Blog Archives

STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN

7/29/2016

If there is one strategy I use to find what’s Free For All in Chicago it is to stop, look and listen. This post is all about some of the places and people we walk by every day that are FREE for all.

STREET PERFORMERS
Street performers are everywhere – in the subways and “L” platforms and on the street corners. It’s FREE to stop, look and listen, but many are very talented and certainly earn a donation.

I have two favorite musicians. One is a young man who plays the marimbas. You can hear the mellow tones a block away. He is usually on the southwest corner of Randolph Street and Michigan Avenue.

Another (and the one who inspired this post) is a 62 year old man I read about in an article in the Tribune this week. Saxophonist Levie Ball plays every day in the Lake Shore Drive underpass at Barry Avenue. He finds the acoustics there are just right for him to perfect each piece of music he plays.

THE PUPPET BIKE
The Puppet Bike is a unique experience. It is the creation of artist and inventor Jason Trusty. It is a puppet show on wheels and a nice surprise to run across. The Puppet Bike even has a Facebook page.

CTA
Keep your eyes peeled for art at the CTA stations. Many of the stops are adorned with creative photos, drawings, murals and more.

MURALS
I already told you about the murals along the Wabash Arts Corridor (2-5-2016 post), but there are murals and mosaics all around the city. Let me know where you spot one.

AIRPORTS
Stuck at the airport? There is a lot more to do there than people watch. Look around for the art, the exhibits and entertainers who are now part of the experience.

At Midway Airport you will find the permanent exhibit on the Battle of Midway. It includes “photographs, narratives and three interactive video kiosks with historical accounts and an SBD Dauntless aircraft hanging from the ceiling.” Temporary art and science exhibits are also on display there from time-to-time.

O’Hare was once named Orchard Field (hence the ORD airport code) the facility was renamed for Lt. Edward “Butch” O’Hare a WWII pilot and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. The Butch O'Hare Exhibit includes a “replica of the World War II F4F-3 fighter plane O’Hare flew and is located in on the north end of Terminal 2, near the security checkpoint. Learn about his heroism there.

USO
Two USO facilities are located at O’Hare. One is located on the Mezzanine level of Terminal 2 and is open 24 hours a day. The other is beyond security and has limited hours. Both are open and FREE to service people and their families.

TRAVELERS AID
TRAVELERS AID is also located at O’Hare so if you have any difficulty, stop by and they will help you for FREE.

ART has long been an important part of the airports and is “reflected in dozens of sculptures, paintings, murals and exhibits. Pieces were donated or commissioned specifically for O'Hare.

The following information was taken from the O’Hare website:
“KIDS ON THE FLY" EXHIBITThe "Kids on the Fly" (KOTF) exhibit is a fun-filled space where little travelers can play and parents and caregivers can unwind before or after a flight. Children of all ages can enjoy the interactive, educational play area. They can explore an airplane, control tower and helicopter model. Each year the play area is updated with new inventive and fun activities for children to enjoy. Terminal 2 past security Not leaving from T2, you can access T1, T2 and T3 w/o going outside security.’

Brachiosaurus Dinosaur
One of the largest mounted dinosaurs in the world is not found in a museum but right here at O'Hare. The four-story high, 72-foot-long Brachiosaurus skeleton model is on loan from Chicago's Field Museum of Natural History. You can't miss the Brachiosaurus dinosaur located on the upper level of Terminal 1 in Concourse B.

Yoga Room
The 15 x 16-foot Yoga Room features a sustainable bamboo wood floor, floor to ceiling mirrors on one wall and exercise mats as well as an area to place personal articles and garments, making it the perfect space for relaxation, meditation and yoga practice. Located in the Terminal 3 Rotunda next to the Urban Garden.

Hall of Flags
Visit the Terminal 3 Hall of Flags where each flag represents a country that American Airlines serves non-stop from O'Hare. The Hall of Flags is past the security checkpoint, in the common area of Concourses H and K.

Light Sculpture
"The Sky's The Limit" is a 744-foot-long kinetic neon sculpture of light and sound designed by Michael Hayden. It is located in the underground walkway between Concourses B and C in Terminal 1.

Painted Benches
Find the painted benches located throughout the terminals. Ask your kids to spot them and enjoy their themes.

Urban Garden
An aeroponic garden is located between Terminals 2 and 3 in the Rotunda Mezzanine. The garden contains 26 plant towers and an exhibit display that describes the sustainability benefits of this system.”

GHOST SIGNS

Don’t be scared, but all around the city you will find “Ghost Signs”. These are the faded remnants of advertising signs painted on the sides of buildings. There is a great website for finding ghosts signs. The home page is a map. Click on an area in the map and a detailed map with red dots identifying the locations of ghosts signs will come up. Then click on the red dot and you will find a picture and the address of that ghost sign. But you don’t need a website to find ghosts signs; just stop and look up and you will see them wherever you go.

Wherever you are in the city, take some time to stop, look and listen for everything 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.

Want to receive announcements of new posts? Just leave your email address and I will notify you of new posts on http://www.ChicagoFreeForAll.com
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

Until then I hope to see you in Chicago!

