The critically acclaimed production directed by Dennis Zacek tells the story of the reunion of two former lovers 15 years after their affair. Stars Mattie Hawkinson and CSI's William Peterson give "riveting" and "deeply gutsy" performances as the protagonists Una and Ray. This bold work was chosen over others such as Stoppard's "Rock 'n' Roll" and Peter Morgan's "Frost/Nixon" for the 2007 Olivier Award and was commissioned by the 2005 Edinburgh International Festival. 

For full ticket information, click here: Tickets.

DJs begin at 8 p.m. (performers listed below).
Costume Contest will be held at 10:30 p.m.
$10 Cover

Veuve bottles will be specially priced at $50 (Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label), and flutes will be priced at $10. Executive Chef Edie Jimenez's limited dinner menu and late-night menu will also be available.

Costume Contest:
The top three costumes will receive prizes from Veuve Clicquot along with dining gift certificates to area restaurants. Winners will be chosen by applause.

DJs and Live Music:
Featuring performances by Chicago Sound Source DJs: Stacy Kidd, FLX, Lady D, Craig Loftis, David Sabat, Craig Alexander and Lego. Live percussion will be performed by Louie-Louie with vocals by Dajae and Tai Davis.

The Chicago Sinfonietta, led by guest conductor Chelsea Tipton II, with special guest soprano Elizabeth Norman, returns to the Harris Theater for a special holiday celebration concert for the whole family.  Share the spirit of the season with traditional holiday favorites, including Custer’s "Carol of the Bells," Coleridge Taylor’s "A Christmas Overture" and "O Holy Night" and a sing-along of beloved carols to get into the holiday spirit.  Other traditional songs included in the program are Handel’s "Rejoice from the Messiah," Strauss’s "Champagne Polka," Holcombe’s "Fantasy on Auld Lang Syne," Pierpont’s "Jingle Bells Forever" and Anderson’s "Sleigh Ride." Concert-goers are encouraged to join in a sing-a-long of beloved holiday carols to celebrate the spirit of the season.           

Tickets: Tickets to this specially-priced family concert are $35, $25 and $15, with Chicago Sinfonietta subscribers receiving a $5 discount per ticket. Children and students are just $10. Call 312-236-3681 ext. 2 or visit www.chicagosinfonietta.org
             

Murder. Greed. Corruption. Violence. Exploitation. Adultery. Treachery. Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920's, "Chicago" is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who maliciously murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today’s tabloids.

With a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, "Chicago" is the winner of six 1997 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Cast Recording.

Individual tickets will go on-sale to the public at a later date to be announced.  Groups of 20 or more can make reservations now, by calling 312-977-1710.

Visit www.ChicagoTheMusical.com or www.BroadwayInChicago.com for more information.

 

Historians and foodies alike will be enthralled by this unique twist on the dinner party. Brasserie Jo welcomes Chicago author and historian Richard Lindberg, who will tell (true) tales of spooky history right on Brasserie Jo’s block, including true stories involving the old courthouse across the street. Eerie Chicago history will be perfectly paired with an historically accurate Chicago meal and wine, and is just in time for Halloween. 
 
Cost: $49 excluding tax and gratuity

Haunted Historical Dinner Menu

First

Fulton Market Clam Chowder

Main

Roast Loin of Pork, Apple Sauce, Potatoes in Cream, String Beans

Dessert

Cranberry Pie

Richard Lindberg is a lifelong Chicagoan, an author, journalist and research historian who has written and published eleven books dealing with aspects of city history, politics, criminal justice, sports and ethnicity. He is a past president of the Society of Midland Authors. Rich has been researching and uncovering forgotten Chicago history for over 30 years. He has been featured on "History's Mysteries," "American Justice," "Masterminds" and many other cable television documentaries reaching national audiences. More information can be found at www.richardlindberg.net.

During Sake Week, SushiSamba Rio will offer a traditional Japanese omakase, or chef’s tasting menu, with Brazilian and Peruvian twists. The restaurant's five-course omakase menu will be paired with sake selections from the restaurant's extensive sake list chosen by Sommelier Mark Ryan.

The special menu costs $69 per guest with an additional $30 for sake pairings (exclusive of tax and gratuity) and includes the following pairings:

:: OmaSake Menu ::

Maine Cockles & Mussels
Wakame, toasted sesame & wasabi with a sake broth
Sake pairing:  Miyasaka Junmai

Sake Steamed Black Bass
Pickled nasi salad & moromi miso
Sake pairing:  Chiyomusubi Tokubetsu Junmai
 
Roasted Hudson Valley Duck Breast
Organic beets & plum sake
Sake pairing:  Nanbu Bijin Ginjo

Sushi & Sashimi
Tsukiji Market assorted fish & sake-aged soy sauce
Sake pairing:  Kitaya Daiginjo

Sanjiyouno Tou Apple
Sake pairing:  Kamoizumi Nigori

Every Wednesday, Kit Kat will host a "Top Chef" viewing party featuring Bravo's popular chef-driven reality show. Chef Matt Stovey offers buy-one-get-one free entrees, and mixologists offer half-price martinis and cocktails, as well as a specialty theme martini. Kit Kat will present the show on five large screens with sound. Table reservations are welcomed, not required.
 
Top Chef Tini
Vox vodka, St. Germain Elderflower liqueur, splash of champagne
6

Big Apple Borscht
Beet stew with apples, potatoes, parsnips, onions and more
6

Quickfire
Spinach salad with smoked duck, goat cheese, dried cranberries, maple balsamic
10

Butcher Block
Rosemary rubbed veal rack with garlic mashed potatoes and haricot vert
25

After thirteen years of extensive, state-of-the-art conservation work, 70 monumental tapestries from the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago will be displayed in the largest tapestry exhibition ever mounted at the museum. The Divine Art: Four Centuries of European Tapestries--on view November 1, 2008 through January 4, 2009 --showcases a remarkable collection that has been in Art Institute storage for many years. Subject to one of the largest tapestry conservation projects ever undertaken by a private workshop, this exhibition presents these massive works of art at their best--dazzling the eye beyond expectation.

The European tapestry tradition originated in about 1300 in France, Belgium, Flanders, and the Duchy of Brabant (modern-day Netherlands). The churches, royal courts, and wealthy families of Europe lavished vast sums of money on tapestries to decorate the walls of castles and abbeys. Artists designed tapestries in sets, series, or "chambers," depicting biblical themes and allegories, history and mythology, and representations of daily life. These pieces retained their status as the art form of kings, as affluent Chicago families began collecting them in the early 20th century. Select grand tapestries hung in the homes of such local patricians as the Deering family, the Allerton estate, and Potter Palmer's "Rhine Castle" on Lake Shore Drive. The Art Institute was fortunate to acquire such pieces as the result of various donations, ultimately boasting a collection of nearly 100 tapestries.

The Divine Art marks a critical juncture in the history of these tapestries. The exhibition is the result of a heroic 13-year conservation effort that saved these 600-year-old tapestries from damage and decomposition. From 1995 until as recently as April 2008, Christa C. Mayer Thurman, the Art Institute's Christa C. Mayer Thurman Curator and Chair of Textiles, personally accompanied all 15 shipments to and from the De Wit Royal Manufacturer conservation lab in Malines, Belgium. The tapestries subsequently underwent cleaning and conservation processes in a state-of-the-art laboratory. Thurman was deeply involved in this process, looking upon it as her responsibility to transport each grouping of five to six meticulously rolled and packaged tapestries on their voyage, and determining how far to carry the conservation. Special funds were raised for this herculean project, one of the largest ever undertaken by the Art Institute. Research on the collection itself was funded by a Mellon publication grant for key scholars in the field.

The Divine Art features textile masterpieces from the 15th through the 18th centuries that are massive in scale and breathtaking in scope. Key works include a series of 14 Baroque tapestries woven in Brussels circa 1680 that tell the stories of Caesar and Cleopatra, Zenobia and Aurelian. Another highlight is the panel Autumn from Les Saisons , designed by Charles Le Brun and woven at the Royal Manufacture of the Gobelins in Paris in 1710. An early masterpiece on view is from the Netherlands, dated 1485-1525, depicting the Holy Family with the infant Christ pressing the wine of the Eucharist. The exhibition also includes a recently acquired tapestry, The Emperor Sailing from the Story of the Emperor of China, woven at the Royal Manufacture at Beauvais circa 1710. These examples illustrate the depth and importance of the Art Institute's holdings, which are recognized as one of the most magnificent textile collections in the United States.

The Divine Art will feature a symposium on October 31, 2008, with leading national and international scholars in the field of tapestry research, including Christa C. Mayer Thurman, the Christa C. Mayer Thurman Chair of Textiles at the Art Institute of Chicago and curator of the exhibition; Elizabeth Cleland from the Metropolitan Museum of Art; scholar Nello Forti Grazzini; Filip Vermeylen of Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam; François-Pascal Bertrand from the University of Bordeaux; Charissa Bremer-David of the J. Paul Getty Museum; and, from the University of Louvain, Koenraad Brosens and Guy Delmarcel (emeritus). Additionally, the Art Institute, in conjunction with Yale University Press, will publish a fully-illustrated catalogue of the complete collection. Written by principal author Koenraad Brosens, The Divine Art catalogue also includes contributions from François-Pascal Bertrand, Elizabeth Cleland, Charissa Bremer-David, Nello Forti Grazzini, and Christa C. Mayer Thurman. It contains a section devoted to the conservation process by Yvan Maes De Wit, president of the laboratory responsible for the conservation. The highly accessible catalogue serves a rich and instructive history of the medium.

The Divine Art: Four Centuries of European Tapestries is organized by the Art Institute of Chicago. The exhibition is curated by Christa Thurman, the Christa C. Thurman Chair of Textiles at the Art Institute. Major funding for the exhibition is generously provided by The Chauncey and Marion D. McCormick Family Foundation and the Julius Lewis/Rhoades Exhibition Endowment Fund. Additional support is provided by the Community Associates of the Art Institute of Chicago. Support for the catalogue is provided by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

MUSEUM HOURS
10:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
10:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Thursday
10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Saturday, Sunday

TARGET FREE EVENINGS THURSDAY AFTER 5:00 p.m.
Free all day, every day in February.
Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Please check http://www.artinstituteofchicago.org before your visit.

Admission: Adults, $12.00; Children 12 and over, students, and seniors, $7.00; Children under 12 free; members always free. Target Free Evenings are free to all, except for certain special exhibitions that may require full or extra admission fee. City of Chicago residents with Chicago Public Library cards can borrow a "Check Us Out" card from any library branch for free general admission to the nine members of Museums in the Park, including the Art Institute of Chicago. Members can always have free, unlimited access to the museum, including ticketed exhibitions. Join today at www.artic.edu/aic/joinnow.
To reach the Art Institute on the World Wide Web, contact us at http://www.artinstituteofchicago.org

Moonshine caps off its first month of Rock Steady Thursdays with the progressive rock mainstay Coheed and Cambria 

Free admission.

$5 Absolut cocktails
 

 

Chefs Gilbert Langlois and Eric Aubriot will cook together for a special five-course Fall Wine Dinner at Chalkboard on Oct. 22, beginning at 7 p.m. The cost of the dinner is $55 per person (excluding tax and gratuity).

Langlois and Aubriot are long-time friends and collegues and have not had the chance to cook together before. "I enjoy inviting other chefs into my kitchen at Chalkboard," says Langlois, who most recently cooked at his restaurant with Top Chef Stephanie Izard.

Aubriot recently opened Taste Wine & Food, a wine shop and European-style grocery in the heart of the burgeoning Jarvis Square neighborhood of Rogers Park.  Aubriot says Taste offers good wine at a good price and a knowledgeable staff of good people.

To make your reservation or for more information, call Chalkboard at 773-477-7144.

The menu for this special evening is as follows:

first course
Gilbert
Seared scallop, braised Korabuta pork osso bucco, toasted sage leaves and sweet garlic
 
second course
Eric
Fall truffle risotto with shaved truffles and St. Andre cheese
 
Third course
Gilbert
"Mom's" Pumpkin tortellini with acorn squash puree, candied hazelnuts and choriso powder
 
Forth
Eric
Red wine Poached fish (tbd) "meurette style", celery root puree and poached leeks
 
Fifth
Gilbert
A omage to an old Eric Aubriot Classic....Chocolate bread pudding, candied foie gras ice cream and sea salt.

Late at night in the guts of an abandoned theater, a company of actors gathers to rehearse Shakespeare’s Macbeth. They soon realize that they are not alone. As they are drawn deeper into the Bard’s most magnetic play, the ghosts that have haunted the story since its inception hover and encroach. History, ambition, fortune, fate, free will, hubris, pride, indecision, and madness permeate SITI Company’s production of Shakespeare’s haunting classic.

Previews are November 6 and November 7, 2008.  The opening press performance is on Saturday, November 8, 2008, at 8 p.m. Curtain times are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. with Saturday matinees at 3 p.m.; Sundays at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Ticket prices are $32 to $40 for preview performances; $38 to $56 for regular run performances. Tickets are available at the Box Office, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue, Chicago; (773) 753-4472 or online at www.CourtTheatre.org. Student and senior discounts available. Groups of 10 or more may purchase tickets by calling Milan Pejnovich at (773) 834-3243.

Commemorate World AIDS Day at one of the sweetest and most unique events of the year, World of Chocolate, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago’s highly anticipated annual holiday extravaganza, held on Dec. 3 at the Hilton Chicago. Hosted by world renowned chef, author and television personality Art Smith and his partner and artist Jesus R. Salgueiro, the decadent event will invite guests to dine on savory chocolate treats from over 30 of Chicago’s finest chocolatiers, restaurants and caterers, while raising funds for the fight against HIV/AIDS.  Local celebrities will be in attendance to judge the night’s top confections.  Past creations have set the bar high for the upcoming event with an Aztec themed chocolate pyramid, a 20-foot, 8-inch tower of chocolate, flowing chocolate fountains and a Willy Wonka-style chocolate river.

While sampling the savory spread and mingling with fellow chocolate lovers, guests browse the Holiday Bazaar, which features fine gifts and ornaments from local merchants. This one-of-a-kind event includes a light buffet, specialty cocktails like chocolate martinis, a raffle with luxurious prizes, live jazz music and high-energy performances by Rose Colella Quartet and Larry "Hot Chocolate" Edwards, an international celebrity impersonator.

World AIDS Day is a worldwide effort to increase public awareness and encourage support and programming to prevent the spread of HIV infection. Since 1988, Dec. 1 has been observed every year when an international summit of health leaders called for a greater exchange of information on HIV/AIDS in every country around the globe.

TICKETS: For more information and to reserve tickets, call (312) 922-2322 or visit www.aidschicago.org.

General Admission: $75 in advance, $100 at the door
 
Red Ribbon Ticket: $150 (includes red ribbon lapel pin and acknowledgment in the program book.)

Cocoa Sweetheart: $350 (includes two event tickets, name recognition in the program book and on a holiday tree.)

Bittersweet Bliss: $800 (includes four event tickets, name recognition in the program book and on a holiday tree as well as invitation to private pre-reception from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.)

Slavery played a significant role in United States' history. The wealth created by the unpaid labor of African Americans helped to underwrite the country's industrial revolution and its subsequent economic strength. Under this cruel and vicious system, African Americans developed a deep commitment to liberty and the powerful ideal of freedom. It is the great contradiction that lies at the heart of American democracy. Come join in a conversation with moderator Al Bennett, Director of Sinclair Drake Center of African and African American studies for Roosevelt University and a panel of experts as they undertake these issues and their legacy.


 

This provocative news documentary raises the question of whether or not women of color may suffer from a self-image disorder as a result of trying to attain media celebrated beauty standards.

Join Director and Executive Producer, Daphne Valerius, for a discussion following the film.

Hosted by the DuSable Museum Associates Board "Watoto wa Mitaani" is a documentary that explores the personalities of five street children (Alex, Aliziwan, Thomas, Joshua and Aziz), and the large-scale circumstances that confront them on a daily basis.

Join Executive Producer Michael Stewart for a discussion following the film.

This film takes an up-close and personal look at the senseless violence that claims the lives of our youth.

Join Director and Producer Messiah Equiano for a discussion following the film

Back after a three-year break and in a new home, DanceAfrica Chicago 2008 takes you to West Africa. Experience the sights, sounds and culture of West Africa with three different dance troupes from throughout the United States and abroad. DanceAfrica Chicago 2008, presented by the DuSable Museum of African American History, brings to life a permanent exhibition, Africa Speaks, which explores the motherland region by region.

For more information on this year's performers, click here.

To purchase tickets, click here.

The Nublu Band will be hosting a Costume Party on Halloween at Buddy Guy's Legends!  Come dressed in your best get-up; there will a cash prize for the best costume.  There will be a $15 cover at the door the night of.

For more info, check out the website of this Chicago blues icon and his place, Legends, here.

Blues Blast Magazine will be hosting their first-ever awards ceremony on Sunday, November 2nd. It is going to be a great event with confirmed appearances by Magic Slim & the Teardrops, Lurrie Bell, Nick Moss & Gerry Hundt, John Nemeth, The Kilborn Alley Blues Band, Dave Riley & Bob Corritore, Eden Brent, Sugar Ray Norcia, Teeny Tucker, Tim "Too Slim" Langford (from Too Slim and the Taildraggers), and Gina Sicilia.  
 
Tickets are $25 and are available in advance through Blues Blast here.

Buddy Guy's Legends is not selling any tickets in advance, so please go through Blues Blast. Tickets will also be available at the door the night of the show if it hasn't sold out. Doors open at 6:00PM with entertainment all night starting at 7:00PM.

 
Visit the Blues Blast Music Awards Myspace page for more info here on MySpace!

The ineffable Buddy Guy is a Chicago blues star of the highest order. His lightning fast guitar work, sturdy blues voice and legendary stage craft make his annual January shows something unique. See him live at his own club, Legends.

Get more info about everything they have going on at Legends, and about this wonderful string of live performances here.

The ineffable Buddy Guy is a Chicago blues star of the highest order. His lightning fast guitar work, sturdy blues voice and legendary stage craft make his annual January shows something unique. See him live at his own club, Legends.

Get more info about everything they have going on at Legends, and about this wonderful string of live performances here.

The ineffable Buddy Guy is a Chicago blues star of the highest order. His lightning fast guitar work, sturdy blues voice and legendary stage craft make his annual January shows something unique. See him live at his own club, Legends.

Get more info about everything they have going on at Legends, and about this wonderful string of live performances here.

The ineffable Buddy Guy is a Chicago blues star of the highest order. His lightning fast guitar work, sturdy blues voice and legendary stage craft make his annual January shows something unique. See him live at his own club, Legends.

Get more info about everything they have going on at Legends, and about this wonderful string of live performances here.

The ineffable Buddy Guy is a Chicago blues star of the highest order. His lightning fast guitar work, sturdy blues voice and legendary stage craft make his annual January shows something unique. See him live at his own club, Legends.

Get more info about everything they have going on at Legends, and about this wonderful string of live performances here.

The ineffable Buddy Guy is a Chicago blues star of the highest order. His lightning fast guitar work, sturdy blues voice and legendary stage craft make his annual January shows something unique. See him live at his own club, Legends.

Get more info about everything they have going on at Legends, and about this wonderful string of live performances here.

The ineffable Buddy Guy is a Chicago blues star of the highest order. His lightning fast guitar work, sturdy blues voice and legendary stage craft make his annual January shows something unique. See him live at his own club, Legends.

Get more info about everything they have going on at Legends, and about this wonderful string of live performances here.

The ineffable Buddy Guy is a Chicago blues star of the highest order. His lightning fast guitar work, sturdy blues voice and legendary stage craft make his annual January shows something unique. See him live at his own club, Legends.

Get more info about everything they have going on at Legends, and about this wonderful string of live performances here.

The ineffable Buddy Guy is a Chicago blues star of the highest order. His lightning fast guitar work, sturdy blues voice and legendary stage craft make his annual January shows something unique. See him live at his own club, Legends.

Get more info about everything they have going on at Legends, and about this wonderful string of live performances here.

The ineffable Buddy Guy is a Chicago blues star of the highest order. His lightning fast guitar work, sturdy blues voice and legendary stage craft make his annual January shows something unique. See him live at his own club, Legends.

Get more info about everything they have going on at Legends, and about this wonderful string of live performances here.

The ineffable Buddy Guy is a Chicago blues star of the highest order. His lightning fast guitar work, sturdy blues voice and legendary stage craft make his annual January shows something unique. See him live at his own club, Legends.

Get more info about everything they have going on at Legends, and about this wonderful string of live performances here.

The ineffable Buddy Guy is a Chicago blues star of the highest order. His lightning fast guitar work, sturdy blues voice and legendary stage craft make his annual January shows something unique. See him live at his own club, Legends.

Get more info about everything they have going on at Legends, and about this wonderful string of live performances here.

The ineffable Buddy Guy is a Chicago blues star of the highest order. His lightning fast guitar work, sturdy blues voice and legendary stage craft make his annual January shows something unique. See him live at his own club, Legends.

Get more info about everything they have going on at Legends, and about this wonderful string of live performances here.

The ineffable Buddy Guy is a Chicago blues star of the highest order. His lightning fast guitar work, sturdy blues voice and legendary stage craft make his annual January shows something unique. See him live at his own club, Legends.

Get more info about everything they have going on at Legends, and about this wonderful string of live performances here.

The ineffable Buddy Guy is a Chicago blues star of the highest order. His lightning fast guitar work, sturdy blues voice and legendary stage craft make his annual January shows something unique. See him live at his own club, Legends.

Get more info about everything they have going on at Legends, and about this wonderful string of live performances here.

The ineffable Buddy Guy is a Chicago blues star of the highest order. His lightning fast guitar work, sturdy blues voice and legendary stage craft make his annual January shows something unique. See him live at his own club, Legends.

Get more info about everything they have going on at Legends, and about this wonderful string of live performances here.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® presents Over The Top, an all-new, wacky and whimsical circus spectacular, scheduled to appear Nov. 6-16 at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill., and Nov. 18-30 at Chicago’s United Center.  Audiences will experience maniacal mayhem as Ringmaster Chuck Wagner and clown eccentric Tom Dougherty compete for control of a magical top hat that brings to life their fantastical imaginations. From the silliness evoked by the clown to the stupendous spectacle conjured by the Ringmaster, Over the Top provides excitement for the whole family. Dogs fly, Asian elephants skip, hop, and groove, and one courageous man stands eye to eye with a pack of powerful Bengal tigers, all at the 138th Edition of The Greatest Show On Earth®.

From the renowned Cossacks' unbelievable equestrian stunts to the Flying Caceres high-altitude feats on an enormous double-decker trapeze, the 138th Edition of Ringling Bros. will take daredevil thrills to new extremes. Circus celebrities will help rev-up the motorcycle madness featuring one cycle on a high wire and an amazing seven speeding riders in a Globe of Steel. Audiences will flip their lids as this Ringling Bros. circus really goes Over the Top!

One hour before show time, families can join Ringling Bros. athletic performers in getting CircusFit® and learning circus skills at the FREE All Access Pre-show.

Tickets go on sale Friday, Oct. 3, at the Allstate Arena Box Office, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont, Ill., the United Center Box Office, 1901 W. Madison Street, Chicago, and all Ticketmaster locations. Tickets can be purchased by phone, (312) 559-1212, or on-line at www.ticketmaster.com.  Prices are $13, $19 and $24, with V.I.P. tickets selling for $35 on weekdays and $50 on weekends. There are also a limited number of $85 Circus Celebrity seats, which guarantee a one-of-a-kind Ringling Bros. experience, available for each performance.

Groups, call (847) 891-8916 for Allstate Arena tickets or (312) 455-7469 for United Center tickets. For general show information, call the Allstate Arena at (847) 635-6601, or the United Center at (312) 455-4500. To learn more about Over The Top, the all-new 138th edition of Ringling Bros., go to www.Ringling.com.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® presents Over The Top, an all-new, wacky and whimsical circus spectacular, scheduled to appear Nov. 6-16 at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill., and Nov. 18-30 at Chicago’s United Center.  Audiences will experience maniacal mayhem as Ringmaster Chuck Wagner and clown eccentric Tom Dougherty compete for control of a magical top hat that brings to life their fantastical imaginations. From the silliness evoked by the clown to the stupendous spectacle conjured by the Ringmaster, Over the Top provides excitement for the whole family. Dogs fly, Asian elephants skip, hop, and groove, and one courageous man stands eye to eye with a pack of powerful Bengal tigers, all at the 138th Edition of The Greatest Show On Earth®.

From the renowned Cossacks' unbelievable equestrian stunts to the Flying Caceres high-altitude feats on an enormous double-decker trapeze, the 138th Edition of Ringling Bros. will take daredevil thrills to new extremes. Circus celebrities will help rev-up the motorcycle madness featuring one cycle on a high wire and an amazing seven speeding riders in a Globe of Steel. Audiences will flip their lids as this Ringling Bros. circus really goes Over the Top!

One hour before show time, families can join Ringling Bros. athletic performers in getting CircusFit® and learning circus skills at the FREE All Access Pre-show.

Tickets go on sale Friday, Oct. 3, at the Allstate Arena Box Office, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont, Ill., the United Center Box Office, 1901 W. Madison Street, Chicago, and all Ticketmaster locations. Tickets can be purchased by phone, (312) 559-1212, or on-line at www.ticketmaster.com.  Prices are $13, $19 and $24, with V.I.P. tickets selling for $35 on weekdays and $50 on weekends. There are also a limited number of $85 Circus Celebrity seats, which guarantee a one-of-a-kind Ringling Bros. experience, available for each performance.

Groups, call (847) 891-8916 for Allstate Arena tickets or (312) 455-7469 for United Center tickets. For general show information, call the Allstate Arena at (847) 635-6601, or the United Center at (312) 455-4500. To learn more about Over The Top, the all-new 138th edition of Ringling Bros., go to www.Ringling.com.

Foundry Art Centre and St. Charles City/County Library District to Host The Big Read in February 2009

The Foundry Art Centre received a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts to host The Big Read, a national initiative to promote literary reading. The Big Read will take place in St. Charles and surrounding communities beginning Feb. 1, 2009, and continuing throughout the entire month. Kick-off date for The Big Read is Sunday Feb. 1, 2009, at the Foundry Art Centre. Festivities include a personal appearance of the Gateway Sled Dogs, and a concert performed by the St. Charles County Symphony.

To ensure better community participation, the Foundry Art Centre, in partnership with St. Charles Library District City/County, has developed programs and activities centering on the selected novel, 'Call of the Wild,' by author Jack London.  The National Endowment for the Arts, in partnership with Arts Midwest, a regional arts organization based in Minneapolis, provided nationwide participating communities organizational guides, reader’s guides and technical assistance to facilitate and implement The Big Read on a local level.  

Activities simultaneous with reading of Call of the Wild will take place the entire month of February 2009 and include a read-out-loud marathon with local celebrities and community leaders, a film series, book-making workshops, book discussions, and a tour of the Wild Canid Survival and Research Center.  The Foundry Art Centre and the Library District are in the final planning stages of related activities.

Locally, Ameren UE, the City of Cottleville, City of St. Charles Arts and Culture Commission, and Hazelwood and Weber LLC are sponsoring The Big Read.  

Governor Matt Blunt, along with Representatives David Day, Billy Pat Wright, Ellen Brandom, Kathlyn Fares, Sally Faith,Jane Cunningham, Joe Smith and Maynard Wallace have joined The Big Read to help encourage a nation of active readers and thinkers.  (photo attached)

A quote from NEA Chairman Dana Gioia states, “The NEA’s landmark 2004 study, Reading at Risk, showed that literary reading in the U.S. is in steep decline.  No single program can entirely reverse this trend, but if cities nationally unite to adopt The Big Read, our community-wide reading program, together we can restore reading to its essential place in American culture.”

St. Louis celebrates its cinematic roots by hosting the St. Louis International Film Festival from November 13-23rd. Featuring more than 260 films over a diverse range of genres and countries, SLIFF promises to be one of the most exciting events of the season. Screenings will occur at one of four main theatres: the Tivoli, Plaza Frontenac, the St. Louis Art Museum or Webster University.

On top of the screenings themselves, the festival will feature a dozen free seminars with subjects like "The Making of Wall-E," "Pixar Shorts," "NFF Coffee with the Filmakers," and many more. If the discussion of film itself is more relevant, there will also be a host of sidebar discussions dedicated to various cultures, genres of the medium, and historical time periods in film.

For a complete schedule of events, as well as topics discussed in the sidebars and free events, visit the Saint Louis International Film Festival website.

Celebrating generations of tradition, The Women’s Board of the Joffrey Ballet presents a whimsical afternoon celebrating the time-honored Nutcracker ballet. Nutcracker leads Clara and Fritz, accompanied by other characters, will be present and interacting with lucky guests on Saturday, November 8, 2008 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of The Palmer House Hilton.

In anticipation of the premiere of Robert Joffrey’s The Nutcracker on Thursday, December 18, 2008, Clara and friends will gather at The Palmer House and share her fascinating story. Co-chairs Whitney Lasky and Shawna Owen invite children from ages “three to ninety-three” to experience the splendor of this new Joffrey tradition.

Guests can anticipate a warm welcome from a pair of toy soldiers guarding the entranceway to the Grand Ballroom, which will be transformed into a grandiose holiday wonderland accented in pink and blue hues, with each table donning large centerpieces made of cotton candy. Portraits will be available at the entranceway for those looking to capture the moment of this fanciful afternoon.

Just inside, children can partake in various festivous activities including decorating cupcakes from The Swedish Bakery, creating personalized nutcrackers, and choosing from oversized jars filled with delectable candy. Guests will enjoy sounds from a piano player who will be on-hand adding to the ambiance of the throughout the afternoon.

