Shhhhhhicago
04/07/20
by Carolina Sánchez
Being at home during the day isn’t new to me. Most mornings, I sleep until noon, have a cup of tea and then get ready for work; I either go to Pilsen Vintage for a few hours or edit images all day. But when the evening hits around 7 pm is when the action starts; wearing a cute polka dot outfit to accompany my very necessary accessory, my camera, I head out. It is at night I find myself restless. I am a live entertainment photographer. For the past 10 years, I have specialized in low light action photography, capturing the Latino indie scene that has developed in our city, sport events, local projects, and gatherings of amazing personas, among many other nameless nighttime extravaganzas.
One of the last Cumbiasazo celebrations
After the quarantine/stay-at-home initiative, mid-March and now through April, I will be missing approximately 21 events—lost gigs that not only affected me as a photographer, but the entire nightlife production: artists, musicians, managers, audio engineers, booking agents, promoters, as well as venue staff members, bartenders, barbacks, cooks, janitors, and security staff. Because of my lifestyle and my work, the crisis hit me hard. It may sound a bit selfish to embrace the power of my pictures, but sometimes people take my job to be all about going to shows for a living, drinking, and staying out late. The work I do at these shows is my livelihood: archiving the atmospheric vibes of the moment, meeting the talent in action, and hustling to be where I am now at. That’s what I miss, putting my foot in the door in the live entertainment industry.
Recently, I inherited a bike. I haven’t ridden a bike outside of Pilsen in probably four years. Usually, my single self would be out on a Friday night either at Beat Kitchen, Empty Bottle, or (insert another amazing music venue here), enjoying and photographing a show. But now, I seem to have more time to spare these nights compared to others.
So I ride. Two Friday nights in a row. My adventure took me to the Route of Silence and emptiness, Shhhhhhicago. That is what I wanted to focus on in this mini-series. Being alone, being in my own mind, silent in this huge city we call Chicago, but treading safely. I wanted my photography to portray the impact of COVID-19 in the city’s live entertainment world. I am not the only one suffering the economic consequences at this time, so many more people are—and what some may not realize is that there’s a large industry that matters, waiting patiently to be reconnected with humanity, to be heard or appreciated. In the mid-time, here is my night journal of the new Friday nights in the life of a city.
Besides, I didn’t want to do your stereotypical Chicago empty street series that everyone and their mother will be doing.
9:08 PM
Passing through the one place I can get a great coctel de camarón down the block...
9:44 PM
When it is just one of those nights and you desperately need to go to Continental…
9:13 PM
I think the city is sending us a message….
9:42 PM
There is usually a line to get in here…
Let’s continue to help each of our communities. I know we are all struggling, but a little does a lot. Even a sweet message is sufficient. If there is any way you can help financially, I have provided the links below to each of the venues mentioned in this story. ¡Gracias!
Relief fund links:
The Empty Bottle Maria’s Community Bar & Kimski
The California Clipper The Duck Inn
The Continental Bridgeport Inn
Keep updated with me: carofotos.com
Instagram: @carofotos9
Facebook: facebook.com/carofotos
After studying music for eight years of her life… Carolina Sánchez became engaged in Chicago’s Latino music community and has documented the scene for the past ten years! Her love of photography came from her father. Hearing his stories of working in El Imparcial newspaper darkrooms developing images and inserting them into articles was her inspiration to become a photographer. Besides working in music, she continues to work with the local community doing portraits, being there for someone’s special day, working on a campaign trail or just shooting for fun. Caro continues to grow her skills in photography and cannot wait what new opportunities/people/non-humans come her way!
Carolina Sánchez worked on this piece with Stephanie Manriquez, the Quarantine Times Tuesday editor. Each week, Stephanie selects a Chicago artist to share a commissioned creative response to the pandemic.
