The Dance Hall Diaries

     Back in the Roaring Twenties, cities all across the country were crawling with young people living a life that up until then was just the stuff of fantasy. Up until then, most young people went straight from their education to working on the family farm until they shook off this mortal coil. But things were changing. America's population was moving from the farms to the cities. No more did a young woman have to settle for a dreary existence as the wife of a farmer. Instead, she could move to the big city, take a job as a secretary or a telephone operator, and live her life the way she wanted to.

     One of those ways was ballroom dancing. This was the new hip thing to do, the way to let young people feel free and loose, much the same way rock and roll would do so 40 years later. One associated phenomenon was the dance marathon. This is where couples would go to a ballroom, and start dancing. The last couple dancing would win. These proved wildly popular to the young folks, but just like rock and roll, it was frowned upon by the powers that be. A Chicago judge at the time said that dance marathons capitalized on "the morbid curiosity of the same class of observers who avidly view a bull fight or a cock fight". Nevertheless, dancers were able to stay one step ahead of the law. One such contest that was held in New York City was interrupted by the local police, forcing the competitors to dance over to a waiting vehicle which spirited them away to New Jersey. After another interruption, they were shuttled back to Harlem, and then finally all the way to Connecticut, where the contest was stopped and the winning couple established the record of 69 continuous hours of dancing.

     However, that record was not destined to last long. On August 30, 1930, 126 couples stepped on to the dance floor at the Merry Garden Ballroom in Chicago. More than 7 months later, 1 couple was left standing. Mike Ritof and Edith Boudreaux had smashed the record for longest Dance Marathon at 5,148 hours(and 28 minutes). To this day, the record still stands.

Lost and Found

     What happens when something is lost to the sands of time? What happens when that very same thing is dusted off after 80 years? We'll examine both cases today. Eustasio Rosales was a Colombian composer born in 1875 who was one of 27 Million people to visit the 1893 World's Fair. The fair inspired millions of people the world over, and Rosales was one of them. He was so moved that he decided to come to Chicago in 1900. From there he started to make his way as a music man in the city of big shoulders. He played piano for silent movies. He conducted nightclub bands. But all the while, he was working towards his big goal: an opera. He wrote all of the music. He designed the backdrop. He was even corresponding with his brother back in Colombia who was writing the lyrics. He had a name for it: Andina. In the early 30s, he even conducted a group at Orchestra Hall. All was going according to plan. Christmas Eve, 1934: Rosales and his family are all ready to celebrate another Christmas. Suddenly, his wife gathers the family around Eustasio in the living room. He has had a heart attack. The family begins praying, and in the middle of it Eustasio Rosales dies. The family is devastated. His widow is wracked with grief. Andina and all of its corresponding materials go into a bankers box and get stashed in a closet. Over the next 80 years, various members of the family try to have the opera performed, but to no success.
    
     Finally, in the fall of 2013, Arlen Parsa is going through old family papers when he sees the opera. Arlen Parsa is the great-grandson of Eustasio Rosales. After hearing the story of its journey, he decides to do something about it. The thing is, Parsa isn't very well-versed in the field of music. Not one to be deterred, he researches how to put on an opera, and begins assembling a team. First he finds someone who can transfer the 80 year old hand-written score into notation software so that it is nice and readable. Then he needs to find a conductor to lead the orchestra. Having accomplished that, he recruits the Chicago Composers Orchestra to actually play the music. After getting together the instrumental and vocal talent, Parsa still needs a place to actually perform the opera. After searching around, he found a willing host in the Athenaeum Theatre in Lakeview. After finding people to take care of the technical production and the publicity, the curtain is ready to go up on the show. On September 18, 2015, the world premiere of Andina finally takes place, 80 years after it was meant to. It is well-received, and this work from Eustasio Rosales has finally seen the light.

Note: The inspiration for this post, as well as the information contiained within come from a documentary about this journey titled The Way to Andina, which is extremely informative and goes much further into detail than I do here.

It's a Good Time to be a Rambler

     Going to the Final Four has some prestige to it. Going to the Final Four as an 11 seed has a LOT of prestige to it. Like if Elvis walked in levels of prestige. And Loyola University has been reaping those benefits. Let's start with the obvious: memorabilia sales. The campus gift store has been bursting at the seams with Rambler fans wanting to get their hands on all the hottest Final Four apparel. So much so that the company running the store has had to call in reinforcements from other locations to handle the crowds. And even beyond that, there have been numerous satellite locations popping up around the city where fans can get their hands on Loyola gear. Beyond that, Las Vegas is the latest town to fall in love with the Ramblers. Loyola is by far the hottest team on the gambling books, attracting far more tickets than Michigan, Villanova, or Kansas. And they're loving Loyola on the internet too. Visits to the school's website have increased by 400% over last year. That bump in visibility is also leading to a bump in applications, which is a similar experience to what other 11-seeds have experienced after making it this far. It doesn't hurt that they have Sister Jean too.

Sir Charles and Sister Jean

     One of the other big names in this year's NCAA Tournament is Charles Barkley. He's doing analysis, he's doing commercials, he's pretty much everywhere. And that may include hanging out with Sister Jean. Last weekend, the Round Mound of Rebound expressed his desire to hang out with the 98 year-old nun if Loyola made it to the Final Four. Well, lo and behold they did. And not just that, but Sister Jean heard about Chuck's invitation. She actually agrees, but she has a limitation: "I like him when he talks as a sports announcer very much, but I don't want to see him play on the basketball court." As long as this doesn't end with Sister Jean getting left in front of a craps table in San Antonio, I think we'll all be okay.

