drawingfromusic

I can't get this started without mentioning the one place that inspired me to move here in the first place. The Art Institute of Chicago. The museum was founded in 1866 and originally started as a free art school and gallery. It now houses some of the most known paintings/sculptures in art history and is one of the best ways to lose yourself for a day in the city. On that nerdy note, other notable museums in town include the The Fields Museum, Adler Planetarium, Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium and the most recent addition the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art slated to be complete in 2019-20.

Since we're on similar topics, Chicago has a rich and a fairly well known cultural history. Most famously it being the home for some of the most infamous criminals and mobsters. The split bet wet the Northside and Southside first begin with territorial wars between Al Capone and Bugs Moran. So much is written on this era in Chicago and establishment of corruption in the city's government as well as some of the most violent crimes not only in the city's but in American history. There are bus tours you can take spotlighting all the historical mobs spots including where John Dillinger was shot as homes of these crime bosses and where St Valentines Day Massacre took place..Other non mob criminals associated with the city include mass murderers Leopold and Loeb as well as John Wayne Gacy..

Ugh..on that note, let's move onto something lighter and more fun..the city's music scene. As @vrksasana had mentioned in her @bloghomeworkhere..Chicago is the originating home for Pitchfork as well as their festival, which continues to grow in stature every year with its lineup. The city's music festival counterpart is the much larger and well known Lollapalooza, which planted its stakes in Chicago in 2005 and is currently signed to stay in the city until 2018. The festival will be celebrating its 25th anniversary in existence this summer by expanding it an additional day and will include one of its original headliners and festival creator, Perry Farrell's band Janes Addiction as well as festival favorites Radiohead. Festivals aside, Chicago is a favorite Midwest stop through for most bands in the music scene as there are a variety venues throughout the city both large and small and some which hold historical context to notable local bands and where they got their start. The Metro is known for giving 90s alternative grunge band, Smashing Pumpkins their start, other local artists and bands of notable stature who didn't necessarily gain a rise from venues but on their own include Wilco, Ministry, Liz Phair, Andrew Bird and of course Kanye West. Historically Chicago is also known for being one of the originating cities of urban blues and still has a fairly thriving scene as well as its own annual festivals. Most notable spots around town you can still catch blues any night of the week are Blue Chicago, The Green Mill and Buddy Guy Legend.

Not being a native of Chicago, the memories I always had of the city were Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Bozo the Clown, Goodfellas, John Hughes movies Adventures in Babysitting and who can forget the Blues Brothers. The city has had a longstanding reputation of playing the backdrop of many popular movies and tv shows and still seems to inspire creatives today. Currently there are four shows I can think of offhand that are based in Chicago, Shameless, Chicago Fire and PD and Empire. The Second City, the improv company based here in the Lincoln Park area has fostered many notable comedians who have gone on to fame from their stints on Saturday Night Live and film including John Belushi,Bill Murray,John Candy, Dan Ackroyd,Harold Raimis,Joan Rivers,Shelley Long, Chris Farley and Mike Myers..you get the picture..like favorite SGs and hopefuls I could list em for days..haha..

It wouldn't be right to not mention the sports in Chicago and how each of their teams has some sort of importance in the city's history and how many Chicagoans view sports in general..Lets start on a high note and then go from there..The Chicago Bulls were a true dynasty in the NBA, ironically not being from here I grew up hating them..I mean c'mon the team couldn't lose..Don't get me wrong I had much respect for Michael Jordan playing in true MVP form during the finals with the flu..Seriously..Mad Props!! Their arena, the United Center is in the West Loop which they share with the city's next winningest team, the Chicago Blackhawks who are pretty much the NHL's closest thing to a dynasty since the team's rivals the Detroit Red Wings. They basically have three championship titles in the past six years and honestly show no sign of wearing down in the near future. I'd say the next team would either be the White Sox who may have a couple World Series rings or the city's football team the Chicago Bears who every year look prime to surprise us and go deep into the post season but somehow ends up imploding every season..Until they get their ducks in a row all we have to latch onto is that 1985 team and their "Super Bowl Shuffle" The White Sox however regardless of their titles will always be known from their earlier days with "Shoeless" Joe Jackson and the 1919 scandal to fix the World Series. They've definitely seen better days since then especially during the 90s and early 2000s with a killer lineup and a winning record as they transitioned from their historically known stadium, Comiskey Park on the south side of Chicago into what is now know as US Cellular Field where they are currently enjoying their best start to their season much like their National League Northside counterparts the Chicago Cubs. One if not the last baseball teams in MLB history to have the longest drought since their World Series titles since 1908..Since then Chicagoans have grasped onto superstitious excuses like the curse of the billy goat. It may be true, not sure..it never bothered me..I'm a Braves fan..That said, it quite exciting to see what the team's done the past couple years and odds in Vegas are their favor this season to win the whole kit and caboodle ..We'll see..

We can't have sports with brews and Chicago has become home to many many micro brews. What used to seem to be only Goose Island for many many years, seemed to starting sprouting all over the city overnight. There are way too many to list and if you're a beer drinker you may even know more spots then me..which is fine..I know my favorites..I believe Revolution, Half Acre and Three Floyds were probably some of the first to join the table....now they're all over the place, Lagunitas set up shop in town..Pipeworks has some solid offerings..Two Brothers, Atlas, Metropolitan , Begyle and Temperance all have stellar IPA offerings as well as nice range of other style..

Finally..FOOD!! Known as one of the foodie Meccas in the US and I have to admit we have some spectacular spots ranging from casual dining to a culinary dining experience. Portillo's is a locally famous restaurant and landmark which opened in 1963 and is a must stop if ever in town for an authentic Chicago style hotdog and Italian Beef. Another known spot and a favorite for touring bands who stop through is Kuma's Corner. A burger joint with eclectic recipes and classic rock inspired names like The Pantera, Metallica and my favorite Led Zepplin. The walls and booths are covered with photos from various local live shows by photographer, Paul Natkin (his photo of Prince live in Chicago below). For those of you foodies who follow shows like Top Chef and Master Chef some of our local chefs include Stephanie Izzard, Graham Elliott and Rick Bayless. Finally if you're looking for the sort of progressive dining experience that will cost you roughly $115 per person, Grant Achatz's Alinea is a perfect option.

These are just a few of the endless options available throughout the city..And if you ever get me drunk enough I'll chat your ear off on the graphic novel I wrote in grad school based in 1920s Chicago which probably started this city nerdum..hah

Also I chose more of the unbeaten path and tour of the city..some of the more notable tourist stops include the Bean in Millennium Park, anywhere along the lake,Skydeck in Willis Tower, Michigan Avenue, the Chicago Theater and Wicker Park for eclectic shopping..There are wonderful guides at Choosechicago.com

Thanks again @rambo @missy and @lyxzen for joining my tour..and everyone else I'd love to hear about your town..