At 1:30 p.m. the ring of a bell will mark teatime and all will return to their seats to indulge in finger sandwiches and sip on “Clara’s tea,” compliments of Talbott Teas.  Each child will find a gift backpack at their seat, full of delightful treats including chocolates, Polly Pocket dolls, and rhythm sticks. Champagne, hot chocolate and other beverages will be available for adults as well. Just above the crowd, Clara and Fritz will also enjoy tea on stage for all to see.

After tea, there will be a special reading of The Nutcracker, followed by a lesson from Director of the Joffrey’s ECE programs, Pierre Lockett. Lockett will be joined by the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Russian and the Toy Solider from The Nutcracker and teach children the dances from the story. Children can leave their seats and gather around the stage to participate in the lesson.

Each child will take home a copy of The Nutcracker, while every individual will receive a complimentary ticket to the upcoming performance of The Joffrey Ballet’s Nutcracker this holiday

Pricing for Clara’s Tea Party is as follows:

    * Individual Child Ticket $150
    * Individual Adult Ticket $200
    * Patron Ticket $350
    * Clara’s Table $4,000  - The table to include: Preferred performance seating for ten at the Auditorium Theatre, preferred seating for ten at Tea Party, recognition of level of support in Commemorative Dinner Program, and a $3,100 tax deductible)

An afternoon designed to explore the fantasy beyond the familiar tale, Clara’s Nutcracker Tea Party provides a whimsical way to share the traditions of The Joffrey and its renowned Nutcracker with boys and girls of all ages.

For more information please contact the Joffrey Ballet at 312.386.8921.
 
For media inquires, please contact Courtney at Courtney@GracePRgroup.com

Victory Gardens Theater will welcome playwright Sarah Ruhl back to her hometown Chicago with a special public event - Ruhl Makers - a panel of leading women theater artists in Chicago who have helped
Ruhl escape "reading hell" to become arguably the top contemporary
playwright in America today.

Ruhl Makers is Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 6:30 pm at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago.  Tickets are $5. For tickets or information, call the Victory Gardens box office - 773.871.3000 - or purchase online at http://www.victorygardens.org

Ruhl Makers panelists include:

- Sarah Ruhl, MacArthur Genius winner, Pulitzer Prize nominee, author of Eurydice, The Clean House and Dead Man's Cell Phone

- Sandy Shinner, Associate Artistic Director, Victory Gardens Theater,
director of Eurydice

- Jessica Thebus, director, Eurydice, Dead Man's Cell Phone and The Clean House

- Kathleen Ruhl, Jeff Award winning actress, Sarah Ruhl's mother

- Lee Stark, who plays the title role in Victory Gardens' Eurydice

- Mary Beth Fisher, award winning actress, star of The Clean House and Dead Man's Cell Phone

Victory Gardens is also hosting a private reception with Ruhl on the set of her play Eurydice now on the Victory Gardens Biograph mainstage, immediately preceding the panel discussion.   For information on this exclusive pre-panel fundraiser for Victory Gardens, contact Kate Oczkowski, Director of Events and Individual Giving, 773/549-5788 ext 2140 or koczkowski@victorygardens.org.

Ruhl Makers in presented in association with Victory Gardens' critically
acclaimed production of Eurydice, a bold, slyly comic, visually fascinating take on the classic Orpheus myth, running now through November 9 at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater.

The Chicago Sun-Times called Eurydice "wholly captivating, subtly madcap, heart-piercingly lovely...co-directed by Sandy Shinner and Jessica Thebus in a way that feels magically at one with Ruhl's sensibility."  The Chicago Tribune suggested "If you've not seen Eurydice, I wouldn't miss the chance...The new production at Victory Gardens convinced me of this play's honest beauty."

Eurydice had one of its earliest readings at Victory Gardens, before Ruhl became the hottest playwright working in American theater today. Too constrained by its former location for a play that calls for a rain-drenched elevator, today, Victory Gardens Theater finally has a venue capable of showcasing Ruhl's boundless imagination at its new home - the Victor Gardens Biograph Theater.

Single tickets to Eurydice are $20-$48.  Five-play Victory Gardens
subscriptions including Eurydice start at only $80. For tickets,
subscriptions or information, call the Victory Gardens box office -
773.871.3000 - or purchase tickets online at http://www.victorygardens.org

SARAH RUHL - Biography

"If Virginia Woolf became a playwright, she'd be someone like Sarah Ruhl" said Paula Vogel, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, about her former student at Brown University.  Ruhl's plays include The Clean House, which had its world premiere at Yale Rep in 2004 (Susan Smith Blackburn Award, Pulitzer Prize finalist, PEN/Pels Foundation Award), Melancholy Play, Eurydice (world premiere, Madison Rep, 2003; Chicago premiere, 2004, Piven Theater Workshop, also at Yale Rep, 2006, and New York's), Late: a cowboy song, Orlando, Demeter in the City (NAACP Image Award nomination); Passion Play (Fourth Forum Freedom Award from The Kennedy Center); and Dead Man's Cell Phone (Helen Hayes Award).  Her plays have been perormed at Lincoln
Center Theater, Second Stage Theatre, Playwrights Horizons, Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theater, Woolly Mammoth, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, The Wilma Theater, Cornerstone Theater Company, Madison Repertory Theatre, Clubbed Thumb, and Piven Theatre Workshop, among other theaters across the country.

Her plays have been translated into German, Polish, Korean, Russian, and Spanish, and have been produced internationally in London, Canada, Germany, Latvia, and Poland.  Sarah is originally from Evanston, and received her MFA from Brown University. She is the recipient of a Helen Merrill Award, Whiting Writers' Award, PEN/Pels Foundation Award, and a MacArthu Foundation Fellowship.  She is a proud member of New Dramatists and 13P.

This brand new musical comes to Chicago after its 2007 Tony Award-winning Broadway run, giving Northlight audiences the chance to rub elbows with Edith Bouvier Beale and her daughter "Little Edie," Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis' most scandalous relatives.  Once the highest of high society, the two have become East Hampton's most notorious recluses, living in a dilapidated 28-room mansion with 51 cats for company.  Set in two eras—1941 when the celebrated estate was the picture of wealth and sophistication, and 1973 after it had been reduced to squalor—Grey Gardens is a brilliant and heartbreaking look at two indomitable women.

Schedule:      

Tuesdays:  7:30 p.m.
Wednesdays:  1 p.m. (except November 12) and 7:30 p.m. (except December 10)
Thursdays:  7:30 p.m. (except November 27)
Fridays:  8:00 p.m.
Saturdays:  2:30 p.m. (except November 15) and 8:00 p.m.
Sundays:  2:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. (except November 23, December 7 and 21)

Tickets:  Previews: $25 - $54
Regular run: $25 - $59
Opening night November 20: $75, includes a post-show reception with the company
Box Office: The Box Office is located at 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie. (847) 673-6300; www.northlight.org

Greasy Joan & Co. explores Chekhov in a hilarious and poignant romp that illustrates the life, love and lunacy of living in the country.  Longed-for love, the claustrophobia of modern life, and the madness that keeps us apart from one another.  "Chekhov's Life in the Country" features the classic short story Lady with a Lapdog woven around three comedies: "The Proposal," "The Reluctant Tragic Hero" and "Dangers of Tobacco."

In "The Proposal," a suitor's attempt to marry his neighbor's daughter violently derails as the trio obsessively quarrels over age-old land disputes and trivial minutia.  Elsewhere, a married man ("The Reluctant Tragic Hero") explodes with frustration over the complications of leading a leisurely country life while keeping a job in the city.  "The Dangers of Tobacco" follows a family man's attempt to lecture on the evils of smoking as it careens off the rails, cataloging his fury over his lot in life.  Winding through these pieces is an adaptation of Chekhov's short story "Lady with a Lapdog," tracing aging lothario Gurov's shattering love affair with a married woman that awakens him to the depth and feeling of true love just as it exposes him to the pain of a love limited by circumstance.

Schedule:                 

Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. Sundays at 3:30 p.m.**
Tickets: $12.50 - $25 ($12.50 for students, $15 for previews)
Available by calling 773-404-7336, at www.greenhousetheater.org or at the Greenhouse Theater Center Box Office.  
Groups of 8 or more can receive a discount by calling (312) 458-0718.
 
**A special benefit performance of CHEKHOV'S LIFE IN THE COUNTRY will be held on Saturday, December 6th at 8:30 p.m.  Benefit tickets cost $40 and include a post-play reception with the artists in the lobby.  Food and drinks included.  Reservations can be made by calling 773-404-7336.

Special $15 Industry Night Performance Monday, December 1st at 8:30 p.m.  Reservations can be made by calling 773-404-7336.
 
Post-play discussions are held every Sunday.
 
There is no performance on Thursday November 27th (Thanksgiving). 

Tuta Theatre Company will perform "The Most Excellent and Lamentable Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet," written by English playwright William Shakespeare at the Chopin Theatre November 20 -December 21.  Now in their ninth season in Chicago, the critically acclaimed theatre company will present the classic Bard tale directed by Artistic Director Zeljko Djukic. 

Romeo and Juliet will run Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m. There will be no show on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2008.  A preview performance will run on Wednesday, at 8 p.m., November 19th.  Tickets are $15 for previews, $25 for adults and $20 for Senior Citizens and Students for the regular run, and may be purchased at the door one hour before show time or online at www.tutato.com.  $12 Industry tickets are available at every Thursday and Sunday performance at the door. Group discounts are also available for the run.  A special gala performance and reception will be held on Friday, November 21st; all tickets for this event are $40.

Tuta's international perspective aims to reawaken the relevance and freshness of Shakespeare's turbulent universe, and bring a level of excitement and surprise to the contemporary audience.  This is no fairy tale. 

Adapted for the stage by Jeffrey Fiske and Max McLean, "The Screwtape Letters" is set in an office in hell. The play follows a senior devil, Screwtape, and his secretary, Toadpipe, as they train an apprentice demon, Wormwood, on how to “undermine faith and prevent the formation of virtues” in a young man who has just converted to Christianity.

Tickets range in price from $29.00 to $48.50.  Tickets are available by calling The Mercury Theater Box Office at 773.325.1700, TicketMaster at 312-902-1500 or visiting www.ticketmaster.com.

The Museum’s annual Black Creativity celebration highlights the contributions of African Americans and encourages deeper interest in science and technology as well as black culture and heritage.

"Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me" is the story of an Englishman, Irishman and an American who have been taken captive in the Middle East. Chained to the wall in an isolated cell, victims of political imprisonment and powerless to initiate change, the three rely on each other to avoid falling victim to the madness of their plight. 

Explore the grandeur and complexity of one of the world’s great societies, and find out how this civilization that began in the middle of a lake went on to rapidly become one of the most powerful empires of all time. Through hundreds of spectacular artifacts and works of art, assembled together for the first time in Chicago, trace the remarkable rise and fall of the Aztec wold.

Japan Dance Now will feature three emerging contemporary Japanese dance companies - Nibroll, Sennichimae Blue Sky Dance Club and Baby Q. For more information visit www.colum.edu/dance_center

Artistic Director Carrie Hanson will premiere the first phase of a new project, "Thrift," which explores various definitions of the term “economy” in contexts ranging from dance to architecture, from experts in economics to the general public, at a time when concern about the economy dominates the collective psyche. For more information, visit www.colum.edu/dance_center

As a signature event of Mordine & Company Dance Theater’s 40th Anniversary Season, the company performs a program that symbolically acknowledges its history while also looking to its future. For more information, visit www.colum.edu/dance_center

David Roussève/REALITY, founded in 1989 by David Roussève, is an ethnically and artistically diverse troupe acclaimed for its highly original form of expressionistic dance theatre that blends elements of dance and performance art with African-American traditional and pop cultures. For more information visit www.colum.edu/dance_center

Delfos Danza Contemporanea, founded in 1992 by Mexican choreographers Victor Manuel Ruiz and Claudia Lavista, is recognized as one of the most important contemporary dance companies in Latin America. Its high-energy style is supple, fast and free of constraint, yet fully articulated. For more information visit www.colum.edu/dance_center

View the Edward Curtis 1914 film In the Land of the Headhunters and hear from film historians and Kwakwaka’wakw nation members. The vent includes a public lecture and screening as well as cultural demonstrations.

Spread your sleeping bag amidst some of the Field Museum's most popular exhibitions. Spend an evening at The Field with your child and make memories to last a lifetime - a night of fun family workshops, flashlight tours and performances.

Nathan Englander's powerful debut novel brilliantly captures the grief of a nation through the story of one family’s struggles in Argentina's Dirty War. Booklist calls The Ministry of Special Cases, ”poignant, powerful, political, and personal.” Victor Mirelman, Rabbi of West Suburban Temple Har Zion and a leading expert in the history of Jews in Argentina, leads the discussion. Jewish Book Club tickets are $25 | $20 for Spertus members. Price includes kosher lunch.

In Ariel Sabar’s fascinating reconciliation of past and present, he and his father travel to Iraq, his father’s birthplace. Sabar brings to life the ancient town of Zakho, telling his family’s story and discovering their place in the millennia-long saga of Sepharic Jews in Islamic lands. Populated by Kurdish chieftains, trailblazing linguists, Arab nomads, and devout believers, this intimate and powerful book is an improbable story of tolerance and hope.

Tickets are $20 | $15 for Spertus members | $10 for students

Call 312.322.1773.

The terms “modern” and “minimal” are casually applied to public landscapes and gardens today without any deep understanding of what makes them modern. Unlike architecture, which experienced a two-decade romance with Post Modernism, the same did not occur in the landscape architecture profession. The conference will explore this question by looking at the work of leading landscape architecture practitioners to identify how it is influenced by the preceding generation.

Art explores the intricacies of a long-term friendship between three men. When one of them drops a fortune on a piece of modern art, his friends’ surprising reactions touch off a series of personal confrontations. This witty, intelligent and often funny play explores the power of art to engage the imagination and the enduring bonds of friendship. 

Court Theatre continues its 54th season with Henrik Ibsen’s The Wild Duck, in a newly commissioned, World Premiere translation by Richard Nelson. The production, directed by Artistic Director Charles Newell will run January 15 – February 15, 2008 at The Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave.

Box Office: Located at 5535 S. Ellis Avenue, Chicago; (773) 753-4472 or online www.CourtTheatre.org


 

Afghan Chronicles Film Premiere

WHERE: International House at the University of Chicago, 1414 E. 59th St.

WHAT: Join the Freedom Museum, Canadian Consulate of Chicago and the University of Chicago's Global Voices series for a screening of the riveting film Afghan Chronicles. This documentary explores the expanding role of media in Afghanistan and its contributions to the country’s efforts to rebuild after the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001. Filmmaker Dominic Morissette will be on hand for a short  discussion after the film. FREE ADMISSION.

A Chicago tradition and the oldest of its kind in the country, the Young Playwrights Festival celebrates over twenty years of giving voice to budding young playwrights within the city.  The Young Playwrights Festival is a year-long cycle of workshops, performances and special programs, all centered on teaching play writing to Chicago’s young people and concluding with a citywide play writing competition.  This year’s three winning plays come from students at Young Chicago Authors School, Whitney Young Magnet High School and Northside College Prep.

 

Joe Tex was a complex man torn between stardom as an innovative soul singer and his devout dedication to the teachings of The Honorable Elijah Mohammed.  “I Gotcha” is an amusing and provocative look at Joe Tex during the most critical part of his lifetime. The audience can enjoy songs like Skinny Legs and All, Show Me, Hold On To What You Got, and many others.

Box Office: Call 773-769-4451 or 312-902-1500, or visit  www.ticketmaster.com

Sheldon Concert Hall brings Tony Sandler, of Las Vegas duo Sandler and Young, to perform an homage to French actor Maurice Chevalier in this stunning celebration of his life and work. Featured in a PBS special, as well as a DVD, this is the farewell performance of the season.

For tickets, visit the Sheldon Concert Hall Website.

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY CAPS OFF 75th ANNIVERSARY WITH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD AND HOLIDAYS OF LIGHT EXHIBIT

Dazzling holiday tradition celebrates 75 years of Museum memories!

The Museum of Science and Industry’s 2008 Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light exhibit kicks off on Nov. 14, and this year’s theme, "Celebrating 75 Years of Museum Memories," marks the capstone of the Museum’s year-long 75th Anniversary celebration.

All year, the Museum has celebrated with dynamic and original exhibits, large-scale anniversary events, special guests and new live science experiences. The finale is the time-honored Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light exhibit, which will run from Nov. 14, 2008 until Jan. 4, 2009.

The Fox Theatre presents RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles for two performances only! RAIN is a Beatles cover band that performs a multi-dimensional, multi-media show blending music, video, and more for a unique musical experience! Tickets for the show go on sale at 10a.m. on Fri., Nov. 14.

The Piven Theatre Workshop presents "Someone Who'll Watch Over Me" by Frank McGuinness, a tale of three political hostages who rely on each other to overcome the hardships of being imprisoned. Shows are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. through Dec. 7.

Jake Melnick's Corner Tap features a pub-inspired Thanksgiving Day buffet. Selections include traditional Thanksgiving favorites with a twist  such as "Traditional Roasted Turkey with Oktoberfest Gravy" and "Woodchuck Cider Glazed Carrots." Reservations can be made by calling (312) 266-0400.

Celebrating its 13th anniversary, The Dance COLEctive, under the direction of award-winning choreographer and teacher Margi Cole, presents a concert program entitled “13,” inspired by the odd, awkward number. In creating her new act-length work (as yet untitled), Cole and nine dancers are exploring various meanings and associations that the number 13 brings to mind, from superstition and myths to funny memories of being this awkward, “in the middle” age.

The Steppenwolf Theatre presents Yasmina Reza's "Art", which explores the ups and downs of friendship and the impact of an expensive piece of modern art . Performances take place Tuesdays through Sundays. For more information and tickets, check out The Steppenwolf Theatre website. 

The Marriot Theatre presents "The Bowery Boys", a tale of a street-wise kid named Dick who befriends a young British heiress who has been abandoned on the streets of 1876 New York City. For more information or tickets, call 847-634-0200 or check out the Marriot Theatre website. 

This exhibition includes more than 50 trees and displays decorated by volunteers from Chicago's ethnic communities to reflect holiday traditions from around the globe. Holidays of Light, a multicultural display of holiday traditions that celebrate light or enlightenment, such as Diwali and Hanukkah, also illuminates the Museum's halls during this time.

"Raven Black" is a musical production set during the time of the "Great Migration' and featuring the music of the African Diaspora by the People's Jazz Theatre.

DuSable Museum of African American History: Raven Black: A Kwanzaa Tale featuring the People's Jazz Theatre

General Admission - $20 per person /DuSable Museum Members - $15 per person


 

See new archival digital prints from these well-known artists.

Explore Chicago as it was during the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. The White City, as it was known, featured many great sights and sounds.

Although the landscape of the city has changed since then, see the places that housed the world's first Ferris wheel, the Japanese Pavillion, and much more. Also, see a slide show of the historic event that changed the city and proved that Chicago could rise above any obstacle.

The cost is $50 for adults and $45 for seniors, students, and children 8-18. Lunch is included in the price.

LIVE on the Levee: Sonic Youth

On Friday, July 17th, head down to the Arch Grounds on the St. Louis Riverfront to see alternative rockers, Sonic Youth, kick off this annual free (yes, free) summer concert series.

Touring around their new, highly-anticipated album, "The Eternal," New York-based Sonic Youth's post punk jams are sure to rock the levee.

Local group, Awesome Color will kick off night at approximately 6 p.m., while Sonic Youth will take the stage around 8 p.m.

Click here for more information on LIVE on the Levee.

LIVE on the Levee: Little Feat

Enjoy a night of music in the shadow of the Gateway Arch. Coasting through the country on its 40th Anniversary Tour, Little Feat will stop in St. Louis for a night of rock, country, R&B and a touch of the blues during the second night of the St. Louis Riverfront's free concert series, LIVE on the Levee.

Local group, Madahoochi will open the night's festivites at approximately 6 p.m., and Little Feat will take the stage around 8 p.m.

For more information on LIVE on the Levee, click here.

LIVE on the Levee: Angie Stone

Soulful songstress, Angie Stone will bring some serious rhythm & blues to this free outdoor concert series, which is juxtaposed between the Gateway Arch and the Mighty Mississippi River in downtown St. Louis. With two certified Gold albums ("Black Diamond" and "Mahogany Soul"), Stone is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Soul Alliance and LeAndra will open at around 6 p.m., and Stone will take to the stage at approximately 8 p.m.

For more information on LIVE on the Levee, click here.

LIVE on the Levee: Gretchen Wilson

The "Redneck Woman" herself will grace the LIVE on the Levee stage, promising a toe-tapping, aw-shucks evening in the shadow of the Gateway Arch. Don't miss this high-energy outdoor concert, which is free to boot!

Pearl Heart will open the show, taking the stage around 6 p.m., while Ms. Wilson will commence with the good ol' country at 8 p.m.

For more information on this concert or on LIVE on the Levee, click here.

LIVE on the Levee: Guster

Don't miss acoustic rockers, Guster, when they perform such hits as "Fa Fa," "Barrel of a Gun" and more at St. Louis's free concert series, LIVE on the Levee on July 31st.

This midsummer show has all the makings of a sensational evening, chocked full of energetic tunes, an incredible setting and a crowd that will surely be ready to rock.

Opening for Guster is Joe Stickley's Blue Print, who will take the stage around 6 p.m., while Guster will kick off their portion of the evening at approximately 8 p.m.

For more information on this concert and LIVE on the Levee, click here.

LIVE on the Levee: Lupe Fiasco

Up and coming musician, Lupe Fiasco will round out the 2009 LIVE on the Levee concert series on Saturday, August 1st with such hit singles as "Paris, Tokyo" and "Superstar."

As with all LIVE on the Levee concerts, this event is free and will feature fabulous food vendors, an interactive Kids Zone complete with inflatable games and a stunning setting beneath the Gateway Arch.

Black Spade will open the show, taking the stage at approximately 6 p.m., and Mr. Fiasco will begin at approximately 8 p.m.

Click here for more information on this concert and other LIVE on the Levee facts.

Fair St. Louis

Celebrate the Fourth of July at this free summer festival on the Mississippi River levee beneath the stunning Gateway Arch.

The spectacular fireworks at each evening's end aren't the only reason that this event is a can't miss. The Counting Crows will perform live on July 3rd, while Train  and Nat and Alex Wolff will take the stage on July 4th. Bring the little ones by the K-Town Kids Zone, where they can scale climbing walls, have a NFL experience and more. Adults will surely delight in the dozens of food and beverage vendors that will line the fairgrounds.

Fore more information on this fantastic Fourth of July celebration, click here.

Saint Louis Zoo: Stingrays at Caribbean Cove 

Watch, touch and even feed 32 graceful stingrays during their short stay at the Saint Louis Zoo. Bringing a bit of the ocean to middle America, Stingrays at Caribbean Cove features a 17,000-gallon pool complete with a waterfall and lush landscape.

The Zoo ensures all visitors that these incredible sea creatures are completely safe. As they swim past your hands, they cannot bite you and their stingers or barbs have been painlessly trimmed back just like fingernails are clipped.

Admission to the Zoo is free, while entrance to this special exhibit is $3 (children under two are free and admission is free the first hour the Zoo is open).

Click here for more information on this exciting exhibit.

Grand Center: Circus Flora

This one-ring, European style circus presents Medrano. Inspired by the famous Medrano in Paris, where circus met cabaret and aristocrats mingled with gypsies, Circus Flora will bring this magical time and place to life from June 4th-June 21st.

High-flying aerialists and hilarious clowns will entertain and amaze audiences of all ages under the big top adjacent to Powell Symphony Hall in Grand Center. The show is approximately two hours with a 15 minute intermission.  

For those who can't make it at night or want to enjoy a shorter show, check out Little Top Wednesday, a special one-hour show starting at 10 a.m. for kids or "kids at heart."

Schedule of Shows:

Tuesday-Thursday: 7 p.m.

Friday & Saturday: 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.

Sunday: 1 p.m. & 5 p.m.

Monday: No performances

For more information on Circus Flora, visit their website.

Stone Hill Winery: Cajun Concert

Get a taste creole culture in the heart of Missouri's Wine Country during Stone Hill Winery's three-day Cajun Concert. A Cajun band straight from the bayou will present three days of toe-tappin' music, along with authentic cajun dancing, dancing lessions one-hour before each concert and mouth-watering creole cuisine.

Admission includes cellar tour and tasting. Tickets go on sale two hours before concert begins. No tickets sold in advance. Guests are welcom to bring lawn chairs or blankets.

Cost:

One-day pass (Adults): $12 

One-day pass (Children 6-12): $2

Two-Day Pass (Adults): $22

Two-Day Pass (Children): $3

Three-Day Pass (Adults): $30

Three-Day Pass (Children): $4

Schedule:

Friday Concerts: 6 p.m.-10 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday Concerts: 1 p.m.-6 p.m.

Sunday: 4 p.m. Mardi Gras Parade and Cajun Dancers

For more information on this event and Stone Hill winery, click here.

July 4th with Spanish Flavor

If you're looking for the perfect place to celebrate during the weekend of the 4th of July why not do it with a Spanish flair at Tapas Valencia or Meson Sabika?  The sister restaurants are featuring 5$ Indepedence Martinis and 5$ apple pie. These deals go great with the already in place 2$ tapas happy hour menu on Monday-Friday from 4PM-6PM.

Specials are avaliable June 29th-July 3rd and July 5th at Meson Sabika and June 29th-July 5th at Tapas Valencia.  This year take advantage of the opportunity to take a break from hotdogs and hamburgers and enjoy an American landmark holiday in a Spanish setting.

Piven Theatre and Chicago Improv Festival Productions Present 'Storybox'

About the Show 

The famous Piven Theatre is collaborating with the Chicago Improv Festival Productions to present Storybox, created and developed by co-founder Jonathan Pitts and directed by Nick John. Storybox is an improvised play that creates a unique journey of characters, style and tone with every new show. A vibrant mixture of drama and comedy, Storybox brings the audience a powerful production of unscripted theatre.

Besides featuring an international cast and crew, all four Sunday matinee shows will be webcast live via Skype from the Piven Theatre in Evanston to Gjovik and Oslo, Norway.

General Info

The show runs from July 10 - Aug 2 every Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $15. Run time is 80 - 90 minutes.

Bastille Day at Pops for Champagne

To celebrate Bastille Day, the French national holiday which commemorates the storming of the Bastille during the historic French Revolution, Pops For Champagne will be opening its doors and offering a féte of its own on Sunday, July 12 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Utilizing both the indoor champagne bar as well as the lush outdoor courtyard at historical Tree Studios, guests can enjoy unlimited food and French sparkling wines for $35 per person.

Aside from the grilled meats, sandwiches and cheese dishes prepared by Executive Chef Andrew Brochu, revelers can choose between a Vintage 2005 Cremant de Bourgogne Blanc and a Charles Bauer Cremant d’Alsace Rose for the $35 per person price. In addition, six featured sparkling wines and champagnes ($5-15 per glass) selected by Wine Director W. Craig Cooper will allow guests an opportunity to sample additional wines from Pops’ world class champagne list. As guests celebrate the Féte Nationale, attendees can enjoy recorded French music and the experience of commemorating the turning point of France’s independence.

Tickets can be purchased in advance of the event at Pops or by calling the venue directly at 312-266-7677 or visiting www.popsforchampagne.com. Tickets will be held at “will call” during the day of the event.   

To learn more about Chicago's best lounges, check out Concierge Preferred's High End Lounge Guide.

Family Friendly Exhibition Opening at the Chicago Architecture Foundation

B Like Burnham is a kid-friendly exhibition celebrating the life and work of architect, Daniel H. Burnham. This exhibition is part of CAF's celebration of the 1909 Plan of Chicago. Chicago Model City features an awesome, kid-sized model of downtown Chicago. Don’t miss it!

Enjoy family-friendly refreshments, and take home a Burnham-inspired souvenir at this family exhibiiton opening.

Free

Convenient parking in Grant Park South, accessible from Michigan Avenue. CAF members receive $4.00 discount.

To learn more about the Chicago Architecture Foundation, check out Concierge Preferred's Chicago Architecture Foundation Guide.

Cavalia is held in the West Loop between Racine Ave. and W. Jackson St.

This event features multimedia and performing art stunts held under a big-top tent. Cavalia features 13 breeds of horses, astounding acrobats, beautiful aerialists, dancers, and musicians.

For ticket information click here.

Showtimes:

July 14, 2009 8pm (Opening night)

July 16, 2009 8pm

July 17, 2009 8pm

July 18, 2009 3pm

July 18, 2009 8pm

July 19, 2009 2pm

July 21, 2009 8pm

July 22, 2009 8pm

July 23, 2009 8pm

July 24, 2009 8pm

July 25, 2009 3pm

July 25, 2009 8pm

July 26, 2009 2pm


 

Cavalia is held in the West Loop between Racine Ave. and W. Jackson St.

This event features multimedia and performing art stunts held under a big-top tent. Cavalia features 13 breeds of horses, astounding acrobats, beautiful aerialists, dancers, and musicians.

For ticket information click here.

Showtimes:

July 16, 2009 8pm

July 17, 2009 8pm

July 18, 2009 3pm

July 18, 2009 8pm

July 19, 2009 2pm

July 21, 2009 8pm

July 22, 2009 8pm

July 23, 2009 8pm

July 24, 2009 8pm

July 25, 2009 3pm

July 25, 2009 8pm

July 26, 2009 2pm

Cavalia is held in the West Loop between Racine Ave. and W. Jackson St.

This event features multimedia and performing art stunts held under a big-top tent. Cavalia features 13 breeds of horses, astounding acrobats, beautiful aerialists, dancers, and musicians.

