chicago????

40 minutes north of Chicago.

i grew up around Damen and Chicago Ave, thenmoved to Brookfield, then Glendale Heights. I now live in Massachusetts (please shoot me).

I have plans to go down for the Taste of Chicago next June an spend a week down in the windy city.

Great idea, Boomstick! Hello to my fellow Chicagoans! I'm in the western burbs near Oak Brook, Illinois. I spent my childhood and teen years near 55th and Kedzie. I hang out up north at the jazz clubs that don't seem too popular on these boards. LOL I'm a big movie buff, but I often wait for rentals because I'm a tightwad when it comes to ticket prices. If it's something I'm dying to see, I buy my tickets in advance. I strongly suggest that all of you make it to Navy Pier. It's pretty costly, but so worth it. I've been wanting to see Blue Man Group. Any of you seen it?

Me, Cropsy, and Jason Pollock live in Northwest Indiana...Chesterton to be exact.

I grew up around Chicago, & am moving back in a couple of months. Where in the NW burbs do you live Boomer? I'm headed back to Mundelein.

I know it is a big area (I had no idea Valpo was now considered in the Chicago area), but when there is big movie events in town (ie. the Chicago Film Festival) we should make Chewer outings. Also, I'm not sure of any of you are aware, but there is a Gene Siskel theater (on the UIC campus I think) that shows a lot of rare & foreign movies. If you go to <a href="http://www.metromix.com" target="_blank">www.metromix.com</a> you can check out what movies are playing & times.

Anyways, let's get the chicago thread rolling.

Mundelein = 7 minute drive for me.

DaveB and I live in "Chicago's Finest Suburb", otherwise known as Milwaukee, WI.

Depending on what's going on, I believe both of us would be more than willing to make a jaunt or two down to the windy city and meet up with you losers. wink

DAMMIT!!! Or damn me more appropriately! Jack, I knew you lived NEAR us but I didn't realize(most likely through retardation) you lived here in Cheeztown, USA! I luv yeh Jack! Forgive me...

Anyways we go from maybe going to Wizard on a whim to maybe hanging out and watching INDELAB: redux to nothing but rare guest appearances here. You have my email...contact me. Cropsy and I are always up for another "crew" member.(I can't believe I used "crew")

I hope too, soon. I've heard nothing but great things about it. Another MUST SEE BEFORE YOU DIE is Riverdance. I was swept away. The music is awesome but the dancing is like nothing I have ever witnessed in my life. Totally incredible. To have that many people on stage at once moving so fast and with such precision is just mind boggling. The dvd is great, but to see it live is so much better.

Uh, make that hope to, soon.

I had read all about the Siskel theatre when it first opened up, but I haven't made it there yet. Siskel was one of my all-time favorite critics so I am thrilled they have honored him in this way. I have the list of the films shown at this years Film Festival and hope to see all of them eventually. Five films (all 4 star rated) that are past Chicago International Film Festival Prizewinners are:

1. In the Realm of the Senses (Japan -1976)
2. Landscape in the Mist (Greece -1988)
3. Judou (China - 1990)
4. Three Colors: Blue (France/Poland Switzerland -1993)
5. Amores Perros (Mexico - 2000) which many have already seen.

This years (38th year to be exact) Festival entries are too long of a list to post here (100 total), include some of the best from Cannes, Toronto, Berlin, Venice, Montreal, Locarno, Sundance and Rotterdam Festivals and some Chicago discoveries as well.

The top ten chosen by critic, Michael Wilmington, for this year are:

1. Evelyn - U.S. (Bruce Beresford)

2. Chihwaseon - South Korea (Im Kwon-Taek)

3. Bowling for Columbine - U.S. (Michael Moore) This film received one of the longest standing ovations in the history of Cannes. It's on my personal must see list. It's a savage, hilarious look at American and Canadian gun culture.

