Chicago Trip Slide Show

A few photographs from our Chicago trip set to some music that we heard in Jersey Boys at the Bank of America Theatre.  Hope there is more travel in your future.

Union Station - Waiting to Leave Chicago

We packed a lot into four nights in Chicago and hope the students got a taste of this particular urban environment.  Perhaps you guys will return to explore some more.  Brief visits to two art museums, an exposure to the interior architecture of the Chicago Cultural Center and the exteriors on the boat tour, a bit of Chicago blues at Buddy Guy's Legends, a sampling of Chicago theater with Jersey Boys, a taste of the independent film culture at Gene Siskel Film Center, a piece of Chicago history at Second City, a view from the Skydeck of the Willis Tower, and many walking tours of the great parks and outdoor sculptures at Millenium and Grant Parks.  Not to mention the experience of riding the "L" and buses and tasting everything from Chicago pizza to Billy Goat Tavern's famous cheeseburgers.  Thanks for the great trip.

Dim Sum and Chinatown Tour

Our last morning in Chicago we visited the Three Happiness Restaurant to experience traditional dim sum - students were very good about trying the different varieties of food served in small portions for sharing.  From shrimp toast and BBQ pork to pot stickers and curried squid.

Outside the Three Happiness Restuarant

Then for a tour of historic Chinatown where we learned not only of its history, but  also about Chinese culture from our tour guide ZT.

At the Nine Dragon Gate learning the history and symbolism of dragons 

The view looking into the old section of Chinatown

 Many movies contain scenes shot in Chinatown, including Backdraft and Ferris Buehler's Day off - here we are in front of an alley used a movie set.

Our guide also gave students some background in the Buddhist traditions and philosophy.

Inside a Buddhist Temple

Jersey Boys

Wow!  What a great performance - the musical Jersey Boys at the Bank of America Theatre on our last night in Chicago.  

NATO Protest March

NATO summit coming to Chicago this weekend means extra security and some great American freedom to protest.

Architectural Boat Tour

Great place to view the skyline - from the Chicago River and Lake Michigan

What a view

Micah as we head toward Lake Michigan

Cierra with Navy Pier in background

Khalid and Chicago skyline

Karim and Matt enjoying the cruise

Contemporary Museum of Art

Went to Chicago's fabulous Contemporary Museum of Art.  Always provides thought-provoking work that challenges the students to think, re-think ideas about art.

Daniel 

Summar 

View from Willis Tower

Looking at the skyline and architectural elements from the top of Willis Tower gives a different perspective of the city.

The view just before sunset

Lunch at Buddy Guy's

Listening to classic Chicago Blues at the legendary Buddy Guy's

The accoustic set at Buddy Guy's 

Wednesday Morning - Chicago Art Institute

Marci gave us a quick tour of some sections of the modern wing in the amazing Chicago Art Institute.  We also got to visit the retrospective exhibit of Roy Lichtenstein's work.

Marci with the class

Kara & Cortni discussing modern art in front of Joan Mitchell work

Tuesday

Beautiful Day - Walked to Millenium Park in morning

Marci walking the path in front of Art Institute

Self-guided tour of park

Playing with reflections in Cloud Gate sculpture

 Tour of Chicago Cultural Center after Lunch

Stained Glass Tiffany Dome at CCC

Dinner at Corcoran's Pub before a hilarious performance at the famed Second City comedy Improv Club - no pictures allowed at 2nd City - but here's Josh and Matt at Cororan's.

Gene Siskel Film Center

Here's the trailer to the film we saw at Gene Siskel Film Center tonight.  Interesting indie from Chicago director Jack Newell with local cast who improvised the scenes.  Director, producer and writer did a Q & A afterwards.

LeAnn having fun at Gene Siskel Film Center

Yummy Dinner at Tamarind's

Marci and I had duck soup - and Mochi ice cream for dessert.

Tamarind Duck Soup

Marci and Dotty Have Arrived with 20 Avila students!

7 hours on the train - then a quick bus ride - checked in at the Travelodge Downtown - whew - now to enjoy Chicago.

Preparing for Chicago in May!

Another spring trip - this time with 21 Avila students.  I will miss my old teaching partner, Susan Lawlor, who is on sabbatical - creating, refreshing and reinventing. But I have a new partner, Professor Marci Aylward, for this trip (fresh meat? maybe Susan gave Marci a heads-up on what to expect from living with me for five days)  Well - Marci and I have hotel and train reservations set up - now we'll be meeting to map out great things to do and learn in Chicago surrounding the course themes of urban living through art, architecture, film, music and theatre.  Look forward to another great learning experience with a new group of students.

What a skyline!