The 2024 Chicago Jazz Festival kicked off today with multiple performances at the Chicago Cultural Center. Here are my thoughts and images from Day 1 of the four-day festival.
All in Performance
Independence Day
On Saturday, Chicago's Ukrainian Community celebrated Ukrainian Independence Day outside the Ukrainian Cultural Center. The war dead were honored, several community leaders spoke, and Ukrainian tweens reprised last year's K-pop performance. Here are my thoughts about and images from the day's celebration.
DNC Dispatch 7
Finally, the last day of the Democratic National Convention has arrived. Everyone is exhausted. Here are my thoughts about and images from the second and final March on The DNC 2024.
DNC Dispatch 6
The Palestinian Community held a rally and march today in Union Park. I also stopped by the location near the United Center where the Chicago Firefighters Union is protesting the lack of a contract. Earlier, I stopped by the DemPALOOZA at McCormick Place. Here are my thoughts about and photographs about all of that, and more.
DNC Dispatch 5
The second night of the 2024 Democratic Convention saw the most violence arrests. Here are my thoughts about and photographs from a night of chaos, as well as photograpahs from two other peaceful demonstrations during the day.
DNC Dispatch 4
On the first day of the 2024 Democratic National Convention, I attended a rally and march in Chicago's Union Park that was sponsored by a coalition of left-wing and Progressive groups. Here are my thoughts about and images from the event.
DNC Dispatch 2
This afternoon, I attended a one-man demonstration at Buckingham Fountain that brought out at least 100 Chicago Police officers, which reveals just how seriously the city is taking the potential for disruptions and chaos into account. Although comical, the response was highly revealing. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration, as well as my walk up and down Michigan Avenue.
DNC Dispatch 1
On Friday afternoon, I attended a press conference in Chicago's Federal Plaza where Hatem Abudayyeh, executive director of the Arab American Action Network, updated the media about where the litigation stood over march logistics for next week's demonstrations during the 2024 Democratic National Convention being held in Chicago. Here are my thoughts about what Abudayyeh had to say, together with an three images.
Time to Rock & Roll
We are now just four days away from the start of the 2024 Democratic National Convention. I've been walking around the city the last several days. Here are some pre-convention thoughts and images.
DJT At The Hilton
Former President Donald Trump came to Chicago today for what was a disastrous Q & A session at the National Association of Black Journalists annual conference. As usual, I was in the streets outside the Hilton, recalling the riots that broke out during the 1968 Democratic Convention. Here are my thoughts about what transpired on the streets, as well as my photographs.
Burned Alive
Chicago’s Ukrainian Community came together today for another demonstration in front of the Wrigley Building. The group staged some arresting street theater with a simulated immolation of three Ukrainian men—the victims of unbridled Russian aggression. Here are my thoughts about and observations from the rally and march.
Venezuelan Election
We have a new ‘heritage’ group demonstrating in the streets of the Chicago: members of Chicago’s recently arrived Venezuelan Community. They took to the downtown streets today to celebrate what they hoped would be the defeat of Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro in today’s election. Here are my thoughts about and images from this colorful demonstration.
RNC 2024-Day 1
The first day of the 2024 Republican National Convention is now in the record books. A coalition of groups opposed to various aspects of the Republican agenda held what was advertised as a major demonstration to show their opposition. Here are my thoughts about and images from the day.
GAYestinian Pride
Today, Chicago’s LGBQT+ Community staged the 54th Annual Gay Pride Parade. In keeping with my activity over the last nine months, I decided to focus on the pro-Palestinian demonstrators who had obtained a coveted slot in the parade’s abbreviated lineup. It was the right decision, because it permitted me to photograph their efforts, as well as the colorful characters lining the parade route, as I walked the route with the pro-Palestinian forces from the start to the finish line.
Bluesfest 2024--Day 3
The 40th Annual Chicago Bluesfest came to a conclusion today with a closing performance by Buddy Guy, a Blues legend. Here are my thoughts about and images from the day.
Bluesfest 2024--Day 2
The 40th Annual Chicago Bluesfest continued today with performances by Southern Avenue, Vanessa Collier, and a Centennial Tribute to Dinah Washington featuring Dee Alexander. Here are my observations about and images from the Day 2.
Bluesfest 2024--Day 1
The 40th Annual Chicago Bluesfest kicked off its residency in Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion tonight with performances by Corey Harris and Mr. Sipp, together with a centennial tribute to Jimmy Rogers, one of the architects of the Muddy Waters sound. Here are my thoughts about and images from the today’s festivities.
Humanities & Happiness
I had the opportunity to attend a conversation between New York Times columnist David Brooks and his wife, Ann Snyder tonight. The focus was on the role of the humanities in our life, particularly as people find themselves midway into their careers or racing toward retirement. Here are my thoughts about and images from the event, which was held in the David Rubenstein Forum on the University of Chicago’s Hyde Park campus.
Emmet Cohen
Emmet Cohen brought his trio to the University of Chicago’s Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts Friday night for what was a terrific evening of music. Here are my thoughts about and images from the evening’s peformance.
Way of the Cross
Chicago’s Daley Plaza was served as the first station for the annual Way of the Cross processional through the streets of Chicago on Good Friday ending at Holy Name Cathedral. Here are my thoughts from and images from what was an uplifting event—even for nonbelievers.