Miracle In the Net

     Not to be outdone by a college team, the Blackhawks have somehow managed to make a dent in the news cycle while playing out the string on a shockingly moribund season. And all they had to do was put an accountant in goal. Let me back up for a moment: the '17-'18 Blackhawks are one of the biggest conflagrations in Chicago history not triggered by Mrs. O'Leary. One big reason for this is a spate of injuries that have hit the team early and often. On this particular occasion, one of their goalies went down. They called a guy up from Rockford, but it turns out this wasn't enough, as this guy started not feeling well later on in the game. Luckily, the Hawks have a team of skilled amateur players who are at the United Center for each game who can act as emergency fill-ins for either team. The back-up goalie went down, the Hawks turned to their bullpen, and fortunately, someone answered. That someone was 36 year-old accountant Scott Foster, he was called out onto the ice, warmed up, and proceeded to stop all 7 of the shots he faced to close out the game. The game ends, Hawks win, Foster is mobbed by his new teammates, and he went back to work as an accountant today. Just a day in the life of a backup backup goalie.

Chicago's Newest Celebrity

     The Ramblers of Loyola have made a splash in the NCAA Tournament in the past month, and the fame has gone everywhere. But without a doubt, the most talked-about person in this tournament has to be Sister Jean. Jean Dolores-Schmidt started out as a Sister of charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1937. By 1961, she had moved to Chicago to join the staff of Mundelein College. Over the next 30 years, she plied her craft on the North Side. In 1991, Mundelein College was absorbed by Loyola University, and she was kept on at the institution. 1994 saw her become chaplain to the men's basketball team, and ever since then her fame has grown. In 2011 she was honored with her own bobblehead. 5 years after that, she was granted an honorary doctorate from the school.

     But all of that was just a warm-up for the past 3 weeks. Loyola entered the tournament as an 11-seed. But then they started winning. And they haven't stopped winning. Buzzer-beaters, blowouts, Sister Jean has been there for all of them. And that's not even counting the media coverage. The assistant Athletic Director has been deputized as Sister Jean's rep so as to sort through the mountain of requests for her time. On one day, her appearances were as varied as Good Morning America, WGN News, and ESPN. Add on the inevitable social media response, and Sister Jean is the newest celebrity of 2018. Who would've thought it would happen to a 98 year-old nun? I suppose the Lord DOES work in mysterious ways.

Loyola Wins Again!

     After taking their first 3 tournament games by a combined total of 4 points, Loyola needed no such heroics in the Elite Eight against Kansas State. Ben Richardson led the way for the Ramblers with 6 three pointers and 23 points overall. Marques Townes and Donte Ingram were helpful again, contributing 13 and 12 points respectively. Additionally, all of Loyola's starters were perfect from the free-throw line. Kansas State didn't do quite as well, with Xavier Sneed leading the team with just 16 points. Two other players scored in the double digits as well. This victory sets up a date in the Final Four for Loyola, which is their first trip this far since their championship season of 1963.

4 Points in 3 Games

     Ladies and Gentlemen, we've got a bona fide Cinderella in town, and its name is the Loyola Ramblers. After ANOTHER thrilling victory in the Sweet 16, Loyola has now pushed itself into the Elite 8, thanks to scrappy play and support from Sister Jean. The game was yet another close one, as Marques Townes delivered with 18 points. Nevada had a gunslinger of its own with Caleb Martin, who delivered 21 points, with his brother Cody scoring 16 more. Not to be outdone, Jordan Caroline scored 19 points of his own. Thankfully, Loyola prevailed in the end. Loyola certainly has a habit of keeping their fans on the edge of their seats. They've now won their 3 tournament games by a combined total of 4 points. The drama figures to continue tonight, as they are up to face Florida State in the Elite 8 with a trip to the Final Four on the line. Make sure to watch.

Big Brother Could be Watching YOU

     If sitting around tonight watching the Ramblers isn't your jam(or you just feel like doing so in public), and you've always wanted to be on TV, today is your chance! Big Brother is hosting a casting call at Bar Louie at 47 W. Polk St. tonight from 6-9. Make sure to check out the website for all the details, and best of luck!

Rambling On

     When the names were drawn on Selection Sunday, folks up in Rogers Park knew what was coming but were still surprised. Loyola University had made it into the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1985. Their status as an 11-seed meant that they weren't going to have it easy, but things wouldn't be impossible. They proved that right away with an opening round victory over Miami, coming thanks to a last minute 3-pointer. Then on St. Patrick's Day, the Ramblers came up with another dramatic victory over Tennessee, sinking a shot with 3 seconds left to hold onto the win. Since then, Loyola has become the newest Cinderella darling. Visits to the school website have shot up 300%. Sister Jean Schmidt has become the country's newest celebrity(even in these times, a 98-year old nun can apparently still grab headlines). The program is being held up as an example of how to build a mid-major team that can actually win. Now though, the time for talk is coming to an end. The Sweet 16 starts off tonight, with a game in Atlanta against Nevada on the books. And even though the team might have had a bit of an interesting time making it to the arena yesterday, they're there now and ready to play.

Rise of the Machine

The Illinos Primary election is today, and returns are coming in shortly. Already making headlines are some rough and tumble campaign tactics being employed on the city's southwest side. According to Cook County Clerk David Orr, it's almost like the machine politics of old. Stay tuned for more updates.

