ChicagoSmarts.com Blog

There’s pretty much always something great happening in Chicago, especially when it comes to concerts. Touring artists rarely fail to add the Windy City to their itineraries.

Here are some upcoming shows worthy of consideration:

Megadeth plays the Aragon Ballroom this Friday, February 10, as part of the Gigantour with Motorhead, Lacuna Coil, and Volbeat. And they will rock every face in the house. When TH1RT3EN dropped last year, it did so with a bang, entering the Billboard 200 at number 11 and garnering two Grammy nominations. Megadeth’s Dave Ellefson noted of the upcoming gig, “Chicago has always been a strong market for metal … There are a few surprises in the set that I think the fans will enjoy hearing.”

Van Halen, complete with David Lee Roth, rocks the United Center on February 24. For the first time in quite a few years, the original Van Halen line-up has issued a new record (A Different Kind of Truth) and hit the road. Sure, Sammy Hagar had his fans, but Diamond Dave can’t be beat. He’ll surely bring all of his swagger – along with a truckload of hits – so expect to have a rockin’ good time.

The Black Keys make their way to the United Center on March 16 after wrapping up a few weeks in Europe supporting their latest CD, El Camino. By most accounts, this new effort is an impressive musical feat. Symbolic logic would lead one to conclude, then, that the tour will also be a worthy investment of time, energy, and cash.

For a taste of what’s to come, check out the band’s new video for “Gold on the Ceiling,” which was shot largely at a live show this past December at Webster Hall in New York City.

Snow Patrol hits the Aragon Ballroom on April 21 in support of their new release, The End. Seeing this fantastic alt-pop band in a place like Aragon is the way to go because Gary Lightbody’s charisma will wash over every one of the 4,500 fans in the room. (Back at home in the UK, they have a three-night stand at London’s 20,000-capacity O2 Arena!) As one reviewer who caught a Birmingham show note, “The effortless confidence he demonstrates on the massive stage with a phenomenal lightshow and special effects is fitting for a man whose band have risen to the top slowly and earnestly and who plan to stay there.”

Roger Waters storms Wrigley Field on June 8 with his epic opus, The Wall. So far, the production has only been mounted about 150 times since its debut in 1980. In 2012, though, Waters has about 70 more dates on the boards spanning from Australia to Argentina, New Zealand to North America. And Chicago drew one of the lucky numbers.

Neil Diamond plays the United Center on July 6 having recently received the Kennedy Center Honors. And that was after issuing The Very Best of Neil Diamond: The Original Studio Recordings and appearing at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for the first time ever. Oh, and he just turned 71 in late January. Still, the pop legend is raring to go on the road, tweeting, “Look out USA and Canada, here we come again! See you in Summer 2012, this is going to be the big one!” Take his word for it.

Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw bring their Brothers of the Sun Tour to Soldier Field Stadium on July 7. Reports say that the trek has already sold more than a half million tickets, so don’t dally if you want to catch the Chicago stop. Also on the bill are Jake Owen and Grace Potter + the Nocturnals.

Coldplay lands at United Center on August 7 as part of their summer tour behind Mylo Xyloto. What’s admirable, balanced, and different about the band’s itinerary this year is that 10 days per month are reserved for the members to spend with their respective families. (Gwyneth and the kids must be thrilled!)

As the primaries in the Republican presidential race begin, the whole world watches on to see who will eventually be tasked with facing President Barack Obama in the November general election. The Iowa caucuses — always first on the schedule — have proven to be a three-way battle between Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, and Rick Santorum.

Good money is still on Romney to be the last man standing come July’s nominating time. Still, New Hampshire (January 10), South Carolina (January 21), and, of course, Super Tuesday (March 6) will all be solid markers as to whether that assumption will hold steady.

For his part, Obama has set up his reelection headquarters at home in Chicago with fun things like ping pong and air hockey tables peppering the space. According to Newsweek’s Andrew Romano, those lighter touches served a point: “Obama’s minions are very serious about lots of things, including the business of reminding themselves not to be so serious.”

