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The Chicago Cultural Mile

1/29/2016

The Chicago Cultural Mile is a stretch of Michigan Avenue from the Chicago River (Wacker Drive) to Roosevelt Road and includes the Museum Campus (1/22/2016 post). The Chicago Cultural Mile was named for the numerous and various cultural sites and public and private organizations along the way. These include museums, performing arts venues, parks and colleges and universities all offering cultural events throughout the year and free (or affordable) for all.

1. American Writers Museum at 180 N Michigan Avenue 2nd floor is expected to open in 2017 and promises to offer “programs, exhibitions, public readings, and film presentations”. Admission fees have yet to be determined. For now you can subscribe to their newsletter and explore their website to read about their progress and at the bottom of the home page click on Online/On Tour Exhibits to learn more.

2. Chicago is known for its architecture and The Chicago Cultural Mile is a great place to start exploring. Most of the buildings were built in the late 19th and early 20th century. New or old so many of these buildings are worth stepping inside to see the lobbies. I suggest you introduce yourself to the security guard and explain you are visiting and there to admire the lobby. Also, ask permission to take photographs as it is not permitted in some buildings.

3. I showcased The Art Institute of Chicago at 111 South Michigan Avenue in my post on 1/15/2016. Take a look back or check out their website to find out about the free events and activities there.

4. Public Art can also be found along The Chicago Cultural Mile. In front of 150 N. Michigan Avenue (the northwest corner of Randolph Street and Michigan Avenue) is a very tall and colorful piece by artist Yaacov Agam called Communication X9. You can find out more about this piece by using the free Chicago Public Art App. Click on “tour” and select “Michigan Avenue”.

On the south side of the Chicago Cultural Center just outside the Washington Street entrance stands a life-size bronze cow. She is the permanent reminder of our first citywide art exhibit called “Cows On Parade”. Take a look in her eyes; what Chicago icons do you see? You may discover other cows from the exhibit still around town.

Finally, notice the light installation along Congress Parkway. The changing lights of this streetscape extend several blocks west and create a gateway to the city.

5. Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) is located in the Railway Exchange Building 224 S. Michigan Avenue. The gift shop is in the building's storefront but you will want to go into the lobby to see the Model City of Chicago exhibit with a scale of 1” is 50’ (2.54c is 15.24m). Off the lobby are meeting spaces where free public events are held and the LEGO® Inspiration Stations in the ArcelorMittal Design Studio. Families are welcome to drop in and play for free Monday through Friday 12 PM (12:00) to 5 PM (17:00) when the space is not reserved for a private event. Check the CAF calendar for other free family activities and programs for adults.

My favorite weekend all year is Open House Chicago, hosted by the CAF. Hundreds of sites all over the city and some suburbs are open to the public for free, behind-the-scenes tours or free programs. Keep in mind, this event is attended by thousands of people and lines can be long. To get an advantage, consider joining CAF. Membership gets you in the much shorter "members only" lines at each venue and access to some sites and programs not open to the general public. In addition, if you are in the city within a year of purchasing your membership, you can take all of the dozens of CAF walking tours for free and receive discounts on their bus and boat tours. Open House Chicago will be held October 15 &16, 2016.

6. The Chicago Athletic Hotel 12 S. Michigan Avenue was the former site for the exclusive men's Chicago Athletic Club. You will want to take the free tour offered at 2:00 PM (14:00) Monday through Saturday. During the school year, the tours are guided by students from the School of the Art Institute in Chicago. Between terms hotel staff serve as guides.

If you don’t have time for the tour at least walk through the lobby and up the marble staircase to look into what was once the members’ swimming pool, now an event space. Back in the lobby take the elevator or the stairs to the 2nd floor. The hotel front desk is located in the former dining room. Ask at the front desk for print out of the building history to help you with your self-guided tour.

Behind the front desk is a game room open to the public, not just hotel guests. Have a game of bocce, darts or pool for free. Sign up with the Game Master since play is on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information, click on the arrow at the right or left on their website for a series of photos and a video of historic Chicago and the Athletic Club.

7. Located at 18 S. Michigan Avenue is the Gage Gallery at Roosevelt University. Open to the public Mondays through Saturday free of charge. This space is dedicated to "contemporary critical social photo-documentary".

8. The Symphony Center at 220 S Michigan Avenue is home to The Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) and other smaller musical ensembles. Once a month or so free concerts are performed either at Symphony Center or around Chicago. To find these events search the CSO Calendar and look for “All Access” concerts. Tickets must be obtained prior to the concert and in some cases a small handling fee is charged. For more information follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

9. Just off of Michigan Avenue at Adams Street look for a brown and white sign designating the beginning of Rt. 66 also known as the Mother Road. One block south is a sign identifying the end of the same historic route.

10. Volunteers offer free tours of the Chicago Cultural Center every Wednesday through Saturday at 1:15 PM (13:15). See my 1/8/2016 post titled DCASE Part 1.

11. Chicago Greeters show visitors around the city every day of the year, offer 1-hour walks every Friday, Saturday and Sunday and conduct tours of Millennium Park mid-May to mid-October for free. For more detailed information and how to sign up for a free Chicago Greeter visit see my 1/1/2016 post.

12. Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra is comprised of several large and small performing groups of future professional musicians. They perform many free concerts around the city throughout the year. You will find their concert schedule on line where you can sign up for their newsletter and listen to select performances.

13. A number of colleges and universities are found along Michigan Avenue. They are often a place to go for free and discounted events including recitals, art exhibits, lectures, fashion shows, movie screenings etc. The schools and performing spaces are located in various locations around downtown. These schools include: School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Columbia College of Chicago, East-West University, Roosevelt University and National Louis University. Check the school's website for free events.

14. The Cultural Mile Association (CMA) sponsors and supports many programs throughout the year so watch their website or sign up for email updates. A special treat offered by the CMA each month is 2nd Fridays when free and discounted events are held all along the Cultural Mile. My favorite place to visit on 2nd Fridays is at the at 410 S Michigan Avenue. Once the Studebaker Building and Theater this building now houses artists’ studios. In the evening on 2nd Friday of each month many of these artists open their studios to the public. It is your chance to meet and talk with the artists about their work. You will find musicians, both instrumental and vocal, artists of all media, gold and silversmiths, master instrument makers, antique book and sheet music sellers and one of my favorites, a store of glass paperweights. The most studios are open on the 2nd Friday in December, but it’s worth stopping by any month.

