Passing of the Unicorn: A new day!

Last week I blogged about moving on, and as it turns out it is actually happening. Wow.

Passing of the unicorn to M Cowen

I've tried to keep this hush-hush, as I'm not for sharing the details of my life. You might say that I blew my cover when I blogged about moving last week. Au contraire mon fraire! A dirty secret about social media is that no one reads blogs.That was one of my top posts. It had 28 hits.

My ostensible reason for writing this post has to do with the US Masters Swimming team I've been pleased to be a part of for the past the six years, the Chicago Smelts. Master's swimming is hardcore, competitive swimming for adults who like that sort of thing. Right. Maybe you're asking where I fit? I've devoted myself to working behind the scenes, not to competing. Like in my professional life, I make sh*t happen and I do it pretty darn well.

Warning: Somewhat emotive portion of this post-  I've met some of 'my people' here. Really. The sort of friends that aren't temporal or limited in scope. They've welcomed me into their lives and vice versa. I'm better for it, and I hope they are too.

So it's time to pass along the unofficial 'mascot,' the unicorn.

A symbolic gesture, but not a hollow gesture. Tell me about a time you've passed your own 'unicorn'....

Miss you; maybe

I'm moving on which is good. I'm ready for a change, a new city and new opportunities.

Miss you; maybe

Sure I'm leaving behind good friends and family. But they might not like me so well if I stayed. I'm looking at this as a two year posting, then I'll assess from there. Nothing is forever, and besides friends and family can visit. Jeepers, call me every day if you want. You don't now, but you can start.

As my time in my familiar spaces grows shorter, and I think, 'Self, what will I miss?' That's an interesting thought, when you stop to examine. Would it make more sense to think of the things I won't miss? I don't want to write screed, so I'm going to avoid that.

But let's start by considering what it means to miss something or someone. Here's my perspective- I always like to think that if you miss something, that means you liked it in the first place. It (whatever it is) brought some pleasure, reassurance or satisfaction. I've got a long list, which is a good sign. Best to leave on good terms with fond memories. Right?

Here's a list in no particular order:

• Chicago Smelts
• Northshore Book Club
• Bike rides around Northwestern University
• Ba Le Sandwhiches- the sardine sub rocks!
• Taquerias on Clark Street
• Summer Sundays at Hollywood Beach - which I guess is now Osterman Beach and thus betrays me as old skewl
• Office space and friends at Creative Commune
• Being alone in my own home (sometimes)

Dirty secret- there are some things about the above I won't miss. But definitely missing more than not missing.

I'd love to hear from you. Have you moved a lot? What do you think of the concept of missing?

Let's discuss...

Only in Pilsen: Dia de los Muertos and Environmental Rights

How many times have you pledged to explore in your home town? How many times have you?

Dia de los Muertos participants

Right. So on Nov 2nd, I found temperate weather and my bicycle pointed towards Pilsen's Dia de los Muertos procession. As you'd imagine, the event didn't disappoint. Mexico, its people (home based or diaspora) and culture have a penchant of turning the mundane into the sublime.

I was also reminded of an issue that looms in this dynamic neighborhood. That is the drive for clean air, and the right to have unfettered access to clean air. Enter the Pilsen Environmental Rights and Reform Organization (P.E.R.R.O). Clean air- and access to it- are precious and precarious. In Pilsen the air quality has generated citations from the EPA.

The issue hasn't gone uncovered by the media- periodically generating local coverage of the Clean Power Ordinance and PERRO's advocacy (along with Chicago Clean Power Coalition) to pressure Midwest Generation to close or significantly reduce emissions from the Fisk and Crawford coal plants. Midwest Generation owns and operates the old coal fired power plants that were sold by ComEd (Exelon). Coal is nasty, and it has severe affects on communities- from its extraction to its burning. Sulfur dioxide is perhaps the best known by product, and it leads to respiratory ailments, acid rain etc. Yet, like me, you probably expect the lights to work in your home, and for it to stay heated during the winter months. Consider me guilty of those expectations.

