Well, dear readers, November is here, the days are short and so much colder, and Winter is knocking on the door. Brrrrr. So what? We don’t care, because Chicago is the City That Never Sleeps, and that includes those long Fall and Winter nights. We are enjoying life, embracing the seasons, continuing our quest to experience all the fun, excitement, as well as the warmth and friendship that the season has to offer.
Chicago will host its 6th annual Comedy Film Festival from Thursday – Saturday, November 10 – 12.
You can find trailers, get tickets, information, and more here – www.chicagocomedyfilmfestival.com
Most of these impressive, independent and rather short films will be shown at The New 400 Theater
6746 North Sheridan Road, Chicago. I’m planning on attending at least one or two, perhaps I’ll see you there?
The Chicago Christmas Tree will be lit this year on November 18th, at 6pm (1800) in Millennium Park. Don’t you enjoy decorating and lighting the tree in your home? Meet me in the Park and we’ll enjoy the ceremony as Chicago lights up our tree. https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/tree0.html
From there it’s a moderate walk to Daley Plaza where we will stroll through the Christkindle Market which opens that same day. The market remains here until December 24th. It’s right in the Loop, and brings to Chicago a German and European tradition that can be traced back to Nuremburg in the 16th century. Lots of small shops are side by side, and they have a selection of gifts and foods that are of exceptional quality and not often seen in America. It replicates the feel, and the closeness of a European market square and should not be missed. http://www.christkindlmarket.com/
The Christkindle Market has proven so popular that it has expanded, so readers, if you are anywhere near Naperville, you should visit the location there, when it opens on November 25th. http://www.christkindlmarket.com/naperville/
If the Market is not your favorite idea, perhaps we can head up to Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Ave, for a free Jazz concert celebrating the powerful influence that Ornette Coleman had on the Jazz world when he created the free jazz movement. http://jazzinchicago.org/jazzcity-2016-ornette-coleman-the-harmony-of-freedom/ This is one of the excellent, and free, Jazz City concerts created by The Jazz Institute of Chicago, and features some great musicians: Mars Williams and Fred Jackson on saxophone, Jim Baker on piano, Josh Abrams on bass, Tomeka Reid on cello and Avreeayl Ra on drums. Go see it! 7:00pm.
The Chicago Cultural Center is a magnificent building that everyone of us should experience. Mosaics, a Tiffany stained glass dome, and room after room of exhibits, historical displays, and fine, beautiful architectural details will take your breath away. There are free tours most days at 1:15pm. But during November there are some very special reasons to visit: Parsons & Charlesworth: Spectacular Vernacular exhibit is in full display, showing the power of art and creativity in the design of utilitarian objects. That may sound a little strange, but please believe me, it’s interesting, educating, and very enjoyable. Also exhibiting you’ll find Norman Lewis, Laura Davis, and Krista Franklin, among other notable artists. Take a few hours, tour the building and see most, if not all that the Cultural Center has for you. https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/exhibits.html
Thanksgiving is a very special American celebration. Friends and families gather to enjoy a feast, trade stories, build traditions, and to remind ourselves of all that we have to be thankful for. Our lives, loved ones, parents and families, friends, and so much more. It’s a great day that usually starts in the afternoon, so this year, Thanksgiving morning, let’s go to Chicago’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. We’ll meet on State St., just south of Randolph, about 7:30. We’ll walk a bit south, until we find a good spot with a clear view when the parade comes by, starting at 8:00. Floats, people in costumes, marching bands (I LOVE marching bands!) and the fun stuff that comes with a parade. Wonderful. https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/parade5.html
Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Ballet, the magnificent holiday spectacular, has been reimagined by Christopher Wheeldon and set in Chicago’s 1893 Columbian Exposition, as seen through the eyes of a child. Treat yourself and your family to a whole new Nutcracker as the Joffery Ballet and the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra offer up this new vision of a traditional classic. While the show starts in December, you’ll want to get your tickets now, as shows will sell out early. Dec. 10-30, at The Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Pkwy. http://www.joffrey.org/planyourvisit
There, see? In Chicago there are always so many amazing things to do; we just keep going, learning and enjoying this wonderful city.