4. Russian Ark - Russia (Alexandre Sokurov)

5. City of God - Brazil (Fernando Meirelles)

6. Punch-Drunk Love - U.S. (Paul Thomas) which has already been mentioned here at CHUD.

7. Springtime in Smalltown - China (Tian Zhuangzhuang)

8. All or Nothing - Britain (Mike Leigh)

9. The Man Without a Past - Finland (Aki Kaurismaki)

10. Frida - U.S. (Julie Taymore) This is another one on my must see list. I love Salma Hayek.

The Festival runs through October 18th, people!!!

Quite well, I think. They've been on the mainstream radio station here in Milwaukee amidst the Metallicas and Creeds. Could be a regional phenomenon, but I believe I've seen them on MTV, as well.

I saw them this summer, and they were excellent live. I like the album, too, but I wish they'd played up the keyboard and guitar quirkiness a little more. It sounds a lot more typical than the live sound. My girlfriend REALLY likes the album, though.

Look out your windows, peeps!

That's all it takes to get me in the spirit!!

Heh..I haven't posted in here since the first winter snow.

Tall Ships Chicago...

<a href="http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/portalEntityHomeAction.do?entityName=TallShips&ent ityNameEnumValue=123" target="_blank">http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/portalEntityHomeAction.do?entityName=TallShips&ent ityNameEnumValue=123</a>

This is just a heads up about this weekend in case any of you are interested! We may go tomorrow. That is, if the t-storms stop.

yeah i wanted to go to venetian night, but i had to work. sucksass.

anywho im from skokie, anyone else in the near north burbs???

and is anyone goin to Wizard World next weekend?

I just got back from Chicago a week ago. I was born there, but I have gone back infrequently during the last 25 years or so.

Managed to squeeze in a game at Wrigley, Blue Man Group, ALL the tourist stops, a lot of pizza, a trip to my dad's house he grew up in (which I spent some time in during the 70s), some White Castle sliders (which are still with me, I think) and so much more. I also saw some family who live in Joliet.

Such a fun city to be in. Good chance the wife and I will be heading back there in a few months (sans the kids this time who loved it too) to hit the nightlife and have a little "us" time.

***edited for spelling***

You mean White Castle isn't in other places in this wondeful country of ours???

Not in the cultural oasis known as Arizona. My God, the pizza at Leona's (not far from the Briar Street Theater)is from heaven.

Leona's is alright. but its all about Gullivers on the far north side to be honest.

I live 2 hours south of here. But unfortunately the novelty of going to Chicago has worn off. frown

Am I the only motherfucka that's actually from Chicago?! Shiit. Yall need to get with da streets.

Don't ever say that again.

I'm from the chi-town area, too. Valparaiso Indiana to be exact. This is a cool thread, and will definately post events as i hear about them.

Good morning, CHICAGO!!!

Welcome to the newcomers to this thread. Always nice to see new faces here.

It's that time of year again! Yep! Yep! Yep!

<a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/arts/chi-0308300278aug31,1,5321997.story" target="_blank">http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/arts/chi-0308300278aug31,1,5321997.story</a>

FALL MOVIE PREVIEW 2003..Indie movies tackle myriad social topics.

Autumn is film festival season in Chicago, and this year a few hometown filmmakers are releasing their indie movies alongside multiple festival schedules.

"Fall is a good time for new beginnings, for new things to start without everyone being on vacation or it being too cold to go out," says local filmmaker Rusty Nails, who premieres his feature "Acne" this season. "Definitely, the fall is a good time to see film."

Below, we provide some local highlights:

SEPTEMBER

Sept. 2-Dec. 9: Sergio Mims hosts the lecture series "Images of the Black Male in American Cinema" at the Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St. Selections include: "The Birth of a Nation" with live piano accompaniment, "Blue Collar," "Mo' Better Blues." Visit <a href="http://www.siskelfilmcenter.org" target="_blank">www.siskelfilmcenter.org</a> for a complete schedule, or call 312-846-2600 for more information.

