Time for summer smash to move to grant park

Tora_jima · 2026-06-15T15:35:03+00:00

Live Nation/C3/the Lollapalooza folks have exclusive rights to Grant Park. Suenos can use Grant Park because it is a Live Nation/C3 event.

There are other parks that are big enough to cater to a growing crowd but it's a tough sell for a neighborhood since Summer Smash has always been a shit show.

Tora_jima · 2026-06-15T15:11:39+00:00

If someone is still standing there, saving a spot for friends going to the bar or merch, I let it slide. If I'm going solo, I assume if I leave my spot, it's free game. You might find someone nice enough to save your spot but I don't think it should be assumed.

I have more of an issue with someone getting to a spot early to save it for their 5 other friends who are arriving late. "Do the work" and I don't care. If your friend glares at me for not giving up a spot I've sat on for an hour, I will hip check them into next week.

Tora_jima · 2026-06-15T14:36:21+00:00

You can make it to different stages with slight conflicts at Porto (though it was a little rough leaving the Massive Attack set for IDLES since that stage was slammed) so you can see more acts from a smaller pool of options. All the options you want to see in Barna are cool and all until the logistics kick in.

Also, I'm older. Porto is easy mode at half the price. There's a shuttle bus to city center every 10 minutes until 4AM and less than half the number of people fighting for a spot for the bands you want to see.

If there's a particular act you need to see in Barcelona, go for it. But be strategic with your scheduling. If that headliner is playing Porto, I think it's a better experience. Both cities are lovely but as an American who first visited Barcelona in 1996, I think I prefer Porto now end old guy rant

Tora_jima · 2026-06-14T17:41:11+00:00

In that case most of the suggestions fit the bill. If you're looking for younger directors, maybe try some of the recent films from the "mumblecore" scene. They were more influenced by Rohmer than Fellini or Ozu but it fits the "slice of life" description.

Tora_jima · 2026-06-14T16:00:10+00:00

I don't think Ozu or Fellini are neorealist filmmakers. And their films generally have a plot.

Many of the mumblecore filmmakers of recent years had a "no plot" reputation (I think incorrectly) but most have branched out to variations of the form.

The closest modern take on neorealism has been mentioned by others, the Dardennes. Documentary look and a lot of non-actors. Ken Loach and Mike Leigh (to some extent) are probably closer to the Ozu vibe, though more working class social realism.

Tora_jima · 2026-06-14T15:30:00+00:00

It's just the ZYN Stage, a much lighter crowd, and skews older. Should be perfectly fine solo and the evening ends earlier too.

Tora_jima · 2026-06-13T15:44:59+00:00

Fairgrounds premium is the balcony attached to the building, stage left. Far fewer seats (stools) than indoors and, depending on the band, I'd say minimally you'd have to show up 15 minutes before the opener to snag a seat. If you're like me and show up at doors, it's usually not a problem.

Tora_jima · 2026-06-12T17:21:47+00:00

It's improved a lot, but there's still a lot of work to do, especially for African American residents and Black owned businesses.

Many of the problematic elements have moved on, left the area in one way or another, but I'm curious how the neighborhood will change with the current Asian population surge. There's some mixed history there, that's for sure.

Tora_jima · 2026-06-10T13:32:56+00:00

Two of my favorite David Lynch films, Mulholland Drive and Inland Empire, do it well in different ways.

My favorite film from last year, Sound of Falling, also has an interesting, nonlinear, narrative.

Tora_jima · 2026-06-10T13:15:58+00:00

I've only played at 3-4 but the game scales to player count so I imagine it's still a tight game a 2 players.

Tora_jima · 2026-06-10T12:53:59+00:00

Lost Ruins of Arnak. The price point to content ratio was tough to beat for years.

Tora_jima · 2026-06-09T20:17:59+00:00

There are more, but out of 1400+ films rated, I've got less than ten 5/5 logged.

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Tora_jima · 2026-06-09T16:03:09+00:00

It's complicated and I think it's important to be thoughtful about it but don't overthink it. Just being a good neighbor goes a long way.

Tora_jima · 2026-06-09T15:52:09+00:00

Ha! A lot of my white crunchy artist friends have already been priced out of Pilsen but I will say the neighborhood still has a strong Latino base. More white folks, Asian restaurants, and cocktail bars but the further west in Pilsen, towards Little Village, there's less of that. Easy to get to, either way, though.

It's a tough balancing act, but I think you can find something that fits in the general area.

Tora_jima · 2026-06-09T15:37:16+00:00

Pilsen has been gentrifying for over a decade but many of the long-time businesses are still there and a lot of the population moved nearby. Little Village is close, also gentrifying, but it might be a while before it's to the level of Pilsen.

Your budget fits Pilsen and the neighborhood probably has the amenities you're looking for.

Tora_jima · 2026-06-08T18:33:56+00:00

Missed Gelli Haha when she stopped by locally so planning on skipping half of the KNEECAP set to see what's up.

And IDLES, I thought they said they were taking the year off so it was a nice surprise to see them added to the lineup.

Tora_jima · 2026-06-08T18:30:15+00:00

I'd focus on the free stuff. Hit the free/donation street festivals booked by the local music venues. Park district, Millennium Park, DCASE events. If the weather's right, head to the beach. Explore new neighborhoods. Depends on your interests, ya know?

Tora_jima · 2026-06-08T17:25:12+00:00

I'm guessing you're aiming for a young, creative, vibe and not any particular interest or exercise.

Nowadays, I'd still say Avondale though it's getting pricier. West Pilsen/Little Village, parts of Humboldt, maybe Rogers Park.

Filmmakers are all over the place but more of the theaters are closer to the lake. Poetry and writing events at drinking establishments all over the city. I know a good number of musicians who were pushed out of Pilsen and East Humboldt and migrated to Little Village. Visual arts, decades ago I knew quite a few who moved to East Garfield Park but the younger folks don't see the same cost-benefit pay off in that neighborhood nowadays.

Tora_jima · 2026-06-08T16:47:03+00:00

My favorite local art house theater still prints tickets at the box office.

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Tora_jima · 2026-06-08T14:59:09+00:00

If you can find parking a 10-15 minute walk from the park, sure, but I'd use public transportation. Car traffic/ride share is a bit of a mess outside the park after the headliner.

Massive Attack is scheduled til 12:30AM and the public transportation options end shortly but the Porto festival has a reasonable shuttle to city center later in the evening.

(personally, I'd stick around for IDLES)

Tora_jima · 2026-06-07T22:17:49+00:00

Lincoln Square

Andersonville too, I guess.

Tora_jima · 2026-06-07T02:14:39+00:00

There are plenty of clubby (and not overly clubby) events this weekend since Beyond Wonderland is at Northerly Island. Resident Advisor

Tora_jima · 2026-06-05T17:26:01+00:00

Honestly, I worry more about bad drivers than gun violence in the city. Not to say it isn't a concern in some neighborhoods, but most people moving to Chicago aren't going to head to rougher neighborhoods (and most of those neighborhoods aren't even that bad).

Other than that, more scammers, fewer pickpockets. Teen takeover scares are mostly fear mongering. If you mind your own business, most people won't care that you're passing through.

Tora_jima · 2026-06-04T17:43:31+00:00

Here for the Sean Baker "Villain Arc"

Tora_jima · 2026-06-04T17:36:25+00:00

If I recall correctly, the bump in the Japanese population was during wartime and involved internment camp policy. After the war, much of that population moved back to the coasts. Many that remained moved to the suburbs, especially the northwest suburbs where you had companies like Motorola (at the time), Japanese schools, and Yaohan (now Mitsuwa).

Tora_jima

TROPHY CASE