Displaying items by tag: chicago bucketlist

It wouldn’t be Chicago history without a few mysteries nestled amongst the ivy and six cornered paths. For every historical site or fact about the windy city is a stranger truth than any books or historians can truly capture. That’s one the magical things about this biggest small town, there is always something more than meets the eye, a history as deep and chilling as the great lake it rests against. I suppose that’s why it’s equally surprising and typical to find secrets hidden in its many neighborhoods. And sometimes those surprises are found hidden behind a laundromat in Andersonville.

History has secrets. Master magician David Parr helps uncover them. In David Parr: Time Traveler, you are invited on an extraordinary journey where history, mystery, and magic collide. Blending captivating storytelling with astonishing sleight of hand, Parr explores forgotten legends, remarkable true stories, and unexplained mysteries, where history and folklore mingle in mysterious ways, and the impossible feels just within reach. Every performance is a reminder that the world is still full of surprises and mysteries, and that history is often far stranger than fiction. Join David for an unforgettable hour of wonder, curiosity, and theatrical magic that proves history still has a few secrets left to reveal.

Whether you geek out about magic, watch in a vain attempt at uncovering the trick, or are a die-hard skeptic, David Parr does not seem to mind. Embodying the mystic and aura of a magician pulled straight from the vintage posters that adorn the walls of venue, Parr is not your typical magician. He’s humble, curious, philosophical, and above all an entertainer. Weaving personal stories and historical storytelling, Parr crafts an incredible show that promises no two tricks are the same. It leaves the most skeptical people wondering if his magic was real, some of the tricks defying all logic. Throughout his set Parr poses questions but makes no attempt to answer them, leaving instead a mystery for each person to solve, as unique and complex as the magical tricks he creates. That aura possibly explains how David Parr stumped the famous Penn & Teller on their gameshow “Fool Us” in 2017, a feat few magicians ever mastered. How he did it remains a mystery, one that is now tucked away within the magic-lined walls of Chicago Magic Lounge.

Photo by Sarah Elizabeth Larson.

Chicago Magic Lounge is unlike any venue in the city. Sure, the newly remodeled McCormick mansion boasts a similar style but it pales in comparison to this charming space. Chicago Magic Lounge is a signature speakeasy-style magic theater and performance bar in Andersonville, featuring close-up and stage magic from a rotating lineup of professional magicians from Chicago and around the world. Hidden behind a secret entrance, it offers an intimate night out with live performances, craft cocktails, and shareable small plates. Whether you're planning a date-night, celebrating something special, or looking for a distinctive night out in Chicago, this speakeasy experience is worth returning to. The space offers three unique spaces within its venue, and the real mystery is how this charming place has stayed a hidden haunt for so many years. The prices are extremely reasonable. The staff are some of the most lovely and welcoming people you’ll ever meet, eager to invite you in for a spell and bring you magic potions if you are so inclined. Magic lines the walls, cases of historical magical artifacts encased for viewing, posters of predecessors watching over natural born magicians demonstrating their skills with close-up magic. It’s truly a magical experience and one that can pay homage too but can never truly replicate.

History can often repeat itself but time as we know it is often fleeting. We never know how much time we have to see the things we want to see and experience everything Chicago has to offer. I personally believe I can live one hundred lifetimes and never truly see and experience everything this city has to offer. Perhaps that is why David Parr’s show resonates so deeply. Maybe he is on to something. Perchance time really is the greatest mystery of all. And what better place in the world to experience that than right here in Chicago? Don’t let this magic disappear, stop time a moment and see David Parr at The Chicago Magic Lounge. David Parr: Time Traveler will be presented on Wednesdays through December 16^th. Tickets are available at www.chicagomagiclounge.com/time-traveler.

For the past two-plus years, I’d dreamed of doing all the things in Chicago that were shut down due to the pandemic. When restrictions were lifted and entertainment started to come back to the city, I was determined to say yes to every unique city experience. By far the most Chicago heavy hitting art came with the Joffrey ballet performing Don Quixote with the Lyric Opera.

Don Quixote is a ballet following the adventures of an aging knight-errant who reads epic tales of chivalry and romance, and seeks out on an adventure to revive chivalry and serve his nation, under the name Don Quixote de la Mancha. He recruits a simple farmer, Sancho Panza, as his squire, and together they travelin search of love and adventure. While Don Quixote is the focus on the ballet, the central theme is a love story; Kitri is the ballet’s feisty and wilful heroine of the ballet. When her father Lorenzo tries to marry her off for money, she doesn't play the victim, but hatches a plan to marry Basilio, the charming barber who has won her heart, and pursue her own version of happiness. It is Don Quixote who stumbles into town, sees what is transpiring and intervenes in the name of chivalry and true love.

The Joffrey principle dancers and ensemble company brought the Spanish classic to life, dancing with all the grace, talent, and poise ballet dancers can possess. Their energy was unparalleled as they leapt and twirled around the stage. The casting was perfection in Victoria Jaiani at Kitri and Dylan Guitierrez as Basilio; notably the Joffrey has a rotation of principle dancers to play the ballet’s leads, offering patrons a unique flare each performance. Set against elaborate and immersive set designs, and accompanied by a live orchestra, Don Quixote was a visual and unexpected wonder. 

The visual and auditory spendlor of the ballet was only surpassed by being in such a historic venue as the Lyric Opera. Here I was, watching some of the nation’s best dancers, perform with a world renowned orchestra, sitting comfortably in a historic Chicago landmark; post pandemic I am grateful for the chance to see such a performance and that others have the opportunity to experience this as well. Thanks to the artistic group’s mask precautions and vaccination card screenings at the door, these performances can continue to bring beauty and light into an increasingly darker world. No matter how bleak the days might seem, The Joffrey helps to remind us that there is still grace and beauty in the world to be experienced, and we must leap at the artistic opportunities when they come our way the way Don Quixote leapt at adventure.

Don Quixote runs through June 12th at the Lyric Opera House at 20 N Upper Wacker Dr, Chicago. Tickets are available at Joffrey.org.