Out of The Loop

     Today is a momentous day in the annals of Chicago radio. WLUP came on the air in its current form on March 14, 1977. Originally the station was a female friendly album-oriented rock station, but that changed in 1979 when new ownership changed to a harder-edged rock format. In March of that year, the station hired Steve Dahl as their morning man. Dahl would of course go on mere months later to become the only man to ever incite a riot at a baseball game. In 1981, Dahl was fired from his morning gig for 'assaulting community standards'(which is no big shock really, Steve Dahl probably didn't consider his day to be successful if he hadn't offended half the Chicago market by breakfast). In the 80s, the ownership purchased an AM station, which spent the next several years either simulcasting The Loop(as the station grew to be known as) or being simulcast by it.

     In the 90s, the station very briefly became Adult Contemporary, before switching back to rock the next year on the back of an all-Who playlist. After several more years of changing personalities and owners, The Loop became exclusively classic rock in 2011. The station was sold that year, but retained much of the same music. There were also several HD substations added that played various subgenres. On March 5, 2018 the station was sold and it was announced that a format change will be taking place. As of tomorrow, The Loop will become(wait for it) a Christian radio station as part of the K-Love network. The on-air staff was fired the day after the announcement took place, and in the irony of ironies, Steve Dahl will be the final voice heard on The Loop, via a simulcast of his AM talk show, commencing today from 2-6 PM.

DePaul Wins Again! AND Championship Preview

     Last night, the DePaul Blue Demons prevailed over the Georgetown Hoyas in the 2nd Semifinal of the Big East Tournament. Kelly Campbell was a force for the Blue Demons, turning in a double double en route to a 13 point game. Ashton Millender gave the home side 15 more points, and Mart'e gave 8 points. As for the Hoyas, Dionna White and Cynthia Petke both did well, leading the team in scoring. Mikayla Venson, DiDi Burton, and Marvel Osagie-Erese all helped by being perfect from the free-throw line. DePaul advances to the Final round of play.

     Waiting for DePaul in the Final are the Marquette Golden Eagles, back in the final after winning it all last year. Allazia Blockton looks to follow up her historic 32 point night last night. Amani Wilborn and Danielle King also played roles for the Golden Eagles. Marquette is looking to win its second straight Big East Tournament title.

To the Finals We Go! AND Game 8 Preview

     Coming hot off the presses, the Marquette Golden Eagles have punched their return ticket to the Final round of the Big East Women's Tournament. Audrey Faber was a key figure for the Creighton Bluejays in their losing effort, giving the team 20 points. In the second half, Marquette had a 12 point lead on the Bluejays, but the team stormed back, leading by a score of 68-66 when Sydney Lamberty landed a basket with 4:04 left. Then Marquette took over, going on an 8-0 run that was keyed by Allazia Blockton hitting a crucial shot with 1:38 to go. Jaylyn Agnew scored one last basket for Creighton, but the Golden Eagles held on to take the 76-70 victory. Marquette advances to the Tournament Final tomorrow night.

     Next up is DePaul and Georgetown. Georgetown is coming off of what I believe to be the best game of the tournament so far, a gutsy comeback victory over Villanova. Cynthia Petke looks to repeat her stunning performance from last night for, and Dionna White figures to be right there with her too. Emotions may be high for the Hoyas, playing in their first semifinal since 1999. DePaul is coming off of a commanding win over Seton Hall that saw Mart'e Grays get 21 points, and Ashton Millender throwing buckets from way out in 3-point territory. The winner of this tilt goes on to face Marquette in tomorrow's final.

Creighton vs. Marquette Preview

     Opening up today's semifinal action, the Creighton Bluejays (and their spirit squad) are taking on the Marquette Golden Eagles. The Bluejays are coming in now 12-7 in Big East play after yesterday's win over St. John's. Look for the duo to Jaylyn Agnew and Sydney Lamberty to play a key role once again in their battle with top-seeded Marquette. As for the Golden Eagles, Amani Wilborn is looking to follow up yesterday's 26 point effort with another strong showing. Stay tuned to Chicago 365 for all your Big East Women's Tournament updates.

Throw Out the Chalk!

     If there's one thing this Big East Women's Basketball Tournament has been lacking, it's upsets. Fear no longer, because the Georgetown Hoyas are tearing up brackets in Chicago! Coming into the contest with Villanova, the Hoyas were the 6 seed playing against a 3 seed. For much of the game, the Wildcats were ahead, entering halftime 7 points up on Georgetown. Alex Louin was indeed a key contributor, scoring 13 points. Kelly Jekot scored 8 points, and Mary Gedaka and Adrianna Hahn scored 12 points each. Even though Villanova led for the great majority of the game, the Hoyas refused to give up, hanging on to finally overtake Villanova in the 4th quarter. Dionna White was indeed a factor, scoring 20 points. Mikayla Venson added 9 more points. But boy oh boy, Cynthia Petke! She made us all look bad. Villanova for torching them for 24 points, and me for not including her in my pregame analysis. I don't think she'll be overlooked again. The Hoyas advance to face DePaul tomorrow in the semifinals, Georgetown's first time making it this far since 1999. In my book, this was the most engaging game of the Tournament so far, which bodes well for future action.

A Win for the Home Team AND Game 6 Preview

     DePaul prevailed in another easy win tonight over Seton Hall. The Pirates had some good moments, many of them coming courtesy of Selena Philoxy, who led with 14 points. She also had a moment where she sort of dunked the ball. Really cool! But the main story here is DePaul. I labeled Mart'e Grays as a player to watch, and boy was I right. She scored 21 points and was perfect on free throws. Ashton Millender was a force at the 3-point line, sinking 5. Beyond that, Chante Stonewall lent 11 points to the winning effort. DePaul advances to face the winner of Georgetown-Villanova tomorrow.

