On Sunday, July 6, 2025, Chicago’s Shia Muslim Community observed Āshūrā (عَاشُورَاء) in Daley Plaza. Here are my thoughts about and images from the commemoration of Husayn ibn Ali, the prophet Muhammad’s grandson.
All in Chicago Tourism
Cultural District
On July 1, 2025, Chicago’s Ukrainian Community celebrated Ukrainian Village’s recent designation as an Illinois State-Designated Cultural District. Here are my thoughts about and images from the celebration at the Ukrainian Cultural Center
Gone Mainstream
Chicago’s 54th Annual Gay Pride Parade rolled through Lakeview’s streets today. Here are my thoughts about and images from the parade.
Blues Fest, Day 2
The 2025 Chicago Bluesfest opened its run in Chicago’s Millennium Park today. For me, the big name of the day was Christone “Kingfish” ingram who played during the B.B. Ing Centennial Tribute on the main stage at the Pritzker Pavilion. Tomorrow Kingfish is the headliner. Here are my thoughts about Kingfish’s and all the other often incendiary performances, together with my images.
Blues Fest, Day 1
The 2025 Chicago Bluesfest kicked off this evening at the Ramova Theatre in Bridgeport. The bill included 91-year-old living legend Bobby Rush, as well as Billy Branch and the Sons of the Blues. Here are my thoughts about electrifying performances, together with my images from the evening.
River North Escapades
Yesterday, I took a walk through Chicago’s River North neighborhood and along the Chicago River. Here are my thoughts about and the images from my stroll.
5 Demos, 1 Day
On Saturday, May 24, 2025, I headed down to the Loop, hoping to photograph Chicago’s architecture. Before getting to the Loop, I was sidetracked. Over the course of the next several hours, I photographed five demonstrations. Here are my thoughts about and images from a very weird afternoon.
Empty the Tanks
On Saturday, May 10, 2025, I attended a small demonstration at the Shedd Aquarium. The demonstrators demanded that the Shedd “empty the tanks,” freeing the dolphins and whales held in captivity. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
A Star Is Born
For the second year in a row, pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched down Chicago’s Magnificent Mile on Black Friday. Today’s star was Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss, a member of the anti-Zionist group, Neturei Karta. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
Open House Chicago
This past weekend saw another successful Open House Chicago. Here are my thoughts about and images following two days of walking throughout Chicago’s Downtown and surrounding areas.
Marathon Madness
Today was marathon day in Chicago. For the first time in over a decade, I took to the race course with cameras in hand. Here are my thoughts about and images from a truly memorable event.
IMTS Protest
Members of Chicago's Ukrainian Community demonstrated outside McCormick Place at the International Manufacturing Technology Show on Monday, expressing their concern that some products manufactured by companies exhibiting at the show are finding their way to the Russian defense industry. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
JazzFest, Day 4
Day 4 (Sunday) of the 2024 Chicago Jazz Festival saw another day of perfect weather and great music, particularly with Eddie Henderson, George Cables, Mike Clark, Donald Harrison, Orrin Evans, and Alfie Jackson on the bill. Here are my thoughts about and images from the festival's final day.
JazzFest, Day 3
Day 3 of the 2024 Chicago Jazz Festival brought sunny skies and warm temperatures, with lots of excellent music from a variety of artists, including Dennis Carroll, Jeff Parker, René Marie, and Kenny Garrett (if you like sheets of notes). Here are my thoughts about and images from the day.
JazzFest, Day 2
The second day of the 2024 Chicago Jazz Festival was the first day of outdoor concerts at Chicago's Millennium Park. Here are my thoughts about and images from days performances.
DNC Dispatch 2
This afternoon, I attended a one-man demonstration at Buckingham Fountain that brought out at least 100 Chicago Police officers, which reveals just how seriously the city is taking the potential for disruptions and chaos into account. Although comical, the response was highly revealing. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration, as well as my walk up and down Michigan Avenue.
DNC Dispatch 1
On Friday afternoon, I attended a press conference in Chicago's Federal Plaza where Hatem Abudayyeh, executive director of the Arab American Action Network, updated the media about where the litigation stood over march logistics for next week's demonstrations during the 2024 Democratic National Convention being held in Chicago. Here are my thoughts about what Abudayyeh had to say, together with an three images.
Time to Rock & Roll
We are now just four days away from the start of the 2024 Democratic National Convention. I've been walking around the city the last several days. Here are some pre-convention thoughts and images.
GAYestinian Pride
Today, Chicago’s LGBQT+ Community staged the 54th Annual Gay Pride Parade. In keeping with my activity over the last nine months, I decided to focus on the pro-Palestinian demonstrators who had obtained a coveted slot in the parade’s abbreviated lineup. It was the right decision, because it permitted me to photograph their efforts, as well as the colorful characters lining the parade route, as I walked the route with the pro-Palestinian forces from the start to the finish line.
Bluesfest 2024--Day 3
The 40th Annual Chicago Bluesfest came to a conclusion today with a closing performance by Buddy Guy, a Blues legend. Here are my thoughts about and images from the day.