Since the early days of the Windy City, people from far and wide came here to start a new life. Some came from other parts of America but many came from other continents. With them they brought their unique ways and as time went by, they all contributed to the richness of Chicago culture.
One of the most important Chicagoan contributions to what is regarded as American has been its music. From jazz to soul and from hip hop and house to indie rock, the city has been the home of many influential musicians. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is one of the world's most respected and even British rock superstars like Eric Clapton and The Rolling Stones were influenced mainly by the Chicago blues.
The local style of blues has not only given its name to a homegrown sports team but became the theme of the hit movie that really put the city on the map. 'The Blues Brothers'is often called a kind of love letter to the Windy City. Various popular TV shows were set here too and Oprah Winfrey's studio audiences had to come to Illinois for recordings rather than go to California.
The more traditional theatrical pursuits are also thriving in the largest city in Illinois. There are renowned opera, ballet and theater companies that are based here. Slam poetry may have originated in the Uptown neighborhood and the local university was the birthplace of improvisational comedy through the Compass Players, whose past members include stars like Mike Nichols, Alan Alda and Jerry Stiller.
Museums abound in Chicago. You'll find ones dedicated to every aspect of Chicagoan life, from art to science. There is even an International Museum of Surgical Science. Architect Frank Lloyd Wright lived and worked in the Windy City and apart from buildings designed by him, you can visit his home and studio too. There are also several museums that pay homage to the different ethnic communities that have made Chicago their home, from Chinese Americans to Swedish, Irish, Polish, Ukrainian, Italian, Greek and Lithuanian Americans, not to mentions the Native Americans who lived here first.
The city has always welcomed the visual arts. In fact, there is a program of public art that has made it possible for people to appreciate the work of great artists like Marc Chagall, Joan Miro, Pablo Picasso, Anish Kapoor and Claes Oldenburg simply by visiting the local squares and parks. There is a host of galleries too, especially in the River North area.
Food is a very important aspect of Chicagoan life. Restaurants abound and even the fast food here is a gourmet's delight. A hot dog will never be the same once you've had it Chicago style and even tamales get a Chicagoan spin. The one dish that everyone should try in the city where it was born is the deep dish pizza.
A great introduction to Chicago culture when you visit is to take a cultural tour with a specific theme. For example, several operators offer architecture tours of the city where the skyscraper was invented. Local festivals are a good option too or simply check the local listings for all the cultural offerings in this vibrant city.
One of the most important Chicagoan contributions to what is regarded as American has been its music. From jazz to soul and from hip hop and house to indie rock, the city has been the home of many influential musicians. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is one of the world's most respected and even British rock superstars like Eric Clapton and The Rolling Stones were influenced mainly by the Chicago blues.
The local style of blues has not only given its name to a homegrown sports team but became the theme of the hit movie that really put the city on the map. 'The Blues Brothers'is often called a kind of love letter to the Windy City. Various popular TV shows were set here too and Oprah Winfrey's studio audiences had to come to Illinois for recordings rather than go to California.
The more traditional theatrical pursuits are also thriving in the largest city in Illinois. There are renowned opera, ballet and theater companies that are based here. Slam poetry may have originated in the Uptown neighborhood and the local university was the birthplace of improvisational comedy through the Compass Players, whose past members include stars like Mike Nichols, Alan Alda and Jerry Stiller.
Museums abound in Chicago. You'll find ones dedicated to every aspect of Chicagoan life, from art to science. There is even an International Museum of Surgical Science. Architect Frank Lloyd Wright lived and worked in the Windy City and apart from buildings designed by him, you can visit his home and studio too. There are also several museums that pay homage to the different ethnic communities that have made Chicago their home, from Chinese Americans to Swedish, Irish, Polish, Ukrainian, Italian, Greek and Lithuanian Americans, not to mentions the Native Americans who lived here first.
The city has always welcomed the visual arts. In fact, there is a program of public art that has made it possible for people to appreciate the work of great artists like Marc Chagall, Joan Miro, Pablo Picasso, Anish Kapoor and Claes Oldenburg simply by visiting the local squares and parks. There is a host of galleries too, especially in the River North area.
Food is a very important aspect of Chicagoan life. Restaurants abound and even the fast food here is a gourmet's delight. A hot dog will never be the same once you've had it Chicago style and even tamales get a Chicagoan spin. The one dish that everyone should try in the city where it was born is the deep dish pizza.
A great introduction to Chicago culture when you visit is to take a cultural tour with a specific theme. For example, several operators offer architecture tours of the city where the skyscraper was invented. Local festivals are a good option too or simply check the local listings for all the cultural offerings in this vibrant city.
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