Chicagoans loves David Bowie, especially when we get the chance to look at ephemera from his storied career. According to the Tribune, more than 193,000 visitors dropped in to the Museum of Contemporary Art to view the "David Bowie Is" exhibition throughout its 15-week run. Obviously, that number includes any out-of-town visitors who may have traveled to Chicago to see the exhibit during its only scheduled U.S. appearance, but it's still impressive when you consider that the MCA's previous record was 163,000 people (for an exhibit from sculptor Olafur Eliasson). Even with the addition extended evening hours, lines snaked through the museum during the exhibit's final weeks, which conveniently fell during the busy holiday season.
"David Bowie Is" may have closed, but if you still need a little bit more of the Thin White Duke in your life, you can celebrate his birthday at the Metro on Friday with local tribute act Sons of the Silent Age or on Thursday night at Berlin with the Bowie Ball edition of Stardust.