The Adler Planetarium

Monday, June 23, 2008 | Labels: , , , , , | 0 comments |

The Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum is America's first and oldest planetarium. Located alongside the Shedd Aquarium and Field Museum of Natural History on the shores of Lake Michigan, it was founded and built in 1930 by Max Adler and Philip Fox. In 1987 the Adler Planetarium was declared a National Historic Landmark.

Adler Planetarium hosts plenty of shows and exhibits that are sure to lure children and grown ups alike into astronomy. One of its featured attractions is Shoot for the Moon, a permanent exhibition that highlights exciting stories of space exploration and America's bold plans to return to the Moon.

Visit their website http://www.adlerplanetarium.org for more info.

Picasso In Chicago

Monday, June 16, 2008 | Labels: , , , , , , | 0 comments |

One well known Downtown Chicago landmark is the Chicago Picasso, or The Picasso. As the name implies, it is a metal sculpture by Pablo Picasso, a Spanish artist best known for co-founding the Cubist movement. The Picasso stands 50 feet, weighs more than 160 tons, and can be found in Daley Plaza in the Chicago Loop. It has become a popular meeting spot among Chicagoans because of its unmistakable features.

What or who exactly is depicted in the Chicago Picasso is still debated. Some say it is a bird or an Afghan hound, and some even say it is inspired by a woman named Lydia Corbett, one of Picasso's models. A copper maquette of the structure is entitled TĂȘte de Baboon, or Baboon Head.

Bo Diddley Dies at Age 79

Tuesday, June 3, 2008 | Labels: , , , | 0 comments |

Legendary blues and rock and roll legend Bo Diddley passed away Monday, June 2 2008, due to heart failure. Spokeswoman Susan Clary said Bo died at his home in Archer, Fla. Bo Diddley suffered a heart attack August last year, and a stroke three months before that.

Bo Diddley's hard-edged guitar sounds made him one of the founding fathers of rock and roll. As a youth, he started his music career playing guitar in the streets of Chicago and later at the 708 Club on Chicago's South Side. He is also widely know for his unusual rectangular guitar.

More info can be found here.