RECENT POSTS ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION’S BUILDING, FAIRGROUNDS, EXHIBITS, EVENTS, AND PEOPLE.
Nov. 16, 2017: “Making a New American Nutcracker” documentary premiers
The Joffrey Ballet's spectacular new production of The Nutcracker, which Tony Award-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon re-imagined taking place on the fairgrounds of the Columbian Exposition in the winter of 1892 (see our other post here), is the subject of a new documentary titled "Making a New American Nutcracker." Produced by Daniel Andries and narrated by actress Neve Campbell, the documentary will premiere on Thursday, November 16, at 8:00 pm on Chicago's WTTW11 and on wttw.com. Other PBS stations may pick up the show for broadcast in December 2017 (check your local listings). BroadwayWorld.com reports that: "'Making a New American Nutcracker' takes [...]
Oct. 28, 2017 (Chicago): White City dinner and drinks at The Reservoir
Enjoy an evening at the White City on Saturday, October 28, with a meal and cocktails inspired by the 1893 World's Fair. The Reservoir, located at 844 West Montrose Avenue in Chicago, will host a Halloween "Devil in the White City" party beginning at 6:30 with cocktails name "White City Devil," "White City Soda" and "Devil's Elixer." A special 1893 World's Fair special dinner is on the menu, followed by a costume context with prizes at 9 pm. Herman Mudgett may or may not be in attendance.
Walking the Fairgrounds
One of my earliest childhood memories was of my family taking a trip up to Chicago. During that adventure out of Central Illinois, we went to the Museum of Science and Industry in Jackson Park. I can vividly recollect several exhibits: a tour through the gigantic plaster beating heart, fixating on the sliced up body used as 'artwork' in a stairwell, gazing at a golden pendulum swinging back and forth in a deep shaft, and viewing a fantasy "Vintage Car of the Future" spinning around on a dais in all its glory. I couldn't believe my eyes and as we turned each corner there [...]
through Jan. 15, 2018 (Norwich, CT): Exhibit on Bela Pratt, World’s Fair Sculptor
One of the sculptors who contributed to the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago is the subject of a new exhibition at the Slater Memorial Museum in Norwich, Connecticut. “Bela Lyon Pratt: Sculptor of Monument," which opened on October 15, 2017, and runs through January 15, 2018, showcases “50 sculptural works and two-dimensional works of art, text and archival material” from the Norwich native. One of two sculptural groupings of The Genius of Navigation by Bela Pratt. For the 1893 World's Fair, Bela Pratt (1867-1917) created two large sculptural groups titled The Genius of Discovery. Each grouping [...]
The Music of Dedication Day
One hundred and twenty five years ago today, on October 21, 1892, marked Dedication Day of the World’s Columbian Exposition. “A surging sea of people,” reportedly “the largest assemblage that was ever brought together under one roof,” crowded into the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building for the official ceremony. The lengthy program included several musical selections interspersed between the numerous addresses: 1. “Columbian March” (also known as “Columbus March and Hymn”) by John Knowles Paine, written by special invitation for the dedication of the fair. 2. “The Columbus Ode” written especially for the fair by Harriet Monroe, set to [...]
Oct. 23, 2017 (Chicago): William Waldorf Astor’s World’s Fair Dinner at Cindy’s
The Chicago Athletic Association in 1913 Cindy's Rooftop in the historic Chicago Athletic Association hotel will host a special dinner on October 23, 2017. Four chefs have collaborated on the menu, which is based on William Waldorf Astor's World's Fair dinner held on October 9, 1889, at Delmonico's in New York, where business leaders met to plan their city's bid for the World's Fair. The 1893 World's Fair (of course) was held in Chicago, and the Chicago Athletic Association building, designed by World's Fair architect Henry Ives Cobb, opened in 1893. Tickets for this World's Fair dinner are available for [...]
THE LIVING INFINITE imagines Princess Eulalia’s visit to the World’s Fair
"The White City was a young woman in a wedding gown. It was an undiscovered country." -- The Living Infinite by Chantel Acevedo The Infanta Eulalia of Spain She was the Queen of the Fair and the toast of the town, but the love affair between the Spanish Princess and Chicago was short-lived. After 47 days of travel that included visits to Puerto Rico, Cuba, Washington DC, and New York, the Infanta Eulalia of Spain pulled into Chicago on June 7, 1893, as one of the most anticipated and celebrated guests of the Columbia Exposition. The city extended [...]
Oct. 23, 2017 (Chicago) THE LIVING INFINITE author reading
Chantel Acevedo, author of the new novel The Living Infinite, which imagines the life of Princess Eulalia of Spain and her 1893 trip to visit the World's Fair in Chicago, will visit City Lit Books in Chicago on Monday, October 23 at 6:30 pm as part of her national author’s tour. "The Midway was closing for the night, and so Tomas and Eulalia headed back towards the lights of the White City. Edison's incandescent bulbs would burn the whole night, and only a few dark spots remained in the Court of Honor." -- The Living Infinite by Chantel Acevedo Check out our other post [...]
“Little Mary” model sale by Hindman Auctioneers
From time to time, we’ll post descriptions of interesting or unusual Columbian Exposition items for sale or up for auction. Leslie Hindman Auctioneers of Chicago is offering an interesting item related to the 1893 World’s Fair in their Sale 530: “Fine Furniture, Decorative Arts and Silver” on October 16-17, 2017. A golden Statue of the Republic model is item number 707. The item is described as “A Gilt Plaster Model of the Statue of the Republic / after Daniel Chester French, 20th century / raised on a stepped square base. Height overall 39 1/2 inches … In decent, stable [...]
Fist City: a monumental beer
Move over PBR, there’s a new beer for 1893 World’s Fair enthusiasts. Fist City did not win a blue ribbon at the Columbian Exposition (hey, neither did Pabst!), because Revolution Brewing first released their pale ale in 2014. Initially offered only on tap at Big Star—a self-described “bourbon and beer-focused, taco-slinging, late-night honky-tonk in the heart of Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood”—Fist City’s popularity encouraged Revolution to offer this brew year-round, starting in April 2015, as six packs of 12-ounce cans at many liquor and grocery stores. We rarely purchase a six-pack of beer, but Fist City caught our attention and—after [...]