Parades, Fireworks, and Cyclin’ On The Drive

Theresa Carter, The Local Tourist, NBC Chicago Street Team

Ah, Memorial Day. For Chicagoans it’s like a get out of jail free, do pass go, do collect $200 card. This weekend is the start of the season that keeps people here year-round, and since it’s coming a little early it’s like we’ve got a few more aces up our sleeves (mixed card metaphors, but you get my meaning, right?).

What better way to welcome the summer than with not one parade, but two? We always like to spend the entire weekend celebrating, and Saturday’s the city’s Memorial Day parade, then Monday is the 46th Annual WOOGMS parade. That stands for Wellington Oakdale Old Glory Marching Society, and in this parade, everybody gets their marching orders. Meet at the corner of Pine Grove and Wellington and wear comfortable shoes. Can’t make it to this one? That’s OK; they do it on Labor Day also.

Bike The Drive

Sunday’s another parade, of sorts. This time the route is Lake Shore Drive, and the participants are cyclists. Bike The Drive shuts down LSD to motorized vehicles as thousands of bicycles share the scenic road. While you’re there, join “Team Diabetes” Tour de Cure to raise money for the American Diabetes Association. That night head up to the gorgeous and historic Copernicus Center for Jammin’ For A Cure. This is a concert featuring Chicago Acoustic Underground alumni and raising money for the Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation. If you’d like to go, let me know and I’ll have tickets waiting for you!

Another sign that summer’s here is the Navy Pier fireworks. The free show kicks off the summer with lakefront performances on both Saturday and Sunday, and then take place every Wednesday and Saturday until Labor Day.

Have a great weekend!

Theresa

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Me, Myself, and Art

Shlomi Rabi, NBC5 Street Team

While the country is concerned with the war in Iraquistan, the economic regression, the President’s lifting of the ban on offshore grilling, and Miss USA‘s impressively consistent record of flashing her samosa, people are losing sight of the truly important issue facing us this summer: How to make me happy. While I know that it may seem like I have it all–from mink lashes to pearly white dentures–I am just human too, and like most humans I am craving the most basic and natural thing, the one thing that people of all ages (especially 28-35), sizes (especially S-M), genders (especially Male), and body types (especially Athletic-Lean) crave and want and desire: to spend more time with me.

So in an effort to treat myself to a wonderful evening with myself, I decided to take myself out to one place that I knew would make me happy: a mirror store. But it was closed. So off I went to the next best thing: The Art Institute’s Evening Associates shingding-dong at the John Hancock Tower. It was a fantastic opportunity to see what the best of Chicago’s galleries (especially those located outside of River North and even Pilsen) have to offer for this summer: The Post-War works on paper and sculpture at Valerie Carberry, the latest round of Alex Katz at Richard Gray, and the Modern and Contemporary pieces at KN Gallery. While all galleries were united by the one thing that would have made them that much better: paintings of me, the exhibits were thoroughly enjoyable. Following the reception, the fiesta moved to the Signature Room, where a delicious (if carb-laden) gourmet hors-d’oeuvres buffet awaited attendees. Alongside the silent auction of couture dresses and designer handbags, I got to enjoy the variety of non-me’s all around me, and, of course–the fireworks. The best part of the night? When the windows’s tinted surfaces turned reflective and showed me the one thing that I know can always make me happy: me.

For more me, me, me, be sure to go HERE and read all about my musings about how difficult it is to be me. Don’t feel bad for me, though, the effort is totally worth it.

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Get A Bang Out Of Your 4th Of July

Megan Bowers, NBC5 Street Team

As a newbie to the Second City, I knew I had to do my research when it comes to having a spectacular 4th of July. I thought I should go ahead and let you reap the benefits of my labor, so here’s the lowdown on what to do and how to do it…

Thursday, July 3:

The Grant Park Orchestra is performing at the Petrillo Music Shell at 8 p.m. to set the red, white and blue mood. Selections will include Chadwick’s “Jubilee” and Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture.” (I’m keeping my fingers crossed for “Yankee Doodle Dandy.”)

Fireworks will commence at 9:30 p.m. and will last about 20 minutes long. The fireworks will broadcast live on WGN-TV as well. For more info on the event and a list of songs scheduled to be played, check out cityofchicago.com.

Rumor has it, more than 1 million people will show up to this event so luckily CTA is adding extra trains to accomodate the patriotic masses. I’ve also heard that you should get here pretty early to stake out your spot. As of writing this on 1 p.m. Thursday afternoon, there are already people staking out spots.

Friday, July 4th:

Navy Pier will have a 10-minute fireworks display over Lake Michigan starting at 9:30 p.m.

If you can’t make it to these locations, no worries. NBC5 has a complete list of all the firework displays in your neighborhood. After the light show, you can check out the club scene to show your independance. For a list of places offering holiday specials, check out metromix.com.

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