What we’re about
HELP WANTED: No pay. Mostly thankless. Orphans preferred. (Be sure to click READ MORE for full info)::
Folks: For the upcoming, post-covid era would like to focus on smaller museums (the AIC, MCA, etc's are therefore excluded). Hopefully followed by a "after-party"/late lunch in the area?
There is NO limit on the museums/events we focus on (as long as there is a art factor): Art/Events? History/Art(NMMA)? Ethnic/Art? The War Between Dogs and Cats... in Art! haha.
Got ideas? Bonus points will go to those who would you like to be the event leader/host/docent. Let me know. NOTE: Hosting is really nothing more then being there "first" and saying "hi"!
jim
Our Mission Statement:
Everything about our group flows from our motto: "We are stranger's only once".
This group is for art, museum & live music lovers of all ilk's.
We call ourselves the Chicago Art Critic's Association - "CACA" for short. Its pronounced like a cat having a bad fur-ball moment. Why "critic's" you ask? All art, museum & music lovers are critics by default! Tell your friends and especially that "jerk at work" you are now a member-in-good standing of the Chicago Art Critic's Association! Watch their jaws drop.
1. Our mission is to attend gallery openings, fairs & cultural fests, museum's and music events in and around Chicago. Plus a few odd-lots Join us as we discover new talent, visit new & established galleries, munch our way through art fairs, visit museums, meet old and make new friends and - yes - have a wine or beer (or two) while exploring. What's not to like?
2. My background: As your organizer and fearless leader (coff, coff), I have been enjoying and collecting art since I was a kid - living in of all places: the art district of Santa Fe, NM, Historic Ocean Beach-San Diego, the Historic District of Pass-a-Grille, Fl (before it was discovered), Andersonville, Chicago (before it was discovered) and Europe (it was already discovered!) Bottom line: I've been kicked out of lots of cities, lots of state's, lots of countries and one very nice continent!
3. Have I bored you e'nuf about me? Good! Now I need to ask you for help. For 2022 do you have a SMALL museum idea? I would like to co-ordinate an event about once a month-ish (excluding November & December - due to the holidays). I'm a firm believer in the educational aspect of such events Hopefully with a docent?
I will keep an eye on cost's: An admission-donation fee of $5-20 is fine - not so for $50-100 - however there will be occasional exceptions. Lastly I will try as best as I can, to mix-up the event times (i.e.: weekday evenings, weekend evenings and weekend days.) When appropriate I will co-op with another group. Nothing is written in stone! Got something you wanna plug? Let me know.
4.. Finding me: In order to be spotted easily my standard outfit for most events, unless the event requires otherwise, will be a BLAZE ORANGE BASEBALL HAT and, usually, blue jeans. LOOK FOR THE HAT. Overall, it's not an exciting outfit, but it makes me feel pretty! My hair & mustache are koala grey (Some say "salt & pepper" - but they are mean, little people whose mothers don't love them.)
8. Here is a short article on "How To Buy Art" (Chicago Magazine - Sept. 2017): http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/September-2017/How-to-Buy-Art/
jim
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Historic Ukrainian Village Walking Tour (Includes Landmarked Churches)Saints Volodymyr & Olha Ukrainian Catholic Church, Chicago, IL
Warm weather is here & the walking tour season continues! Join us for a delightful stroll thru Ukrainian Village with a knowledgeable guide, exploring the area's hidden gems and fascinating architecture. It will be a great walk on a lovely sunny afternoon to view all the gorgeous churches, museums & schools! We're doing this on a Sunday so we can get inside some of the lovely churches. It's a multi-meetup group event!
THIS IS A PAID PRIVATE NEIGHBORHOOD WALKING TOUR OF THE BEAUTIFUL & HISTORIC UKRAINIAN VILLAGE WITH AN EXPERT CHICAGO GUIDE. $20 per person. As you might know, I have become a official tour guide! Please check out another walking tour that I have developed for the Ukrainian Village area.
Beginning at the Saints Volodymyr & Olha Ukrainian Church, we will walk throughout the Ukrainian Village neighborhood. The tour will take you through the rich history of the area, the business district, lovely museums, interesting architecture, and beautiful churches.
The tour is approx 2.3 miles of walking outside so wear good walking shoes and proper outdoor clothing for the Chicago warm weather.
