Events This Week In Chicago Architecture and History

We research events going on each week and bring you our favorite three in Chicago architecture and history. This week we feature a garden walk with historic buildings, Chicago’s annual festival of blues music, and a special tour of Chicago blues and jazz.

1. The Gardens at 900 – GARDEN STROLL

900 N. Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest, IL – Friday, June 13th, 5:30pm-7:30pm 

$20 members; $30 non-members – reservations required

Enjoy the splendor of the beautiful gardens in Lake Forest at The Gardens at 900. Chicago architect David Adler and Robert Work designed the original gatehouse and garage of the estate in 1917 with no manor ever to be built by the original owners. The current owners, Craig Bergmann and Paul Klug, renovated the site including the two original buildings and lush gardens earning them a Historic Preservation Renovation Award in 2012. This Friday hosted by the Lake Forest Preservation Foundation the property will be open to the public to walk the grounds and gardens, and view the renovated historic buildings.

2. 31st Annual Chicago Blues Festival – MUSIC FESTIVAL

Grant Park – Friday, June 13th-Sunday, June 15th, 11:00am-9:30pm daily

FREE

Every year Grant Park hosts the annual Chicago Blues Festival celebrating the music and the rich history of Chicago blues. Headliners this year include Carolina Chocolate Drops, Otis Taylor Band and a special celebration commemorating the centennial of John Lee “Sonny Boy” Williamson featuring Billy Boy Arnold and The Siegel-Schwall Blues Band with Sam Lay. The full line up for this free festival as well as more information about the event is available at chicagobluesfestival.us.

private group teambuilding activity jazz tou
Photo Credit: Kate Joyce

3. Chicago Blues Tour with Jazz – EXCLUSIVE BUS TOUR

Jazz Record Mart, 27 E. Illinois – Saturday, June 14th, 10:30am-1:00pm

$65 – reservations required

While yours truly always offer this Chicago blues bus tour to private groups, we let the public come on board just once a year during the Chicago Blues Festival weekend. For this very special day-time tour, you will explore the cultural history of Chicago music through architectural landmarks in neighborhoods north to south. The luxury coach has video screens with historic photos and film clips of interviews, songs and performances. To top off this unforgettable tour, a blues musician comes on board for a blues harmonica lesson.

Share:

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn

Related Posts

be a
curious
person!

SIGN UP FOR OCCASIONAL UPDATES FROM CHICAGO DETOURS.

Ellen

Private Tour Coordinator and Tour Guide

There is no shortage of things to discover in Chicago—I love being an urban explorer and uncovering its hidden places. I have an MA in Public History from Loyola University Chicago, and I have worked as a museum educator and kindergarten teacher. My desire to learn new things fuels my passion for educating others, which I get to experience every day as a Chicago tour guide. I live in the northern neighborhood of Rogers Park.

“Our guide Ellen was exceptional and gifted with a great personal touch.”
Robert
GetYourGuide

Jen

Tour Guide

Whether you are a first-time visitor or a lifelong resident, the vibrant history and modern majesty of Chicago never ceases to amaze. I’m a graduate of Columbia College with an M.A. in Interdisciplinary Art. I’ve worked for many years as an educator at City Colleges of Chicago. As tour guide at Chicago Detours, I integrate my enthusiasm for culture and architecture with my passion as an educator. West Town/Noble Square area is home for me.

“Jen was a perfect storyteller and kept us spellbound for hours.”
Heather
TripAdvisor

Elyse

Tour Guide

With our Chicago neighborhoods, vibrant cultural institutions and nearly two centuries of larger-than-life stories, there’s never a dull moment here! I’m a fifth generation Chicagoan and a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis. In addition to guiding tours, I’m a creative writer and amateur genealogist. I also enjoy the city’s dynamic theater scene. You can also read overlooked stories from 19th-century newspapers on my “Second Glance History” blog. I live in River North.

Anthony

Tour Guide

Chicago is unique as it always evolves into the future while holding on to the past. I’m fascinated by how people latch on to old architecture but happily pave over others. My background is in theater and performance and I’ve been a tour guide here for more than 10 years. Currently I’m finishing my Master’s in Public History at Loyola University because I love to teach the history of this scrappy city. I’m in the Edgewater neighborhood.

Marie

Operations Coordinator and Tour Guide

Chicago’s history is so fascinating, you could spend a lifetime uncovering its secrets…I’m willing to give it a try! I have an M.A. in US History from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and then pursued doctoral studies in Urban History at the University of Illinois at Chicago. I love to learn new aspects of Chicago’s rich history and then share my knowledge as a tour guide with Chicago Detours. I live in Ravenswood.

“Marie was a bubbling fountain of information and contagious enthusiasm.”
Lorit
TripAdvisor

Sonny

Operations Coordinator and Tour Guide

As a fourth generation Chicagoan, I have been living and loving Chicago by bike, on foot, public transit or automobile. I am a graduate of UIC where through the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs, began my eagerness to understand the nature, history and impacts of urban planning and development. It is incredibly rewarding to give back to this wonderful city by helping out in the office of Chicago Detours. I live in the incredibly diverse neighborhood of Albany Park.
“Sonny was extremely knowledgeable about all things Chi-town.”
Wade K
TripAdvisor

Alex

Content Manager and Tour Guide

Chicago has so many neighborhoods, buildings, and by-ways that it’s hard to go long without seeing something new, or something familiar from a new angle. I studied Cinema History for my M.A. from the University of Chicago. I’ve worked as a culture writer for various publications and as an educator of the humanities at the City Colleges of Chicago. I’m thrilled to share my love of this city’s busy past and unique architectural spaces with Chicago Detours. I live in the Chicago neighborhood of Lincoln Park.

“Alex was fascinating to listen to. He clearly knows his history and it shows.”
Katie K
Yelp

Amanda Scotese

Executive Director and Tour Guide

I’m an interpreter of personal stories from the past and the city’s landscape. I love to imagine what originally happened inside old unmarked buildings, and what forces have shaped their design. I studied Chicago history, architectural history, and anything Chicago-related through my M.A. in the Humanities at the University of Chicago. My love for stories was enriched by my B.A. in Literature from the University of Michigan. I’ve written travel articles for publications like Rick Steves’ Italy best-selling travel guides, the San Francisco Bay Guardian, and The Chicago Food Encyclopedia. I live in the Chicago neighborhood of West Avondale.
“You can TELL Amanda is hyper-passionate about doing the research and getting the story that nobody’s heard before.”
Shelby F
Yelp

Book a chicago event

Let’s Connect!