Night at the Museum

Chicago is famous for its many quality museums. Between the Field Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Art Institute, you could spend days exploring! However, if you don't feel like fighting the crowds during the day, or just want to mix up your summer museum trips, check out some of these special nighttime events

at your favorite Chicago museums!

Jazzin' at the Shedd - Shedd Aquarium

Wednesdays, 5 to 10 p.m. through August 31, 2011 (Note:

No Jazzin' on July 20th)

What's not to like about live jazz, cocktails, and fireworks, especially when they're at the Shedd Aquarium! Almost every Wednesday night this summer, you can take an evening trip to the Shedd and explore the fish, new

Jellies exhibit, and Oceanarium with an $18 All-Access Jazzin' ticket. Relax and listen to live music by the 360 degree Caribbean Reef tank, or grab a drink and enjoy the skyline views with more music on the terrace. Make sure you stick around for a great view of the Navy Pier fireworks around 9:30pm. Check out the website for the

list of upcoming bands and to buy your tickets online!

Tuesdays on

the Terrace - Museum of Contemporary Art

Tuesdays, 5:30 to 8 p.m. through September 27, 2011

A perfect way to spend your summer evening is stopping by the MCA for great food and music on Tuesdays, as well as free admission to the museum! Each week, this live music series features one of the many Chicago jazz talents, hosted by local radio personalities. You can grab some

summer snacks and stop by the cash bar before relaxing in the sculpture garden, or for $23 a person enjoy a dinner buffet on the terrace by Puck's restaurant featuring fresh local produce. The museum has lawn chair rentals for $5 each so you can really kick back in the garden. Head to their website to see the featured bands or to make a reservation for the dinner buffet.

Adler After Dark - Adler Planetarium

July 21, August 18, September 15, October 20, November 17, December 15

6:30-10:30 p.m (6-10 p.m. starting in September)

Get an early start to your weekend every 3rd Thursday of the month with Adler Planetarium's 21+ event, Adler After Dark. Come to stargaze with friends while enjoying appetizers and cocktails, or jump on this opportunity for a unique date! If you have ever wanted to look through the Doane Observatory telescope, Adler After Dark is the only time it's available, so don't miss out! On July 21st, the first 400 guests get a free glass of champagne, and DJ Marc Davis will be keeping everyone entertained. Advanced tickets can be purchased online for $12 (non-members) or $9 (members and students), or at the box office the night of the event for $17/$12. The Adler's website has the details each month for the upcoming event.

After Dark - The Art Institute of Chicago

Friday, July 22, 2011, 9 p.m. - 12 a.m.

Make sure you don't miss this chance to explore the Art Institute at night! On July 22nd, head over to the Modern Wing for After Dark. Check out the new galleries of African Art and Indian Art of the Americas and have some complimentary appetizers. Afterwards, stop by the cash bar and enjoy live DJs and performances by the theatrical ensemble Collaboraction. Space is limited, so make sure you get your tickets soon. Admission is $20 for members and students, or $25 for non-members. Keep an eye out for future evening events at the Art Institute with their website.

For all you night owls, don't miss out on these amazing summer events! Grab your friends, grab your tickets, and head out to these museums to grab some drinks and a good time!

Written by: Laura Cohen

Traveler Spotlight--Nate and JD

Written by: Krista Baum

While walking through the HI-Chicago second floor lounge, I saw two guys playing pool, and they were almost done with their game. They looked like cool guys and would have some very interesting stories to share…and they did! *This is why travelers should meet and mingle on the second floor lounge because there are so many great people to talk to :)

Nate is 23 years old, and from Fort Wayne, Indiana and J.D. is 19 years old and from Goshen, Indiana and they have traveled to many great places around the world!

Nate has been all over Central and South America, and has lived in Argentina for 13 months and recently got back from his 10 month stay in China. While living in China, he also traveled to nearby countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

JD has traveled around the United States, been to Canada for two weeks and just recently got back from his 10 month stay in Bolivia.

So how did Nate and JD meet?

Nate and JD met through the Radical Journey program, which is a program through a Mennonite Mission Network that is based out of Indiana. When they said Radical Journey, I had no idea what that program was, so I asked them to elaborate. They said that Radical Journey is a program for men and women between 19-30 years old, and they do a year of service in a foreign country. The service that these people are providing varies on need, but some examples are: construction work, teaching English or tutoring children.

