Yes, Chicago is a melting-pot where America is being forged, yet again, as we speak! Immigrants are coming in from all over the world, filled with hopes and dreams which we can see expressed in their real-life success and in their real stories.

This moderate middle-class suburb is surrounded by more affluent ones, but it has been where new American lives have been built for more than a century. My father’s family started here after their immigration from Europe and there still are vestiges today of that Eastern European Jewish community in Albany Park, along with those speaking another 40 or so languages!

My family has long since moved-on to other parts of Chicago (we’re into our 4th generation of Chicagoans) or on to other parts of America. Albany Park is now 30% Korean, and also has a large Latin American contingent.

Last time I wrote about Albany Park Theater Project for teens as a way to meet-the-people of today’s Albany Park. Here are a few more places to check out the Cultures and Arts there.

At Northeastern University ofn Thursday, March 29th, 2012 check out the Lecture Series “The Acccidental Activist” at 7pm.

Visit the Triad Myriad at North Branch Projects for the exhibit at 3550 W. Lawerence Avenue, with Katie Chung, Amy Sinclair and Jon Ten Brink.

North Branch Projects is also one of 3 venues for the ongoing “ESPACIOS OCUPADOS: DEFINING 99%” seen around Chicago.

This Art Festival is an international art exhibit program with the goal of presenting creative responses by contemporary Caribbean, Latin American, and Latino/a artists showcasing recent occurrences happening around the globe: immigration rights protests in America, street riots in London, uprisings in Egypt, and the various “Occupy” events.

This collective exhibit effort opens-up common  ”humanity” using imaginary and collaborative processes within and outside their respective communities. See it.

Calles y Sueños-Chicago
28 Jan. – 18 Feb. 2012 — FINISHED

Maya Essence – Casa Guatemala
17 Mar. – 14 Apr. 2012

North Branch Projects – Albany Park
12 May – 9 Jun. 2012

“Participating artists suggest how these current matters have impacted or continue to influence the Caribbean, Latin American and “diasporic” Latino/a community around the globe”.

The artists have produced work in many media – digital, drawing, mixed techniques, painting, performance and photography.

There will be community panel discussions between local activists, artists, and arts professionals. Interestingly, the Exhibitors represent different Latino/a generations of artists who are established and respected in the art world as well as others who are upcoming.

Enjoy!

(c)2012 mystic
Travel Vacation Review

Chicago and New York are America’s biggest melting-pots. Come here to see-the-world walk by! Chicago’s history of welcoming immigrants is just as strong today as it was when my father’s family came there more than a century ago from Eastern Europe.

In fact, when I saw this Public Television piece about the Albany Park Theater Project for teens, my interest piqued, as I believe this was the neighborhood my father grew up in a century ago. Incredible.

I visited this neighborhood as a young teen more than 50 years ago and went to high school there for a few months while we visited from overseas.

It was a safe neighborhood then. My sister and I walked to school, alone. No problem. Now, more than 40 languages are spoken in the neighborhood and the teens there have lots to deal with; however, this artistic group of kids is rising above some difficult circumstances and are inviting you into their lives.

This is a chance to see a slice of America rarely shown in order for you to understand real-stories, from the teen actors themselves. The project also helps tutor the teens and the steadiness of all of this produces the first college-bound children in their families. They have received critical acclaim for their plays.

I will have to confirm that my family did live within the boundaries of what is called Albany Park today, but regardless I will pay attention to what’s going on in the Albany Park Theater Project Project next time I visit, and I think you should learn more here, too.

(c)2012 mystic
Travel Vacation Review

I never knew that this was done, so this is an extra chance to see some great pageantry!

This Saturday at 10:30am is a rehearsal for the famous Trooping of the Color at the Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall, London in the City’s core.

At this practice for the annual ceremony to commemorate the Queen’s official birthday (which takes place on June 11) the Major General Commanding the Household Division will take the Salute, instead of the monarch.

Tickets for seated stands have already been allocated but spectators can watch along the route down the Mall and at the end of Green Park.

Transport: Charing Cross/Westminster
Telephone: 020 7414 2479
Trooping of the Colour for more information

London Archived Articles

©2011 mystic Travel Vacation Review

Everybody loves FOOD!

Tickets to this excellent festival are valid all weekend when you attend the London’s Foodies Festival over the Bank Holiday Weekend, May 28 – 30, 2011.

You’ll be amazed as you are also enjoying the beautiful Hampton Court Green as the venue site, and I would encourage you to enjoy the festival as King Henry VIII would have done! His Tudor Palace called Hampton Court is nearby and well worth a visit all on its own.

Twelve Michelin-starred chefs and top chefs will share their passion for everything from fish dishes to Indian foods from amazing chef, Sangeev Kapoor. Foodies Festival Chef Bios

Offerings include:
___ The Chef’s Theater – 12 Michelin Chefs and Top Chefs.- complimentary Foodies recipe book 11am – 6pm
___ Young Cooks Masterclass
___ Great Taste Market: The new market from the Guild of Fine Foods will feature stallholders whose products have won a prestigious Great Taste Award in the last three years. Great Taste Award
___ The Producer’s Market will help introduce to to fine local food suppliers and you can buy their wares.

Foodies Festival
Hampton Court Green
East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 9AT
Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-6pm, Mon 11am-5pm
£15, under-16s free if accompanied by an adult
Transportation: Hampton Court
Telephone: 0131 226 7766
Foodies Festival 2011

Turk Launches – Thames River Cruises – 300 years of experience!

Come by the Thames River, instead! There’s a Combo Deal. Tuck’s launches have been running the river for 300 years and are available for the Festival.

Up to 45 river cruises are run daily to Richmond and Hampton Court from April to October. There are easy connections to London trains from the pier.

London Archived Articles

©2011 mystic Travel Vacation Review

Want to go to a museum where you might actually see something from your life? In London, you can.

Come to the renowned Geffrye Museum, which serves to report on the remarkable life experienced by ”ordinary people” for the past 400 years — you’ll be amazed at how far those 4 centuries have changed the lives of regular folk.

When London visitors read guide-books or listen to museum lectures, except for participation in battles, you’ll really have to dig deep to learn about the ordinary citizen, whose deeds largely determine what happens in the world. But the Geffrye changes all that because it’s a museum of the people.

As much as seeing how the upper-class lives, it’s important to understand what our own middle-class industry has brought to the world. You’ll be proud.

Geffrye Museum, London – more!

©2011 Mystic at Travel Vacation Review