This Weekend In The South Loop

Trader Joe’s Grand Opening!
Ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Trader Joe’s is at 7:45 a.m. Friday, September 9. Probably the most anticipated business opening in the South Loop will finally be a reality. Second Ward Alderman, Bob Fioretti will be on hand for the ribbon-cutting, along with other South Loop community leaders.


Karaoke and Jazz

This Thursday Donna’s Café will have karaoke at 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. On Friday, Donna’s continues with jazz at 6 p.m – 9 p.m.

Family Fun
The annual Festival on Prairie Ave. is this Saturday from noon – 6 p.m. The family-friendly event is on Prairie and 18th St. There is a $5 donation.

Friday Fish Fry
It’s all-you-can-eat Friday Fish Fry at Weather Mark Tavern this Friday and every Friday. For $9.95 you get fish, fries, and red cabbage coleslaw. And don’t forget the homemade tartar sauce!

Art Opening
The Prairie Avenue Gallery is showing a new exhibit of mixed-media art this Friday from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. Complimentary wine and cheese will be served.

Rent a Piece of History: The Historic Keith House

The Keith House was completed in 1870.

Located on 1900 S. Prairie Ave. is the Keith House. Once one of the grandest private homes in the South Loop’s historic Prairie Ave. neighborhood, it is now an art gallery as well as a rental space for both corporate and private functions. Owner/operator, Marcy Baim is ready to help you plan your next bridal or baby shower, birthday party, or corporate event. The home can comfortably accommodate from 25 to 150 people.

The historic home can accommodate up to 150

The Keiths’ Chicago Legacy
Completed in 1870, the Keith House was built and owned by Elbridge G. Keith. Elbridge, along with his two brothers (O.R. and Edison) opened a very successful millinery business in Chicago. Elbridge Keith later helped found the Metropolitan National Bank and served as its first president.

A reception is set up in the art gallery

The Prairie Ave Gallery
After Keith’s death in 1905, the home stayed in the family’s hands until the 1920s.  During the next few decades, the home was purchased and sold several times. Eventually in was purchased in 1978 by Joy Darrow and Steven Pratt, who established the Prairie Avenue Gallery in 1986. Today, it is still a gallery for emerging artists. During this year’s Festival on Prairie Avenue, Marcy Baim, a professional photographer,  will be exhibiting some of her work. The Festival will be held on S. Prairie Ave. on Saturday September 11 from noon to 6 p.m.

An elegant table set for a birthday celebration

Weddings and Showers and Birthdays, Oh My!
The Keith House has hosted all kinds of events: small, intimate weddings, book signings, birthday parties, and fund raisers. One of the most memorable events, according to Baim, was a fund-raising art show for an artist-friend who had recently been confined to a wheelchair. When the evening was over, 80% of the artwork was sold.  When Baim rents out space for parties, weddings, and corporate events, she helps fund the gallery, which is free and helps make it a “neighborhood cultural destination.”

One of the parlors is set up for a meeting

Mention Us and Save
The next time you’re looking for a special place to hold your next party or event, the Keith House should  rank high on your list. For information on scheduling an event, please visit the Prairie Avenue Gallery Web site or call Marcy Baim at 312-907-7909. Mention the South Loop Connection when booking your event and receive a 5% discount.

10 things to do this weekend

Paderewski Symphony Orchestra at Symphony Center

Polish pianist Piotr Banasik and the Paderewski Symphony Orchestra play the CHOPIN IN MY HEART 200TH ANNIVERSARY GALA CONCERT at Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center. The concert is part of the PSO's efforts to build a cultural bridge between the American and Polish communities. March 26, 8 p.m. Tickets are $38-$58. 220 S. Michigan Ave., (312) 294-3000 or (773) 957-7777, www.cso.org or http://www.pasochicago.org/.

For nine other things to do, click here.

Paderewski on Prairie Ave.
Many Chicagoans don't realize that during the nineteenth century, Prairie Ave. was the center for art, music, and culture. Many residents were patrons of the arts, including John and Frances Glessner who lived at 1800 S. Prairie Ave. The Glessners were early supporters of the Chicago symphony. They helped recruit the first conductor, Theodore Thomas, and helped raise the funds for Orchestra Hall.

The World's Columbian Exposition of 1983

When the World's Columbian Exposition was held in Jackson Park, musicians from all over the world came to Chicago. The expo included among it's many buildings, a huge concert venue where musicans could share their talents with the world. Paderewksi was one such artist. He brought his world-class talent to the fair along with his Steinway piano.

Kimball v. Steinway
Another resident of Prairie Ave. was William W. Kimball, 1801 S. Prairie Ave., of Kimball Piano and Organ fame. Mr. Kimball supposedly made a deal that the only pianos allowed at the World's Fair would be those manufactured by his company (sounds like a Chicago deal, doesn't it?). Would Paderewski play symphonies using a Kimball piano?

Steinway spokesman
To help establish their company as the premier piano maker, Steinway and Sons associated themselves with artists like Paderewski. Like an athlette with an apparel agreement, Paderewski couldn't possibly use a Steinway. The story goes that Paderewski had to sneak his piano to the fairgrounds. Considering the size of the fair and the amount of things moving in and moving out of Jackson Park, it probably wasn't too hard to sneak something inside. In any event, it makes a great story.

History in the South Loop
To learn more about Prairie Ave., Chicago's first gold coast, be sure to visit the Glessner House Museum. There you'll learn about the other famous residents and discover what it was like to live among the "sifted few" and how and why life on Prairie Ave. went into decline.

If you can't make it to the museum, but would like to learn more, check out Chicago's Historic Prairie Ave., written by William H. Tyre, executive director of the Glessner House Museum.

Festival on Prairie Ave.

The Festival on Prairie Ave. took place on Saturday September 12, 2009, from noon to 6 p.m. There was plenty to see and do for children and adults, including a petting zoo, Daniel Burnham exhibit, and tours of the Glessner and Clark houses.

Sponsored by the Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance (PDNA), the annual block party was held at Prairie Ave. at 18th St. Other activities were held at Chicago Women's Park, adjacent to Prairie Ave., including a tug-of-war contest, potato sack races, and obstacle course sponsored by the Illinois National Guard.

Festival on Prairie Ave. this Saturday

The Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance (PDNA) invites you to the Festival on Prairie Ave. (Prairie at 18th St.) Saturday September 12, 2009. The festival hours are noon to 6 p.m.

Billed as "a day of fun for the whole family," the event will include activities for children, musical performances, emcee and humorist Stuart Jackson, and tours of the Glessner and Clarke houses. Food will be provided by Cafe Society during the festival. A $5 food ticket will get you a choice of hamburger, hot dogs, brat, veggie burger, with chips and a drink. Cafe Society will also have other items available from their regular menu.
Festival tickets are $7 (entrance donation). Children 12 months and under free will be admitted free of charge. For more information, including information on volunteering, visit the PDNA Web site.

Festival on Prairie Ave.

The Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance (PDNA) invites you to the Festival on Prairie Ave. (Prairie at 18th St.) Saturday September 12, 2009. The festival hours are noon to 6 p.m.

Billed as "a day of fun for the whole family," the event will include activities for children, musical performances, emcee and humorist Stuart Jackson, and tours of the Glessner and Clarke houses. Food will be provided by Cafe Society during the festival. A $5 food ticket will get you a choice of hamburger, hot dogs, brat, veggie burger, with chips and a drink. Cafe Society will also have other items available from their regular menu.

Festival tickets are $7 (entrance donation). Children 12 months and under free will be admitted free of charge. For more information, including information on volunteering, visit the PDNA Web site.