Can anyone who goes to the sessions in Chicago please advise on the safety of public transport and taxis.
I am visiting Chicago in April, and would like to go to one or two sessions, but need to know if there's an issue with safety travelling late evening.
thanks for any advice given
Watch it, S.I. or get ready to take a swim in the Cal Sag with cement shoes...
F.T. keep your wits about you and take cabs late at night if you're not going to rent a car. The highest profile sessions in Chicago are in fairly safe neighborhoods so you needn't worry about muggers lurking around every corner but it's still a big city and things happen.
I'm coming over in late May but I probably won't get to a session.
When I lived in the Windy City in the 1980's, people used to walk
through the El selling "incent" pretty aggressively but I learned to
not worry about it. No it wasn't drugs, it really was just
sticks of incense. Why they liked to sell that and not something
else like fluffy teddy bears or ball point pens --- I dunno. Maybe I
was missing something - I can be pretty dense.
If we were talking about Dallas, Texas, Splendid Isolation, you might have to worry about ending up at the bottom of the Trinity River wearing a pair of concrete cowboy boots.
I love the way people who live out in the sticks imagine that it's dangerous in urban places!
I'd say don't believe everything you read in the Daily Mail!
I know some people from Devon or even the near suburbs who think South London is running with biligerent drug dealers, teenagers ready to stab you up fo 50p, the more traditional tooled-up mugger, violent football fans and hordes drunken cowboys with guns and lassoos.
All you ever see are un-frightened people getting on with their business and enjoying themselves.
You're just as likely the run into a violent tittoss on the streets of Streatham as you are a dangerous bollok brained tractor basher in rural Somerset, Co Down, Tehran or Texas.
I my opinion and experience, walking into a strange bar in a strange town is like walking into a bar. Travelling on a strange 'bus/ train in a strange town is like travelling on a 'bus/ train. If you don't act like an idiot you'll be fine. Only people who bring stupid undue attention upon themselves get into trouble. Not that million-to-one situations don't happen!
Things have changed very dramatically since the 1980's. So people remembering what we call 'The Old Days' probably remember some of our 'bad old days' provenance. Chicago really has become a very world class city in the last 15 years. Like most big cities, you have to be careful, attentive and have your whits about you where ever you go... and be prepared with a general understanding of where you are going.
First- 'Bad old Days Memory 1'- Most of the housing projects that were very dangerous and are remembered by many former City residents are torn down...I know... I did it. (My prior day job) But most of those areas are in locations you will never need to get to. The one exception is What people remember as Cabrini Green. Most of those areas are gentrified. They are in the general vicinity of where you might be going. There are a few areas where you still need to be aware. But those fall into the category of 'if you got there....you were going in the wrong direction.'
You still have to be careful....no doubt.
First, from O'hare to Downtown, you can take the CTA EL Blue Line with little worry. It is used by many business folks and casual travelers, is much cheaper than a cab, and at rush hour much much faster. For Midway (If you are coming in from Europe you will probably go into O'HAre. If flying domestic Midway really is easier and convenient) you can take the Orange line. Probably need to be a bit more alert late at night but not significantly dangerous. Both will get you downtown and to the near north side where the major venues are at
For where the sessions are at-in the City primarily on the north side (see comment about CAbrini area if you are on the south end of Lincoln Avenue) on Clark Street and Lincoln Avenue. Cabs are fine, and the El is also fine in those areas. Getting to the Irish American Culture CEnter for their Wednesday night gig (great music, open session, really nice people...just no alcihol) it is a little less convenient by mass transit, but I think that you can do the El with a short bus transfer. Not a bad location for a cab though depending on where you are staying. Get a good CTA Map and learn the new routing. It has also changed dramatically since the 1980's.
Some of the sessions are in what we call the 'burbs' and you really would need a car and Garman device to get to them. Places like Bolingbrook, Downers Grove and Frankfort. Even though you could take the Metra-our suburban commuter train system, at the times you will need to get there and when you will leave those trains are pretty few and far between. The stations are also pretty distant from the places you might play at.
If you have specifics, drop me a private email and can give you a feedback.
We want to get the 2016 Olympics pretty badly so, the mayor is putting alot of effort into security and condition of the neighborhoods. He has actually been pretty successful (coming from a Chicago City-kid lifer who worked the 'hoods' professionally).
zippydw, I was joking about the Shinkansen being a better ride than the El. Speaking of the old days, do people in Chicago play 'Mayor Harrison's Fedora' ? http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/367
November 13th 2001 by Will CPT
The Chief currently resides about six blocks from me. I hope not much closer for a long time though.....
