The Happy Show

The 4th floor of the Chicago Cultural Center is currently being occupied by designer Stefan Sagmeister's The Happy Show. Part art installation, part research exhibit the The Happy Show is a can't miss Chicago event.


I had the pleasure of spending an hour wandering through the exhibit last week and was intrigued by the multi-media presentation. A combination of video, photography, life-sized infographics, hand-written commentary and more, the viewer is presented with some of the findings from Sagmeister's ten-year quest to train his mind to be happy as one might train their body to be fit.

Sagmeister is a designer by trade but was compelled to use his gifts and skills to do something other than sell. He is on the brink of releasing a feature-length documentary on his happiness exploration entitled The Happy Film.


Sagmeister's sense of humor is felt throughout the exhibit and his design sensibilities turn the social data he has collected from psychologists, anthropologists and historians into art. He mixes fact with anecdotal musings to create a compelling and fascinating experience.

"Like everybody else I have six basic emotions: Sadness, Surprise, Anger, Joy, Fear and Disgust. Only one of them is positive, one is neutral and all the others are negative. 

Which is why I'm more attracted to negative news than to positive ones. And so is everyone else, which explains why every attempt to publish a positive newspaper failed within weeks. 

Even if I read blogs depicting my own work, one negative comment seems to cancel out two dozen positive ones. I've spent more time contemplating a single negative review on our latest work then the thirty positive one."

Stefan Sagmeister

The exhibit will run until September 23, 2013 and is free of charge. Please, don't miss this thought-provoking and utterly entertaining installation.

What's making you Happy today?

*If you aren't in Chicago but are interested in Sagmeister's work, he has written several books including Things I have learned in my life so far and Made You Look.

Glen Hansard, Fog and 10 Million of Our Closest Friends

The night started out simple enough. It was our first (of many to be sure) summer concert of the year in Millennium Park. We were excited to see Glen Hansard and the Frames and meet up with our friends Kim and Jon. The lawn at The Jay Pritzker Pavilion was more crowded than I've ever seen it - we guessed there were approximately 10 million people there. But then, that might not be the most accurate appraisal.

Great music, great friends, great food and lots of laughs - who could ask for more?


And then the most magical, slightly creepy and totally beautiful thing began to happen. Fog started to slowly roll in and envelop the city.

Before our eyes the skyline disappeared and there was a blanket of fog covering us.




I've said it before and I'll say again, just when I think I've seen Chicago at its most beautiful, she surprises me. It was another night that won't be forgotten in a city that has stolen my heart.
 

Z is for Zoo

The day has finally arrived. It's Z day!

In Chicago "Z" is for Zoo. The Lincoln Park Zoo to be exact.




Nestled in the center of Lincoln Park, this 35-acre zoo is free to the public 365 days a year. With an impressive collection of animals and spectacular views of the city, Lincoln Park Zoo is a great way to spend an afternoon in the sunshine.

Y is for Yoga in the Park

Now that spring has finally arrived in Chicago, I'm remembering how many great opportunities arise when the weather is warm.

One of my favorite FREE things to do is work up a sweat under the Jay Pritzker Pavilion.

"Y" is for Yoga in Millennium Park.


If Yoga isn't your thing, don't worry. Every Saturday from June 8th through August 31st you have choices. There's something for everybody. Millennium Park Workouts include Tai Chi, Yoga, Pilates and Zumba. Each class lasts an hour and is completely free of charge.

Tai Chi at 7am
Yoga at 8am
Pilates at 9am
Zumba at 10am

Needless to say, I'm counting the days.

What are you most looking forward to (or already enjoying) as the weather warms up?

10 Spectacular Illuminations

On the tenth day of Christmas we're wondering if ComEd is giving the Lincoln Park Zoo a discount rate on the electricity needed to light up all those bulbs?


Last weekend we took advantage of the mild weather to wander around Lincoln Park Zoo Lights. It was definitely... wait for it ... a zoo! There were plenty of people crammed into the park to see the spectacular illuminations.

But who can argue with a price tag that reads FREE?!?


We're partial to Nutcrackers in our house... so this was a particular favorite.