Sept. 3-29: Films by Japanese Women, a series presented by the Gene Siskel Film Center, Featuring: Naomi Kawase's "Suzaku," Sachi Hamano's "Lily Festival," Kaze Shindo's "Love/Juice." Visit <a href="http://www.siskelfilmcenter.org" target="_blank">www.siskelfilmcenter.org</a> for a complete schedule.

Sept. 5-11: Facets presents the Chicago premiere of "Living in the Reel World," a movie following the lives of obsessive film fans living in New York City. Directed by Angela Christlieb and Stephen Kijak, of the U.S. and Germany. Screens at Facets Cinematheque, 1517 W. Fullerton Ave. Visit <a href="http://www.facets.org" target="_blank">www.facets.org</a> or call 773-281-4114 for more information.

Sept. 6-7: Chicago Filmmakers present "Afghan Massacre: The Convoy of Death," a controversial documentary about prisoners taken after the siege of Kunduz. Screened at 8 p.m. at Chicago Filmmakers headquarters, 5243 N. Clark St. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.chicagofilmmakers.org." target="_blank">www.chicagofilmmakers.org.</a>

Sept. 9: Chicago Community Cinema continues its monthly festival of indie films, including rare Billy Corgan footage with Zwan. Upstairs at Excalibur, 632 N. Dearborn St. Doors open at 6 p.m., screenings begin at 7:30 p.m. Admission: $8. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.chicagocommunitycinema.com" target="_blank">www.chicagocommunitycinema.com</a> or call 312-642-4222.

Sept. 12: International Dinner & a Movie kicks off its fourth season with a screening of Wes Anderson's "Rushmore," preceded by a special dinner at 6 p.m. at The Plaza Club, 130 E. Randolph St. Presented by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, Home Vision Entertainment and the Culture Club of the Chicago Cultural Center. Proceeds benefit the Chicago Cultural Center Foundation. Special event tickets: $35, available at 312-742-8497, or call 312-744-6630 for more information.

Sept. 12-14: The 15th Onion City Experimental Film and Video Festival welcomes New York based filmmaker Julie Murray to present her work. Renowned filmmaker Stan Brakhage's final film, "The Chinese Series," screens opening night at Columbia College's Ferguson Theater, 600 S. Michigan Ave. Subsequent screenings at Chicago Filmmakers, 5243 N. Clark St. Admission: $7. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.chicagofilmmakers.org" target="_blank">www.chicagofilmmakers.org</a> or call 773-293-1447.

Sept. 25: "Bettie Page Uncensored -- The Unauthorized Story" receives its Chicago premiere at The Liar's Club, 1665 W. Fullerton Ave. Based on his popular play, local filmmaker Michael Flores debuts his first feature-length work, starring Sarah Masters, about the life of legendary pin-up model Bettie Page. Doors open at 8 p.m., film starts at 8:30 p.m. Tickets: $5. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.chicagocommunitycinema.com" target="_blank">www.chicagocommunitycinema.com</a>

Sept. 26: The Movieside Film Festival showcases independent, underground and alternative films from around the world. Hosted by Heaven Gallery, 1550 N. Milwaukee Ave., 2nd floor, at 8 p.m. For more info visit <a href="http://www.movieside.com," target="_blank">www.movieside.com,</a> or call 773-856-5220.

Sept. 28: The Silent Film Society of Chicago presents "Wings" (1927), the Academy's first best picture winner, with pipe organ accompaniment by Jay Warren. Special guest and jazz great Spider Saloff will sing the original "Love Theme from Wings" as part of the evening. Held in St. Charles' Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Begins at 2 p.m. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.silentfilmchicago.com" target="_blank">www.silentfilmchicago.com</a> or call 773-205-7372.