In addition the Fine Arts Building is one of my favorite historic sites in the city. The Studebaker Theater has been brought back to its original glory and as far as I know is the only building in the city still using an elevator operator. Ask to go to the 10th floor and look around for the former offices of such notables as architect Frank Lloyd Wright and sculptor Loredo Taft. Then take the cast iron staircase down to explore each floor.

15. In my post on 1/8/2016 I showcased some of the thousands of free programs offered by The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events at the Chicago Cultural Center (on Michigan Avenue between Washington and Randolph Streets). These include art exhibits, concerts, movies and lectures just to name a few. Watch for other free DCASE events in a future post.

16. Harris Theater for Music and Dance is in Millennium Park (205 E Randolph). While most of the programs require a paid admission, periodically there are discounted or free performances. Check the website for these special events. Sign up online for “weekly updates and insider ticket deals” and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

17. Located in the southwest tower of the Michigan Avenue bridge at Waker Drive and Michigan Avenue is the McCormick Bridgehouse and Chicago River Museum. The entrance is located on the riverwalk. Take the stairs by the southwest bridgehouse one level down. Open from mid-May through Oct 31st. Admission is free on Sundays, but still a bargain at only $5.00 per person Thursday through Saturday. Children 5 years of age and under are free and members of the military receive a $1.00 discount.

If you would like to see how our movable bridges work, visit when they open and close the bridges for the boat runs. Usually scheduled for Wednesdays and Saturdays for several weeks each spring when the sailboats are going out to Lake Michigan for the summer and fall when boaters are returning to dry dock at the end of the season. The 2016 schedule has not been announced so check back on the City of Chicago website.

Please note the riverwalk is ADA accessible a few blocks west but the museum is not wheelchair friendly.

18. If you are looking for an eco-vacation there are lots of volunteer opportunities through the Friends of the Chicago River. These activities are focused on improving the Chicago River System. The annual Riverbank Day coincides with the opening of the Bridgehouse in mid-May. On this day over 1,000 people join forces to clean up the banks of the Chicago River. This and other volunteer opportunities can be found on their website.

19. Also at the River, Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive is my favorite intersection in the city because of its importance in Chicago history. It is near here that the first European explorers, Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet landed in 1673. The 4 Michigan Avenue Bridgehouses are decorated in bas-relief images depicting their expedition. Also, this crossroads was the site of Fort Dearborn, a US military outpost constructed in 1803, Take a look at the sidewalks on all four corners and you will see metal plaques that trace the outline of the Fort. Take a look above the door of the LondonHouse Hotel on the southwest corner of the intersection for a bas-relief image of the Fort.

20. Merle Reskin Theater at DePaul University 60 E. Balbo Avenue dates back to 1910, This beautifully renovated theater hosts more than 200 performances each year. Since 1992 it has been home to the Theater School at DePaul University. Most of their programs require an admission, but their Ch icago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences is a great bargain at only $10 per ticket. This program is "the oldest continually producing children’s theatre in the Midwest". Visit their website for the schedule of events and to join their mailing list.

21. Museum of Contemporary Photography at Columbia College Chicago. The gallery is located at 600 South Michigan Avenue and is always open to the public for free. The current show is an exhibit of pieces from the permanent collection celebrating the museums’ 40th birthday. Other times exhibits include work from established analog and digital photographers as well as up and coming artists. Most lectures, opening receptions and other events are also free. Galleries are closed between shows. Subscribe to their email list for updates and look for them on Facebook, Twitter, Instangram and Vimeo.

22. Most of the Chicago Cultural Mile runs along Millennium Park and Grant Park. You can find out more about the free activities in these and other nearby parks in my 1/15/2016 post.

23. The Pritzker Military Museum and Library at 104 S. Michigan Avenue 2nd Floor is free for anyone with an active military ID. Admission for the general public is only $5.00 and admission to special programs is only $10 per person. Every Saturday at 1 PM (13:00) they show a military film free with paid admission to the museum. Programs stream live on their website and they broadcast 2 television programs: “Citizen Soldier” on WTTW, and “Pritzker Military Presents” on WYCC. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube.

24. Pritzker Pavilion also in Millennium Park is home to the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra which has been performing free, outdoor concerts in Chicago since 1935. A wide variety of other free music and dance performances are staged here during the summer months. Check back for the 2016 summer schedule of both day and evening performances. From time-to-time free events are held inside the Pavilion during the winter months.

25. Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership at 610 S Michigan Avenue is always open to the public free of charge. You can pick up a self-guide tour booklet at the front desk. Some public programs including films, speakers, seminars, concerts and exhibits are also free. The building is significant for its unique faceted façade and LEED certification.

You can see there are lots of things to do and see. along the Chicago Cultural Mile that is free for all.

All information was correct at the time of this post, but before you come, please check the websites to get the most up-to-date information.

If you know of a free event in Chicago you’d like me to share, email me at chicagofreeforall@gmail.com

Don’t forget to sign up for a free Chicago Greeter visit (1/1/2016 post) at www.chicagogreeter.com

Please follow me on Facebook at ChicagoFreeForAll. Be sure to friend me to get notices of updates to my blog.

Next week let’s stay in the neighborhood and explore the Wabash Arts Corridor. Until then, I hope to see you in Chicago!

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Museum Campus

1/22/2016

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By now I hope you signed up for a Chicago Greeter Visit (1/1/2016 post), took the tour of the Cultural Center (1/8/2016 post) and enjoyed the parks along Michigan Avenue and Lake Michigan (1/15/2016 post). Now let’s go to the Museum Campus.

This peninsula is home to 3 museums: The Field Museum of Natural History, the John G. Shedd Aquarium, and the Adler Planetarium. Also located there is Soldier Field where our Chicago Bears have been playing (American-style) football since 1971 and the park Northerly Island. The Museum Campus is considered the end of Chicago’s Cultural Mile. (More about that next week.)