     Speaking of that game, its next! The Hoyas enter this game at 9-9 in the Big East. Overall, they are 14-31 in Big East Tourney play. Look for Dionna White and Mikayla Venson to make an impact in today's game. Villanova enters tonight's action at 12-6 in the Big East, and a 32-31 all-time record in Big East Tourney play. Alex Louin and Kelly Jekot are players to watch coming into today's action.

Yay Bluejays! AND Game 5 Preview

     Creighton came away with a win this afternoon in Big East Tourney action. They were facing off against the St. John's Red Storm. One big contributor for the Red Storm was Maya Singleton. She came away with 9 lay-ins, scoring a total of 18 points. Creighton was very effective defending against the 3-pointer, only allowing 6 attempts for the whole game. Even with that, the game was still competitive, with the Bluejays only winning by 8 points. Creighton's winning effort was largely helped by Jaylyn Agnew, Sydney Lamberty, and Temi Carda, all of whom were perfect from the free-throw line, and who combined to score 47 points. The Bluejays now advance to play Marquette in tomorrow's semifinal.

     Up next, the home team is playing! DePaul and Seton Hall are squaring off in the day's third game. Seton Hall enters today with a 7-11 conference record. Last night saw Seton Hall turn in their best defensive performance of the season, only allowing 42 points. Look for Nicole Jimenez to lead the way after leading the Pirates in scoring last night. DePaul enters with a 15-3 conference mark. Overall, the Blue Demons are 17-10 in Big East Tourney play. Look for Mart'e Grays, Ashton Millender, and Amarah Coleman to lead the way for DePaul, having 431, 404, and 362 points on the season respectively, as well as ranking in the top 10 in most DePaul offensive categories.

The Bluejay Backers

     The schools here at the tournament have various spirit groups with them. Cheerleaders, pep bands, the like. Creighton has all that, but also their spirit squad, the Creighton Blue Crew. These folks stand on the sidelines, wear baggy pants with big blue pinstripes, and have fun. I spoke with a few of them and they were excited about the game that had just ended. They're excited to support the team, they like that they have a lot of freedom to enhance spirit, and they say that they're great at throwing t-shirts. Make sure to keep an eye out for them at Wintrust Arena this weekend!

Fly Eagles Fly! AND Game 4 Preview

     Today's tournament action kicked off with Butler and Marquette. Butler followed up its performance yesterday with another strong showing. Tori Schickel came through again, delivering 5 lay-ins for the Bulldogs. Michelle Weaver lent 17 points to the effort. As for the Golden Eagles, Amani Wilborn was indeed the key, scoring 26 points. Allazia Blockton helped as well, scoring 12 points and adding 4 rebounds. It was largely a back and forth contest for much of it, with each team having the head for just about the same time. At the end, Marquette pulled away, leading to a 73-61 Golden Eagle victory.

     Next up, Creighton is taking on St. John's. The Blue Jays come into the contest with an 11-7 conference record. Jaylyn Agnew and Audrey Faber figure to be contributors, coming into today's action with 233 and 230 points on the season respectively. Overall they have a 5-4 all-time record in Big East Tourney play. St. John's comes to Chicago with a 9-9 conference record. Qadashah Hoppie is the top scoring Freshman in the Big East, and Maya Singleton is the top rebounder in the conference. They are 27-29 all time in Big East Tourney play.

Marquette vs. Butler preview

     After a thrilling effort last night holding off Providence, Butler is back on the court facing off with top-seeded Marquette in Big East Tourney play. Look for Kristen Spolyar to follow up her 21 point performance for the Bulldogs with more shots today. Whitney Jennings looks to be a key performer once again, and if the Bulldogs need to sink free throws, look no further than Tori Schickel, who made 13 of them yesterday against the Friars. Marquette comes into today's action looking to defend the title they won last year in Milwaukee. Their star player Allazia Blockton looks to play a part in that title defense. The reigning Big East player of the year comes in with a whopping 19.2 points per game scored in league action. She also was named Big East Women's Scholar Athlete, becoming just the 7th person to win both accolades. Other Golden Eagles to watch are Erika Davenport and Amani Wilborn.

Pirating a Victory

     Game 2 of the Big East Women's Tournament featured Xavier going up against Seton Hall. While Providence/Butler was an instant classic, this tilt represented a steady, inexorable march to the finish. Not to say that there still weren't compelling performances though. Through 3 quarters, Xavier's Imani Partlow had 9 points, 5 of them via free throws, taking up Tori Schickel's mantle of free throw leader. Nicole Jimenez led the way for Seton Hall, ringing up 12 points through 3 quarters. At the end of the game, Seton Hall pulled away with a convincing 66-42 victory. Now the real work begins for Seton Hall, who advance to face 2nd seeded DePaul in Sunday's action.

Who Let The Dogs Out? AND Game 2 Preview

     The first game of today's action certainly delivered, with Butler prevailing 73-67 in a game that went to an overtime period. Providence came out of the gate strong, and it looked like they were firmly in the driver's seat to start. Then Butler showed up and made things interesting. The game was largely back and forth for much of it, even going to overtime. Ultimately, the Bulldogs pulled through and advance to play the #1 seed tomorrow. As far as individual performances go, Jovana Nogic was indeed the key player for the Friars, scoring 18 points. For the victorious Bulldogs, Whitney Jennings was indeed a key contributor, scoring 20 points. Another key player was Kristen Spolyar, who led much of Butler's offense in the early going. As my earlier post mentioned, Tori Schickel did indeed cross the 500 point threshold, contributing a total of 17 points. Her true prowess was in scoring free throws, of which she sunk in 13 of them. Overall, the game was very competitive, and a great one to start things off with.

