Pamela Copeman » Chicago: Neighborhoods, Museums & All That Jazz

Chicago: Neighborhoods, Museums & All That Jazz

Oct 17 2012 · 0 comments · Art Exhibits & Events, Personal, Travel ·0

Another weekend, another weekend trip for me. This trip however was extra special as I traveled to Chicago to visit my son Fred. He just relocated there and he couldn’t wait to show off his new city to me ~ and I couldn’t wait to see it!

Chicago is the 3^rd largest city in the United States and it is very proud of it’s spread out neighborhoods. Each neighborhood has a distinct personality and the city as a whole is rich in cultural diversity. My son lives in the Logan Square neighborhood, identified here by this charming tile mosaic. Love the guitar, just one of many smaller art pieces within the mosaic installation.

I must mention Lula Cafe.

via chicago.eater.com

We enjoyed breakfast there ~ fabulous food and service, it’s a must if you are in the Logan Square area!

Time to explore…

From the taxi heading downtown I spotted this lighting store full of luminous eye candy ~ always researching new sources! Do you think Chicago is too far to go for the perfect light fixture? That is of course only if Chimera doesn’t have it! One of our first stops was the Museum of Contemporary Art. I loved the rotating white neon Mothers sculpture outside on the MCA Plaza. The Jimmy Robert exhibit featured paper, hidden eyes and lots of deep yet subtle meanings. I loved viewing all the different paper play. Proving once again museums are for everyone, here is a space where children could design their own paper ensemble. Art for all ages, wonderful!I am always drawn to threads, fabrics and textiles, isn’t this beautiful? I adore the texture, the roughness and the barely visible straight pins that are part of the piece. Great contrast…Housed in the historic Water Tower Pumping Station, one of the oldest buildings left in Chicago that wasn’t destroyed by the Great Fire, the Lookingglass Theater offers a unique experience. While we didn’t see a show, we did tour the space. It is quite elegant and obviously much care was taken in preserving the historic character of the building.Are you familiar with the party game of Musical Chairs? I came upon this set-up of chairs in the shoe department of Topshop and thought they looked just perfect for a quick game!This may not be the best example of the overabundance of flowering planters along the Magnificent Mile, but I had to include this photo to represent the outstanding job the city does with beautification and keeping the streets clean. Chicago is stunning!The view from my hotel room ~ I love looking out of windows and in a hotel there is no excuse not to. Sometimes there is a breathtaking view just waiting to be admired… ta da!Another city view, this one capturing a glimpse of the ever-present Chicago River.Bloody Marys at Grange Hall, the perfect way to start a Sunday! Featuring a little bit of country right in the city, farm fresh produce and a very proud wait staff, this was another favorite stop on the tour. Plus, the attire was over top ~ just the way we like it!

Of course we spent some time exploring Chicago’s beautiful parks.

Crown Fountain in Millennium Park is an interactive work of public art and a video sculpture~ it is also quite entertaining, take a peek…Who can visit Chicago without going to a Blues Club? My son took me to the most famous one: Kingston Mines. We had a blast!

We listened on one side of the bar to jazz and then we walked over to the other side of the bar and listened to Sharon Lewis sing the Blues… what a night.