The museums provide the opportunity to explore outer space (the Planetarium) inner space (the Aquarium) and time and space (the Field Museum of Natural History). While an admission fee is required in most cases (but not all) for each of these venues, there are lots of things to do and see that are free for all.

Admission in all 3 venues is free for children under 3 years of age; children 12 and above pay adult fees. Student and senior discounted admissions are available. Purchasing a CityPass can be a bargain. It allows admission to 5 city attractions including those on the Museum Campus. Do the math to make sure it makes financial sense for you.

Illinois residents with a valid State ID pay a discounted admission fee daily and are admitted free on selected days throughout the year. Check each website for the Illinois Discount Days.

Also, for Bank of America and Merrill Lynch customers, your debit or credit card gets you free admission on the first full weekend each month at the Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium.

To get to the Museum Campus by foot, head to Roosevelt Road then walk east. Watch for the signs at Columbus Drive directing you to the pedestrian tunnel under Lake Shore Drive. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates 2 bus lines to the Museum Campus from downtown. Of course you can use a taxi or other rideshare program. Parking is limited and expensive.

As you emerge from the tunnel the first building on your right is the Field Museum of Natural History.

The Field Museum dates back to 1893, but has been at the current location since 1921. Today it is home of “Sue” the largest and most complete skeleton of a Taranisaurus Rex dinosaur in the world. Walk inside for a glimpse of Sue in the main hall. You can see her from the outer lobby before the ticket booths. Before you peak inside, look to the right of the building to see a replica of a 75’ Brachiosaurus. It's a great photo opportunity.

The building's neoclassical design takes inspiration from ancient Greet and ancient Roman architecture and includes the pediment (triangle) over the door and the ionic columns at the entrance. Look for this symbol on and around the building.

Two other pieces of interest can be found near the north entrance to the museum. Directly in front is the Big Beaver Totem. This is a contemporary totem pole made in the traditional way and it tells the story of the artist's (Norman Tait) ancestors of the Nisga'a Tsimshian group adopting the beaver as their clan symbol. Located on the northeast corner of the museum is a replica of Olemc Head #8 a gift from the government of Veracruz, Mexico.

The Field Museum’s interactive online presence includes “daily content and fun...like Mammal Mondays and Insect of the Week, photos and behind-the-scenes videos, trivia questions, and the opportunity for you to voice your opinions, ask questions, share your own photos and memories and meet your fellow citizen scientists". You can get up-to-the-minute Museum news and information: follow them on Facebook, Twitter, SUE the T.rex, Foursquare, Vimeo, Flickr, Tumblr.

Emily Graslie is the Museum’s Chief Curiosity Correspondent. You will want to follow her blog and subscribe to her YouTube channel “The Brain Scoop”.

If you plan to visit the museum, download floor plans, maps and the scavenger hunt from the Field Museum website. The maps are available in 9 languages. Once inside, be sure to ask at the information desk or check the online calendar about the free, docent-guided tours given every day.

You can explore the museum online for free by downloading the App for IPhone and Android. It is loaded with tours, highlights and quizzes.

As you leave the north entrance of the Museum, look to your right toward the east and the next building is the Shedd Aquarium.

The Shedd Aquarium opened in 1930 becoming the only inland facility of its kind with both salt and freshwater habitats. Today it is the home of 32,000 aquatic animals.

The building is constructed of white marble and terra cotta and adorned with decorative aquatic motifs. Look for the wave and shell details on the building and Neptune’s trident on the top of the glass dome.

On their website you will find "10 Fun Finds" including: Holiday Ten Fun Finds, Halloween Ten Fun Finds, Shedd Highlights - All-Access, For Tots, Oceanarium Discoveries, Staying Alive: Animal Adaptations, Cool Moves: Animal Movement, Disguises for Hiding: Animal Camouflage and Make Your Own Map! You can follow the Aquarium on social media including Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, Flickr and their blog. Don’t forget to sign up for their enewsletter.

Walk around the Aquarium to the right (south). Since you’ve already taken a selfie with a dinosaur, why not take one with a larger-than-life "Man and Fish" by the south side of the Aquarium. This is one of the speaking statues in the Statue Stories Chicago program. (1/15/2016 post) Look for the red, white and blue sign near the statue then use your smartphone to scan the QR code and wait for the statue to call your phone. I think you will enjoy what he has to say; he has a great sense of humor.

As you walk around the Aquarium enjoy the series of gardens. These include the Welcome Garden, Wetlands, Dune Habitat, Low-maintenance garden, Food and Flower Garden, Animal Display, Backyard Vegetable Garden, Urban Vegetable Garden, Urban Garden, Rain Garden, Organic Lawn, Gardening for Wild Life and Gardening for Birds. On the signs you can scan the QR codes to learn more abut each green space. You will often see the gardeners out and about. They love to answer questions and talk about their gardens.

Continue walking around the Shedd and take the ramp on your left down to the walkway along the lake. There are 2 levels of the path from which to choose to walk to the last museum, the Adler Planetarium I would avoid walking on the lower level when the waves are high and/or during winter months. The walkway can be slippery and dangerous.

If you are here during the month of April between 7 PM (15:00) and 1 AM (01:00), you are in luck. It’s smelt season! Since the 1930’s avid fishermen (and women) head to the Museum Campus to throw their nets into the lake hoping to catch their limit of these little fish. Some bring grills to cook and eat their catch on the spot. Go watch these sportspeople. They are friendly and love to talk about their years fishing for smelt. Maybe they will offer you a taste.

Take some time to gaze at the best view of the beautiful Chicago skyline. Can you find the Willis Tower, Trump International Hotel and Tower, the AON Center and the John Hancock buildings? Look for Navy Pier and the Ferris Wheel. (Did you know the world's first ferris wheel was built in Chicago in 1893?) I think the best time to catch this view is 30 – 60 minutes before sunset. You see the city in the daylight, watch the sun set behind the buildings and see the lights of the city come up as it gets dark. You won’t want to miss this!

