Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman was the keynote speaker at the 2023 Ukraine Unity Day commemoration, which was held at Chicago’s Ukrainian Cultural Center.
Holodomor
Tonight, Chicago’s Ukrainian community gathered in front of the Old Water Tower to commemorate Holodomor—the 1932-33 famine that killed between three and ten million Ukrainian. Nature did not cause the famine. It was man-made, the author being Joseph Stalin, who used genocide to suppress an Ukrainian independence movement. The Ukrainian community draws the obvious parallels between Stalin and Putin, so this commemoration was really a protest against the ongoing war in Ukraine. Here are my thoughts about the demonstration, together with my images from the event.
Cavernous
I had the opportunity to visit the meadow that now flourishes on the Old Main Post Office’s rooftop earlier this week. Here are my thoughts about and images from my visit. Just click on the image.
Joel Ross
Vibraphonist Joel Ross put on a spectacular performance this evening at the University of Chicago. Here are my thought about and images from the evening.
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.
Counterproductive
Saturday’s abortion rights demonstration in Chicago’s Federal Plaza proved more interesting than I expected. A large group of Iranians participated, hoping to shine a light on the rights of Iranian women in light of the death of Masha Amini while in custody. I also was physically attacked (not by the Iranians). Here are thoughts on the experience, as well as my images.
Tigray Demonstration
Today, I stumbled onto a demonstration and march held to draw attention to the plight of Ethiopia’s Tigrayan civilians, who face famine, rape, and genocide. The marchers were particularly agitated about drone sales to the Ethiopian Government by the Turks and the Chinese. Here are my thoughts about and images from what proved to be a dynamic and color demonstration.
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.
The Green Tapestry
I attended the second rally on Capitol Hill held by members of the Highland Park community who are seeking a ban on assault weapons. Here are my thoughts on and images from the rally.
Chicago Jazzfest (IV)
Today, I attended the fourth day of the 2022 Chicago Jazzfest. While I was not thrilled with closing act Donald Harrison, there was still plenty of excellent music, including performances by Kris Davis, Nick Mazzarella, Denise Thimes, and Dee Alexander. Here are my thoughts all the music I heard over a nine-hour period, together with my images.
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.
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.