During their travels both Nate and JD had some surprises…

Nate learned that his house sister in China went to the United States for a year and met his Argentinian fiancé’s best friend. Nate was pleasantly surprised to find out about this later, and really thought that this was a real life example of how small the world really is J

For JD, he had a less pleasant surprise when he encountered some passport problems in Bolivia. Due to this experience, JD recommends that all travelers get their passport work done as soon as possible!!

From surprises to shocks... What was the biggest culture shock for these guys while abroad?

Nate thought that the family life was a big culture shock for him. When in China, everyone in the family was really close, and friends were treated like siblings. He also learned that it was normal for a 33 yr. old and a 32 yr. old to live at home, versus in the United States when everyone starts leaving home at around 18 years old to go to college or work.

JD thought that language was the biggest culture shock while in Bolivia. Within the first couple days he wanted to continually greet people in English, however after 10 months there, he was conversing in Spanish every day, and now back in the United States he feels that he wants to greet people in Spanish. The switching between languages so fast can definitely result in some excellent Spanglish!

So what brought Nate and JD to Chicago?

For both these guys, Chicago was the reorientation city. After their recent experiences abroad, Nate living in China for 10 months and JD living in Bolivia for 10 months, their program chose Chicago as the place for all their participants to initially return to when coming back to the United States.

JD actually just arrived in Chicago this afternoon and said that he was in Bolivia this morning! How cool is that!?!

Their program thought that Chicago was a good fit because it is culturally diverse and it would be a nice transition from being in another country for so long. Both Nate and JD are enjoying their stay in Chicago and are readjusting to life back in the United States.

So where do they plan on going in the future?

Nate plans on going to Argentina, so that he can then bring his fiancé to the United States so they can get married. Then they will move back to Argentina for a while.

JD plans on going to Goshen College in Indiana so he can study Spanish and French, and he also says that he wants to study abroad in Spain for a year!

Foto Friday Winners: Caterina and Naomi

Each Friday, we pick one or two lucky guests to be pictured on our blog and to receive a free gift from HI Chicago! Caterina and Naomi came up to the Front Desk at just the right moment (See? It pays to chat with the awesome staff at the front!), so they'll be enjoying 2 free tickets to ComedySportz!

Names: Caterina and Naomi

Hometown: Lucern, Switzerland

Where they're heading next: Willis Tower

Your Chicago Weekend Guide from HI-Chicago

Here it is again—your never-failing weekend guide to Chicago summer events! Now that the Taste is over (phew!), there are TONS of other festivals and events that you really should check out! Be sure to hit some of these awesome spots this sunny July weekend!

West Fest: July 9 – 10, 12-10pm

Check out the best of the west (West Side, that is) at the West Fest in Ukrainian Village. What sets this festival apart, given its food and drink stands, live music and crafts vendors? An AWESOME line-up, including bands such as Hollows and Local H, as well as DJs Drop the Lime and Juan Maclean! $5 donation.

Dave Matthews Band Caravan: July 8 – 10, 1-11pm

While tickets are a bit pricey ($85/day, $195/3days) for Dave Matthew’s Band’s rolling caravan tour, the Chicago stop just might be worth it! A massive line-up, including OAR, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Kid Cudi, Michael Franti and Spearhead, the Flaming Lips, and, of course, DMB, is bound to make this an unforgettable festival! Tickets are still available, so check out the website for a full schedule and purchasing options.

Roscoe Village Burger Fest: July 9 – 10, 11am-10pm

The 2^nd Annual Roscoe Village Burger Fest is exactly what it sounds like—a burger festival. And how awesome is that? Live music and mouth-watering burgers from nine of Chicago’s prime restaurants—many for cheaper than you could buy them in store! Turkey, beef, steak, BBQ, and, of course, veggie burgers will all be available, so go get your grub on! $6 donation.

Gold Coast Art Fair: July 9 – 10, 9am-7pm

Art lovers should head over to Butler Field in Grant Park for the 54^th annual Gold Coast Art Fair. Over 450 artists from all over the world will have their work on display and available for purchase (insider hint: select artists will discount their work between 9 – 10am on both days for all you early birds…or deal-savvy travelers!). Food and drink vendors and live music will accompany the art, and work is priced anywhere between $25 and $25,000, so there’s something for everyone! Free.

