I hope you enjoy reading my story as much as I enjoyed writing it. Life is not perfect and neither are my stories, they are dirty, unashamed, unedited, baring blemishes and all, bare. They are not a legal brief constructed so every word is perfect, every common in the right place, edited ten times. My tumbling out style of writing comes from emotion, desire, a longing, sexual desire, fun erotica, fantasy. My stories come spilling out of me full of lust, raw energy, with no filter, a friend confessing to you. I'm not looking for perfection in my writing, I'm purging my mind, looking for relaxing fun.
Lost Opportunity, my pen name, refers to all those times I missed the signals, failed to take the leap, didn't recognize or understand what others were feeling/wanting, just didn't go far enough from my own hang ups and fears. I've learned in my thirty years to say yes, to take a chance, make a move, have no regrets, take chances, even if I fail or are rebuffed, even those that don't work out or even when they hurt how do I know if I don't try? Life is short enjoy the ride. I'm Cheryle "Cheri" an Irish Catholic, Attorney, Singer Songwriter 30year old bi-sexual woman, 5'2" 107lbs., with blue eyes and long red hair-💋
Chicago has one of the most exciting music scenes in the country. The birthplace of new influential genres house, modern gospel, Chicago-style blues ECT. A hotbed for new and exciting musical innovations. So it only makes sense that Chicago is one of the best cities to see live music especially in Wicker Park. While there are great venues all over the city, this neighborhood stands out for their dynamic music scene.
The indie spirit lives large in Wicker Park, a haven for artists and musicians since the roaring twenties. You'll find music venues all around the six corners where North, Milwaukee, and Damen Avenues intersect, where you can see well-known acts or discover some of the latest local talent.
Subterranean is a two-story venue with a cabaret-style stage upstairs and an intimate performance space downstairs. Both floors host live acts almost nightly, from DJs to local musicians to burlesque dancers, open Mic Hip Hop on Tuesdays and Reggae Gold on Wednesdays.
Just a couple doors down, you'll find a one of a kind venue Chop Shop. The industrial chic building includes a restaurant, bar, butcher shop, and music venue all housed inside a 100-year-old former auto body shop. The concert space includes 20-foot ceilings, exposed brick walls, and a state-of-the-art sound system, making it the perfect spot to catch live shows and maybe grab some house roasted meats on your way out.
On the outskirts of Wicker Park, you'll find two local gems that are worth the trip outside the heart of the neighborhood. The Hideout is a community bar and venue tucked inside a 100-year-old house on a quiet street. You'll find live music and events there almost every night of the week, often spilling out into the front lawn. The Empty Bottle is a rarely empty hole in the wall bar that happens to be a musical institution on Chicago's west side, featuring an eclectic concert schedule with a side of grunge.
The Hideout is a bar for irregular folks who just don't fit in, or just don't want to fit in. The owners didn't choose the name; it has been called the Hideout since it opened (legally) in 1934.The Hideout is a 100 year old balloon-frame house, built in two days, still there a century later. Hammers pounding in nails faster than the city could tear it down. Built by undocumented workers at the end of the 19th Century, run by undocumented bootleggers and gin runners, running numbers, racing horses, making deals, and moving in on the make.
I met her there just hanging out like everyone else her blonde hair flowing dazzling turquoise eyes from the poster I had in my childhood bedroom to sitting at a table with me twenty years later. Talking poetry and music with Jewel at The Hideout a sub real experience but when she asked if I wanted to sit in on her set I nearly peed myself.
Playing guitar with an Icon following her lead, singing background vocals, living a dream. After the set we hung out playing footsie under a table in the corner chatting, drinking, laughing well into the night which turned into morning in no time.