I have to admit that music is one of my favorite arts, unfortunately I can only enjoy it as a bystander – I can’t really play any instrument with any mastery. Perhaps this is why I may be considered a music snob. My tastes are admittedly selective. So, when I find a band that I can enjoy watching every time I see them play, I get a bit excited. Dorian Taj is such a band.

Dorian Taj has been around the Chicago scene for ten years and no matter what the venue they always put on a fantastic show. And when I say a fantastic show, I mean they not only play well, but also play to the crowd, use witty commentary. Lyrically, Dorian Taj’s work is intelligent and clever while not pretentiously cerebral and musically they rock. And when I say they rock, I’m not speaking of just plain old rock ‘n’ roll music, they manage to be both deceptively simple and complex at the same time. Their sound is unique and for lack of a better term almost scruffy. All of the musicians in the band are obviously very talented, but clean and pure is not the sound they are looking for, rather Dorian Taj has a slightly gritty feel.

Last week on Western and Fullerton, in a delightful bar called Quenchers, Dorian Taj played an awesome two-set show. The first set was filled with many of their older songs that when playing single-sets and with less time they very rarely play. This set a precedent for the show that they were out to play an unpredictable, challenging, exciting and fun show. The second set consisted of their more well known songs and requests from the crowd. At such a small (and free) venue, they were able to literally talk to the crowd, take any and all requests and generally just be silly and entertaining. If you have the good fortune to see these fine gentlemen perform at any venue, I highly recommend stopping by and seeing what it’s all about.

Posted by: Conci N.

Technorati Tags: Chicago, IL, Chicago Music, Chicago Night Life, Quenchers, Dorian Taj

It has come to my attention that there is a proliferation of terrible drivers out on the streets of Chicago. And while I understand that not everyone can be as law-abiding as I am when sitting behind the wheel, I at least hope that people will try to improve their skills with experience and time. This never really seems to be the case. In fact, it seems to me that the worst drivers out on these city streets are generally those who have municipal cars. (While it may be unfair, I am lumping cabbies in with that group.)

Generally speaking, I just expect cab drivers to cut me off or do incredibly stupid driving maneuvers. When you learn to drive in the city you start to just accept cabbies as an environmental variable – kind of like ambulances or fire trucks. While ambulances may not always be zipping down the street trying to save lives, a driver has to know what to do when an ambulance is coming…the same is true with dealing with the stupidity of cab drivers.

But, apparently when your car actually belongs to the city, there is a type of authority that rises in the driver and allows them to do whatever they want when driving. This has always been true of police cars – sirens on or off you let them have the right of way. So, I suppose by default it should be (and is) true about the drivers of unmarked cop cars. I can even accept that the drivers of emergency vehicles are so used to having the right of way that they just assume they have it even when they’re not heading towards an emergency call.

So, I’ve been able to rationalize the bad driving behaviors of almost every municipal driving group, with one exception – buses. As far as I’m concerned, buses have no excuse for driving poorly, they have no rationale for sliding through red lights when they get tired of waiting – it’s a bus! Buses are supposed to be slow, they’re like the turtle of public transportation – slow and steady, but it will get you where you’re going…eventually. So, why is the turtle getting all aggressive and cutting me off?

Posted by: Conci N.

Technorati Tags: Chicago, Illinois, Chicago municipal drivers, Chicago Public Transportation, the CTA

During the last few weeks of summer, I repeatedly saw the same man wandering the streets of Wicker Park, usually within feet of the Damen Blue Line stop, wearing only a tiger-print speedo, tubes socks and gym shoes. Now, I don’t know this man, and perhaps, I just saw him on several different occasions when he was returning to Wicker Park from beach or something like that. I really don’t know.

However, I will say this every time I saw Mr. Tiger-print speedo, never seemed to be terribly mangled or sullied by beach factors. Usually, he just seemed to be chilling on street corners, perhaps trying to catch the eye of passers-by. I may be cynical, but I certainly don’t know why anyone, especially a young man in his mid-twenties, would choose to wear a speedo, nonetheless a tiger-print speedo.

Since the weather’s cooled down and the fall equinox has come and gone, Mr. Tiger-print speedo seems to have disappeared. I will say this, however, it will be a long time before I forget the last time I saw him rollerblading southbound on Milwaukee Avenue, carrying what seemed to be the tower of a PC, and wearing nothing more than a tiger-print speedo.

Posted by: Conci N.

Technorati Tags: Chicago, Illinois, Wicker Park, Damen Blue Line, Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago fashion

Obviously, no one really thinks about there being such a thing as urban wildlife. But the fact is, there are plenty of strange animals and bugs flying around the city. I suppose I’m just talking about this because in the last few days I have seen quite a few little animals and critters running and roaming around the city lately.

My whole contemplation about urban wildlife started a on Monday when I saw one of the strangest and creepiest looking bugs I’ve ever seen just chilling outside my window. Let me tell you, I was sure glad that that little fellow couldn’t get in. It seemed like he (well, maybe it was a she…I wouldn’t know) had pincher antennas, was mostly green and just really creepy looking. It probably doesn’t help that I have an innate aversion to all bugs and slight arachnophobia.

The other urban wildlife encounters I’ve had in the last week were not nearly as icky. As I was driving down Milwaukee Avenue, between Division and Augusta, a little baby rabbit, ran across the street. Actually, I was a bit worried for the bunny’s safety, but it’s not like there’s much I can do to ensure its well being, except avoiding it on the road. But, who knows if the next driver will be so careful.

My final urban wildlife experience this week, was outside of my friend’s house in Humboldt Park. My friend’s landlord places food out for the neighborhood stray cats, but the resident raccoons (who seem to live in the tree in front of the building) are usually the only animals eating that food. These raccoons are quite large, since they’re fed regularly, but they’re also not afraid of humans…at all. In fact, they’ll sit and watch you, approach you and everything. It’s kind of strange, but as urban wildlife, they are accustomed to humans. Anyway, it’s good to take notice of the wildlife in your area, but probably inadvisable to touch any of it…even if it may seem friendly – no one wants to have to get a stomach full of shots to make sure they don’t get rabies.

Posted by: Conci N.

Technorati Tags: Chicago, IL, animals in Chicago, Chicago Wildlife