Please keep in mind that the tour Ends about 1.5 blocks from where we start so park accordingly if you drive. We start at Saints Volodymyr & Olha Ukrainian Catholic Church, 739 N Oakley Blvd. and end at Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, 2320 W Chicago Ave., so it is an easy walk back your car depending on where you park
BRING WATER, and good walking shoes. I cannot guarantee how many washroom facilities will be available so please plan accordingly. We will go to Tryzub Ukrainian Kitchen after the walk.
EVERYONE PAYS $20 UPFRONT AT THE START OF THE TOUR.
After the walk, some of us may grab a bite at Tryzub Ukrainian Kitchen, 2201 W Chicago Ave. All are welcome to join! https://tryzubchicago.com/
Ukrainian Village, began as farmland. Originally, German Americans, who came mostly as immigrants in the mid-19th century, formed the largest ethnic group in the vicinity. With new waves of immigration starting in the late 19th century, by the turn of the century, the neighborhood was largely Slavic. Similar to Chicago's Lithuanian Downtown in Bridgeport, Ukrainians settled in the district because of their familiarity with Poles who lived in the surrounding Polish Downtown. Dense settlement of the neighborhood was largely spurred by the 1895 construction of an elevated train line along Paulina Ave, which provided access to workplaces. It was decommissioned in 1964.
This central area has been the focus of Ukrainian life since around the start of the 20th century. It continues to function as its hub, as it has three major Ukrainian churches, Ukrainian-owned financial institutions,[ a Ukrainian-language grammar school, the Ukrainian National Museum, a Ukrainian Cultural Center, the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, two Ukrainian youth organizations, and many Ukrainian-owned restaurants, stores and businesses.
A few places we will stop are the following:
Saints Volodymyr & Olha Ukrainian Catholic Church, 739 N Oakley Blvd,
Ukrainian National Museum, 2249 W Superior St
Ukrainian Cultural Center, 2247 W Chicago Ave
Ukrainian Village Mural 815 N Oakley Blvd
St Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, 835 N Oakley Blvd
Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Nicholas of Chicago 2245 W Rice St,
Former St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church now condos 921 N Hoyne
Moorish science temple, 1000 N Hoyne Ave
St Stephen King of Hungary Ch, 2015 W Augusta Blvd
Kenar Studios 1007 N Wolcott Ave
Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral, 1121 N Leavitt St
St Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, 2250 W Cortez St,
St Helen Catholic Church (Our Lady Of Unity Parish) 2315 Augusta Blvd
Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, 2320 W Chicago AveIf you are taking public transportation please check their website for directions or use google maps or CTA trip planner. https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
If you are driving there is metered street parking along Chicago Ave, Damen & Western as free on surrounding side streets but pay attention to parking signs especially permit parking
PLEASE KEEP RSVP UP TO DATE AND DO NOT BE A NO SHOW!
- Come Listen to Your Local Artists & Musicians Sing in Wicker Park!Davenport's Piano Bar and Cabaret, Chicago, IL
Support your local and independent musicians performing at Davenport's Piano Bar and Cabaret in Wicker Park!
- Vessy Mink
- Ann Marie Alanes (Your host, little ol' me! aka Malaya Mai)
- and the creator of Cabaret Onchain herself, Megan Troglio!
Accompanied by Tiffany Leard + Co
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE <<<
• 2 Drink Minimum
• 21+ onlySCHEDULE
7:30pm Doors open
8:00pm to 9:00pm Performances
9:00pm After Party somewhereLinks to more music from these artists below:
Vessy Mink on Spotify
Megan Troglio on Spotify
Tiffany Leard on Spotify
Ann Marie Alanes on SoundCloud - 40th Annual Chicago Blues Festival at Millennium Park!Millennium Park, Chicago, IL
Experience Chicago’s rich blues music legacy at the 40th Annual Chicago Blues Festival happening in our own back yard! With a diverse lineup celebrating the blues’ past, present and future, the Chicago Blues Festival shares the great Chicago-born music tradition with the world while shining a spotlight on the genre’s contributions to soul, R&B, gospel, rock, hip-hop and more.
We will meet way at the back of the lawn, right next to the sidewalk.
