It was so cool seeing headliner Iggy Pop at Riot Fest 2012 last night! It’s the second time I’ve seen him perform—the first was at the intimate Numbers Nightclub in Houston, TX, on February 28, 1983. Riotfest is a three-day celebration of punk, rock, alternative, metal, and hip-hop, held annually in Chicago’s Douglass Park. This year’s Sunday lineup included Elvis Costello & The Imposters, NOFX, Less Than Jake, The Jesus and Mary Chain, and other great punk and alternative bands.
Lincoln Park Zoo stays open in the evenings during the holidays, with a gorgeous light show going on as you stroll through the park. The temp was around 39, but there was no wind, so it felt great to be out enjoying the evening.
It’s a beautiful day in Chicago. Around 67 degrees and no rain. Excellent bike riding weather!
The Stars of Lyric Opera concert last night was a memorable evening, marking the start of Lyric Opera of Chicago’s upcoming 57th season. Held at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, the free outdoor event attracted a full-capacity crowd, all eager to experience a night of operatic brilliance under the stars. Renée Fleming, newly appointed as Lyric’s creative consultant, served as both headliner and host. The evening featured a stellar lineup of performers, including Matthew Polenzani, James Morris, Susanna Phillips, and Jamie Barton. The Lyric Opera Orchestra, under the baton of French conductor Emmanuel Villaume, provided the musical accompaniment for the evening.
Muse crushed it last night at Lollapalooza 2011—truly a highlight of the festival. Unfortunately, my video footage doesn’t quite do it justice. In fairness, we were positioned far from the stage, it was the final performance of the evening, and I had partaken in a few too many celebratory drinks by that point.
We saw Paul McCartney tonight at Wrigley Field, just a few blocks from home. It was my second time seeing him; the first was in 1993 at the Hollywood Bowl.
We’ve been having some pretty intense thunderstorms the past few days.
A family of Raccoons live in the rocks near the Lake. They’re fun to watch.
Rode my bike down to Navy Pier this morning. It was foggy by the Lake, which kept the temps down. In the mid-90’s farther inland.
We were riding bikes along the Chicago North Branch Trail today when I spotted a small group of deer in the woods. It was odd seeing these large, beautiful animals so close to such a densely populated city.
We had such a fun time at Midsommarfest on Sunday! This vibrant event, held annually in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood, is rooted in Swedish tradition and celebrates the summer solstice with a modern twist—blending cultural heritage with lively music, food, and festivities. I absolutely love all the summer festivals in Chicago!
It was cold today in Chicago, with temperatures in the low 50s, but that didn’t stop us from having a great time at the Chicago Blues Festival. The annual festival is one of the largest and most iconic free blues events in the world. It’s a vibrant celebration of the city’s rich blues heritage, rooted in the Great Migration, when musicians from the Mississippi Delta brought their sound to Chicago and electrified it—both literally and figuratively.
The Bill Jarvis Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Lincoln Park is right across the street from our building. It’s easy to forget that I live in the middle of a huge city.
This little guy sure looked comfortable and cute!
It was a gorgeous day in Chicago today!
I love walking around the Chicago Botanic Garden. It was cool today, but sunny and a nice day to be outdoors.
We just drove past President Obama’s house looking for Morry’s Deli in Hyde Park. They don’t let you go down the street in front of it.
The waves are really pounding today on Lake Michigan. It’s very windy, but not too cold – about 46 degrees right now.
The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago is one of the largest science museums in the world, housed in a historic building from the 1893 World’s Fair. It features hands-on exhibits, a WWII German submarine, a working coal mine, and dazzling displays on space, genetics, transportation, and more, making science fun and accessible for all ages.
I walked over to Lincoln Park Zoo today and saw this very active tiger. No one else was around, so I just stood there looking at him for a long time… and he looked back.
We went to see The Second City’s show “Spoiler Alert: Everybody Dies” tonight—and I enjoyed it more than I expected. The cast was incredibly talented, and it was a thrill to watch up-and-coming performers carrying on the legacy of some of the greatest comedic minds in the world.
Kampas Life 