The museum at the end of the point is the Adler Planetarium known as the “classroom under the heavens”. It opened the same year as the Aquarium, 1930, becoming the first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere.

Near the entrance to the Planetarium are several pieces of art. To the north (left) is a sundial called Sundial Man Enters the Cosmos by Sir Henry Moore and on the south (right) is Spiral Galaxy, A Work in Progress by John David Mooney.

Walk all the way around the Planetarium. The original building has 12 sides, one for each of the signs of the zodiac. Can you name them all and find your sign? Sorry, some of the sides are covered by the new addition on the rear of the building.

You can follow the Planetarium on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube and and sign up for email blasts. Also, give the them a call at 1-312-922-7827 and press 7 to get a recorded message of what to look for in the night sky each night.

On very special occasions the Doane telescope, a classical Cassegrain reflector, is open to the public. Another program offered through the Planetarium is 'Scopes in the City. Staff members travel throughout Chicagoland setting up telescopes and making presentations about the night sky. Check their calendar on the website for the free events.

Periodically, members of the Chicago Astronomer club set up their telescopes outside the Planetarium. and host Public Star Parties. The public is invited to take a look and see what they are gazing at in the night sky. Currently their website is under construction, but you can also join their forum. There you can sign up for email notifications of events and follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.

Walking west from the Adler Planetarium along Solidarity Drive are a series of monuments. On the plaza directly in front of the building is the statue of Nicolaus Copernicus and facing him is a set of 12 bronze animal heads called Circle of Animals/Zodia Heads. This piece was sculpted by contemporary Chinese artist Ai Weiwei and each animal represents a figure in the Chinese zodiac. Along the way you will also pass Karel Havlicek and Thaddeus Kosciuzsko.

To the south of the Adler Planetarium (and past the parking lot) sits the 91 acre (about 37 hectares) Northerly Island.

Now a peninsula, as an island it was the site of the Century of Progress the 2nd world’s fair held in Chicago in 1933 and 1934. After World War II it was proposed as a site for the United Nations. From 1947 to 1996 a small airport called Meigs Field served small private planes. Today, it is a park dedicated to nature.

The park's boardwalk and trails wind through a series of natural habitats including the wet prairie, mesic prairie, savannah, pond, marsh and lacustrine. Looking south is a view of Indiana and the southern border of Lake Michigan. From here you have another breathtaking vista during the day and after dark, but keep in mind, the park closes at 11 PM (23:00).

From November to April the park's fieldhouse is open on weekends. During the rest of the year it is open daily from 9 AM (9:00) to 5 PM (12:00). Staff can answer questions about the park’s habitats and offer information on a “discovery tour” of the parkland.

Northerly Island is also the home of the FirstMerit Bank Pavilion, a concert venue. While the events are ticketed, if you stroll out that way on a concert night, you can usually enjoy the sounds of the music from the park for free.

Northerly Island forms the east side of Burnham Harbor one of 10 harbors along the Chicago lakefront.

Along the west side of the harbor is the Gold Star Families Memorial and Park a place honoring Chicago Police Officers who died in the line of duty. The north and south entrances are flanked by obelisks of the iconic checkerboard design seen on the CPD hats. Look for the gold stars and checkerboard motif throughout the park. The walking paths pass by the “Living Sacrifice” a statue remembering those who suffered catastrophic injuries in the line of duty, the space dedicated to CPD men and women who died while serving in the Armed Forces and the waterfall to Gold Star Families.

As you approach Soldier Field walk through the Children’s Garden. Following the paths through the rolling hills will reveal interactive objects referencing the Museum Campus. See how many objects and decorations symbolizing earth, space and science you can find. (Hint: some may be hidden under a blanket of snow in the winter months.)

Soldier Field was originally built as a facility for sporting events and is the city’s largest memorial to those who served in the Armed Forces. Since its opening in 1924, the stadium has hosted not only athletic events, but concerts, festivals and large group events.

A number of smaller monuments can be found in and around the stadium. At the northwest entrance stands the Veterans’ Memorial "Chicago's Tribute to Freedom". This bas-relief structure depicts men and women in the Armed Services and their families standing along the lakefront with the city skyline in the back. On the opposite side is a quotation from President John F. Kennedy expressing the devotion of the U.S. to support its allies and oppose all enemies.

Walking up to the northeast entrance is the Memorial Water Wall. In better weather water cascades over 8 medallions and seals representing each branch of the Armed Services.

The land surrounding Soldier Field is designed for the public to enjoy in all seasons and is where the Chicago Park District hosts family events throughout the year. You can find the list of Chicago Park District events on their App called My Chi Parks. It is available to download for free from the Apple store and Google Play store.

Before you leave the Museum Campus, go in the south entrance of the Field Museum (across the street from Soldier Field) for another peak inside at "Sue" and other artifacts in the main lobby.

As you can see, any time of the year you can enjoy the Museum Campus and now you’know there is always something to explore that is free for all!

All information was correct at the time of this post, but before you come, please check the websites to get the most up-to-date information.

If you know of a free event in Chicago you’d like me to share, email me at chicagofreeforall@gmail.com

Don’t forget to sign up for a free Chicago Greeter visit (1/1/2016 post) at www.chicagogreeter.com

Please follow me on Facebook at ChicagoFreeForAll. Be sure to friend me to get notices of updates to my blog.

Next week let’s head back to Michigan Avenue for a stroll along the Chicago Cultural Mile. Until then, I hope to see you in Chicago!

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While you're in the neighborhood

1/15/2016

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I hope you spent (or will spend) some time at the Chicago Cultural Center taking the free tour, enjoying the free performances and wandering the galleries viewing the artwork presented by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. (see DCASE Part I 1/8/2016 post). While you are in the neighborhood let me tell you what else there is to do and see that is free for all. These sites are best explored on foot. How long this walk takes depends on your pace and how much time you spend enjoying the sites along the way. So, let’s explore; follow me.

From the Chicago Cultural Center walk across Michigan Avenue on Randolph Street and you will find a series of parks that run about ½ mile (0.8 km) east from Michigan Avenue to Lake Shore Drive and south along the Lakefront about 1½ miles (2.4 km) to Roosevelt Road.