Of course, these Chicago-based “minions” have every reason to be serious considering the considerable job that lies ahead. As Romano noted, “With 10 months to go before Election Day, the president’s job-approval rating is loitering around 46 percent, which is a problem, because the incumbent party has lost the last five times its president started Election Year below 49 percent.”

And so the fate of the nation … the world, really … lies in the hands of just over 200 staffers in the Windy City. Among the leaders are campaign manager Jim Messina and chief political strategist David Axelrod. Together with the Democratic National Committee, the Chicago team has raised nearly $200 million toward Obama’s reelection with eyes aimed at $1 billion by November.

Two big pieces of their strategic Get Out the Vote puzzle are manpower and technology. Messina promised, “Our efforts on the ground and on technology, will make 2008 look prehistoric.” Facebook, Twitter, MyBarackObama.com, SMS, YouTube, and the like will all play parts in helping Obama and his Chicago team reach people. And, despite the fact that technology is involved, the goal is to reach them with a personal touch that is both “ integrated and intelligent.”

Obama’s chief integration and innovation officer Michael Slaby framed the approach this way: “The voters … the donors … and the supporters and volunteers we’re trying to activate — they’re all the same group of people.”

So, Obama’s Chicago crew is listening hard, tuning into the needs and concerns of those people in order to meet them where they are by relying on incredibly targeted data mining and collation. The example Romano gave: “In 2012 the Obama campaign won’t send its backers a video and say, ‘Share this with everyone you know’; it will say, ‘Share this with your four Facebook friends in Pennsylvania’s crucial Lehigh Valley swing district who are worried about the president’s tax policies.’”

With their eyes on the prized 270 electoral votes — and only 10 months to go — Obama and his industrious Chicago team have their work more than cut out for them. If they fail, the Windy City, at least, will get one of their favorite sons back.

The year 1943 was significant in the history of Chicago. That was the year that deep-dish pizza, a style that has now become synonymous with the Windy City, made its first appearance. Although disputes exist as to whether it was restaurant owner Ike Sewell or pizza chef Rudy Malnati who created the original recipe, deep-dish pizza owes its existence to Pizzeria Uno.

Deep-dish pies are a far cry from Italian-style pizza. A thick layer of dough is laid out in a deep, round pan that has been well-oiled to create a bit of a crunch on the outer crust. After being pulled up the sides of the pan, the dough is parbaked a little before toppings are added. Chunky tomato sauce, slices of mozzarella, and a variety of other toppings – both vegetables and meat – are layered to just above the top edge of the dough and then baked to its full scrumptious glory.

According to Yelp users, the top five deep-dish pizza joints in Chicago are:
Lou Malnati’s
six locations
Neighborhoods: Lincoln Park, Lawndale, Wicker Park, Gold Coast, River North, South Loop
A descendant of the Pizzeria Uno lineage, Lou Malnati’s has grown to some 33 locations all around the area with six in Chicago proper. Although Lou passed on in 1978, his wife and sons have kept the family business alive. One of the secrets to success is using mozzarella from a small dairy that has supplied the restaurant for over 40 years.

Collectively, the six pizzerias have tallied more than 1,400 reviews and a solid 4-star rating that is echoed in the reviews: “I can say that I officially now get the appeal of deep dish. From the butter crust, to the sausage disc, to the 15 pounds of cheese, to the tangy, chunky tomato sauce. The total is far superior to the summation of its parts.”

Pequod’s Pizzeria
2207 N Clybourn Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
Neighborhood: DePaul
Rounding out the top three deep-dish pizza places in Chicago, Pequod’s can thank the nearly 1,000 Yelpers for their 4-star rating. Putting their own twist on the recipe has helped put Pequod’s on the map. One of the reviewers spills the beans: “The secret is the seasoned pans they use for the pizzas – they line each pan with parmesan cheese so when you get the pizza out, there’s a delicious ring of semi-burnt cheese around the outside of the crust. Absolutely amazing.”

