Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
your plans early to get tickets for
this eagerly awaited day. The calen-
dar may say spring, but be warned:
Opening Day is usually freezing in
Chi-town (a few years ago, the first
Cubs home game was postponed
because of snow).
May
Buckingham Fountain Color
Light Show, in Grant Park, at
Congress Parkway and Lake Shore
Drive. The water and the ever-
changing colored lights put on their
show in the landmark fountain
daily from May 1 to October 1,
until 11pm nightly.
The Ferris Wheel and Carousel
begin spinning again at Navy Pier,
600 E. Grand Ave. ( & 312/595-
PIER ). The rides operate through
October. Another seasonal event
along the water is the Pier Walk, a
temporary installation of more than
150 large-scale sculptures displayed
along the pier's South Dock. The
sculptures remain on display
through early November.
Art Chicago, one of the country's
largest international contemporary
art fairs, at Navy Pier's Festival Hall,
600 E. Grand Ave. ( & 312/587-
3300 or 312/595-PIER; www.art
chicago.com). More than 200 art
galleries and 2,000 artists partici-
pate. Second weekend in May.
Wright Plus Tour (Frank Lloyd
Wright Home and Studio; & 708/
848-1976; www.wrightplus.org).
An annual tour of 10 buildings in
Oak Park, including Frank Lloyd
Wright's home and studio, the Unity
Temple, and several other notable
Oak Park buildings in both Prairie
and Victorian styles. Tickets go on
sale March 1 and can sell out within
6 weeks. Third Saturday in May.
June
Printers Row Book Fair, on Dear-
born Street from Congress Parkway
to Polk Street ( & 312/987-9896 ).
One of the largest free outdoor
book fairs in the country, this week-
end-long event celebrates the writ-
ten word with everything from
readings and book signings by big-
name authors to panel discussions
on penning your first novel.
Located within easy walking dis-
tance of the Loop, the fair also fea-
tures more than 150 booksellers
displaying new, used, and antiquar-
ian books for sale; a poetry tent;
and special activities for children.
First weekend in June.
Chicago Gospel Festival, Petrillo
Music Shell, at Jackson Drive and
Columbus Drive in Grant Park
( & 312/744-3315 ). Blues may be
the city's more famous musical
export, but Chicago is also the
birthplace of gospel music: Thomas
Dorsey, the “father of gospel
music,” and the greatest gospel
singer ever, Mahalia Jackson, were
Southsiders. This 3-day festival—
the largest outdoor, free-admission
event of its kind—offers music on
three stages with more than 40 per-
formances. First weekend in June.
Chicago Blues Festival, Pritzker
Music Pavilion, Randolph Street
and Columbus Drive in Millen-
nium Park ( & 312/744-3315 ).
Muddy Waters would scratch his
noggin over the sea of suburbanites
who flood into Grant Park every
summer to quaff Budweisers and
accompany local legends Buddy
Guy and Lonnie Brooks on air gui-
tar. Truth be told, you can hear the
same great jams and wails virtually
any night of the week in one of the
city's many blues clubs. Still, a
thousand-voice chorus of “Sweet
Home Chicago” under the stars has
a rousing appeal. Blues Fest is free,
with dozens of acts performing over
4 days, but get there in the after-
noon to get a good spot on the lawn
for the evening show. Second week-
end in June.
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