As you walk east on Randolph Street the first public space is Millennium Park. I told you about the free Chicago Greeter tours of the park in the summer (see Chicago Greeter 1/1/2016 post) and later I will take you on a virtual tour and tell you about other free programs in the park, but for now, let me just say you’ll want to come back and spend some time in Millennium Park.

Just east of Millennium Park is the Maggie Daley Park. If you have children ages 1 to12 you will want to visit this amazing 3 acre “playgarden”. This outdoor space includes theme-based play spaces including The Sea, The Watering Hole, The Harbor, Enchanted Forest, Wave Lawn and Slide Crater. Signs are posted to identify the appropriate ages for each space.

But there are things in the park for those who are older too. In the winter months you can enjoy a spin around the 1/2 mile long (0.8 Km) Skating Ribbon. It is free if you have your own skates, but skate rental is available on site for a fee. During the summer bring a snack or meal and enjoy dining alfresco in the Picnic Grove.

From spring through fall you can play on the tennis courts, miniature golf course and 2 climbing walls, but there is a fee associated with these park features.

Continuing east beyond Maggie Daley Park is the Cancer Survivors Garden.

This peaceful space has scenic views of the lake to the east and south along Lake Shore Drive. The gardens represent “healing, acceptance, support and celebration”. Kiosks with inspirational sayings are placed throughout the space,

Now walk south. In front of you at Monroe Street are the more than 300 acres of Grant Park considered Chicago’s front yard.

Grant Park extends from Monroe Street on the north to Roosevelt Road on the South and from Michigan Avenue on the west to Lake Shore Drive on the east.

Columbus Drive is the main artery running north and south and bisecting the park.

Turn right (west) on Monroe Street and Butler Field and the Patrillo Band Shell will be on your left. This space is home of many music festivals. Turn left (south) on Columbus Drive. Many of the city’s parades are held along Columbus Drive and it is the heart of the Taste of Chicago a foodies dream held every July. (More on these events in later posts.)

Just inside the northwest corner of Bulter Field are 2 large curved walls of metal. Named Reading Cones by Richard Serra and placed here in 1990.

Continue walking south on Columbus Drive. On your right is the back of the Art Institute of Chicago (More about this at the end of our tour.) and right next door is the School of the Art Institute. (SAIC). At the end of the Fall, Winter and Summer terms, student artists often show their masterpieces in exhibits that are free and open to the public. Other SAIC exhibit spaces can be found throughout the downtown area. Check their website for dates and locations of these and other free public events.

Just south of the SAIC you will find the Seated Lincoln statue by Augustus Saitn-Gaudens. Given to the city by John Crerar it was placed in the North President’s Court in 1926.

On the east side of Columbus Drive at Congress Parkway is Buckingham Fountain donated by Kate Buckingham as a memorial to her brother Clarence who died during World War I. From spring through fall you will see it in all its glory. Every hour on the hour the center jet forces water 150’ in the air. My favorite time to see the fountain is from dusk until 11 PM (23:00) when you will see a light, music and water display every hour on the hour.

Both on the north and south sides of the fountain are beautiful Rose Gardens that bloom throughout the spring, summer and fall seasons.

Continuing south is Hutchinson Field home to 12 baseball/softball diamonds. Did you know softball was invented in Chicago in 1887?

Opposite the diamonds, on the west side of Columbus Drive, are volleyball and tennis courts.

At the south end of Grant Park at Roosevelt Road stands the statue of Christopher Columbus. This bronze, by Carl Brioschi was given by the Italian-American Community of Illinois and dedicated in 1933 during the Columbian Exposition, the 2nd World’s Fair held in Chicago.

Here, if you wish, you can follow the signs to the Museum Campus. Lots to see there for free, but for now let’s skip that detour. I promise I’ll tell you about it in a later post. Instead, turn right (west) on Roosevelt Road toward Michigan Avenue. To your right is a 3 acre Skate Park for skateboarders.

As you approach Michigan Avenue you can’t miss the large torsos and legs of the art installation Agora by Magdalena Abakanowicz. Agora is Greek for “meeting place”. Who do you suppose the torsos are meeting?

At Michigan Avenue, turn right (north). Currently a public exhibit called Statue Stories Chicago* is being held across the city. If you find a red, white and blue Statutes Store Chicago* sign, swipe your smartphone at the QR symbol and wait for the sculpture to call you back and tell you what it are thinking. Six of these “talking” pieces are along this stretch of Michigan Avenue. See if you can spot all of them.

Heading north just past Agora Is the Rosenberg Fountain* donated by Joseph Rosenberg of San Francisco, CA. The sculptor is by Fanz Machtl and was installed in 1993.

Keep an eye out for the Mississippi Blues Trail Marker. This is the 77th in a series and stands as a reminder of the thousands of migrants who left the south for the promise of a better life in "Sweet Home Chicago". It stands near the former site for the Illinois Central train station and marks the end of their journey.

Perched on a hill to your right is the General John Logan Monument. The General fought in the Mexican-American War and Civil War and served as State Senator, Congressman and US Senator from Illinois. The artists are August Saint-Gaudens and Alexander Phimster Proctor.

Keep you eye out for the bust of Aaron Montgomery Ward*. Ward is credited with creating the first mail order catalogue business, the equivalent today of ecommerce. Chicagoans owe him a huge debt of gratitude as he single handedly fought to keep our lakefront “Forever Open, Clear and Free”. Today we have about 30 miles (about 48 km) of lakefront property open to the public. The Aaron Montgomery Ward Garden offers a shaded place to rest and relax.

Just north is a garden with a water feature and another restful space.

North of Balboa Drive stands The Muse or Spirit of Music* by Albin Polasek. She faces The Spirit of Music Garden. In the summer a temporary pavilion is installed here and free dance lesson are given followed by dancing to the music of a live band. SummerDance has been held here every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday since 1996. Come with your dance partner, meet someone new or just come and enjoy the music and watch the dancers learn to swing, waltz, cha-cha-cha, rumba or the featured ethnic dance. SummerDance is also offered every Thursday at five different neighborhood parks. Check the website for all times, dates and locations.

