The Money Shot. My thoughts about and images from the Duck Derby
All in Chicago Tourism
Bluesfest 2023
Tonight, the 2023 Chicago Bluesfest kicked off its four-day run in Chicago’s Millennium Park. The night included a centennial tribute to Albert King, as well as spell-bounding performances from 89-year old Bobby Rush and the Blind Boys of Alabama. Here are my thoughts about and images from a delightful evening of music.
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is celebrated with speeches, wreath-laying ceremonies, and parades, but it is about a lot more. The memories can be painful. Here are my thoughts about and photographs from today’s Memorial Day celebrations in the City of Chicago.
Columbus Day
I stop to photograph this year’s Columbus Day Parade on my way to my annual physical. The parade is a shadow of the one staged for Ferris Bueller’s Day Off; although the film did not identify the parade as the Columbus Day Parade. I ended up racing around so much that the doctor had to wait 20 minutes before taking my blood pressure because I was dripping with sweat when I arrived in his office—112/78.
Here are my thoughts about what I saw and the images I captured.
HPJF 2022 (Day 2)
The Sixteenth Annual Hyde Park Jazz Festival is held over two days. Here are my thoughts about and images from the second day.
HPJF 2022 (Day 1)
Day 1 of the Sixteenth Annual Hyde Park Jazz Festival was spectacular, with a wide variety of music to be heard. Here are my thoughts and some of the many images I captured.
Chicago Jazzfest (III)
Today, I attended the third day of the 2022 Chicago Jazzfest. The high school students who played on the Harris Rooftop were one of the highlights of the day, while bassist William Parker wins the award for the most invigorating performance of the day. Here are my thoughts on the high schoolers, Parker and the other music I heard over a nine-hour period, together with my images.
Chicago Jazzfest (II)
Today, I attended the second day of the 2022 Chicago Jazzfest. Bill Frisell’s closing set was the highlight of the day. Here are my thoughts on that set and the other music I heard over a nine-hour period, together with my images.
The Return
The Art Institute’s famed bronze lions returned today from their month-long deep clearing in Forest Park. I was on hand for the reinstallation outside the Art Institute. Here are my thoughts and the images I captured.
Chicago Bluesfest (Day 4)
Day 4 of the Chicago Bluesfest was the final day. I limited my activity today, but still managed to catch several great performances. Here are my thoughts, together with my images.
A Shooting's Aftermath
Last night a gunman shot nine people, killing two, at the corner of State and Chicago Avenue. The event transfixed the public. The media was out in force today. I spent two hours in the area this afternoon. Here are my thoughts and images.
The First Sizzle
Today, I heard the summer’s first sizzle, as the heat engulfed my exposed skin. Here are some images, together with my thoughts about Chicago’s first wonderful day of the year.
Santa's CTA Express
Santa Claus took a ride on the CTA today, circling the Loop for three hours on the Allstate Holiday Train. Here are a few of my images from the trip.
Violence I
Taliyah McIntosh Joins Her Bus Driver Mother, Nina, in Taking a Knee for Transit Workers Who Have Been the Victims of Crime While on the Job
For the full story, click on the image.
Pullman
I visited the Pullman National Monument today. Here is my commentary, together with my photographs.
Polkadots and Jazz
Gary Bartz appeared at the Chicago’s Jazz Showcase over Labor Day weekend. He is an outstanding alto and soprano saxophone player, with a fluid sound. Here are Jack Siegel’s thoughts about the set, together with his images.
Off-Kilter
Today, I ventured out with an infrared camera. My subject was the Chicago River from Michigan Avenue to Chinatown. The output includes high contrast monochrome images, with some color tossed in. These are classic tourist shots, but with a twist. Along the way, László Moholy-Nagy and Bertrand Goldberg make appearances. After watching a documentary on Moholy-Nagy, I had to bend things a bit.
It's a Gasser (II)
Today, Jack B. Siegel made his second pilgrimage to the Great Lakes Dragaway in Union Grove, Wisconsin. The Chicago Wise Guys were the feature attraction, bringing colorful cars, crews, carts, tools, and trailers for a day of nitro racing. The roar of the engines were ever present, at times deafening. These guys know how to haul ass down the quarter-mile track, sometimes reaching speeds close to or exceeding 200 miles per hour.
It's a Gasser (I)
I headed up to Great Lakes Dragaway in Union Grove, Wisconsin today to checkout the races and the surrounding scene.