I didn't even have to wait in line with the screaming kids to nab this shot. Thank you, Santa!
Of course this reminded us of our nephew that will be born in a few weeks! (...his dad has an inexplicable dragon obsession)

This guy - one of just a few live animals we saw - was asleep as far as we could tell.  Creepy.
These lights were choreographed and danced to the music. Of course I took the opportunity to shake my thang too.
If you haven't had a chance to see the (did I mention free?!?) Zoo Lights, you still have time. The park will be open (and probably crowded) from 5-9 pm on Dec 21-23, 26-31 and Jan 1-6th.

This will definitely be a new holiday tradition for us! Twinkle lights, holiday tunes and thousands of our closest friends all created a memorable Christmas celebration.

When it comes to Holiday events, do you brave the crowds or celebrate at home instead?

Chicagoween

Don't let the summer-like temperatures fool you, Chicago. Halloween is just around the corner!

Pop up costumes shop litter Michigan Avenue, the price of candy has sky-rocketed and everywhere I turn I'm seeing Christmas Halloween decorations reminding me it's time to celebrate!

After spending five years in the bible belt where "fall festivals" were more prevalent than the campy celebration of ghouls and goblins, I'm pretty excited to see how Chicago (ya bunch of heathens) does All Hallows' Eve.

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I doubt we'll be inundated with trick or treaters since we're living in an apartment building. (more candy for us!) So it looks like we'll need a different way to celebrate than fattening up panhandling munchkins.

I think I found a perfect event. Chicagoween.

From Friday October 26th to Tuesday the 30th, there will be a gaggle of events in Franken Plaza. (aka Daley Plaza) They're promising costume contests, magic shows, hay rides, hot apple cider and performances by Midnight Circus. Not sure who Midnight Circus is? Neither was I.

According to the Midnight Circus website:

The Midnight Circus encompasses performers who hail from all over the globe but now make their homes in Chicago—actors and acrobats, aerialists and eccentrics, clowns and contortionists, singers, dancers, musicians, and a lone dog. Though our talents are varied, we are united by a passion for community, a commitment to artistry, and a shared vision for bringing together our diverse art forms to create something exciting, accessible, and uniquely urban. 

Yes, please.

I'm also looking forward to a screening of the 1986 cult classic Little Shop of Horrors starring Rick Moranis. (Friday the 26th @ 6pm)

Please tell me you remember Audrey 2 whining, "Feeeeeeeeed Me, Seymour." Classic.

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For the full schedule of FREE ghoulish events visit Explore Chicago's website.

How will you be celebrating Halloween this year?

Chicago Event: CAF Open House

This weekend the Chicago Architecture Foundation is hosting its second annual Open House event.

One hundred and fifty architectural gems will be opened up to the public. For two days churches, office buildings, theaters and homes are available to explore and experience.

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But wait, I haven't told you the best part! There are no reservations required AND it's free. Yes, I said FREE.

Could there be a more perfect event for me? Chicago Architecture + 150 Tours + Free = Dream weekend.

We're hoping to check out:

• Keith House (a stunning mansion less than a block from our house)
• Pui Tak Center (that iconic pagoda-esque building in Chinatown)
• Chicago Motor Club (it caught my eye on a wander last week)
• Inland Steel (1st skyscraper in the loop constructed after WWII)
• Lake Point Tower (the only building east of Lake Shore Drive downtown)
• Tribune Tower (I've. GOT. to. get. in. there.)

Or what ever else tickles our fancy.


Please don't be upset if you see us brushing past you in line. Because we're members of CAF we have what I'm calling a "golden ticket." The pass allows us to avoid all the lines. Yippeee!!

What's on tap for you this weekend?

Mmm Mmm Monday: Surprising Spinach

On Friday afternoon, we took an architecture walking tour that made a stop at The Berghoff (17 W Adams St., the Loop) for a little bit of Chicago history. The Berghoff is a Chicago institution that serves German - and a bit of American - cuisine.

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We were feeling very Chicago-pride-ish after the tour. So we headed back to the fourth generation run restaurant for a quick meal.

Here are a few things I learned about The Berghoff:

• It's original owner started his business by selling nickel beers with a free sandwich at the World's Fair in 1893.
• The Berghoff "near beer" sold at the restaurant during prohibition is still sold today as Root beer. (and you can get one for FREE if you check in using Foursquare!)
• After Prohibition the Berghoff received liquor license #1.
• The Berghoff had a separate "males only" bar until 1969. Yes, you read that correctly, 1969.