For ticket information click here.

Showtimes:

July 17, 2009 8pm

July 18, 2009 3pm

July 18, 2009 8pm

July 19, 2009 2pm

July 21, 2009 8pm

July 22, 2009 8pm

July 23, 2009 8pm

July 24, 2009 8pm

July 25, 2009 3pm

July 25, 2009 8pm

July 26, 2009 2pm

Cavalia is held in the West Loop between Racine Ave. and W. Jackson St.

This event features multimedia and performing art stunts held under a big-top tent. Cavalia features 13 breeds of horses, astounding acrobats, beautiful aerialists, dancers, and musicians.

For ticket information click here.

Showtimes:

July 18, 2009 3pm

July 18, 2009 8pm

July 19, 2009 2pm

July 21, 2009 8pm

July 22, 2009 8pm

July 23, 2009 8pm

July 24, 2009 8pm

July 25, 2009 3pm

July 25, 2009 8pm

July 26, 2009 2pm

Cavalia is held in the West Loop between Racine Ave. and W. Jackson St.

This event features multimedia and performing art stunts held under a big-top tent. Cavalia features 13 breeds of horses, astounding acrobats, beautiful aerialists, dancers, and musicians.

For ticket information click here.

Showtimes:

July 19, 2009 2pm

July 21, 2009 8pm

July 22, 2009 8pm

July 23, 2009 8pm

July 24, 2009 8pm

July 25, 2009 3pm

July 25, 2009 8pm

July 26, 2009 2pm

Cavalia is held in the West Loop between Racine Ave. and W. Jackson St.

This event features multimedia and performing art stunts held under a big-top tent. Cavalia features 13 breeds of horses, astounding acrobats, beautiful aerialists, dancers, and musicians.

For ticket information click here.

Showtimes:

July 21, 2009 8pm

July 22, 2009 8pm

July 23, 2009 8pm

July 24, 2009 8pm

July 25, 2009 3pm

July 25, 2009 8pm

July 26, 2009 2pm

Cavalia is held in the West Loop between Racine Ave. and W. Jackson St.

This event features multimedia and performing art stunts held under a big-top tent. Cavalia features 13 breeds of horses, astounding acrobats, beautiful aerialists, dancers, and musicians.

For ticket information click here.

Showtimes:

July 22, 2009 8pm

July 23, 2009 8pm

July 24, 2009 8pm

July 25, 2009 3pm

July 25, 2009 8pm

July 26, 2009 2pm

Cavalia is held in the West Loop between Racine Ave. and W. Jackson St.

This event features multimedia and performing art stunts held under a big-top tent. Cavalia features 13 breeds of horses, astounding acrobats, beautiful aerialists, dancers, and musicians.

For ticket information click here.

Showtimes:

July 23, 2009 8pm

July 24, 2009 8pm

July 25, 2009 3pm

July 25, 2009 8pm

July 26, 2009 2pm

Cavalia is held in the West Loop between Racine Ave. and W. Jackson St.

This event features multimedia and performing art stunts held under a big-top tent. Cavalia features 13 breeds of horses, astounding acrobats, beautiful aerialists, dancers, and musicians.

For ticket information click here.

Showtimes:

July 24, 2009 8pm

July 25, 2009 3pm

July 25, 2009 8pm

July 26, 2009 2pm

Cavalia is held in the West Loop between Racine Ave. and W. Jackson St.

This event features multimedia and performing art stunts held under a big-top tent. Cavalia features 13 breeds of horses, astounding acrobats, beautiful aerialists, dancers, and musicians.

For ticket information click here.

Showtimes:

July 25, 2009 3pm

July 25, 2009 8pm

July 26, 2009 2pm

Cavalia is held in the West Loop between Racine Ave. and W. Jackson St.

This event features multimedia and performing art stunts held under a big-top tent. Cavalia features 13 breeds of horses, astounding acrobats, beautiful aerialists, dancers, and musicians.

For ticket information click here.

Showtimes:

July 26, 2009 2pm

The North Dearborn Association presents the 51st annual Dearborn Garden Walk. This historic event takes you on an exclusive narrarated tour of the beautiful private gardens of Dearborn. Architecture and garden vignettes will be featured as well.

While on the walk enjoy live classical and jazz music that will transform the already breathtaking setting into something even more spectacular.

To being the tour enter at the corner of Goethe and Dearborn. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door.

For more information, click here.

The Flat Iron Artists' Association Presents Wicker Park Bucktown First Friday! This is a monthly celebration of the neighborhood with fine art, entertainment, shopping, food, and fun.

Now every First Friday features a silent auction with great fine art vaules. The bids for the auction close at 9:30 p.m.

The Flat Iron Artists' Association Presents Wicker Park Bucktown First Friday! This is a monthly celebration of the neighborhood with fine art, entertainment, shopping, food, and fun.

Now every First Friday features a silent auction with great fine art vaules. The bids for the auction close at 9:30 p.m.

The Flat Iron Artists' Association Presents Wicker Park Bucktown First Friday! This is a monthly celebration of the neighborhood with fine art, entertainment, shopping, food, and fun.

This First Friday celebration is part of a 3-day smART show!

There will be a silent auction with great fine art vaules. The bids for the auction close at 9:30 p.m.

The Flat Iron Artists' Association Presents Wicker Park Bucktown First Friday! This is a monthly celebration of the neighborhood with fine art, entertainment, shopping, food, and fun.

Every First Friday features a silent auction with great fine art vaules. The bids for the auction close at 9:30 p.m.

First Fridays in Bucktown/Wicker Park

The Flat Iron Artists' Association presents Wicker Park Bucktown First Friday!

This is a monthly celebration of the neighborhood with fine art, entertainment, shopping, food, and fun! Participating venues include: 

Caffe DeLuca

Catawampus

Club Lucky

Eye Want

Gallery 203

John Fluevog

Just Indulge

Kevin Lahvic Gallery

Piece Brewery & Pizzeria

Pop Chicago Gallery

Sapere Art Gallery

Every First Friday features a silent auction with great fine art vaules. The bids for the auction close at 9:30 p.m. Also check out live music from Anita Chase, Black Bottle Junction, and March on August!

First Friday in Wicker Park/Bucktown!

The Flat Iron Artists' Association presents Wicker Park Bucktown First Friday! This is a monthly celebration of the neighborhood with fine art, entertainment, shopping, food, and fun.

Every First Friday features a silent auction with great fine art vaules. The bids for the auction close at 9:30 p.m.

Salute is an art show for Veterans by Veterans with inclusion of all that is American.

The show takes place in the Flat Iron Arts Building and lasts from July 3 to July 5.

Includes visual art, performances, and more. The art spans more than two floors and among the exhibiting guest artists will be many veteran artists.

All of the proceeds will be donated to various small veterans' organizationa.

Pricing

$5 donation is suggested to enter the exhibit, also donations are asked for food and drink.

Salute is an art show for Veterans by Veterans with inclusion of all that is American.

The show takes place in the Flat Iron Arts Building and lasts from July 3 to July 5.

Includes visual art, performances, and more. The art spans more than two floors and among the exhibiting guest artists will be many veteran artists.

All of the proceeds will be donated to various small veterans' organizationa.

Pricing

$5 donation is suggested to enter the exhibit, also donations are asked for food and drink.

Veteran Culture

This quirky show is taking place in the Flat Iron Arts Building July 3-5. The show opens up a number of small artists' studios, so expect to see a wide variety of work on display here.

Much of it is straight ahead patriotic; other items, you'll have to decide. One exhibit showcases pieces made on fabric constructed from the uniforms of a number of veterans.

Given that a couple of the artists are fairly avant garde, this might not be one for the kids.

Includes visual art, performances, and more. The art spans more than two floors and among the exhibiting guest artists will be many artists who are also veterans.

All of the proceeds will be donated to various small veterans organizations.

Pricing

$5 donation is suggested to enter the exhibit.

Executive Chef David Blonsky of Bull & Bear is preparing a celebratory 4th of July BBQ menu for the nation's Independence Day. With it, they'll also offer "bearels" of beer, exciting new summer cocktails to freshen up the hot, humid summer days, and a fresh piece of watermelon with each dish.

The special menu features:

• Prickly pear BBQ pork tenderloin and summer slaw
• Chipotle BBQ chicken with smoked peprika potato salad
• Stocks n' Brats with caramalized onions
• B&BQ'd ribs and garlic lime scented grilled corn
• Wild boar burger with citrus slaw

Pair a plate with Blackberry Iced Tea or a Dragonberry Cooler Cocktail as a simple celebration of our nation's biggest holiday.

Bastille Day in Chicago

Brasserie JO pays homage to its French roots with a new menu for the weeks surrounding Bastille Day; the French Independence Day on July 14. 

Proprietor/Chef J. Joho has prepared several foods true to the French heart. They'll be on "Frenchie's Menu" July 4 through July 26.

The menu includes classically French items like Kidneys served with a mustard sauce and Alsace Knephla (a dumpling), Blood Sausage with sautéed apple and pomme puree, Sweetbreads and more.

On Bastille Day, Brasserie JO hosts “Frenchie’s” Fare and live gypsy-jazz music by Alfonso Ponticelli and Swing Gitan, setting the tones for a French summer evening from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.

The group plays the 1930s-style music of guitarist Django Reinhardt, known as “foot-tappin'” swing played on acoustic instruments. It's a blend of the jubilant swing of early jazz with the feisty passion of gypsy music, plus a strong dose of guitar pyrotechnics and virtuosic improvisation.

New Menu:

Brasserie JO Frenchie’s Menu

Blood Sausage, Pommes Purée, Apples and Onions
 
Boudin Blanc, Pommes Lyonnaise
 
Kidneys, Kneffla, Mustard Sauce

Calves Liver, Braised Onions, Pommes Purée, Madeira Sauce
 
Sautéed Sweetbreads, Crispy Macaroni, Mustard Sauce
 
Beef Tongue, Pommes Purée, Mustard Sauce

Enjoy the festivities of "National 40oz Week" in Chicago

The Fifty/50 will celebrate a patriotic beverage with "National 40oz
Week" running Monday, June 29 through Sunday, July 5 that's chock full of
drink and food specials, parties, and special events.
 
Known for its rotating 40oz of the week served in a brown paper bag and its
scratch-made comfort food, The Fifty/50 will feature a different 40oz-er
each day/night during "National 40oz Week" for just $5 (normally $8) and a
different entertaining event like the Colt 45 launch party, team trivia night, a
sit-down tasting dinner where each of the four courses are paired with
different sommelier selected 40oz pours, Cubs game specials, and a 4th of
July blowout party.
 
Malt liquor was created by Midwesterners in the late '30s shortly after the
Prohibition repeal that finally gave Americans access to a stronger brew for
less money. Malt liquor jumped into the America's consciousness in 70s
thanks to Redd Foxx as pitchman and appearances in blaxploitation films. In
the '80s, Billy Dee Williams made the 40oz an icon. The 40 was the rapper
beverage of choice in the early 90s. Present day, the malt liquor 40oz-er is
mainstay for college students and young professionals.
 
You can also check it all out at at The Fifty/50's website.
 

Monday June 29

4 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Colt 45 "Works Every Time" Launch Party @ 7 p.m.
$5 Colt 45 40oz-ers
Half off buffalo wings, the "Hell Burger", house-smoked pulled pork
sandwiches and Colt 45 merchandise giveaways.

Enjoy the festivities of "National 40oz Week" in Chicago

The Fifty/50 will celebrate a patriotic beverage with "National 40oz
Week" running Monday, June 29 through Sunday, July 5 that's chock full of
drink and food specials, parties, and special events.
 
Known for its rotating 40oz of the week served in a brown paper bag and its
scratch-made comfort food, The Fifty/50 will feature a different 40oz-er
each day/night during "National 40oz Week" for just $5 (normally $8) and a
different entertaining event like the Colt 45 launch party, team trivia night, a
sit-down tasting dinner where each of the four courses are paired with
different sommelier selected 40oz pours, Cubs game specials, and a 4th of
July blowout party.
 
Malt liquor was created by Midwesterners in the late '30s shortly after the
Prohibition repeal that finally gave Americans access to a stronger brew for
less money. Malt liquor jumped into the America's consciousness in 70s
thanks to Redd Foxx as pitchman and appearances in blaxploitation films. In
the '80s, Billy Dee Williams made the 40oz an icon.

You can also check it all out at at The Fifty/50's website.

Tuesday June 30

4 p.m. - 2 a.m.
40oz Team Trivia Night @ 7 p.m.
$5 Big Bear 40oz-ers
Half priced appetizers from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
40oz-themed trivia in basement lounge with prizes & giveaways.

Enjoy the festivities of "National 40oz Week" in Chicago

The Fifty/50 will celebrate a patriotic beverage with "National 40oz
Week" running Monday, June 29 through Sunday, July 5 that's chock full of
drink and food specials, parties, and special events.
 
Known for its rotating 40oz of the week served in a brown paper bag and its
scratch-made comfort food, The Fifty/50 will feature a different 40oz-er
each day/night during "National 40oz Week" for just $5 (normally $8) and a
different entertaining event like the Colt 45 launch party, team trivia night, a
sit-down tasting dinner where each of the four courses are paired with
different sommelier selected 40oz pours, Cubs game specials, and a 4th of
July blowout party.
 
Malt liquor was created by Midwesterners in the late '30s shortly after the
Prohibition repeal that finally gave Americans access to a stronger brew for
less money. Malt liquor jumped into the America's consciousness in 70s
thanks to Redd Foxx as pitchman and appearances in blaxploitation films. In
the '80s, Billy Dee Williams made the 40oz an icon. The 40 was the rapper
beverage of choice in the early 90s. Present day, the malt liquor 40oz-er is
mainstay for college students and young professionals.
 
You can also check it all out at at The Fifty/50's website.
 

Wednesday July 1

4 p.m. - 2 a.m.
4 Courses To Freedom 40oz Dinner @7 p.m.
$5 King Cobra 40oz-ers
4 course tasting menu (stuffed mushrooms, cheese fries, fried chicken, baby
back ribs w/ cornbread) paired with different 40oz pours selected by a
sommelier for $25. Only 50 tickets are available for this white-table clothed, communal-seated dinner.

Purchase tickets here.

Enjoy the festivities of "National 40oz Week" in Chicago

The Fifty/50 will celebrate a patriotic beverage with "National 40oz
Week" running Monday, June 29 through Sunday, July 5 that's chock full of
drink and food specials, parties, and special events.
 
Known for its rotating 40oz of the week served in a brown paper bag and its
scratch-made comfort food, The Fifty/50 will feature a different 40oz-er
each day/night during "National 40oz Week" for just $5 (normally $8) and a
different entertaining event like the Colt 45 launch party, team trivia night, a
sit-down tasting dinner where each of the four courses are paired with
different sommelier selected 40oz pours, Cubs game specials, and a 4th of
July blowout party.
 
Malt liquor was created by Midwesterners in the late '30s shortly after the
Prohibition repeal that finally gave Americans access to a stronger brew for
less money. Malt liquor jumped into the America's consciousness in 70s
thanks to Redd Foxx as pitchman and appearances in blaxploitation films. In
the '80s, Billy Dee Williams made the 40oz an icon. The 40 was the rapper
beverage of choice in the early 90s. Present day, the malt liquor 40oz-er is
mainstay for college students and young professionals.
 
You can also check it all out at at The Fifty/50's website.

Thursday July 2

4 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Old School Hip Hop Night @ 9 p.m.
$5 St Ides 40oz-ers
Proudly featuring the music of N.W.A., Snoop, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Eazy-E, and
everyone else that's sacrificed a lil' St. Ides for homeys no longer with us.

Enjoy the festivities of "National 40oz Week" in Chicago

The Fifty/50 will celebrate a patriotic beverage with "National 40oz
Week" running Monday, June 29 through Sunday, July 5 that's chock full of
drink and food specials, parties, and special events.
 
Known for its rotating 40oz of the week served in a brown paper bag and its
scratch-made comfort food, The Fifty/50 will feature a different 40oz-er
each day/night during "National 40oz Week" for just $5 (normally $8) and a
different entertaining event like the Colt 45 launch party, team trivia night, a
sit-down tasting dinner where each of the four courses are paired with
different sommelier selected 40oz pours, Cubs game specials, and a 4th of
July blowout party.
 
Malt liquor was created by Midwesterners in the late '30s shortly after the
Prohibition repeal that finally gave Americans access to a stronger brew for
less money. Malt liquor jumped into the America's consciousness in 70s
thanks to Redd Foxx as pitchman and appearances in blaxploitation films. In
the '80s, Billy Dee Williams made the 40oz an icon. The 40 was the rapper
beverage of choice in the early 90s. Present day, the malt liquor 40oz-er is
mainstay for college students and young professionals.
 
You can also check it all out at at The Fifty/50's website.

Friday July 3

noon - 2 a.m.
Cubs vs. 40oz Party @ Noon
$5 Mickey's 40oz-ers
Free Jameson-spiked Mickey's shots during the first inning of the Cubs vs.
Brewers game, $6 Mickey's Irish Car Bombs all game long, after-the-game
showing of the original Rocky in our basement lounge celebrating the O.G.
Mickey -- Mickey "You're gonna eat lightning, and you're gonna crap thunder" Goldmill

Enjoy the festivities of "National 40oz Week" in Chicago

The Fifty/50 will celebrate a patriotic beverage with "National 40oz
Week" running Monday, June 29 through Sunday, July 5 that's chock full of
drink and food specials, parties, and special events.
 
Known for its rotating 40oz of the week served in a brown paper bag and its
scratch-made comfort food, The Fifty/50 will feature a different 40oz-er
each day/night during "National 40oz Week" for just $5 (normally $8) and a
different entertaining event like the Colt 45 launch party, team trivia night, a
sit-down tasting dinner where each of the four courses are paired with
different sommelier selected 40oz pours, Cubs game specials, and a 4th of
July blowout party.
 
Malt liquor was created by Midwesterners in the late '30s shortly after the
Prohibition repeal that finally gave Americans access to a stronger brew for
less money. Malt liquor jumped into the America's consciousness in 70s
thanks to Redd Foxx as pitchman and appearances in blaxploitation films. In
the '80s, Billy Dee Williams made the 40oz an icon. The 40 was the rapper
beverage of choice in the early 90s. Present day, the malt liquor 40oz-er is
mainstay for college students and young professionals.
 
You can also check it all out at at The Fifty/50's website.

Saturday July 4

10 a.m. - 3 a.m.
Olde English Fourth of July Party All Day, All Night
$5 Olde English 40oz-ers
$5 Woodford Reserve Bourbon
Party hard while celebrating our independence from those Old English.

Enjoy the festivities of "National 40oz Week" in Chicago

The Fifty/50 will celebrate a patriotic beverage with "National 40oz
Week" running Monday, June 29 through Sunday, July 5 that's chock full of
drink and food specials, parties, and special events.
 
Known for its rotating 40oz of the week served in a brown paper bag and its
scratch-made comfort food, The Fifty/50 will feature a different 40oz-er
each day/night during "National 40oz Week" for just $5 (normally $8) and a
different entertaining event like the Colt 45 launch party, team trivia night, a
sit-down tasting dinner where each of the four courses are paired with
different sommelier selected 40oz pours, Cubs game specials, and a 4th of
July blowout party.
 
Malt liquor was created by Midwesterners in the late '30s shortly after the
Prohibition repeal that finally gave Americans access to a stronger brew for
less money. Malt liquor jumped into the America's consciousness in 70s
thanks to Redd Foxx as pitchman and appearances in blaxploitation films. In
the '80s, Billy Dee Williams made the 40oz an icon. The 40 was the rapper
beverage of choice in the early 90s. Present day, the malt liquor 40oz-er is
mainstay for college students and young professionals.
 
You can also check it all out at at The Fifty/50's website.

Sunday July 5

10 a.m. - 2 a.m.
Schlitz Hangover Day
$5 Schlitz 40oz-ers
$8 Schlitz infused "Wobble Stopper" Bloody Mary's, half off biscuits & gravy
and thick cut maple glazed bacon.

Daniel Burnham in the Phillippines at the Newberry Library

In the winter of 1904-1905, Chicago architect and future co-author of the Plan of Chicago Daniel Burnham traveled to the Philippines.  He had won a commission from the United States government to develop a new city plan for Manila, the capital of the Philippines, and to create a city plan for a completely new "summer capital," Baguio City, 155 miles to the north of Manila and 5,000 feet above sea level in the mountains of Luzon.  The United States gained possession of the Philippines in 1898 as part of its treaty with Spain at the end of the Spanish American War.  The US government in the Philippines determined to assert its authority over its new colony and hoped that Burnham's plans would set an appropriate imperial and at the same time, progressive, tone.  Burnham eagerly solicited the project and set out for Asia in October 1904.

This show places Burnham's visit to the Philippines in an historical context that reveals several, sometimes conflicting, processes at play.  First, Filipinos nationalists' ongoing struggle for Philippine independence, and second, the American's desire to assert control over its new colony politically, economically, and to some extent, culturally.  The Philippines Burnham encountered, and the plans he created, are the focus of this Spotlight Exhibition.

Newberry Library Book Fair

Celebrate 25 years of inexpensive used books at the Newberry's annual Book Fair. We have a record number of books to sell this year! More than 110,000 donated books will be sorted into 70 categories for your browsing convenience. With many books priced under $2, it's easy to replenish your home library's holdings on subjects ranging from antiques to zoology.

Admission is free.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Book Fair Preview Night for Associates of the Newberry Library
Thursday, July 23, 2009, from 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Friday, July 24, 2009, from 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 25, 2009, from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Enjoy the Bughouse Square Debates from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.)
Sunday, July 26, 2009, from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Half Price Day)

Newberry Library Bughouse Square Debates

Exercise your first-amendment rights and relive the days of soapbox oratory and public debates that immortalized Washington Square Park. Celebrate Chicago's long history as a hub of free speech with soap boxers and a compelling main debate.

Bring your loudest heckling voice, and get on the soapbox yourself. An open mic and musical entertainment complete the afternoon's participatory pleasures.

For gustatory delights, Chase Root Beer's hot dogs, fresh squeezed lemonade, and root beer floats are highly recommended. Prizes will be awarded to the best speakers and hecklers.

Admission is free. For more information, call 312-255-3700.

Millenium Park has four days of great entertainment featuring the best performers in Illinois. The festivities include dancing under the stars, concerts, awards, and fun.

The concerts take place at the Chase Promenade North in Millennium Park.

TIMES:

Fri 6:30-11 p.m.

Sat 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

Sun 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Mon 12 p.m.-8 p.m. 

Drury Lane Theatre Presents Hit Musical CABARET

Set in 1030's Berlin on New Years Eve, Cabaret is a provocative love story played out against the ominous threat of the Nazi rise to power. Based on Christopher Isherwood's novel "The Berlin Stories" and John Van Druten's play "I Am a Camera", Cabaret follows an English nightclub singer, an American writer, a German landlady and a Jewish shopkeeper who find their destinies linked and their futures uncertain on the eve of the Third Reich.

By turns defiant and melancholy, brazen and gleeful, Cabaret sizzles with show-stopping songs, including "Willkommen," "Don't Tell Mama" and the explosive title tune. Considered one of the defining musicals of the postwar era, Cabaret broke the musical mode with its highly "conceptualized" production. Cabaret won eight 1967 Tony Awards (including Best Musical and Best Score) and ran for 1,165 performances.

Drury Lane Oakbrook's production of Cabaret features an all-star cast, led by director and choreographer Jim Corti. The performance schedule is as follows: 

Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. ($29) Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. ($29) and 8 p.m. ($33), Fridays at 8:30 p.m. ($38), Saturdays at 5 p.m. ($38) and 8:30 p.m. ($38) and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. ($38) and 6 p.m. ($36).  Lunch and dinner theater packages range from $43.75 to $61 depending on the day of the week. 

For reservations, call (630) 530-0111 or visit here.

Season Opener at the Lookingglass Theatre

Lookingglass Theatre Company presents 'Fedra: Queen of Haiti,' written especially by its very own J. Nicole Brooks. This most recent rendering of the Phaedra myth takes it from its original setting in Greece to Haiti.

Fedra’s Haiti stands at the head of the known world, governed by a woman driven mad by power, lust, and unrequited love. Brooks’ fellow ensemble member Laura Eason directs this Lookingglass original production to open the theater’s 22nd season.

The show will run Oct. 11–Nov. 15, 2009, at the theater’s location on the Magnificent Mile across the street from the Old Chicago Water Tower. Check out the full calendar of Lookingglass events here: online calendar.

Rock Out Under the Arch with Sheryl Crow & Elvis Costello!

In honor of the 2009 MLB All-Star game coming to St. Louis, charmingly bespectacled crooner, Elvis Costello will join Missouri native, Sheryl Crow for a free concert under the Gateway Arch on Saturday, July 11th. The concert also recognizes the $1 million donation made by Major League Baseball to Stand Up to Cancer.

This incomparable musical pairing will culminate the first day of the All-Star FanFest and all the other All-Star festivites taking place all around town.

These musical all-stars will take the stage around 8 p.m., but prior to the concert, the St. Louis Cardinals @ Chicago Cubs game will be aired live under the Arch, beginning at 3 p.m.

All visitors will be screened at security checkpoints before entering.

24th Annual Irish Fest

The 24th annual Irish Fest is back and better than ever, now with new activities and contests, and over 40 celtic bands and performances.

The Irish American Heritage Center will kick off its 2009 fest this July 10, 11, and 12 at the Irish American Heritage Center. Showcasing the finest in local and International Irish and American music, dance, and family activities, this festival is dedicated to preserving Irish culture in Chicago.

The festival features three days of music on five stages, featuring bands like Gaelic Storm, The Tossers, Searson, Screaming Orphans, Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul, The Makem and Spain Brothers.

The Folk Tent will offer hands-on activities and demonstrations of Irish instruments, dances, and sing-alongs. New contests this year include the Hooley Hook-up - a matchmaking event - the mashed potato eating contest, and the sham-ROCK stars singing contest for ages 12-18 and an added adult category.

Grab a traditional Irish dish in between dances at one of the many food stands available throughout the weekend, or browse the dozens of artisan vendors, selling clothing, music, and jewelry.

Come on out and support the Irishman inside of you - tickets are $14 per day and $8 in advance until July 9. Seniors pay $7 and children under 12 are free with an adult.

Lake Michigan itself will be the stage August 21-22 when Chicago Shakespeare Theater hosts the French troupe Ilotopie's production, "Water Fools (Fous de bassin)."

Ilotopie uses "man, water, and fire"--and cars and invisible skiffs--to create an eerie image of our world on water. An enormous man-propelled hamster wheel glides over the water before bursting into flames. Fireworks burst form the lake to carnival tunes, tribal war beats, and rap. The troupe paints an at once amusing and unsettling absurdist picture of mankind's struggles.

Ilotopie has performed in various bodies of water worldwide, such as the Thames in London and the Seine in Paris. Here in Chicago, the spectacle will be staged off the east end of Navy Pier.

The showing is free to the public, but the $15 seating reservations may be a good idea considering that the production will only be showing for two days.

Check out the site for a preview of the performance here!

Shakespeare's Richard III tells of the end of the Wars of the Roses, the 30-year feud between the York and Lancaster families of 15th-century England.

The titular hunchback Richard III is as witty as he is villainous. Though the third son in the York line, he manages to steal the crown for himself, leaving a trail of trickery and murder in his wake--all while earning the audience's affection. 

But for all his cleverness, Richard doesn't know what to do with the crown once he has it.

This production of Richard III is directed by CST's prodigious director and artistic director, Barbara Gaines. The play marks the beginning of the Chicago Shakespeare Theater's 2009-2010 subscription series, which also includes Private Lives and The Taming of the Shrew.

Combine a cruel cafe-owner, her estranged husband, and a long-lost loveable hunchback, and you get "The Ballad of the Sad Cafe." This strange and grisly tale set in 1930s Georgia explores the question of whether it is "better to be the loved or the beloved."

Ronan Marra directs this stage production (based on Carson McCullers novella of the same name) to open the Signal Ensemble Theatre's seventh season.

The play runs approx. 105 minutes. 

The Field Museum presents an exhibit on the most vital substance on Earth: water. Through interactive dioramas, historical artifacts, and multimedia, visitors can explore how water and life impact each other. Learn how plants, animals, and humans adapt to different environments with and without water.

In this limited-time exhibit, visitors can gain a deeper appreciation for the liquid that sustains us.

FREE Evening of Latin-Inspired Dance and Music

Chicago's own Luna Negra Dance Theater is collaborating with Grant Park Music Festival and Brazilian singer Luciana Souza for a special evening of Latino-inspired dance, music and song.

The concert features the World Premiere of Bossa Nova by Eduardo Vilaro with live music by Luciana Souza and the Grant Park Orchestra. Also on the bill are excerpts from Luna Negra's acclaimed repertory.

The performance will be at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, between Michigan Ave. and Columbus Ave. at Washington St. on Wednesday, July 22 at 6:30 p.m. and Friday, July 24 at 6:30 p.m.

Celebrate a free night of Latino expression. For more info, click here.

FREE Evening of Latin-Inspired Dance and Song

Chicago's own Luna Negra Dance Theater is collaborating with Grant Park Music Festival and Brazilian singer Luciana Souza for a special evening of Latino-inspired dance, music and song.

The concert features the World Premiere of Bossa Nova by Eduardo Vilaro with live music by Luciana Souza and the Grant Park Orchestra. Also on the bill are excerpts from Luna Negra's acclaimed repertory.

The performance will be at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, between Michigan Ave. and Columbus Ave. at Washington St. on Wednesday, July 22 at 6:30 p.m. and Friday, July 24 at 6:30 p.m.