Pizzeria Uno
29 E Ohio St
Chicago, IL 60611
Neighborhood: Near North Side
The original Pizzeria Uno still makes pies in Chicago and 400 Yelp reviewers have come together to rate them at 3.5 stars. A quick scour of the more negative accounts will find that most of the complaints are due to the long wait time for a table. One user raved strictly of the pizza, “When it arrives, expect a monster of a pizza that will quickly assault your stomach with insane amounts of cheese, tomatoes, and crust. If you’ve decided to add meat to then good on you, pizza needs meat.”

The Art of Pizza
3033 N Ashland Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
Neighborhood: Lakeview
More than 600 Yelpers love the Art of Pizza enough to render it with a 4-star rating. One of them couldn’t help but rave, “Absolutely, hands down, without a doubt the best pizza by the slice place in the entire city of Chicago! Try it and you will see what I mean.”

Pizano’s Pizza
864 N State St
Chicago, IL 60610
Neighborhood: Near North Side
This pie joint is Oprah’s pick and nearly 300 Yelp users agree with her, landing it a 4-star ranking with reviews like, “Ahhhhhhhhhhhzomg best deep dish ever. Well, the best this traveling Canadian has ever come across. The crust and the cheese rendered me stupid. The sausage? Gah. Order sausage and mushrooms. Do it.”

New urbanism is a movement that’s taking global cities by storm, and Chicago is not immune. In fact, the Congress for New Urbanism calls the Windy City home. With an endorsement like that, no doubt some cool projects are popping up all across town.

When it comes down to it, new urbanism is about making cities more livable. Some of the basic tenets behind the thinking are walkable, human-scaled neighborhoods as the basis for sustainable communities; shared, public gathering spaces that incorporate connection, character, and culture; environmentally friendly building practices that utilize infrastructure and resources wisely and sustainably; and the transformation of blighted and deteriorating areas into revitalized communities.

The first point is one of the main new urbanism projects anywhere: making buzzing metropolises more walkable and, thereby, more community-centric. As the CNU notes, “Traditional Main Streets, with their vibrant mix of commerce and culture — where mom-and-pop shops line the sidewalks, cars and trucks slow down to share the road with pedestrians and bikes, and people congregate in great gathering spaces — are the most outward expression of the strength of communal ties. As the structure of our streets help pave the way in which our communities connect on a physical, social, and economic level, designing livable, walkable urban thoroughfares is one of the utmost priorities for any city or town.”

On the whole, Chicago ranks pretty high in terms of walkable cities coming in fourth behind New York City, San Francisco, and Boston. Some of its most walkable neighborhoods include Printers Row, Near North, Sheridan Park, Old Town, Dearborn Park, Gold Coast, River North, Noble Square, Lincoln Square, and Park West. However, some aren’t, and that includes Harbour Point Estates, Trumbull Park, Eden Green, Cottage Grove Heights, and Golden Gate.

This summer, Chicago set into motion a plan its first comprehensive pedestrian plan, aptly titled the Chicago Pedestrian Plan. Although the move is re-active instead of pro-active, the results will go far to help the city’s residents get around on foot. In 2009, more than 3,000 pedestrian-versus-vehicle accidents occurred, resulting in 34 deaths – 40 percent of which were caused by hit-and-run drivers and 80 percent of which happen in a crosswalk.

Some of the proposed elements are curb bump-outs and medians to shorten crosswalks and countdown timers on crosswalk signals. A law passed last year in Chicago also requires drivers to stop, rather than simply yield, for pedestrians.

Changes and improvements to the infrastructure and physical plant of a city is great, but as Ron Burke, executive director of the Active Transportation Alliance, explains, a mental shift needs to happen to because “pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users have almost become second-class citizens.