     Commencing right now is Game 2. 10th ranked Xavier is taking on 7th ranked Seton Hall. Seton Hall comes to Chicago with a 7-11 record in Big East conference play, while Xavier enters 3-15 in the Big East. This promises to be another good game. Stay tuned.

Ms. 500

     Big news from the Big East Women's Basketball Tournament, Tori Schickel has just scored her 9th point of the game and joins Whitney Jennings in the 500 club on the Butler Women's Basketball team. Congratulations!

Tourney Preview: Providence vs. Butler

     The first game of the Big East Women's Basketball Tournament tips off in 30 minutes. It features 9th ranked Providence against 8th ranked Butler. Providence enters tournament play with a 3-15 conference record, and a 19-29 all-time record in Big East Tourney play. Although they own a record of only 1-4 all-time as a 9 seed, this season they are 3-0 when playing at a neutral site. Look for Jovana Nogic to make an impact in today's game. More good news for the Friars: they lead Butler 8-2 all-time. The Butler Bulldogs come to Chicago with a 6-12 conference record, and ready for their first ever Big East Tournament meeting with Providence. In their Tourney history, the Bulldogs have never lost in the first round. Whitney Jennings looks to be the impact player for the Bulldogs today, leading the team in points both per game and overall. Another player to watch is Tori Schickel, who only needs to score 9 points in order to join Jennings with 500 points on the season, an admirable feat indeed.

Tournament Time!

     Since opening this past fall, Wintrust Arena has already attracted its fair share of events, ranging from concerts to college basketball to even professional basketball thanks to the Chicago Sky of the WNBA. Starting today, the arena gains another use when the Big East Conference comes to town for their women's basketball tournament. The tournament has been held annually since 1983, but exclusively located on the east coast till 2014, when it moved to Chicago. After one year in Milwaukee, its back in town with a new venue. DePaul and Marquette are the two teams to watch coming into the tournament, as they shared the regular season conference title, but this is anyone's tournament. The excitement promises to be there when the first game tips off today at 4:00

The Gangland Inn

     In 1924, a new hotel opened at the corner of Stony Island and 67th St. It was a sparkling building with 300 rooms and a magnificent location right at the entrance to Jackson Park. Soon enough the hotel was a jewel of the South Shore. Like many hotels of that era, the Southmoor soon became a well-renowned residential hotel, much like many others that populated Chicago's finer areas. In 1955, it had a brush with fame as Elvis Presley ducked into the Southmoor to hide out from crazed fans during the first time he was touring in Chicago. 7 years later, there was a meeting held here to formally organize The Woodlawn Organization. TWO was tasked with using radical forms of resistance to prevent the University of Chicago from expanding into the surrounding neighborhood(since then, the University and TWO have settled their differences and now work together to help improve the community).

     By 1969, things started to go downhill when the management unwittingly hired local gangbangers to help run the hotel. Within a matter of months, they had successfully driven away both their fellow employees(and more vital to the bottom line) most of the tenants. In 1970, Time magazine wrote an article about the deteriorating Southmoor's new status as a literal gangster's paradise. This didn't sit too well with Mayor Daley, who took the building for the city, kicked out all of the gangsters, and tried to find someone to buy the building. But nobody was interested(not even Geraldo), and the Southmoor was ultimately demolished in 1977.

Life's a Circus

     Chicago children's television is synonymous with one name and one name above all others: Bozo. While Bozo is certainly a Chicago icon, his roots go back a bit further. In 1946, Alan Livingston produced a children's read-a-long book for Capitol Records titled Bozo at the Circus.(fun fact: Mr. Livingston would go on to oversee the creation of Bonanza 13 years later) 3 years after the album was released, Bozo got his first TV show, a Friday evening show in Los Angeles. In 1956, one of the actors hired to play Bozo bought the licensing rights to the character, subsequently franchising them out to various cities across the country. This is where Chicago comes into the picture.

     In 1960, WGN got the rights to Bozo and started putting him into segments in between cartoons. This arrangement lasted for about 6 months until WGN moved their television operations out of the Tribune Tower to their own studio on the city's northwest side. It was there on September 11, 1961 that the Bozo craze truly hit Chicago. On that date, a one-hour program called Bozo's Circus premiered, featuring Bozo, Ringmaster Ned, a 13-piece orchestra, humor, whimsy, and the Grand Prize Game, all taped in front of a 200-member studio audience. While 200 people to watch a children's show may sound like a lot, the supply couldn't come close to meeting demand. At the height of its popularity, there was a 10-year waiting list for tickets, and many women took to reserving a spot for their children as soon as they found out they were pregnant. The Bozo mania was so rampant that even in the wake of the Great Blizzard of 1967, a full house was lined up to gain access to the show.(alas, that was one of the few instances where the taping was cancelled and a repeat was shown in its place) In 1978, WGN became a cable superstation, and much like Harry Caray and the Cubs, Bozo benefited from being seen by a national audience. In 1984, the original host (Bob Bell) retired, and so a national search was launched for the next host. Joey D'Auria (who had gained fame as a contestant on The Gong Show) was picked to replace Bell. With a new host in place, the show went into the 1990s as a Chicago institution. Unfortunately, changes that began in 1997 ultimately did the show in. That year, the FCC passed new rules mandating 3 hours of educational programming be shown by all television stations each week. The next year, one of the cast members left as a result of budget cuts. Finally, WGN announced the cancellation of the program in 2001. The final taping was a 90 minute primetime special that aired on July 14 of that year.