Bring wine, snacks, blankets, chairs if you like. Dress for the weather. Look for us in our spot way on the back of the lawn near the sidewalk. You can't miss us! See map pin or this image at the link: http://bit.ly/2H6tuWwCome later, if you can't make it at 3 pm as we will stay until 9 pm! Note, it is closing night and Buddy Guy is playing so it will get full early!
IF ANYONE HAS A SMALL PORTABLE TABLE TO BRING THEN PLEASE BRING IT! IT MAKES IT EASIER TO PUT THE WINE & SHARED FOOD FOR ALL TO ENJOY! I HAVE 2 TABLES BUT WE ALWAYS NEED MORE!!! (if you been to these you know we have a lot of food and wine!!!)
Bring some wine, beer, and some food/snacks to share and enjoy! Mariano's is close by on Randolph St. and Macy's on State St. Food suggestions include cheese & crackers, fruit plate, baked goods, hummus & chips.
It's always a nice gesture to bring some extra cups, napkins, toothpicks or small plates if you can. I will try to bring what I can but since I take the bus I am limited. Those who drive or live close by can really help by bringing some extra items!
NOTE THAT OUTSIDE ALCOHOL IS USUALLY NOT ALLOWED AT BLUES FEST! This one of the events at Millennium Park where outside alcohol is sometimes banned. You can bring food and any non-alcoholic drinks. They will be doing bag checks before entering so be prepared for a slight wait to get it in. Corkscrews and cheese knives also not allowed. You can buy alcohol inside the park at one of the park vendors.
NOW YOU DID NOT HEAR THIS FROM ME, BUT IF WANT TO BRING A BOTTLE OF WINE FROM THE OUTSIDE, I WOULD SUGGEST HIDING DEEP IN YOUR BAG OR BACKPACK UNDER A BLANKET OR BUNCH OF FOOD SO IT IS NOT EASILY VISIBLE. THEY DO A LIGHT SEARCH OF BAGS. WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SNEAK SMALL THINGS IN BEFORE BUT IT IS NO GUARANTEE. THEREFORE DO NOT BRING AN EXPENSIVE BOTTLE IN CASE IT DOES GET CONFISCATED. PREFERABLY BRING A TWIST OFF BOTTLE FOR EASE OF USE, AS CORKSCREWS ARE ALSO NOT ALLOWED. BEST IF PUT IN PLASTIC WATER BOTTLE OR TRAVEL CONTAINER. SOMETHING NOT OBVIOUS.
The annual Chicago Blues Festival in June is the city’s largest music festival. More than 500,000 blues fans gather in Chicago’s Millennium Park for three days of performances — all free and open to the public — featuring some of the genre’s most revered musicians, along with up-and-coming and local talent.
A Chicago staple for over 40 years, the festival’s diverse lineup has included everyone from B.B. King and Buddy Guy to Etta James and Koko Taylor and beyond. Performances showcase the genre’s contributions to soul, R&B, gospel, rock, hip-hop, and more. The festival also features local food and drink vendors, along with “Blues Village” featuring different record companies and blues groups.
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/chicago_blues_festival10.htmlSunday, June 9, Jay Pritzker Pavilion Lineup/Schedule:
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
4:45-5:00pm - National Anthem + Commissioner's Welcome
5:00-6:15pm - Centennial Tribute to Otis Spann
6:30-7:30pm - Cash Box Kings (WE WIL WATCH THIS BAND)
7:45-9:00pm - Buddy Guy (WE WIL WATCH THIS BAND)
Visit Mississippi Juke Joint Stage (South Promenade)
12-1:15pm - Southern Komfort Brass Band
1:30-2:45pm - Jonathan Ellison & The RAS Blues Band
3:00-4:15pm - Anissa Hampton (WE WIL WATCH THIS BAND)
4:30-5:45pm - Jaye Hammer
Rosa’s Lounge (North Promenade)
12:30-1:45pm - Nate Manos Band with Alicia “Ya Yah” Townsend
2:00-3:15pm - Joey J. Saye Trio
3:30-4:45pm - Omar Coleman Westside Soul
5:00-6:15pm - Melody Angel
6:30-7:45pm - Last Call with WDCB Radio and The Stephen Hull ExperienceIf you are taking public transportation please check Google Maps for directions or use CTA trip planner. https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
If you drive,use SpotHero or ParkWhiz as it is a challenge over there. Look for the Grant Park North Parking Garage. There is some metered parking but best to use a parking lot or garage
PLEASE KEEP RSVP UP TO DATE AND DO NOT BE A NO SHOW!
