Bash from the other side

never went to the bash without working it--til now

09/06/2010 10:21 PM

By Bonnie McGrath

3 Comments - Add Your Comment


Photo by Bonnie McGrath

For years, I volunteered to sell beer (although I sold corn last year) at Bash on Wabash, which is a little mini music street fest sponsored by the Greater South Loop Association on a little strip a block or so south of Roosevelt on Wabash. I would enter, look around, wear an official t-shirt and feel like part of the staff.


But this year, my Labor Day weekend was really busy with an out-of-town wedding, a barbecue, a lot of errands and a dinner with friends. So I decided to just go over there as a plain old guest on Saturday afternoon.

First, I was asked to pay $5. Then I got my hand stamped with a small circle so I could come and go. A band playing generic rock music permeated the background. Then I was free to delve. A woman with an enormous number of Miche Bags reeled me in for a demonstration at her booth. The purses come in a wide array of colors and prints and there's a kicker. A black inner purse is part of the deal, and all you have to do if you buy a Miche Bag wardrobe is remove the black bag with all the contents of your purse and place the whole thing in another color or style. Magnets make it stick. Pretty neat. But I didn't buy anything.

Next, I met a young couple--under their tent--who is about to open a coffee bar called Overflow to rival Intelligentsia--at Daystar School at 1550 S. State. I wondered why a school would be hosting a coffee bar and I was told the school doesn't use or need the empty storefront space on State. I filled out a raffle ticket for free coffee but I didn't win.

Then I picked up some interesting material from Alderman Bob Fioretti's table: a Bus and Rail Map, a Government Guide, a study guide for the Toni Morrison "One Chicago" book, Mercy, and a Chicago Street Guide. The alderman told me this morning when we chatted on the phone that he had gone to the bash the night before and it was packed, fun and family friendly. He called to ask my opinion about something but we talked so much he forgot what it was. I'm always glad that he asks my opinion about things like street lamp decor and I am glad to impart my feelings. I feel like a valued constituent.

While we were talking, he was working in the ward. Cleaning up trash. Taking graffiti off that the gangbangers (80,000 of them in Chicago, according to the alderman) and taggers (who often grow up to be rappers and artists) put on. Fioretti sometimes uses liquid remover; and sometimes he has to scratch the scratchings off. If the markings are too big he has to bring in the big guns.

But back to the fest: I passed by the jewelry stands, the health club tables and the food booths But I sure was tempted to indulge in those wonderful garlic fries from The Cubby Bear--but I didn't eat anything, no fries, no corn, and I didn't drink any beer. I did have a lot of memories of priming the tap, though.








3 Comments - Add Your Comment



By Bonnie McGrath from South Loop
Posted: 09/18/2010 0:35 AM

I think making this comment on the blog should help get some attention from the right people for your idea. Good luck!


By Solo from MotorRow
Posted: 09/10/2010 9:34 AM

Bonnie - I have been trying to get a response from the Alderman for the past 2 months regarding adding trees to South Michigan Ave (22nd to 24th), but no luck. I am looking to get a point of contact in urban planning, etc that will be able to make a recommendation ($) in extending the width of the sidewalks to add trees or put in planters that will fit with what we have currently. Can you help ? We have seen sidewalks with the same width that have trees on it & want to make our street green.


By Stephen Reginald from South Loop
Posted: 09/07/2010 8:39 AM

Bonnie, I missed you this year in the corn roasting booth. I worked both days and had a lot of fun. The bands in the evening on Saturday and Sunday drew good crowds.