Things I Hope I Did This Summer

So, first off, the McHenry Outdoor Theater opens May 6 with Guardians of the Galaxy 2 followed by Beauty and the Beast. I'm hoping it's the new sing - along version where the words appear on the screen (I'm not making this up) because we would stay for that, but if not we will probably leave early. The first show probably starts at 8:30 when it's getting dark, so the late show will run until close to 1 AM. Unfortunately the drive - in is no fun in the rain, and I hear there is a shower scheduled for that weekend blowing from Chicago out to Des Moines, so we'll probably go on Tuesday and sleep in on Wednesday.   

The great band Chicago is going to be at the Riverside Theater in Milwaukee the next Friday, May 12. Here's a promo from their 2015 tour. We might have to miss this because it is pretty expensive, but we'll see. The video below is from their 2015 tour. Love the trombones, trumpets, and saxophones. Their first album included "Does Anybody Know What Time It Is?" and went platinum in 1970 when I was a freshman in college. It would be a stand-up concert; no sitting down during this one. Lots of old people jumping around. Sounds great, doesn't it.   




We haven't been to a Printers Row Lit Fest in a while, I think because it seemed to rain every year when we went, so it's probably time to go back. Billed as the Midwest's biggest free outdoor ode to literature (by the Tribune which sponsors it), it contains something for everyone. Among the speakers lined up already is Melanie Benjamin, who wrote The Aviator's Wife, which Ann just had to read for her book club. There are also kids books, comic books, a great mix of fiction and nonfiction, much of it with a Chicago or Midwest connection. It runs Saturday and Sunday, June 10 and 11, on Dearborn Street just south of the loop. Nathan's first college apartment was in the Printers Row neighborhood, so we have a lot of fond memories of that area.   

This may also be the year to head back to the Wizard World Chicago in Rosemont at the end of August. Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead) and Nathan Fillion (Firefly and Castle) are expected to appear. Get your geek on!   

There was something else going on this summer, if I can remember it. Oh yeah, I'm becoming a grandfather in June. Mike and Tammy are expecting their first child, so I would guess there will be a lot of trips to Des Moines this summer and fall. Time to hit the gym and strengthen those biceps so I can hold the baby for longer than five minutes.   

Have a great summer.