Ravenswood neighborhood

Art Institute

One of the lions guarding the Chicago Art Institute

Night alley

Chicago Gold Coast

Andersonville

Andersonville was originally the Swedish neighborhood of Chicago. Nowadays you also see a lot of Middle Eastern and Mexican culture there. It is also famous for being very gay and lesbian friendly. Kind of like a grown-up version of Boystown (for those of you who don't know Chicago very well - Boystown is a gay party-neighborhood in Chicago).

The Swedish influences are still very much visible all over Andersonville though.

Swedish shop in Andersonville where I hear Swedish spoken whenever I am there

Mural at a Swedish cafe/restaurant

I have never met a Swede or a Norwegian that I didn't like (and believe me, I've met a lot, even lived with a few), maybe that's why I love this neighborhood so much.

Free concerts in Millenium Park

Millenium Park is in the middle of the loop in Chicago. And in this park, there is this amazing stage on which they hold free concerts throughout the summer. People bring picnic blankets, wine and cheese (or as in our case - Corona and roasted almonds) and make it an evening out with friends, listening to music and being surrounded by the Chicago skyline.

Sheffield Garden Walk

The Sheffield Garden Walk is a yearly neighborhood festival with concerts, food and drinks. I am not quite sure why it's called "Garden Walk" as I didn't see any gardens in the area the festival was held in. Nevertheless, my friends invited me to join them to see two bands they liked in concerts and I did.

The location

Terri Hemmert - my favorite radio DJ from my favorite Chicago radio channel - 93XRT presented the first band

Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears playing at sundown