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PEDWAY

7/21/2016

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The Pedway is largely an underground pedestrian walkway (and 2 short skywalks) connecting many of the buildings downtown. It connects 40 blocks downtown, is almost 5 miles long and is a great way to get around on a hot, cold or rainy day. It is also worth exploring any day as there is a lot to see along the way. I encourage you to take some time to explore the Pedway and come up from time-to-tome to see where you are and what’s around to see for FREE.

The Pedway is connected to a department store, government offices, office buildings, hotels and condos just to name a few. You can print a Pedway Map or watch for the logo on the buildings around town for those that are connected to the Pedway. You will see the Pedway is not continuous and keep in mind some sections of the Pedway are closed on weekends and at night.

The Pedway connects to 2 of the CTA subway lines. The Blue Line that runs to O’Hare and the Red Line running north and south.

There are a few stops you should make along the way. First is Chicago Cultural Center (see 1-8-2016 post). Another is Millennium Park (see 1-15-2016 post). Also come up at the Daley Building. On the plaza in front of the building you will see the Picasso sculpture (one of the Chicago Stories talking art), enjoy a noon concert or wander the Thursday farmers market during the summer.

Nearby is the State of Illinois Building/James Thompson Building. Its interior is worth the stop. Finally, part of the Pedway ends at Chase Bank. On the plaza is the Marc Chagall mosaic, a lovely fountain and plaza.

Also along the way you will see the Pedway hooks up with Macy’s Department store on State Street. There you can see the largest Tiffany mosaic ceiling in the world (look up in the cosmetics department on the first floor or for a closer look go to the 5th floor) and the Chicago skyline made of chocolate (on the 7th floor near the Walnut Room). In the Pedway just outside the lower level of Macy’s department store is a display of stained glass

At the METRA and South Shore train depot one of the scenes from the Batman movie was shot. The Joker (Keith Ledger) drives a motorcycle through the station.

It’s not free, but along the way you can get: a hair cut at a barber shop, a mani-pedi and facial at a salon, a prescription filled at a drug store, your driver’s license renewed, your watch repaired, a key duplicated You can also buy a gift, stop for something to eat and drink at one of numerous dining establishments, go shopping, join a health club, rent a room at a hotel,

So take a stroll through the Pedway and see what you can find.

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.

Want to receive announcements of new posts? Just leave your email address and I will notify you of new posts on http://www.ChicagoFreeForAll.com

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

Until then I hope to see you in Chicago!

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ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF TENCHNOLOGY (IIT)

7/15/2016

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The Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) is one of the premiere institutions of higher learning for architecture, engineering and design in the country. Centered around 33rd and State Street the campus is easy to access and lovely to explore.

My favorite way to arrive is on the CTA “L" Green Line train. I suggest you sit in the front seat of the first car for the best view. You will see as you approach the campus the train runs through a huge tube built over the campus center.

IIT is known as "the campus Mies built". Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, was invited to chair the school of architecture in 1938. During his tenure the campus was reshaped to reflect Meis’ mid-century modern/International style. Mies is credited with saying, “Less is more.” You can certainly see that philosophy expressed in his designs. Let's walk around the campus and take a look at what I mean.

After exiting the CTA "L" station, walk ½ block west to State Street and you will be across the street from the most iconic of Mies' building on campus – the S. R. Crown Hall. Completed in 1956, today it is home of the School of Architecture. One of its innovations is the interior is column free. The building is usually open during the day, but if not it is easy to peek inside and appreciate the openness. Its significance is demonstrated in the Chicago Landmark, National Historic Landmark and National Register of Historic Places status.

The Crown Center is only 1 of 20 Mies buildings on campus. The campus holds the largest concentration of Mies buidings in the world. There is a list of all his buildings with addresses online. These include resident halls, classroom and research buildings and industrial use buildings. One structure you shouldn’t miss is the one and only chapel Mies designed. The simplicity of the Robert F. Carr Memorial Chapel of St. Savior is certainly conducive to meditation no matter your faith. It is located at 65 East 32nd Street.

Back across State Street is the student residence hall by Helmut Jahn. Known as State Street Village, it was built in 2003. Its curves are in sharp contrast to the straight line of Meis design.

North of the residence hall at 32nd and State Street stands the McCormick Tribune Campus Center. Designed by Rem Koolhaas, the unusual angles, colors and textures inside and out are worth exploring. His concrete and stainless steel tube overhead dampens the sound of the CTA “L” trains. Also not to be missed is Koolhaas’s tribute to Mies. The image of Meis' face is on a sliding door entrance on State Street.

Open green space, public artwork and fountains are scattered around the campus and help beautify the area.

You may want to take some time to watch or join in on a game at the Disc Golf Course. You will find it on the southwest corner (diagonal from the Campus Center) of State Street and 34th.

While you are in the neighborhood a short drive west is US Cellular Field. It is the home of the Chicago White Sox American League baseball team. After every home run earned by the home team you can see fireworks shot off from the scoreboard.