Celebrate a free night of Latino expression. For more info, click here.

Neighborhood Bash Kicks Off Labor Day Weekend

Bash on Wabash marks its sixth year as the South Loop's diverse block party. Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6, head over to the heart of the South Loop on Wabash Ave. (between 13th and 14th streets) and help kick off this vibrant festival.

Sample a wide variety of food choices from top area restaurants, beer and wine selections, and upscale arts and crafts as you enjoy live tunes from headliners like Sixteen Candles (Saturday) and Hairbangers Ball (Sunday), plus local acts - full entertainment lineup here.

So where does the corn come in? The bash offers plenty of "corn-centric" activities, like roasted corn vendors and an exciting Corn Bags Tournament throughout the weekend. The festival is sponsored by Budweiser and proceeds will benefit the Greater South Loop Association.

For more info, click here.

More about the South Loop neighborhood:

The South Loop area has experienced a remarkable 40% boost in population in the last ten years, and has the highest concentration of college coeds in the country.  The new neighborhood combines the history and grandeur of the Museum Campus, the natural beauty of the lakefront and Burnham Harbor, and the juxtaposition of old and new architecture at Soldier Field. The neighborhood has quickly become one of the city's most desirable areas to live - Mayor Daley, South Loop resident, would quickly agree.

The Jazz Showcase presents Conjunto led by James Sanders on the violin. The band has a disctinctive sound with blends of Afro Latin Jazz, covering music of Cuba, Puerto Rico and American Jazz.

Come for a night of jazzy entertainment.  There are two shows, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

The Velvet Lounge presents Conjunto led by James Sanders on the violin. The band has a disctinctive sound with blends of Afro Latin Jazz, covering music of Cuba, Puerto Rico and American Jazz.

Come for a night of jazzy entertainment. 

The Second City Launches Hilarious Historic Tours of Old Town 

The world-famous Second City Theatre presents "The Second City's Neighborhood Tour" - a humorous and historic walking tour of Chicago's Old Town neighborhood. The Second City has been a cornerstone of the Old Town neighborhood and now it's time to show off their home turf.

Written by Chicago guide and writer Margaret Hicks, the tour both entertains and highlights the architecture, history and development of Old Town. The tour also gives insider-info on Second City alumni haunts and the stories that go with them. 

The walking tour begins outside The Second City theatre (located on North Wells St.) and will wind its way through Old Town, ending inside The Second City theatre and giving patrons a chance to see the photo display, documenting 50 years of comedy.

The Giddy Details:

Tickets are $15 per person and may be purchased directly from The Second City box office at 1616 N. Wells St. To order by phone, call 312-337-3992

The tours are every Sunday and Wednesday at 4 p.m. and last from an hour and a half to two hours. Walking pace is suitable for all ages. Additional days and times are available for groups - call Jenna Altobelli at 312-664-4032 to request a special reservation.

This dynamic tour is in true Second City style - full of wit, intelligence, and fun. A must do.

Go behind the curtain at the Steppenwolf Theatre during its open house fundraiser on Saturday, October 10, at 7:00 pm. Featuring tours, a silent auction, and a raffle, this experience is a must for theatre-lovers.

Tickets are $250 per person. Cocktails will be served. 

For anyone who has ever wanted to learn Indian cooking, Klay Oven is providing the perfect opportunity. Enjoy a demonstration class on Saturday, August 9 at 1pm to prepare a delicious meal of vegetable fritters, chicken jalfrezi, and more.

The cost of the class is $30 and includes the class, lunch, and extra recipes.

This exhibit features the work of Auguste Rodin, one of the greatest sculptors in history. Organized by the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation, the exhibit includes numerous excerpts from Rodin's letters and writing on his work and art in general. Also included is an educational section that showcases the steps in the lost-wax casting process.

Artist-reporter Franklin McMahon's inside views of the Vatican II conference and other events are portrayed in his spectacular watercolors.

Celebrate the Land of the Rising Sun at the Missouri Botanical Garden

On Labor Day Weekend, the Missouri Botanical Garden's annual Japanese Festival will present taiko drumming, traditional tea ceremonies, martial arts demonstrations, candlelight walks in the Japanese Garden and much more.

One of St. Louis's most prized jewels, the Missouri Botanical Garden is a must stop spot during any trip to the Gateway City. The Japanese Garden, one of the many International Gardens that make up this lush urban oasis, is an ideal place to take a romantic stroll or bring the kids to feed the koi in the peaceful lake.

Hours:

Sept. 5 & 6, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Sept. 7, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Admission:

Adults (13-64) $15

Seniors $10

Children (3-12) $5

Macy's Glamorama 2009

Macy's will once again set the stage in style this summer with a fashion and entertainment extravaganza that fuses famed musical headliner Ne-Yo, with the latest in fashion couture. The popular music artist is known for hits such as So Sick, Closer, Because of You and Miss Independent.

The theme of the evening will be a blend of city sophisticate, punk princess and classic cowboy, so dress to impress. The fashion show takes place at the Chicago Theater, followed by the after party at Macy's on State Street, 7th floor.

Ticket prices range from $50-$1,000 and benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana.

To order, call Ticketmaster at 1.800.982.2787 or visit www.ticketmaster.com, or visit the Chicago Theater box office. Tickets ar also available through the Ronald McDonald House at 620.623.300 or visit www.rmhcchni.org for additional information.

Steppenwolf for Young Adults: The House on Mango Street

Steppenwolf for Young Adults opens its 2009-2010 season with The House on Mango Street, the first-ever theatrical adaptation of the classic book by Chicago-native Sandra Cisneros. The production celebrates the theater's partnership with the Chicago Public Library, which chose the book for its One Book, One Chicago program. 

The story tells of young Esperanza Cordero's adolescence in a Latino neighborhood in Chicago, with all the dreams, disappointments, and growth of adolescence.

Steppenwolf for Young Adults is primarily dedicated to performing for schools in the Chicago area and enhancing arts education. However, The House on Mango Street will be open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Witty, enlightening, and at times flat-out hilarious, this Lookingglass original's run has been extended yet again. The enthusiastic cast restores the age-old "Arabian Nights" with a new vibrance.

A must see before it ends on August 30, The Arabian Nights tells a range of stories--comedies, romances, and moral tales--framed within Scheherezade's plot to save her life. 

Pulitzer Prize finalist Dael Orlandsmith's Stoop Stories is coming to Chicago's Goodman Theatre after premiering in Washington, D.C. to wide acclaim. The one-woman show tells the stories of the people of Harlem, giving voice to a cross-section of characters, from Holocaust survivor to punk.

Stoop Stories begins at the not-for-profit Goodman Theatre on September 12. Tickets go on sale for $10-$40 from August 7 on the website, where you can also find the full lineup of shows for the 2009-2010 season.

Join Chicago suburban residents at the outdoor free concerts, Events in the Plaza, at Indepence Grove every Tuesday throughout the summer. These complimentary concerts are courtesy of sponsors like Great Lakes Credit Union, Lake County Journals and North Shore Gas.

Located in the center of the beautiful grounds of Independence Grove, the Plaza, is a round brick-laid garden in the center of the park; it overlooks the lake and the well-kept forest around it. Come for a free night of relaxation, musical enjoyment, and mingling all while enjoying a perfectly colorful sunset right over the glassy lake.

World Class Noise performs their rock'n soul/funk music that is sure to leave listeners wanting an encore. 

What to Bring: 

Fold-up chairs, snacks, beverages, and a date. These concerts are very family friendly.

Join Chicago suburban residents at the outdoor free concerts, Events in the Plaza, at Indepence Grove every Tuesday throughout the summer. These complimentary concerts are courtesy of sponsors like Great Lakes Credit Union, Lake County Journals and North Shore Gas.

Located in the center of the beautiful grounds of Independence Grove, the Plaza, is a round brick-laid garden in the center of the park; it overlooks the lake and the well-kept forest around it. Come for a free night of relaxation, musical enjoyment, and mingling all while enjoying a perfectly colorful sunset right over the glassy lake.

The global performers, 215 West, provide American entertainment from today's hits to classic favorites.

What to Bring: 

Fold-up chairs, snacks, beverages, and a date. These concerts are very family friendly. 

Concierge Tip: Arrive at least 45 minutes early to reserve your ideal spot it tends to fill up pretty fast. 

See Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning classic, "The Color Purple," in its theatrical adaptation September 2-6.

"The Musical about Love" tells the story of a woman, Celie, and how she overcomes incredible injustice in 1930s Georgia. Starring Fantasia Barrino, the winner of American Idol's third season, as Celie, the Oprah-produced show has been hailed as a must-see.

After opening to critical acclaim on Broadway, the Chicago run will be staged in the Arie Crown Theater on Lake Shore Drive.

Tour De France Wine Tasting Series

This Thursday, Bistro 110 (110 East Pearson) will continue the popular "Tour De France Wine Tasting Series with an adventure into the Loire Valley.

The soiree will take place on Bistro 110's newly opened "terrasse," where guests will enjoy cool wines from the Loire region, paired with bites created by Executive Chef Dominique Tougne.

Reservations are availalble but not required. Attendance is only $25 per person, including tax and gratuity. Reservations and questions may be directed to Bistro 110 at 312.266.3110.

New Series Launch

The Affinia Chicago Hotel (166 East Superior), in partnership with The City of Chicago and Navy Pier, announces the exciting launch of the all new Affinia Chicago "In the Know" Lecture Series, kicking off with "A Guide to Chicago Summer."

The City of Chicago's Tourism Director Dorothy Coyle and Navy Pier's Tourism Marketing Manager Katie McCarthy share their expert guidance, offering budget-friendly ways to make the most of the city's best season. All guests have the chance to win an array of exclusive prizes, including an overnight stay at the Affinia Chicago.

The event will take place in the Affinia Chicago's Superior Room on the second floor. Tickets are $20 per guest (including lecture, one complimentary cocktail and passed hors d'oeuvres) with portions of proceeds benefiting Children's Memorial Hospital. Reservations requires through intheknowchicago@affinia.com

"Spring Awakening," the acclaimed Broadway musical, is coming to Chicago's Oriental Theater and Ford Center for the Performing Arts this August. The 8-time Tony Award winning play is the coming-of-age story of three youths in 19th century Germany. Joy, struggles, sexual blossoming, and discovery all mark their paths to adulthood in a stifling society.

Tickets range from $25-$95.

For full information on this powerful play, please see the show's website or the theater's.

SLSO Presents The Blue Planet Live!

Join conductor Ward Stare and the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra at Powell Symphony Hall in Grand Center as they dive to great depths and explore the wonders of our planet's oceans. Remarkable film sequences from the BBC/Discovery Channel documentary series Blue Planet will be projected onto a giant screen while the Symphony performs George Fenton's Emmy Award-winning original score.

Tickets: $35-$80

Schedule:

Saturday, Sept. 19 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 20 2 p.m.

For more information, visit the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra Website.

Farm Aid Rocks St. Louis!

Neil Young, Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, Jason Mraz, Wilco and many, many others will bring Farm Aid to the Gateway City for the first time ever on Saturday, October 4th at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater. Join thousands as they "Keep America Growing" and celebrate music, family farmers and good food right here in the Heartland.

Tickets are available at livenation.com, the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater Box office, by callier (877) 598-8703, or at participating Blockbuster stores (visit livenation.com for list of locations).

Cost:

$39 for lawn

$44, $54 and $79 for seats

$169 for a limited number of premium seats

The Black Rep Presents Ragtime!

A co-production of the Black Rep and Washington Unversity's performing arts department, "Ragtime" is based on E.L. Doctorow's novel on the making of modern America. This musical favorite features a mixed cast of students and members of the Black Rep's ensemble.

Performances are held at the Edison Theatre on the Washington University campus.

Click here for ticket pricing and to purchase tickets.

The Horseshoe Casino welcomes the "Super Star" of Tunis (the Middle Eastern equivaent of "American Idol") on September 5. The singer began at the Tunis Musical Academy, training with some of the greatest names in Tunisian music.

You can hear Dahan perform for ticket prices of $30-50.

"The King of Taiwanese Rock," Wu Bai, is coming to the Horseshoe Hammond Casino on September 12.

Along with his band China Blue, Wu Bai is credited with popularizing concerts and guitar music in China. The Mandarin-language band has since performed to packed concert halls even in countries where Mandarin is not spoken.

It doesn't get much better than free music as the sun sets over the city, so join the MCA for live jazz on "Tuesdays on the Terrace," every Tuesday all summer. Hear a different artist each week, from Mike Reed to Steve Hashimoto.

As for dinner, you can bring a blanket and have a picnic with a bite off the gril. Or you can enjoy the Puck restaurant's dinner buffet, which rotates to bring you a different international theme each week. If you want a table, you may want to make a reservation at 312-397-4034. Soft drinks, wine, and coktails will be available, as well as a Creation Station for the kids.

Don't hesitate if it rains; the music will go on inside the museum.

Taste of the Nation

On Thursday, Aug. 13, Chicago's hottest chefs, restaurants and mixologists will come together to help the hungry. Taste of the Nation Chicago raises critical funds needed to support Share Our Strength's efforts to end childhood hunger.

More than 40 of the city's finest will participate, including Chef Chair Mindy Segal of Hot Chocolate, Michael Sheerin of Blackbird, Ryan Poli of Perennial, Bill Kim of Urban Belly, Paul Virant of Vie, Kristine Subido of Wave, Todd Stein of cibo matto and Michael Kornick of mk, among others.

Cocktails will be prepared by Chicago's hottest mixologists and an entire lounge dedicated to desserts will balance out the savory samplings.

The event will take place at the Ravenswood Billboard Factory (4025 N. Ravenswood)

Tickets are $150 for General Admission and $225 for VIP (includes and after party in the upstairs loft of the Billboard Factory) and can be purchased by calling 1.877.26.TASTE or visiting www.tasteofthenation.org/chicago

On August 6, Shanghai is coming to Ben Pao in the acrobatic form and style of Cirque Shanghai.

Ben Pao is celebrating the launch of their new regional Shanghai menu with the cocktail party and entertainment by Cirque Shanghai. There will be passed appetizers, such as xiao long bao (mini soup dumplings), braised pork and lotus buns, and Shanghai cocktails.

Enjoy all of this for the all-inclusive price of $20. Reservations are required, so please call 312-222-1888.

The Luna Negra Dance Theater celebrates its 10th Anniversary with Noche de Luna, a program of music and dance.

The night will feature some of the group's favorite pieces as well as a new program, and live Latin jazz by Paquito D'Rivera and Turtle Island Quartet. The performances will be held in the Harris Theater in honor of the theater's founder, Eduardo Vilaro, and will be followed by a gala reception in the Modern Wing of the Art Institute.

Tickets for the performance alone range from $25-$50, while tickets to both the performance and the gala range from $250 to $500.

Join the Luna Negra Theater for a night of contemporary dance on October 10, 2009. The fall program will be held at the Harris Theater and will feature original contemporary dances choreographed by theater founder Eduardo Vilaro, Annabelle Ochoa, and Alejandro Cervera. The performances range from "reflective and comical" to "sizzling," combining contemporary dance with the traditional styles of tango, mambo, and flamenco.

Tickets range from $25-$55. Please call the Harris Theatre Box Office at 312-334-7777 for more information.

This rock opera has been so popular that its run has been extended yet again until September 6. As if it weren't funny enough to begin with, the show has been updated to incorporate material from the superstar's latest antics and upcoming memoir, "The Governor." As further bonuses, you can enjoy drinks before the cabaret-style show and a 20-min. political improv segment afterwards.

Rod Blagojevich Superstar is the Second City's longest running production made in collaboration with the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. The show features all those Illinois politicos you know and (maybe don't) love: Roland Burris, Richard Mell, Blago himself, and more.

If the show's been so popular that Mr. Blagojevich himself felt compelled to guest-star on the show, don't you think it must be good?

Tickets are $25 and may be purchased online or by calling 312-595-5600.

Performances are at 7:30 pm on Thursdays and Fridays, 3:00 pm, 7:00 pm, and 9:30 pm on Saturdays, and 3:00 pm on Sundays. 

The Award-winning Mel Brooks's latest hit, "Young Frankenstein," is coming to Chicago on its national tour!

Based on the Oscar-nominated 1974 film, the rip-roaring musical tells the story of Frederick Frankenstein, the grandson of the infamous Doctor Victor Von Frankenstein. A respected brain surgeon and professor from New York, Frederick has spent his life trying to live down his grandfather's mad reputation, even going so far as to change the pronunciation of his name (it's "Fronk-en-steen," he insists).

However, when Frederick finds out that he's been bequeathed his grandfather's estate,he can't resist checking it out. So, its off to the Transylvanian castle and laboratory, where Frederick meets a whole cast of strange characters (as well as an attractive lab assistant) and gets in touch with his dark side when he reads his grandfather's old diary...

Things get messy, hairy, and monstrously hilarious when Frederick tries to recreate the original experiments.

Catch the show at the Cadillac Palace Theatre Nov. 3-Dec. 13. Tickets range from $30-$95 and may be purchased at all Broadway in Chicago Box Offices, by calling the Broadway in Chicago Ticket Line at 800-775-2000, on Ticketmaster, and online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com. For purchases of 20 tickets or more, please call 312-977-1710.

Galapalooza 2009

The thrid annual GALApalooza, benefiting Parkways Foundation, will be held on August 6th at 6 p.m. at the Petrillo Band Shell in Grant Park.

GALApalooza treats guests to an exclusive sneak preview of the transformation of Grant Park into the Lollapalooza venue in a lounge-like atmosphere.

Guests will enjoy an open air cocktail party with outdoor lounge seating, an intimate and creative dining experience, and a concert featuring Lollapalooza artist Vampire Weekend, Chicago sensation Hey Champ, DJ White Shadow and performances by Park District Kids.

 Tickets

Lounge experiences are available at the $2,500, $3,500 and $10,000 level and single tickets are available for $150.

To make reservations, please call Alison Krzys, Director of Communications for Parkways Foundation at: 312.742.4807 or visit www.parkways.org 

Hairspray Debuts at The Muny!

Watch the wacky mind of John Waters and some serious bouffants come to life when Hairspray takes over the Muny stage for the first time. The productions promises lots of big hair, boogying and bright, energetic dance numbers that you won't soon forget.

Click here to purchase tickets, or arrive by 7 p.m. and nab a seat in the 1,600+ free seats in the top tier. Best deal in town!

Bugsy, Beer and the Bottleworks

Join the folks at one of St. Louis' favorite micro-breweries for their "Strange Brew" series. The evening promises great brews on tap, yummy cuisine and a quirky showing of cult classic Bugsy Malone.

In Alan Parker's hoot of musical, Bugsy Malone (Scott Baio) and Tallulah (Jodi Foster) are child gangsters ready to do whatever it takes to rule prohibition-era New York City.

Admission: $4

For more information, click here.

CPS Shakespeare! Brings You A Midsummer Night's Dream

See the mischief and madness of Puck, Bottom & Co. in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream as performed by students and teachers from around Chicago. This production is part of the Chicago Shakespeare Theater's annual education program, CPS Shakespeare!, which brings together a team of CST artists and a talented group of Chicago Public School teachers and students for four weeks of intensive rehearsal.

Come check out the culmination of their hard work, adapted and directed by award-winning director Kirsten Kelly, returning for her fourth production with CPS Shakespeare!, a vital arts-in-education program for Chicago students. 

Held in the CST's Elizabethan-style Courtyard Theater at Navy Pier, this 60-minute adaptation will be followed by a 30-minute post-show discussion with the entire ensemble. Learn about what goes on behind the scenes and talk to some of the students about this hilarious production. Admission is $5, tickets can be purchased by calling 312.595.5600 or by visiting their website.

Celebrate Diversity in St. Louis!

Join in the multicultural celebration in the leafy urban setting that is Tower Grove Park on St. Louis's South Side.

Festivities will include traditional dance, music, ethnic food, cultural exhibits, folk art and an international market. Dine on Ethiopian injera while perusing the Isreali jewelry and getting down to the Ivorian drums.

Admission and entertainment are free.

To learn more about the Festival of Nations, click here.

The Chicago Shakespeare Theater and Grammy-nominated Chicago Chamber Musicians are collaborating to bring your family the beloved Peter and the Wolf. The concert, which features a specific instruments for each of the characters, is intended to introduce families with young children to the pleasures of live and classical music. You can meet the musicians in the lobby between shows and let the children ask them questions.

You can hear Peter and the Wolf Nov. 14-15 at the Chicago Shakespeare's Courtyard Theater. Tickets are available at the CST's website.

Chicago Chamber Choir-Hymns and Spirituals

The Chicago Chamber Choir presents “Hymns & Spirituals: Strength for the Journey” Saturday, October 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church, 600 W. Fullerton Pkwy., and Sunday, October 25 at 3 p.m. at Unity Lutheran Church, 1212 W. Balmoral, both in Chicago.      

Tickets for each concert program are $18 in advance, $20 at the door, and $15 for students and groups of 10 or more. Season subscriptions for all three concerts are $50 for adults, $40 for students. The CD Hymns & Spirituals: Strength for the Journey costs $15 and will be on sale at chicagochamberchoir.org and at CCC performances beginning Oct. 24. Tickets and information are available at chicagochamberchoir.org or 312-409-6890.

To learn more about Chicago music, check out Concierge Preferred's Ravinia Festival Guide.

Chants de Noël: A French Christmas

“Chants de Noël: A French Christmas” takes place Sunday, Dec. 13 at 3 p.m. at St. Pauls United Church of Christ, 2335 N. Orchard in Chicago, and Tuesday, Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at Music Institute of Chicago’s Nichols Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue in Evanston.       

Tickets for each concert program are $18 in advance, $20 at the door, and $15 for students and groups of 10 or more. Season subscriptions for all three concerts are $50 for adults, $40 for students. The CD Hymns & Spirituals: Strength for the Journey costs $15 and will be on sale at chicagochamberchoir.org and at CCC performances beginning October 24. Tickets and information are available at chicagochamberchoir.org or 312-409-6890.

To learn more about Chicago music, check out Concierge Preferred's Ravinia Festival Guide.

Grounded: Songs of Our Majestic Earth

Grounded: Songs of Our Majestic Earth” concludes the Chicago Chamber Choir's season Sunday, April 11 at 3 p.m. at Unity Lutheran Church; Saturday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church; and Sunday, April 18 at 3 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1509 Ridge Avenue in Evanston.

Tickets for each concert program are $18 in advance, $20 at the door, and $15 for students and groups of 10 or more. Season subscriptions for all three concerts are $50 for adults, $40 for students. The CD Hymns & Spirituals: Strength for the Journey costs $15 and will be on sale at chicagochamberchoir.org and at CCC performances beginning October 24. Tickets and information are available at chicagochamberchoir.org or 312-409-6890.

To learn more about Chicago music, check out Concierge Preferred's Ravinia Festival Guide.

Mikhail Baryshnikov at the Harris Theater

Hailed by The New York Times as “one of the greatest dancers in history,” ballet legend Mikhail Baryshnikov will perform the Chicago premiere of Three solos and a duet with dance partner and collaborator Ana Laguna. Baryshnikov will tour three solos and a duet throughout Europe this summer and the Harris Theater performances will be his only Midwest engagements along his fall tour. 

Friday, September 25, 2009 and Saturday, September 26, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, September 27, 2009 at 3 p.m.

Tickets: $55, $65, $75

For additional information or to purchase tickets, visit www.harristheaterchicago.org, call 312-334-7777 or visit Harris Theater Ticket Services at 205 E. Randolph Dr. Chicago, IL 60601.

To learn more about Chicago dance, check out Concierge Preferred's Chicago Ballet Guide.

Orquestra de São Paulo at the Harris Theater

This show will be Chicago premiere of the most outstanding orchestra in Latin America, Orquestra de São Paulo (OSESP), with world-renowned percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie, under the baton of young rising star conductor twenty-nine year old Kazem Abdullah, also making his Chicago debut.

The exciting, Latin-themed program at the Harris will feature the Chicago premiere of a new percussion concerto by Brazilian composer Marlos Nobre, commissioned by OSESP for Dame Glennie, as well as significant works by renowned Brazilian classical composers including Heitor Villa-Lobos and Camargo Guarnieri, and works of Maurice Ravel, Bela Bartok and Johannes Brahms.

For additional information or to purchase tickets, visit www.harristheaterchicago.org, call 312-334-7777 or visit Harris Theater Ticket Services at 205 E. Randolph Dr. Chicago, IL 60601.

Harris Theater-Classic Spirituals

Celebrate this holiday season with the Harris Theater debut of five-time Grammy Award-winning soprano Kathleen Battle, whose soaring voice is “without qualification, one of the very few most beautiful in the world” (The Washington Post). In this holiday program of inspired seasonal spirituals with Chicago Children’s Choir, the legendary Battle will perform her first-ever all spirituals program in Chicago.

For additional information or to purchase tickets, visit www.harristheaterchicago.org, call 312-334-7777 or visit Harris Theater Ticket Services at 205 E. Randolph Dr. Chicago, IL 60601.

$5 Lunchtime Dance Performances Harris Theater for Music and Dance

The Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park is pleased to announce an exciting new lunchtime performance series, Eat to the Beat, kicking off this September. This season the Harris' Eat to the Beat series will feature three unique midday dance programs with DanceWorks Chicago and live music by Chicago's folk trio Sons of the Never Wrong and human beatboxer Yuri Lane.

Tickets are just $5 each or only $10 for a subscription to all three performances. Bring your lunch or purchase a box lunch in advance of the performance and munch to the movement during the show! Mark your calendars now and bag your usual lunch routine with Eat to the Beat at the Harris!

For additional information or to purchase tickets to the Harris Theater's Eat to the Beat series, visit www.harristheaterchicago.org/current, call 312-334-7777 or visit Harris Theater Ticket Services at 205 E. Randolph Dr. Chicago, IL 60601.

September 15, 2009, November 17, 2009 and February 23, 2010

To learn more about Chicago dance, check out Concierge Preferred's Contemporary Dance Guide.

Whether you're with a group of friends, family or a significant other, Jazzin' at the Shedd is the perfect way to spend an evening of music combined with the opportunity to puruse the museum after hours.

 Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children. Food and beverage will be available for purchase.

For more information, please call 312-692-3373 or visit www.sheddaquarium.org.

Whether you're with a group of friends, family or a significant other, Jazzin' at the Shedd is the perfect way to spend an evening of music combined with the opportunity to puruse the museum after hours.

 Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children. Food and beverage will be available for purchase.

For more information, please call 312-692-3373 or visit www.sheddaquarium.org.

Where For Art Thou, St. Louis?

In its 16th year, the Saint Louis Art Fair in Clayton will feature a huge variety of artistic mediums from countless artists, live music & entertainment, and food from some of the finest and tastiest restaurants in St. Louis.

Lining the streets of toney Clayton, The Saint Louis Art Fair is a free event and is considered one of the best art fairs in the U.S. 

For more information on this event, click here.

Take a bite out of St. Louis! 

Featuring food from more than 40 St. Louis restaurants, the Taste of St. Louis is a can't miss, free event in the heart of downtown St. Louis.

Nibble on tasty bites from some of St. Louis' most beloved eateries, enjoy the live music and entertainment, and take in the beautiful view of the Arch during this fantastic autumn festival.

While admission is free to attend this event, there is a small price to sample the culinary creations.

For more information and a list of participating restaurants, click here.

Mucho Fun at the Hispanic Festival!

Enjoy live Latino bands, authentic cuisine, margaritas, folkloric performances and hispanic arts & crafts at the 2009 Greater St. Louis Hispanic Festival at Soldiers Memorial park.

Taking place in the center of downtown St. Louis, this event is free to the public. For more information, click here.

A Spoonful of Mary Poppins on Stage!

The world's most famous nanny has taken to the Fabulous Fox stage. From London to Broadway to St. Louis, Mary Poppins is a hit with theater goers of all ages. Witness the magic now through August 30 and enjoy such hits as "A Spoonful of Sugar" and "Chim Chim Cher-ee."

It's as supercalifragilisticexpialidocious as you might expect! 

Tickets Pricing: $28-$70

Showtimes:

Tues.-Fri. 8 p.m.

Sat., 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.

Sun., 1 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.

Thurs. Aug. 27 at 1 p.m.

For more information on "Mary Poppins" and other events at the Fox Theatre, click here.

The Phantom of the Opera is Here!

There's nothing quite like seeing the Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera" at the Fox Theatre. The lavish sets, stunning costumes, wonderous special effects, not to mention the unparalleled drama and romance will come to St. Louis from September 30-October 25.

Tickets: $28-$75

Showtimes:

Tues.-Fri., 8 p.m.

Sat., 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.

Sun., 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

For more information on the "Phantom of the Opera" or other Fox Theatre events, click here.

The Viva Chicago Latin Music Festival is considered one of the largest of its kind in the Midwest. The festival showcases local, national and international talent in the various Latin music genres that include salsa, reggaeton, mariachi, norteña, Spanish pop y más, many performed by Grammy award winners and nominees.

For more information visit www.vivachicago.us or call 312-744-337.

The Common Threads New Associate Board will host the first annual Common Threads World Cookout on Thursday September 17th at Fulton's on the River.

Guests will attend an exclusive taste fest from some of Chicago's top culinary masters, including Stephanie Izard, Top Chef Season 4; Gale Gand, TRU; Toni Roberts, C-House and Dominique Tougne, Bistro 110, among several others.

Tickets:

General Admission - $75

VIP- $150, which also include a VIP reception at 5:30 and an after party at Jake Melnick's Corner Tap (ending at Midnight.)

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.commonthreads.org or call/email JennyPinto at 312-329-2501 x207 or Jennifer@commonthreads.org. 

Let's Go Fly a Kite with Mary Poppins! 

