Josee is an enrolled member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation (Three Affiliated Tribes) of North Dakota, and also represents the Omaha Nation of Nebraska and Wiikwemkoong First Nation from Ontario, Canada. She grew up in the greater Chicago American Indian Community, learning her culture and traditional values. She has worked as an independent artist, and her background is in Cultural Education. She has been with the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian since December 2019.
Indigenous people have always lived in this area since time immemorial and were vital to the formation of Chicagoland as we know it. Join Josee Starr (Arikara, Omaha, Odawa) to learn about the Indigenous tribes, leaders, and cultures that influenced not only Chicago's founding, but also make up the
thriving Native American community today.
A musician, author, storyteller, and oral historian, Jackson plays traditional acoustic blues and other traditional styles. He is a five-time Blues Music Award Nominee and recipient of the Blues Foundation's "Keeping the Blues Alive" award. Since 1992 he has presented the award-winning All About the Blues Series - Blues in the School Programs. Fruteland works to bring more music education to our schools. He is foremost an entertainer, a man who knows how to tell a compelling story and mesmerize an audience with his tangy tales to make them laugh. He knows who he is. He toured with Honeyboy Edwards, Robert Lockwood Jr., and Homesick James. He is an artist.
Jez Layman is a librarian, public speaker, and job coach who loves teaching and empowering others to embrace their creativity and strengths. She has spoken to over 70 libraries, colleges, and community centers about crafts, astrology, life skills, and job hunting.
Every year, the World Happiness Report is dominated by the same countries: Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Sweden, and Norway. What is it about these Scandinavian countries that makes living there so pleasant? Learn to improve your own life by embracing the practices of hygge and lykke (Danish coziness and happiness); lagom (Swedish balance); sisu (Finnish determination); Niksen (Dutch disassociation); Þetta reddast (Icelandic optimism); and friluftsliv (Norwegian outdoor life).
Laurie Petersen, editor of the latest edition of the AIA Guide to Chicago, will show us dozens of examples of exciting developments all over the city, from stunning new skyscrapers to restored gems in the neighborhoods.
Much of Chicago’s shoreline was drastically altered over the past century. Learn about colorful characters like Captain Streeter, entertainment venues like the Edgewater Beach Hotel, and the many lives of Navy Pier. Laurie’s richly illustrated lecture will include all the latest developments.
Barbara J. Barrett, MPA, CAE, is an Educational Entertainment Speaker who makes automotive, architectural, manufacturing, music, and world history come alive in a fascinating and entertaining way. She has presented programs for C-SPAN, American History TV, the Studebaker National Museum, the Gilmore Car Museum, community colleges, church groups, private clubs, public libraries & senior living communities. She holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree from the University of Illinois and a Master in Public Administration (MPA) degree from Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL.
Long before there was Amazon, there was Sears, Roebuck and Company – where you could purchase any product or service available on the face of the earth at fabulously low prices. Just how did this retail icon influence architecture, commerce, merchandise, lifestyle, and popular culture? Come and explore the rich and fascinating history of the World’s Largest Store (WLS) from its humble beginning in 1886 to the present.