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How many exhibits in the world allow a person to get a closer view at something we all grew up watching as kids and followed even into our adulthood? Only one that I know of and it is currently being displayed at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago – Jim Henson’s Fantastic World.
Jim Henson’s Fantastic World is an exhibit organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service chronicling the life of the great Jim Henson, that includes over 130 cartoons, drawings and storyboards. The exhibit is one big puppet party, where Jim Henson explains to the visitor either through text or audio how much puppetry meant to him, and how he came up with this two greatest inventions – Sesame Street and the Muppet Show.
Upon entering the MSI exhibit a visitor is greeted by Henson’s most famous of inventions – Kermit The Frog. The green icon is proudly displayed at the entrance in all its glory along with numerous photos of Henson and Kermit throughout the years they spent “working” together. In the same room there is a chronological display of Jim Henson’s life in the industry, all the magnificent things he accomplished in his life.
Once inside the exhibit, the walls are full of all the Henson-abilia, pictures of him and the puppets along with numerous drawings and sketches from his earlier days. As a fan of both Sesame Street and The Muppet Show, I enjoyed those drawings and sketches more than any picture because it gave me an insight into how things worked – something I didn’t know and or cared about when I was a youngster. I always thought it was all fun and games being on the set of the Muppet Show but being at the exhibit showed me it was a lot of years of hard work and determination.
Along with Kermit being displayed in a glass box there is also Miss Piggy in all her majesty wearing a white wedding dress, which she wore in the movie “The Muppets Take Manhattan.” Miss Piggy doesn’t make appearances with this exhibit but she agreed to be displayed in Chicago when MSI asked for her services. While she doesn’t have any direct ties to Henson (he neither designed or performed as her) the exhibit would not have been complete without Miss Piggy, who aside from Kermit is easily the most recognizable of all the puppets.
Inside the exhibit there are two separate rooms designed to encourage audience participation: a theater room – where visitors can literally play the role of Henson and perform with the puppets laid out in a box nearby; and a create a character wall – a wall that allows people to create their own puppet using Velcro-like material.
The latter has an outline of a puppet body attached to the wall, while all the clothes are removable along with a variety of hats, beards, sunglasses giving the audience a variety of ways to dress his/her own puppet. Both of these rooms require audience participation and should be a huge draw for all those who come and check out the exhibit.
More than anything else, the exhibit portrays the way Jim Henson viewed things, visually. The exhibit and in particular drawings and sketches portray how Henson would store so many of his ideas in his brain only for them to appear live and in costume at a later part in his magnificent career.
Bonnie Erickson, president of the Jim Henson Legacy Foundation and the original builder of Miss Piggy, hopes that those who come out and see the exhibit will learn to follow their dreams as well.
“I hope that this exhibit will inspire anyone who doesn’t know what to do with themselves to follow their dreams,” Erickson said. “Any one of us can and should follow our heart just the way Jim did.”
Jim’s love for his work and the puppets he created is visible in every one of the exhibit’s pictures and one has to wonder if the rest of us are lucky enough to have our work be our passion in life.
It certainly was just that for him.
The newest music festival in Chicago, the North Coast Music Festival, is on Labor Day weekend!
All weekend long (Friday Sept. 3rd – Sunday Sept. 5th) see hot acts such as: The Chemical Brothers, Nas & Damian Marley, Umphrey’s McGee, Disco Biscuits, Moby (DJ set), Pretty Lights, Van Ghost, De La Soul, and Lupe Fiasco.
It all kicks off on Friday from 4pm-10pm and continues on Saturday & Sunday from noon-10pm in Union Park. The festival features a full lineup of popular rock, hip-hop, and electronic bands. Famous national acts as well as local favorites will perform on four stages. Single day tickets are still available for $40 each.
Bags will be searched upon entry, there is no re-entry to the festival. ATMs will be available throughout the park. Alcoholic beverages will be purchasable inside the event for those over 21 (bring a valid photo I.D. to obtain a wristband). There will be limited parking, so we suggest taking public transportation (the green line Ashland stop and #9 Ashland bus at Ashland and Lake St. let you off steps from the event).