The world's most beloved nanny has arrived in St. Louis. Currently in its last week on the Fabulous Fox stage, Mary Poppins has traveled from London to Broadway to St. Louis to delight audiences with such classics as a "Spoonful of Sugar," "Chim Chim Cher-ee," and, of course, "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!"

Showtimes:

Tues.-Wed. 8 p.m.

Thurs. 1 p.m. & 8 p.m.

Fri. 8 p.m.

Sat. 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.

Sun. 1 p.m.

Ticket Cost: $28-$75

Buy your tickets now to get your own spoonful of Mary Poppins.

For more information on Mary Poppins and upcoming shows at the Fox Theatre, click here.

For One Night Only . . .

A recent finalist on Bravo's "Top Chef Masters," celebrity chef, Hubert Keller of SLeeK will prepare a menu featuring all of the incredible dishes he concoted on the T.V. show.  

Some of the dishes include Lobster Macaroni & Cheese, Scottish Salmon Souffle and a trio of white gazpacho with vanilla oil. To view the evening's full menu, click here.

Keller will also be in house on Friday night, so this would be your chance to meet him and ask him questions about his cuisine and the show. Get in while the tasting is good!

For reservations (which promise to go fast), call 314-621-9590.

See 18-year-old guitar virtuoso Tyler Bryant performing on the Back Porch Stage at the House of Blues. Bryant is renowned for his guitar chops, having won the Robert Johnson Foundation's New Generation Award and performed at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival in Chicago in 2007.

The show is $11 at the door; $9 ahead of time. 21-and-up only.

Fine Arts Fest on Main Street

This highly accessible festival for the arts features all mediums, from scultpture to jewelry. Amble several cobblestone blocks of historic Main Street, perusing works from approximately 125 artists and sampling the cuisine from serveral local eateries.

In addition to the incredible artwork and food, there will be a steady showcase of live entertainment throughout the weekend.

For more information, click here.

Free Outdoor Concert  in Forest Park

Twilight Tuesdays is a concert series, which takes place outside the beautiful History Museum. Seats are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, but all are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs.

Children's activities will take place from 6 p.m. through intermission. Picnics are welcome, but food and drink will also be available for purchase.

Denise Thimes, one of St. Louis' most treasured jazz singers brings her musical gifts to the Twilight Tuesday stage on the evening of September 1.

Free Outdoor Concert in Forest Park 

Twilight Tuesdays is a concert series, which takes place outside the beautiful History Museum. Seats are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, but all are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs.

Children's activities will take place from 6 p.m. through intermission. Picnics are welcome, but food and drink will also be available for purchase.

The Rhythm Rockers will bring groovin' rock 'n' roll and feel good music from the past 50 years to the Twilight Tuesday stage on the evening of September 8.

Van Gogh's Vision at the OMNIMAX

Seen for the first time in the OMNIMAX Theater format, Van Gogh: Brush With Genius is a must see. Experience the extraordinary colors and passionate brushwork of Vincent Van Gogh's life journey through his letters, visit the landscapes that inpired him and discover a Van Gogh you never knew before.

For showtimes, click here.

Tickets: 

Adults: $8

Child/Senior: $7

There Will Be Dancin' in the Street!

Serving as the opening celebration for the Grand Art District's fall arts season, this festival will feature 50 dance companies performing a variety of dance styles. From ballet to belly to hip hop, this free event promises to keep not only the dancers, but the crowd on their toes with a surprise performance that includes audience participation.

Dance instructions will also be offered throughout the festival, including the Bollywood dance to the Oscar-winning Hindi song "Jai Ho," made popular in the closing scene of Slumdog Millionaire.

Food and beverages will also be sold by District restaurants and street vendors.

For more information on Dancing in the Street Festival, click here.

Chicago Jazz Festival

A free event, Chicago's longest running jazz festival which traditionally takes place on Labor Day weekend. 

Experience new jazz at the Chicago Community Trust Young Jazz Lions Stage, which features high school and college bands.

If you're looking for old school, tributes to Benny Goodman and Art Tatum, along with rare appearances by Bob Seely and Bob Baldori provide the jazz experience of days gone by.  

Click here for the full schedule.

Chicago Jazz Festival

A free event, Chicago's longest running jazz festival which traditionally takes place on Labor Day weekend. 

Experience new jazz at the Chicago Community Trust Young Jazz Lions Stage, which features high school and college bands.

If you're looking for old school, tributes to Benny Goodman and Art Tatum, along with rare appearances by Bob Seely and Bob Baldori provide the jazz experience of days gone by.  

Click here for the full schedule.

Chicago Jazz Festival

A free event, Chicago's longest running jazz festival which traditionally takes place on Labor Day weekend. 

Experience new jazz at the Chicago Community Trust Young Jazz Lions Stage, which features high school and college bands.

If you're looking for old school, tributes to Benny Goodman and Art Tatum, along with rare appearances by Bob Seely and Bob Baldori provide the jazz experience of days gone by.  

Click here for the full schedule.

Audrey Niffenegger (The Time Traveler’s Wife) and Aleksandar Hemon (The Lazarus Project) at the Chicago Cultural Center

London-based Granta Magazine’s week-long celebration of its all-Chicago issue kicks off with Audrey Niffenegger, author of the best-selling The Time Traveler’s Wife, now a major motion picture, and Aleksandar Hemon, MacArthur fellow and National Book Award Finalist for The Lazarus Project, discussing how artists and writers from around the world represent Chicago in their work. Chicago Public Radio’s Steve Edwards moderates.

Granta magazine’s special Chicago issue features new essays, stories, art and poems about Chicago by 28 acclaimed authors and artists including Sandra Cisneros, Don DeLillo, Stuart Dybek, Aleksandar Hemon, Alex Kotlowitz, George Saunders, Elaine Showalter, Wole Soyinka and Chris Ware.

This is only the second time in its history that Granta, founded 120 years ago at Cambridge University, has devoted an entire issue to a single city.

Audience members are invited to join panelists and some of the other 28 contributors to Granta’s special Chicago issue for a reception after the discussion.

To learn more about the Chicago Cultural Center, check out Concierge Preferred's Chicago Cultural Center Guide.

 

The festival provides an opportunity to sample from more than 250 wines from around the world. Enjoy wine seminars, cooking demonstrations and local music talent daily.

Don't worry about getting the munchies. Enjoy food from some of Chicago's finest restaurants and caterers.

TICKETS: For additional information such as event schedule and to purchase tickets, visit http://www.windycitywinefestival.com .

An introductory class demystifying some common wine misconceptions and covering th basics of wine: What wine is and how it is made; how to taste wine rather than just "drink" it.

Class costs $36 and can be purchased online at http://www.bin36.com

Explore "wine speak!" Can you tell the difference between thin and fat wine? How about round and luscious? This class will help define the language used to describe wine.

 Tickets are $36 and can be purchased at www.bin36.com

Unbeatable!: A Presription for Living... 

Unbeatable! is a new musical that weaves drama and side-splitting comedy in an original and energetic way. Inspired by a true story, Unbeatable! chronicles the journey of a woman diagnosed with stage three breast cancer and the subsequent examining of her life and past choices.

A dynamic and emotional theatre experience awaits during the five week run of Unbeatable! at The Playhouse at Westport. 

Showtimes:

Wed., Thurs., Fri.  7:30 p.m.

Sat.  2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Sun.  2 p.m.

For more information on Unbeatable! and The Playhouse at Westport, click here.

Back the Bid-Chicago 2016

Show your support for Chicago 2016 on Sunday Sept. 13 at the
Chicago Architecture Foundation.

Enjoy an Olympic bus tour for just $20.16. See proposed Olympic and Paralympic venues such as Washington Park, the Olympic Village, and harbors plus all the exciting regular "Highlights by Bus" neighborhoods tour. Departs at 9:30 a.m.

Bring your family to the Chicago Architecture Foundation for free family activities from 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Learn more about plans for the 2016 Olympics at a "Chicago Model City" gallery talk emphasizing the proposed sites of the Olympic and Paralympic venues. Gallery talks will be given at 2 and 2:30 p.m.

Buy specially priced Burnham Centennial mug and T-shirt for $20.16 at the Chicago Architecture Foundation shop while supplies last.

Check out the Back the Bid activities at The Art Institute of Chicago and Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Each also offering unique “2016” activities for Sunday, Sept. 13.

7th Annual Renegade Craft Fair

At the 7th Annual Renegade Art Fair in Wicker Park, you'll find an incredible selection of unique, handmade products brought to you by over 300 artists from all over the country. Set up along Division St. (between Damen and Paulina), you can spend hours browsing through clothing, accessories, stationery, concert posters, bath products, ceramics, house wares... Needless to say, if someone's making it, they're probably selling it at this once-a-year Chicago craft spectacle.

Win prizes at one of the free raffles, try your hand at the Spins & Needles interactive booth for all the DIY fun you'll need, and have your photo taken, free of charge, at the Magnolia Photo Booth.

As you stroll through this extensive event, enjoy live entertainment and delicious food options. Chow down at the MANA Food Bar and Big Bite Catering, and don't miss Chicago's South Shore Drill Team, who will perform Saturday at 1:00 pm, and be sure to check out Black Bear Combo, who will be playing their way through this extensive fair beginning Sunday at 1:00 pm.

7th Annual Renegade Craft Fair

At the 7th Annual Renegade Art Fair in Wicker Park, you'll find an incredible selection of unique, handmade products brought to you by over 300 artists from all over the country. Set up along Division St. (between Damen and Paulina), you can spend hours browsing through clothing, accessories, stationery, concert posters, bath products, ceramics, house wares... Needless to say, if someone's making it, they're probably selling it at this once-a-year Chicago craft spectacle.

Win prizes at one of the free raffles, try your hand at the Spins & Needles interactive booth for all the DIY fun you'll need, and have your photo taken, free of charge, at the Magnolia Photo Booth.

As you stroll through this extensive event, enjoy live entertainment and delicious food options. Chow down at the MANA Food Bar and Big Bite Catering, and don't miss Chicago's South Shore Drill Team, who will perform Saturday at 1:00 pm, and be sure to check out Black Bear Combo, who will be playing their way through this extensive fair beginning Sunday at 1:00 pm.

American Buffalo at Steppenwolf

Steppenwolf Theatre Company continues its 2009-2010 season, an exploration of the theme of belief, with "American Buffalo" by David Mamet, directed by ensemble member Amy Morton. "American Buffalo" features ensemble members Francis Guinan and Tracy Letts with Patrick Andrews.

In a cluttered, run-down Chicago junk shop, three small-time crooks plot to steal a valuable buffalo nickel. As the heist unravels, the men’s frustration and paranoia intensify. Ensemble member Amy Morton directs this groundbreaking American play that weaves humor and menace throughout an emotionally charged struggle for identity and dominance.

Opening:  Sunday, December 13 at 6:00 p.m.
Regular Run:  December 15, 2009 – February 7, 200
Curtain Times:  Tuesdays through Sundays at 7:30 p.m.
(Sunday evening performances through January 10 only)
Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m.
Wednesday matinees on January 13, 20 & 27 and February 3 at 2 p.m.

Previews: $20-$53
Regular Run: $20-$77

Twenty $20 tickets are available at Audience Services beginning at 11 a.m. on the day of each performance (1 p.m. for Sunday performances). Half-price rush tickets are available one hour before each show. Student discounts available.

The RACHEL ROY COLLECTION is a Macy's exclusive! Call it the rebirth of cool. Pairing of opposites, the contrast of downtown and uptown.

Join the team at Macy's on State Street when Rachel Roy personally introduces her new collection!

The Naperville Wine Festival showcases over 250 wines from around the world, food vendors. cooking and tasting demonstrations, and musical entertainment,  all in the historic environment of Napersettlement.

Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door and include access to all activities (food is a separate cost.) A portion of the proceeds benefit the Naperville Humane Society and Naper Settlement.

For the complete event/demonstration schedule, including hours and to purchase tickets, visit www.napervillewinefestival.com.

You can also read more about the fest in our blog!

Guided Tour of River North Art Galleries

Meet at 750 N. Franklin Street to join in on this free, guided tour of River North's gallery district, brought to you by the Art Dealers Association of Chicago (CADA). This informational tour will visit the following galleries: 

Ken Saunders Gallery 

Schneider Gallery

Jean Albano Gallery 

Perimeter Gallery

Visit the CADA website for further information and galleries on tour, or call 312.649.0065.

Guided Tour of River North Art Galleries

Meet at 750 N. Franklin Street to join in on this free, guided tour of River North's gallery district, brought to you by the Art Dealers Association of Chicago (CADA). This informational tour will visit the following galleries: 

Roy Boyd Gallery

Catherine Edeleman Gallery

Ann Nathan Gallery

Printworks Gallery

Visit the CADA website for further information and galleries on tour, or call 312.649.0065.

Guided Tour of River North Art Galleries

Come celebrate Chicago Artist Month with a free, guided tour of River North's gallery district. Meet at 750 N. Franklin Street to join in on this visit, a learn about the following galleries:

Addington Gallery

Byron Roche Gallery 

Judy A. Saslow Gallery 

Carl Hammer Gallery

Visit the CADA website for further information and galleries on tour, or call 312.649.0065.

Guided Tour of River North Art Galleries

Meet at 750 N. Franklin Street to join in on this free, guided tour of River North's gallery district, brought to you by the Art Dealers Association of Chicago (CADA). This informational tour will visit the following galleries: 

Perimeter Gallery

Melanee Cooper Gallery

Russell Bowman Art Advisory

Habatat Galleries

Visit the CADA website for further information and galleries on tour, or call 312.649.0065.

Guided Tour of River North Art Galleries

Meet at 750 N. Franklin Street to join in on this free, guided tour of River North's gallery district, brought to you by the Art Dealers Association of Chicago (CADA). This informational tour will visit the following galleries: 

Schneider Gallery

Andrew Bae Gallery

Stephen Daiter Gallery

Jean Albano Gallery

Visit the CADA website for further information and galleries on tour, or call 312.649.0065.

World's Stage Series at Chicago Shakespeare Theater: The Walworth Farce

If all the world's a stage, you can see a fair amount of it at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater through their World's Stage Series, a passport for Chicago theater-lovers that has brought 26 international productions here to Chicago from all over the world. 

Next they welcome Irish theater company Druid, one of Ireland's premier theater companies, for the second of three productions set for 2009-2010. This renowned Irish theater company first caught America's attention with their production of Martin McDonagh's The Beauty Queen of Leenane, winning four Tony Awards in 1998. 

In this, their latest American venture, they will take on The Walworth Farce by award-winning playwright Enda Walsh. Winner of the Edinburgh Fringe First Award in 2007, the play is both outrageously funny and inevitably poignant, following a day in the life of a father and his two adult sons in their London flat. It's not often you'd pair hilarious and tragic, but this social commentary/ludicrous farce is just that.

This show has a limited run from October 28-November 1, in the theater Upstairs at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Tickets are $46-$56. Purchase your tickets by calling 312.595.5600, or visit www.chicagoshakes.com.

World's Stage Series at Chicago Shakespeare Theater: The Walworth Farce

If all the world's a stage, you can see a fair amount of it at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater through their World's Stage Series, a passport for Chicago theater-lovers that has brought 26 international productions here to Chicago from all over the world. 

Next they welcome Irish theater company Druid, one of Ireland's premier theater companies, for the second of three productions set for 2009-2010. This renowned Irish theater company first caught America's attention with their production of Martin McDonagh's The Beauty Queen of Leenane, winning four Tony Awards in 1998. 

In this, their latest American venture, they will take on The Walworth Farce by award-winning playwright Enda Walsh. Winner of the Edinburgh Fringe First Award in 2007, the play is both outrageously funny and inevitably poignant, following a day in the life of a father and his two adult sons in their London flat. It's not often you'd pair hilarious and tragic, but this social commentary/ludicrous farce is just that.

This show has a limited run from October 28-November 1, in the theater Upstairs at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Tickets are $46-$56. Purchase your tickets by calling 312.595.5600, or visit www.chicagoshakes.com.

World's Stage Series at Chicago Shakespeare Theater: The Walworth Farce

If all the world's a stage, you can see a fair amount of it at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater through their World's Stage Series, a passport for Chicago theater-lovers that has brought 26 international productions here to Chicago from all over the world. 

Next they welcome Irish theater company Druid, one of Ireland's premier theater companies, for the second of three productions set for 2009-2010. This renowned Irish theater company first caught America's attention with their production of Martin McDonagh's The Beauty Queen of Leenane, winning four Tony Awards in 1998. 

In this, their latest American venture, they will take on The Walworth Farce by award-winning playwright Enda Walsh. Winner of the Edinburgh Fringe First Award in 2007, the play is both outrageously funny and inevitably poignant, following a day in the life of a father and his two adult sons in their London flat. It's not often you'd pair hilarious and tragic, but this social commentary/ludicrous farce is just that.

This show has a limited run from October 28-November 1, in the theater Upstairs at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Tickets are $46-$56. Purchase your tickets by calling 312.595.5600, or visit www.chicagoshakes.com.

World's Stage Series at Chicago Shakespeare Theater: The Walworth Farce

If all the world's a stage, you can see a fair amount of it at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater through their World's Stage Series, a passport for Chicago theater-lovers that has brought 26 international productions here to Chicago from all over the world. 

Next they welcome Irish theater company Druid, one of Ireland's premier theater companies, for the second of three productions set for 2009-2010. This renowned Irish theater company first caught America's attention with their production of Martin McDonagh's The Beauty Queen of Leenane, winning four Tony Awards in 1998. 

In this, their latest American venture, they will take on The Walworth Farce by award-winning playwright Enda Walsh. Winner of the Edinburgh Fringe First Award in 2007, the play is both outrageously funny and inevitably poignant, following a day in the life of a father and his two adult sons in their London flat. It's not often you'd pair hilarious and tragic, but this social commentary/ludicrous farce is just that.

This show has a limited run from October 28-November 1, in the theater Upstairs at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Tickets are $46-$56. Purchase your tickets by calling 312.595.5600, or visit www.chicagoshakes.com.

World's Stage Series at Chicago Shakespeare Theater: The Walworth Farce

If all the world's a stage, you can see a fair amount of it at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater through their World's Stage Series, a passport for Chicago theater-lovers that has brought 26 international productions here to Chicago from all over the world. 

Next they welcome Irish theater company Druid, one of Ireland's premier theater companies, for the second of three productions set for 2009-2010. This renowned Irish theater company first caught America's attention with their production of Martin McDonagh's The Beauty Queen of Leenane, winning four Tony Awards in 1998. 

In this, their latest American venture, they will take on The Walworth Farce by award-winning playwright Enda Walsh. Winner of the Edinburgh Fringe First Award in 2007, the play is both outrageously funny and inevitably poignant, following a day in the life of a father and his two adult sons in their London flat. It's not often you'd pair hilarious and tragic, but this social commentary/ludicrous farce is just that.

This show has a limited run from October 28-November 1, in the theater Upstairs at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Tickets are $46-$56. Purchase your tickets by calling 312.595.5600, or visit www.chicagoshakes.com.

World's Stage Series at Chicago Shakespeare Theater: The Walworth Farce

If all the world's a stage, you can see a fair amount of it at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater through their World's Stage Series, a passport for Chicago theater-lovers that has brought 26 international productions here to Chicago from all over the world. 

Next they welcome Irish theater company Druid, one of Ireland's premier theater companies, for the second of three productions set for 2009-2010. This renowned Irish theater company first caught America's attention with their production of Martin McDonagh's The Beauty Queen of Leenane, winning four Tony Awards in 1998. 

In this, their latest American venture, they will take on The Walworth Farce by award-winning playwright Enda Walsh. Winner of the Edinburgh Fringe First Award in 2007, the play is both outrageously funny and inevitably poignant, following a day in the life of a father and his two adult sons in their London flat. It's not often you'd pair hilarious and tragic, but this social commentary/ludicrous farce is just that.

This show has a limited run from October 28-November 1, in the theater Upstairs at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Tickets are $46-$56. Purchase your tickets by calling 312.595.5600, or visit www.chicagoshakes.com.

CPS Shakespeare! Brings You A Midsummer Night's Dream

See the mischief and madness of Puck, Bottom & Co. in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream as performed by students and teachers from around Chicago. This production is part of the Chicago Shakespeare Theater's annual education program, CPS Shakespeare!, which brings together a team of CST artists and a talented group of Chicago Public School teachers and students for four weeks of intensive rehearsal.

Come check out the culmination of their hard work, adapted and directed by award-winning director Kirsten Kelly, returning for her fourth production with CPS Shakespeare!, a vital arts-in-education program for Chicago students. 

Held in the CST's Elizabethan-style Courtyard Theater at Navy Pier, this 60-minute adaptation will be followed by a 30-minute post-show discussion with the entire ensemble. Learn about what goes on behind the scenes and talk to some of the students about this hilarious production. Admission is $5, tickets can be purchased by calling 312.595.5600 or by visiting their website.

The Drake Hotel and The Chicago Cabaret Project present Le Vie Paris Show, a One Night Performance Only.

La Vie Paris is a concept show written by Artistic Director Kyle Hustedt, about　four strangers living their lives in Paris. In different stages of their lives, they evolve as friends and sing the same message.　Through comedy, movement and voice, a story is told, and the lifestyle of "The French" is shown.　 Emceed by the Famous & Talented Honey West.

Tickets will be $15.00 per person. Inquiries, please call Shaun Rajah at 312 932 4619, Shaun.Rajah@hilton.com . Tickets can be purchased directly at: www.buytix.net

2009 Fall Arts Festival in Wicker Park

Around the Coyote, a non-profit supporting Chicago's multidisciplinary art community, presents the 2009 Fall Arts Festival in Wicker Park. This weekend-long event will feature the work of over 100 different Chicago artists specializing in every media - from the visual arts to poetry, music, and film.

The 2009 Fall Festival takes place at 3 different venues around Wicker Park: 1817 W. Division St., 1275 N. Milwaukee Ave., and 1240 N. Milwaukee Ave., often inhabiting vacant storefronts and other forgotten spaces. Meet the artists, learn about their work, and become a part of this thriving Wicker Park scene. 

On Friday, October 16, there will be an opening night party from 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. On Saturday, October 17, all three venues will be open from noon-10:00 p.m., and on Sunday, October 18 from noon-6:00 p.m. Visit their website for further information and to purchase tickets.

Rhapsody In Green

The 18th annual Green Tie Ball will take place at the Chicago Illuminating Company in the South Loop. The evening promises lively entertainment, casino-style gambling, several tasting stations from Chicago's top restaurants, premium cocktails and a silent auction.

Tickets: www.gatewaygreen.org

General Admission: $150

VIP: $225, which includes a pre-party at 6:30, private bars, VIP room, lavish dessert buffet and a live auction.

All ticket holders are welcome to attend the after-party at the Underground. Green Tie will provide complimentary trolley service from the event.

James Castle Retrospective Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago hosts the first comprehensive museum exhibition of art by James Castle (1899-1977), one of the most enigmatic and extraordinary self-taught artists to emerge in the United States during the 20th century.

James Castle: A Retrospective -- on view in the Jean and Steven Goldman Prints and Drawings Galleries in the Richard and Mary L. Gray Wing of the Art Institute (G124-127) -- examines the full range of the artist's work, bringing together more than 200 drawings, books, and constructions from across the United States. This exhibition marks the largest presentation of Castle's work ever to be seen in Chicago.

To learn more about the Art Institute, check out Concierge Preferred's Art Institute Guide.

Art, music, sculpture, family activites and food are sure to be some of the highlights from this weekend's Lakeview East Festival of the Arts.

 This free admission festival goes Saturday from 10-6 and Sunday from 10-5.

The weekend will feature over 150 artists and two stages filled with entertainment for the entire family.

Tony Award-Winning In the Heights at The Fox

Winner of the 2008 Tony Award for Best Musical, In the Heights journeys into a community of hard-working immigrants in Manhattan—bringing the audience through an uplifting and funny musical extravaganza. Celebrated for its score and choreography, In The Heights is an up-and-coming stage classic.

For more information on this show, visit the In The Heights Website.

Tickets: $26-$68

For a schedule of showtimes, click here.

Little House on the Prairie: The Musical

One of America's most beloved series of stories comes to life in this uplifting musical. Follow the struggles and triumphs of the Ingalls family like never before.

To top it off, Melissa Gilbert, who played Laura fo 10 years on the Little House television series, will star on the Fox stage as Ma.

Click here to learn more about Little House on the Prairie: The Musical.

For Little House on the Prairie showtimes, click here.

Tickets: $21-$55

Ring in the Holidays with Nutcracker at the Fox

The magnificent Joffrey Ballet will perform this Holiday classic in the grand Fox setting. The Ballet Orchestra of St. Louis will play Tchaikovsky's beloved music, while more than 160 young St. Louis-area performers take to the stage in lavish costumes.

An ideal and timeless way to usher in the holiday season.

Tickets: $20-$75

Click here for Nutcracker showtimes or visit Metrotix to purchase tickets.

15th Annual Barewalls Fundraiser at the School of the Art Institute

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s (SAIC) Alumni Association hosts the 15th annual BareWalls fundraising event for more than 1,000 of Chicago’s major arts patrons, art and culture seekers, and civic and business leaders.

Each year, BareWalls raises more than $125,000 for the BareWalls Student Scholarship Fund. By participating in this event, guests benefit the educations of young artists and designers striving to join SAIC’s growing list of noteworthy graduates. BareWalls attendees will enjoy live music, hors d'oeuvres, dessert, beer and wine. A silent auction offers guests the opportunity to bid on works of art as they are being created. Opening bids for all BareWalls silent auction items start at $100, unless otherwise specified.

Tickets are $100 in advance, available at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000, or $125 at the door (cash, check or credit card accepted). VIP tickets are $250 and include a premium Champagne reception with hors d'oeuvres at 5 p.m., for one hour before the event opens to the general audience. For more information, visit www.saic.edu/barewalls09 or call 312-899-1455.

To learn more about the Art Institute, check out Concierge Preferred's Art Institute Guide.

Robert Mirabal at the Art Institute of Chicago -- Free Show

Sponsored by the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), two-time Grammy Award winner Robert Mirabal presents music and a spoken word performance from his new novel “Running Alone in Photographs” 6  p.m. – 7:30 p.m. in the Art Institute of Chicago's Rubloff Auditorium (280 S. Columbus Dr.). The concert is free and open to the general public, with no ticket required. Admission to the Art Institute of Chicago (111 S. Michigan Ave.) is free Thursday evenings, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Rubloff Auditorium is accessible from all museum entrances. For more information, call 312-899-5100.

A Native American flute player and maker from Taos Pueblo, New Mexico, Mirabal was twice named the Native American Music Awards' Artist of the Year, and received the Songwriter of the Year award three times. He was featured on the Grammy Award-winning album “Sacred Ground: A Tribute to Mother Earth” in 2006 and won the 2008 Grammy (Best Native American Album) for “Johnny Whitehorse: Totemic Flute Chants.” Mirabal’s flutes have been displayed by the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of the American Indian.

To learn more about the Art Institute of Chicago, check out Concierge Preferred's Art Institute Guide. 

Come and taste the various wines from Portugal.

Over thirty wineries will have their wines to taste this upcoming Thursday at the Shicago Library, located on the 40th floor at 190 S. LaSalle.

Wine industry experts will be on hand to answer any questions, and inform everyone about the vast history and information behind the wines of Portugal.

Admission is $30 to discover the diversity of Portugal's wine.

SOFA Chicago 2009: Sneak Preview Night!

The critically acclaimed Sculpture Objects & Functional Art (SOFA) Fair is returning to Navy Pier's Festival Hall this November--but why wait until then? Come to the sneak preview night, A Superior Stroll, benefiting the River North Chicago Dance Company.

This one-night event will be held at three galleries along Superior Street in the River North Gallery District, showcasing three-dimensional masterworks from top international galleries and dealers, all set to be featured in this years SOFA Fair in November. Meet artist Jeff Forsythe as well as Frank Chaves, artistic director of River North Chicago Dance. This event, which includes complimentary wine and appetizers, will take place at the following three galleries: 

Ken Saunders Gallery (230 W. Superior St.)

Perimeter Gallery (210 W. Superior St.)

Ann Nathan Gallery (212 W. Superior St.)

Admission is $25 in advance and $30 at the door, available by calling (312) 944-2888 or going to the River North Chicago website.

Double, Double Toil and Trouble at the Grandel Theatre 

From October 2-11, St. Louis Shakespeare will strut and fret their hour upon the stage in Macbeth at the Grandel Theatre in the Grand Center Arts District.

In its 25th season, St. Lous Shakespeare promises unique and innovative takes on the Bard's many masterpieces. Experience what will surely be a new take on Shakespeare's tale of murderous ambition and witchy misdeads.

Showtimes: Click here! (No shows on Mon., Tues. or Wed.)

Tickets: $15-$25 

To purchase tickets for St. Louis Shakespeare's Macbeth, click here.

Made in Missouri

The 18th annual Best of Missouri Market at the Missouri Botanical Garden will feature more than 145 Show-Me-State food producers, artisans and vendors.

A fun and interactive way to see the Botanical Garden, all ages will enjoy the handcrafted items, baked goods and more. In addition to the goods, there will be daily musical performances, rain or shine. 

Admission:

Adults $12, Seniors (65+) $10, Children (3-12) $5

Click here to purchase tickets online.

Guten Tag October! 

Celebrate Oktoberfest Soulard style on October 9, 10 & 11. Activities will include live entertainment from over a dozen bands from around the world, authentic food and drinks, and lively competitions like the Microbrew Competition and tast, TUMS' Sausage Eating Contest and more.

Festival Admission: $5 

For more information on Soulard Oktoberfest, click here.

