links for 2009-06-22

Chicago Summerdance iCalendar

Since I wanted it for myself, I offer up to you an iCal file holding the Chicago Summerdance ’09 schedule.  I used Max M’s icalendar library for Python, which works pretty well, although the file doesn’t validate. I can’t for the life of me see why not.  That error may or may not be why it doesn’t seem to work in Google Calendar, but it works just swell in Apple iCal, which is what I wanted it for.

I used BeautifulSoup to scrape most of the information from http://explorechicago.com but then I realized that there are about a dozen events in locations other than Grant Park.  Since I’d written the scraper assuming certain invariants about the location and hours, I decided to clean those up manually instead of fussing over the scraper.  Unfortunately, any edits I manually made to the ICS file resulted in something which didn’t parse.  So I fired up an iPython shell and worked interactively with the icalendar library to adjust the hours and locations.  It seems to have worked pretty well, although it would be annoying if I had to regenerate the ics file.

I’m hoping that more web publishers come to realize that ICS is the RSS of Calendars and routinely offer event schedules in this form, but in the meantime, here’s a way for you to keep up with one of my favorite Chicago summer traditions…

NOTE: The downloadable PDF lists two events that are not on my calendar (and not on the Explore Chicago website, as far as I can tell).

  • The Etcetera Band, 4 July 2009
  • Ghannata International, 13 August 2009

Too bad, ’cause I’ve liked Ghannata when I’ve seen them before, and the schedule already seems a little lighter on African music than in years past…

UPDATE: My friend Amanda has one-upped me and put together Google Calendars for maybe all of the summer outdoor concert series and outdoor movie screenings.

links for 2009-06-21

links for 2009-06-20

links for 2009-06-19

links for 2009-06-18

links for 2009-06-17

WNUR Conference of the Birds, 2009-06-16

 “Conference of the Birds” is my weekly radio program on WNUR-FM. It airs on Tuesdays from 5-7:30 am Chicago time (UTC-6). And, of course, when technology cooperates, you can just come here for the archives.

This week’s show was good fun. Kinda all over the place, but I think that’s how I prefer it.  I played more stuff from my personal library since I’ve been bingeing, but I am really pleased that I finally picked up the second Indigo Trio album.

I realize now that I totally forgot to mention on air this week, but some of the guys from Atomic are here in Chicago this week playing in mixed groups, culminating in guesting with the Vandermark Five on Friday and Saturday at the Green Mill.  I think I’ll be there on Friday…

complete program (137 MB, 2 hrs 30 min)

Artist: “Track” – Album (Label)

Pete Brown Quintette: “Pete Brown’s Boogie” – Stompin’ at the Savoy: Harlem Nocturne (Savoy)
Papi Brandao y Sus Ejecutivos: “Decidete Mi Amor” – Panama 2 (Soundway)
Nicholas Payton: “Fela 1” – Sonic Trance (Warner Brothers)
Indigo Trio: “Anaya With The Moon” – Anaya (Rogueart)
Patato & Totico: “Mas Que Nada” – Patato & Totico (Verve)
Milimani Park Orchestra: “Neema” – Sikinde (Africassette)
Cannonball Adderley: “Azule Serape” – Cannonball Adderley and the Poll-Winners (Capitol)
James Booker: “Hold My Hand” – Jazzy Funky New Orleans (Funky Delicacies)
Gwigwi Mrwebi: “Nick Thethe” – Mbaqanga Songs (Honest Jon’s)
Jürg Wickihalder Overseas Quartet: “The Pocket Trumpet Man” – Furioso (Intakt)
Dave Douglas & Brass Ecstasy: “Twilight of the Dogs” – Spirit Moves (Greenleaf)
Ted Sirota’s Rebel Souls: “Killa Dilla” – Seize The Time (Naim Jazz)
Spaceways Incorporated: “You And Your Folks, Me And My Folks/Hit It And Quit It” – Spaceways Incorporated (Atavistic)
The Fully Celebrated: “Pearl’s Blues (Your What Hurts?)” – Drunk On The Blood Of The Holy Ones (AUM Fidelity)
Mark Helias: “The Comb Over” – Fictionary (Live) (GM Recordings)
Ornette Coleman: “Humpty Dumpty” – This Is Our Music (Sepia Tone/Atlantic)
Amir ElSaffar: “Hemayoun” – Two Rivers (Pi)
Maleem Mahmoud Ghania with Pharoah Sanders: “Moussa Berkiyo/Koubaliy Beriah La’Foh” – The Trance of Seven Colors (Axiom)
William Parker Double Quartet: “Alpha 60” – Alphaville Suite (Rogueart)
Joseph Jarman/Famoudou Don Moye’s Magic Triangle: “Calypso’s Smile” – Calypso’s Smile (AEC/Katalyst/Southport)
The Debonaires: “Stop, Let’s Be United” – Get Your Lie Straight: Red-hot grooves from Galaxy Records, 1968-1972 (Galaxy/BGP)
Bembeya Jazz: “Sabou” – Bembeya (World Village)

links for 2009-06-16