Chicago area Alembic Gathering.

[speicky]

I'll be diving softly into the Windy City on Thursday evening, and will depart on Thursday, June 2nd... so, if someone wants to entertain an ex-pat... well, here I am, LOL !
 
It'd be way cool if someone is gigging during those days.
 
Will someone please tear off some sheets off my calendar, the time is moving soooo slowly  I know time is running when I'm with you gals and guys...

[keith_h]

For those coming in from out of town. If you have the time and are into the museum thing Chicago has several all withing walking distance of each other along the lake shore.  
 
I generally park at one of the garages under Grant Park. This would be a must see for you Bill. This is the same park that has the Ulysses Grant statue where the Giant's have been know to paint the horses privates in the team colors. :-)  Back to the subject. From Grant Park you can easily walk to the Art Institute of Chicago, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium and the Field Museum. This same location puts you a couple/few of blocks from the Loop and Navy Peer. Walking north up Michigan avenue will take you to Water Tower Place (shopping) and the Gold Coast area.  
 
Keith

[dadabass2001]

All I can tell you is The Onion Pub and Brewery is directly across the street from Bagend.
 I played there once in 2004 (a smallish bar), their website says nothing about bands or entertainment anymore.
For entertainment options, Check out  
Suburban Nitelife's website
 
Illinois Entertainer's website
 
Chicago Jazz website
 
Chicago Blues clubs
 
Hey Bill, I'm rehrearsing fro an acoustic GD show in June, so I'll have some tunes in that vein together.  
Unfortunately, I'm doing the laid-off job-search detox shuffle.  
 
Mike
 
(Message edited by dadabass2001 on May 17, 2009)

[lbpesq]

I can second the Art Institute and Shedd Aquarium.  I hit them both (along with a White Sox game and Buddy Guy's Legends club) during a brief visit last July.  For the morning-after-the-night-before, a wonderful mellow thing to do is to take one of the boat architectural tours along the rivers than run through town.  Great views, interesting history, you're on the water, and the boat has a bar!  (Yes, once again beer worms its way into an Alembic Club thread ... whooda thunk it?)
 
Bill, tgo

[jalevinemd]

Bill...I'll look into some stuff. Maybe Mike has some suggestions Blues Club-wise. The last time I went to one was medical school about 15 years ago - the Checkerboard Lounge. That was back when it was near the old Robert Taylor homes. I'm pretty sure it's moved since then.
 
Clark Street has a couple good sushi restaurants and a few blues clubs. As far as a Texan's idea of sushi goes...wouldn't that be steak tartar?
 
(Message edited by jalevinemd on May 17, 2009)

[keith_h]

One other thing for folks coming in from out of town. Most of the highways are toll roads and use automated toll booths at the exits so you should keep some change handy. When you are on the toll road you can use automatic or manual lanes to pay. I'm not sure what the tolls are now but they used to run between $0.35 and $0.55 (thirty five to 55 cents).  
 
Keith

[gare]

Tolls now days are $1 each booth without an I-Pass..and of course it's construction season.
For those wanting to go into the city you may want to consider taking a commuter train, they usually have weekend passes for under $10 round trip..parking in the downtown area can get expensive..you can check http://www.metrarail.com/schedule.html for more details
 
Gary

[keith_h]

I found a link to the toll rates: http://www.illinoistollway.com/portal/page?_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&_pageid=133,1495185
 
Keith

[811952]

Crap.  I've got a gig that evening with the big band.  7 to 9 pm, which is 6 to 8 Chicago time!  

[olieoliver]

A booze..er..uh  I mean Blues club would be cool.  
I've done the boat tour Bill but it's been a while.  
OO

[pauldo]

I've done the boat tour Bill but it's been a while.  
 
Just hope Dave Matthews isn't in town!

[811952]

I've gotten my brother to find another sub for the big band that night.  I'm in, and will be bringing my wife, Tracy!
 
Now to troll through this thread for the details on where it's happening!
 
John

[lbpesq]

John:
 
Mica's sending out emails with the link to the info.  You might want to email or call her and let her know you're in.
 
Paul:
 
The Dave Matthews reference just flew right over my head!?
 
Bill, tgo

[811952]

Bill,
 
Thanks for the heads-up on that.  Email sent and link received!  Tracy's online booking a room right now.  Looking forward to this greatly!
 
John

[811952]

Hilton Garden Inn, Hoffman Estates...  Not extremely close, but not too far, a Hilton and the price is right..
 
John