Hidden Gems

The Volo Auto Museum

This hidden gem is located in the town of Volo, a small country town about half an hour north of the Schaumburg and Hoffman Estates “edge cities.” The Volo Museum features a war exhibit and antique fair that will make you realize Red-State America is not that far away from downtown, but it’s also a great place for kids and members of generation Y nostalgic for their childhood. If you appreciate the incessant references to ’80s pop culture on the hit television show “Family Guy,” then you will dig this place.

For $9, you can view the “Bluesmobile,” (a Chicago icon) the Batmobile, Herbie, Christine, Ecto-1 from Ghostbusters, the Back to the Future DeLorean, Kitt from “Knight Rider” and many others. The highlight for me was seeing not one, but two of the General Lees from “The Dukes of Hazzard.” No offense to Catherine Bach or Jessica Simpson, but the 1969 orange Dodge Charger truly overshadowed Daisy Duke as the star of that show. Next to each Hollywood car are mannequins of the characters who co-starred with the vehicle, as well as televisions blaring clips from the corresponding film or show. Additionally, the “combat zone” features exciting, life-sized dioramas of battle scenes and interesting artifacts from most American wars, including Afghanistan and Iraq.

http://www.volocars.com/visitor-info.html

— Paul Banks

 

Franz Ferdinand and Death Cab For Cutie Play The Aragon Ballroom

Ok readers, I’m gonna learn y’all how to dance like a Rocker and how to dance like an Emo (not to generalize or anything).

How to dance like a Rocker:

Step 1: Bob your head up and down in a “yes” motion.

Step 2: Close your eyes and curl your lip, Billy Idol style.

Step 3: Proceed to “lose control.”

How to dance like an Emo:

Step 1: Shake your head from side to side in a “no” motion.

Step 2: Close your eyes and frown in exquisite agony.

Step 3: Try not to cry.

I think that this little groove lesson is the best way to describe the Franz Ferdinand/Death Cab For Cutie concert I attended April 19 at the fantastically whimsical Aragon Ballroom. The head motion of choice is a rather simple matter of positivity versus negativity.

Rock = Screw it all. Even if love kicks me in the you-know-what, I’m alive!

Emo = I’m sad, and damn it all, I’m gonna wallow!

Overall, Franz Ferdinand’s set was rather disappointing. There’s been a lot of talk lately about how their second album, You Could Have It So Much Better, doesn’t live up to their first, Darts of Pleasure. While on the whole this seems to be the case, some of the songs on their sophomore effort are on par with tracks from their debut.

That’s why it was baffling to me that they only played a few of their new songs, and still fewer of their quality new songs. It was a given that they rocked out to the radio-friendly “Do You Want To,” but why they played the tedious “Eleanor Put Your Boots On” is beyond me. They didn’t even play their title track, “You Could Have It So Much Better.” Mostly, Franz resorted to old favorites like “Take Me Out,” “The Dark of the Matinee,” “This Fire,” “40,” and “Michael.” While these are solid songs, I think all of us fans have heard them before, and multiple times at that. Yes, they stomp-danced like the red-hot Scottish lads that we all know and love, but something was lacking from their set: novelty. While I loved the sound of “Walk Away,” I would have liked to hear “What You Meant” or “You’re the Reason I’m Leaving.” Still, they got to me to Rocker dance with the rest of the “Outsiders,” indicating that I’m always going to “yes” to Franz Ferdinand.

Now I’ll admit that I’m not a huge Death Cab For Cutie fan. When I think of the majority of their songs, I picture a sea of oh-so-delicate soap bubbles: They’re all lovely and fragile, but on the whole, they’re pretty much identical. At the Aragon, Death Cab crooned their anthems of pain and angst in front of a wonderfully tragic backdrop — barren winter trees and the outline of a city. On the whole, it was a solid set. Their rendition of “Soul Meets Body” was beautiful; the whole audience sang along, which is quite a feat when you’re playing to a crowd that size.

The crowd itself was stellar, and everyone knows that an audience can make or break a show. For example, there was a group of girls in front of me who were “Emo dancing” like pros. One of them thanked me for my support when I stood up during “Crooked Teeth.” While these girls were heartening, the best fans were the ones who didn’t quite fit in. My favorite was a group of All-American type guys, dressed in frat-boy polos and rocking out like they were at a Journey concert. One guy kept yelling, “YEAH! Play ALL NIGHT LONG!” Mind you, this outburst occurred during a seven-minute version of “Transatlanticism.”

Those guys filled the empty room that is my heart. Although I’m the not the biggest fan of the “painfully beautiful” stylings of Death Cab For Cutie, their target audience seemed into it, and that’s what matters, right? That being said, if you ever see me Emo dancing, please kick me in the shins. I’m not kidding.

— Brenna Ehrlich

 

5K run for a great cause

Over 500 Chicago Police officers have made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives in the line of duty. The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing assistance to the families of our fallen heroes.

On Saturday, May 6, a 5K race will begin on Museum Campus Drive and follow the lakefront path to Gold Star Family Park, where a permanent memorial will be erected to honor the brave men and women who dedicated their lives to the protection of the City of Chicago and its many visitors.

The race costs $23 if you register online before midnight, March 31st. Fees increase to $25 thereafter and $30 on the day of the race.

Goodie bags and T-shirts will be distributed to all pre-registered participants. Refreshments will be provided on the course and post-race. A DJ, post-race massage, raffle and entertainment follow the race.

Many of Chicago’s running stores will be sponsoring the Fun Run to Remember on Monday, May 1, at 7 p.m. Runners/walkers begin at any participating store and converge on Barleycorn’s on Clybourn Ave for refreshments.

For more information on all of the above, log on to www.cpdmemorial.org/run for more information.

 

Trinity Bar

So, it may not have had as much character as its neighbor, Hidden Shamrock, but I had a certain affinity for the old Peg Leg Sullivan’s near the Diversey/Halsted intersection. And though I didn’t get there all that often, I was a little bothered when it was shut down a few months back.

But I quickly forgot about Peg Leg’s once the new Trinity Bar opened up in its place, courtesy of the owners of Halligan’s in Lincoln Park. And if you’re a fan of big-time specials, like I am, this is your place. Monday- $1 bottles; Tuesday- $2 all drafts, $2 call drinks; Wednesday- half off all drinks; Thursday- $2 Corona/Amstel, $5 Ketel One martinis, $1 Lite drafts; Friday- $2 Lite pints; Saturday- $3 Lite bottles and pints; Sunday- $2 Lite & Guinness, $3 Bloody Marys.

And with the renovations it underwent, you’ll hardly recognize the place. And nothing against Peg Leg’s, but that’s not a bad thing. It’s catching on quick, so don’t miss out.

— Trent Modglin

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