South Side Stories WBEZ Chicago

RTO might be a fictional business on the TV show South Side, but the rent-to-own business is a reality for many. Comedian Just Nesh uses her own family experience to investigate the furniture world of the South Side and finds one longtime store trying to do things differently.

The Englewood neighborhood gets a certain type of reputation in Chicago and around the country whenever it’s in the news. So comedian Kellye Howard decided to find out for herself what it’s really like. She teams up with Chicago police officer Stephen Boyd for an unofficial ride along and later talks to residents at a special party in the park.

What does it take to be a street vendor? That’s what comedian Dave Helem looks to find out. He spends a day with James “The Oil Man”Redmond, a longtime vendor who crisscrosses the city selling body oils. Dave travels with The Oil Man by train, bus, and foot as he attempts to make some sales for the day.

Arthur Dubois is proof that you’re never too old try something new. A 72-year-old retiree and grandfather, Arthur has taken his lifelong love of music and turned it into a new, aspiring career as a self-taught hip-hop producer. Comedian Dave Helem meets up with Arthur to listen to his beats and make some music with Chicago artist Matt Muse.

Parking ticket debt is an unfortunate reality for many in Chicago, but it’s a burden not shared equally. Comedian Kellye Howard and WBEZ journalist Elliott Ramos take a tour through one of Chicago’s most ticketed neighborhoods. Later, Kellye talks to firefighter Rodney Shelton about how his ticket debt almost cost him his job.

There’s never a bad night in Chicago to put on some dancing shoes and go steppin’. So Bashir and Diallo enlist a very special correspondent, Bashir’s mom Renee, to explain what makes steppin’ a special Chicago original. Renee also visits one of the South Side’s most well-known spots for steppers, the 50 Yard Line, and gets to know legendary steppin’ DJ Sam Chatman.