Ceremony Harpist, Blackstone Hotel, Chicago

 

I kept putting myself in the picture - not sure why!!

I have ALWAYS wanted to play a wedding in this ballroom, but it never happened until today! The Blackstone Hotel is an absolute icon in Chicago, and I have been in love with this space since the moment I saw it. The shape of it even allows for my favorite set up of all - me a the base of the aisle, off to one side. I can see everything (even when people stand up), and I get to see everyone just as they start down the aisle. That last fact gives me no advantage whatsoever, I just really enjoy it!!💖 

Look at all the details! It looks like a 
wedding cake!!

www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Cocktail Reception Harpist, The Blackstone Hotel, Chicago

The harp positioned at the midpoint of the Art Hall

The lighting is dramatic and effective!

The Blackstone is a magnificent hotel, and it is exciting to see it living its second life as an upscale boutique hotel! This is the second time I have played for cocktails in this space, and I have a few thoughts. It looks like the perfect sized space for a harp, but for some reason it is an extremely loud space.  The harp works well for the first third and the last third of the event, but it is completely a visual for the middle third (harpist slang for being seen and not heard!). Next time I will bring an amplifier, but that still doesn't usually fix the entire problem. If a space is loud, as the music gets louder people generally just start yelling over it to be heard and it is a overall upward spiral of noise. I do not know what the solution is. Certainly, it is lovely for the people getting off the elevator to be greeted by live music, and you catch them again as they wait to go to the ballroom level, so hopefully that is enough. This time, all of the other rooms off the Art Hall were open, so I got a few more pictures. The extra rooms REALLY vary in decor, take a look....

In some ways, these two pictures really say it all. The Blackstone Hotel is embracing its history in varied and ever changing ways. You'll want to stop in to see all of the areas you might find useful, and prepare to be delighted!

www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Wedding Cocktail Reception Harpist, Renaissance Blackstone Hotel, Chicago

Set up in the wide hallway one floor up from the ballroom.
The space extended an equal amount in the opposite direction.

I was delighted to be back at the Blackstone Hotel!  I hadn't been here for quite some time, and it was wonderful to see the terrific job that the Renaissance Hotel group is doing with the property.  The hotel was built in 1910 and is just a gem.  Luxurious, quirky, big enough, but not too big.  The hotel went through a number of owners over it's history and hit some hard times.  It was bought, renovated, and really just shines now.  Although it is an older hotel, many of the decorative touches are distinctly modern, so you never feel like you are in a dusty old relic!

I played in a space on the 4th floor that was essentially a wide hallway that ran the length of the hotel.  With two bars set up at either end, and wonderful lighting, it really held together nicely as a party space. Additionally, they opened up two of the small meeting rooms off the hallway, and guest could move between the areas as they mingled.

This was one of the smaller meeting rooms that they were able to open
up to accommodate the large group.  There were even more available!

I played cocktail music as the guests ate and drank, and then the captain came through with the dinner chimes (kind of like a tiny little hand held xylophone) signaling the guests that it was time to go down one floor to the reception.

Of course I stopped by the ballroom to grab a picture.
There was quite a bit of natural light, views of the park, ant it looks
like the room would just be a little jewel box at night!

Okay, it was a little hard to get a good picture of the ballroom, because the ceiling is magnificent, there is a view, and there is a balcony. Essentially you do not know where to point the camera! What a great problem to have!  If you need an impressive place for a large group, this should definitely be on your list to see!