Random_notes- Actually I was not taking umbrage with your comment. Actually I thought it was a good opportunity to make a point since the Board gets alot of attention.
We have alot of great Irish musicians here, and having some of the other musicians in the world to come in here Just makes the music here get better.
Seriously, the offer is open. Anyone coming here needs a bit of advice, I am willing to help out.
This City has come a long way since I was a kid...has some to go also... but people coming in with new things...or just playing the old things differently, do nothing but make things better.
And speaking of the Chief, after all....when people are looking for an authoritative record of the Music some World leaders tried to kill a few hundred years ago...they turn to the work of a Chicago Cop!
I visited Chicago in March last year, and again for Christmas and the New Year.
My son lives there (N. Tolman/Milwaukee Ave.) and on both visits I managed to take in quite a bit of Irish music, mainly Northside but Southside as well.
I met and played with musicians such as Sean Cleland and Kevin Henry (who taught Michael Flatley to play the flute) and many others whose names I can´t remember.
At the Irish-American cultural center I met some older musicians who had played with Joe Cooley.
As regards transport, we went to most places in my son´s car, but we did use taxis a few times. I didn´t find them all that expensive compared to other cities.
I didn´t use the buses or the L trains - I´m saving that for my next trip !
All in all, Chicago is a great city for Irish music. You´d be well advised to plan your session itinerary, and call the pubs first to confirm the session is on. Sometimes the information on internet is out of date..
Finally, just a couple of points regarding the US: It took me some while to get used to the custom of tipping in bars. Every time I bought a round of drinks - at the bar, not waitress service - my son advised me to leave a tip of a couple of dollars. I´m not complaining - the service was good and the staff polite and friendly.
The other thing was having notes for denominations as small as 1 and 2 dollars - and they´re all the same size ! How on earth do blind people manage ?
Anyway, I can´t wait for my next visit - maybe next Christmas.
This has got nothing to do with original question, whatever that was, but I was in Chicago two weeks ago thanks to one of my students collapsing in Denver airport (tired, dehydrated and anaemic, as it turned out, after a ski trip tp Powder Mountain in Utah) and after a night in a Denver ER ( it's amazing what two litres of saline can do) we flew on to Chicago where we had a seven our wait for our next flight to Blighty. (The rest of the party had gone on without us.
Harsh but fair.
I thought it might be a good idea to get the Blue Line into the city ($10 for two, return!!) and we had a good look around, went up the Sears Tower and, as far as I am concerned, had the best man-made view in all directions I have ever seen.
What a place.
I will definitely be going back and
will be searching out sessions there as and when.
Safety visiting sessions in Chicago
Safety visiting sessions in Chicago
Can anyone who goes to the sessions in Chicago please advise on the safety of public transport and taxis.
I am visiting Chicago in April, and would like to go to one or two sessions, but need to know if there's an issue with safety travelling late evening.
thanks for any advice given
# Posted on March 13th 2009 by FlyingToad
Re: Safety visiting sessions in Chicago
Just bring a heavy instrument...or sharpen your whistle to a good point
# Posted on March 13th 2009 by Splendid Isolation
Re: Safety visiting sessions in Chicago
Watch it, S.I. or get ready to take a swim in the Cal Sag with cement shoes...
F.T. keep your wits about you and take cabs late at night if you're not going to rent a car. The highest profile sessions in Chicago are in fairly safe neighborhoods so you needn't worry about muggers lurking around every corner but it's still a big city and things happen.
# Posted on March 13th 2009 by Seosamh Ui Sinan
Re: Safety visiting sessions in Chicago
I'm coming over in late May but I probably won't get to a session.
When I lived in the Windy City in the 1980's, people used to walk
through the El selling "incent" pretty aggressively but I learned to
not worry about it. No it wasn't drugs, it really was just
sticks of incense. Why they liked to sell that and not something
else like fluffy teddy bears or ball point pens --- I dunno. Maybe I
was missing something - I can be pretty dense.
# Posted on March 13th 2009 by Hup
Re: Safety visiting sessions in Chicago
If we were talking about Dallas, Texas, Splendid Isolation, you might have to worry about ending up at the bottom of the Trinity River wearing a pair of concrete cowboy boots.