The full lineup:
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2010
North Stage
8:30pm-10:00pm >> The Chemical Brothers
6:30pm-7:30pm >> Paul Van Dyk
4:30pm-5:30pm >> Orchard Lounge
Groupon: What’s a Music? Stage
7:30pm-8:30pm >> Pretty Lights
5:30pm-6:30pm >> Paul Kalkbrenner
Red Bull Local Stage
9:00pm-10:00pm >> m.sylvia & DJ Kibo
8:00pm-9:00pm >> Mettle
7:00pm-8:00pm >> Wyllys
6:00pm-7:00pm >> Paul Universe
5:00pm-6:00pm >> XPOSUR vs Clark Kent
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2010
North Stage
8:30pm-10:00pm >> Umphrey’s McGee
6:30pm-7:30pm >> Jay Electronica
4:30pm-5:30pm >> Grace Potter & the Nocturnals
2:30pm-3:30pm >> New Mastersounds
12:30pm-1:30pm >> “Toast of the Coast” Band Winner
Groupon: What’s a Music? Stage
7:30pm-8:30pm >> De La Soul
5:30pm-6:30pm >> The New Deal
3:30pm-4:30pm >> Van Ghost
1:30pm-2:30pm >> Alabaster Brown
Coast Stage
9:00pm-10:00pm >> Moby (DJ)
8:00pm-9:00pm >> Boys Noize
6:30pm-7:30pm >> Future Rock
5:00pm-6:00pm >> Benga
3:45pm-4:45pm >> Laidback Luke
2:30pm-3:30pm >> Two Fresh
1:00pm-2:00pm >> “Toast of the Coast” MC Winner
Red Bull Local Stage
9:00pm-10:00pm >> Hey Champ
7:30pm-8:30pm >> Family Groove Company
6:30pm-7:30pm >> Midnight Conspiracy
6:00pm-6:30pm >> Rukus
5:00pm-6:00pm >> The Comeups
4:00pm-5:00pm >> Tima Fei & Phat!van
3:00pm-4:00pm >> Strange Arrangement
2:00pm-3:00pm >> Great Divide
1:00pm-2:00pm >> Land of Atlantis
12:00pm-1:00pm >> Save the Clocktower
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2010
North Stage
8:30pm-10:00pm >> Nas & Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley
6:30pm-7:30pm >> Flying Lotus
4:30pm-5:30pm >> Holy Ghost!
2:30pm-3:30pm >> Phantogram
1:00pm-1:45pm >> The Coop
Groupon: What’s a Music? Stage
7:30pm-8:30pm >> Lupe Fiasco
5:30pm-6:30pm >> Mayer Hawthorne & The County
3:30pm-4:30pm >> Dirty Dozen Brass Band
1:45pm-2:30pm >> Loyal Divide
Coast Stage
8:30pm-10:00pm >> The Disco Biscuits
7:00pm-8:00pm >> Green Velvet (Live)
5:30pm-6:30pm >> Claude VonStroke
4:15pm-5:15pm >> Benny Benassi
3:00pm-4:00pm >> Maps and Atlases
2:00pm-3:00pm >> Skeet Skeet
1:00pm-2:00pm >> “Toast of the Coast” DJ Winner
Red Bull Local Stage
9:00pm-10:00pm >> Gemini Club
8:00pm-9:00pm >> Gabe Real
7:00pm-8:00pm >> Papa G
6:00pm-7:00pm >> Stephen Paul Smoker
5:00pm-6:00pm >> Trew
4:00pm-5:00pm >> The Right Now
3:00pm-4:00pm >> Mario Florek
2:15pm-3:00pm >> Bobby De Maria & Tsunami
1:30pm-2:15pm >> DJ Lips
1:00pm-1:30pm >> D.E.E.
Navy Pier is one of those places most Chicagoans only visit when friends and family are in town — When you want to show off the city and you need something tourist-y to do with your relatives. This summer, don’t put Navy Pier on the back burner. There are plenty of things to do even when you don’t need to entertain out-of-town guests (but it’s great for that too).
Navy Pier is home to the 15-story high Ferris Wheel, which is a staple for dates and a great way to shake-up a night out with friends. The Shakespare Theatre is a fantastic place to enjoy classic plays. Check the theater’s calendar for your favorites and treat yourself to a special experience. Now through August 29th, see the Emperor’s New Clothes — a silly classic tale for the whole family. Or see all the best 3D movies at the IMAX movie theater. The 60×80 foot screen makes both 2D and 3D movies come to life. Right now you can enjoy the Twilight Saga Eclipse in 3D, the Hubble 3D experience, and Inception in 3D.
For a more relaxing evening or daytime activity, take a cruise. There are many sightseeing cruises to choose from which are fun even for Chicago experts who think they’ve seen it all. Cruises occur on a day by day schedule and include architectural themes, skyline themes, historical themes, Chicago movie themes and even cruises specifically for dinning and enjoying the fireworks displays.