The Clean Power Ordinance (see above) haltingly working it's way through the local legislative grinder. However, elections/politics/vested interests have a tendency to delay, obfuscate, and/or alter the final law.

Ofreda at Dvork Park Field House

You might say that for the residents of Pilsen, there is no delay. Most of us need to breathe regularly. And we seem to have little trouble funding wars, business tax breaks, TIFF's etc- and fully recognizing each of these as disparate issues, but air pollution is entirely rectifiable.

Ultimately this will be resolved- the right thing will be done once all other options are exhausted. So explore your city. I for one love finding something else when I'm busy looking for something.

My Diary Is So Much Better Than My Blog

Parsing belongings in advance moving, and I came across a journal I once kept. The entries go back a decade to the day, and remind me of people, events etc I've long relegated to the recesses of my brain. To my credit the entries are well written- they have a distinct 'voice' and direction. I give my decade ago self kudos for that.

Dear Diary- Shall I keep you another 10 years?

This has me thinking that my journal is way better than my blog. I mean that. The journal- okay let's go ahead and call it a diary- is the truly 'authentic' form of communication.  Bloggers/social media strategists expend much labor and angst in pursuit of the appearance of authenticity. One catch, unlike my blog, I don't want anyone to read my diary. If it were published, it wouldn't be the end of the world, but it's not my first choice. My diary was never intended as a work for publication.

My blog? Well, that's a different story. For the most part, I want you to read this. I try to write thoughtful posts, promote them, tag them etc. To that end I'm asking you- begging in some cases- to read this. Few people do- and when I compare these divergent objectives- I daresay we've hit on a qualitative limitation of the blog.

Doesn't reading a diary seem way more juicy than reading a blog? To me it does. It's the difference between raw, unadulterated thought and, well, positioning. A diary is my darkest/deepest thoughts: it's where I kiss and tell. Blogging is PR.

Would you rather ready my blog or my diary?

Should I keep this diary or burn it? Burning would be ceremonial- from ashes to ashes we all go- thus consigning it to the ages. I have to admit I'm torn.

What do you think?

Evanston Mash Up- Hang With Those Smarter Than You!

I've been busy guesting at Evanston Live on the Mash Up.

No need to neglect Crier any longer. But, I'm going to make this a concise post.

Quick question- can you spot someone who is smarter than you? If yes, and if this does not cause an existential crisis, then you probably understand that there is much you can learn from these people. The premise is simple: you can learn from people who have knowledge that you don't. Here's a great way to start:

Evanston's Brain Trust Mash Up

• Visit @EvanstonLive and read the post
• Attend the Mash Up- tickets are available as of this writing
• Collaborate with those who are smarter than you- they do exist!

I've spent a good portion of this year seeking opportunities to learn all I can from others. I seek out those I know to be smarter than me, or at least more knowledgeable about a specific topic. Many of them are willing to share their experiences. What do I take from this? That those who are able to bring others together, who can incite them to share their experiences and see how they complement one another stand to gain. Gain what you ask? The collective power, the Groundswell, of talent that when moving in the same direction is an irrestible force.

That's the genius of an event like the Mash Up, and it is unique to a place like Evanston. In short- it's where the people are smarter than you.

Summer 2011---> Getting Punk'd

Since yesterday was Labor/Labour Day, I didn't post.

I'm going to trust that most of the loyal readers of this blog decided to take the day. As the final holiday of the summer season I am always a little glum. Let me be clear that 'autumn' does not officially begin until the 21st of September. But here are some points, on the season that was:

Summer Waning

• This year in particular, I feel like I sat out the summer. The arm issue didn't help matters. For those of you who don't know, I had a fracture in my upper humerus which kept me somewhat sidelined. Since I'm not the best patient- by any means- I did maintain an adequate schedule of activities.
• I did manage to make it to several outdoor swims, albeit at my reduced pace. That's not too bad, considering the condition things where in on Memorial Day 2011.
• Learned the value of doing more by doing somewhat less. This is a topic for many other posts, but sometimes you can actually do better by slowing down a little. That's provocative for sure.