OCTOBER

Oct. 2-16: The Chicago International Film Festival opens its 39th year with director Robert Benton's "The Human Stain." Benton is scheduled to attend. Highlights include Claude Chabrol's "The Flower of Evil" (France), Alexander Sokurov's "Father and Son" (Russia) and Campbell Scott's "Off the Map" (United States). Most festival films will be shown at Landmark's Century Centre Cinema, 2828 N. Clark St. and the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave. Opening night tickets at the Chicago Theatre: $20; $15 for Cinema Chicago members. Tickets to special events are $15; $13 for Cinema Chicago members. Regular tickets range from $7 to 10, $6 to 8 for Cinema Chicago members, available through Ticketmaster at <a href="http://www.ticketmaster.com." target="_blank">www.ticketmaster.com.</a> Full schedule to be announced mid-September. More information at <a href="http://www.chicagofilmfestival.com" target="_blank">www.chicagofilmfestival.com</a> or call 312-332-3456 (312-332-FILM).

Oct. 3-30: The UCLA Film Archive's series "Heroic Grace: The Chinese Marital Arts Film visits Chicago," presented by the Gene Siskel Film Center. Highlights include: "One-armed Swordsman," "Vengeance!" and "Blood Brothers." Visit <a href="http://www.siskelfilmcenter.org" target="_blank">www.siskelfilmcenter.org</a> for a complete schedule, or call 312-846-2600 for more information.

Oct. 4-Nov. 2: The 14th Annual Festival of Films from Iran at the Gene Siskel Film Center. Highlights include: Parviz Shahbazi's "Deep Breath," Kamal Tabrizi's "Wind Carpet," Tahmineh Milani's "The Fifth Reaction."

Oct. 10, 11: "Howard Zinn: You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train," presented by Chicago Filmmakers, with special guest and co-director Denis Mueller. Narrated by Matt Damon, this documentary spotlights Zinn's life as a historian and activist. First night venue: Columbia College, 600 S. Michigan Ave. Second night: Chicago Filmmakers, 5243 N. Clark St. Visit <a href="http://www.chicagofilmmakers.org" target="_blank">www.chicagofilmmakers.org</a> or call 773-293-1447 for more information.

Oct. 17, 18: Local filmmaker Rusty Nails premieres his feature-length debut "Acne" at the Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. Nails and his stars will be on-hand for a question-and-answer session afterwards. Evening begins at 10 p.m. Presale tickets $5 available at Laurie's Planet of Sound, 4639 N. Lincoln Ave.; $6 at the door. For more info, visit <a href="http://www.neweyefilms.com" target="_blank">www.neweyefilms.com</a> or call 773-856-5220.

Oct. 23-Nov. 2: Celebrating its 20th year, The Chicago International Children's Film Festival begins with it opening night gala at the Thorne Auditorium on the downtown campus of Northwestern University, 375 E. Chicago Ave. Reception starts at 6 p.m. followed by a film presentation at 7:15 p.m. Admission: $50 for adults, $25 for children and a four-person family pass is $75. A complete film schedule will be available in October online at <a href="http://www.cicff.org." target="_blank">www.cicff.org.</a> Highlights include retrospective programs featuring Looney Tunes, Folimage Studio, Maurice Sendak, Co Hoedeman and Babar the Elephant. Festival locations: Facets Multi-Media, 1517 W. Fullerton; AMC North 14, 2600 N. Western Ave.; and Vittum Theater, 1012 N. Noble St. Admission: $6, on sale Oct. 1 via Ticketweb at 866-468-3401 or <a href="http://www.ticketweb.com." target="_blank">www.ticketweb.com.</a> Call 773-281-9075 for more information.

NOVEMBER

Nov. 1-16: The 15th Polish Film Festival opens Nov. 1 with a screening of "When the Sun was God" with director Jerzy Hoffman ("The Deluge") and stars in attendance. Other selections include "Pornography" by Jan Jakub Kolski, "Superproduction" by Juliusz Machulski, and a documentary feature, "The Nameless War," by Agnieszka Lukasik. Admission is $ 9 ($ 7 for documentary programs) and opening night tickets are $25. Call 773-486-9612 or visit <a href="http://www.pffamerica.com" target="_blank">www.pffamerica.com</a> for more information.

