Troy giving chopstick lessons to Garrett

Dim Sung

We all shared these small tasty morsels at a restaurant in Chinatown.

Our Last Morning in Chinatown

Pullman Porter Blues at Goodman Theatre

Chicago theatre is always wonderful.  These performers were fantastic on Saturday night.  The play was a perfect choice as well - since it hit upon a unique historical moment in Chicago history and lives of African-Americans who worked for George Pullman as railroad porters. It gave us a small peak inside that story of work, dignity and struggle.

Historic Palmer house

We all got brownies in the middle of this beautiful room at the Palmer House where the chef invented the brownie for the wife of the Potter Palmer, who built this manificent structure as a wedding gift for his new bride.  The place burnt down in the Great Chicago Fire - 13 days later - but was rebuilt.

Chicago food tour

Here's what a classic Chicago hot dog looks like - at American Hot Dogs.  The Tastebud Food Tour was like eating your way through history - learning about Chicago Deep Dish Pizza, prohibition, Al Capone's soup kitchens, the invention of the brownie, the World's Fair and much more. Our guide Jennifer was entertaining and informative.

Chicago Art Institute

Touring the Chicago Art Institute's Modern wing

Museum of Contemporary art

Tour of the Museum with our docent Kate.  Contemporary art is always challenging for some of our students, especially as it veers away from representation of real objects/places/ people and becomes more about ideas, concepts and emotion.

Grande Luxe Cafe

We all had lunch on Michigan Ave after our morning tour of Millennium Park.  Fabulous food - here's my A'hi Tuna Salad.  The portions were huge.  I saw the students had a few take-home boxes.

Feeding the pigeons - Troy and Garrett got up close and personal

Millennium Park

A morning tour of this fabulous park.  Great architecture and natural elements, as well as amazing sculptures.  Crown Fountain and Cloud Gate are always engaging.  The students did a self-guided tour; each student telling about some aspect of the park, the artists and architects who buillt the elements, and its history.  Of course there were lots of photo opps.

Second City Improve

You can't take photos at Second City when the show starts, so here's the empty stage just before showtime.  The group had dinner at Corcoran's and then enjoyed the historic Second City Improv that has birthed many a famous comedian.  

Chicago skyline from the boat deck

Even though it is windy, rainy and cold - the Chicago skylline is still amazing.  What a great group of students - no complaints.  They just bundled up and went on the architectural river cruise.  Here's a view from the Lake, looking back at the city.

Chicago Cultural Center

Touring the Chicago Cultural Center - amazing architecture and history.  At one time, a public library; now a center that provides year round free cultural events in art, music, dance, and film to the public seven days a week.  We were able to view the two beautiful stained glass domes, including the largest Tiffany stained glass dome in the world.  The are rotating art exhibits - as you can see from some of the ceramic statuary and mixed media light and color exhibit below.

Gene Siskel film center

Although our students are having fun at the Gene Siskel Film Center, they watched a thought provoking film today - Hannah Arendt.  This is what the Center does well - present films that cause one to think about the human condition. We wanted to start the trip with a challenge.

We're waiting

At Union Station in KC waiting for our train to Chicago

Waiting in Toronto

In toronto waiting to go home

Starring Aimee

Thanks Aimee. You were great on stage with the improv group

Improv at Theatre. St Catherine

Wonderfully funny improv troupe on the last night

Food tour at Jean Talon market

Loved walking through this market with our guide Jeremy and sampling crepes,  rye bread, apple cider,  cheese and sausages. Then a short walk to little Italy for cannoli. One of my favorite activities

Notre Dame Basilica

The evening light show at this beautiful church was a combination history lesson and architectural display

Dinner at Modavie

Centaur theatre

The set for the play at the theatre was a bus. Really funny clever skits about the characters riding the No 14 bus

Breakfast cruise

We started this beautiful sunny day with a boat trip down the river

Danse X Montreal

The evening ended with a performance of three duets curated by Danse X Montreal.  Experimental dance  that was a perfect bookend to the morning abstract art tour.  A truly international event with performers from Japan, Korea and the United States.  The discussion after the dancing was held in four languages.

Shabu Shabu at Kayayaki

Dinner at this wonderful Japanese restaurant.  Shabu Shabu is a Japanese hotpot. Each of us cooked our own ingredients in a bowl at the table

Streets Came Alive

After we left the museum we were delighted to discover a lively street scene with musical performances, acrobatics, street theatre, and even a parade of Snow Whites.

Musee d'Art Comtempoirain

We began Friday morning with a tour of the Museum of Contemporary Art.  Unfortunately, no photos are allowed in the museum.  Our tour guide, Tracy, gave us a memorable tour that began with the history of abstract art in Canada.  Garrett aptly named a particularly monochromatic painting, Heinz 57.  These pieces challenged our notions of art and even posed the question whether a painting without paint is still a painting.

An evening at the Cinematheque Quebecoise

Tonight, a series of animated short films at the Cinematheque Quebecoise.  Amazing, considering the films dated from 50 years ago or so.  Themes of lost love, military might, the conflict of difference, the power of music and kindness, and the loss of the soul.

Touring Old Montreal

After a nice lunch in Old Montreal, we took a guided tour of the old town with Annie.  She was great.  Learned alot about the architecture and history - a bit chilly, but we survived.

Museum of Fine arts

Touring the Museum of Fine Arts - and some of the outdoor art.  This is an installation in the street that you can wan on

Waiting for the Metro

First Day in Montreal and we're catching the train to our first destination

Morning in Montreal

Down the street from our hotel

Waiting at KCI

For the first leg of our flight

Today is the Day - Leaving for Montreal

Looks like cool weather - the high sixties in Montreal.  That will be fine, especially if there is no rain.  A long plane trip awaits, leaving this afternoon with 16 students.

Off to Montreal

The Urban Culture Course goes international this year - with a trip to Montreal, Canada.  We'll still focus on  art, architecture, music, film, and theatre of the urban environment.  Added to that, an experience in a French speaking city, should provide a unique learning opportunity for our students.  We'll be staying at the Hotel Le Saint-Andre.