I'm Cheryle "Cheri" an Irish Catholic, Attorney, Singer-Songwriter 30year old bi-sexual woman-💋
Chapter One - The Music Scene:
The culturally diverse Uptown neighborhood has been an entertainment hotspot since the Roaring Twenties. It's home to some of the city's most beloved music venues and one of Chicago's oldest jazz clubs.
When the Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom was built in 1926, it was one of the most elaborate venues of its time. Today, the opulent interior is still a stuns me every time I'm there, with intricate mosaics, soaring arches, and ornately decorated balconies.
Legend has it that secret tunnels link the Aragon Ballroom's basement to the nearby Green Mill, a Prohibition-era hideaway and a favorite of Al Capone. I like to sit in Capone's favorite booth, I love the Green Mill when I'm feeling down for its nightly jazz shows that keep the music going till late into the night.
Just around the corner, the Riviera Theatre is a great place to catch popular national acts and indie bands. Built in 1917, it was used as a movie theatre before being transformed into a concert venue in the 1980s. The space has retained its grand interior, with French Renaissance Revival flourishes that create an amazing backdrop for performances by some of today's top musicians.
the Logan Square neighborhood is a hipster hangout that I love for its dive bars, art galleries, coffee shops, and cocktail lounges. It's also where I find the cutting edge of the local music scene, with venues that aren't afraid to spotlight under-the-radar bands and experimental sounds.
I like to walk Milwaukee Avenue a trendy thoroughfare that stays busy long after dark with bar hoppers and concert goers. I'll visit the Whistler. It's easy to miss, no sign, just a front window with rotating art installations and plenty of locals lined up for nightly no-cover shows.
Walking a few blocks down, I'll hit Concord Music Hall. This mid-size venue draws a young and trendy crowd for the diverse concert line-up, from nationally touring bands to up-and-coming acts. On any given weekend, there is a spectrum of artists taking the stage, including punk, electronic, indie, hip hop, metal, and everything in between.
Tucked away from the crowds on Milwaukee Avenue, Rosa's Lounge welcomes new and seasoned blues musicians to their intimate stage. The family-owned spot is one of the city's most beloved venues, and a tribute to the old-school clubs where Chicago-style blues was born.
If I'm looking for a chill night at a neighborhood watering hole, then I head across the street to Cole's Bar. Grab a craft beer, Cole's has great wine and beer selections, and shoot a game or two of pool in the front, then I'll head into the cozy back room to hear everything from cover bands to folk musicians. No matter who's on stage, admission is always free, panties are optional. Live music, comedy & open-mike nights are showcased at this laid-back neighborhood watering hole.
Cole's is a great place to get stage time too, sitting in with musicians/bands I know from the scene or playing a new song of mine on open mic night. That's when I first saw her swaying to the song I was playing there was something magical in the way she moved. Simple, unassuming, a subtle desire settled in has I played and sang watching her dance.
Her dirty blonde hair framing her gorgeous face with hazel colored eyes wearing a Grateful Dead tee shirt, ripped faded jeans, and yellow flip flops. My eyes exploring every inch of her a strange fascination setting in. Coming off the stage when my time was over I walked over to the beauty not really controlling my legs.
