Street Fair

Coming Attractions (or not) – September, 2023

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I was berated today for not telling people about events before they happen. So, for all of you out there who haven’t yet learned how to use your computer, and since I have a little time to kill, here are some ideas for things to do in September.

First, and foremost, and before you tire of my sarcasm, you must go to the Porchlight Music Theatre’s Icons Gala on the 8th at the Athenaeum Center. It will, as always, be a very entertaining evening and, if you buy one of the top-tier tickets, you get to mingle with me at the pre-show cocktail reception. Also, the guest of honor, Ben Vereen, will be in attendance.

As I alluded to in an earlier post, the Chicago Jazz Festival comes to town the first few days of the month. You’re on your own as to which acts might interest you. I stopped going years ago, as I tired of the modern, atonal nonsense they inappropriately call music, but there are a few acts on the calendar this year that I either have seen before and liked or am confident enough about to risk a trek down to Millennium Park or the Cultural Center for a look-see.

The Fourth Presbyterian Church takes its Noonday Concerts indoors starting this Friday, which seems premature to me, but allows them to put to use their big honking organ, though, fortunately for my tastes, not until the end of the month, so, again, why not keep things outdoors until then.

The Harris Theater for Music and Dance is celebrating its 20th Anniversary (seems like 40 years taking into account having to traverse all those stairs) on the 9th in Millennium Park. The unprecise schedule makes it hard to know when I might want to drop in, though the likelihood of families attending the afternoon sessions is fair warning to avoid those.

The Printers Row Lit Fest is that same weekend (both days). It always presents a plethora of interesting exhibitors and programs, if you can find them in the event’s labyrinth (watch out for the Minotaur).

And, not finally, but I’m tired, the American Writers Museum is hosting Get Lit: Grown-Up Book Fair on the 12th, which will feature refreshments, carnival games, and an Adult Spelling Bee, which, I assume, means either dirty words and/or easier ones than the obnoxiously well-prepared kids at the real one have to tackle.

Sundays on State – Chicago Loop Alliance – August 22, 2021

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My immediate reaction to the three-block, block party, was that it was a more organized, more sanitized, more diverse, less crowded, no Blues Brothers to be seen, cannabis vendors now legally present, new age Maxwell Street Market (which led me to learn that the new, real one apparently has reopened this summer on DesPlaines Street).

I made no attempt to see everything, and though I’m sorry I missed the Global Booty Dance, I did see some of the Hula Hoop fitness class.

I treated myself to a free copy of Fahrenheit 451, being handed out in front of a fire engine by the American Writers Museum.

And I couldn’t resist the allure of The Walnut Room’s walking pot pie, but was disappointed when, despite my urgings, it just sat there when I placed it on the curb next to me. So I ate it, which seemed like a pedestrian result.

The Ballet Folklorico de Chicago drew the biggest and most enthusiastic crowd I saw, with people (not me) jammed together to watch and snap photos of the dancers and their colorful costumes.

When a pigeon landed on my hand, I decided it was time to leave.

Meet Me on the Mile – Magnificent Mile – August 15, 2021

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This new event mostly failed to meet my very low expectations. But at least it wasn’t crazy crowded, not filled with those people who go to street fairs just so they can jostle others for no particular reason. A tribute to an underwhelming Magnificent Mile marketing machine.

I was too late for Silent Disco Yoga (though word-of-mouth was that it was well-attended and well-done), but I probably wouldn’t have qualified anyway, as participants were required to bring “good vibes.”

Much more disappointing was that the vendor selling potato donuts had already run out of Dutch chocolate ones with organic callebaut-chocolate ganache before I got there. I’ll set my alarm earlier next time.

I heard a little bit of the Chicago Bears Drumline (not bad), which was performing before a throng of 35 people seated in an ad hoc grandstand. The crowd for Tubad & the Kings of Nola was even smaller (but enthusiastic) for music I would reluctantly describe as tuba fusion.

People stood in line to get their caricatures done in lieu of wearing their “I’m a Tourist” t-shirts.

The highlight, for me, was the Motors on the Mile display, where I was able to snap the attached picture of my next car, though there was a moment of drama when the security guard almost imperceptibly twitched when I moved a little closer to the roped-in roadster.

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