Autumn is a lovely season for sure. Many nice days, ideal for activities like cycling etc. I intend to enjoy, and not pay too much attention to the shortening days and the sun that sinks ever perceptively into the southern sky. I take heart though, as even that has its limit.  Winter is no longer than Summer, but it does seem to linger like a nasty abscess.

Memorial Day 2012 is on the 28th of May. Mark your calendars!

Sunday--->Funday?! Sliding into the last days of Summer

Summer is slowly fading fast. So sayeth Henry Saiz. I came across that quote mid-winter in the northern hemisphere. The tables are turned, and I am becoming wistful- perhaps prematurely- for our own Summer. It is beginning to fade slowly, but quickly.

An injury had me sometime sidelined for most of the summer, so now I am beginning to gorge on all the Summer fun I can. Yesterday presented an ideal opportunity.

Norwood Park- by Chicago Park District

Check out the photo. Let me ask you, when was the last time you slid down a water slide? If you are like me, and I'm a fairly active adult, you can probably measure the time in decades. I'm just saying. And, if you are like me, you probably feel that is too long.

It is too long. And let me tell you, the slide was epic! So too was the picnic afterwards. So too was the company. What more could one want? Well, except maybe another month of Summer.

Farewell!? Making Lemonade in This New American Century

The party is over. Everyone is making off into the pre-dawn hours.

Los Angeles from the Getty Center

Last night I had dinner with a friend, KM,  who is returning to her native Los Angeles. She will be missed. Interestingly this is a 'first person' friendship that was just beginning to take form.  What you may ask do I mean by first person friendship? KM was originally a friend of a friend (FOF). Our link departed some months ago, and we took up where he left us. Usually when that vital link disappears, you discover you haven't much in common with the remaining friends. It just doesn't work some how- you just aren't that in to each other.

Not so with KM. We genuinely enjoy each other. So it was a treat to dine in the outdoors, sip a bit of wine and chat about the future. We are both at this juncture where events have conspired to open an expanse of future. That is a future for the making. If you asked me five years ago what the future held, I'd probably have a clearer answer than I do today. I think this is a tremendous opportunity for the taking.

And so we shall. There is no other option. One nice thing about contemporary times (and let's be honest there are many), is that no one ever really goes away. Being in contact is easier than ever. Plus dispersing friends across the globe opens options for weekend get-a-way's.

How is that for making lemonade in the new American century?

Chicago Full Moon Fire Jam- Pyrotechnics in Action

Do you play with fire for fun?

Some do, and if you fall into this category the Full Moon Fire Jam could be for you! Spontaneously last night, I was inspired to join as a spectator. The premise is artful, but simple. Here I'm quoting from the site:

We practice fire as an art form, with passion, anytime, anywhere, for any reason.

For any reason!? Does that sound militant? Maybe it could be re-written to place less emphasis on spontaneous pyrotechnics. Which is what the above implies. However these events are planned to coincide with the waxing full moon. The Fire Jam is approximate, as the performers can't obtain permits for pyrotechnic events on Fridays or Saturdays. It says so on the site, and I have to wonder why. It's not like the people who perform or are most likely to attend are the demo most likely to need to arise early on a Monday morning. If it is for safety purposes, should these events get out of hand, wouldn't that be just as likely to happen on a Sunday as on a Saturday?

Who performs in these you may be asking? Well, literally a devoted band of followers. The demo is sort of a melange of the Bristol Renaissance Faire meets Lord of the Dance meets Mad Max. This could be your scene if you can answer yes to any of the following:

• Do you like to dress as a troll, a dragon, a Lord or a Lady? 
• Do you like reenactments? 
• Do you have a keen sense of the dystopian future? 
• Do you go by a moniker like Turbo Rainbow? 
• Are you a contemporary, macrame fashionista?

