Exciting times at HI-Chicago!

Happy Friday, everyone!

Jugo de Mango at HI-Chicago, September 12th.

There's lots of buzz around here lately!  This week, HI-Chicago hosted HIUSA's annual National Operators Meeting.  We had a blast with all of the attendees and enjoyed a productive week.  We're sorry to see everyone trickling out of the hostel and back to their cities and hostels, but we're looking forward to seeing everyone at the next meeting!  

We kicked off the week with a reception in the hostel on Monday night, with a concert by local Latin band Jugo de Mango!  It was a fabulous time and a great chance to connect with our beloved hostellers, too :)

Frigg (Finland/Norway)

We have another exciting event coming up at the hostel next week!  HI-Chicago is teaming up with the World Music Festival to host a concert by Frigg (Finland/Norway) and DJ Sound Culture (Chicago).

Frigg, a seven-piece Finnish-Norwegian band, produces fresh Scandinavian folk fiddling. They represent a mixture of Kaustinen (Finland) and Nord-Trondelag (Norway) traditions, combined with a taste of Americana and Irish Folk music. Named for the Norse goddess of love and fertility, the band has received numerous accolades for musicianship and performance.

DJ Sound Culture, aka David Chavez, is a native of Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood whose music ranges from downtempo brazilian bossa, to NuJazz and AfroLatin House. He has lead a four-year Wednesday night residency at Wicker Park’s Subterranean Lounge, as well as playing most of the major nightclub venues in the city. Sound Culture is an organizer and presenter of cultural music in the city of Chicago. 

The performance is here on the second floor of the hostel at 5:30 p.m., and it's FREE, so invite all your friends for a fun time.  As an added bonus, we'll be hosting our weekly ice cream social at the same time, in the lounge this time, so you can get your yummies fix while enjoying great music!  We're really excited about hosting the event, so we hope to see you all there!


And, a moment you've all been waiting for!  TRAVELIXIR is coming!  We're teaming up with STA Travel and Whole Foods for our next travel party on Wednesday, September 28th, from 7-10 p.m.  This time, our theme is "Big City", and we're hosting it at Brando's Speakeasy.  (Fits nicely with the theme, huh?  You're welcome ;))

Remember, it's a fun travel party open to everyone 21 and up.  Come share your travel stories, mix and mingle with other people from the hostel and community, and have FUN! 

We're having door prizes, a special drink created just for us, nibbles provided by Whole Foods Market South Loop, and our photo contest!  Submit your "big-city" photo for a chance to win up to $300 in travel prizes.  We'll be voting at the party, and you MUST be present to claim your prize if you win!  Send your photos to activities.chicago@hiusa.org.  ONE original submission per person.  Our grand prize is a $150 travel voucher from STA.  Get creative with your submissions!  Hmmm...can I enter my own pictures?  No?  Awww, all right...

Get excited!  'Til next time!