Pocket Guide to Hell Tours and Reenactments invites you back in time for “Like a Secondhand Sea,” on Sunday, July 15 from 12-2:00 PM at the park across from the River East Arts Center (corner of Illinois and McClurg Ct).
“Like a Secondhand Sea,” which takes its name from Nelson Algren’s Chicago: City on the Make, is a free and interactive historical reenactment that uses authentic costumes, period-appropriate props, and a cast of 70 to tell the story of how human contact has altered Lake Michigan and the Chicago River in 3 parts.
Pocket Guide to Hell is partnering on this event with the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents (SOAR), Streeterville Properties, TimeOut, Steampunk Chicago, Quimby’s, The Hideout, The Read/Write Library, Chicago Publishes, The Haymarket Pub & Brewery, The Chicago Literary Hall of Fame, and the Public Media Institute.
Part 1 invites audience members to join French explorers Marquette & Joliet as they trace the original coastline of Lake Michigan in 1673 in voyageur canoes on wheels. Part 2 brings back to life the “District of Lake Michigan,” today’s Streeterville, the outlaw and outcast community founded by Captain George Wellington Streeter on reclaimed land in 1886. Part 3 commemorates the Dedication of the River’s Reversal in 1892
Audience members will be encouraged to become active players in the reenactment by coming in period attire or using “Streeterville Dollars,” available at the event, to take part in games of chance or to purchase tintype photographs by Chris Olsen.
Justin Amolsch’s Brass Inferno Productions, Jon Langford, Sally Timms, and L. Wyatt will play music at the event. Scott M. Priz is directing a cast of circus acrobats and puppeteers who will portray the citizens of Streeterville, alongside performers from the Chicago Poetry Bordello.
Water Reclamation District Commissioner Debra Shore will make a special guest appearance alongside city historian Tim Samuelson, environmental law attorney Thom Cmar, author Rich Cahan (Lost Panoramas), author Richard Bales (The Great Chicago Fire) and writer Kevin Robinson (The Chicagoist) at the dedication ceremony.
Planners include: Justin Amolsch, Sarah Crawford, Paul Durica, Edie Fake, Michelle Faust, Nick Fraccaro, Ingrid Haftel, Lyra Hill, Kate Kelleman, Meghan McGrath, Matt Malooly, Kenneth Morrison, Scott M. Priz, Claire Schauble, Nat Ward, Brant Veilleux, and Nicki Yowell.
Paul Durica founded Pocket Guide to Hell in Hyde Park in 2008. Recent events include The Studs Terkel 100th Birthday Party at the Newberry and the 125th Anniversary Full-Scale Haymarket Reenactment. All events are free and interactive. Pocket Guide to Hell has been featured in places like TimeOut, The Onion A/V Club, The Huffington Post, The Atlantic Cities, Vice, and The New York Times.
If you would like more information about the performance or to schedule an interview with organizer Paul Durica contact him at 773-822-9379 or pocketguidetohell@gmail.com.
Also happening this Sunday is our monthly summer series Watch Chains and Lace at the Pleasant Home in Oak Park, IL.
July 15th featuring!
SPECIAL RUSSIAN TEA by DARIA
Sanjula Vamana doing Sideshow!
Daniil Chercassky doing Russian accordion music!
Lawn Games, dance lessons, socializing, vendors and more.
Background music by The Lords & Ladies DJs
Cash bar for those 21+
And of course, the Formal Tea featuring a variety of teas and consumables.
All this at the beautiful
Pleasant Home Manor
217 Home Ave, Oak Park, Illinois
Green Line to Harlem
Metra to Oak Park
Tea is 4pm – 5pm, 13+ and please dress appropriately
Tea admission is $15 and includes admission to the general events
General Events are 5pm – 9pm, all ages, come as you wish
General Admission is $5
We HIGHLY suggest you purchase tickets in advance at our website
https://steampunkchicago.com/tickets/
See you there!
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