The Chicago Traveler

• The Pitchfork Music Festival is a 3-day event featuring over 40 independent bands and artists on three stages at Union Park. (July 18-20)
• Two stages of live music entertain thousands of visitors at the Old St. Patrick’s World’s Largest Block Party. Tickets include five drinks (bottled water, soda, wine, beer). (July 18-19)
• The Chicago Short Comedy Video and Film Festival at the Music Box Theatre consists of nearly 35 locally-made films starring Chicagoan actors and comedians. (July 17-18)
• Kate the Great’s Book Emporium, a bookstore with a diverse selection in Edgewater, will be closing its doors next week after …read more

2 Comments

I’ll be heading out of town this weekend, but for those of you staying here in Chicago, you’ve got lots to look forward to.
• The 11th Annual Chicago Improv Festival takes place at various locations and includes performances by Paul Scheer, Jack McBrayer, and John Lutz. (ends June
• The largest free outdoor blues event in the world, the 25th Annual Chicago Blues Festival, features local, national, and international entertainment on six stages in Grant Park with more than 90 performances. (ends June
• More than 170 current and classic films will be shown this summer in neighborhood parks throughout …read more

Comments Off

Last Thursday, Chicago native Harvey Korman passed away. He was best known for his work on The Carol Burnett Show and was in several Mel Brooks films. Many of his comedy sketches, even when viewed today over 30 years later, are still hilarious.
On Sunday, Paul Sills, a pioneer in improv theatre, passed away at the age of 80. He was a student at University of Chicago and founded the school’s first student-led theatre group. In 1955, he co-founded the Compass Players, the first improvisational theatre company in the U.S. Sills then opened a new nightclub review (with partners Bernard Sahlins …read more

Comments Off

It’s time to say good-bye to 2007. The year has treated me very well. I moved to a new apartment, did some traveling, and, best of all, began writing The Chicago Traveler! Many thanks to Mary Jo and everyone at b5media who has been so welcoming and helpful.
Even though The Chicago Traveler is only a few months old, let’s take a look back at the ten most popular articles of this year.
10. Abegweit. Resting peacefully on Lake Michigan, this beautiful ship was once the most powerful icebreaker in the world.
9. Let’s Boogie Records & Tapes. This music store on the …read more

2 Comments

A huge 90-foot-tall (27-meter) “tree,” made up of more than 130 individual Balsam Firs, is the centerpiece for the 94th Annual City of Chicago Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony. Musical entertainment begins at 4:30 p.m., lighting at 5:00 p.m. (Nov 23)
The Sparrow, an award-winning musical, is back by popular demand at the Apollo Theater for an extended run. The story follows a small-town teenage girl with telekinetic powers. (Nov 14-Dec 31)
Matt Wertz, a singer/songwriter from Nashville, TN, and Dave Barnes, a rock and r&b artist, will be together at the House of Blues. (Nov 23)
The most audience participative improv show in …read more

Comments Off

Bon Jovi isn’t coming to Chicago until February, but tickets are already on sale for the concerts at the United Center (February 23 and 24, Daughtry opens).
Photo credit: Rock and Racehorses, matthewspiel

1 Comment

Your boss has been in your face. Your mother-in-law is on your back. Traffic’s moved at a snail’s pace all week, but life won’t slow down. “Stress” doesn’t even begin to describe your days.
Relax Lounge in Wicker Park may cure what ails you. Just look for the neon green cross out front and the candles flickering in beakers inside. Lounge seating is surrounded by vintage wallpaper and warm wood details, and a 30-foot bar is lit up by an old-fashioned sign that reads “Prescriptions.”
Sensing a theme here? The bar was originally named “Pharmacy,” but it turns out it is illegal …read more

5 Comments

When I was a little kid, I had my own “secret” space where I felt safe and where I thought no one would find me unless I wanted them to. The Hideout is appropriately named; it’s a spot where you can be among friends and listen to great music, and people not in the know will have a heck of a time finding you.
In fact, the first time I was brought here, I was so turned around, there’s no way I would’ve been able to explain to anyone where I was. A couple of young patrons on cell phones stood …read more

3 Comments

The 24th Annual Chicago Blues Festival starts today and runs through Sunday the 10th. It is the world’s largest FREE outdoor blues event. There are a remarkable number of performances by over 70 local and national artists. Did I mention “free”?

One of my favorite summer events takes place this weekend: the 23rd Annual Printers Row Book Fair. The largest FREE literary event in the Midwest, this fair allows tens of thousands of people to meet authors; browse through new, old, and antique books from nearly 200 booksellers; and even attend chef demonstrations. Although you will find tents from familiar names …read more

2 Comments

In Bucktown, Gallery Cabaret is a classic corner bar that dates back several decades and is much more than the dive-bar it may appear to be. Don’t let the outside features scare you off. It’s become a forum for rising artists to display paintings, drawings, and musical talent. It took some time for the bar to build rapport with the community, but after receiving the attention of the Smashing Pumpkins and Liz Phair, this pub soon found plenty of business.
Visual art litters the walls and is changed up monthly to feature new artists. Plus, there’s some kind of live talent …read more

3 Comments