Lollapalooza Update #2: When it Rains, it Lordes

     After infesting the regional rail system with loud teenagers, Lolla got around to its intended purpose with some music yesterday. The first couple of hours were, as usual, filled with acts that people really haven't heard of(though you could always find a future star out there, like a 2007 Lady Gaga for instance), interspersed with a couple more notable acts. As the evening rolled in, Cage The Elephant played on one main stage, while Wiz Khalifa was whizzing away on the other.Then, the day's final acts took the stage. Muse succeeded Cage The Elephant, and Lorde took over for Wiz. However, both acts ended up featuring the same surprise guest: Mother Nature in the form of torrential rain. In short order, things went from being a re-enactment of Woodstock to a recreation of the first night game at Wrigley Field. Without much warning at all, Muse and Lorde both had to cut their acts short and send fans scurrying to safety. Lorde has said she would try to be back, but no steady plans have been made as of yet.

Lollapalooza Update #1: Shitheads on a Train

     It's the first couple of days of August. That means that Chicago's annual attempt to re-enact Woodstock in Grant Park is underway. For it's 27th year, Lollapalooza is back. And it's bringing, Lorde, Chance the Rapper(no word yet on whether Malia Obama will be in the crowd this time), The Killers, and hordes of other acts(including Andrew McMahon in The Wilderness). Of course, it's also bringing thousands upon thousands of people to the city, many of whom are taking the train. Over at Chicagoist, they're reporting that the Metra system is quickly turning into The Walking Dead, just with over-hyped teenagers instead of zombies. For those of you unfortunate enough to be using commuter rail this week, you have my deepest sympathies. Just remember, it'll be all over by Monday(all except the court proceedings, that is)

Today In Auto Show History

     One of the more compelling, yet peaceful exhibits at the show every year is the Auto Show History display. If you take some time to read the displays, you can learn some pretty cool facts. For instance:

• In 1968 Oldsmobile had a 'cowgirl' riding on its stripped down Cutlass display to show off its functions.
• All the way back in 1923, the admission was only 75 cents(versus the $12 it costs to get in this year), but that was including a 'War Tax'. Which is interesting considering there was no war on at that point. Maybe it was just a veiled attempt to generate more profit.
• Many different celebrities have made appearances over the years, ranging from Sammy Davis Jr. in 1959, to the Dodge Fever Girl in 1969, and even Arnold Palmer appearing with Jesse Owens in 1970. But clearly the most compelling example came in 1977, when an automaker hired Walter Payton to talk about their displays. When Sweetness appeared, seemingly the entire show gravitated to him.
• In 1968 there was an airline strike right around the time of the show. With no airplanes in the air, what was a hard-working stewardess to do? How about hand out literature for Dodge at the Chicago Auto Show, which is precisely what several of them did that year.
• Concept cars have always been an integral part of the show, and while there have been some truly outlandish displays over the years, one of the most interesting is also the most normal looking. In 1978, American Motors Corporation displayed a revolutionary concept: a minivan. For some reason, executives decided not to pursue the concept, and minivans wouldn't truly make a splash until 1984 with Chrysler.
• In 1976 a woman appeared on stage and invited the audience to make her laugh. After many attempts(including a man sticking his tongue out), she remained unmoved. 

Star Wars: A New Nissan

     As we have previously seen, Nissan isn't afraid to promote their Star Wars tie-in aggressively. This is no different when it comes to their Auto Show exhibit. Hanging prominently above all of it is a giant inflatable Death Star. If that isn't enough to grab people's attention, the exhibit also features a custom-designed Nissan vehicle made to look like an X-Wing Fighter(imagine taking that on your daily commute). Other than that, we also have a special photo experience where people can get their pictures superimposed by a Stormtrooper, props from the movie, and also special appearances from Stormtroopers on select days. All of that from a galaxy far, far away straight to the North Hall of McCormick Place.

Racing with the Dragons

One of the more interesting and unique summertime events in Chicago is happening right now in Chinatown. Ever since 2001, teams have taken to the waters of the Chicago River in Ping Tom Memorial Park in specially decorated dragon boats as a way to bring the community together as well as to advocate for increased literacy. But there is much more to the festival than just boat races. Many different groups have tables set up all throughout the park today, from Abbott to Ameristar Casino, to even the New York representative office of Hong Kong (celebrating its 20th anniversary of becoming part of China). All told, there is something for everyone at the Dragon Boat Races.

Driving the ABC7 Newsteam

     ABC7 is beamed into more than 3 Million households in the Chicagoland area. All of that award-winning news has to get produced somehow, and news teams can't always go running back to the studio to make their stories just perfect. That's where the ABC7 Mobile Fleet comes in, allowing the newsmakers to go where the news is. 2 of those vehicles were even on display here at the Chicago Auto Show. First up is the main mobile unit, which is a refitted Nissan cargo van. Inside are all the tools the news crew needs to report on the news. Outside are plug-ins for cameras and other peripherals. And up top is a 50+ foot tall broadcasting mast that beams the signal to the Sears Tower for dissemination amongst the greater Chicagoland area. Also present was the mobile weather unit. While not as big as the other vehicle on display, this is impressive nonetheless, with its own satellite dish and everything. Together, these two vehicles help deliver invaluable reports to millions of viewers, a worthy mission if there ever was one.

KIA's Land of Fun!

Many of the exhibitors at the Auto Show have kitschy, interactive displays that you HAVE to be there to experience. KIA is no exception. Upon walking up to their main stage, you see a commercial playing on their screen. A commercial that has to be seen to be believed:

You saw that correctly, that is Bo Jackson playing Tecmo Football. Then he gets tired of running around and decides to run out and grab his trusty KIA Sorento. Roaring back into the stadium, he evades the defenders with ease and scores the touchdown.

     But that's not the only bit of fun to be had with KIA. You know the famous KIA hamsters, right:

Well they were there, LIVE and in person posing for pictures at the exhibit. Yours truly even got a picture with them. Altogether, very much worth the price of admission.