Performers Music is a true treasure of Chicagoland So happy…read moreyou're still going strong! Great customer service, and knowledge of the repertoire Thank you, Performers Music :-)

DELETED BY COMPANY. CUZ THEY KNOW IT'S TRUE…read more This used to be the gold standard for sheet music (I would know--I worked for Carl Fischer back in the day, on Wabash). They were always a bit on the snooty side, but at least they had the goods (such as they were), and a good crowd. Well, today, after years away from Chicago, I walked in to literal radio silence (they used to always have on classical/WFMT) and one girl sitting in the corner so far back I thought she was a disembodied voice. She was pleasant enough at first, but after I asked for 10% off of an anthology with a clearly damaged cover (both ends curled up straight into the air), it went downhill from there. I also had a number of used choral pieces, and when I asked what the price of some of the unmarked ones were, she pointed to the new price and told me, "I didn't understand what she was talking about." I said, "That's the new price," to which she testily told me, "You don't have to buy it." Huh??!! So, at her suggestion, I didn't. Saved me about $50, probably. But it also cost them the same. Not that this girl (who I tried with all my might to engage, with even more radio silence as the result) seemed to care. I was just short of boring her by saying that going through that music made me nostalgic for Fischer. The old days. But that store, like so many things of that nature, are long gone. And judging by their empty store, they soon will be, too. And in this particular case, I say Good Riddance

Amazing location with a lot of great Illinois cases to read on and oddities to look at. The amount…read moreof stuff for John Wayne Gavy was great too. I would love to see some things about Drew Peterson in this museum on the next visit.

One of the coolest little museums about things that most people are too afraid to talk about. It's…read morea part of a record store, which I love. The workers were really friendly too!! I forget her name but there was a woman working who was super welcoming. The last time I came here, I wasn't greeted by anyone and then was too afraid to ask about how to get into the museum, so I just left lol. It's located in the back of their record store behind a curtain, and it can feel confusing on how to access it or if it's even accessible to the public. Most people probably won't even know there is a museum/if they are allowed in unless they ask. I think it costs $15 for Chicago residents and $20 for non-residents. They have an amazing collection of stuff so I think it's worth it to support them. If you take the time to read and look at everything, it could take up to an hour, but at least 20 minutes if you just skim through. There's also a free pinball machines in the basement for when you are finished with the museum and need something to refresh your mind, but we had to leave to get to the restaurant we were going to. Unfortunately we also didn't get to listen in on the man giving a more in-depth talking tour, but I enjoyed just doing a self-guided tour and looking at everything on my own. There's so much information written for each thing. I would love to come back and really read everything since I didn't really get to this time!

You can easily pass this unassuming building, but you'd be missing a real gem. Located on the first…read morefloor of this unorthodox office university you'll find a free curated collection. It's a real treat if you have a few minutes and want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. The time I went I was able to see a curious collection juxtaposing ideas of privilege with marginalized communities that have been affected by gentrification and globalization. The person watching the collection happened to be a student and was very nice in explaining what she thought of some of the pieces. Definitely a hole in the wall when it comes to culture and history.

Super cute little gift shop. I bought some little wooden cars for 2 year old's birthday AND was…read moreable to visit a mini art vending machine (my goal for going). Glad the mini art drew me in because the store is so fun and the staff was lovely.

HEADS UP, LOCALS: If you're shopping here to support independent artists and local businesses, take…read morea closer look at what you're buying--you might be buying TEMU. Living in Wicker Park, I intentionally spend more money at neighborhood businesses because I want to support the community behind them. That's why I purchased a ring here for $34. Later, I found what appears to be the identical ring on Temu for $3.20. The price difference isn't what bothered me. Local businesses need to make money. What bothered me was believing I was supporting a unique local boutique, only to discover what appears to be a mass-produced item readily available online. Maybe some items here are made by local artists. I hope they are. Too bad the owner wasn't there when I stopped in, because this is feedback I would have preferred to give directly. Whether the response to this review is that the ring isn't from Temu, that retail markups are normal, or that other products in the store are locally made, the underlying concern remains the same: customers who choose to shop local deserve transparency about what they're actually supporting. That's what makes this so disappointing.

