Architecture in Oak Park Beyond Frank Lloyd Wright
This late February heat wave has me itching to go outside and explore the incredible architecture of Chicago and its surrounds. And the Chicago Detours ethos encourages going off the beaten path. So I set myself the challenge of tracking down notable architecture in Oak Park that goes beyond Frank Lloyd Wright. Obviously, the pioneer of the […]
Theaster Gates and the Preservation of Black History in Chicago
In the past few years, Theaster Gates has established himself as one of the fine arts world’s biggest stars. Born and raised here in Chicago, he has made his name as “social practice installation art” in the oft-neglected neighborhoods of the South Side. In the process, Gates has become a force behind the celebration and […]
The Spirit of Valentine’s Day with Crazed Love Competitions
Let’s take a look back at Valentine’s Day history in Chicago. For decades, couples risked everything from arrest to their lives in order to compete for a little loving notoriety. Even love and dance in Chicago can have a taste of scandal in Chicago history… Record-Breaking Ridiculousness In the early 20th century stupendous human stunts and record breaking […]
Four Engineering Secrets that Help You Survive Winter in Chicago
It can be a real challenge to survive winter in Chicago. The bone-chilling cold, pothole-strewn roads, battering blizzards, and endless slate grey skies make for a brutal experience. From the first chills of October to the lingering muck of May, most locals can only focus on how to simply make it through winter in Chicago. […]