“Pedestrians deserve precedence when it comes to designing our streets and neighborhoods because they are the most vulnerable users. Conceptually, we’d all like to see neighborhoods where the streets really act as the front porch, where children can play and not worry about being hit by cars.”

Generally speaking, the attention of men is fairly easy to occupy. Let them watch sports – either at a stadium or a bar – and all is well, for the most part. Women, however, are a bit more finicky though a fair number will be awfully pleased to spend a day being pampered at a spa or sipping a nice cup of joe.

To appease those ladies and others, here’s a list of the best Chicago has to offer in a number of categories.

Best Day Spa – The helpful reviewers on Yelp put Temilla’s Skin Care and Spa at the top of the list here with a 5-star rating for their offerings of facials, peels, massages, and waxing. One woman echoed the sentiments of many when she wrote, “This is not your beautiful, upscale, downtown salon, but the service you get here is better than any salon. I have tried them all. If you are looking for an excellent skin treatment (extractions and all) along with a very relaxing experience, this is your place.”

Best Tea & Coffee House – More than 200 Yelp votes add up to 4.5 stars for, well, the Star Lounge Cafe in Humboldt Park. The free street parking, free wifi, and house-roasted beans just can’t be topped, at least not in Chicago. One review proclaimed, “Star Lounge is my favorite coffee house in Chicago. They roast their own beans, so their coffee tastes extremely fresh. Every drink they serve is amazing! The ambiance is very relaxed. They do have a fair amount of noise, but if you’re looking for a quieter location, don’t worry – there is a patio out back that is very quiet and peaceful.”

Best Brunch – With over 300 Yelpers tallying up to a 4.5-star rating, Birchwood Kitchen in Wicker Park seems to have the best brunch in the Windy City. The fresh local ingredients and a friendly staff make a winning combination. Reviewers consistently cite both factors: “I am in love with everything about this place. The staff is amazingly welcoming and accommodating. As for the food — eat it, all of it. I’ve been here a number of times and it’s perfectly consistent and delicious!!”

Best Pilates & Yoga Center – A one-stop shop that offers classes in both Pilates and yoga, Lakeview’s Spring Wellness Center comes in with a 4.5-star sum from more than 40 votes. Their down-to-earth presentation and knowledgable approach wins over new and returning visitors. They even offer a Groupon deal. As one Yelper noted, “Spring Wellness Center gives me a centering experience without being so hippie-dippy. They play a mix of more contemporary music (that still matches the flow of yoga), but don’t just play the default flute over a babbling brook type of CD. The instructors seem very passionate about yoga, Pilates, health, and wellness and not about having the cutest yoga outfit or the perkiest pony tail.”

Best Bookstore – In Lincoln Square, the independent Book Cellar may well be the perfect blend of all good things which is why some 150 Yelp users give it 4.5 stars. Not only is the book selection wonderful, but the helpful, friendly staff can also serve you beer, wine, tea, coffee, and snacks at the cafe. You might never leave… which may well be the point! Here’s what a Yelp reviewer posted: “There’s something whimsical and romantic about the place. … You really get the small-town coziness at the BC – everyone that works there is friendly and helpful. There’s a good selection of books, although there has been a time they didn’t have a book I was looking for. I love to come here on a rainy day to cozy up with a book. Truly a gem.”

Chicago is home to more than just deep-dish pizza and corrupt politicians. Indeed, it is the home of one of the greatest bastions of comedy the U.S. has to offer – The Second City. Having taught and showcased legions of improv-based comics over the course of their “50 years of funny,” Second City boasts a training center and a performance venue that many consider to be the mecca of comedy. Alumni include Alan Arkin, Robert Klein, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, Mike Myers, Tina Fey, Steve Carell, and Stephen Colbert.

Still, it’s not the only funny business in town. The Chicago Theatre hosts big-name comedians aplenty throughout the calendar year. On the upcoming slate are Bill Maher, Chris Tucker, Bob Newhart, and Sinbad.