Most streets running through Grant Park boast decorative obelisks creating a grand entry upon your arrival in Grant Park and Congress Parkway is the best example. In addition, the entrance is flanked by 2 grand bronze figures of proud Native Americans. The Bowman and The Spearman were created by the artist Ivan Mestrovic and have stood at Park’s main entrance since 1928

In the Congress Parkway Triangle Garden stands Daphne by Dessa Kirk. During the warm growing seasons, the vines and flowers planted in the garden grow up around her creating her living skirt.

Immediately to the north and south of Congress Parkway stand a smaller park and courtyard each with an Eagle Fountain by Frederick Cleveland Hibbard.

At Van Buren Street is a French Metro inspired entrance to the METRA train station.

North of Van Buren Street is Dame Elisabeth Frink’s bust of Sir Georg Solti, music director of the Chicago Symphony from 1969 to 1991.

The building you see ahead of you on your right is the Art Institute of Chicago. The building was erected in 1893 as part of the Columbian Exposition the 1st World’s Fair held in Chicago. In 2015 it was voted the best museum in the world on TripAdvisor. There is an admission fee, but there is a lot to see for free.

Children under 14 are always admitted to the Museum for free. There are plenty of free brochures located near the entrances to enhance your visit. These include maps, gallery guides, museum highlights and scavenger hunts. In addition, there are apps you can download for free. A Closer Look in the Art Institute of Chicago is available for iOS devices and Art Institute Tours can be used on both IPhones and Androids.

If you are an Illinois resident and have a valid State ID, admission is free every Thursday night from 5 PM to 8 PM. Also, for Bank of America or Merrill Lynch customers, your debit or credit card and your photo ID get you free admission on the first full weekend each month.

Outside the Museum, take your time discovering the Beaux Art architecture. Does it look like an ancient Greek or Roman structure? How many artists’ names are carved near the top of the building?

If you come during the spring, summer or fall, you can wander through the South* and North Sculpture Gardens. While the gardens are closed in the winter months, you can still look in and see the sculptures and fountain.

Take a picture with the 2 lions* that guard the main entrance to the Museum. These larger-than-life bronzes by Edward Kemeys have flanked the grand staircase since 1894 and have become icons of the city. They are referred to by their poses “On the prowl” and “Stand in an attitude of defiance”. Can you tell which is which? At Christmastime a ceremony is held to adorn the lions with holiday wreaths around their necks and when our professional sport teams are in the playoffs the lions proudly wear the hats/helmets of our Chicago teams.

Walk up the grand staircase and through the main entrance to enjoy the beauty of the building’s interior. Imagine what visitors to the World’s Fair would have thought felt in this grand space. On the far right of the entrance is a gift shop. It’s free to browse.

Back outside, walk north past the Museum. Turn right (east) on Monroe Street and walk up to the Modern Wing of the Art Institute. It was designed by Renzo Piano and is the latest addition to the Museum. It features skylights and large windows that provide natural light in the galleries. The roof is topped by louvers Piano called his “flying carpet”.

As you can enter the Modern Wing you are standing in Griffin Court where you can usually see a few pieces of art displayed. To your left of the entrance is the Ryan Learning Center where families will find spaces to explore, places to participate in daily and seasonal activities and see child-centered exhibits all for free. Activities and exhibits designed for children can be found on www.artic.edu/kids

For example, “Materials Inside and Out” is an ongoing interactive activity allowing you to manipulate materials and discover your inner architect. The Elizabeth Morse Touch Gallery encourages exploration of art through touch. The David and Marilyn Fatt Vitale Family Orientation Room is a space to play or relax and enjoy a picture book together. Visit the Curious Corner online at http://www.artic.edu/aic/education/CC/ the interactive page on their website helping families learn about works in the collection using computer games.

Teens can find age-appropriate activities on the Art Institute website www.artic.edu/learns/teens and by following the Art Institute on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.

To the right of the entrance of the Modern Wing is the gift shop. Take a walk through to see a modern take on design. Past the gift shop, turn right and walk past the coat check room. Take the elevator up to The Bluhm Family Terrace a rooftop sculpture garden. It is open to the public unless there is a private event. From here you get a unique view of Millennium Park and part of the Chicago skyline.

From the sculpture garden cross Monroe Street on the Nichols Bridgeway. Half way over stop and look to your right for a bird’s eye view of Lake Michigan.

You are now back at Millennium Park where you started. You can explore on your own or come back in a few weeks when I’ll take you on a virtual tour. (There is talking sculpture in Millennium Park. Did you find all 6* along Michigan Avenue?)

Whether you stay in Millennium Park or come back later, you won’t want to go too far because next week I’ll showcase even more fun places to go and see in the neighborhood for free.

All information was correct at the time of this post, but before you come, please check the websites to get the most up-to-date information.

If you know of a free event in Chicago you’d like me to share, email me at chicagofreeforall@gmail.com

Don’t forget to sign up for a free Chicago Greeter visit (see 1/1/2016 post) at www.chicagogreeter.com

Please follow me on Facebook at ChicagoFreeForAll. Be sure to friend me to get notices of updates to my blog.

Next week we are staying in the neighborhood for even more free things to see and do that are free for all. How about taking that detour with me to the Museum Campus?

Until then, I hope to see you in Chicago!

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DCASE Part I

1/8/2016

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This week I want to introduce you to the Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events also referred to as DCASE.

As described on the website, the DCASE “offers more than 2,000 high-quality free exhibitions, concerts, theatrical and dance performances, films, lectures and discussions, family events, festivals and other programs each year at the Chicago Cultural Center, Grant Park, Millennium Park and other venues throughout the city.”

In a few weeks you’ll learn about many of the DCASE programs offered around the city, but today I want to give you an idea of the many free programs DCASE sponsors on a regular basis at the Chicago Cultural Center.

The Chicago Cultural Center is located on Michigan Ave between Washington Street and Randolph Street. The address is 78 E Washington St, but there are entrances on both Washington and Randolph Streets.