     Bozo's legacy lives on in many different ways. Several costumes and props are on exhibit at the Museum of Broadcast Communications (also in Chicago). The Bozo character has popped up in various places over the years, from WGN specials, to parades, to even a 2008 PSA about the upcoming switch to digital television. The most recent appearance of Bozo came in 2018 when WGN re-entered the world of shows done before a live studio audience with Man of the People, which even featured a special appearance from Bozo himself.

Saving Cornish

     Daniel Hale Williams isn't a name that jumps off the page like other notable names. But his accomplishments stand tall nonetheless. He was one of the first African American surgeons in the country. In 1883, he got his degree from what is now known as the Northwestern University Medical School. He then ran into a roadblock, as African Americans weren't generally allowed to work in hospitals in Chicago. He solved this problem by starting his own hospital. In 1891 he opened up Provident Hospital, the country's first African American owned and operated hospital. This valuable resource provided educational opportunities to aspiring doctors in the black community, as well as care options for patients that previously may not have been able to be treated at other hospitals.

     By 1893, the hospital was up and running. And while the energies of the city may have been concentrated in other places that year, life went on. On July 9 of that year, life would conspire to put Dr. Williams in the history books once more. On that day, a gentleman by the name of James Cornish was involved in a bar fight. After ostensibly losing the fight, Cornish was brought into Provident with a knife wound in his chest. With the patient dying, Dr. Williams didn't have much time to think. So, he opened him up right there and operated directly on the heart. There were no antibiotics, x-rays, or anesthesia as we know it today. Even with all that against him, Dr. Williams saved Cornish's life and he walked out of Provident 51 days later with a clean bill of health. Not just was Cornish's life saved, but Dr. William had performed one of the first successful pericardium heart surgeries in the United States.

Grinding it Out

     There are plenty of unique things here at the show. I may have just found the craziest one. Audi has a whole spread at their exhibit, including merchandise for sale. One of those items is a black piece of plastic that plays a noise like an engine revving up. I'm trying to figure out what it is, and it turns out that the thing is a pepper grinder! Who would've thought? Points to Audi for originality!

 

Win This Car!

     At the Auto Show this year Ford has its usual array of features. Hank the Robot, the Mustang dynamo, and the cars. But this year Ford is also partnering with JDRF. JDRF is a Type 1 Diabetes advocacy group that has been around since 1970. Their mission is to raise awareness of the disease and to generate funding to facilitate research and discovery of a cure. One of those fundraisers is taking place at the 2018 Chicago Auto Show. Ford is raffling off a 1973 Mustang Convertible. People can buy tickets with all the proceeds going to JDRF. Winners will be announced at the end of the show, so make sure to buy your raffle tickets now!

 

Hear the Mustang Roar

     The Ford Mustang is one of America's most beloved cars, and one of the most distinctive things about it is the sound of its engines revving up. Ford has brought that experience to the 2018 Chicago Auto Show. They have a Mustang set up on a platform, and once an hour a driver gets in and revs the engines on the car. Obviously, it's quite loud and the noise fills up the whole hall, meaning that no matter where you may be standing, you can hear the roar of an iconic muscle car.

 

Chargers, Chargers, and more Chargers

     In 2018, our mobile tech is more important to us than ever. To that end, taking care of the tech needs of attendees at the auto show is a priority. A dead battery is fun for nobody. Luckily, many automakers have provided benches in their exhibits equipped with usb ports and charging cables, thus allowing guests to hang around at their displays more and see more of what they have to offer. .

     Guests can sit down, relax, and get a phone charge. As we saw with the rise of immersive technology this year, the role of and the catering to technology will only grow in prominence as the years go on

 

Hanging with Hank

     We've already covered the immersive experiences at the auto show. But there is another experience that is something to behold. As part of Ford's exhibit here at the show, guests can check out Hank the Robot. 

     Hank is an animatronic robot that interacts with guests at the show. Some would say that he bears a resemblance to C-3PO from Star Wars(but don't tell Disney's lawyers I said that!) He speaks with a southern drawl that is truly odd. After talking to the guests for a while, he breaks down into a robot dance party. Hank is something that needs to be seen to be believed. Make sure to check him out at the show.

 

 

Awards Aplenty

     This year the auto show is separated into different sections of auto manufacturers. Many of them have displays showing off the awards that their vehicles have received recently.

     Mitsubishi is proudly displaying their awards(as well as the souped-up Model A), ranging from a cars.com honor to a trophy honoring their vehicle as a top safety pick.

     GMC is displaying its array of awards, ranging from honors accorded by the Kelley Blue Book, to a pickup truck of the year award, to honors from cars.com

     Hyundai's selection of safety awards speak to its reputation as a great safety-focused brand, but the other awards on display mean that the company isn't just a one-trick pony.

    Toyota's commitment to excellence is plainly obvious when you look at the size of their trophy case and the numbers of repeat awards they have won over the years. Clearly, this brand is here to stay.

     Jeep is one of America's best known brands and the bevy of awards shows it. Both multiple repeats of the same award and a great diversity of awards indicate that this is a well respected brand.

This Car is Insane!

     Dodge has always been known for their muscle cars, but this time they've outdone themselves. This year Dodge is unveiling the Challenger SRT Demon. Here are just some of the stats:

• It has 840 horsepower under the hood
• It goes from 0-60 in 2.3 seconds
• Not only that, but it's the fastest production vehicle to go from 0-100, outperforming a vehicle that costs $1.6 Million
• It set the 1/4 Mile speed record for a production vehicle
• It gives the highest G-Force of any production vehicle
• It's got a supercharged 6.2 Liter HEMI V8
• It features a 45 square inch hood scoop to constantly supply the engine with air
• The front wheels lift up off of the ground when taking off
• Not only is the acceleration groundbreaking, but so are the breaks, featuring four-piston Brembo brakes with slotted two-piece rotors
• It has drag racing tires
• It has special racing accessories on the inside to make it feel all the more authentic

     And the whole thing is street legal! That's a whole hell of a lot of car! And it starts at just under $85,000. Make sure to save your pennies!