Bill Maher, known primarily as host of the sardonic Politically Incorrect, will call it as he sees it on July 23. An infamous marijuana proponent, Maher never fails to address the issue in his act. Such was the case when he performed in Boulder earlier this year.

A critic noted, “Maher dropped a few pot jokes early on; he suggested that the Democrats might find more success if they took on the legalization of marijuana as a ‘wedge issue,’ the way the right has chosen abortion and gay marriage as issues to fire up their base.

“Still, Maher had nearly as much criticism (though not as much contempt) for today’s Democratic party as he did for the Republicans and their ‘inbred country cousins, the Tea-Baggers.’ The Democratic symbol is a D, he explained, because that’s the grade you get when you’re barely passing.”

Explaining the nation’s debt, Maher remarked, “Let me illustrate for you how much 14.26 trillion dollars really is. Take the value of your house, and add 14.26 trillion dollars.”

After Maher delights Chicago, more funny men follow. Chicago gets Colin Quinn’s Long Story Short at the Broadway Playhouse on August 24. On September 16, Chris Tucker comes to town before the kinder, gentler Bob Newhart gets his turn on October 22. Sinbad takes the Chicago Theatre stage on November 12, the same night that David Sedaris appears at Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre.

The last time Sedaris was in the Windy City, he read from his Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary book. A reviewer of the evening remarked, “…preposterous irreverence is far from his only trademark. Sedaris is no one-trick-pony, but rather a writer of remarkable and restrained depth. …Sedaris takes the act of fine-tuning his writing and creates an intimate evening that is extremely entertaining and truly captivating.”

With a whole other twist on the comedy game is Chicago’s Comedysportz Theatre. As cited on their website, “It’s not stand-up comedy about sports… it’s improv comedy played as a sport!”

Their calendar includes Smashed: The Improvised Bachelorette Party and Impress These Apes!, which is an eight-week talent competition. At the end, the winner is glorified as the Least Pitiful Human.

It seems, in Chicago, there’s pretty much always something to laugh about or, at the very least, someone to laugh at.

Oprah Winfrey may have wrapped up her Chicago-based television show, but it’s far from a wrap in Chicago’s film and television career. Over the decades, many projects have been set and/or filmed in the Windy City putting it, quite likely, in third place behind Los Angeles and New York.

In terms of the small screen, though The Bob Newhart Show (1972-1978) and Good Times (1974-1979) really cemented Chicago’s standing in the realm, the city’s role in television dates back even further. Both M Squad (1957-1960) and The Untouchables (1959-1963) have those shows beat by more than a decade. Of course, The Untouchables wasn’t just set in Chicago; it dug through the city’s crime-ridden past based stories from the Eliot Ness novel of the same name – which also became a film in 1987.

In the ’80s, Chicago served as a fictional setting for a slew of hit sitcoms that were filmed in Los Angeles, including Webster (1983–1987), Punky Brewster (1984–1986), Perfect Strangers (1986–1993), Married… with Children (1987–1997), and Family Matters (1989–1998). But that format did little to showcase the town.

Then, with the ’90s, along came a string of hour-long dramas that actually used Chicago as a backdrop, if not a key character. Among them, ER (1994-2009) stands head and shoulders above the others for its longevity, but also for its regular inclusion of the urban landscape. Another stellar medical drama, Chicago Hope (1994-2000), also did its part to shine a light on Chicago, while Prison Break (2005-2009) only partially filmed in town.

For the past few years, The Good Wife (2009-present) has kept Chicago front and center on the boob tube. The award-winning legal drama spins political and corporate tales that are obviously influenced by the setting as Chicago’s history of political corruption is widely known. Star Julianna Margulies, who also starred on ER for several years, can’t seem to get away from Chicago-based shows.