On last observation, and this is going to betray me as not a true Fire Jammer. To the fellow who takes and holds the ignition source, a fuel of some sort, in his mouth and spews it to create the fire ball....is that a little risky? What does that do to your periodontal well being? Really that is more of a rhetorical musing, but if any of you would like to comment, by all means.

The next Fire Jam is on September 12th at 7pm. Maybe see you there.

Tree for Life

The other night, I was led to this tree.

Three pronged approach?

It is in a somewhat shady neighborhood. I'll let you parse the irony.

But here 'tis.

Interesting iterations in nature, eh? I'd love to hear from the cracker jack arborist or botanist how the trois trunk effect occurs? Is anyone from the Chicago Botanic Garden reading this blog?

While we await response,  I'll leave it to you to guess where this tree resides. One of you knows the exact location.

And on that note, thank you for sharing it with me!

Communal Living: Pragmatism Not Psychedelics

neal-schindler.blogspot.com- he joined Ravenna Kibbutz

Communal living probably isn't for me. I'm just being frank, and perhaps that lends credibility to this post. Really you're getting truly objective insight here.

On Friday @itsbarry and I joined a group here in the 'hood for Friday evening Shabbos. I formally met this group when I was coming home the previous Friday evening, and they extended an invite. They are organized around communal living principles meaning they share labors, food preparation and so forth. If you venture by their place, you'll note they are quite adept at container gardening.

An air of the kibbutz movement on a north side street. I'd been by this place maybe twice per day going on seven years now. The building itself was once abandoned at the beginning of the mortgage meltdown, fell into disrepair, was condemned, but taken over by some fellows who launched this community. Rubble begets a new day! The kibbutz movement is founded on that principle if I'm not mistaken.

I'm not a religious person by any measure, though I maintain an appreciation for and ongoing interest in culture. This experience delivered! After welcoming the Sabbath, we sat down to a lovely supper and got to know some of the participants. Many of whom, like us were visiting. An eclectic mix of a rabbi, a professional musician, students and some communal livers.

I'm not altogether clear how this is organized, and that isn't entirely accidental. I've learned to appreciate that sort of ambiguity. I really don't need to know all the insight, and pearls of wisdom are often revealed over time.

What does one take from this? Well, I'm not turning to religion nor am I poised to embrace communal living. Sorry to disappoint. But, as is generally the theme of this blog, it is all about the experience. Some of the best just happen to be right under your nose. If you take the time to see them. It may actually be extending you an invitation.

Taking a Moment to Get Caught in the #Rain

Do you have time to get caught in the rain?

I'm going to guess that the answer is no.

As the past week has proved you may not have much of a choice. We aren't talking about a mere drizzle, as we've been experiencing epic downpours.

Provided your basement hasn't flooded, your garden washed away, or your car flattened by a falling tree you can find surprising natural beauty.

And, apropos of the above, and the recent heat waves, and the frequent torrential downpours (to say nothing of the epic snowstorms of this past winter)- to say nothing of the fact that this is a sampling of one year.  This is pretty much everything reputable scientists said would occur with a warming climate. Let me emphasize reputable scientists.

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the scenery.

Secret Gardens: Scaling the Wall via Reintroduction

Do you have a secret garden? Okay, I'm posing a loaded question because you are probably wondering if I mean this literally or metaphorically.

My answer: both!

Yesterday I was accompanying a dear friend around the city. She lived here once, had been delaying a visit, but the time was right. She was in the situation a good number of us have experienced when you reencounter a good friend you haven't seen in years. You know you still care for them, perhaps deeply, but interestingly you can't make much conversation. That must be the shock of unrealistic expectation. Quickly you realize you've both changed, there's almost no point in recounting it all, so you're basically reintroducing yourself.

Yesterday we found this secret garden. I won't reveal the location- as it is a secret- at least to us. But I love the notion, and the original tale by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Where am I going with all of this? That is long ago friends, out of town visits, and secret gardens.

