Since the Windy City's earliest days, people from all over the world came to settle here. They brought with them the traditions of their home countries or of towns in other parts of the USA. These all influenced one another over time to create a unique, richly varied Chicago culture, which in turn has influenced the cultural landscape of America.
Few cities have colored the American musical landscape quite the way that the Windy City has. It has been a leader in almost every genre of music, whether it's soul, jazz, indie rock, hip hop or house. Its particular style of blues has influenced artists like Jimi Hendrix and The Rolling Stones. Even the city's symphony orchestra rates among one of the world's most renowned.
Many a popular movie has been set in Chicago. The one that is often regarded as a cinematic love letter to the city, warts and all, is the classic comedy 'The Blues Brothers'. Television has not been left behind and hit shows from 'ER' to 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' have had the Windy City as their setting.
The Compass Players, a group affiliated to the university, is credited with inventing the modern form of improvisational comedy. Mike Nichols, Jerry Stiller and Alan Alda are just some of the famous comedians who have cut their teeth here. Stand-up comedy is still very popular in the local clubs. Furthermore, the Uptown neighborhood is regarded as the birthplace of slam poetry and if you want more serious theater, you'll find it with institutions like the Joffrey Ballet.
Museums abound in Chicago. You'll find ones dedicated to every aspect of Chicagoan life, from art to science. There is even an International Museum of Surgical Science. Architect Frank Lloyd Wright lived and worked in the Windy City and apart from buildings designed by him, you can visit his home and studio too. There are also several museums that pay homage to the different ethnic communities that have made Chicago their home, from Chinese Americans to Swedish, Irish, Polish, Ukrainian, Italian, Greek and Lithuanian Americans, not to mentions the Native Americans who lived here first.
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.
When you visit the Windy City, a cultural tour is a good way to find out more about life here. If you can visit during a festival, you'll also get a good idea of what the city is all about. However, the best way to experience Chicago culture is to walk around, visit the clubs and museums and other cultural institutions and let yourself be enchanted.
Few cities have colored the American musical landscape quite the way that the Windy City has. It has been a leader in almost every genre of music, whether it's soul, jazz, indie rock, hip hop or house. Its particular style of blues has influenced artists like Jimi Hendrix and The Rolling Stones. Even the city's symphony orchestra rates among one of the world's most renowned.
Many a popular movie has been set in Chicago. The one that is often regarded as a cinematic love letter to the city, warts and all, is the classic comedy 'The Blues Brothers'. Television has not been left behind and hit shows from 'ER' to 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' have had the Windy City as their setting.
The Compass Players, a group affiliated to the university, is credited with inventing the modern form of improvisational comedy. Mike Nichols, Jerry Stiller and Alan Alda are just some of the famous comedians who have cut their teeth here. Stand-up comedy is still very popular in the local clubs. Furthermore, the Uptown neighborhood is regarded as the birthplace of slam poetry and if you want more serious theater, you'll find it with institutions like the Joffrey Ballet.
Museums abound in Chicago. You'll find ones dedicated to every aspect of Chicagoan life, from art to science. There is even an International Museum of Surgical Science. Architect Frank Lloyd Wright lived and worked in the Windy City and apart from buildings designed by him, you can visit his home and studio too. There are also several museums that pay homage to the different ethnic communities that have made Chicago their home, from Chinese Americans to Swedish, Irish, Polish, Ukrainian, Italian, Greek and Lithuanian Americans, not to mentions the Native Americans who lived here first.
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.
When you visit the Windy City, a cultural tour is a good way to find out more about life here. If you can visit during a festival, you'll also get a good idea of what the city is all about. However, the best way to experience Chicago culture is to walk around, visit the clubs and museums and other cultural institutions and let yourself be enchanted.
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