But here's what I'll remember the most about the Berghoff:

That creamed spinach totally rocked my world. I know, it sounds crazy. But there's a dash of nutmeg and probably a pound of butter and vat of cream that will tickle your tastebuds and make you a fan.

After a co-worker and our tour guide raved about the spinach I knew I had to order it. When I did, the gentleman at the table beside us said he's been coming back for more than sixty years for that spinach. After a few bites I could see why.

When was the last time some creamed spinach made YOU write a blog post about it?

A Freebie + A Challenge

Are you brand new twitter?
Have you been using twitter for awhile and now you're ready to learn a little bit more?
Or are you one of those people who just doesn't "get it"?

Well, I've got a killer Freebie for you today.

For the entire month of August, Weaving Influence is offering Becky Robinson's brand new eBook 31 Days of Twitter Tips at absolutely no charge.



Plus, for you competitive types, there's a challenge that accompanies the book.

The challenge is simple. Implement these 31 tips one day at a time throughout the month of August and report back what you think. I believe, after you've done so, you'll be hooked.

People, believe me when I tell you, twitter is fun. Twitter is useful. Twitter is a little bit like crack - it's healthy, social, won't cause physical and psychological side effects crack. And let's face it, all of the cool kids are doing it.

So what do you think? Want to give it a try? Download the eBook HERE and read more about the challenge HERE.

Then join in the conversation on Twitter using hashtag #12MinuteTip (if that doesn't make sense - it will once you've begun reading the book).

Who's IN?

Great Tour - Even Better Price

There are countless tours in and around the Chicago area. Food tours, architecture tours, neighborhood tours, and themed tours are plentiful. For a guided tour junkie like me, it's an understatement to say that I'm in heaven. What I'm finding even more exciting is that some of these tours are FREE! Combine my love of tours and my love of a good Freebie and you have one giddy girl.

Last month I went on my first Freebie tour and today I'm going to tell you all about it.

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I learned about Chicago Meetup back in May while reading Rachel Bertsche's MWF Seeking BFF: My Year long Search for a New Best Friend. Bertsche mentioned meetup as a wonderful way to meet new people in a city when you know no one. 

Meetup defines itself as the world's largest network of local groups.

Here's the concept. After signing up (it's free) you enter a few interests, find meetup groups that seem to match your interests/geographic location, and then pick an activity that sounds entertaining. Meetup's mission is to revitalize local community and help people around the world self organize. So, it's all about getting out of the house/office/place where you spend most of your time and making new friends.



In June I jumped on board with the Windy City Explorers. It was a great tour through Little Italy and University of Illinois of Chicago.

Our guide, Tom Besore, was knowledgeable, approachable and funny.



On the nearly three hour tour we covered several miles on foot. Plus we stopped for treats at Mario's Italian Lemonade (Mario made it clear they do NOT have a website) and Carm's Beef and Italian Ice. If you're curious what the difference is between Italian Ice and Italian Lemonade, even after trying both, I'm not totally sure. I promise you though, they are both tart, refreshing and delicious.



The Windy City Explorers group seems to have an event almost every week. I'm looking forward to attending another one sometime this summer. I should mention that this is a Freebie with an "*". There is a requested $5/year membership due for this group. But, I mean, come on. Five dollars per year for a seemingly endless banquet of Chicago neighborhood tours? That's an amazing value.

Now, you want to hear some good news for you? There are Meetup groups all over the country and all over the world! So, if this sounds like something you'd enjoy, check it out.

Have you ever participated in a Meetup event?

A Tuesday Night Freebie

A few weeks ago, we grabbed our bag chairs and headed a few blocks north to spend an evening in the park with Pee-wee Herman.

As a part of Chicago's Bike to Work week, Bike Chicago hosted a free outdoor screening of Pee-wee's Big Adventure in Millennium Park. The weather was pretty close to perfection and the evening was a ton of fun. Movies in the park are a summer tradition for us, so of course we were excited to discover that Chicago will allow us to keep our tradition alive.


In case you missed that event, tonight you have another chance to catch a free movie under the stars. Starting at six o'clock tonight, Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events will be screening An American in Paris.

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Vincent Minnelli's Academy Award winning musical stars Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron and is set to the music of George and Ira Gershwin. We're talking old time movie magic, people. It promises to be an evening of classic musical fun.

Are movies in the park a summer tradition for you?