Nov. 6-13: Reeling 2003: The 22nd Chicago Lesbian and Gay International Film Festival Chicago Filmmakers will present approximately 40 programs of features and shorts from around the world. Opening night hosted by the Music Box Theatre, with festival week programming at Landmark Theater and Chicago Filmmakers. Ticket details not yet available. For additional information email reeling@chicagofilmmakers.org or call 773-293-1447.

Nov. 11: "Try It Quiet: Silent Films for the 21st Century" features a program of silent films by contemporary filmmakers, presented by the Silent Film Society of Chicago. Live theater organ accompaniment by Dennis Scott at the Biograph Theatre. Tickets: $8 advance, $10 at the door. Program begins at 7:45 p.m. Call 773-205-7372 or visit <a href="http://www.silentfilmchicago.com." target="_blank">www.silentfilmchicago.com.</a>

Nov. 17: Chicago non-profit Split Pillow premieres "The Cliffhanger," a feature-length film, at The Lakeshore Theatre, 3175 N. Broadway Ave., at 8 p.m. Eleven directors complete a film segment in a tip of the hat to serials of the past. Admission: $25, which includes appetizers and live music. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.splitpillow.com" target="_blank">www.splitpillow.com</a> or call the Lakeshore box office at 773-472-3492.

Nov. 18: International Dinner & a Movie presents the 1949 thriller "The Third Man," starring Orson Welles and Joseph Cotten. Cuisine by Kasia's Deli, followed by a screening at Chicago Cultural Center's Claudia Cassidy Theater, 78 E. Washington St. Tickets: $22, available at 312-742-8497 (312-742-TIXS). Call 312-744-6630 for more information.

Right on! Thanks for the info Avalon!

Anyone want to get something going here in Chicago like they have in Atlanta? Coffee meetings and the like??? Let me know. Im in the near north suburbs. I don't know about anyone else. I think it would be a lot of fun to hang out with other chewers.

Hi Chicago! My wife and I are driving down the second weekend in November and staying on the lake. We're planning on the Field museum and Second City. I would appreciate any other recommendations. I appreciated the film festival calender. Unfortuntely The Gay/Lesbian film festival just isn't my thing.

Man, I dunno if this guy gets around Chicago, but Pork of Pork and the Havana Ducks died yesterday.

A fine purveyor of drinking-friendly country/rock, he was (signature song: "We Ain't Leavin' 'til We're Heavin' (We're Pukin' in the Parking Lot)). frown

That sounds like a good deal, but for some of us "Chicago chewers" it may be a little of a commute (I'm in northwest Indiana). But let me know. I'm sure I can convience Swykk or something.

Providing Swykk isn't still sick, or you for that matter, lil' miss.

Yes, dad.....

You're welcome, Social!

Gus, here's a link that I can recommend for you. There's so much you can see and do that this will help you in your selections.

cityofchicago.org
(click on Exploring)

Anyone want to get something going here in Chicago like they have in Atlanta? Coffee meetings and the like??? Let me know. Im in the near north suburbs. I don't know about anyone else. I think it would be a lot of fun to hang out with other chewers.

I think it would be fun to get together on occasion and have a lil' coffee klatch. However, with all of us spread out all over the place, I'm not sure how feasible it is. I'm game, but I don't know if there is anyone nearby that can pick up my sorry ass. (I can't drive great distances, solo.)

I have some more updates for everyone. Bear with me a sec...

For the true bookworms...we have some book signings!!

Jhumpa Lahiri, the Pulitzer Prize winning author of Interpreter of Maladies, will read from and sign her new novel, The Namesake at the Chicago Public Library on Thursday, 9/25 at 6:00 p.m. in the Lower Level Auditorium of the Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State Street. It's free. For more information call 312-747-4080.

