Summer Begins

It has finally arrived after all the snow, storms and natural disaters. It is now the start of Summer in Chicago. I love Chicago but the summers here are like no other. I am going to share with you the calendar for the start of the events to hit Chicago this year.

Chicago Summer Neighborhood Festivals
May-September

www.chicagoneighborhoodfestivals.us
The office Special Events assists community organizations in producing more than 400 neighborhood festivals that showcase ethnic customs, music and food.

Bike Chicago 2011
May-September

www.bikechicago.us
Bike Chicago 2011 is back with more reasons than ever to bike around the city. Making the choice to bike is one way to a healthier you and a greener city and planet.

Farmers Markets
May-October

www.chicagofarmersmarkets.us
Chicago's Farmers Markets bring more than 70 vendors selling fresh fruits, vegetables, plants and flowers to over 20 neighborhoods throughout the City of Chicago.

Chicago's Memorial Day Parade
May 28
State Street

More Information The Chicago parade is considered one of the largest Memorial Day parades in the nation. Since 1870, Memorial Day parades have graced the streets of Chicago. In 1997, Mayor Richard M. Daley made it an annual tradition as a day to be thankful that we live in a country where freedom, justice and democracy are proudly defended.

Chicago Blues Festival
June 10 - 12
Grant Park

www.chicagobluesfestival.us
The Chicago Blues Festival is the largest free blues festival in the world and remains the largest of Chicago's Music Festivals.

Bike To Work Day Rally
June 17
Daley Plaza

More Information Hosted at Daley Plaza – 50 W. Washington, the event celebrates the City’s commitment to make Chicago the best big city for bicycling.

Chicago Air and Water Show
August 20 & 21
North Avenue Beach

www.chicagoairandwatershow.us
The Chicago Air & Water Show is the largest spectator event in the United States and the longest ongoing show of its kind in North America.

Chicago Jazz Festival
September 1 - 4
Cultural Center & Millennium Park (Sept. 1)

Millennium Park (Sept. 2)

Grant Park (Sept. 3 & 4)

www.chicagojazzfestival.us
The longest running of the city's lakefront music festivals. For the past 30 year's, the Chicago Jazz Festival has been a Labor Day weekend tradition.

Please view the list and start enjoying your summer. Live each day as it is your last.

Much Love

Chanel

Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women

SUNNY DAYS

With most of the East Coast under inches of snow, it dawned on me recently that spring is only months away. Now that I am thinking of spring, summer starts to creep into my mind. Can’t wait for the warm days of summer!

Now that I have begun to think of summer, I want to start making all the fun plans for the season. The event that I enjoy in my state is the Ravinia Festival. This is an outdoor venue where concert are held from country to jazz every year with big names from everywhere. It is the best thing since sliced bread. This venue allows you to bring in your own food and beverages and enjoy an evening of music with a hint of elegance.

Since I enjoy the music ones the most, here are some fun festivals that go on in cities throughout the United States…I am going to provide a few in some of the larger more familiar cities.

Atlanta Jazz Festival
Memorial Day Weekend Atlanta, Georgia

Macy Music Festival
July 30th and July 31st Cincinnati, Ohio

African World Festival August
TBD Detroit, Michigan

Jazz in the Gardens
March 20th and March 21st Miami, Florida

DC Jazz Festival
June 1st thru June 13th Washington, DC

Lollapalooza
August 6th thru August 8th Chicago, Illinois

Summerfest
June 24th thru July 4th Milwaukee, Wisconsin

These should start the summer off with a bang and I am sure there are hundreds more that people would fine worthy of attending. Let me know more in your areas that you think people should hear about.

Much Love

Chanel

Real Life Real Talk Real Women