Chicago Outdoor Film Fest Begins

Tonight's the night. Even if it rains, the show will go on, as long as lightning and wind don't upstage the fest. Every Tuesday evening until August 28, the city will showcase classic movies at Butler Field in Grant Park (Monroe and Lake Shore Drive).

Young Frankensteinis the first offering and will be introduced by film critic Richard Roeper. This is one of my favorite Mel Brooks movie. It stars Gene Wilder, the late Peter Boyle, and the hilarious bug-eyed Marty Feldman. It is a great choice for a movie under the stars. I hope the weather cooperates.

For a change, I like every movie on the list. The Awful Truth, a typical 30's screwball comedy about marriage is my must see flick. It stars my favorite actor Cary Grant whose skill and timing as a comic actor is outstanding. It is scheduled August 7th, close to my birthday. I think I will definitely treat myself to this one. The other movies are Written on the Wind, The Sweet Smell of Success, Double Indemnity, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Sound of Music. See what I mean. All of them are great classics.

Even better, they are all free. The action begins at sunset. Umbrellas, grilling, alcohol and pets are not allowed. Just bring a blanket and a buddy and some popcorn.

For more information, go to http://egov.cityofchicago.org. Click on Things to Do, then Festivals.

Bad News Travelled a Little Slow

It has been reported that at least 126 were made ill by food eaten at a certain booth at the Chicago Taste. Add one more to that number. I made my second food purchase during the Taste--a cucumber salad--from the booth operated by Pars Cove, the restaurant under suspicion.

Although I didn't feel immediately ill, the following week I had all the symptoms of salmonella. I couldn't even enjoy the usual fare of the Fourth of July because I was still suffering. I didn't really feel better until a week later. I never went to the doctor. Instead, I doctored on myself and suffered in silence.

It's too bad that this has happened and left a bad taste behind for a few of us. It probably still won't deter me from going next year though.

Henna anyone?

I left the Taste and headed for Chicago Arabesque at Daley Center. The crowd was smaller but still it was well attended. I wish I had saved room and time for the food there. The falafel looked so much better than the one I got from Zam Zam's booth.

Yes, I did get a henna tattoo. Unfortunately, it wore off before I got home. I also got a card with my name written in Arabic calligraphy. I wasn't able to get my belly dancing lessons. I guess I will have to wait for my daughter to give in to my pleas for lessons.

The atmosphere was one of a market place slightly removed from America. There was a definite feel of Muslim community. People dressed in beautiful caftans and women garbed in traditional scarves greeted each other. Arabic music from the booth selling CD's added to the exotic aura. They did brisk business.

It was a very enjoyable experience. I wish I had allotted more time for it. Probably should have gone there first instead of to the Taste. Every year I complain about the crowds and the long lines at the Taste and I still go back. I will definitely revisit the Chicago Arabesque next year.

A Taste of the Taste

I kept my appointment with the Taste yesterday. Can't say the same for my friend. That's two for two of them punking out but I didn't let that stop me.

It was a perfect summer day. The sun was shining. The temperature was just right. Hundreds got off the train from Indiana with me, most of them heading toward the fest. I decided I would go to the Taste first instead of Chicago Arabesque because of the number of people. I knew it would be worse as the day wore on.

I got a taste portion of fried dough at Harry Caray's first. I wasn't hungry yet. That was a mistake. It was okay but I could have saved my ticket for something I really prefered. The best for me was the Samosa from Arya Bhavan, booth 58. The samosa was hot in temperature and in flavor, which was delicious. I went back for seconds. Unfortunately, Zam Zam's falafel was a no no. It had no flavor and was so dry even after I went back for sauce. I threw it away. I also made the mistake of getting the Merlot ice cream from the ice cream shop by Buckingham Fountain. It was Merlot chocolate chip. I'm allergic to chocolate. Even though it tasted great, I broke out in hives later on in the day.

Chicago Arabesque Plus

This is the first year this festival is being held. Given the atmosphere in America right now, the fest is needed. It may also be a little brave of the Chicago Arab community but it is touted as a non-religious, non-political event.

I plan on checking out the shopping bazaar for some unusual items and the food booths for the middle eastern cuisine. I might even try a little belly dancing and dabke, a traditional Arab line-dance. I've been trying to get my daughter to teach me since she instructs a class on the north side. She has no patience for me so this will be my opportunity to find out if my hips don't lie like Shakira. To top off the experience, I will get a henna tattoo before we go over to the Taste of Chicago. Talk about culture shock. Saturday is country music day at the Taste.

Chicago Arabesque is being held free of charge starting today through June 30th from 10 am to 3 pm in Daley Plaza.

Taste of Chicago 2007

The week is finally here. They already started setting up this past Sunday for the beginning of the fest on Thursday. I'm scoping out which restaurants sounds most promising, planning my itinerary for Saturday to make the best of the day.

I will fore go the daily special. A steak sandwich even with blue cheese isn't special enough for me. Instead I will go for a smattering of taste portions that include food I don't usually get to sample. That means a stop at the ethnic restaurant booths like Arya Bhavan, booth #58 for Samosa and Pars Cove--booth #2 for Hummas Shirazi. I might give Blu 47's wings a try even though my experience at the restaurant was less than stellar.

No hot dogs, no pizza, no hamburgers, no turkey wings, no corn on the cob for me. I will be tempted by anything shrimp or middle eastern. Zam Zam's falafel sandwich and Star of Siam's tempura shrimp and vegetables are on my list. Deleece's grilled chicken sandwich and chicken Caesar salad is calling me. I may give into the temptation. And to top it all off I will stop by the Buckingham Fountain for two scoops of Merlot ice cream. Yum.

The taste makes me think of Pablo. Although it will be fun going with Beverly, I will miss him.

The Taste coincides with the Fourth of July, the middle of summer. I will not attend Chicago's concert and fireworks show on the 3rd of July. I did it once and that was enough. There had to be at least 750,000 people there. That's a lot of people! Too many people for me. If I do watch the fireworks, it will be much more private. Boy, that just brought up another memory. Oh, well. Here's to new ones.

Mother Nature, Human Nature

Mother Nature struck with 60 miles per hour wind force and knocked out my power last night. She was having a tantrum all over eastern Illinois and northwest Indiana. This is the second time this summer and it's only the 19th of June! At least she turned down the heat a tad. It's going to be a long summer.

I need something to restore my soul. Sounds like a trip to the lake may be the answer. Gary has great beaches alongside beautiful Marquette Park. On a clear day, you can even see the Chicago skyscrapers.

A CD player serenading my favorite music, a cooler with some goodies edible and otherwise, an attentive companion and the lake view make up a recipe for my restoration. That's the plan, if Mother Nature allows.