Chinatown, Summer 2010

As with many ethnic communities in Chicago, Chinatown is alive with outdoor summer events. Bookended by Live in Chicago Chinatown events on May 29 and August 28, Chicagoans gathered in Chinatown Square on the city’s near south side to enjoy free outdoor music concerts. Unlike many Chicago festivals, these featured a wide variety of musical genres. Onlookers, including an array of older Chinese immigrants, enjoyed everything from jazz music to traditional Chinese music, and from classical music to folk music.

We have preserved these audio snapshots as a way to welcome immigrants and visitors to one of Chicago’s more unheralded treasures: A shared summer in the city.

Enjoy the slideshow that captures some of the sights and sounds of the summer-long festivals and then click on the photos below to hear “snapshots” of festival-goers with rich stories about their immigrant backgrounds and experiences. We hope you enjoy exploring the Summer Snapshots as much as we did. Please share your stories with us as well.

Audio Snapshots