# Posted on March 13th 2009 by fauxcelt
Re: Safety visiting sessions in Chicago
I was thinking of going to Molly Mallones, travelling from Marriot O'Hare by train/bus. Is that a safe area bet?. I take your point SI.
# Posted on March 13th 2009 by FlyingToad
Re: Safety visiting sessions in Chicago
I love the way people who live out in the sticks imagine that it's dangerous in urban places!
I'd say don't believe everything you read in the Daily Mail!
I know some people from Devon or even the near suburbs who think South London is running with biligerent drug dealers, teenagers ready to stab you up fo 50p, the more traditional tooled-up mugger, violent football fans and hordes drunken cowboys with guns and lassoos.
All you ever see are un-frightened people getting on with their business and enjoying themselves.
You're just as likely the run into a violent tittoss on the streets of Streatham as you are a dangerous bollok brained tractor basher in rural Somerset, Co Down, Tehran or Texas.
I my opinion and experience, walking into a strange bar in a strange town is like walking into a bar. Travelling on a strange 'bus/ train in a strange town is like travelling on a 'bus/ train. If you don't act like an idiot you'll be fine. Only people who bring stupid undue attention upon themselves get into trouble. Not that million-to-one situations don't happen!
# Posted on March 13th 2009 by Krick Stahlschwanz
Re: Safety visiting sessions in Chicago
Things have changed very dramatically since the 1980's. So people remembering what we call 'The Old Days' probably remember some of our 'bad old days' provenance. Chicago really has become a very world class city in the last 15 years. Like most big cities, you have to be careful, attentive and have your whits about you where ever you go... and be prepared with a general understanding of where you are going.
First- 'Bad old Days Memory 1'- Most of the housing projects that were very dangerous and are remembered by many former City residents are torn down...I know... I did it. (My prior day job) But most of those areas are in locations you will never need to get to. The one exception is What people remember as Cabrini Green. Most of those areas are gentrified. They are in the general vicinity of where you might be going. There are a few areas where you still need to be aware. But those fall into the category of 'if you got there....you were going in the wrong direction.'
You still have to be careful....no doubt.
First, from O'hare to Downtown, you can take the CTA EL Blue Line with little worry. It is used by many business folks and casual travelers, is much cheaper than a cab, and at rush hour much much faster. For Midway (If you are coming in from Europe you will probably go into O'HAre. If flying domestic Midway really is easier and convenient) you can take the Orange line. Probably need to be a bit more alert late at night but not significantly dangerous. Both will get you downtown and to the near north side where the major venues are at
For where the sessions are at-in the City primarily on the north side (see comment about CAbrini area if you are on the south end of Lincoln Avenue) on Clark Street and Lincoln Avenue. Cabs are fine, and the El is also fine in those areas. Getting to the Irish American Culture CEnter for their Wednesday night gig (great music, open session, really nice people...just no alcihol) it is a little less convenient by mass transit, but I think that you can do the El with a short bus transfer. Not a bad location for a cab though depending on where you are staying. Get a good CTA Map and learn the new routing. It has also changed dramatically since the 1980's.
Some of the sessions are in what we call the 'burbs' and you really would need a car and Garman device to get to them. Places like Bolingbrook, Downers Grove and Frankfort. Even though you could take the Metra-our suburban commuter train system, at the times you will need to get there and when you will leave those trains are pretty few and far between. The stations are also pretty distant from the places you might play at.
If you have specifics, drop me a private email and can give you a feedback.
We want to get the 2016 Olympics pretty badly so, the mayor is putting alot of effort into security and condition of the neighborhoods. He has actually been pretty successful (coming from a Chicago City-kid lifer who worked the 'hoods' professionally).
# Posted on March 13th 2009 by zippydw
Re: Safety visiting sessions in Chicago
Contact Chief Francis O'Neill, and ask for police protection, maybe ...
# Posted on March 13th 2009 by Mix O'Lydian
Re: Safety visiting sessions in Chicago
zippydw, I was joking about the Shinkansen being a better ride than the El. Speaking of the old days, do people in Chicago play 'Mayor Harrison's Fedora' ?
http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/367
November 13th 2001 by Will CPT
# Posted on March 13th 2009 by Ben Steen
Chicago is a safe city
Chicago doesn't even rank in the twenty-five most dangerous US cities:
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0921299.html
# Posted on March 13th 2009 by David Levine
Re: Safety visiting sessions in Chicago
The Chief currently resides about six blocks from me. I hope not much closer for a long time though.....
