Lee Bey
@leebey1
Chicago Sun-Times architecture critic and formerly ABC7 Chicago. Author/photographer of Southern Exposure: The Overlooked Architecture of Chicago's South Side. I dig vintage TV/movies and 20th century funk, soul and jazz.
I'd vote for Marpessa Dawn in Black Orpheus and Denzel Washington in Much Ado About Nothing
In my recent column on the Bell Federal weather sign getting a big refresh, the developer said the device -- which also forecast the weather -- had a manual control in the building's basement. Here's the control, courtesy of a source of mine who took this pic while visiting the building this week.
Hotel Florence, 11111 S. Forrestville in the Pullman neighborhood yesterday. Designed by Solon S. Beman, built in 1881.
At the OPC with library commissioner Chris Brown and OPC branch librarian Marcus Lumpkin to sign a copy of Southern Exposure for the Obama Presidential Reading Room. Chris said the branch gets 3000 daily visits -- almost as much as the Washington Library gets. I can see how. It's pretty packed now.
I'm looking forward to being in conversation Aug 5 with my good friend, the talented Dawn Turner, about her new book, Majestic Hills. We'll be at Call & Response Books, 1390 E. Hyde Park Blvd. Come on through!
"Some people say Casablanca or Citizen Kane. I say Jason and the Argonauts is the greatest film ever made." Tom Hanks, 1992.
Canadian Smoke. Sounds like the name of a band that woulda played an all-ages show at the Cabaret Metro in 1984.
In my column today when I said the old Palace of Fine Arts from the World's Columbian Exposition had fallen into ruin before it was rescued and turned into the MSI in 1933, this is the ruin I was talking about.
Here's a picture I took in Grant Park, the day after Election Day 2008. Now that the presidential center is open, the Obama Foundation should resurrect these Obamacycles so folk can get around that 19 acre campus. 😊
Graybeard has a late lunch while listening to the birds at Big Marsh Park, one of his favorite spots.
Today's print edition of the Sun-Times features a 20-page special section on the Obama Center. Writers include Natalie Moore, Neil Steinberg and a reprint of Lee Bey's critique of the center's architecture.
New City named me one of the 50 people who influence Chicago architecture and design. (Ed Keegan at the Trib, too.)
Schlitz Beer announced its ending production after 175 years in the biz. During its heyday, the company made lots of really good tv commercials, including this 1981 banger featuring the Commodores. #schlitz #lionelrichie #thecommodores
The top of the rock. The fed's Metropolitan Correctional Center, 71 W. Van Buren. Harry Weese, 1975.
I spoke today at the First Friday Club of Chicago lunch at the Union League Club. Also there: The Leo High School Choir. The gents got down -- as usual. And finally met the school's principal Dr Shaka Rawls, whose work I've long admired.
Today at the Chicago Architecture Center gift shop. Kamin and Bey together again.
Missiles of October, a two-night ABC TV teleplay from 1974 about the Cuban missile crisis. And William Devane was a darn good JFK.
The nation's Bicentennial had the country jazzed 50 years ago. An example: This segment of Vincent Collins' 1975 film "200."
Had a great time at my talk last night at the Riverside Public Library. Thanks to the library and the Olmsted Society for inviting me -- and giving me the chance to spot this Harvey Ellis inlay cube chair. I'd only seen these in pictures.
The company I keep outside the Riverside Public Library as I get ready for my 7pm talk there this evening.
At Greater Union Baptist Church this morning, 1956 W. Warren Blvd, 1886, William Le Baron Jenney, architect.
The backside of the Pullman National Historical Park Visitor Center, 111th & Cottage Grove. Originally the Pullman Factory Administration Building, designed by Solon Beman, 1880. (song is Get it up for Love, by Tata Vega, 1979)
I gave an architecture talk at the Admiral residences on Foster Avenue tonight. At dinner there, I met Garçon, the robot server. I'd never saw one of these before.
Now on Blu-ray: 1969's Marlowe, starring James Garner. I've seen this movie a dozen times and can't fully explain the plot ... and it doesn't matter. Jim's an absolute blast bluffing and wisecracking his way through a missing person's case that throws everything at him but the kitchen sink.
