h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I lived in Chicago for 'bout 9 years, all told and I loved it, for the most part (hard to love without reservation a place that gets that cold). I've had quite a few good times at the Green Mill (remember poetry slams? I used to go to them every once in a while).

Some of my other favorite places were Rosa's, the Gulf Coast, the Empty Bottle, the Corner Pocket, the Cove (Harold's white half with hot sauce and BBQ and a pitcher of MGD with the Bulls on the big screen), Park West and the Abbey Pub (which had, if I remember, the WORST table service of anywhere in the civilized world).

I go to a whole bunch of different clubs Green Mill is always a favorite. Um... We go Liquid quite a bit (used to be Whiskey River until change of ownership), I M.C.ed at new club called "Olive" until it closed last year.

Blue Chicag is a good time and we go to the VIC to see stuff. I tend to follow shows and musicians around more than I do general clubs or venues. Park West lends itself nicely to swing bands though. I've seen several there. Green Mill for Jimmy Sutton and Patricia Barber.

My kind of town.

Are the Mighty Blue Kings still around?

Well, they've fragmented and re-formed. Eventually they got so big that I believe that they're touring right now, but I think all of the band members have changed. Any of the good swing bands around Chicago always have several boys that used to be MBK.

I actually saw them perform for about 50 people in a club in North Carolina a few years ago. They were their usual great selves but, as this was (I believe) pre-"Swingers" most of the audience didn't quite know how they were supposed to react.