That was also the launching pad for The Chicago Code (2011) which was shot in Chicago and told the story of a newbie police commissioner using her former detective partner to help bring down a tainted alderman at the heart of the city’s corrupt web. With Jennifer Beals, Jason Clarke, and Delroy Lindo in those respective roles, the show was solid, but, unfortunately, won’t be back for a second season.

On the silver screen, Chicago’s resume is even more star-studded. Like The Untouchables and Bugsy Malone, there are the obvious selections that tell the true stories of bad guys in Chicago. Then there are, naturally, the baseball films like The Babe, Eight Men Out, and A League of Their Own. If Chicago is synonymous with crime, it’s equally so with baseball.

Exploring the various subcultures within the Chicago citizenry, fictional films also help flesh out the bigger picture as evidenced by Ordinary People, About Last Night…, Home Alone, Barbershop, The Blues Brothers, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and The Fugitive.

Plenty of novels also claim Chicago as their home base, as do a smattering of musicals and plays. When all of these artistic snapshots are strung together, outsiders still only have a two-dimensional perspective on one of the country’s greatest cities.

Cities are stressful. It’s just the nature of the beast what with all of those people bumping up against all of that concrete and steel. The constant noise, the bustling crowds, the pulsating energy… some folks thrive on it; most, though, need at least an occasional respite. And every city planner knows that’s where parks come in.

Like all major metropolitan areas, Chicago strives to strike the livability balance demanded its occupants. In doing so, the Chicago Park District manages some 570 parks across more than 7,600 acres. And that’s not all. Also in their charge are 534 baseball fields, 518 playgrounds, 24 miles of lakefront, 25 beaches, 9 harbors, 9 ice skating rinks, 8 skate parks, 6 golf courses, 90 gardens, 50 community gardens, 17 historic lagoons, 11 savannas/woodlands, 5 wetlands, 22 prairies/grasslands, and more.

According to Yelp reviewers, Garfield Park Conservatory wins by a mile. With around 200 reviews, this East Garfield Park gem maintains a five-star standing. The free admission, no doubt, plays a large part in its popularity. First opened in 1908, the Conservatory – one of the world’s largest – has been described as “landscape art under glass.” Over the years, renovations and projects have continued to transform the facility into one of Chicago’s most popular attractions.

In second place on Yelp, the Lilly Pool at Lincoln Park also boasts a five-star rating, though with far fewer votes cast. Tucked between the Lincoln Park Conservatory and the Peggy Norbert Nature Museum, the Lilly Pool is, as one reviewer cited, “for anyone who needs a break from the hassle of the city.” A web of paths meander through the park passing a mini waterfall and stone slabs that provide a resting stop for those in need.

Speaking of the Lincoln Park Conservatory, Yelpers love it pretty well, too, with about 100 of them tallying up a 4.5-star rating. Tropical palms and ancient ferns create a other-worldly experience for visitors. The facility dates back to 1890 when the study and classification of plants and other natural species was a popular hobby. As the Chicago Parks District notes, “People were becoming concerned about the effects of industrialization and conservatories provided ‘tropical paradises’ within cities.” Some idioms hold true across the centuries.

Next up, we have Promontory Point. Quite simply, “At the Point you get it all: the lake, skyline, lots of trees, places to sit, walk… heck, you can even lay down on the grass and sleep if you want.” That’s how one Yelp reviewer summed up this lakefront treasure in Hyde Park that also dates back to around the turn of the 20th century.

Both Grant Park and Millenium Park have to be included here. The former features the ever-beloved Buckingham Fountain, Taste of Chicago, Blues Fest, and Lollapalooza in addition to its gardens and sculptures. Meanwhile, Millenium Park is, at least to one Yelper, “Truly the crown jewel of Chicago to show off it’s best assets.” Another, though, noted, “The Bean is really enough of a reason in itself to go to Millennium. Simple and sophisticated, it kept me entertained for hours. It’s a feeling that must be experienced first-hand.”

With all of these options, and so many more, Chicago residents and visitors alike have plenty of escapes to keep them sane in the urban environment. So, be sure to take advantage of these built-in stress relievers.

