Chicago is a city that was built on the contributions of people who came from elsewhere to settle here. Since the beginning there have been large immigrant populations and people moving from other states to find their fortune in the Windy City. With so many influences, Chicago culture cannot help but be colorful and varied.
One of the most important Chicagoan contributions to what is regarded as American has been its music. From jazz to soul and from hip hop and house to indie rock, the city has been the home of many influential musicians. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is one of the world's most respected and even British rock superstars like Eric Clapton and The Rolling Stones were influenced mainly by the Chicago blues.
The blues was a major theme of one of the most popular movies set in the Windy City, 'The Blues Brothers'. This film classic is just one of the many that show off Chicagoan life and architecture. The city has also been the setting for many a hit television show and it was here that Oprah Winfrey filmed the talk show that made her a household name around the world.
Theater is alive and well with renowned companies for ballet, opera and other performing arts. It was probably in the Uptown district that slam poetry was invented. A form of theater that definitely originated in the city is improvisational comedy, originally the brainchild of the Compass Players, who in those days had young up-and-coming comedians like Jerry Stiller, Alan Alda and Mike Nichols among their members.
Museum lovers will have so many to choose from that they won't know where to start. There are art, history and science museums as well as museums dedicated to things as diverse as money and surgery. The different ethnic communities that have contributed to the unique Chicagoan character have museums about their heritage too. Individuals who have lived here sometimes also have museums about their lives, such as the studio and home of Frank Lloyd Wright, the legendary architect.
The city has always welcomed the visual arts. In fact, there is a program of public art that has made it possible for people to appreciate the work of great artists like Marc Chagall, Joan Miro, Pablo Picasso, Anish Kapoor and Claes Oldenburg simply by visiting the local squares and parks. There is a host of galleries too, especially in the River North area.
Of course culture is not only about the visual and performing arts and museums. You can live and literally taste it every day with the local cuisine. There are excellent restaurants throughout, from gourmet establishments to ethnic eateries. The city's chefs tend to put their own spin on well-known dishes like tamales or burgers and the local styles of ht dog and pizza, especially the well-loved deep-dish pizza, are legends in their own right.
A great introduction to Chicago culture when you visit is to take a cultural tour with a specific theme. For example, several operators offer architecture tours of the city where the skyscraper was invented. Local festivals are a good option too or simply check the local listings for all the cultural offerings in this vibrant city.
One of the most important Chicagoan contributions to what is regarded as American has been its music. From jazz to soul and from hip hop and house to indie rock, the city has been the home of many influential musicians. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is one of the world's most respected and even British rock superstars like Eric Clapton and The Rolling Stones were influenced mainly by the Chicago blues.
The blues was a major theme of one of the most popular movies set in the Windy City, 'The Blues Brothers'. This film classic is just one of the many that show off Chicagoan life and architecture. The city has also been the setting for many a hit television show and it was here that Oprah Winfrey filmed the talk show that made her a household name around the world.
Theater is alive and well with renowned companies for ballet, opera and other performing arts. It was probably in the Uptown district that slam poetry was invented. A form of theater that definitely originated in the city is improvisational comedy, originally the brainchild of the Compass Players, who in those days had young up-and-coming comedians like Jerry Stiller, Alan Alda and Mike Nichols among their members.
Museum lovers will have so many to choose from that they won't know where to start. There are art, history and science museums as well as museums dedicated to things as diverse as money and surgery. The different ethnic communities that have contributed to the unique Chicagoan character have museums about their heritage too. Individuals who have lived here sometimes also have museums about their lives, such as the studio and home of Frank Lloyd Wright, the legendary architect.
The city has always welcomed the visual arts. In fact, there is a program of public art that has made it possible for people to appreciate the work of great artists like Marc Chagall, Joan Miro, Pablo Picasso, Anish Kapoor and Claes Oldenburg simply by visiting the local squares and parks. There is a host of galleries too, especially in the River North area.
Of course culture is not only about the visual and performing arts and museums. You can live and literally taste it every day with the local cuisine. There are excellent restaurants throughout, from gourmet establishments to ethnic eateries. The city's chefs tend to put their own spin on well-known dishes like tamales or burgers and the local styles of ht dog and pizza, especially the well-loved deep-dish pizza, are legends in their own right.
A great introduction to Chicago culture when you visit is to take a cultural tour with a specific theme. For example, several operators offer architecture tours of the city where the skyscraper was invented. Local festivals are a good option too or simply check the local listings for all the cultural offerings in this vibrant city.
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