Well, if you are familiar with the tale and the character of Ben Weatherstaff, maybe you like to peer over the garden walls. What you find may surprise you- pleasantly or maybe not so. Maybe it forces you to reconsider your expectations? That can be a valuable experience.

I believe secrets are meant to be kept. But tell me, do you have a secret garden?

Eye Candy

While getting back up to speed, please take a moment to enjoy the eye candy.

San Francisco Localism

As of late last week, I've traveled to the end of the continent: San Francisco.

Since I'm writing this post on Independence Day, I'm going to make this a concise entry.

On each of my trips to this quirky city, I find a unique urban artifact. This time it's the breadth of localism here, and specifically the locavore food production movement.

No better display of this than at the Saturday market at the Ferry Building. The genesis of the movement arises from concern over climate change (it takes carbon to ship food long distances); an appreciation for fresh produce (food must be preserved etc to ship thousands of miles); and a desire to support local, organic producers (someone has to do it! Really, we all admire the local farmer but they must sell their goods).

Adherence in NoCal is simple, there are ample resources for fresh produce, dairy, and meat within 100 miles.

San Franciscans have taken to the movement with gusto. It is tangible in the crowds, and infused in the air on Saturday at the Ferry Building. I am no stranger to this market, but this time I'm taken by the strength of this movement. I have to wonder if we are moving to a post hyper market world, and returning to smaller scale producers. If yes, I think this is the vanguard of an admirable movement. It is a pleasure to behold.

Destination Chicago Botanic Garden: Splendor in Vivid Color and Monchrome

It is the sign of a civilized society to devote time to horticulture. Each time I visit a botanic garden, I think just this. That someone took the time to build all of this, and were even encouraged to do so, is remarkable.

Yesterday I found myself in the company of several good friends (HK, BK, RE, BP) on a cycling journey up the North Branch Trail to the Chicago Botanic Garden. Since this was our first jaunt, and bowing to a friend's ankle injury, we began at Dempster Street in Morton Grove. For those of you familiar with the trail, it begins at Caldwell Woods on Devon. The garden is accessible by several trails from the city, and from several directions.

Think of the garden not so much as a visual display of well tended flora, which it is. But it is also living display of horticulture's influence across cultures. It seems since the dawn of recorded civilization, admirers have taken refuge in gardens. To admire the visual applications- both in the variety of color but also the beauty of monochrome- partake of the fragrant, seasonal blooms is a hallmark of an adult culture. Let me emphasize on a note above that the varying shades of green can be intense. The camera really fails to capture that texture.

Another, maybe not altogether fully appreciated, aspect of the garden is the effort in execution. Not simply the tending of the garden, but of the museum, and of tracking all the plant varietals. Did you realize that people are employed to document the plants? Yes, all of them- it is a museum. And yes, someone must do this, and do it well, for us to enjoy.

My advice, if you want it, is to visit. Admission is free- but parking will cost you. An added bonus is Summer Concerts (Monday through Thursday). Getting there is part of the fun, and the oxygen is intoxicating added value!

Florence + The Machine: An Ethereal Journey from Bonnaroo to Chicago

I love it when you make arrangements four months prior to the actual event. The event 'sneak' is an added bonus.

So was the case with the Florence + The Machine concert. We had an eclectic crew in tow too, and a nice pre-dinner at Agami. I'll leave it to @phepbu to address that element.

Florence in case you haven't noticed, has been making hay in the music world as of late. She's been at Bonnaroo- the June 10 kick off to her US tour. This lithe and lovely performer, fresh from the rolling fields of TN was truly a pleasure to behold. While she is certainly her own performer- and distinct at that- I'd best describe her as a six corner intersection of Kate Bush, Bjork and Tori Amos. The audience demos reflect that too- suitably alternative yet everyone appeared to have bathed recently. A melange of gays, lesbians who looked like Joan Jet, modish straight girls, contemporary looking more mature women. People watching is one of the added bonuses of live music I think.

