Chicago's front porch

Grant Park is a large park on Chicago's lakefront that has been called "Chicago's front porch" because it is a such a popular gathering place. In the northwest corner is the hottest tourist destination in Chicago: Millennium Park. The Pritzker Pavilion and the Great Lawn are two of many attractions in Millennium Park. The overhead latticework is both decorative and supports all the speakers. The dramatic curling bandshell is a work of the world-renowned architect, Frank Gehry.

Last night Terri and I were there to see two acts that were part of the Music Without Borders series which entertains and shares cultures through music. We saw Balogi, a kind of Congo-rap artist (minus the bling) from Africa, and then Rupa and the April Fishes. Rupa and her bandmates performed a very high-energy Cumbria/Chanson/Salsa/Swing music that had even the oldest people in the crowd up and dancing.

We sat in the pavilion so we could see and hear better. I think next time we will join the others on the lawn where it's less like the parlor and more like the front porch.