The Story of K and A: Festivals

Still catching up on summer posts...

In July, A and I went to a new (for us) festival on the north side of the city. It was the 14th annual Folk & Roots Festival, and it was our favorite one of the summer this year.

This festival is sponsored by the Old Town School of Folk Music, which focuses on teaching, honoring and presenting American and International artistic traditions and styles. There were some amazing artists and types of music we've never heard before.

The day started off with the Midwest Fiddle Championship. They were holding the final rounds for the group and family divisions. I've never heard such amazing fiddle music. There was quite a crowd.

This group played traditional Mexican music. The girl on the fiddle was outstanding (they won!).

A and I liked this duo the best and thought they should have won. (I think they got 3rd.)

I loved watching the lady in this group with the wooden clappers.

The family division was really just two kid groups. Oh my gosh, they were mind-blowing! They wowed everyone in the audience.

These girls were the "Fiddle Billies". Love the name and the hand-drawn freckles!

Next up was the Tuning Pegs.

I loved this girl's blue violin - really cool way to personalize it.

Next up was a Jewish jug band. We pretty much just wanted to find out what a Jewish jug band was. Apparently it consists of a washboard, washtub bass and banjo, plus other instruments. They were so fun.

They called themselves The Schticklers and played a hilarious song about Bagels & Cream Cheese. Extremely catchy. (It's in my head right now!)

They also played a song that went "Oy! My head! It hoits so bad!" during the chorus. And swap "head" for other body parts. Hilarious.

The other forms of art included a live mural painting.

We also checked out the Dance Tent, just in time for me to learn Tahitian dance (done in time with traditional drums). It was really fun, but very tiring!

Before heading home we watched some examples of traditional Peruvian Folk Dance.

The instruments they used were really cool. A bunch of sea shells.

A jawbone.

I loved how they used small stuffed llamas in the dances!

The last dance told a story about a woman running from a bull. The expressions on the dancers' faces were priceless.

All in all, well worth the entry fee and hike up north!

For the second year in a row, I went to the Chicago Air & Water Show by myself. (Last year A was studying, and this year he was out of town.) I don't mind, though. I like to take tons of pictures, and I understand not everyone is obsessed with airplanes. (Though I don't know why not!)

The Air ~~& Water~~ Show is comprised of mostly airplane acts. Aerobatics, flybys, etc. There is technically a "water" portion, but it consists of people jumping from a low-flying helicopter into the harbor. Not exactly thrilling. It spans two days over a weekend in August, with the same acts repeated on both days. Though sometimes not in the same order (the pilots determine it the day-of).

This year, for the first time in many, it rained on Saturday. I'm sure it was a huge bummer for people who only traveled into the city for that one day. (Oh, by the way, 2 MILLION people come to this show every year. Yeah, madness.) Thankfully, I had Sunday as an option. :) It was a bright, breezy, beautiful day!

Be prepared for many photos!

I started out near Oak Street Beach, which is a few blocks away from Air Show Center on North Ave Beach. The lakefront near Oak Street is much less crowded.

Yes, I said "less" crowded. Just wait until you see North Ave Beach.

I actually got a late start and missed the first act or two - including the AeroShell aerobatic team. Good thing I saw them last year - they're amazing!

I did catch some paratroopers.

Then the F-18 Super Hornet scared everyone as it screamed by overhead. Loved seeing it break the sound barrier!

Some people are lucky to have boats - must be a cool view!

At every event there will be dissenters... their signs were quite amusing. I love how they were watching the show and not trying to actually make a point!

Next up was Sean D. Tucker, a member of Team Oracle. He flies a custom-made plane called the Oracle Challenger. They built it for him! He pushed the limits in every other plane they have.

He is seriously amazing. He does the smallest inverted loop in the world. Check it out:

See how many people are on North Ave beach? It's packed. You can't walk without rubbing elbows with someone.

Next on the agenda was the Army Golden Knights.

They did this crazy move where two guys jumped and then pulled their chutes, then a third guy fell off one of those first two, zoomed down a ways then pulled his own chute. It looked scary!