Speaking of fireworks — Wednesday and Saturday nights at 9:30pm enjoy spectacular displays from the pier. Watch the show while synchronized music fills the background from B96, Fresh FM and Jack FM.
For an equally sparkling experience don’t miss Cirque Shanghai’s Cloud 9. Now through September 6th, the Chinese performers amaze audiences with their acrobatics. It’s a great way to spice up a weekend when you’re tired of going out to the same bars, restaurants, music venues, and movie theaters.
August 24th – 29th you cannot miss the Tall Ships Chicago event. Over 20 historic ships from the U.S., Europe, and Canada will arrive at Navy Pier for a mile-long display. As a celebration of the history of Chicago and Navy Pier, the event will be a breathtaking experience. It all begins with a parade of ships across Lake Michigan as they enter Navy Pier. There will also be activities including: ship tours, sailing adventures, arts and crafts booths, entertainment, and fireworks displays every night.
And for when the relatives are in town, check out the Navy Pier All Day Fun Package. The package includes one Cirque Shanghai Gold Circle Ticket, one Ferris Wheel Voucher, one Shoreline Sightseeing Skyline Lake Tour Voucher, and one RIVA Restaurant Coupon Voucher for 20% off food purchase. All for the surprisingly cheap price of $35.75 — It’ll make every tourist and Chicagoan happy.
Navy Pier’s slogan “Go A Little Overboard” is quite fitting for a place with so much to indulge in. So next time, either when you’re entertaining guests or looking for a little entertainment yourself, check out Navy Pier and all it has to offer.
This Saturday and Sunday is the 27th annual Taste of Lincoln Avenue. This exciting and very popular street festival features more than 40 musical acts on five stages, an art fair, food vendors, and a kids’ activities area.
Musical entertainment includes: local pop, rock, blues, and local cover bands. Headliners this year are Soul Asylum, The Freddy Jones Band, soul/R&B legend Otis Clay, and Australian harmonica/didgeridoo player Harper.
Over at the art fair area local artists will showcase their works along with sale items. Browse everything from paintings and sculptures to jewelry and accessories. There will also be a shaded wine garden for wine enthusiasts. While you are shopping or listening to the live musical acts you can sample food from local restaurants. Food and beverage vendors will have booths along the event.
The Kids’ Carnival is open everyday from noon to 6pm on Altgeld between Lincoln and Halsted. There will be live children’s entertainment, inflatable playthings, a petting zoo, and pony rides. A face painter, magician, and puppeteer will make special appearances as well.
There is a $7 suggested daytime donation and a $10 suggested evening donation. Proceeds benefit the Wrightwood Neighbors Association which makes grants to charitable and educational organizations serving the local community.
The Taste of Lincoln Avenue is a great weekend event for the whole family.
This year marks the 25th year of the Irish American Heritage Festival on Chicago’s northwest side. Hosted by the Irish American Heritage Center, the family-oriented festival celebrates Irish heritage with music, food, dancing, cultural exhibits, and activities.
Pre-sale tickets are $8, tickets at the event are $14, and children under 12 enter free. All proceeds benefit the operation of the Irish American Heritage Center – whose dedication to preserving Irish heritage and history in Chicago is unsurpassed.
This year headlining the music line-up are: The Elders, Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul, The Tossers, Scythain, and The Makem & Spain Brothers. Other acts include traditional performances by the Chicago Celtic Pipe Band and The Irish Music School of Chicago as well as many others.
Enjoy traditional Irish dance performances from dance schools around the Midwest including: The Sheila Tully Academy of Irish Dance, The Foy School of Traditional Irish Dance, The Trinity Academy of Irish Dance, The O’Hare School of Irish Dance, The Mullane-Healy-O’Brien Irish Dance Academy, and many more.
On Friday, don’t miss the ever-entertaining Mashed Potato Eating Contest. Champion eaters as well as regular festival goers can participate in this hilarious competition. Prizes will be awarded to the winners.
If you’re single and looking for the right Irish lad or lass, be sure to participate in the Hooley Hook-up on Friday night. A fresh take on the tradition – music, dancing, drink specials, and activities will guide participants to their matches. Professional matchmakers will also be of assistance to get the sparks flying.
Arts and crafts vendors as well as food and beverage vendors will be showcasing their specialties. Browse authentic Irish works of art and cultural items throughout the event. And don’t forget to sample the cuisine available from local Irish-American restaurants at their booths as you enjoy the other festivities.
The festival starts Friday July 9th at noon and continues to July 11th closing at 11 pm. The event takes place at the Irish American Heritage Center at 4626 N. Knox Avenue.
