Comments on: 5 Ways to Fix Looptopia

By: Chris Van Meter

Chris Van Meter — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:44:48 +0000

I was just in Toronto for their Nuit Blanche, held Oct 3-4, 2009. Read their playbook, Chicago. After reading the issues pointed out here, perhaps the IOC knew more about Chicago’s inability to put on a party like other world cities. Arco de Lapas in Rio on any given Friday night surpasses what seems to have been attempted at previous Looptopias. Of course, I’m looking your way as we have yet to seriously try a White Night in artsy Minneapolis. The closest thing has been Minneapolis Mosaic, with the same concerns of late-night revelry as in Chicago.

By: D-Jam

D-Jam — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:25:21 +0000

I think the biggest issue with Looptopia is that they’re trying to please the masses with an all-out cultural celebration, but also please the 60601 residents by not having noise and bedlam all night long. In my book you either not call it an “all-nighter” or you irk the residents for one night and do it all. You can’t go half-arse with this sort of thing.

I also think the chosen attractions might have to be re-thought. I am an avid art lover and love to see diversity, but if most people are running to hear a rock band, or especially cover band, then it speaks loudly as to what the masses want. Having all sorts of other offbeat attractions will only be good if there are people coming to them or at least set up so people pass by. Friends of mine who went to 2007 and 2008 all felt that it seemed like you’re waiting and walking from one “good” event to another, rather than a plethora of them. They also felt like the festival seemed to end at 11, when it’s not supposed to.

Local merchants and stores should also try to pull an all-nighter. Imagine how much MORE the Loop would offer the tourists, both local and from far away, if they could go shopping, eat, drink, etc…all night. From what I saw, it seemed like always, the Loop was dead by 9-ish or 10-ish in terms of businesses.

I also agree on the date factor. You need a nice evening on a WEEKEND to do this. Friday night might not be a big score simply because most people are looking to hop a train home. Perhaps a Saturday into Sunday?

Finally, I think there needs to be more allowed interaction with this crowd. Seems like if you’re not a sanctioned event, you’re told to “move on”. Why not let street performers just show up and perform? Why not let drummers come and start a big drum circle? Why not let some b-boys set up a boom box and perform? If you want the city to get involved, then you need to let them be involved, not just spectate.

It was a great idea, but Chicago is not Europe…not unless we go all the way and start thinking like Europe, rather than like Chicago.

By: Kevin Schlachter

Kevin Schlachter — Mon, 05 May 2008 20:42:18 +0000

I went this year and had a blast. I did not go in ‘07 but I heard about some of the problems. Despite not being able to get a wristband, we were able to get into the Auditorium Theatre and the DePaul center. We were turned away at the Palmer House but it was almost 5 anyway. The Weird Sisters and the Cupid Players at the Auditorium Theatre were the highlight of my evening. They could have simply made more wristbands as the Auditorium was never full even without the main balcony being open. I will definitely go in ‘09.

That being said I would agree that implementing your suggestion would make for a much better event in ‘09.