Remodeling the Past

     In 1917, the Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Company released the Model A, the first production series automobile to be built in Japan. The car itself was not very successful, as all the vehicles were assembled by hand, which caused it to lose ground to mass-produced cars. But this year, Mitsubishi is at the 2018 Chicago Auto Show with an updated model of the car. On the outside, it looks like any other classic car, but inside it has all the modern amenities one expects from a 2018 vehicle, such as:

• An all-wheel control system
• Plug-in chargers
• Forward Collision Mitigation
• Smartphone display audio
• And much more

     Kudos to Mitsubishi for bringing the past into the future.

My Dream Car

I'm not the type who typically has dream cars that I want to run out and buy. But even I make an exception every now and then. One of those exceptions is the Polaris Slingshot. It's basically a 3-wheeled motorcycle with an actual body, but no doors to speak of. It gives you the freedom and open air feel of a motorcycle with some of the protection of a car. Polaris is here at the Auto Show with some vehicles. They even have a kids area where the little tykes can wheel around in mini Slingshots.

You Can Catch it All on WGN(again)

     In a somewhat surprising development in the arena of local sports, the Chicago White Sox announced yesterday their new radio affiliate for the 2018 season and beyond: WGN, and your eyes are not deceiving you here. Some background: for the past few years, the White Sox have been broadcasting their games on WLS, but recently the parent company of that station realized that the contract was unprofitable. They filed suit in court, won the case, and received the right to terminate their broadcast contracts with the White Sox and the Bulls. The Bulls moved over the 670 The Score, but there was some doubt about where the Sox would be until yesterday, when they reached a new deal with WGN. This is fascinating for a couple of reasons. First off, WGN has had a decades-long relationship with the Cubs, making them returning to the broadcast game with the White Sox interesting. Plus, for about 10 years, the Cubs were on WGN and the White Sox were on The Score. Now starting in 2018, the Cubs will be on The Score and the White Sox will be on WGN. This all just goes to show that the local sports scene is constantly changing and constantly evolving.

State Farm at the Show.

     Once again, State Farm is making its presence known at the 2018 Chicago Auto Show, with its State Farm Garage. Like always, they are here giving out their ubiquitous bags:

     But they also have some other cool things this year. They have a booth where you can custom-engrave your very own State Farm luggage tag, as well as a photo wall where you can take a picture and put it up on the wall to make a photomosaic. I took a picture of myself, and you can see what it looks like:

The Time Is Now: The Year of Immersive Tech

     One of the big waves of the future is immersive technology. Whether it's virtual reality, 4D Experiences, driving simulators, or augmented reality, people are always excited about the new things we can make people see with technology. Ultimately, the goal is to get somewhere right around here:

     While we're not there yet, we're getting better every year. And the 2018 Chicago Auto Show is latching on to that trend in a big way. There are more immersive experiences this year at the show than I ever remember seeing before. Chevy gives us a good look at things with their 4D Test Track Experience:

     You get to accompany a Chevy test driver on various Chevy proving grounds and test tracks throughout the world. This is an extremely immersive experience, and is easily the most immersive experience I've had. Between the VR goggles and the seat that vibrates and moves depending on the terrain you're crossing, this is a great experience that does what it sets out to do and passes with flying colors. The next one up is Honda, with their augmented reality experience. The best way I can describe augmented reality is like this:

     Honda's layout worked like this: the display took you through a course where you stopped at various locations and looked at different features about their vehicles. It was a very cool experience as well, as you were able to see the directions and presentations projected in front of your while still being able to see everything going on in front of you in the real world as well. That's what I find coolest about augmented reality, and why I still think it has a place in our technological toolbox.

     The other big innovation at the show are simulated driving experiences. Ford leads off the pack with its driving simulator, which is back for another year of fun. It works like this: you go up into a small space with racing seats surrounded by 3 screens giving you an almost 180 degree view. After that, you drive a course and get the feel of what it's like to be in a Ford Performance Vehicle. This is what it looks like:

     Then you have the Hyundai Racing Challenge. As part of the Hyundai exhibit, you can get the chance to race in a Hyundai vehicle, much like the Ford experience described above. But here's the fun part. In this experience, you can compete against your fellow auto show attendees. Several times each day, they have open qualifying rounds, where anyone can come up and drive the course. The top 8 times from the qualifying can then go on to a tournament, where players race head to head for the top price given out, which is a new Xbox.

There's No Biz Like Showbiz!

     At the auto show, there are many radio stations doing live broadcasts. One of those stations broadcasting from the show is B96, coming to us from the middle of the North Hall. Their morning crew is broadcasting live all week from the show floor. One of their people, Showbiz Shelly was there giving pop culture questions to those in attendance. She had a panel of three auto show guests onstage, and she was also giving out bags to the crowd.

     This is just one of many really cool things going down at the 2018 Chicago Auto Show, so stay tuned for even more updates!

CAS 18: We're ready to go!

     After a busy opening weekend, Chicago 365 is here to cover, talk about, and report on the 2018 Chicago Auto Show. With a million square feet of exhibit space, 3 test tracks, and multiple interactive experiences, there is a lot to explore. And with the help of the handy Chicago Auto Show mobile app, you can organize your experience right there. Lists of events, promotions, and show floor maps promise to light the way. I'll be reporting back with more as the show goes on, and I'll see you out on the floor here at the 2018 Chicago Auto Show!

