Sunday, April 23, 2006

Chicago - A Music and Arts Experience

“You’re not shy anymore, Kuya Reggie?” Ryan teased his brother.

Reggie pinched him on his side.

Ryan usually tells him, “Don’t be shy, Kuya Reggie” when we’re at the dinner table. We’d all be chatting and Reggie would just be quiet. I would always try to ask him something just to make him join in the conversation. But since he came back from Chicago, I had been asking him a lot of questions about his five-day trip. (Yes, my dear son is back home in our loving arms.) I was very eager to know about the musical and the concerts and the other places that they’ve been to. And he was equally excited to tell us about all these. He even exchanged Customs experiences at the US-Canada Border with Lola (grandma).

They were gone for five days, but two of which were spent driving (17 hours), one going there, and another going back. The three remaining days were then spent experiencing the Music and Arts scene of Chicago.

The students had a very hectic schedule. They had music clinics at the Wheaton College. They visited the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, the Chicago Blues Band, The House of Blues, the Bubba Gump on the Navy Pier, and The Art Institute of Chicago. They also explored Michigan Avenue, Millenium Park and State Street. But the three highlights of their trip were seeing:

1. The Broadway Musical - WICKED, which is about the Wizard of Oz told from the point of view of the Wicked Witch of the West. The Witch is not that bad at all.

2. The Blue Man Group concert – I’ve seen a sample of this group’s music at a late night show a couple of years ago. Recently, I’ve also seen a sample of their gag in the Daily Planet. They’re good and very entertaining. Reggie said that he enjoyed their performance and he was actually seated on the front, which is called the Poncho seat because they had to wear ponchos. (A poncho is a blanketlike cloak.) There’s a lot of food and slimy gags involved. I could just imagine. The one I’ve seen on the Daily Planet involved stuffing marshmallows in a Blue Man’s mouth and then spitting them out.

3. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra concert – I think this was a fitting ending for the young musicians’ trip.

Reggie took over 250 pictures. Here's just a few, a summary of his trip. Click on the images for a larger view. Or go to My Photosite.





15 comments:

domestic rat said...

Hmm... the Blue Man Group sounds interesting!!! BTW, what is that egg-like structure in one of the pics?

Sidney said...

Wow! You have a talented son !

niceheart said...

That is the Millenium Bean on Michigan Avenue, DR. It's a mirror-like sculpture that reflects the view in the surrounding area. I think it's pretty cool.

Thanks Sidney. You should see the other pictures he took. I might share them when I get the chance. Too many photos. I think he's got an eye for photography too.

TK said...

it's a nice city from your son's perspective. I doubt it if the saxophone guy is playing the blues.

Toe said...

What a terrific opportunity for Reggie! What instrument does he play? You must be proud of him.

niceheart said...

I also think it's a nice city, TK.

I am very proud of him, Toe. He plays the flute and the soprano saxophone, but mostly the flute. He's into jazz and wants to be a jazz flutist.

Toe said...

Ooooh! I like your son. I play the flute too (my minor in college)... but jazz is quite hard so he must be good. I'm so inggit with his trip. :)

Ange said...

That must have been an exciting trip for Reggie! COol! He sounds like he has the making of a jazz musician.

niceheart said...

So you also play the flute, Toe. Don't you play the piano, too?

Here's a previous post that you may want to read: http://niceheart.blogspot.com/2005/11/he-is-explorer-of-music-and.html

niceheart said...

Hi Ange,

He's really into jazz. He only listens to jazz music and he likes to play along with his flute as he listens to them. He's still taking flute lessons to polish his skills and just today he asked me if he could sign up for a Jazz camp this summer. The fee is quite expensive but he doesn't really ask for much, so I agreed.

PhilippinesPhil said...

Jazz is cool. I developed a taste for it as I aged. Liking jazz shows sophisitication, right? So that makes Reg an me....

Señor Enrique said...

What a wonderful and exciting trip for Reggie!

The Blue Man Group started in NYC, but Chicago hosts some of the great blues artists.

niceheart said...

I think you're right, Phil. It also shows in his taste for clothes, shoes, etc.

Hi Eric. Yeah, I think it has been a memorable trip for him. The first thing he did when he got home was show me and his dad the pictures that he took.

niceheart said...

Hi Hsin. It's funny how you've mentioned that Chicago is THE place to go for jazz. That's exactly what I've been thinking. That he has found THE place to go to pursue his intended career. So far from home. And you know how I feel about letting them go. Ah well, that's just one of the pains of being a mom. Of course I would want him to follow his dreams.

scuba gear package said...

Nice post!
I enjoyed going through the whole post.