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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 by Ensemble Member J. Nicole Brooks and directed by Ensemble Member Laura Eason. The production runs September 30 – November 15, 2009 at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.  

The king is dead. The son is lost. The queen is mad. Desire threatens the kingdom, and survival hangs in the balance.

Our 22nd season opens with an explosive retelling of Phaedra that would make Euripides, Seneca and Jean Racine blush. This story of power and lust is set in a reimagined Haiti that stands as the world’s greatest superpower. Only the fiercely mischievous pen of Ensemble Member J. Nicole Brooks (Black Diamond) could so ignite the hidden power of this enduring myth. Award-winning Ensemble Member Laura Eason (Around the World in 80 Days) directs Lookingglass’ 51st World Premiere.

To see everything going on at this vaunted theater, check out their online calendar.

Link to Website

Family-owned, this gallery features everything from Renoir prints to contemporary originals.

Link to Website

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.

Link to Website

Live music steps away from Wrigley Field.

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.

Link to Website

The first Hooters opened in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida; the chain now has over 375 outposts worldwide.

Link to Website

The first Hooters opened in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida; the chain now has over 375 outposts worldwide.

Link to Website

The first Hooters opened in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida; the chain now has over 375 outposts worldwide.

Link to Website

The first Hooters opened in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida; the chain now has over 375 outposts worldwide.

Link to Website

The first Hooters opened in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida; the chain now has over 375 outposts worldwide.

Link to Website

The first Hooters opened in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida; the chain now has over 375 outposts worldwide.

Link to Website

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.

Link to Website

Joe's is a marriage between Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises (LEYE) and the legendary Joe's Stone Crab in Miami Beach.

Link to Website

The menu offers all-American choices like burgers, hand-dipped shakes, apple pie and hot fudge sundaes.

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.

Chef Bill Kim, a veteran of the Chicago dining scene, melds the textures, flavors and concepts of Asian cuisine with an extensive skill set to make this one of the hottest restaurants in town year in and year out. Expect a black sunglasses AND clothes crowd here: visitors from NYC and Paris seem to delight in it.

Represents some of the best brands in European contemporary furniture and lighting.

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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Lake Side Cafe is a great vegetarian and vegan restaurant with delicious food made from organic ingredients!  This restaurant has a great atmosphere for everyone!

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The Lobby at the Peninsula is a fancier restaurant that offers, breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner.  A great vegan menu is offered at afternoon tea.

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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.

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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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.

This St. Louis landmark serves up award-winning burgers from the grill and great live music.

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This indoor/outdoor urban antique market attracts bargain hunters of all kinds.

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Three-hour guided tours include visits to Navy Pier, Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain and Solider Field.

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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Destination Dining offers meticulously prepared international meals.

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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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Antiques, decorative accessories, furniture and china.

Fine art gallery and sculpture studio.Fine art gallery and sculpture studio.

It’s a collectibles haven, carrying Lladro Hummel, Precious Moments, Disney and many more popular lines.

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.

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. 

A popular gathering ground for the younger set on the trendy Washington Avenue strip.

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.

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.>

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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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Imaginative gallery space housed in an Art Deco police station.

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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One of St. Louis's leading professional theatre companies. The Rep presents musicals, comedies, and dramas, contemporary and classic, on two stages in the Loretto-Hilton Center (Season runs September-April). In addition, they offer three shows at The Grandel Theatre in Grand Center (Season runs September-December).

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The Grandel Theatre is a division of the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, bringing great off-beat drama to life in this cozy venue.

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A Soulard eatery for the distinguishing individual that knows a good brew.

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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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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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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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Does an evening of hors d'oeuvres and Picasso sound appetizing to you? Every Friday, the Art Museum offers cool cocktails and delectable tapas during Art After Five. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. patrons can gather in the Sculpture Hall, grab a drink and a bite to eat, then leisurely explore the Museum's galleries. As if the evening could get any better, on the last Friday of every month, local musicians join the festivities for a wonderful cultural experience.

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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.

Like journeymen past, take a ride down the “Mighty Mississippi” aboard the Tom Sawyer or Becky Thatcher, re-created river boats offering up a piece of St. Louis pioneer history.