Chicago State University (CSU) can trace its heritage back to 1867 when it began as Cook County Normal School. Among the institution’s laudable leaders was Colonel Francis Wayland Parker, who took the reins in 1883. Parker stands tall in American education’s history, cited as one of the leading innovators of progressive education. He suggested that, rather than having the curriculum lead the students, the students should inform the curriculum with freedom and curiosity as their guides.

Over the decades since Colonel Parker, the school evolved its way through various incarnations – Chicago Normal School, Chicago Normal College, Chicago Teachers College, Chicago State College – to finally become Chicago State University in 1971.

With the state in charge, admissions and academic programs boomed with a move to a new campus in 1972. Heeding calls from the locals to be more inclusive, the university even established an African-American Studies program and cultural center.

Among the school’s esteemed faculty, poet Gwendolyn Brooks looms large. She signed on as a Distinguished Professor in 1990 and taught until her death in 2000. Established in her memory, the Gwendolyn Brooks Center for Black Literature and Creative Writing now offers the only MFA program in the country in African American literature.

As leadership and budgets allow, CSU continually expands its offerings. In 2003, an Honor’s College was added with a College of Pharmacy following in 2007. CSU also claims the first Educational Leadership doctoral program in America.

The new University Library, christened in 2006, boasts an automated system – ROVER (Retrieval Online Via Electronic Robot) – that can retrieve five books in a mere 2.5 minutes. CSU also has its own radio station (WCSU), along with CSU-TV.

On the athletics side of the field, the CSU Cougars are Division I teams. The 5,500-seat Emil and Patricia Jones Convocation Center hosts basketball games, as well as concerts, conferences, and other city-wide special events. An array of campus activities and events fill the calendar each year, with summer bringing two special series – Movies in the Grazz and Jazz in the Grazz.

Looking at the numbers, the urban university on Chicago’s South Side enjoys an endowment of just over $3.7 million. Total enrollment stands around 7,000 students strong, with about 4,500 of those in undergraduate programs.

According to the school’s website, “The mission of the university is to: 1) provide access to higher education for residents of the region, the state, and beyond, with an emphasis on meeting the educational needs, undergraduate through doctoral levels, of promising graduates from outstanding secondary schools as well as educating students where academic and personal growth may have been inhibited by lack of economic, social, or educational opportunity; and 2) produce graduates who are responsible, discerning, and informed global citizens with a commitment to lifelong-learning and service.”

Academically, CSU seems to retain Colonel Parker’s commitment to “excellence in teaching, research, creative expression, and community service.” That’s an impressive feat after nearly 150 years.

All year round, Chicago is abuzz with great things to do. Summertime, though, really brings the goods. In addition to all the static sights to see and adventures to enjoy, a steady flow of top-notch entertainment keeps the Windy City overflowing with fun. This summer is no exception.

Music Festivals
Dave Matthews Band Caravan
Lakeside – Chicago
Chicago, IL
July 8-10, 2011
Dave Matthews invited a bunch of friends to hit four cities with him this summer and Chicago made the cut. On the bill with DMB are Ray LaMontagne, O.A.R., Amos Lee, Soulive, Ben Folds, Liz Phair, Vieux Farka Toure, Emmylou Harris, David Gray, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Gomez, and a bunch of other great acts. This is a must-see show for anyone that loves great music across several genres. The Dave Matthews Band Caravan hits Chicago for a three-day songfest July 8-10.

Vans Warped Tour
First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
Tinley Park, IL
July 9, 2011
For something completely different than the Caravan, the Vans Warped Tour rocks Tinley Park on July 9. This year’s bill features Paramore, 3OH!3, Lucero, Jack’s Mannequin, A Day to Remember, The Devil Wears Prada, Gym Class Heroes, and a slew of other alt-rockers. Warped largely aims for a younger, edgier crowd, but if you dig the genre and the vibe, jump on in.