From The Horse's Mouth: CAS 18 is open!

This morning the Chicago Auto Show officially opens it's doors to the public for its 110th edition. The following is a press release announcing the opening:

CHICAGO AUTO SHOW PREPARES TO OPEN ITS DOORS FOR THE 110TH EDITION  
The Nation's Largest Auto Show runs Feb. 10-19

CHICAGO (Feb. 10, 2018) - Automakers, manufacturers and enthusiasts from around the world are revving up for the 2018 Chicago Auto Show. The nation's largest and best-attended auto show, held annually at McCormick Place, opens to the public Saturday, Feb. 10 and runs through Monday, Feb. 19. The show is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day, except for the final day of the show when it closes at 8 p.m.

Dignitaries and show officials are expected to cut the ribbon on the 110th edition of the Chicago Auto Show Saturday, officially opening the longest-running auto show in North America. Consumers will once again be treated to more than one million sq. ft. of exhibit space, appearances from celebrities and sports icons, and interactive displays for the whole family.

The 2018 Chicago Auto Show promises visitors exclusive access to nearly 1,000 of the newest and most exciting vehicles, including more than a dozen vehicles that made their global or North American debuts during this week's Media Preview. Those include the much-anticipated 2019 Volkswagen Arteon, Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid, Fiat 500, 2019 Ford Transit Connect Wagon and Edge Titanium Elite, Toyota 4Runner, Tacoma and Tundra TRD Pro models and Slingshot Grand Touring Limited Edition. Two winter-themed concept vehicles from Nissan were also unveiled, the Nissan Armada Snow Patrol concept and the 370Zki concept, and Subaru celebrated its 50th anniversary with the release of special edition automobiles across its entire 2018 lineup.

In addition to the latest production, concept and exotic vehicles, the show is packed with opportunities for attendees to get behind the wheel. Seven outdoor ride-and-drive experiences hosted by Cadillac, Ford, Kia, Mazda, Subaru, Volkswagen and the Chicago Area Clean Cities Coalition will offer an up-close look into the most recent cars, trucks, SUVs and electric vehicles to hit the market. Three indoor test-driving tracks, including Camp Jeep, Kia's SUV Gym, and Toyota's Camry Thrill Ride, will highlight cutting-edge technologies and vehicle capabilities right from the show floor. New and returning exhibits across the show floor, including numerous driving simulators, offer fans the fun and interactive experiences they've come to expect in Chicago.

"The Chicago Auto Show is a consumer-driven show unlike any other automotive expo in the world," said John Hennessy, 2018 Chicago Auto Show chairman. "We offer visitors unfettered access to vehicles and unique, hands-on experiences that enable them to make informed purchase decisions down the road. With new and exciting exhibits from nearly every manufacturer on the show floor, the 2018 Chicago Auto Show has something for everyone."

Media from around the globe gathered at McCormick Place Thursday and Friday for the Media Preview, where they received a first look at the more than a dozen new and updated vehicles making their debut in Chicago. Fans of the Chicago Auto Show's Facebook page were once again able to watch the vehicle revels and news conferences along with their favorite reporters in real time via Facebook Live. Attendees of the 2018 Chicago Auto Show will be among the first in the world to see the latest cars, trucks and SUVs to hit the market, including:

2019 Volkswagen Arteon
Subaru 50th Anniversary Special Edition Vehicles
Nissan Armada Snow Patrol Concept
Nissan 370Zki Concept
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid
Toyota TRD Pro Package 
2019 Ford Transit Connect Wagon
Fiat 500
Slingshot Grand Touring Limited Edition

In addition to the latest production vehicles, Chicago Auto Show visitors will have a front-row seat to some of the most impressive luxury vehicles and supercars, including:

Acura NSX
Aston Martin Vanquish S
Audi R8
Bentley Bentayga
2019 BMW I8
2019 Chevrolet Corvette
Ford GT
Lamborghini Aventador S 
Lotus Evora
Mercedes-Benz AMG GT C
Nissan GT-R
Porsche 911
Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe

The Chicago Auto Show continues to offer new and exciting opportunities for fans to get into the action through social media. New and returning digital experiences include the official Chicago Auto Show mobile app, a virtual tour guide taking fans behind the scenes; #CAS18 BUZZHUB, a social engagement space featuring real-time news feeds and impressive photo backdrops, powered by Cars.com; and ongoing social media contests throughout the show floor, accessible by following the Chicago Auto Show on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.

In keeping with its tradition of hosting events that capture the attention of an array of consumers, the Chicago Auto Show will host the following events during its 10-day run:

Women's Day: Tuesday, Feb. 13. Women are admitted for $7. Manufacturers present special women-oriented programs on the purchase, lease and maintenance of vehicles. 
Chicago Auto Show Food Drive: Wednesday, Feb. 14 - Friday, Feb. 16. Show patrons who bring three cans of food will receive a coupon for a $7 adult admission. All food will be donated to A Safe Haven Foundation. 
Telemundo Hispanic Heritage Day: Friday, Feb. 16. Manufacturers develop and host Hispanic celebration events throughout the show. 
Family Day: Monday, Feb. 19. The Chicago Auto Show will host family-friendly events on Presidents Day to wrap up the last day of the show. 

The 2018 Chicago Auto Show is open daily 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Feb. 10-18, and 10 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 19.

As stated above, the Chicago Auto Show runs from now through the 19th. Chicago 365 will be there to provide illuminating coverage and enlightening vignettes. See you out on the show floor!