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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.

Fountain Grill is an eatery located within the lush grounds of the Missouri Botanical Gardens.

Kids will love the atmosphere of the '50s diner, where they can slip a nickel into the tabletop jukebox and fill out a coloring book. There's no better end to a day of fun than a frosty milkshake and a steaming bowl of onion rings.

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You'll find adventure, knowledge, and fun at the Lewis and Clark Boat House and Nature Center. Follow the story of the intrepid explorers as they traverse the Missouri River with the Corps of Discovery. See replicas of Lewis and Clark's boats, learn about the fragile eco-system of the Missouri River and get a glimpse into the lives of the citizens of St. Charles in the early 19th century. Visit www.lewisandclark.net/boathouse  for more information.

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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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This Italian steakhouse has a club-like atmosphere with large windows, oil paintings, and an elegant yet casual ambiance.

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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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A premier outdoor concert venue brings everything from the hottest new talent to internationally known stars to St. Louis.

The former location of Sauce, this stylish setting brings new meaning to the words "dining" and "disco."

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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 an Art Deco floral conservatory with hundreds of flowers.

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.

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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36 hole championship golf course located in Bloomingdale.

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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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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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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.

A classic Sinatra-style establishment, 200 East Supper Club features an 1940's-esque food and drink menu as well as musical standards perfect for dancing.

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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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Already the premier gambling facility in the Midwest, the Horseshoe Hammond Casino has stepped it up a notch with a serious expansion happening summer of 2008. Check out the new 3,300-seat entertainment facility, The Venue. Choose from a wide range of tables and slots, plus entertainment and dining options here.

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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 Bucktown nightspot Salud features authentic Mexican fare and an extensive selection of premium tequilas.

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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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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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Forest Park is one of the largest urban parks in the nation, 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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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. 

If you are looking for the thrill of Las Vegas within a stone's throw of downtown, look no further than Harrah's Joliet. 

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Voted "Best Casino" in the Chicago area by "Casino Player" magazine, Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin continues to be a hit.

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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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Scheduled to open December 2008, this casino will be located at the Mississippi riverfront off of 18th street in Rock Island.

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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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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A new entrant onto the Chicago steak house scene, Fleming's acquits itself very well while serving traditional fare (prime steaks, chops and salads) in a very contemporary setting with a stellar accompanying wine list.

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A contemporary steak house set in the northern Chicago suburb of Lincolnshire, Fleming's also has a location in downtown's River North neighborhood. All of the locations of this national chain are known for consistent service and decent prices.

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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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Pegasus Players in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood focuses on socially-conscious theater.

Ruth Page Center for the Arts is a modern dance performance venue and school located in Chicago's Gold Coast.

The Carl Hammer Gallery is one of the River North neighborhood's hottest shops for outsider art and has been since opening in 1979.

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Chiaroscuro is a one of a kind boutique located in Water Tower Place on Michigan Avenue. It features handcrafted pieces from over 200 artists.  Chiaroscuro is the perfect spot to get a unique gift that you won't find anywhere else in the city. They sell jewerly, furniture, glassware, seasonal and wedding themed gifts, artwork and much more.

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Piccolo Sogno translates to "little dream" in Italian and so does its menu. The restaurant focuses on fresh, seasonal Italian cuisine and offers favorites like hand-tossed pastas cooked in a wood-burning stove, Roman-style pork, Mediterranean sea bass, and homemade gelato. 

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Located in Pilsen, the second largest Mexican American neighborhood in the country, this small art studio is located between Harrison Park and a tortilla factory. Artists and activists Montserrat Alsina and Roberto Ferreyra display their beautiful vision and host great events for the art community.

Segway tours are quickly becoming the ‘it’ way to experience Chicago. Absolutely Chicago Segway Tours is one company that stands out from the rest. All tours are either $60 or $65, chose from a Museum Campus tour, Art & Architecture tour (Sat and Sun only) or Fireworks Tour (Wed, Fri, Sat night).

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The only Costa Rican restaurant in Chicago, Irazu is a welcome island treat in Wicker Park with amazing food.

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