Snowball @ The Co-Prosperity Sphere
When I was a young girl growing up in Bridgeport the streets ran rampid with “gang bangers” and “hillbillies” which, at the time, was just the way of life until my (then) best friend’s brother was killed just blocks from my home. (That’s when my parents decided that we would move it on up…)
Now that I’ve grown up, I realize that Bridgeport wasn’t normal; it was a breeding ground for hatred and racism. I guess that’s why it’s a little hard for me to grasp how, not more than 12 years later, my sketchy little Irish/Italian neighborhood has become “The community of the Future”.
The title is a tongue-in-cheek reference coined by the people over at indie arts and culture rag, Lumpen Magazine, who also house their headquarters/art space, “The Co-Prosperity Sphere”, in up-and-coming hood.
Last week, the space hosted Snowball, a fundraiser for Version, their annual spring arts fest. The event had everything you could ever want: live music, 80’s karaoke and a wild spaceship ride in the basement (…the ride alone was worth the 7 dollar entry fee).
While I’m sure the lifelong residents aren’t really happy about the influx of coffee shops, condos and art kids, I think this is a really positive change for the neighborhood. I hope that other Chicagoans feel the same way or at least make an effort to see what a real “artsy” neighborhood should look like.
I will say that Bridgeport is probably the poor man’s Wicker Park (now) but like the kids said, albeit jokingly, it is truly going to be THE community of the future.
Here’s what you missed/have to look forward to…
poor man’s wicker park? i suppose, but wicker park became “big” and gentrified to the point where banks replace coffee shops and places like the double door are constantly under threat of being shut down … these ppl bring the gentrification, but whatever.
it’s funny how when you’re in the space, at those party, ppl and their outfits just seem to look a lot better in person.
Ugh this happened to pilsen too. When i was growing up in pilsen, I hated it! Gangbanging and too many kids that were trying to be too “hardcore”. If you didn’t dress and act like them, you were weird. My parents moved too, well they got divorced. I have literally lived all over the city. Some of my friends live in pilsen now, and when they have gatherings or want to go to the new resturaunt, i’m quick to hesitate. To me the neighborhood still hasn’t fully changed.
i think it’s kind of funny that people think that drugged-out hipsters wearing ridiculous clothes and their raucous parties will make neighborhoods better.
I would take “drugged-out hipsters wearing ridiculous clothes and their raucous parties” over drugged-out gang members wearing ridiculous clothes AND their killing people that I know, ANY FUCKING DAY OF THE WEEK.
How old are you??…”raucous parties”. C’mon get with it!
No surprise you remained Anonymous, you didn’t want people to know who your ignorant ass is.