I was joined by some of my besties RGO (thanks for organizing!), SG, PH (check out his blog above), CP, and Pauline.  I think they were all as psyched as I, and the show didn't disappoint. It was visual as well as auditory candy. Being held at the Aragon Ballroom- a mish-mash in its own right only enhanced the experience. If you see Florence, you won't soon forget. It is no exaggeration to call her lithe, and the sprite-ish attire (long flowing garment with lots of leg) radiated vertical presence. The cycle of celestial themed scenery bespoke an other-wordly experience. Was this a transformative experience?

Finally, not to turn this into an anti-Ticketmaster screed, but was it necessary for this venue to use them? Ticketmaster is heavy handed with concert goers in the way Stalin was with peasants. Why do they nee to charge to print tickets at home? Really? Because they didn't do that five or so years ago. I mean what does that cost them? Ticketmaster, along with airlines and conspiracy theorists persist in spite of themselves. Ostensibly they shouldn't exist, as common sense would dictate otherwise. But then again, who is worse? Because we all paid to print our tickets at home. Note to Flo- you are talented enough to not need Ticketmaster!

Bottom line, see Flo. If you can feasibly avoid Ticketmaster- bonus for you.

A Window to the World- via a Cake Shop

I had two events this weekend which ostensibly should've both been a blog post. Alas, I wasn't feeling either of them to be honest.

The first, a Bootsy Collins concert was rather lacking. The people watching was by far the best-in-show. That was a good mixture of hipsters, peeps like BK and me, and some old-skewl black people. The performance itself, very little Bootsy with bad acoustics, and lots of back-up singers. Maybe that's what one gets with a back-up act?

The second, Andersonville's Midsommarfest. Not much into street fairs so enough said.

Which takes me north to Evanston and Bennison's Bakery with their window. I'm transfixed by this unobtrusively social feature. If you are lucky you can catch one of the master bakers practicing their craft. Bennison's also features a live webcam and a blog- which could use some updating. You could also follow them (@BennisonsBakery), but seeing the window is a must.

Why do I write about this? Well, I find the window to be one of those quirky, yet essential asides from the urban(ish) landscape. If you pass by frequently enough, you may miss it. I love being able to take the time to gawk at the rainbow icings, and if I'm lucky get a glimpse of the expert practitioners. I love watching craftsmen (or women at work). I don't even have a sweet tooth, but I could always enjoy one of the Croque Monsieur's.  I'll file this away under the 'experential collections.'

It is the experience that is essential! Visit Bennison's and enjoy!

A Late Spring Eve's Dream- Party in a Garden!

How do you raise some dough for a contemporary dance company? In this case River North Dance Chicago.

You marshal the collective resources of your urbane, artistic circle and host the Garden Party & Art Auction. This year I was delighted to be directly supporting the event promotions and recruitment of local artists. If you have a moment, I recommend you visit the pages of my peeps:

• Red Heidi - Jewelry- hand crafted, elegant designs. You can commission her directly or purchase at Avram Eisen Gallery or Women and Children First bookstore.
• Roberto Cabrera- Leading contemporary visual artist, graduate of and adjunct instructor at SAIC.
• Jennifer Kohnke- Award winning illustrator- her works appear often in the Chicago Tribune and if you ever check out the weather in the Trib then chances are you are looking at one of her meteorological maps.

Also pleased to have local blogger, (although he is still blogging on his recent Vancouver trip- he's a transplant) PH. 

So other than linking you to all of my friends who happen to have sites, what you may ask is the purpose of this post? Well to highlight a thoroughly enjoyable event, and to lend a social shout-out to how a arts organization leverages its connections to raise much needed dough. The answer is to make the experience as enjoyable as possible! That may well be the genius or motivator behind such labors of love. My good friend, and former client, MR has certainly poured much of himself into these events over the years. It was so nice to be able to bring together a few of my peeps, generate some exposure for their endeavors, and raise some green. Added bonus is to enhance and enrich the cultural landscape of our fair city. Richard Florida has long had much to say on this subject.

