Ok, so Frank Sinatra said it first, but…. Chicago really is…

I’ve been going several times a year for about the last seven. It started in 2011 with a photography exhibit: Finding Vivian Maier: Chicago Street Photographer at the Chicago Cultural Center. I don’t remember how I first learned of Vivan Maier, but I sure wanted to see this exhibit, which was the first of her work in her hometown.

So I talked an opera buff friend into going with me. Lyric Opera was performing Lohengrin at Civic Opera House on Wacker Dr., and that was enough to get him to sign on. I had seen a bit of opera before, but not in such an awesome setting by an awesome company. I was hooked!

I’ve been going to Chicago about three or four times a year since and just got back last night from the most recent adventure. The trips continue to be about opera and photography. What has changed is that I now have a bunch of photog friends in Chicago to hang out with!

We spent Saturday morning in the Garfield Park Conservatory, moved to The Loop for lunch at Monk’s Pub, then roamed for awhile, including an obligatory visit to the Bean.

Shout out to Michelle Dakuras, Tami Beavis, Tim Karas, Tom Tran, and Adam Dooley and his girlfriend, Allison, whose last name I do not recall. Great to see y’all! And I’ll be back in town Dec. 7.

Sure hope you’ll make the next one, Lauri Novak. Yes, I am aware that Dec. 7 is sign-up for Hunt 27. You can help us remember to sign up!