June 26- The Chicago Area- a Summer Magnet!!!
As this weekend looms before us, I was just struck by the fact that this area really is a magnet, especially at this time of year- so many people are drawn here by various events, and get to enjoy what a great part of the Midwest this is!
Naturally, I’ve got people arriving to visit me and all the other cool people and events at Flashback Weekend (more on that tomorrow- comeback and check it out!) There are old friends, loyal fans who have watched me since the “old days” when I was “Son of Svengoolie”, new fans who have just gotten into the show, people I have become acquainted with via e-mailed messages that I will have the opportunity to met in person for the very first time, folks who have never seen my show, but have read about it, seen on-line clips, and are looking forward to meeting me, people in the business that I only get to see occasionally, like Nick DiGilio of WGN, old friends who help stage the event…always a great time, and a great time to be in the Chicago area.
Also going on, just down the block from the Crowne Plaza, is the yearly Wizard World comics convention. Wouldn’t you know it- at the same time I’m occupied at Flashback, my pal Alex Ross is over there! Some of my other friends from the comics and entertainment industries will be there as well-here’s hoping they’ll be able to steal a few moments to come visit us at Flashback!(And hey- bring me some cool comics stuff!)Speaking of Alex, rumor has it he will be appearing with my friends Steve and Johnnie tonight on WGN Radio (720AM)
around 11:30 or so. Make sure you listen!
And- this weekend is the beginning of the city’s biggest summer party- the Taste of Chicago in Grant Park! Plenty of food, fun and fireworks every year- not to mention some of the worst displays of tank top/shorts combinations ever. Plus, you’ll be surprised by how many foods can be served on a stick. As I’ve mentioned before, most of my time spent at the taste has been while I was there working for radio or TV, and, no, I won’t be doing either there this year, to my knowledge.
We’d always get some very tasty stuff there- and while the whole idea was to try new dishes, when we were working and had to grab something in a hurry, we’d usually opt for a good old Chicago style Vienna hot dog or some Bacino’s heart-healthy pizza. I always remember the Bacino’s guys showing how to spin and flip pizza dough, and they’d provide me with a rubber pizza dough circle (much like our rubber chickens, I guess) so I could practice, and, of course, totally louse it up.
Wow- looks to be a great weekend, and, in fact, some great weeks of fun coming up. Check back here for more info on where I’ll be appearing this summer-as I said, tomorrow, lots of info on Flashback Weekend!
Naturally, I’ve got people arriving to visit me and all the other cool people and events at Flashback Weekend (more on that tomorrow- comeback and check it out!) There are old friends, loyal fans who have watched me since the “old days” when I was “Son of Svengoolie”, new fans who have just gotten into the show, people I have become acquainted with via e-mailed messages that I will have the opportunity to met in person for the very first time, folks who have never seen my show, but have read about it, seen on-line clips, and are looking forward to meeting me, people in the business that I only get to see occasionally, like Nick DiGilio of WGN, old friends who help stage the event…always a great time, and a great time to be in the Chicago area.
Also going on, just down the block from the Crowne Plaza, is the yearly Wizard World comics convention. Wouldn’t you know it- at the same time I’m occupied at Flashback, my pal Alex Ross is over there! Some of my other friends from the comics and entertainment industries will be there as well-here’s hoping they’ll be able to steal a few moments to come visit us at Flashback!(And hey- bring me some cool comics stuff!)Speaking of Alex, rumor has it he will be appearing with my friends Steve and Johnnie tonight on WGN Radio (720AM)
around 11:30 or so. Make sure you listen!
And- this weekend is the beginning of the city’s biggest summer party- the Taste of Chicago in Grant Park! Plenty of food, fun and fireworks every year- not to mention some of the worst displays of tank top/shorts combinations ever. Plus, you’ll be surprised by how many foods can be served on a stick. As I’ve mentioned before, most of my time spent at the taste has been while I was there working for radio or TV, and, no, I won’t be doing either there this year, to my knowledge.
We’d always get some very tasty stuff there- and while the whole idea was to try new dishes, when we were working and had to grab something in a hurry, we’d usually opt for a good old Chicago style Vienna hot dog or some Bacino’s heart-healthy pizza. I always remember the Bacino’s guys showing how to spin and flip pizza dough, and they’d provide me with a rubber pizza dough circle (much like our rubber chickens, I guess) so I could practice, and, of course, totally louse it up.
Wow- looks to be a great weekend, and, in fact, some great weeks of fun coming up. Check back here for more info on where I’ll be appearing this summer-as I said, tomorrow, lots of info on Flashback Weekend!
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Scheduling Flashback and Wizard World the same weekend seems like poor planning to me. There's a large overlap in terms of audience and vendors. I also know a few comic retailers, writers, and artists that normally would have attended Flashback that can't this year, due to working the other show.
I'm planning on attending both events, but I'll be forced to miss some of the programming at each show, since I'll be splitting my time. Hopefully, the events will be scheduled separately in future years.
Cheers,
garv