Adventure is out there...on a Wednesday...on the River...

I've lived in Chicago for awhile, and I've done a number of awesome things (some one and done, while others on an annual or regular basis). But never had I been on the Chicago River (except by boat...once), and I definitely hadn't been on it at night...in a kayak. Nor had I been to Art on the Mart. 

So last Wednesday evening ended up being a 2 for 1 in terms of new things in Chicago! (I love it when that happens.)

We started at Ping Tom Memorial Park about an hour before sunset. We got our kayaks ready, and we received a quick review of how to paddle, turn, etc. And then we were off, up river first and then with the current on the way back. We had some wonderful skyline views, and some folks walking or eating near the river had good views of us. (haha)

When we arrived at Merchandise Mart, we maneuvered into a spot near the wall and out of the way of other boats and kayaks. The countdown to the show started at 5 minutes till the presentation was going to begin, and it was projected on the side of the building.

the countdown

We realized a little too late that you can access the audio from the website, so we mostly just carried on our own conversation and then watched in silence. I thought it was pretty cool; though, I have known some people to be far less impressed than I was. I guess to each his own.

part of this month's features are works from the Art Institute

Thank you REI. (And thank you, Mother Nature) It was a beautiful, perfect night!

Make Me Alive

There are very few things (aside from my faith and time in nature) that make me come alive like seeing quality theater, especially plays that are of the musical genre.

(Good thing I live in Chicago. 😂)

This past week I saw two shows - one was new to me (and part of the Broadway in Chicago subscription), and one was an old favorite (the lyrics and lines of which I have nearly 100% memorized from so many movie viewings). Both were spectacular.

"Come From Away" is based on the events directly following the 9/11 plane crashes, when the American air space was closed down, and planes between America and other countries had to be rerouted and landed. One such landing space was in Gander, Newfoundland. The play follows the townspeople and one set of passengers over the several days following September 11, and it's a testament to the human spirit. There are parts so poignant and other parts that make you belly laugh. The music was lively - my favorite song was "You'll Be a Newfoundlander." (Maybe it helps that I actually know someone from Newfoundland.) Just brilliant.

And then there's the classic: "The Music Man."

Oh, there's nothing halfway about the Iowa way to greet you, when we greet you, which we may not do at all...

This particular production was staged in a fresh way - the sets were done with some awesome perspective choices, and the choreography was spectacular - the dancers made good use of the whole stage. Professor Harold Hill was quite charming, Mrs. Paroo was quite Irish, and Winthrop had the stutter down perfectly. The play hit all the right notes for me, and it took every ounce of will power in my body not to sing and speak right along with the actors on the stage.

So, aside from the necessities of daily living, I do spend quite a bit on the theater (though, we always try to get the cheaper tickets, even if it means sitting up in the balcony). But it's worth it because it fills my cup and brings a smile to my face. And that helps me be ready to face another day.