European Rep.
   

9. •Famous Door
   

10. •Goodman Theatre
    

11. •LaCosta Theatre Co.
    

12. •The Hypocrites
    

13. •Infamous Commonwealth
    

14. •Raven Theatre
    

15. •Remy Bumppo
    

16. •Stage Left
    

17. •Steep Theatre Co.
    

18. •Steppenwolf
    

19. •Theatre Building Chicago
    

20. •Timeline Theatre
    

21. •Tinfish Theatre
    

22. •Viaduct
    

23. •Victory Gardens

Local venues to check out for live music (check for additions later):

1. •Abbey Pub
   

2. •Martyrs
   

3. •Schubas
   

4. •Uncommon Ground
   

5. •Heartland Cafe

Other favorite links:

1. •myspace.com
   

2. •10mph.com
   

3. •Om On The Range
   

4. •Chicago Reader
   

5. •Coe College
   

6. •Comedy Central's Daily Show
   

7. •First Congregational Church of Wilmette
   

8. •Indiegrrl
   

9. •Mama Roots
   

10. •Old Town School of Folk Music
    

11. •Open Mike listings across the US
    

12. •Oprah
    

13. •PerformInk
    

14. •Reeves Audio Recording
    

15. •Stacy Mayer
    

16. •Taylor Guitars
    

17. •Living Oprah blog
    

18. •Bloom Yoga