Ten days ago, President Joe Biden was Chicago for a fundraiser. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators staged a protest a block away from the event. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
The Electric Hippo
On November 3, 2023, Theon Cross brought his electrified tuba to the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts. It was quite a night of innovative jazz fusion, with some hip hop added to the voodoo. Here are my thoughts about and images from the evening’s performance.
A Sit-In For Palestine
A number of Jewish groups held a demonstration in support of the Palestinian people late this afternoon. Over 70 demonstrators staged a sit-in that closed the thoroughfare leading to the Eisenhower Expressway during rush hour. For my observations about and images from this demonstration, click on the link below.
'Maced' In Skokie
On Sunday, I was in Skokie, Illinois photographing a pro-Israeli event and a counter-demonstration by members of Chicago’s Palestinian Community. While photographing the interaction between two sets of demonstrators, I inhaled pepper spray or mace. Here are my thoughts about and photographs from the day’s events, including the sequence of photographs surrounding the ‘macing’ incident.
Ben Wendel
On October 21, 2023, tenor saxophonist Ben Wendel brought his quintet to the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, together with visual artist Xuan. Here are my thoughts about and images from the evening.
Like a Hurricane
This past Saturday I attended the fifth major rally staged by Chicago’s Palestinian community since the start of the Israeli-Hamas War. The next rally is scheduled for this upcoming Saturday, but thankfully I will be out of town. I am exhausted from these rallies. Here are my thoughts about and images from the rally.
A Page Turner
If it’s Wednesday, there must be another Palestinian demonstration in the streets of Chicago. This one was in direct response to the hospital bombing in Gaza. Here are my thoughts about and images from this massive demonstration.
1000 Days
Last Sunday, following the Ukrainian demonstration outside the Wrigley Building, members of Chicago’s Russian Community marked the 1000th day Russian dissident Alexei Navalny’s captivity at the hands of Vladimir Putin. Here are my thoughts about and images from this demonstration.
Remembering Azovstal
This past Sunday, I attended an unusually small demonstration by members of Chicago’s Ukrainian Community. Some in attendance were recent émigrés. They were demanding that Russia release 500 prisoners who surrendered following the siege of the Azovstal Iron and Steel Works in Mariupol, Ukraine. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
5 To 8
According to one report, between 5,000 and 8,000 people filled the streets of Chicago last Saturday in support of the Palestinian people. Here are my thoughts about the third Palestinian demonstration since the start of the Israeli-Hamas War, together with the images I captured during Saturday’s massive rally and march.
Off-Key Messaging
Thursday night I attended a rally and march held by members of Chicago’s Jewish Community. The messaging was inappropriately mixed under the circumstances giving rise to the demonstration. Here are my thoughts about and images from the evening.
Taking It to the Street
No surprise here: Chicago’s Palestinian Community was out again last night. I covered the demonstration, so here are my thoughts about it and my images.
Palestinians Out In Force
Whenever there is a major world event, there is usually a local angle. Today, Chicago’s Palestinian community marched in support of their brothers and sisters in the West Bank and Gaza. Here are my thoughts about the demonstration and some of the images I captured.
Alarm Will Sound
Last Friday night I had the pleasure of attending a world premiere performance by Alarm Will Sound at the University of Chicago’s Logan Center, where the ensemble had been recording an album since Tuesday. The live performance was also recorded. Here are my impressions, together with images from this historic performance.
Migrants I
Today I attended a demonstration at Daley Plaza where the participants objected to a plan to house migrants who are currently living in Chicago Police stations and at Chicago’s two major airports in tent camps erected and maintained by a subsidiary of Garda World Security. Here are my thoughts about and images from this poorly attended demonstration.
'Say Her Name'
September 16, 2023 marks the first anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death while she was held in the custody of Iranian authorities. Chicago’s Iranian community held a rally today at Buckingham Fountain to honor Amini and others who have died while in Iranian custody or during the ensuing protests. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
Chicago Jazzfest--Day 4
The Four-day 2023 Chicago Jazz Festival came to an end this evening. The temperatures soared, but the relaxed informal vibe and great music kept everyone cool. Here are my thought and photographs about the festival’s final day.
Chicago Jazzfest--Day 3
South African pianist Nduduzo Makhathini gave a breakout performance during Day 3 of the 2023 Chicago Jazz Festival. If you are fan of Abdullah Ibrahim or McCoy Tyner, Makhathini is your man. For my thoughts about and images of Makhathini and all the other musicians who performed today, click on the following link:
Chicago Jazzfest--Day 2
Day 2 of the 2023 Chicago Jazz Festival is now in the history books. There were many excellent performances, including ones by the Ari Brown Quintet, and singer Kurt Elling, with Charlie Hunter on guitar. Here are my thoughts about and images from Day 2.
Chicago Jazzfest--Day 1
Day 1 of the 2023 Chicago Jazzfest is now history. Some great players took part, including Ron Carter, Chico Freeman, George Freeman, Ernest Dawkins, Marlene Rosenberg, and Oscar Evely. Here are my thoughts and images from this extraordinary day.