NPR’s Joe Frank in "Is There Something Wrong?" at Steppenwolf Downstairs

NPR radio personality, author and performance artist Joe Frank appears at Steppenwolf for a one-night-only performance of "Is There Something Wrong?" Tickets go on sale Oct. 2 at 11 a.m.

Joe Frank takes the Steppenwolf’s stage for an evening of spoken word and music in one of his most provocative pieces yet. The depth of his work – essentially a philosophical inquiry – is what gives it its real significance. Beneath every surreal flourish is a search for something to believe in: a yearning for love, a quest for self-acceptance. While one critic has called Frank “the most brilliant comic in America,” another has described Frank’s stories as “inspired weirdness that feeds on pathos and irony.” Others have used the words “hypnotic,” “psychotic,” “disturbing” and “terrifying.” All agree that Frank unfailingly manages to confound his audience’s expectations. Cited as a source of inspiration by artists as diverse as Ira Glass, Charlie Kaufman and Beck, Frank’s shows are invariably laced with surreal comedy.

Ticket prices: $29 ($15 student tickets available via phone and box office only)

Free Community Unveiling

In quite the artistic coupe, Chesterfield Arts has acquired the second cast of "The Awakening," a monumental metal sculpture by American sculptor Seward Johnson.

The official unveiling of this giant bursting forth from the ground will be held on Saturday, October 10th at 11 a.m. in Chesterfield's Central Park.

From 10 a.m.-2 p.m., the festivities will include food, music and hands-on art activities like "Make Your Mark" by painting a MetroBus, t-shirt making contests and more.

The Saint Louis Science Center will host the 2009 International Science Festival (or SciFest) from October 7-11. For five days, aspiring scientist or even the mildly interested can attend more than 60 individual sessions on such topics as the chemistry of coffee or the future of genetics diagnostics.  

With events like "The Healing Power of Puppy Love" and "The Future of Energy" the International Science Festival promises to be a diverse and interesting diversion from your typical festival.

For more information and tickets, visit the SciFest Website.

The Saint Louis Science Center will host the 2009 International Science Festival (or SciFest) from October 7-11. For five days, aspiring scientist or even the mildly interested can attend more than 60 individual sessions on such topics as the chemistry of coffee or the future of genetics diagnostics.  

With topic like "Rock Guitar and the Big Bang" and "Crime Scene Chromatography," Friday at the International Science Festival promises to be a diverse and interesting diversion from your typical festival.

For more information and tickets, visit the SciFest Website.

The Saint Louis Science Center will host the 2009 International Science Festival (or SciFest) from October 7-11. For five days, aspiring scientist or even the mildly interested can attend more than 60 individual sessions on such topics as the chemistry of coffee or the future of genetics diagnostics.  

With topics ranging from "The Scienc of Baseball" to "Bionic You," Saturday at the International Science Festival promises to be a diverse and interesting diversion from your typical festival.

For more information and tickets, visit the SciFest Website.

Hear the Chicago Architecture Foundation critic's panel, "A Conversation with the Critics: Imagining the Future of the City." Featured speakers will include Jonathan Glancey (The Guardian), Paul Goldberger (The New Yorker), Sarah Williams Goldhagen (The New Republic), and Blair Kamin (Chicago Tribune), and moderator Edward Lifson, cultural critic and creator of Chicago Public Radio’s Hello Beautiful!. The panel is open to the public. 

Murphy Auditorium (50 E. Erie St) 

Admission:

General Public $30

Chicago Architecture Foundation Members $25

Students with ID $15

The 18th Annual St. Louis International Film Festival

The annual St. Louis Internatinal Film Festival features the St. Louis premiere of more than 250 films from all over the world. Throughout the ten day festival, attendees can experience feature length films, documentaries, shorts and free events at several venues througout town.

This year's festival will feature the premiere of George Clooney's new film, "Up in the Air," which was filmed in St. Louis this past year.

Main Venues include the Tivoli Theatre, Plaza Frontenac Cinema, Saint Louis Art Museum, Hi-Point Theatre, Winifred Moore Auditorium at Webster University and the Brown Hall Auditorium at Washington University.

Ticket Prices: $6-$10

Music and Fortune Telling at the Contemporary 

To coinside with the Contemporary's fall exhibition, For the blind man in the dark room looking for the black cat that isn't there, the museum will host an evening allowing St. Louis to explore the notions of chance and curiosity.

The evening will include music and fortune telling by Victoria Michaels and free beer, wine and snacks. This event is free and open to the public.

For more information on this event and the Contemporary, click here.

A Game of Cat and Mouse at the Rep

A prominent English mystery writer invites his wife's lover to his isolated, elaborate country house and inevitably a great deal of drama ensues. This Tony Award-wining puzzle keeps the audience guessing until the very end.

Sleuth will be performed on the Browning Mainstage at the Loretto-Hilton Center from October 14-November 8. 

Showtimes: Click here! 

To purchase tickets click here. 

All You Want For Christmas at the Rep

Based upon the 1983 classic holiday film, A Christmas Story will come to life at the Rep. Bring the whole family for a nostalgic and unforgettable theater experience.

A Christmas Story will be performed on the Browning Mainstage at the Loretto-Hilton Center from December 2-27.

Showtimes: Click here!

Ticket prices start at $15. To purchase tickets, click here.

Putting it Together: The Music of Stephen Sondheim

Pairing his passions with the songs of Stephen Sondheim, Ken Haller reprises his solo cabaret debut at the Kranzberg in Grand Center. Featuring tunes like "Send in the Clowns," "Broadway Baby," and more, Ken guarantees an evening full of wit, sentiment and laughter. 

Tickets: $20 

To purchase tickets, visit LicketyTix.com or call 314-725-4200 x10. 

Fiddler on the Roof . . . Lekhayim!

Celebrate the lives of Tevye and his family as they navigate tradition, progress, love and hate. See this beloved musical in a whole new light and in an unusually intimate setting.

Admission: $25

Showtimes:

Thurs.-Sat. 8 p.m.

Sun. 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.

Tickets may be reserved by calling the Mustard Seed box office at 314-719-8060 or purchase online here.

Hard Rock Cafe St. Louis is Rocking Out Against Breast Cancer

In recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Hard Rock Cafe St. Louis is partnering with Gateway to Hope to raise money for Breast Cancer Research.

See songstress Erin Bode live on the Hard Rock Stage on Tuesday, October 27th, when ticket sales and donations will benefit Breast Cancer Research.

Cost: $10

To purchase tickets, click here.

For more information on Erin Bode at the Hard Rock Cafe St. Louis and Pinktober, click here or call 314-621-7625.

Hard Rock Cafe St. Louis Earns Money for Breast Cancer Research!

Enjoy lunch or dinner any Wednesday in October and do your part to raise money for cancer research. Every Wednesday in October, Hard Rock St. Louis honors PINKTOBERFEST, offering a special menu benefitting Gateway to Hope, a St. Louis non-for-profit focused on breast cancer research.

Also, that evening, Sister Hazel will perform live, in concert, at 8 p.m. Click here to purchase tickets, which will benefit the Gateway to Hope Foundation.

Tickets: $10

Click here to purchase tickets.

For more information, call 314-621-7625.

12th Hungarian Cartoon Festival

The Saint Louis University Museum of Art will host the U.S. inaugural exhibition of The 12th Hungarian Cartoon Festival: A Dialogue of Cultures.

With over 75 cartoons originating from 25 countries, the works all relate to the topic, "Dialogue of Cultures." The cartoons shock, amuse and definitely inspire.

The exhibition will run from October 23-December 20, with an opening reception on Friday, October 23 at 6 p.m.

Admission to the exhibit and museum is free.

For more information, visit the Saint Louis University Museum of Art Website.

Gardenland Express Holiday Flower and Train Show at the Botanical Garden

Experience the Missouri Botanical Garden "Gardenland Express," where G-scale model trains travel through a miniature lanscape of live plants, surrounded by colorful poinsettias and flowers. An annual holiday favorite.

Cost: Garden admission plus $5 (ages 3+).

A Very Victorian Christmas the the Botanical Gardens

Visit the Tower Grove House, the country residence of the Missouri Botanical Garden founder Henry Shaw, while is is all decked with wreaths, garlands, floral centerpieces, greenery and holiday trees.

Entrance to the Tower Grove House is free with Garden admission.

Tower Grove House is open everyday, but Mondays.

Light the Menorah at the Missouri Botanical Gardens

No matter what your heritage, enjoy festive Israeli music and dance, a menorah-lighting ceremony, and a traditional "shuk," or marketplace at the Missouri Botanical Garden's annual Festival of Lights celebration.

Festivities are free with Garden admission.

For more information, call 314-577-9400 or visit the Missouri Botanical Garden Website.

Celebrate Kwanzaa at the Missouri Botanical Garden

Where better to celebrate Kwanzaa, the African-American holiday centered around the feast table of the harvest, than the Missouri Botanical Garden?

The Garden's annual Kwanzaa celebration features a day of storytelling, craft and jewelry displays, authentic african drumming and live musical performances.

Join the Art Institute of Chicago during their "Modern Mondays" program.

Held each Monday afternoon at the Sullivan Galleries, 33 S. State 7th floor, the lecture series is free of charge.

Modern Mondays will feature artists, curators, architects and scholars discussing artwork and themes found in the current exhibit at the museum "Learning Modern."

The exhibit will be open until January 9, 2010.

Thoroughly Modern Millie at Drury Lane Oakbrook 

Drury Lane Oakbrook presents Thoroughly Modern Millie, the 2002 Tony Award winner for “Best Musical." Directed by William Osetek, this production at the Drury Lane Theatre stars Holly Ann Butler as Millie; Butler recently finished the first national tour of Jersey Boys as Lorraine.

This lively, Jazz Age musical tells the story of Kansas-born Millie as she takes New York City by storm in the Roaring ‘20s.
 
The performance schedule is as follows: 

Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m.

Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Fridays at 8:30 p.m.

Saturdays at 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Sundays at 2:00 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Lunch and dinner theater packages are available. Tickets range from $29-$38, depending upon the performance date. To purchase tickets, call (630) 530-0111 or go online. For more information on group packages and more, visit the Drury Lane Theatre website

Tour De Champagne at The Drake

7:00 – 10:00PM : MAIN EVENT

Taste Champagnes from over 20 houses

Pair Champagnes with cuisine from local restaurants

Live Music

9:30 – 11:00PM :FIN DE SOIREE at the Drake (VIP Ticket Required)

Special Cognac Tasting by Peyrot

Dessert and Chocolate Buffet

11:00PM : APRES PARTY at POPS (Complimentary for VIP Ticket Holders)

Tickets:

General Admission $115, VIP, $150

www.Tourdechampagne.com/chicago.html

Four Courses of Frightening Fun at the West End Grill & Pub

On Thursday, October 29, the West End Grill & Pub and Randy Manning's Jest Mysteries will present, Dead Like Me, a four course dinner and show with audience participation.

The passed appetizer portion will begin at 6:30 p.m. and dinner and the show will begin at 7 p.m.

Enjoy a hilarious whodunit, while dining on a menu of: Roasted Garlic Bruschetta with Havarti, House Salad, your choice of BBQ Glazed Chicken, Sonoma Steak or Grilled Salmon, and Peach Cobbler ala mode.

Plus, solve the crime and win free bottle of wine!

Cost: $45

Reservations are highly recommende. Call 314-531-4607 to reserve your spot.

Chefs Radhika Desai, Jennifer Gavin and Elaina Vazquez will battle it out for the Taste of TCW Title! Hosted by ABC 7’s Hungry Hound Steve Dolinsky, The Annual Fall Fundraiser will benefit the TCW Foundation.

Guests will enjoy hors d’oeuvres from the participating chefs, beer, wine and signature cocktails created by Sunda’s mixologist, Sherrie Geslack. Guests are also invited to the VIP after-party at Bull & Bear.

Tickets are $75 and can be purchased at www.tcwmag.com, or by calling 312-951-7600 x171. Door purchases are subject to availability.

Culinary Event Highlighting over 25 Chicago Chefs

Guests will sample signature dishes from over 25 premier chefs in the city and also have the opportunity to bid on a variety of unique travel, dining and entertainment packages in the live an silent auction.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call Debbie Kotarba at 312-596-4724 or visit www.marchofdimes/illinois or www.tinytastings.com

Oy Vey! So Many Authors! 

Attracting nearly 25,000 people, the St. Louis Jewish Book Festival is open to public and is the most well-attended event of it's kind in the U.S.

Some of the guest speakers over the course of this 12 day literary and cultural extravaganza include: Academy Award-winner Helen Hunt, actress and comedienne Susie Essman, AJ Jacobs, author of The Year of Living Biblically and The Guinea Pig Diaries, actress and activist Alicia Silverstone and many, many others. For more information call the Festival hotline at 314-442-3299.

All events are at the Staenberg Family Complex on the I.E. Millstone Campus in Creve Coeur unless otherwise noted.

For a full list of books available, click here.

Tickets:

All Events $60

Individual Events $12-$20

Click here for a full list of events, times and how to purchase individual Event and Series tickets.

May the Force Be With the St. Louis Symphony

For two days only, experience the adventurous and beloved movie music of composer John Williams like never before, as the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra performs his masterpieces from Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jaws, Harry Potter, E.T., Superman and more.

This evening promises to be quite a symphonic adventure. To purchase tickets, visit the Symphony's Online Box Office or call 314-534-1700.

Tickets: $25-$50

Indian Market Days at Cahokia Mounds

Avoid the Black Friday crowds and do some unique holiday shopping during the Indian Market Days at Cahokia Mounds. Artists and vendors will sell native-made crafts, jewelry, beadwork, textiles, baskets and more.

A great opportunity to tour the Mounds, learn about America's ancient history and then shop till you drop!

Hours:

Friday Noon-5 p.m.

Sat. & Sun. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

For more information, visit the Cahokia Mounds' Website.

The 3rd Annual Modern Vintage Market is here!

A one-stop shopping destination for all your holiday gifts. Price ranges from pennies to the thousands for countless handmade, and well preserved vintage crafts and gifts.

Admission is $10 ($8 in advance). Student tickets at $5 with a valid student ID.

The Shaun Robinson Group at Jazz at the Bistro

Experience Shaun Robinson's explosive guitar sound, which blends rock, R&B, gospel, soul and jazz into a dynamic musical expression that promises to bring audiences to their feet.

Performing two sets nightly at 8:30 p.m. and 10:15 p.m.

Cost: $15; $10 for students

To purchase tickets, click here or call 314-534-1111.

For more information on Jazz St. Louis, click here.

Wine & A Bit of Wolfang

Enjoy the works of Mozart, Beethoven and more, courtesy of the St. Louis University String Orchestra. In addition to the classical tunes, concert-goers can enjoy wine and specially designed pastries until 2 p.m.

The Sip & Serenade is free to the public.

For more information on this event and the St. Louis University Museum of Art, click here.

Blue Man Group tickets are perfect for any holiday gift!

Right now until November 22, Blue Man gift certificates are available for tickets at two for $99.

Redeem your gift certificate for a January or February performance and recieve a $15 gift certificate for Blue Man merchandise!

Tickets can be purchased online, at ticketmaster.com or at the Briar Street Theatre, using coupon code HOLIDAY.

Yo-Ho! Yo-Ho! at the Missouri History Museum 

Treasure! at the Missouri History Museum explores the history of treasure hunting—including sunken pirate booty, the gold rushes of the Old West and secret caches or family herilooms in the attic.

The entire family will enjoy exploring the state-of-the-art technology and mythology of treasure hunting in this special exhibition brimming with rare artifacts, treasure hunting tales from around the world and much more

Admission:

$5 for adults; $3 for seniors/students/children ages 13+. Children 12 & under free.

For more information, visit the Missouri History Museum Website or call 314-361-9017.

A Pirate's Booty at the Missouri History Museum

St. Louis Shakespeare brings Henry Louis Stevenson's tale of adventure and piracy to the stage at the Missouri History Museum.

Join young Jim Hawkins on his brave voyage to Treasure Island and watch as Long John Silver and his raucous crew of houligans live the pirate life.

Tickets:

Adults $25; Senior/Students $20

To purchase tickets click here or call 314-361-9017.

Dinosaurs Unearthed at the St. Louis Science Center

Did you know that many dinosaurs were actually covered in feathers? Would you like to play paleontologist and explore a dig site in China?

The largest dinosaur exhibition ever hosted in St. Louis, Dinosaurs Unearthed combines a recreated habitat, full-scale animatronic dinosaur models, and fully-articulated fossils that bring visitors back to prehistoric times.

Dinosaurs Unearthed highlights the latest theories in paleontology and visitors can even control the animatronic dinosaur models!

Click here to purchase tickets for Dinosaurs Unearthed at the St. Louis Science Center.

The Field Museum Gets A Sparkly Addition!

The Nature of Diamonds features nearly 800 exquisite objects, including some of the world's most stunning gemstones.

While you'll see some of the world's most stunning gems, such as the 128.54-carat Tiffany Diamond worn by actress Audrey Hepburn in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's, the exhibt explores all aspects of the mineral from its geological origins to its place in history, art, adornment and uses in technology and research.

Visit the museum website for additional information on the exhibit and how to get tickets.

There's More Than One Way to Appreciate A Diamond!

When you're done drooling at The Nature of Diamonds exhibit at The Field Museum, discover the healing properties of gemstones at The Spa at the Four Seasons Hotel.

On Mondays through Thursdays through March 25, 2010, ticket holders can sparkle with the spa's 80-minute Crystalline Facial at the 50-minute price ($140), including a glass of champagne.

The Facial combines the energy of micronized gemstones blended with bentonite clay resulting in a youthful and radiant glow.

Holiday Art Sale!

Join the School of The Art Institute of Chicago for their Holiday Art Sale.The sale features student work as exquisite one-of-a-kind gifts, perfect for the holidays.

Gifts range from paintings, photographs, to jewelry and paper design.

This event is free and open to the public, it will be held at the MacLean Center Ballroom, located at 112 S. Michigan Ave.

Hannukah Cooking at The Chopping Block

With help from The Chopping Block, your Hannukah celebration this year will be better than ever!

Join this class in exploring many different twists to traditional Festival of Light recipes. Raisin challah, potato and celery root latkes with applesauce, braised brisket with caramelized onions, parsnips and carrots, warm fregola salad, and honey glazed sufganiyot will highlight this class.

Tickets are $40. Visit The Chopping Block website for more information.

Third Degree Glass Gets Crafty

For shoppers looking for a unique alternative to Black Friday and holiday shopping, the Rock & Roll Craft show at St. Louis' Third Degree Class Factory is just the place.

St. Louis' original alternative art, craft and music event, the Rock & Roll Craft Show showcases unique items handcrafted from new and recycled materials by over  100 talented artisans, plus locally and nationally acclaimed musicians, hosted by The Firebird.

Admission:

Sat. & Sun. $3

Red Carpet Black Friday $15

Hours:

Fri. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sat. 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

For more information on the Rock & Roll Craft Show, click here.

Burgundy and Beaujolais Wine Tasting

Part of Bistro's monthly series, this tasting is hosted by Fine Vines and features several Burgundy and Beaujolais paired with Chef Dominique Tougne's Cheese and Charcuterie, Garlic Potato Salad, Veal Blanquette, Poached Salmon and a Floating Island Dessert.

The informal tasting will take place from 6-8 PM and is only $25 per guest (including tax and gratuity), reservations not required.

For more information, call Bistro 110 at 312-266-3110.

John Mayer Battle Studies Tour

John Mayer will make is St. Louis tour stop at the Scottrade Center on Saturday, March 20. Doors will open at 7 p.m. and the concert will begin at 8 p.m.

Special guests Michael Franti & Spearhead. 

Tickets: $33-$63.50

To purchase tickets to see John Mayer at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, click here. 

Jay-Z brings his BP3 Tour to Scottrade Center

On Friday, March 19, Jay-Z and special guest Young Jeezy wil bring the dynamic BP3 Tour to St. Louis.

Tickets: $36.50-$96.50

To purchase tickets to Jay-Z at the Scottrade Center, click here, or purchase tickets by phone at 800-745-3000.

Steppenwolf's Visiting Company Initiative, which gives other theater groups the chance to appear in Steppenwolf's high-profile performance spaces on Halsted Street, welcomes three of Chicago's sharpest outfits to its stages February 19 - April 25.

Billed under the title, "Garage Rep," XIII, Pavement Group, and Dog & Pony Theatre Company will perform three shows in rotating repertory.

XIII Pocket will present Adore, the story of a cannibal who finds a willing victim for his desires. Pavement Group's punkplay follows two kids in the 80s and the world they make for themselves. The Twins Would Like To Say, a world premiere from Dog & Pony, is based on the true story of June and Jennifer Gibbons, twins who lived in Wales together, never speaking to an adult for over 20 years.

Performances from "Garage Rep" will be Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. There will be special 3-show marathons on Feb. 28, April 11, April 18, and April 25, showing at 1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Tickets on sale now: $20/performance. Student tickets are available for $12 and every Wednesday performance is "pay what you can." The three-play pass is available for $45. For information on group discounts, call 312-932-2422.

Join Spertus for their Family Fun Sunday event to help get the whole gang ready for Hanukkah!

Come early to enjoy family-friendly activities in the Gray Children's Center.

Later, join special guest Ellen Gradman of "Speak Your Art." Ellen will lead the group in in a family Hanukkah-themed project that everyone is sure to enjoy.

$7 for adults $5 for children, children 5 and under and Spertus members are free.

Join Laura Frankel, Chicago's leading kosher chef, as she takes you through a "Hanukkah cooking bootcamp!"

 Laura will guide everyone on how to prepare the absolute best in Hanukkah classic's from around the world.

 For ticket information, please visit the Spertus website.

Italian-born, Berlin-based artist Monica Bonvicini brings her newest work to the Modern Wing at the Art Institute. Bonvincini's latest exhibition, Light Me Black, is the first Focus exhibition in the museum’s new Modern Wing. 

The exhibit brings together two sculptures: Plastered (1998) & a second sculptural installation created specifically for the Art Institute--glass panels recovered from the Vienna Secession building and fluorescent lighting.

The exhibit is based around the theme of light, and includes 144-custom built light fixtures. Visit the Art Institute's website for ticket information and hours.

January Shows at Buddy Guy's Legends

Join Buddy Guy at his legendary Chicago jazz and blues club during the month of January for several great shows. The iconic Chicago venue has hosted some of the biggest names in music over the years.

Check out a full calendar of events at Buddy Guy's Legends and more information about ticket prices and sales on their website.

January Show Schedule

January 7: Buddy Guy, Big James & the Chicago Playboys, 9:00 p.m.

Acoustic act starts at 5:30 p.m. Big James & the Chicago Playboys open at 9:00 p.m., and Buddy Guy starts at 10:30 p.m.

January 8: Buddy Guy & The NuBlu Band, 9:00 p.m.

Acoustic act starts at 5:30 p.m. The NuBlu Band opens at 9:00 p.m., and Buddy Guy starts at 10:30 p.m.

January 9: Buddy Guy, Billy Branch & the Sons Of Blues, 9:30 p.m.

Acoustic act starts at 6:00 p.m. Billy Branch & the Sons Of Blues open at 9:30 p.m., and Buddy Guy starts at 11:00 p.m.

January 10: Buddy Guy, Guy King & His Little Big Band, 7:30 p.m.

Acoustic act starts at 4:00 p.m. Guy King & His Little Big Band open at 7:30 p.m., and Buddy Guy starts at 9:00 p.m.

January 14: Buddy Guy, Nick Moss & The Flip Tops, 9:00 p.m.

Acoustic act starts at 5:30 p.m. Nick Moss & The Flip Tops open at 9:00 p.m., and Buddy Guy starts at 10:30 p.m.

January 15: Buddy Guy, John Primer, 9:00 p.m.

Acoustic act starts at 5:30 p.m. John Primer opens at 9:00 p.m., and Buddy Guy starts at 10:30 p.m.

January 16: Buddy Guy, Carl Weathersby, 9:30 p.m.

Acoustic act starts at 6:00 p.m. Carl Weathersby opens at 9:30 p.m., and Buddy Guy starts at 11:00 p.m.

January 17: Buddy Guy, Lurrie Bell, 7:30 p.m.

Acoustic act starts at 4:00 p.m. Lurrie Bell opens at 7:30 p.m., and Buddy Guy starts at 9:00 p.m.

January 21: Buddy Guy, Scott Holt, 9:00 p.m.

Acoustic act starts at 5:30 p.m. Scott Holt opens at 9:00 p.m., and Buddy Guy starts at 10:30 p.m.

January 22: Buddy Guy, The Nicholas Tremulis Orchestra, 9:00 p.m.

Acoustic act starts at 5:30 p.m. The Nicholas Tremulis Orchestra open at 9:00 p.m., and Buddy Guy starts at 10:30 p.m.

January 23: Buddy Guy, Carlos Johnson, 9:30 p.m.

Acoustic act starts at 6:00 p.m. Carlos Johnson opens at 9:30 p.m., and Buddy Guy starts at 11:00 p.m.

January 24: Buddy Guy, Larry McCray, 7:30 p.m.

Acoustic act starts at 4:00 p.m. Larry McCray opens at 7:30 p.m., and Buddy Guy starts at 9:00 p.m.

January 27: Buddy Guy, Lubriphonic, 9:00 p.m.

Acoustic act starts at 5:30 p.m. Lubriphonic opens at 9:00 p.m., and Buddy Guy starts at 10:30 p.m. 

January 28: Buddy Guy, Moreland & Arbuckle, 9:00 p.m.

Acoustic act starts at 5:30 p.m. Moreland & Arbuckle open at 9:00 p.m., and Buddy Guy starts at 10:30 p.m.  

January 29: Buddy Guy, Cedric Burnside & Lightnin’ Malcolm, 9:00 p.m.

Acoustic act starts at 5:30 p.m. Cedric Burnside & Lightnin’ Malcolm open at 9:00 p.m., and Buddy Guy starts at 10:30 p.m.

January 30: Buddy Guy, Quinn Sullivan, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, 9:30 p.m.

Acoustic act starts at 6:00 p.m. Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials open at 9:30 p.m., Quinn Sullivan goes on at at time TBD, and Buddy Guy starts at 11:00 p.m.

Not Your Mama's Craft Show

The Big Ass Indie Art & Craft Show is much more than a colorful name, it's St. Louis' biggest collection of alternative art and crafts. Taking place at the appropriately kitschy Mad Art Gallery in Soulard the Big Ass Indie Art & Craft Show, features the finest artists and crafters in the greater St. Louis area in a large, entertaining space.

With locally made goods, great food and lots of live entertainment, this isn't your usually craft show.

Live entertainment will include Venice Gas House Trolley and DJ MAHF.

Admission is free.

For more information, visit The Big Ass Indie Art & Craft Show Website or call 314-771-8230.

Erin Bode's Holiday Concert at Mad Art

Smooth St. Louis songstress, Erin Bode will croon holiday tunes at the Mad Art Gallery on Friday, Dec. 18th. With her rare mix of sophistication and sweetness, Erin has garnered international acclaim, especially with her holiday melodies.

The Erin Bode group will be joined by special guest, Orange Jazz Trio.

Tickets: $15

To purchase tickets, click here.

FIRST NIGHT® - St. Louis is a Wonderland

FIRST NIGHT® - St. Louis is the city's largest, most family friendly New Year's Eve celebration. The opening ceremony commences at 6 p.m. on the main stage at Grand & Washington Blvds. Grand Center will come alive with colorful lighting, costumed characters and more than 70 different performances and activities including live music, dance, circus performers, storytelling, art installations and much more as the countdown to 2010 heats up.

Street vendors will offer an array of food and beverages and fireworks will light up the sky at 9 p.m. and midnight. 

There will also be plenty of indoor activities for those looking to escape the winter weather. While all outdoor activities are free, all indoor activities will cost $8 for adults and $4 for children.

For more information on this exciting, family-friendly New Year's celebration, visit the First Night St. Louis Website. 

Enjoy holiday cocktails, light bites and view the Contemporary's current exhibition, For the blind man in the dark room looking for the black cat that isn't there, as you mingle and browse through local art & craft booths.

Shop clothing, jewelry, glass, prings and more for unique gifts for friends, loved ones and even yourself!

All guests will also receive 25% off their entire purchase at MUSE, the Contemporary's museum shop.

Admission to this event is free.

The Hotel Intercontinental at O'Hare Airport welcomes visitors from around the world to their distinguished art Museo.

The Crossroads exhibit will feature a theme that strives to embody a ethnically diverse Chicago as a gateway to the world.

The goal of the gallery is to inspire guests who have arrived from travelling every part of the world.

The exhibition will feature pieces from over nine Chicago galleries and three artists without gallery representation.

Be sure to stop in and check out the Crossroads exhibit.

Join Brasserie Jo in celebrating the holidays with exciting events and specials!

This seasons highlights will be; The Yule Log (a traditional french pastry), roasted chestnuts, The Giving Tree, and traditional French carolers.

Aside from the Christmas-time festivities Brasserie Jo will have a special New Year's Eve event.

Reservations for this evening are recommended. There are two seating times and each feature a full-course meal with live music, champagne toast, and party favors.

Don't miss all the action at Brasserie Jo this holiday season.

On Saturday, Dec. 5, Off Broadway, one of St. Louis' hottest indie music venues will be transformed (and open in the light of day!) for the Artropy Art Show. a unique art & craft show experience which will feature a diverse lineup of local artists.

Shop jewelry, textiles, photography, mixed-media, glass work, eco-fashions and illustration.

Presented by ShowMe Etsy, admission to Artropy is free, so bring your holiday shopping muscles—you're sure to make a big dent in your list!

For more information on Artopy at Off Broadway, click here.