The building was completed in 1897 and was the first permanent home of the Chicago Pubic Library and for many years also served as a meeting place for Civil War Union Army veterans. Today it is a great example of adaptive reuse.
After the library moved to its new location in the 1980’s the building was converted into the country’s only free city-run cultural center. It is one of the most visited attractions in Chicago and often referred to as the “People’s Palace”. The building is on the National Registry of Historic Places and designated as a Chicago Landmark.

Open to the public daily (except for holidays) you are welcome to roam throughout the building on your own. As you walk through, take time to appreciate the beautiful interiors. Be sure to look at the floors..

the walls...

the ceilings...

even under the staircases

The interior is made from such precious materials as marble, mother of pearl, polished brass, luxurious hardwoods and features mosaics of Favrile glass, mother-of-pearl and colored stones. The building boasts 2 large stained-glass domes, one of which is credited as the largest Louis Comfort Tiffany glass dome in the world.

You will see mosaics with the names of authors and philosophers and quotes from well-known historic figures…

and military symbols in the GAR Memorial Hall and rotunda honoring the Grand Army of the Republic

As I mentioned you can explore the building on your own or you can go on a free guided tour.

Friendly and knowledgeable DCASE volunteers conduct free tours of the Chicago Cultural Center every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday throughout the year when the building is open. The tours start from the Randolph Street lobby at 1:15 PM and take about an hour. You will explore the many art galleries, hear about the architecture and learn about the history of the People’s Palace. (Ask your guide about the friendly ghosts who inhabit the building and what movies were filmed there.)

What else is there to do at the Chicago Cultural Center? Well, if you are visiting during the work week you can enjoy a free concert.

Chamber Mondays at 12:15 PM highlight weekly performances by Chicago classical, jazz and ethnic musicians.

During the winter, spring and fall months, you can enjoy “Juicebox”, a free music and movement series specially designed for the “stroller set” and their families. The program is offered from 11 to 11:45AM on the 1st and 3rd Fridays.

For the more hip audience come to Wired Fridays, a dance party offered during the fall and winter months on the 1st and 3rd Fridays at 12 PM. DJs play original Chicago house music and other electronic dance music.

If classical music is more your thing, then stop by any Wednesday at 12:15 PM for the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert which features performances by emerging musicians. The concerts are also broadcast live on WFMT 98.7 fm and streamed on www.fmt.com

On Wednesdays from 5-7 PM you can hear student musicians in the Jazz Links Jam Session.
Want to join in? If you are a student musician between 9 and 19 years of age, bring your instrument and play with the professionals from the Jazz Institute of Chicago.

Finally, the Musicians Club of Women sponsors concerts on the 4th Monday of every month at 12:15 PM. The MCW offers performance opportunities to women artists and has been promoting women musicians since 1875.

But wait there’s more!

Perhaps the visual arts are of interest to you. The Chicago Cultural Center also serves as the backdrop for many of the DCASE Visual Arts Programs.

Art exhibits in all media change throughout the year. Both historic and contemporary art is shown with an emphasis on “emerging and underrepresented artists…who live and work in Chicago area”. Opening receptions of the exhibits often include a gallery talk by the artist or curator.

Exhibit spaces include the Yates Gallery and Exhibit hall on the 4th floor; the Chicago Rooms on the 2nd floor, and the Michigan Avenue Galleries on the 1st floor.

Also located on the 1st floor is the Landmark Chicago Gallery with photographs and drawings of the exteriors and interiors of significant buildings in the city.

Movies, Movement and other Matters

Periodically films are screened, dance performances are presented and lectures given on a wide range of topics. Check the DCASE website for all events.

Other Programs

If you live in the city of Chicago and are 55 years of age or older you can request a “Participation Card” from the Department of Family & Support Services, Senior Services-Area Agency on Aging.
The card is free and allows you to participate in the hundreds of social and educational programs offered to our mature residents at regional Senior Centers across the city.

One such center is the Renaissance Court located off the Randolph Street lobby in the Chicago Cultural Center. Even if you aren’t a Chicago resident or not quite 55 you can stop by the Renaissance Court and enjoy the artwork created by some of its members and exhibited there.

The Cultural Center is also the home of After School Matters. a not-for-profit organization offering after school and summer opportunities to thousands of Chicago teens each year.
Some of their events are free and open to the public. Their spring session starts in February so check their calendar of events at http://www.afterschoolmatters.org/calendar/.

And there’s even more!

You can leave your legacy for future generations at StoryCorps®. StoryCorps® offers you the opportunity to record, preserve and share the stories of your life or that of a friend or family member. You can record a 40-minute conversation about a life experience or interview someone you know. Tips to assure a great conversation and suggested questions to use in your interview are available on the StoryCorps® website. storycorps.org/Chicago

Afterward, the storyteller is given a CD of their interview and with permission the interview will be permanently archived in the Folklife Center at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. In addition, excerpts from some interviews may be shared in radio broadcasts, animated shorts, digital platforms, and best-selling books.

Recordings are made every Thursday from 12 PM to 6 PM and Saturdays from 10 AM to 4 PM (excluding holidays). You do not have to be a US citizen to participate and you can speak in the language of your choice, but you must make a reservation in advance.

Reservations can be made on line at www.storycorps.org/reservations or by calling 1-800-850-4406.

If you aren’t coming to Chicago right away and you want to leave your legacy now, you can record your story on the StoryCorps® App. The App is free, available for IPhone and Android devices and is user-friendly.

And if that’s now enough…

On the website you can sign up for the DCASE monthly e-newsletter. You can also follow what DCASE is up to on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

If you prefer, you can pick up a hard copy of the DCASE calendar at the Chicago Cultural Center. The calendar covers 3 months of events and includes descriptions of the current art exhibits and programs including music, films, lectures as well as theater and dance performances.

For you techies out there, you can get free WiFi at the Cultural Center. Just search for ChicagoWiFi and you’ll be linked to the world.

You missed it - but it's coming back.

Sorry to tell you, this week marked the end of the first ever Chicago Architecture Biennial. It was a citywide event that provided opportunities to show the future of architecture and how space can be used to improve our lives. The Chicago Cultural Center served as the primary site with every public space in the building devoted to the exhibits.