Former Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, comes to Borders Books on 150 N. (State & Randolph) this Friday at 12:30 pm for an instore signing for her memoir Madam Secretary. Call the events hotline for complete rules??? and details go online at <a href="http://www.bordersstores.com" target="_blank">www.bordersstores.com</a> or call 312-606-0750.

* Thursday the 25th at 5:30 pm, she will be at The Fairmont Hotel international ballroom. Cash reception at 5:30 with a lecture following at 6:00 pm. $35 for the public. Call the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations at 312-726-3860 or visit <a href="http://www.ccfr.org." target="_blank">www.ccfr.org.</a>

Dave Barry of Dave's World fame will be at Anderson's Bookshop in Naperville, Illinois on Thursday 9/25 at 7:00 pm celebrating his 25th book Boogers Are My Beat. Anderson's is located at 123 W. Jefferson in downtown Naperville 630-355-2665.

AND....last but not least...

<a href="http://www.talkcinema.com" target="_blank">www.talkcinema.com</a> kicks off again the weekend of 9/20 and 9/21. Saturdays at Northbrook Court (Northbrook)10:00 am and at Loews Pipers Alley (Chicago)on Sundays at 10:00 am.

Go their website or call 800-551-9221 for more information. Talk Cinema is pretty cool. It showcases independent and foreign films with discussions led by distinguished critics and filmmakers immediately following each screening. Subscribers to the program do not know what film they are about to see in advance or who the guest speaker will be. That's part of the fun! You get to see films the way critics do, festival style, without preconceived notions. This year, Talk Cinema members around the country were among the first to see American Splendor, Autumn Spring, Bend It Like Beckham, The Good Thief, Nowhere In Africa, Talk to Her and About Schmidt, among others.

I have friends that belong to this here and in other states and they really enjoy it. I believe it costs around $120 to join for the season. I would recommend it.

Which burbs do you live in Avalon?

Avalon - that's quite an impressive batch of info.

But...

Here's the deal, my childrens -

In a scant few days (two, to be exact) - I will return to my native soil. I will once more be in the Chicagoland/Northwest Indiana area.

And as such, I am taking command of this pitiful little band for ONE NIGHT.

ONE NIGHT ONLY.

You and me and all these Chi-Town, Indiana, and yeah - maybe even those hard-ass Milwaukee Muthafukkas - WILL go see BUBBA HO-TEP when it hits the Windy City in October.

October 17th, to be precise.

I saw the movie last night - and the Chud Kids have to full force support this thing. Suckas got ta' know the real deal!

Be on the lookout, kats and kittens, 'cause it's comin' down!

Yeah, but I don't see any reason we couldn't try to co-ordinate the odd Sunday excursion - less traffic, plus a day in Chicago is rarely a bad thing so far as I'm concerned.

I'm certainly up for this guys. A day in the city is never a bad deal in my book.

<a href="http://www.longgroveonline.com/apple.html" target="_blank">http://www.longgroveonline.com/apple.html</a>

October 4th! Anyone game? This is a yearly trek for my family. Country setting in the fall= win-win for me. All the sideshows aside, they have some of the best shops around in every price range with great ideas for early Christmas hunting. They also make their own apple "everything" right on the premises. From cider to bread (fresh from the oven) and much more. Pure heaven.

Social, check your PM. Happy Anniversary, lovebirds!

HAM, Bubba on the 17th, eh? Hmmm...anyone else game? Boomstick? Bueller? Buena Vista Social Club?

Chavez, any day of the week is great in Chi-ca-go! If you're attending, dontcha know I'd crawl? My body would probably give out after 4 blocks but doesn't effort count for something?

That would be worth it just for the taffy apple beer mug sundae. Damn does that sound good!

Checking and replying to PM right now, Avalon!

I can do 0ct 17th. I usually get off work about 4 pm, can be on the road by 4:30, then my arrival time would be in the hands of the Gods of Chicago Traffic.

Those are very vengeful Gods!

I work the 17th, 11pm to 7am. So it's a no-go for me.