Chicago feedback

I just had to post this e-mail from Lois Reid Johnson, a violinist in the Cincinnati Symphony, about the Chicago "cultural weekend" story:

I was delighted to read your article in this past Sunday's paper about your trip to Chicago. It particularly struck me timely and fun to read because we, my husband and 20 year old daughter had just made a similar whirlwind trip the previous weekend. We left on a Thursday and drove back to Cincinnnati after the Saturday night concert at Ravinia, the only part that was no fun. None of us has ever spent much time in Chicago and when we decided to do this the week before, we were amazed it was so difficult to book a hotel right downtown...only to discover when we arrived that Loolapooza was happening the same days as our visit. So we even got to hear some of the bands from a distance (and of course my daughter would have loved to be inside Grant Park hearing them) as we wandered and explored both the Shedd Aquarium and the Planatarium.

Unfortunately we didn't plan ahead enough...alas tickets to the King Tut Exhibit were sold out. However reading your article, it seems we did, saw and heard much the same as you: the Art Institute, our first stop after arriving which was open late Thursday evening and free, walking along Michigan Avenue and buying an early birthday present for my daughter at one of those lovely stores and a couple very good and moderately priced restaurants were possible to find. We did do the architechural boat trip and it was terrific, very intersting and the most glorious morning weather too.

I was amazed how beautiful and vibrant the city...made my even more upset and sad about our downtown city. We need leaders with vision and determination to make it happen -- to plan a Millenium Park here, for starters and clean up the city. After seeing Chicago it puts our situation and lack of a vibrant downtown in stark contrast...but of course, I don't need to say that to you as you know all this already...

The biggest thrill of all was going to Ravinia. Ashamed to admit, but I'd never been there; we arrived about 2 1/2 hours hours ahead and like you were absolutely amazed by the lines of people waiting until the gate opened rolling their carts, wagons, etc. laden with tables, tablecoths, food baskets, candles, bottles of wine and more. And then to see how orderly and elegantly they set up their "wares".

I thought it great, even though the concert was only a part of the picture for them, the respect they had for the place and evident love to be there listening to this wonderful orchestra gave me great hope. Like you, I thought the orchestra sounded absolutely terrific; Renee Fleming was the soloist and she was even greater than I knew she would be....then the long drive home, the only downer of the trip.

Anyway, just thought I'd give you some feedback about our Chicago experience and thank you too for your article reaffirming all we discovered.