8th Continent Soymilk Taste of Life Tour- Chicago Humanities Festival
After the soybean farm- I was ready for some big city living and events. The next day I hit the road to Chicago for the 2009 Annual Chicago Humanities Festival.
“The Chicago Humanities Festival is devoted to making the humanities a vital and vibrant ingredient of daily life. We believe that access to cultural, artistic and educational opportunities is a necessary element for a healthy and robust civic environment.”
Now I will be first to admit I am not completely accustomed to big city traveling- so finding out that the events for the festival took place in all different buildings- far away from any taxis- made me a bit nervous… but I ventured out.
I found the first place and was only about 15 minutes late because I found the only cab driver in all of Downtown Chicago that drove slower than glacial formation… but I am an optimistic person. I looked at it more as a personal, non-narrated tour… giving me plenty of time to gaze out the windows at the large Windy City.
This year’s Humanities Festival was all centered around laughter. It truly is an amazing thing really- laughter that is. If you just think about it a little bit- you have different types of laughter from all different cultures. What in your mind first of all decides something is funny and then converts into the physical action of expressing it audibly?
So the first event was with Tim Reid and Tom Dreesen called “An American Comedy in Black and White”. If you don’t know these guys- they were the first, and so far the only, black and white comedy duo. They went out during the time of the Civil Rights Movement… so needless to say- it was a shock when they went into venues filled with all white people AND venues that were filled with all black people.
Essentially they were judged and criticized wherever they went because they made jokes that brushed upon a lot of racial stigma and tension of the time. They were literally thrown out of places- but applauded in most. They were that breath of fresh air that America was waiting for. They wanted to take all of the tragedy and pain of the time and let someone know it was still OK to laugh.
I bought their book and it is sold online at:
http://www.timandtomcomedy.com/
And that’s what this entire festival was about this year… and let’s admit it- laughter is good for you.
Solid scientific research demonstrates that laughter offers the following benefits:
• Lowering blood pressure
• Strengthening cardiovascular functions
• Reducing stress hormones
• Improving circulation
• Increasing muscle flexion
• Oxygenating the body by boosting the respiratory system
• Boosting immune function by raising levels of infection-fighting T-cells, disease-fighting proteins called Gammainterferon and B-cells, which produce disease-destroying antibodies
• Triggering the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers
• Producing a general sense of well-being
So do it- laugh out loud…
Whether you have a goofy heehaw effect, or a snorting high-pitched snicker… laughing is good. Hmmm… I wonder if I could laugh so hard that I would have 8th Continent Soymilk come out of my nose. I think I feel a Youtube video coming on!!!! And if you aren’t following me on Facebook yet- add me! I always love meeting new people!
http://facebook.com/8thlopez