A worthy effort for a Saturday evening. I wonder if they'll ask me to collude on the annual benefit in November?

In the meantime, I urge you to visit the River North site where you can peruse videos of some of their performances.  Also that of Homey Gallery the gracious host of the event.

A dreamy late spring eve.

Movie Review: Bill Cunningham New York

"After Memorial Day: White Rules"- so says Bill Cunningham's Facebook page

How did this unassuming octogenarian fashion and society columnist get to be the subject of an indie-esq documentary, and the arbiter of fashion? When you consider too that he hasn't much of a taste for fashion this is particularly remarkable.

It appears the answer is decency. Yes, decency and kindness in NYC no less. And also a laser like focus on his work. This is someone who has devoted his life to covering fashion and society. And remains fully engaged after decades on the job. He lives alone in a small studio at Carnegie Hall, rides a red Schwinn through the streets of Manhattan, and sartorially speaking dons the same uniform daily. Remarkable? Quite!

This is a sampling of the persona examined in Bill Cunningham: New York from Zeitgeist Films. I was initially drawn to this film from some years of enjoying his column in the Sunday NYT. Further intrigued when a good friend, HK, sent her highest recommendation. Added bonus- a trip to Chicago's Music Box Theater.

What did I find? A touching (seriously) portrayal of a gentleman (I use that word in its truest sense), who is utterly devoted to a profession and life that he loves. Elements of his personal life are addressed, and it is done so in a gracious manner. Respectful in every way.

From my own experience, Bill Cunningham's person embodies the best of his generation. That is a commitment to service, decency, humility and relationships. I think there is something for us all to take from this portrayal. One last bit of wisdom Bill imparts- 'If you look closely enough for beauty, eventually you will find it [sic]'.

The verdict: enjoyable in every sense!

Chicago Symphony Orchestra- An Afternoon Matinee Review and Musings

It isn't often, although not unprecedented, that I score tickets to a Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) Friday afternoon matinee. My dear friend, and fellow CSO lover, RGO was kind enough to give me her ticket. Thinking this indulgence was permissible provided I blogged, off I went.

What did I find? A salute to Trumpet Treasures with Ludovic Morlot conducting, and Christopher Martin on trumpet. Martin is a CSO Principal, and Friday's performance was an all-French program of 20th century works. Following is the featured program:

• Dutilleux- Symphony No 2 (Le Double)
• Jolivet- Concertino for Trumpet
• Tomasi- Trumpet Concerto
• Roussel- Suite No 2 from Bacchus and Ariadne, Op 43

Full disclosure, other than enjoying fine music and listening regularly (via local programmer WFMT), I am by no means knowledgeable in the top-tier sense. Maybe you know someone who can evaluate the quality of performances, recordings etc? Well, that's not me. That said, I found this to be a thoroughly enjoyable concert. I am sure I was surrounded by some who are true fine music afficianados. But then again maybe they, like me were simply there to enjoy this lovely music on a Friday afternoon in May. While the quality of any CSO performance is unsurpassed- to this I can attest- it is always approachable and accessible.

On this afternoon I found myself enjoying the Tomasi works particularly. Henri Tomasi's first foray into composing was in the many movie houses of Marseilles, with a particular fondness for the films of Charlie Chaplin. During his years at the Paris Conservatory he continued to perform in cafes, hotels, cinemas and the occasional brothel to earn a living. This, I felt, evident in the music- with an almost jazz-like, melodic quality. It served to briefly transport me to the movie houses and cafes (if not a brothels) of Paris in the early to mid 20th century. Accessible music with a slightly bohemian pedigree.

I take any chance I can get to attend CSO. To the few who read this blog, I recommend a visit. It is a lovely way to spend an afternoon or evening. By doing so you are also supporting one of the cultural icons of Chicago. With that in mind I am looking forward to the summer, Sunday afternoon concerts at Ravinia Festival. Also, In Chicago we are fortunate to have classical programming from not only WFMT, but others like WNUR. Opportunity abounds if you seize it!