Running from May 30, 2009 to June 30, 2009, the Old Town Art School Student/Faculty Exhibition is a…read moretreat -- a diversity of art from the very talented students of the Old Town Art School and a few examples from their instructors. No admission, and easily viewed in less than an hour, it seems that every student had one piece indicative of their style (no artists' statements to be found) on the walls. Most of the art is available for sale and reasonably priced; pieces seemed to range from $100 to $800, with instructor pieces or really large works coming in in the $1000 to $1500 range. There are a variety of styles to enjoy and absolutely no pressure to buy. The instructors included this year are Robert Brasher, Grace Cole, Tom Francesconi, Didiet Nolet, Phil Renaud, and Illinois Artist Laureate Kay Smith. I had the pleasure of attending the opening reception on Sunday (apologies for not yelping it in advance!) and the artists, teachers, and patrons were all accessible, friendly people. They ran the event themselves but the food and drink assortment was nicely balanced -- wine, cheese, crudites, sweets, and non-alcoholic drinks -- and the live harpist set a wonderful tone. I would encourage everyone to go this June if they have the time or are strolling around the neighborhood. Who knows if any of these artists are up and coming stars -- but the art itself is truly enjoyable, and that's the important part.

They recently became a UPS Access Point to help service the packages to and from UPS. I've never…read moregot anything from here related to video or games or anything of that matter. However, these guys are as friendly and customer centric as they come. The customer service that they provide you for a service that is not even theirs (UPS Access Point) probably goes to show that the service that they do actually provide (their rentals) would probably be even better. Well done, guys.

The owner was super nice and and we had a nice chat. The service was great and I will be coming…read moreback whenever I want to rent something. 11/10 would recommend

Wow...impressive resume and contributions to Chicago's public art scene…read more I first learned about Muralist Hector Duarte's work on a Chicago Architecture Tour's "Historic Neighborhoods Tour" when our bus tour visited/toured Pilsen. Our guide, Delta pointed out his studio which has a colossal mural of a man of gigantic proportions attempting to break free from being held down by barbed wire. Impressive in design and important in the Barrio Art Movement in the United States. The Mural is titled: "Gulliver in Wonderland." (If you do not take a bus tour to see it-take the Pink Line Train and it is only a few blocks away by foot and not far from The National Museum of Mexican Art). Mr. Duarte was born in Mexico and studied under the tutelage of David Alfaro Siqueiros one of the famous three muralists commissioned by the Mexican Government commencing in the 1920s to paint murals around Mexico in order to address social issues and educate the public about the legacy of the cultures and history of the country. (The other two muralists were Diego Rivera and Jose Clemente Orozco). According to his profile under "The Chicago Art Group" Mr. Duarte states: "I tend to use bright colors--I attribute this to my Latin American origins, where the presence of the sun influences our view of color--but have a very broad palette. I use recognizable symbols and images that dramatize life to Latinos here in the U.S. These have included corn, images from the Day of the Dead, and the Loteria game as well as the heart, which has both pre- and post-Colombian religious significance and is something all people can identify with. I usually choose themes that deal with the local community in some way or themes that speak to all of us." He is industrious and innovative...with 45 or more murals exhibited along walls in Chicago. He is also involved in organizing and providing opportunities within Chicago in association with Pilsen Fest 2017. Chicago is truly lucky to have him as part of our community and a true asset to the legacy of public art in Chicago. For more information about Mr. Duarte see: http://www.chicagopublicartgroup.org/hector-duarte/ PS. I wish the Chicago Architecture Foundation would provide a tour to visit/tour all of his murals in Chicago via bus????

Art City Paint and Sip is a fun and creative place for a night out with friends, a date, or even…read morealone. All materials are provided, and you can take your painting home. Bring your own beverages and enjoy a cheerful atmosphere while letting your creativity flow. It's the perfect escape from everyday stress, and I highly recommend it for a relaxing and enjoyable experience! Additionally, they offer many special classes where you can paint your pet, which is one of my favorites.