Carrie Schneider at The James Hotel

In honor of Chicago artist Carrie Schneider, The James Chicago hotel celebrates with an evening of art, culture, food and drink in the James lobby bar.

Schneider joined the James Hotel's ongoing partnership with Monique Meloche Gallery, and will display her 12x12 solo exhibit in the Museum of Contemporary Art from December 5th-27th.

To celebrate her success, The James will showcase Carrie Schneider's photographs, while toasting with a complimentary signature Schneid-car Cocktail and hors d'oeuvres courtesy of David Burke's Primehouse Chef Rick Gresh.

The James will also be giving 2 for 1 admission certificates to the MCA.

Reservations are not required.

Gulf of Mexico Menu at Mercadito

Celebrate the diversity in Mexican cuisine with Chef Patricio Sandoval at Mercadito, where they're hosting a series of dinners highlighting the regional cuisines of Mexico.

This special evening includes a four-course chef prepared menu for $30 per person (not including tax and gratuity). As an added treat, the renowned Tippling Bros. will also be preparing a handcrafted cocktail specific to the region of the night, available for just $11. 

So which region will they be focusing on tonight? The menu from the night is drawn from dishes native to the Gulf of Mexico, from Caldo Estilo Tabasco, a combination of shrimp broth, grilled shrimp, potato, chayote, carrots, and cilantro oil, to Flan Tabasqueño, a sweet plantain flan with goat milk caramel.

Reservations are required; call 312-229-9555.

If you can't make it to the Gulf of Mexico evening, be sure to check out the next events:

January 25: Southern Region of Mexico

February 22: Central Mexico

Southern Mexico Menu at Mercadito 

Celebrate the diversity in Mexican cuisine with Chef Patricio Sandoval at Mercadito, where they're hosting a series of dinners highlighting the regional cuisines of Mexico.

This special evening includes a four-course chef prepared menu for $30 per person (not including tax and gratuity). As an added treat, the renowned Tippling Bros. will also be preparing a handcrafted cocktail specific to the region of the night, available for just $11. 

They've already brought their guests to the Gulf of Mexico (December 28), so which region will they be focusing on tonight? The menu from the night is drawn from dishes native to the the Southern Region of Mexico, from Tacos Estilo Yucatán with achiote marinated pork, pickled habaneros, and onions, to Flan de Tres Leches, a white sponge cake with three-milk infused custard.

Reservations are required; call 312-229-9555.

If you can't make it to the Southern Mexico dinner, be sure to check out the next and final regional dinner at Mercadito:

February 22: Central Mexico

Central Mexico Menu at Mercadito

Celebrate the diversity in Mexican cuisine with Chef Patricio Sandoval at Mercadito, where they're hosting a series of dinners highlighting the regional cuisines of Mexico.

This special evening includes a four-course chef prepared menu for $30 per person (not including tax and gratuity). As an added treat, the renowned Tippling Bros. will also be preparing a handcrafted cocktail specific to the region of the night, available for just $11. 

The guests at Mercadito have sampled the cuisines of the Gulf of Mexico (December 28) and the Southern Region (January 25); which region will they be focusing on tonight? The menu from the night is drawn from dishes native to Central Mexico, from Barbacoa Estilo Jalisco, a maguey leaf wrapped chicken, with black bean hash and mint rice, to a dessert of Flan de Naranja (orange custard)

Reservations are required; call 312-229-9555.

Oprah Winfrey presents the soul-stirring musical, The Color Purple at the Fox Theatre for just eight shows from Feb. 2-7.

Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the Oscar-nominated film by Steven Spielbert, The Color Purple is an unforgettable and inspiring musical theatre experience.

Nominated for 11 Tony Awards®, The Color Purple tells the story of a woman named Celie, who triumphs over tremendous odds to find joy in life and discover her inner beauty.

For more information on The Color Purple: The Musical, click here.

Cost: $27-$64

To purchase tickets for The Color Purple, click here.

For more information on the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis, visit the Fox Website.

The ultimate "feel good musical," Mamma Mia will rock St. Louis' Fox Theatre from Feb. 16-21. Experience the storytelling magic of ABBA's timeless songs as they propel this enchanting and energetic tale of love, laughter, family and friendship. 

For more information on Mamma Mia, visit the Official Mamma Mia Website. 

Cost: $29-$70

To purchase tickets to Mamma Mia at the Fox, click here.

For more information on the Fabulous Fox Theatre, visit the Fox Website.

The Ultimate New Year's Eve Party at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch will feature two floors of parties featuring five bands, snacks from 8 p.m.-10 p.m., an open bar all night and a champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight.

Individual Tickets: $79 in advance & $89 at the door

Click here to purchase tickets to the Ultimate New Year's Eve Party at the Hyatt.

Room packages start at $299 and include two tickets to the party. Click here to book your Ultimate New Year's Eve Package.

Kick off the new year with a bang at the Big Bang Piano Bar on Laclede's Landing. Open till 3 a.m., the Big Bang's New Year's festivities include a private dinner buffet from 6:30-8pm, one champagne bottle per table for midnight toast, and wristbands for $3 domestics and well drinks all night long.

Cost:$30/person or $120/Table

Call 314-241-2264 for advanced reservations. Cover charge is $15 for general public, with no guaranteed seating.

Conductor David Roberston and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra's annual New Year's Eve Concert is one of the best-kept secrets in St. Louis. The SLSO keeps the program a secret ahead of time, but the surprise is definitely part of the enjoyment.

And, while you're down in Grand Center, be sure to stop by St. Louis' biggest, most-family friendly New Year's celebration, First Night St. Louis.

Cost: $30-$120

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the SLSO Website or call 314-534-1700.

Cowboy Mouth and the Voodoo Lounge at Harrah's Casino will welcome 2010 in with a great show and a great crowd.

Concert-goers must be 21 years or older

$35 in advance

to purchase your tickets online, click here.

Back for the first time in 11 years, Ballet Folklorico De Mexico combines dance, music, costume and song in a glorious spectacle that will delight all ages. 

As Mexico's original national treasure, Ballet Folklorico De Mexico features stunning costumes and unique choreography that you won't soon forget.

Tickets: $23-$60

For showtimes and more information on Ballet Folklorico De Mexico at the Fox Theatre, click here.

To learn more about the Fox, visit the Fabulous Fox Theatre Website. 

Enjoy a family friendly day of winter fun at the Soulard Market Park. The heated U.S. Cellular Big Tent will feature arts & crafts activities, family friendly performances on the main stage, kid karaoke, Joanie's Pizza, St. Louis Science Center activites, Segway trials, a Quarterback Skills Challenge and more.

For more information on this Mardi Gras-themed event and other Soulard Mardi Gras festivities, visit the St. Louis Mardi Gras Website.

Experience the real flavor of the Soulard Mardi Gras at the Southern Comfort Taste of Soulard. Several of Soulard's many fantastic restaurants will sample their signature dishes. Attendees will have seven "taste tickets" to sample six signature dishes and one taste of Southern Comfort from participating pubs and restaurants. 

Attendees are encouraged to use the free trolley service on Saturday or simply stroll the charming cobblestones on Saturday and Sunday. 

To purchase tickets to the Southern Comfort Taste of Soulard, click here, call 314-771-5110, or visit any of the participating Soulard establishments. 

Experience the color, beauty and fragrance of stunning orchids in bloom in the middle of winter. The Missouri Botanical Garden's annual orchid show features a rotation of over 800 orchids from the Garden's collection.

Nestled in a French-inspired setting, Orchid Show attendees will stroll past street lamps to a charming faux-flower shop and intimate bistro beneath the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. Perfect for Valentine's Day in St. Louis.

For more information on the Orchid Show and the Garden, visit the Missouri Botanical Garden Website.

Tickets: $13

To purchase ticketes to the Missouri Botanical Garden Orchid Show, click here. 

Free to the public, the Loop Ice Carnival is an all-day outdoor winter extravaganza that will feature live ice carving demos, ice slides for kids, snowboarding, a chili cook-off, live music, a Putt-Putt Pub Crawl, a s'mores roast and much more.

The Carnival will take place along Delmar from Kingsland to the Wabash Station. Named "one of the 10 Great Streets of America" by the American Planning Association, the Delmar Loop is an unbeatable spot to host this wintertime wonderland.

For more information on this uber-cool festival, call 314-727-8000 or click here. 

See the extraordinary colors and passionate brushwork of Vincent van Gogh take on a new life in the dazzling IMAX film, Van Gogh: Brush With Genius.

Playing daily at the St. Louis Science Center OMNIMAX Theater, Van Gogh: Brush With Genius follows the life of this complex master through his letters and the landscapes that inspired him.

See Van Gogh's work presented in a stunning, unforgettable way and discover the Van Gogh you didn't learn about in art class.

For showtimes, click here.

To purchase tickets to Van Gogh: Brush With Genius at the St. Louis Science Center OMNIMAX, call 314-289-4424.

Travel to one of the worlds most mysterious and complex lands without the astronomical price of a plane ticket when you see Mystic India: An Incredible Journey of Inspiration on the St. Louis Science Center's giant OMNIMAX screen.

Mystic India follows the incredible journey of Neelkanth, a young boy who traveled throughout the vast land over the course of many years. Audiences will experience India's geographic and cultural diversity and be in awe of the land's spiritual and natural wonders. See the freezing peaks of the Himalayas to the vast deserts and lush rainforests in one epic, unparalleled film.

For Mystic India showtimes, click here.

Tickets: $7-$8

To purchase tickets to Mystic India: An Incredible Journey of Inspiration, call 341-289-4424.

New York Times bestselling author of The Glass Castle Jeannette Walls will read from and sign her debut novel, Half-Broke Horses.

Inspired by her pioneering grandmother, Half-Broke Horses is the tale of a spirited heroine making the best of what she is dealt in the rough West.

Meet this inspiring and talented auther and join in the discussion at the St. Louis County Library Headquarters on Friday, Jan. 8.

Two-time Tony winner Brian Dennehy returns to the Goodman Theatre to tackle two one-act plays by two great playwrights: Hughie, by Eugene O'Neill and Samuel Beckett's Krapp's Last Tape.

Pairing the rather grim Hughie with the inimitably absurdist Beckett piece is a shrewd move and with Dennehy appearing in both, it's a great opportunity for audiences to appreciate the depth of this actor's talent.

Tickets for this Broadway-bound show are $25 - $83. Tickets can be purchased at the Goodman Theatre box office, by calling 312-443-3800, or online.

An English miner's son pursues his love of dance against all odds in the inspirational musical, Billy Elliot. Based on the 2000 film directed by Stephen Daldry (The Hours, The Reader), the show features a score by Elton John.

Tickets are $28-$100, and are available for purchase at Broadway in Chicago box offices (24 W. Randolph St, 151 W. Randolph St, and 18 W. Monroe), by calling 800-775-2000, and online at BroadwayInChicago.com.

A tragic accident, a visitor from the past, and the obliteration booze brings converge in The Long Red Road, a world premiere drama set on a South Dakota reservation by Brett C. Leonard, Associate Artistic Director of London's Shotgun Theatre.

A Long Red Road is directed by actor Philip Seymour Hoffman (Doubt, Capote), who has helmed a number of shows in New York, Sydney, and London.

Tickets for this show are $12 - $45, and can be purchased at the Goodman Theatre box office, by calling 312-443-3800, or online.

In addition to its own stellar productions, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre brings Chicago audiences in touch with great theater companies from around the world through their World's Stage series. And they're not wasting any time in 2010:

Up next is a production of Chekhov's Uncle Vanya from the renowned Maly Drama Theatre of St. Petersburg. Founded in 1944, the company is led now by artistic director, Lev Dodin, whose uncompromisingly intense commitment to the truth of acting elicits powerful, sometimes shocking performances from his actors.

Performed in Russian with English supertitles. Tickets are $65-$75, and can be purchased by calling 312-595-5600 or online at chicagoshakes.com.

As one of the many Soulard Mardi Gras festivities, the Crystal Cajun Cook-Off at the Casa Loma Ballroom features ten professional and ten amateur chefs competing in respective categories for the title of best Cajun/Creole dish.

Attendees can watch the competition and will receive four tickets to sample the Cajun specialities prepard by the event chairman/chef. Additional tasting tickets are available for purchase.

In addition to the sample tickets, attendees can also partake in unlimited samples of Schlafly beer products, Southern Comfort Hurricanes, and more.

There will also be live music by Spur, and all attendees will receive a recipe booklet featuring recipes from each of the chefs in the competition and a 3-ounce bottle of Crystal Hot Sauce.

Tickets: $30

No one under 21 years of age will be admitted.

For more information on this event and other 2010 Mardi Gras events, visit the Soulard Mardi Gras Website or call 314-771-5110.

Join thousands of pets as they take over the streets of Soulard to celebrate the 17th Annual Beggin' Pet Parade and "Tail"gating Party on Sunday, February 7th. As one of the largest pet parades in the world, the Beggin' Pet Parade is one of the many festivities connected with the 2010 Soulard Mardi Gras in St. Louis.

In addition to the thousands of costumed pets on parade, this family friendly Mardi Gras event will feature plenty of other activities. Whether you bring your own pet or not, this is a site to see.

For more information on this event and other 2010 Mardi Gras events, visit the Soulard Mardi Gras Website.

As one of the largest parades in the Midwest and the most well-attended Mardi Gras event, the Grand Parade travels from Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis to the Anheuser-Busch Brewery.

The Grand Parade features over 130 floats and krewes, and hundreds of thousands of revelers shouting out for beads and other goodies along the parade route.

After the parade, the crowd makes its way to the Soulard neighborhood, where the festivities continue throughout the day.

The parade begins at 11:00 a.m.

For more information on the Grand Parade and other 2010 Mardi Gras festivities, visit the Soulard Mardi Gras Website. 

Narrated by the always animated Jim Carrey, Under the Sea explores some of the Earth's most remote and exotic waters.

This film journeys to the depths of the highly bio-diverse regions of the Indo-Pacific and gets up close and personal with the extraordinary creatures that call the deep sea home.

The film also brings to light the effects of global climate change on our oceans and educates viewers in a truly exciting and stunning way on the gigantic OMNIMAX screen. 

Tickets: Adults $8, Child/Senior $7

For Under the Sea showtimes, click here.

Call 800-456-SLSC x4424 or 314-289-4424 to purchase tickets in advance. Tickets may also be purchased at the Saint Louis Science Center.

For more information on the OMNIMAX and other Science Center attractions, visit the Saint Louis Science Center Website.

Moby Dick may well be the greatest unread American novel, but is there anyone who doesn't know the story of Captain Ahab and the great, white whale?

Adapted numerous times for stage and screen (most notable is John Huston's film version starring Gregory Peck), this complex, far-ranging tale is never quite exhausted. Puppeteer Blair Thomas, the former artistic director of the mixed media Redmoon Theater, is tackling Melville himself with a Blair Thomas & Company production on the stage of Millennium Park's Jay Pritzger Pavilion, January 28-30.

Tickets are $10 and are available by calling 312-742-8497 or online at www.milleniumpark.org.

Enjoy a night of fine cuisine prepared by Chef de Cuisine Mike Sheerin. Before enjoying the five-course dinner, guests may view the art on display by local artists Paul Jones, Sontra Stala, Joe Krasean and Ben Wilson located in the private upstairs salon dining room.

A Champagne reception begins at 6:30 p.m. so guests can meet the artists and view the displayed art. Dinner paired with wine will be served at 7 p.m. The cost is $115 per person.

Call (312) 715-0708 for reservations.

The Chicago Sinfonietta will present "A Dream Unfolds: A Tribute to Dr. Marin Luther King, Jr." January 18 at the Symphony Center (220 S. Michigan Ave.), home to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Led by Maestro Paul Freeman, the annual tribute will open with a nod to the legendary leader with Faure's serene and elegant Pavane Opus 50.  The Sinfonetta will also present Beethoven's majestic 9th Symphony and it's celebratory Ode to Joy under the baton of rising conductor Kazem Abdullah. 

The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $26-$96 and are available online and by calling 312-236-3681, ext. 2. Discounted pricing is available for children and students. 

Red Kiva Goes Global With World Music Performance!

Enjoy cocktails, conversation and exotic world music by Sindoolaa, a high-energy musical ensemble led by Senegal native Oumar Sagna, which blends traditional West African music with reggae, salsa and other styles of world music.

There's no cover for the show and Red Kiva's regular Thursday-night specials will also be in effect during the show, including $5 Absolut cocktails.

For more information, visit http://www.sindoolaa.com  

Head to Schlafly Bottleworks in Maplewood for their Winter Beer Festival and enjoy an afternoon of big music, big beer and big fun. 

Admission includes a commemorative tasting glass and 18 two-ounce samples of Schlafly beers.

Tickets: $25 in advance, $30 day of event

Click here to purchase tickets in advance. For more information on Cabin Fever and the Schlafly Bottleworks, visit the Schlafly Website. 

Each year, for the Greater St. Louis Book Fair, the lower level of Macy's east parking garage at West County Center is transformed into an expansive book emporium, with books, movies and music from every genre at bargain prices.

Admission is free, with the exception of opening night, which will be $10 for first crack at the massive inventory.

Hours: Click here.

The proceeds from the Greater St. Louis Book Fair go toward charities that promote education and literacy for underserved individuals in the St. Louis metropolitian area. Click here for more information on the affiliated charities. 

For more information on this literary extravaganza, visit the Greater St. Louis Book Fair Website. 

Witness the trademark theatrical flair of the River North Chicago Dance Company when they take the stage at the Touhill Performing Arts Center. This isn't your grandma's ballet. With their show-stopping style and quicksilver charm, don't miss your chance to catch these hyper-talented dancers when they bounce into town.

Click here for performance times. 

Tickets: $30

For more information, call 314-534-6622 or visit the Dance St. Louis Website. 

Although Earth Day is officially on April 22, St. Louis' (and the Midwest's) largest Earth Day celebration will take place on Sunday, April 25 in Forest Park on the picturesque Muny Grounds.

This event draws more than 25,000 attendees and 250 vendors interested in celebrating the Earth and promoting stewardship. Enjoy hands-on activities, live entertainment, healthy and delicious foods from several local restaurants.

For more information on vendors and St. Louis Earth Day festivities, click here

Tanya Barfield's Pulitzer-nominated "Blue Door" makes its Chicago premiere Jan. 22 at Victory Gardens Theatre. The show explores racial identity in the story of an interracial couple.

When Lewis' white wife, he is visited by family ghosts (all portrayed by a single actor), shedding light on Lewis’ dissociation from his race. Tickets are $30-$48, and can be purchased online or by calling 773- 871-3000.

"Lucid" at The Athenaeum Theatre

"Lucid" makes its debut at The Athenaeum Theatre, directed by Braden LuBell and written by Tony Fiorentino.

"Lucid" follows the life of Peter Moore. Peter, who is unsatisfied with his life, begins an experiment with lucid dreaming all the while dismissing his own reality which results in an inability to separate his dreams from real life.

Performances are held on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and on Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets cost $20, with a discount for students and senior citizens at $18. Tickets can be purchased through ticketmaster by calling 800.982.2787 or visiting ticketmaster.com. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the Athenaeum Theatre box office.

Oscar Nominations Panel

The Gene Siskel Film Center will host a discussion panel to launch the Oscar Night America celebration. The panel will include film critics Michael Phillips, A.O. Scott, Janet Davies, and Hank Sartin.

The Event is free and the first 25 in attendance will also receive a free Chipotle burrito. All attendees will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a pair of tickets to the Oscar Night America Party on March 7th as well as individual memberships to the Gene Siskel Film Center.

Oscar Night America 2010

The Gene Siskel Film Center will open its doors to the public for their annual Oscar celebration, the only one in Chicago recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Among those attending will be Honorary Chairs Chaz and Roger Ebert. The simulcast of the awards will be shown on two big screens and food will be provided by MJ Catering.

Tickets are $100. To RSVP, call 312.846.2072.

Benefit with Robert Downey, Jr.

Actor Robert Downey, Jr. will be awarded the Gene Siskel Film Center Renaissance Award at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Chicago. More details are expected as the event gets closer to the date.

Contact Joel Mangers at 312.846.2072 or jmangers@saic.edu with any questions.

The 2010 Big Read Festival at the Foundry Art Centre in downtown St. Charles is centered around Mark Twain's literary masterpiece, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. With dozens of events taking place throughout the month of February, the 2010 Big Read is meant to encourage both youths and adults to pick up not only Twain's classic novel, but books of all kinds.

Some standout events include: the Tom Sawyer Teen Program at the Foundry on Feb. 3 from 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m., in which youths will be given copies of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, the Keynote Speaker, Dr. Cindy Lovell's address on the"Facts Behind the Fiction" on Feb. 4, anda Print and Art Demonstration by Firecracker Press on Feb. 20 at 1 p.m.

For the full schedule of 2010 Big Read events at the Foundry Art Centre, click here.

Celebrate Chinese New Year

Help celebrate the Lunar Year of the Tiger with the largest Chinatown in the Midwest right here in Chicago and experience a New Year’s celebration like no other.

The colorful streets of Chicago's famous Chinatown are lined with traditional decor, not to mention the hundreds of performers, lion teams, bands, floats and a 100-foot-long mystical dragon made from silk, paper and bamboo. The many ancient lion and dragon dances make this parade a must-see for every Chicagoan or visitor.

The parade begins at 1:00 p.m. on the corner of 24th Street and Wentworth Ave., proceeds north on Wentworth through the Chinatown Gate, before heading west on Cermak. 

For more information, check out the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce website and our post on the Chicago Travel Blog, where you'll find specific tips for the day of the parade! 

"August: Osage County"

The Tony-winning drama by Steppenwolf Theatre member, Tracy Letts, returns to Chicago after a hit Broadway run and nationwide tour. 

The story of an Oklahoma family that assembles when their patriarch goes missing, the three-act show combines horror and humor as the lives of each member unravels. The show stars the great Estelle Parsons, who took home an Oscar for her perfromance in the film Bonnie and Clyde and enjoyed new-found fame on the sitcom Roseanne.

A powerful piece that never lets up over its three hours, the show is arguably one of the best American plays to come done the pike in recent years.

Tickets: $25-$80.  Available at all Broadway in Chicago offices (21 W. Randolph, 151 W. Randolph, 18 W. Monroe); by phone at 800-775-2000; all Ticektmaster locations and online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

Watch Preview of "August: Osage County"

The Joffrey Ballet Presents "Cinderella"

The classic fairy tale, Cinderella, returns to Chicago. The choreography featured is by Sir Frederick Ashton with music by Serge Prokofiev.

For tickets and show times, go to ticketmaster.com or order by phone at 800.982.ARTS(2787). Tickets are also available at the Auditorium box office.

Ticket prices range from $25 to $145.

Zocalo Celebrates National Margarita Day

This year marks Zocalo's third annual celebration of National Margarita Day. Their house recipe costs $5 on Mondays. Other unique blends cost up to $12.

The bar will be serving half-price appetizers from 5 - 7 pm.

For more information or to make reservations, contact Zocalo at 312-302-9977.

Thirty-one years ago, Patti Lupone and Chicago's own Mandy Patinkin wowed Broadway playing together in the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice musical, Evita. 

Since then, they proved to be among the most compelling voices of the American musical, individually distinguishing themselves in such critically-acclaimed productions as Sweeney Todd, Anything Goes, Sunset Boulevard, Sunday in the Park with George, and The Secret Garden, among others.

Now, these Tony Award-winners are back together for the first time in years, performing a range of material from such greats as Richard Rodgers and Stephen Sondheim. No fan of the American musical can afford to miss this.

Court Theatre, which had a huge hit in 2008 with Tony Kushner's Caroline, or Change, now takes on another of the brilliant writer's works: The Illusion, based on L'Illusion Comique, the 17th-century comedy by French dramatist, Pierre Corneille.

Corneille's play, written when he was 29, concerns a father's attempt to learn of his prodigal son through the  offices of a sorcerer. The illusions and confusions of Corneille's narrative mirror the uncertainty of reality and the tricks theater can play. Kushner's version -- trimmed and amended with material of his own -- amplifies these subjects, revealing the hint of modernity at the heart of Corneille's very formal construction.

For tickets, call 773-753-4472 or visit www.courttheatre.org.

This Valentine's Day weekend, The Italian Village is giving you multiple reasons to celebrate!

Enjoy a tasty Valentine's Day dinner at one of their three restaurants, all of which will be open on Valentine's Day.

Head to the ever elegant Vivere, open from 4:30 - 9:30 p.m.; casual favorite The Village, open from noon 'til midnight; and La Cantina Chophouse, open from 4:30 - 9:30 p.m. Don't miss their special dessert just for lovebirds: "That's Amore."

This weekend Vivere, the Italian Village's upscale choice, celebrates its 20th Anniversary! Help them commemorate 20 years of delicious Italian cuisine with a special performance from professional performers from the Chicago Opera Theater! Don't miss this inspiring performance, Sunday night from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Vivere. 

This Valentine's Day weekend, The Italian Village is giving you multiple reasons to celebrate!

Enjoy a tasty Valentine's Day dinner at one of their three restaurants, all of which will be open on Valentine's Day.

Head to the ever elegant Vivere, open from 4:30 - 9:30 p.m.; casual favorite The Village, open from noon 'til midnight; and La Cantina Chophouse, open from 4:30 - 9:30 p.m. Don't miss their special dessert just for lovebirds: "That's Amore."

This weekend Vivere, the Italian Village's upscale choice, celebrates its 20th Anniversary! Help them commemorate 20 years of delicious Italian cuisine with a special performance from professional performers from the Chicago Opera Theater! Don't miss this inspiring performance, Sunday night from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Vivere. 

The 2010 St. Patrick's Day Parade in downtown St. Louis will bring upwards of 250,000 revelers, over 5,000 marchers, floats, larger than life balloons and many, many clowns.

Often noted as one of the finest St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the U.S., the parade will begin at noon at 18th and Market St. and proceed east to its conclusion at Broadway and Market. 

Food and drink will be sold at numerous locations along the raucous parade route. Enjoy soft drinks, hot dogs, burgers and, of course, green beer galore. 

In addition to the Parade, St. Louis will feature many other St. Patrick's Day celebrations, like the St. Patrick's Day Run. For more information on the 2010 St. Patrick's Day Parade in downtown St. Louis, click here.

St. Louis jazz favorite, Denise Thimes will kick off the Missouri Botanical Garden's 2010 Whitaker Music Festival with a jazzy performance on Wednesday, June 2.

Each Wednesday evening, from June 2-August 4, the Cohen Outdoor Amphitheater at the Missouri Botanical Garden will host the incomparable Whitaker Music Festival, in which music lovers can enjoy free Garden admission after 5 p.m., picnic suppers and fabulous live music in one of St. Louis' most beautiful backdrops.

Music begins each Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets. 

For more information on the Whitaker Music Festival, click here or call 314-577-9400.

St. Louis favorite, Trio Tres Bien will bring their irresistible sound to the Missouri Botanical Garden's 2010 Whitaker Music Festival with a live performance on Wednesday, June 9.

Each Wednesday evening, from June 2-August 4, the Cohen Outdoor Amphitheater at the Missouri Botanical Garden will host the incomparable Whitaker Music Festival, in which music lovers can enjoy free Garden admission after 5 p.m., picnic suppers and fabulous live music in one of St. Louis' most beautiful backdrops.

Music begins each Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets.

For more information on the Whitaker Music Festival, click here or call 314-577-9400.

St. Louis jazz favorite, Peter Martin will bring his irresistible sound to the Missouri Botanical Garden's 2010 Whitaker Music Festival with a jazzy performance on Wednesday, June 16.

Each Wednesday evening, from June 2-August 4, the Cohen Outdoor Amphitheater at the Missouri Botanical Garden will host the incomparable Whitaker Music Festival, in which music lovers can enjoy free Garden admission after 5 p.m., picnic suppers and fabulous live music in one of St. Louis' most beautiful backdrops.

Music begins each Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets. 

For more information on the Whitaker Music Festival, click here or call 314-577-9400.

St. Louis favorite, Dawn and the Electro Funk Assembly will bring on the noise and funk at the Missouri Botanical Garden's 2010 Whitaker Music Festival with a jazzy performance on Wednesday, June 30.

Each Wednesday evening, from June 2-August 4, the Cohen Outdoor Amphitheater at the Missouri Botanical Garden will host the incomparable Whitaker Music Festival, in which music lovers can enjoy free Garden admission after 5 p.m., picnic suppers and fabulous live music in one of St. Louis' most beautiful backdrops.

Music begins each Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets. 

For more information on the Whitaker Music Festival, click here or call 314-577-9400.

St. Louis jazz favorite, the Dogtown Allstars, will bring their original sound to the Missouri Botanical Garden's 2010 Whitaker Music Festival with a jazzy performance on Wednesday, July 7.

Each Wednesday evening, from June 2-August 4, the Cohen Outdoor Amphitheater at the Missouri Botanical Garden will host the incomparable Whitaker Music Festival, in which music lovers can enjoy free Garden admission after 5 p.m., picnic suppers and fabulous live music in one of St. Louis' most beautiful backdrops.

Music begins each Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets. 

For more information on the Whitaker Music Festival, click here or call 314-577-9400.

St. Louis favorite, FolknBluesGrass, will entertain at the Missouri Botanical Garden's 2010 Whitaker Music Festival with a jazzy performance on Wednesday, July 14.

Each Wednesday evening, from June 2-August 4, the Cohen Outdoor Amphitheater at the Missouri Botanical Garden will host the incomparable Whitaker Music Festival, in which music lovers can enjoy free Garden admission after 5 p.m., picnic suppers and fabulous live music in one of St. Louis' most beautiful backdrops.

Music begins each Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets. 

