Paintings by Steve Connell
The Rainbo Club straddling Chicago's Ukrainian Village and Wicker Park neighborhoods has a classic Chicago history. The little, gritty club dates back to the 1930's and was quite the rough and tumble burlesque bar. Nelson Algren hung out here and it is believed that it was the inspiration for the bar in his book, Man with the Golden Arm, which was later turned into a movie. This was also one of singer Liz Phair's hangouts and her first album cover was taken in the photo booth inside the club.
It's just the kind of nighttime joint that fits my sensibilities, so of course I had to paint it and add it to this series.
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