## COVID-19 safety measures
Event will be outdo
- Arrival From Sweden: The Music of ABBA at RAVINIA (TIX REQUIRED!)Ravinia Festival, Highland Park, IL
Do you love all things Swedish? Do you love Abba, Mama Mia and Dancing? Then you will just love the group, Arrival From Sweden: The Music of ABBA. They are coming to Ravinia on Friday evening 7/5/24 We have seen them before and they are fantastic! I know it is way early but these tickets just went on sale 4/24/24 and they will go fast! The Music of ABBA: Arrival From Sweden is very popular so if you want to join us, buy your tickets soon! We will sit in the lawn and make a party out of it! Bring your chairs, blankets, food & wine~ We will have a picnic and dance the night away!!!
**Tickets are $46 for GENERAL ADMISSION LAWN SEATS + service fee. You can also rent a chair and/or table if you do not want to lug one from home. Chairs are $10 and tables are $12. I already got 1 table so maybe we only need 1 more? Go here to purchase ticket, Pick 7/5/24 GENERAL ADMSSION LAWN "ARRIVAL FROM SWEDEN"** Ravinia.org/Online/Article/070524-MusicOfABBA
Please try to come early so it is to meet at the front & sit together. I will post my location once I arrive. I plan to arrive at 5 pm when gates open!
If you drive it is $25 for parking. For bigger shows, they made send you to satellite lots so I strongly suggest coming early if you can! Otherwise you will have to wait for shuttle buses to bring you to the venue. More details here:
https://ravinia.org/Online/default.asp?BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::permalink=Ravinia_Parking&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::context_id=I will probably take the Metra. You will need to take the Union Pacific North line. You can get on at Chicago OTC, Clybourn, Ravenswood etc. If you want to ride the Metra with me, meet me at the Ravenswood station or if you get on before me, then we can meet on the train. Once it gets closer I can coordinate train time as the summer schedule is not out yet! The train stops at Ravinia’s Tyler Gate (“Ravinia Park” stop)*.
The nearby “Braeside” stop is only a quarter-mile walk from Ravinia. For more info go here
https://ravinia.org/Online/default.asp?BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::permalink=Ravinia_MetraRail&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::context_id=ARRIVAL from Sweden was founded by Vicky Zetterberg in 1995 in Gothenburg, Sweden and very soon became one of the world’s most popular and most selling ABBA show bands. Since the start in 1995 the band has toured in over 70 countries, done 82 successful USA tours and has appeared in several TV and radio shows all over the world. Selling out arenas seated up to 50 000 people. The ABBA-fan club consider ARRIVAL From Sweden as ”The Closest You Will Ever Get To ABBA!”
ARRIVAL from Sweden is the only group that has been given a previously unreleased ABBA song directly from Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson of ABBA. The song “Just A Notion” was released by ARRIVAL from Sweden in 1999 and was yet again released by the original ABBA in 2021 on their latest record “Voyage.”
ARRIVAL from Sweden in the production “The Music of ABBA” has sold out arenas and venues all over the world since 1995 and is the absolute best and most authentic ABBA show there is. https://www.themusicofabba.com/
Ravinia Festival is an outdoor music venue in Highland Park, Illinois. It hosts a series of outdoor concerts and performances every summer from June to September. The first orchestra to perform at Ravinia Festival was the New York Philharmonic under Walter Damrosch on June 17, 1905. It has been the summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) since 1936. Located in the Ravinia neighborhood, the venue operates on the grounds of the 36-acre (15 ha) Ravinia Park, with a variety of outdoor and indoor performing arts facilities, including the architectural prairie style Martin Theater. The Ravinia Festival attracts about 600,000 listeners to some 120 to 150 events that span all genres from classical music to jazz to music theater over each three-month summer season.
https://ravinia.org/If you are taking public transportation please check Google Maps for directions or use Metra trip planner. https://ridertools.metrarail.com/maps-schedules/train-lines/UP-N
If you drive, see info above I gave on parking or check Ravinia's website
PLEASE KEEP RSVP UP TO DATE AND DO NOT BE A NO SHOW!
