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.
Chicago Jazzfest (I)
The 2022 Chicago Jazzfest kicked off on Thursday September 1, with a diverse lineup that included Henry Threadgill’s Zooid, Mike Allemana’s Vonology, a group of terrific high school students, bassist Marlene Rosenberg’s Quartet, the Toyoaki Ensemble, some great soul jazz from the early Eighties, and a group that played jazz classics from the early years of jazz. Here are my thoughts and observations on Day 1.
Demanding Prison Reform
Today a group of demonstrators called for prison reform, particularly with respect to the Menard Correctional facility in downstate Illinois. Many of the speakers were related to inmates at Menard, resulting in some highly impactful speeches. Here are my thoughts, together with the images I made during the 75-minute rally.
Women and Children
Chicago’s Ukrainian community, organized and led by its female members, held a demonstration on Michigan Avenue and in Millenium Park yesterday, hoping to focus attention on the victims of Russian terrorism, including the children. The demonstration included a die-in, as well as the creation of a tableau of dolls and toys on the fence in front of the Consulate General of Ukraine. Here are my thoughts on and photographs from the dramatic rally.
Sunday Bonus
Today, I encountered what might be described as a bonus demonstration. I headed downtown for the Ukrainians, and ran into animal-rights activists outside the Louis Vuitton store on Michigan Avenue. This demonstration was rather low-key, although the police were present. For my thoughts and images, click on the photograph of the buff protester.
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.
The Orange Tapestry
On Wednesday I attended the March Fourth Rally in Washington, D.C. Members of the Highland Park, Illinois and the Uvalde, Texas communities came to Capitol Hill, demanding an assault-weapons ban. The rally lasted 75 minutes, followed by a march. I heard some of the best speeches that I have ever heard at a demonstration. Here are my thoughts and the images I created.
Reopened
I made my third trip to Highland Park yesterday. The downtown had reopened. Two vigils were scheduled. Here are my thoughts and images from the day
The Invasion
A Saturday Afternoon Clash in the Loop. Pro-Lifers gathered in Federal Plaza for a rally and march, while a large contingent of agitated and angry counter demonstrators responded with taunts, signs, and geers. Here are my thoughts and images from today’s festivities.
Coping
Today marked the fourth day following the Highland Park July Fourth Mass Shooting. People quietly paid tribute to the victims, with drizzle occasionally falling from the skies. Once again, I made my way to Highland Park. Here are my thoughts and images.
Highland Park
I headed up to Highland Park today to witness the aftermath of yesterday’s mass shooting. Here are my thoughts and images from the day.
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.
Chicago Bluesfest (Day 3)
Day 3 of the Chicago Bluesfest saw a terrific tribute to Chicago Soul. Here are my thoughts on and images from the day.
Mixed Messages
In addition to 4-days of Bluesfest, I managed to attend the Chicago March for Our Lives demonstration in Federal Plaza. Here are my thoughts and images.
Bluesfest (Day 2)
Day 2 of the 2022 Chicago Blues Festival topped Day 1, with a wide variety of Blues offered up. Here are my thoughts about and images from the second day of this four-day festival, which attracts visitors from around the country and the world.
Bluesfest (Day 1)
The 2022 Chicago Bluesfest kicked off today, with an all-star lineup of Chicago Blues artists. Here are my thoughts about and my images from the first day of this four-day festival that attracts visitors from around the country and the world.
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.
Alito's Leak II
Today, somewhere around 5,000 abortion-rights advocates gather in Chicago’s Federal Plaza, and they then marched through the Loop, ending at the Ida B. Wells Memorial. Here are my thoughts about what I witnessed, together with my images.
Vijay Iyer
Pianist Vijay Iyer brought his friends to the Logan Center for the Performing Arts to perform Ghosts of Everywhere I Go, a commissioned piece of music intended to reflect the Black Experience in Chicago. I was fortunate to be in the audience with camera in had. Here are my thoughts and images.