Lollapalooza
Hutchinson Field – Grant Park
Chicago, IL
August 5-7, 2011
Splitting the difference, musically speaking, between the DMB Caravan and Warped, Lollapalooza takes over Grant Park for three days in early August. On the slate are Eminem, Foo Fighters, Muse, Coldplay, My Morning Jacket, Bright Eyes, Deftones, Damian Marley & Nas, The Cars, Ween, and too many more to list. What began as a tour, Lollapalooza only inhabits Chicago each year so, enjoy it for the rest of us! You can even nab a three-day Lollapalooza pass if you want the full monty, as it were.

R&B
Usher & Akon
Allstate Arena
Rosemont, IL
May 20, 2011
Getting the summer started early, Usher and Akon play Rosemont’s Allstate Arena on May 20 as part of Usher’s OMG Tour. The R&B upstart assured everyone earlier this year that, with this tour, “We gon’ set this world on fire — that’s the plan, baby!” Maybe bring a bottle of water along, just in case sparks start to fly.

Rihanna & Cee Lo Green
United Center
Chicago, IL
June 15, 2011
In addition to his performance at Lollapalooza, Cee Lo Green and Rihanna hit Chicago’s United Center in mid-June. When he was asked to partner up for the trek, Green said, “I want to thank Rihanna for inviting me on our version of 50 First Dates, only difference is she’s unforgettable fine. … I look forward to doing my part to make the tour unforgettable for the fans that come out and see us.” With oodles of great tunes between them, Cee Lo and Rihanna will no doubt make some memories together.

Sade & John Legend
United Center
Chicago, IL
August 5-7, 2011
Competing with Lollapalooza on the first weekend in August, the much-anticipated tour pairing Sade and John Legend soothes Chicago’s United Center three nights in a row. Sade hasn’t played in the States in some 10 years, so tickets are hot items across the whole tour.

Country
Kenny Chesney
Toyota Park
Bridgeview, IL
June 9, 2011
Most country music artists play out in Moline where they can draw crowds from deeper into the Heartland. This year, though, Kenny Chesney put Bridgeview on his route so that Chicago-area fans don’t have to trek halfway across the state just to enjoy some country music. Known for his energetic stage shows, Chesney will make it worth everyone’s while for going the distance to see him.

Rascal Flatts
First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
Tinley Park, IL
June 25, 2011
Bringing it even closer to home, Rascal Flatts hits Tinley Park a couple of weeks later. The harmony-laden country trio has broken all sorts of records in their career. Catch the show to find out why.

Rock
My Morning Jacket
Auditorium Theatre
Chicago, IL
June 17, 2011
Like Cee Lo, these guys are on the Lollapalooza line-up, but My Morning Jacket loves Chicago enough to play a whole other show at the Auditorium Theatre on June 17. Festival slots rarely satisfy die-hard fans anyway, so get your fill at this gig and consider the Lollapalooza set as a bonus.

Eddie Vedder
The Chicago Theatre
Chicago, IL
June 28-29, 2011
As part of his solo tour in support of his new release, Ukulele Songs, Eddie Vedder lands in Chicago for two nights in late June. Glen Hansard of The Swell Season is also on the marquee. A reviewer wrote of a show earlier this year in Perth, “Vedder easily commanded our attention as he plucked away at a range of stringed instruments — guitars, a mandolin, and ukulele — all the while his incredible voice soared across the theatre.” Seems worth the price of admission, no?

The Decemberists
Aragon Ballroom
Chicago, IL
July 25, 2011
Having finally attained the sort of success they deserve, The Decemberists play Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom as part of the tour supporting their 2011 release, The King Is Dead. The effort debuted at number one on the Billboard charts, so this band is H O T. Of their Beacon Theatre show this past January, a critic noted, “the band demonstrated both precise musicianship and a loosey-goosey, relaxed attitude that delighted the sold-out crowd.” Go. Be delighted.