BONUS

I just learned about another free place to go in Streeterville - just off of North Michigan Avenue/the Magnificent Mile. The Arts Club at 201 East Ontario Street is a private club for "artists and patrons of the arts", but opens its galleries to the public for FREE. Gallery Hours are Tuesday through Friday 11am-6pm (18:00) and, Saturdays 11am-3pm (15:00). They have a permanent collection and 3 or 4 public exhibitions each year.I'm going to check it out today!

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.

Want to receive announcements of new posts? Just leave your email address and I will notify you of new posts on http://www.ChicagoFreeForAll.com

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

Until then I hope to see you in Chicago!

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NAVY PIER

7/8/2016

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2016 marks the 100th birthday of Navy Pier and there are lots of FREE activities being offered this year and every year. While there are wonderful places to enjoy along the Pier that are not free, for example, The Chicago Shakespeare Theater, The Skyline Theater, IMAX Movie Theater, shops and restaurants, cruises and amusement rides, there is also lots do to for FREE,

To kick off the birthday celebration, on July 15, 2016 Eli’s Cheesecake is serving a slice of their cheesecake to the first 1,000 visitors that day.

On a nice day (or they would say any time of year) Navy Pier is the place to see and be seen. You get breathtaking views of Chicago’s skyline from anywhere on the Pier. It is also a great place for people watching. It is the #1 tourist attraction in the Midwest.

I have to admit the summer months and weekends and holidays are when you will find the most going on. For example that is when you are likely to see entertainers strolling the Pier throughout the day musical groups performing for FREE.

Navy Pier is home to the Chicago Children’s Museum. Every Thursday night admission is FREE from 5PM (17:00) to 8PM (20:00)

Want to get in shape? Then take advantage of the FREE exercise classes. For example try the bi-weekly Rush Hour Fitness classes held every other Tuesday and 6pm (18:00) starting July 17, 2016 and the Stroller Derby exercise every Wednesday morning at 9AM are both offered for FREE.

All summer long you can see fireworks displays on Wednesday nights at 9:30 (21:30) and Saturday nights at 10:15 (22:15). The show is coordinated with music.

Wander through the Crystal Gardens a six-story glass atrium that “holds over 80 live palm trees, lush foliage, hanging twinkle lights and dancing leapfrog fountains".

The Driehaus Gallery of Stained Glass houses priceless pieces by Louis Comfort Tiffany. The gallery opens at 10AM daily and is always FREE.

The new Polk Brothers Plaza near the entrance to the Pier is an interactive water park. Children should wear their swimsuits and bring a change of clothes.

Just off to the right of the front of the Pier is a statue Captain at the Helm. He is dedicated to all the mariners in Chicago's history. It offers a nice photo op.

Inside the Pier look for the posters with pictures and information about the Pier’s history. You will learn the Pier was used to train soldiers during World War I and allied pilots during World War II. Afterwards the Chicago campus of the University of Illinois was housed there.

For those in the Military you can meet a USO volunteer on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. All Active Duty and Reservists and their families with valid military I.D. will receive special offers and discounts for attractions at Navy Pier as well as a Navy Pier Coupon Book

This year the Tall Ships Festival will be here again from July 27-31, 2016. While there is a fee to board and tour the ships, you can view the ships from the dock for FREE.

Holidays are a great time to visit the Pier for family entertainment. For example the days leading up to Halloween (October 31) offer an opportunity for safe, family fun for FREE.

During the summer months you can enjoy live music at the Miller Lite Beer Garden Thursday through Sunday. You can find the list of performers and schedule online.

At the far east end of the Pier is a statue honoring Bob Newhart a local who became a TV star and comedian. He is one of the Statue Stories Chicago. Nearby is an 8-ton anchor from the third Naval ship to be named "Chicago". This anchor was used on a WWII heavy cruiser. The anchor is dedicated to the men and women who have served in the US armed forces. Take a look at the walkway around the anchor you will see plaques honoring each of the arms of the US military.

Getting to and from the Pier can also be FREE. There is FREE trolley service running along Illinois Street to the Pier and to Grand Avenue from the Pier. The trolley runs between the Pier and State Street from the CTA Red Line subway station. The trolleys start running at 10AM each day during the summer.

Getting around the Pier has also gotten easier. A courtesy shuttle is being offered from the front of the Pier to 2 stops along the Pier. One of the shuttles is more accessible for those who need it.

Periodically there are other FREE events. For example, July 14-15, 2016 you can enjoy a 75-minute "mash-up" performance of Shakespeare's most memorable characters and celebrated play.

There is FREE WIFI at certain locations along the Pier.

Just this week it was announced Michelle Boone from the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events will be taking a position at Navy Pier. I hope the newly created Chief Program and Civic Engagement Officer will be spearheading even more FREE activities at Navy Pier. Stay tuned.

NOTE: An new "escort policy" is enforced on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Patrons under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

No matter your age there Navy Pier should be part of your visit to Chicago and enjoy all there is that is FREE FOR ALL!

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

Want to receive announcements of new posts? Just leave your email address and I will notify you of new posts on http://www.ChicagoFreeForAll.com

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

Until then I hope to see you in Chicago!

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CHICAGO FREE FOR ALL!

STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN

PEDWAY

ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF TENCHNOLOGY (IIT)

NAVY PIER

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