But don’t worry, the event was such a success it is expected to return bigger and better in 2 years, so start making your plans to visit Chicago in 2017.

So that’s it for today. You learned about the free tours of the Chicago Cultural Center and the free concerts and art exhibits offered by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, some of the other organizations offering free programs there and leaving your legacy at StoryCorps.

Because of the ever changing art exhibits and new music programs offered each week, the Chicago Cultural Center should be on your “must see” list every time you come to town.

Next week I will tell you about some other free things to do and see around the Chicago Cultural Center. I call it: “While You’re in the Neighborhood”. The following week I’ll post “DCASE Part II” and include some of their programs offered across the city.

All information was correct at the time of this post, but before you come, please check the DCASE website www.cityofchicago.org/dcase to get the most up-to-date information.

If you know of a free event in Chicago you’d like me to share, email me at chicagofreeforall@gmail.com

Don’t forget to sign up for a free Chicago Greeter visit (see 1/1/2016 post) at www.chicagogreeter.com

I plan to publish a new post every Friday so until then I hope to see you in Chicago!

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Chicago Greeters

1/1/2016

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Meet at the Chicago Cultural Center

Today, I’m going to tell you about my all time favorite free activity the Chicago Greeters.

How would you like to spend up to 4 hours with a Chicagoland local doing what YOU want to do, seeing what YOU want to see and going where YOU want to go for FREE!

If your answer is “Yes.” then you want to sign up for a Chicago Greeter visit.

The Chicago Greeters are a group of about 200 volunteers who love to meet out-of-town visitors and show them around the city.

You can request a Chicago Greeter as soon as you have your transportation to Chicago arranged and your local accommodations booked and at least 2 weeks in advance of your arrival.

First go to the Chicago Greeter website, www.chicagogreeter.com and fill out the application with who you are, how many people are in your group (you are limited to a group of 6) and the age ranges (we like to know if we are hosting adults or families for example). Include your arrival and departure dates and where you are staying while in town. Then YOU get to decide what YOU want to do and where YOU want to go.

Have no idea what to do? Not a problem. The Chicago Greeter website includes a long list of options for you to choose from ranging from A to Z - for example Art to Zoo.

You can learn about Chicago history or explore our world renowned architecture. What about discovering an ethnic neighborhood, or maybe you are looking for family activities? How about visiting gardens and parks or seeing monuments and memorials? Maybe going shopping or wandering museums is more your thing. Those are just a few of the many choices you have.

In addition, there are dozens of Chicago neighborhoods to explore - from “The Loop” to "The Magnificent Mile", Chinatown to Little Italy, Bronzeville to Wrigleyville, Rogers Park to Hyde Park, Old Town to Uptown, Lincoln Square to Logan Square just to name a few.

Greeter visits are offered every day of the year and you can choose to start your visit at 10AM, 1PM or
6 PM and tipping is not permitted. Visits are offered in more than a dozen languages!

If you are assigned a Greeter you will receive an email confirmation with your Greeter's name and where and when to meet. Most Greeters will email you in advance to introduce themselves and verify the plans.

While every effort is made to accommodate each request, occasionally it is not possible. So to increase your chances of booking a Chicago Greeter visit my best advice is to apply as early as possible - that means weeks even months in advance of your arrival.

If I haven't convinced you yet, the Chicago Greeter program is highly ranked on TripAdvisor and has earned their Certificate of Excellence. You can read what others have said about the Chicago Greeters.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g35805-d285329-Reviews-Chicago_Greeter-Chicago_Illinois.html

But wait; there’s more!
If it’s too late to request a Greeter visit or you were not assigned a Greeter, don’t worry. If you are in Chicago any Friday, Saturday or Sunday you can still spend an hour with a InstaGreeter. The InstaGreeters offer 1-hour walks leaving every half hour between 10AM and 3PM on Fridays and Saturdays and 10AM and 2PM on Sundays.

There's even more!
If you are in Chicago during the summer, the Chicago Greeters also offer free walking tours of Millennium Park - a must see for any visitor to Chicago. These tours start at 11:30AM and 1PM from mid May to mid October and take about 45-60 minutes.

The Chicago Greeter visits, Instagreeter walks and the Millennium Park tours leave from the Randolph St lobby at the Chicago Cultural Center located at 77 E Randolph St. InstaGreeter Visits and the Millennium Park tours are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and group size is limited, so stop by the Chicago Cultural Center to sign up for a Free InstaGreeter visit and a Millennium Park Tour.

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BONUS
The Chicago Greeters are part of a group of greeter programs all over the world called the Global Greeter Network. There are more than 20 countries and more than 100 cities worldwide offering greeter programs and more are being added all the time. You can find the link to the Global Greeter Network at the bottom the Chicago greeter webpage www.chicagogreeter.com or log on to www.globalgreeternetwork.info and wherever you go in the world, see if there is a Greeter program at your destination and tell them a Chicago Greeter sent you.

So that’s it for today. You learned about the free Chicago Greeter program and how to book a visit and how to go on an InstaGreeter walk and tour of Millennium Park for FREE.

All information was correct at the time of post. Before you come, please check the Chicago Greeter website and to make sure you have the most up-to-date information..

To learn about more free activities, please come back every week when I'll have even more Chicago Free For All ideas for you. And don't forget to tell you family and friends about the Chicago Free For All! Until then I'll hope to see you in Chicago.

Oh, by the way - did I tell you I’m a Volunteer Chicago Greeter? So, maybe you’ll see me in Chicago!

If you know of a free event in Chicago you’d like to me share, please let me know. You can email me at chicagofreeforall@gmail.com

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CHICAGO FREE FOR ALL!

The Chicago Cultural Mile

Museum Campus

While you're in the neighborhood

DCASE Part I

Chicago Greeters

Archives

Categories

CHICAGO FREE FOR ALL!

The Chicago Cultural Mile

Museum Campus

While you're in the neighborhood﻿

DCASE Part I

Chicago Greeters

Archives

Categories

While you're in the neighborhood