Random_notes- Actually I was not taking umbrage with your comment. Actually I thought it was a good opportunity to make a point since the Board gets alot of attention.
We have alot of great Irish musicians here, and having some of the other musicians in the world to come in here Just makes the music here get better.
Seriously, the offer is open. Anyone coming here needs a bit of advice, I am willing to help out.
This City has come a long way since I was a kid...has some to go also... but people coming in with new things...or just playing the old things differently, do nothing but make things better.
And speaking of the Chief, after all....when people are looking for an authoritative record of the Music some World leaders tried to kill a few hundred years ago...they turn to the work of a Chicago Cop!
# Posted on March 13th 2009 by zippydw
Re: Safety visiting sessions in Chicago
I visited Chicago in March last year, and again for Christmas and the New Year.
My son lives there (N. Tolman/Milwaukee Ave.) and on both visits I managed to take in quite a bit of Irish music, mainly Northside but Southside as well.
I met and played with musicians such as Sean Cleland and Kevin Henry (who taught Michael Flatley to play the flute) and many others whose names I can´t remember.
At the Irish-American cultural center I met some older musicians who had played with Joe Cooley.
As regards transport, we went to most places in my son´s car, but we did use taxis a few times. I didn´t find them all that expensive compared to other cities.
I didn´t use the buses or the L trains - I´m saving that for my next trip !
All in all, Chicago is a great city for Irish music. You´d be well advised to plan your session itinerary, and call the pubs first to confirm the session is on. Sometimes the information on internet is out of date..
Finally, just a couple of points regarding the US: It took me some while to get used to the custom of tipping in bars. Every time I bought a round of drinks - at the bar, not waitress service - my son advised me to leave a tip of a couple of dollars. I´m not complaining - the service was good and the staff polite and friendly.
The other thing was having notes for denominations as small as 1 and 2 dollars - and they´re all the same size ! How on earth do blind people manage ?
Anyway, I can´t wait for my next visit - maybe next Christmas.
# Posted on March 13th 2009 by murfbox
Re: Safety visiting sessions in Chicago
Thank you for the advice on visiting sessions in Chicago.
# Posted on March 14th 2009 by fauxcelt
Re: Safety visiting sessions in Chicago
Chicago must be safer since a lot of the thugs have moved to Wahington DC and vicinity to be closer to their new government jobs.
# Posted on March 14th 2009 by feardearg
Re: Safety visiting sessions in Chicago
Feardearg, does this mean that if John McCain had won the election, then Arizona would be safer place to live?
# Posted on March 15th 2009 by fauxcelt
Re: Safety visiting sessions in Chicago
Nope.
# Posted on March 15th 2009 by feardearg
Re: Safety visiting sessions in Chicago
This has got nothing to do with original question, whatever that was, but I was in Chicago two weeks ago thanks to one of my students collapsing in Denver airport (tired, dehydrated and anaemic, as it turned out, after a ski trip tp Powder Mountain in Utah) and after a night in a Denver ER ( it's amazing what two litres of saline can do) we flew on to Chicago where we had a seven our wait for our next flight to Blighty. (The rest of the party had gone on without us.
Harsh but fair.
I thought it might be a good idea to get the Blue Line into the city ($10 for two, return!!) and we had a good look around, went up the Sears Tower and, as far as I am concerned, had the best man-made view in all directions I have ever seen.
What a place.
I will definitely be going back and
will be searching out sessions there as and when.
Mmmmm! Chieff O'Neill
# Posted on March 15th 2009 by Geoff Pollitt
Re: Safety visiting sessions in Chicago
Apologies for typos. I'm not well :(
# Posted on March 15th 2009 by Geoff Pollitt
Re: Safety visiting sessions in Chicago
Geoff - have you been to the top of the Guiness brewery in Dublin?
# Posted on March 15th 2009 by Ebor_fiddler
Re: Safety visiting sessions in Chicago
I haven't Ebor. Is it a good view?
I've only ever seen Dublin from ground level
.....or are you implying I have paid one too many visits to Mr Guinness?
# Posted on March 17th 2009 by Geoff Pollitt
Re: Safety visiting sessions in Chicago
Don't you mean "General Guiness", Geoff Pollitt?
# Posted on March 18th 2009 by fauxcelt