For more information on the Whitaker Music Festival, click here or call 314-577-9400.

Beyond Abbey Road will add to the stellar lineup for the Missouri Botanical Garden's 2010 Whitaker Music Festival with a live performance on Wednesday, July 21.

Each Wednesday evening, from June 2-August 4, the Cohen Outdoor Amphitheater at the Missouri Botanical Garden will host the incomparable Whitaker Music Festival, in which music lovers can enjoy free Garden admission after 5 p.m., picnic suppers and fabulous live music in one of St. Louis' most beautiful backdrops.

Music begins each Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets. 

For more information on the Whitaker Music Festival, click here or call 314-577-9400.

The Kevin Lucas Orchestra will add to the already stellar lineup for the Missouri Botanical Garden's 2010 Whitaker Music Festival with a jazzy performance on Wednesday, July 28.

Each Wednesday evening, from June 2-August 4, the Cohen Outdoor Amphitheater at the Missouri Botanical Garden will host the incomparable Whitaker Music Festival, in which music lovers can enjoy free Garden admission after 5 p.m., picnic suppers and fabulous live music in one of St. Louis' most beautiful backdrops.

Music begins each Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets. 

For more information on the Whitaker Music Festival, click here or call 314-577-9400.

Gene Dobbs Bradford and the Blues Inquisition will round out the Missouri Botanical Garden's 2010 Whitaker Music Festival with a jazzy performance on Wednesday, August 4.

Each Wednesday evening, from June 2-August 4, the Cohen Outdoor Amphitheater at the Missouri Botanical Garden will host the incomparable Whitaker Music Festival, in which music lovers can enjoy free Garden admission after 5 p.m., picnic suppers and fabulous live music in one of St. Louis' most beautiful backdrops.

Music begins each Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets. 

For more information on the Whitaker Music Festival, click here or call 314-577-9400.

From the big screen to Broadway to the Fabulous Fox stage in St. Louis, Legally Blonde is a now a hilarious musical romp.

After fair-haired sorority girl Elle Woods is dumped by her boyfriend for a Harvard Law bound prepster, Elle enrolls in the prestigious institution herself and sets out to prove that she can do anything she sets her mind to.

Don't miss this bright pink dynamo of a show (or Elle's canine companion, Bruiser Woods)!

For showtimes, click here.

Tickets: $27-$64

To purchase tickets to Legally Blonde: The Musical at the Fox Theatre, click here.

For more information on Legally Blonde and other shows and events at the Fabulous Fox Theater, visit The Fox Theatre Website.

This ain't Sesame Street. Tony Award-winning musical, Avenue Q is a gut-splitting, irreverent show, in which puppets and humans try to make it in New York City.

Full of subversive and spot-on humor, Avenue Q is a musical unlike any other. In St. Louis for just four shows, don't miss this hilarious adults-only musical masterpiece.

For showtimes, click here.

Tickets: $25-$62

To purchase tickets to Avenue Q at The Fox Theatre, click here.

Climate Change Exhibit at The Field Museum

This summer The Field Museum will show an exhbit on climate change and the effects it has taken on a global level. Besides learning about what has caused the shift in climate, visitors will also be informed on ways they can help reduce its impact.

The exhibit is part of both All-Access and Discovery passes. Call 866-FIELD-03 for more information on admission or visit the website.

The AIDS Foundation of Chicago Spring Gala

The Chicago Hilton is set to host The AFC's spring gala, Not Just Song and Dance, which will include a special performance from The Bangles. The AFC, an organization commited to fighting HIV/AIDS is also celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Tickets are $500 per person and corporate tables run from $7,500 to $100,000.

To purchase tables and tickets call 312-922-2322 or visit the website.

Ladies' Day at Hawthorne Race Course

Hawthorne Race Course is hosting a day for the ladies! From 12:30 to 4:00 p.m. you can enjoy a fun-filled party including spa services, tips and tricks from makeup artists, a little shopping (handbags, jewelry, and more), and, of course, live racing!

All that pampering can work up an appetite: enjoy cocktails, a house bar package, sweets, and a light lunch.

Tickets can be purchased in advance for $20; $30 at the door.

Check out the Hawthorne Race Course website to register for the event or call 708-780-7050 for more information.

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Family-owned, this gallery features everything from Renoir prints to contemporary originals.

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An authentic French brasserie, Brasserie Jo's is like being in a French cafe, complete with wine and great cuisine.

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Collectibles such as Snowbabies, holiday villages and more are offered at this Mag Mile shop.

This River North hotspot often features bar-top dancing, body shots, and more.

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With 75 plasma TV's and amazing views of Wrigley Field, The Cubby Bear is the place for Cubs fans.

Eclectic mix of big band, blues, jazz and more.

Underground bar offers two VIP lounges and a dance floor.

With an emphasis on Latin, jazz, hip-hop and house provided both by deejays and live bands.

Why shop at a chain store? At Equinox, lamps, furniture, candles, and other tabletop wares abound. If you can't outfit your abode with accents from your own adventures, this lofty home store is the next best thing.

Casual and convenient, Marketplace Foods, located in the lower level of Macy's is known for its excellent salads and homestyle foods selection.

The restaurant displays art and fashions by local college students, that you can purchase, or admire while you wait for a table. 

Available by appointment only, this gallery features mostly contemporary American and European art.

Giant antique store specializing in French imports.

Since 1949, Chicagoans have been enjoying Garrett Popcorn, Carmel Corn, and Cheese Corn. The popcorn is hot-air popped using no oils or fats.

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The House of Blues Chicago showcases big-name acts in pop, rock, reggae and other genres.  The House of Blues Restaurant serves cajun fare.

Highlights include paintings and sculpture from well-known international artists.

Hip, reasonably priced Scandinavian furnishings.

This Korean eatery features a sleek, contemporary, dining room and an approachable menu offering modern presentations of Korean classics.

This cafe is located at touristy Navy Pier, with excellent views of the larger tour boats coming and going, so it's generally packed during the summer months.

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Three huge floors of 18th- and 19th-century antiques.

Best selection of jazz in the city.

Inside the Wrigley Building, this gallery features art depicting natural history.

This popular, moderately priced French creperie and cafe emphasizes casual French fare.

This tapas spot has a festive interior filled with colorful mosaics, tiles and original murals. The menu features both hot and cold tapas, plus heartier fare like paella.

This tapas spot has a festive interior filled with colorful mosaics, tiles and original murals. The menu features both hot and cold tapas, plus heartier fare like paella.

The classy French colonial decor, Saigon-inspired upstairs lounge and alfresco terrace of this upscale Vietnamese restaurant make this spot a unique dining destination.

Represents some of the best brands in European contemporary furniture and lighting.

The Newberry Library is home to millions of books, maps, and manuscripts, including letters by such figureheads as Thomas Jefferson.

The Oriental Institute is a research organization and museum devoted to the study of the ancient Near East.

Contemporary American fare in an elegant atmosphere is offered at this top pre- and post-theater restaurant.

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Stylish yet comfortable, this River North bar and grill puts a twist on American favorites. Expect to hear some classic rock music as the name implies and take in the old album cover-jacketed menus.

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This full-of-frills tea house has been giving visitors to Chicago a taste of Russian culinary luxury for years now; a great spot for a special meal or snack with that special someone.

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A lineup of pop, classical, folk, jazz and other musical performances under the stars or an open-air pavilion. Concerts March through Sept.

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Visit Chicago's newest destination for all the arts and check out a range of community-minded art spaces including both permanent and temporary exhibits.

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This top Chicago theater offers a full schedule when it comes to all kinds of performances.

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This gallery-esque store features handcrafted furniture and home accessories.

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Popular bar known for an extensive beer list and its 200+ beer garden. With fireplaces, boardgames, movies, a pool table, golden tee, comfortable seating, candle light and more, this bar feels like your living room.>

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This authorized Segway Tour begins with training with certified Segway Tour Captains and includes visits to Millennium Park, Museum Campus, Buckingham Fountain, Rose Gardens and more. Tours six times daily, open all year long.

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A Lincoln Park landmark, Steppenwolf Theatre Company is a dynamic ensemble of actors, directors, and writers whose work has earned the company admiration of in Chicago, New York, and abroad.   

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Wine bar with a lounge atmosphere featuring more than 100 wines by the glass plus 300 more on the reserve list and an appetizer and dessert menu. Half-priced glasses on Mon. Closed Sun.

Chicago's own Joffrey Ballet is considered one of the foremost companies in the world, currently home to the 42 talented members of the Joffrey Company and performing at the Auditorium Theater at Roosevelt University.

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The best in comedy and the launching ground of generations of comedic talent, The Second City guarantees a fun night out.

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Live nightly music features mostly jazz and blues, with the occasional guest star appearance. Cover varies.>

Live jazz and southern cuisine. 

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The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University has evolved over the years from rock and roll concerts to musicals to ballets.

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Wall art, home accessories, jewelry, and designer scarves in a modern/urban style.>

Works by regional and national contemporary artists, featuring large-scale paintings and sculptures.>

The museum boasts one of the largest facilities in the country devoted to modern art. The Museum of Contemporary Art showcase sculptures, paintings, photography, video, film and performances. Admission is $6-$10 and free on Tuesdays.

This St. Louis landmark serves up award-winning burgers from the grill and great live music.

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With an interior that was inspired by real palaces, the Cadillac Palace Theatre opened in 1926 with white marble, lush fabrics, and 2,500 seats.

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This indoor/outdoor urban antique market attracts bargain hunters of all kinds.

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The Chicago Chamber Choir is a 38-member ensemble performing stirring hymns and spirituals throughout the city.

Playing and learning interact at the 57,000 square-foot Chicago Children's Museum.

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Find more than a century of Chicago history here, including relics from the Great Chicago Fire, the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, 1893, and the World's Fair 1933-34.

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Three-hour guided tours include visits to Navy Pier, Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain and Solider Field.

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The Museum of Science and Industry, one of the most beloved and visited museums in the world, has origins that are tied to two great World's Fairs and to civic spirit and imagination of Chicago businessman Julius Rosenwald.

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The Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) offers a 88 different tours in total. You can explore the city by bus, boat, bike on foot or even via a segway.

Get a glimpse of what's going on at the CAF in this great video!

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District comprised of six blocks of antiques and gifts.

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A quaint gift shop located directly across from the train station in downtown Kirkwood, Down by the Station offers whimsical glassware, jewelry, handbags, housewares and other odds & ends that would make for good keepsakes or gifts.

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A background of hand painted walls, lush upholstery, and creative lighting artfully displays contemporary accessories and home furnishings.

Chicago's Ford Center for the Performing Arts, located in the downtown theatre district, is a restored 1920's movie palace.

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar in St. Louis is an ongoing celebration of exceptional food and wine.

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Finches by Robinson Ltd. is located along The Shops of Clayton Row and features antiques, decorative accessories, furniture and china.

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Fine art gallery and sculpture studio.Fine art gallery and sculpture studio.

Firest Capitol Trading post in historic downtown St. Charles is a collectibles haven, carrying Lladro Hummel, Precious Moments, Disney and many more popular lines.

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Fun, eclectic rooms of Mexican imports, furniture, garden statuary, urns, jewelry, and home accessories.

 Hours:
Open 10 AM - 8 PM, seven days a week

Located in the heart of Greektown, this ethnic museum features memories and artifacts from the Greek community in Chicago (and America at large), telling their immigrant and cultural stories. Open Tue. through Sat. and the first Sun. of the month; admission is $5.

Discounted week-of-performance tickets for local theaters are offered by this unique ticket service.

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Discounted week-of-performance tickets for local theaters are offered by this unique ticket service.

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Award-winning seasonal tastes where fresh food is a deliciously perfected and served with pride.

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Harrah's St. Louis is one of the premier gambling destinations in the entire city, offering nightlife, music, food and fun.

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Housed inside a historic Gold Coast mansion, the museums floors offer a look at surgeries through the centuries and throughout the world. Open daily, $6 suggested donation.

Has been designated a:
Concierge favorite

Public 18-hole course. Open daily. Fees $12-$25.

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Housed in the 19th century mansion occupied by Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr, the museum commemorates Addams and Starr's Hull house, the first reform settlement of its kind.

www.jazzatthebistro.com. Enjoy an up-close and personal jazz experience in the sophisticated atmosphere of this club, where the hottest rising stars, Grammy winners, and legends can all be found. Call for a current schedule.

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Louisiana cooking and two blues bands on two stages every night. Cover $12-$15.

Has been designated a:
Concierge favorite

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Professional minor league baseball club of the Florida Marlins. Full concessions, catered picnics and part packages available.

Open Sat. noon to 5 p.m. and Sun. 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission $5, parking free. 

Kerry Cottage is a charming St. Louis shop that celebrates the spirit of Ireland and has the perfect gifts for your Irish (or Irish-at-heart) friends and family.

Offers a variety of hand-dyed yarns, silk alpaca, cotton, wool; also offers knitting and weaving classes.

Quality products for knitting, crocheting, cross stitching and other fiber crafts. Offers expert advice and guidance for your personal projects. Classes offered for beginning through advanced knitters.

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Buys and sells artwork from 18th, 19th and 20th century American and European masters.

Two floors and two completely different spots, one an English-style pub and the other a low-key lounge.>

One of the greatest opera companies located right in the heart of Chicago.

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Romantic, often hand-made items likeVictorian jewelry, one-of-a-kind purses, an exclusive line of bath and body products and hand-made Mardi Gras masks.

Featuring glasswork, clocks, jewelry and more from top national and regional artists.

The Missouri History Museum is a thorough look at St. Louis history and culture, from the time it was just a village up until its present day glory.

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St. Louis' Mad Art Gallery is an imaginative gallery space housed in an Art Deco police station in Soulard.

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Founded by the Oblates Catholic order in 1958, The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows is a facility with multiple purposes: a quiet place to bask in nature, a serene escape to consider existence, or just a nice stop on a tour of St. Louis.

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The 240-seat Playhouse at Westport Plaza provides a high-quality theatrical experience in an intimate setting.

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One of St. Louis' leading professional theatre companies, the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, or The Rep, presents musicals, comedies, and dramas of both contemporary and classic variety.

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A Soulard eatery for the distinguishing individual that knows a good brew.

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St. Louis's grand old train station, Union Station is a National Historic Landmark and has been ranked as one of the top attractions in the region.

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The Big Bang in St. Louis is a late-night hotspot with dueling pianos, audience participation, and some of the most exciting interactive entertainment in St. Louis.

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The Dance Center features a nationally respected academic program leading to a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance.

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Horse racing in Chicago finds a home at this historic horse racing track. It's a top Chicago betting institution where nature meets human intuition, resulting in tickets both lost and won.

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Located in the heart of the St. Louis metropolitan area, this restaurant, shopping, arts & entertainment district is one of St. Louis' cultural epicenters. 20 minutes from Lambert International Airport, five minutes from Clayton and within walking distance of Washington University. The Loop is centrally located with easy access to highways 40 (I-64), I-170, I-70, I-44, and the Delmar Loop MetroLink Station.

The area's diverse selection of specialty shops, award-winning restaurants, and the St. Louis Walk of Fame attracts people of all ages. A major portion of the area is designated as a Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. The Loop has large, well-lighted parking lots, a parking garage with a uniformed attendant and plentiful street parking.

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The City Museum is a zany, fun-filled place where imagination and surprises know no bounds, and inspiration blossoms where inner child and inner artist meet. Baffling architectural attractions are made of salvaged materials—including old chimneys, pieces of bridges, and construction cranes—that were gathered from all over St. Louis. This fun and funky museum invites visitors to explore caves, walk through a life-size whale, be in a circus, zoom down a 3-story slide, or climb through giant slinkies.

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The famous Anheuser-Busch Brewery in St. Louis is the company's world headquarters and the largest of its 12 breweries.

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The St. Louis Zoo is located within Forest Park and free to the public.

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For a Broadway experience under the stars, visit The Muny in St. Louis' Forest Park. America's largest and oldest outdoor musical theater, The Muny is a quintessential St. Louis must-to in the summertime.

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The Missouri History Museum shop in the Emerson Center is an excellent stop for history buffs and novices. The Louisiana Purchase is a great resource for books on the rich history of St. Louis. The shop also offers jewelry, apparel, videos, and educational entertainment for kids.

After exploring the Animal Kingdom, peruse all 3,500 square feet of Zootique. Located in The Living World, shoppers can purchase fun Zoo apparel, books, games, toys, and many more souvenirs at this huge shop.

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Every Friday, the Art Museum offers cool cocktails and delectable tapas during Art After Five.

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See the city of St. Louis the way it was meant to be seen: from the top of its most famous monument, the Gateway Arch.

Perhaps it's the fat white fence harboring the sprawl of rose bushes, or the spacious design of plotted circles expanding from a central fountain, but something sets this arena of petals apart from its surroundings.

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This garden features common fruits and vegetables that are easy to maintain, like corn, tomatoes, and beans. Dotted with signs explaining the requirements for sustainable living, each plot is scaled to a size necessary for feeding a family of four.

Everyone should have the experience of picking home-grown blueberries and strawberries on a hot summer day. Although visitors can't pick the berries grown in the Botanical Garden, they can study them when they're in season and learn how to cultivate the most delicious fruit for their own gardens.

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark stand 14 feet high and are accompanied by Lewis's Newfoundland, Seaman at this monument in Frontier Park, on the bank of the Missouri River.

Feeling creative? Visit the Foundry Art Centre, where the arts, artists, and the public come together to create a unique art experience for all.

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Laclede's Landing has been a happenin' St. Louis spot ever since Pierre Laclede built a fur trading post here in 1874. The riverfront buildings that once were used as warehouses are now a maze of remodeled shops, restaurants, and bars. Just a few yards away, barges drift down the Mississippi River. The Landing, as locals call it, brims with architectural clues of eras long past, its old-world setting a comfortable package for the modern treats that lie inside.

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After more than 30 years, the cantankerous band of merrymakers at the Royal Dumpe Dinner Theater still draws crowds every weekend.

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This laid-back wine bar/lounge has comfortable seating and a deli counter.

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Meaning "The red apple" in French, La Pomme Rouge offers an opulent, parlor-style venue for eating and drinking.

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Asian "tranquility" meets posh, Chicago nighttime scene. Voted best new bar in the country.

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Dance St. Louis brings the world's best dance to the city.

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See Chicago from the top of the John Hancock Center in the heart of downtown. The John Hancock Observatory offers Chicago views at their finest and their new Cafe Espression by Lavazza is one of the most high altitude coffee purveyors in the world.

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An exotic, restored venue from the days of the grand movie houses.

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Enjoy an up-close and personal jazz experience in the sophisticated atmosphere of this club, where the hottest rising stars, Grammy winners, and legends can all be found.

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A concert nightclub with an excellent sound system and great sightlines.

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This world-renowned orchestra performs in the elegant Powell Symphony Hall.

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Located on the campus of the University of Missouri - St. Louis, this structure, designed by architect I.M. Pei, hosts world-famous performers as well as local favorites.

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The Black Rep in St. Louis is our nation's largest African-American theatre company, where talented displays of theater, dance and other creative expression heighten social and cultural awareness.

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A premier outdoor concert venue brings everything from the hottest new talent to internationally known stars to St. Louis.

The second of three sports bars within the chain. A must-stop on St. Patrick's Day & Cubs/Bears game days, as well as every weekend. Traditional Irish setting in large warehouse space.

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Commune with the blossoms at a stunning Art Deco floral conservatory with hundreds of flowers.

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A State Historic Site and World Heritage Site, Cahokia Mounds was part of the most sophisticated prehistoric native civilization north of Mexico.

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A U.S. Army post from 1826-1946, this historic site now contains the Powder Magazine, the Old Ordnance Room, and other exhibits.

Just 18 miles from downtown St. Louis is this replica of Camp River DuBois where the Corps of Discovery spent 5 months prior to their journey.  A new museum with a keelboat replica, fascinating information on the men and their lives, and a dramatic film tell the story.

Home to replicas of Lewis & Clark's boats, plus exhibits relating to the Discovery Expedition and the Missouri River ecosystem.

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Gallery of architecture in Pilsen.

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New casino and luxury resort located on Laclede's Landing reflects a hip, urban ambiance.

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Bloomingdale golf resort featuring 36 holes of championship golf!

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Designer toys for kids or adults are available at this unique shop set in Chicago's Ukrainian Village. This is a comic shop on anime steroids.

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A treasure of the Chicago Botanic Gardens, Lenhardt Library is open to the public.

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Featuring live entertainment, DJ's, great food, and a menu with over 20 specialty martinis.

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Westport Plaza is a centrally located development with over 18 restaurants and entertainment venues, specialty shops, and two Sheraton Hotels.

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Museum and library celebrating Irish American heritage.

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Temple designed by the master of modern architecture Frank Lloyd Wright.

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This 98-acre park is home to at least 88 pieces of sculpture and is well-deserving of its reputation as one of the nation's finest sculpture parks.

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From eclectic to classic rock musical choices.

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One of the largest, and oldest, bookstores in Chicago.

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Since 1949, Chicagoans have been enjoying Garrett Popcorn, Carmel Corn, and Cheese Corn. The popcorn is hot-air popped using no oils or fats.

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Since 1949, Chicagoans have been enjoying Garrett Popcorn, Carmel Corn, and Cheese Corn. The popcorn is hot-air popped using no oils or fats.

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Since 1949, Chicagoans have been enjoying Garrett Popcorn, Carmel Corn, and Cheese Corn. The popcorn is hot-air popped using no oils or fats.

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Since 1949, Chicagoans have been enjoying Garrett Popcorn, Carmel Corn, and Cheese Corn. The popcorn is hot-air popped using no oils or fats.

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The new steakhouse at Lumière Place Casino on Laclede's Landing offers a hip addition to nightlife in St. Louis.

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This top Chicago spa sits at the corner of Oak and State streets and is frequented by Chicago spa lovers and travelers alike. Therapies include facials, massage, acupuncture, nutrition, and more.

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Around the Coyote is a progressive arts organization located in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood that hosts multi-media arts festivals throughout the year.

The Saint Sebastian Players is a Chicago theatre company affiliated with St. Bonaventure parish on the city's near West side.

Chicago's Mercury Theatre hosts Broadway touring companies, local theatre productions, children's theatre, music and dance showcases, and late-night shows.

Chicago's David Weinberg Gallery exhibts the work of both emerging and high-profile artists working in a variety of media.

The Emerald City Theatre Company specializes in innovative, affordable theater for children and famlies.

The Harold Washington Cultural Center is an entertainment and educational center located in Chicago's historic Bronzeville neighborhood.

History & Hauntings Book Co., located in the delightfully creepy St. Louis suburb of Alton, features books on the ghosts, the occult, regional history, and the Civil War.

L20 is a progressive seafood restaurant from acclaimed chef Laurent Gras located in the heart of Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood.

The Illionis Artisans Program sells unique items crafted by local artisans in Chicago's James R. Thompson Center.

Historic Stone Hill Winery, located just over an hour from St. Louis, produces fascinating, award-winning wines.

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The first of three sports bars in the John Barleycorn chain. This is an excellent place to relax, rewind, or even throw a summer party.

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The third of three sports bars within the John Barleycorn chain. This one features various music events throughout the summer.

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Located in the heart of Chicago's trendy Wicker Park neighborhood, Debonair Social Club offers drinking, dancing and dining.

Chic Wicker Park nightspot Salud features authentic Mexican fare with creative twists, as well as an extensive selection of premium tequilas.

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The St. Louis outpost of the Wentworth Gallery is one of 31 locations throughout the United States.

A store not just dedicated to, but obsessed with the art of knitting, offering supplies, clinics, and books on the subject. Pick up your needles and give it a go.

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Housing the hottest avant-garde art in the Midwest, the Contemporary Art Museum of St. Louis promotes the most meaningful, relevant and innovative art being made today.

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Chicago's Remy Bumppo Theatre Company produces intelligent works that explore the power of language in an intimate 150-seat theatre.

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The Route 66 Theatre Company presents theatrical production that bridge the cultural divide between Chicago and Los Angeles.

Visit the ever-blooming Lincoln Park Conservatory to enter a world of luscious tropical plants, blossoming flowers, and forms of rarely seen vegetation. The over 100 year old conservatory is open every day of the year and is always free to the public. 

A haven for sports memoribilia, autographs and posters.

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A specialty store with an olive fetish, specializing in olive oil tastings, flavors and recipes.

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HoteLumiere is an elegant hotel connected to the Lumiere Place Casino, offering rich accomodations, terrific views of the St. Louis skyline, and most importantly, all the entertainment you can imagine.

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An authentic Asian restaurant featuring several styles of Asian cuisine including Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese and Thai.

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Located just 18 miles west of St. Louis, the Mount Pleasant Winery makes an ideal getaway for the wine afficionados.  Visitors can tour the winery's cellars and stop for food and refreshment on the patio, which boasts the best views of the winery's vineyards.

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Visitors come to see the sprawling vineyards and taste the wine. The winery features a wide selection of wines with a wide price range.

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Chicago's Luna Negra Dance Theater creates, performs and teaches contemporary dancy by Latino choreographers.

Stages St. Louis is a professional theater company that focuses on American musical theater.

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A Japanese-centric restaurant with great sushi and entrees.

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Classic fine dining, Italian style, with hearty pasta dishes and wood oven pizza.

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A contemporary art gallery for glassware and sculptures.

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This St. Louis antiques spot features classic furniture and antiques, as well as interior design services.

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The Regional Arts Commission (RAC) promotes the arts and cultural institutions in St. Louis. There mission is to contribute to the city by saturating the area with the presence of the arts.

Before heading to Le Passage for a glamorous discotheque experience, stop by The Drawing Room for a variety of gourmet small plates and unique cocktails. The relaxing atmosphere and top of the line drinks will make all guests feel like they are living in the lap of luxury.

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Once the site of the 1904 World's Fair, St. Louis's Forest Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States, dwarfing central park by 500 acres.

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Junior's Sports Lounge, located in Chicago's University Village, features more than 40 flat screen televisions, a delicious selection of American bar food and drink specials every day of the week.

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This sandwich shop is more than it may appear, baking their own bread fresh daily and crafting their selection from the finest ingredients and proffering a large selection.

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Relaunched in early 2010, The Old Rock House just south of downtown St. Louis offers an intimate live music experience with great food and a loungy atmosphere. 

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Wasabi downtown is one of the tastiest sushi restaurants in St. Louis, with inexpensive lunch specials and authentic Japanese cuisine.

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Attached to the St. Louis Science Center, The Omnimax Theatre offers amazing nature documentaries and films showcasing the beauty of life.

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First Folio Theatre is an outdoor theater offering plays of many varieties.

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River North Chicago Dance Company is Chicago jazz dance. It's fresh, but still has the energy and entertainment that defines jazz dance. 

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The Hoypoloi gallery represents a wide range of established and up-and-coming artists. This eclectic gallery hosts limited edition wall art, sculptures, fountains, jewelry and other personal items. 

Get ready for some Spanish flair in Chicago. From folk dancing to flamenco, Ensemble Espanol presents traditional Spanish dance.

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For all types of African dance, see Chicago's Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago. From ancient tribal dance to new interpretations of African classics, this company is both cultural and energetic. 

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The Addington Gallery is home to different types of art including sculptures and paintings by American and European artists. 

The Jean Albano Gallery includes contemporary paintings, drawings and variety of installations and constructions. 

The Josef Glimer Gallery, Ltd. features masterpieces of the 19th and 20th centuries by Picasso and Renoir. The gallery also attributes to contemporary artists.

The Gruen Galleries consists of three spaces featuring contemporary American and European paintings, sculptures and African art. 

Step into the glamorous world of Hollywood at the Hollywood Casino in Aurora. The casino features over 53,00 sq. ft. of gaming space just southwest of the city. 

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The Expression Gallery of Fine Art specializes in 19th and 20th Century master prints including Picasso and Renoir. Contemporary American, Spanish and French painters are also represented.

The Maya Polsky Gallery hosts international contemporary art and contemporary Russian art. Here you can find massive paintings to installation art. 

4Art Inc is a gallery that hosts a number of art forms including sculptures, digital art, photography, and paintings from a number of established and emerging artists.

Blumenhof is a top-of-the-line St. Louis Vineyard and Winery, showcasing some of the Midwest's finest wines, and offering tours daily.

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Located in the chic Central West End, Kampai is a sushi restaurant dedicated to fresh ingredients and unspoiled Japanese flavor.

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There are no lines at Gold Class Cinemas, a luxury film viewing experience in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Recline by yourself or with a special someone and enjoy large-screen movie viewing in comfort and with a full fine-dining menu at your disposal.

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The Gateway Center is a multi-purpose event venue located just minutes east of St. Louis in Collinsville, Illinois.

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The Contemporary St. Louis is a non-collecting museum that showcases visual arts and artists of our time. The Contemporary is located in Midtown's Grand Center.

Euclid Records is a St. Louis favorite for vinyl, CDs and DVDs.

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The Firebird is a hip underground music venue in downtown St. Louis, featuring local, regional and up and coming national.

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Enjoy any of the multiple Chicago nightlife scenes available at this popular North Side bar. The basics are all in place here and it's good for a solo night at the bar or any kind of group event you can dream up

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This Oak Street art gallery purveys a strong collection of antique posters and art-accompanying furniture.

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Family-owned, this gallery features everything from Renoir prints to contemporary originals.

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The Landmark Cinema is an independent movie theatre located in the luxurious Plaza Frontenac.

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A unique stop on the St. Louis bar scene, this generation-X cafe features live music, good food and an outdoor patio.

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Huddled close in St. Louis's historic Lafayette Square, Park Avenue Coffee serves up rich brews and gooey cakes.

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The London Tea Room is fairly straightforward: good tea served authentically by two "homesick Brits." And they know their teas.

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