Irish American Heritage Festival: July 8 – 10 (Fri 6pm -12am, Sat 12pm – 12am, Sun 12pm – 11pm)

Honor your Irish heritage (or somebody else’s) at the 26^th annual Irish American Heritage Festival. Live Irish and American music on 5 indoor and outdoor stages, along with dance performances (get jiggy with it!), a singing contest, and even a matchmaking event. Also, be sure to wear your elastic pants because there’s no better way to enjoy this cultural fest than through the mashed-potato eating contest! $14 ($8/presale)

The Flesh Hungry Dog Show: Homo Hop: July 8, 9pm

This monthly LGBTQ and queer-friendly rock ‘n’ roll variety show, hosted by local musician Gary Airedale, features a vintage theme for July. Bric-a-Brac, Suzy Brack and the New Jack Lords, and Pieptone! will be performing, with DJ Sky spinning between sets. Giveaways from the Pleasure Chest and a go-go dancing set by The Revelettes make this event one of the most diverse LGBTQ events in the city! All are welcome to this ultra-inclusive, mini-rock extravaganza! $10/door, $8/presale. 21+

So be sure to get out there this weekend and take advantage of what a Chicago summer has to offer! Remember--not only will it be too cold to dance outside come December, but you can't move nearly as well in a snow suit and moon boots.

Written by: Keren Mikva

Travelixir: Festivus in July!

Travel bug? Feeling grounded? TRAVELIXIR: Festivus in July to the rescue! Come join Chicagoans who love to travel, those that aspire to travel, and HI-Chicago guests and get your wings back.

WHEN: Wednesday, July 20th from 7-10pm

WHERE: Butterfly Social Club, 722 W Grand Ave - right off the Grand Blue Line stop

WHAT: A FREE party sponsored by HI-Chicago and STA Travel to help you beat your wanderlust blues


PHOTO CONTEST: A travel photo contest - party-goers vote on their favorite, and the winner gets a $150 travel voucher (good for airfare, accommodations, and other travel-related costs)

AND EVEN MORE: Free giveaways, food samples, world music DJ, dancing, networking with like-minded internationalists

DRINK SPECIALS: $5 Absolut cocktails & $1 off all beers (and free shot with the purchase of any beer!)

***ENTER THE CONTEST***
E-mail TRAVELIXIR@hiusa.org with 1 photo from your travels that depicts a holiday or festival (Holi in India, Carnivale in Brazil, Semana Santa in Spain, a hot dog eating festival in Texas - be creative!). Include a title for your photo. Submit your photos by Tuesday, July 19th at 5pm. You must be present at the party to win! Follow the photo submissions on HI-Chicago's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HostellingInternationalChicago.

Come join us & become part of Chicago's hostelling community!

Traveler Spotlight—Omer Aydin

Written by: Krista Baum

As I was wandering around the main lobby at HI-Chicago, I saw a young man on his computer, and he looked like an interesting person so I decided to introduce myself and ask if he would like to be interviewed for traveler spotlight. He humbly agreed, and we started talking and had a very enjoyable conversation J

Omer Aydin is from Turkey, and currently a PhD student studying Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan. I later told him that I went to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and that both the University of Michigan and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign were in the Big 10. Currently at Michigan, Omer is researching cancer treatments and developing ways to use medicine that will directly target cancer cells and not the whole body of the individual who has cancer. What a brilliant student!

After discussing Omer’s studies, I was very curious to learn about where he has traveled. Omer left Turkey in 2010, and went to Alabama, USA, where he enrolled at the University of Alabama to take an English class, so he could improve his English skills. After Alabama, he traveled north to Michigan where he could start at the University of Michigan. I asked Omer if he had a preference between Michigan or Alabama. He said that he noticed political and religious differences between Alabama and Michigan, and as far as the social scene, he feels that downtown Michigan offers a lot more J

So what brought Omer to Chicago?

Omer came to Chicago for the 4^th of July Weekend with an International group of students from the University of Michigan and was able to stay at HI-Chicago for a couple of days. It was Omer’s first time in Chicago, and besides seeing O’Hare airport, there was so much more to see and do! As a group they immersed themselves in Chicago, and were able to see the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, Art Institute, the Skydeck and Millennium Park.

As far as cuisine goes, Omer says that he misses Turkish food, so during this trip here to Chicago, he was able to go to a Turkish restaurant called A La Turka and he said that it was really good place. I have never tried Turkish food before, so I think I will try that place sometime. What better way to learn more about a foreign culture than through their ethnic cuisine? J

Omer’s future plans are to go back to the University of Michigan to continue his education as a PhD student!

Foto Friday Winner: Bernardo

Each Friday, we pick a lucky guest to be pictured on our blog and to receive a free gift from HI Chicago! Bernardo was checking at just the right time, so he'll be enjoying 2 free tickets to Kingston Mines!

Name: Bernardo

Hometown: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

What he's most excited for in Chicago: The nightlife!