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Everything Old Is New Again

4/26/2012

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While the very word “antique” may cause the go-getters of the iPhone set to recoil in horror, others are inspired to hearken back to a simpler, more meaningful time. Those are the kind of folks one can expect to run across this weekend during the Merchandise Mart International Antique Fair, running April 27-30. The Mart makes for an ideal host for this 15th annual event, as this 1931 architectural gem is itself a grand old testament to the bygone days of Chicago. More than 120 premier international dealers of fine arts and antiques are set to participate in this event. Located at 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza. 800/677-6278.

For diehard antique lovers, the Fair will be just the tip of the iceberg in a part of town known for great dealers. Wander the Antiques Row area immediately surrounding the Mart to come across even more great finds at places like the Asian House of Chicago (159 W. Kinzie; 312/527-4848) and the Antiquarians Building (159 W. Kinzie; 312/527-0533).

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Laughtastic!

4/23/2012

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The Chicago Improv Festival (CIF), the largest and most prestigious improv festival in the world comprised of 75 ensembles from 14 cities and countries performing at eight venues in seven days, is sure to provide hundreds of reasons to grin, giggle, and outright guffaw from April 23 through April 29.  

Themed “Celebrating the Art of Play,” this year’s festival will once again delight audiences with some of the most respected names in improv. Must-see acts include, The Playboys (Susan Messing, Rachel Mason and Kate Duffy), Dominizuelan (A Latina group featuring Wendy Mateo and Lorena Diaz), Border Patrol (a young combo from Washington & Canada), and Almost ATLANTA (A powerhouse group featuring T.J. Jagodowski, Noah Gregoropoulos, Rebecca Sohn and more).

Performances take place at the Athenaeum Theatre, Annoyance Theatre, ComedySportz Chicago, i.O. Theater, The Second City Skybox, among other venues. All tickets are $5-$20. For more information and a full slate of performances and show times, call 773/472-3492 or visit www.chicagoimprovfestival.org

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Green Scene

4/22/2012

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St. Patrick’s Day isn’t the only time that Chicagoans think green. As the plants and trees emerge from their winter hibernation around this time of year and the warmth of spring returns, it’s time once again to recognize Earth Day on April 22.

The purpose of this annual observance may be to raise awareness of environmental issues and call attention to ways that we can take better care of our planet and its precious resources, but while that explanation may sound rather academic and boring, actually getting out and celebrating those ideals and putting them into practice needn’t be boring in the least. Here are a few “green” possibilities.

Start with getting around town. In honor of Earth Day, skip the cab or the bus and opt for a little pedal power instead. Biking is probably one of the most enjoyable ways to practice environmental responsibility – not to mention one of the best ways to see and enjoy this incredibly bike-friendly city.

At the various outlets of Bike and Roll Chicago all over town (including 239 E. Randolph; 312/540-1700), visitors can rent an eco-friendly two-wheeler and hit the wonderful lakefront path for a great day of exploration. There are plenty of available rentals from which to choose as well at Bobby’s Bike Hike (465 N. McClurg; 312/915-0995), where riders can opt for either a day of independent riding or a guided bike tour of the many sights and scenes around the city.

One great place to take a bike this month is up the lakefront to Fullerton Avenue for a stop at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (2430 N. Cannon; 773/755-5100), where the new exhibit Bikes! The Green Revolution arrives just in time for Earth Day.With an emphasis on Chicago’s own bike culture, visitors will learn more about one of the most sustainable forms of transportation known to man.

Another possible biking destination requires a healthy ride along the southern portion of the lakefront path, a peaceful and less crowded journey that will wrap up at the massive Museum of Science and Industry for the seasonal re-opening of the fascinating Smart Home: Green + Wired (57th Street and Lake Shore; 773/684-1414). This full three-story eco-friendly home outside of the museum’s main buildings features re-used and refurbished furniture and décor, state-of-the-art energy systems, and the latest high-tech home gadgets.

Cap your Earth Day explorations with a ride back north to downtown for an eco-friendly meal at one of the city’s hottest casual eateries, Chef Rick Bayless’ Mexican street food joint Xoco (449 N. Clark; 312/334-3688). From the LEED-certified building design to the chef’s insistence on locally grown and sourced ingredients, this is one good meal that an environmentally responsible diner can feel good about.  

            


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The Boys Are Back in Town!

4/10/2012

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The Tony, Grammy, and Olivier Award-winning hit musical Jersey Boys makes its much–anticipated return to Chicago to play the Bank of America Theatre for nine weeks, from April 5 through June 2, 2012.

“We are thrilled to bring Jersey Boys home, not a day goes by that someone doesn’t ask, ‘When are you bringing Jersey Boys back?’ We can’t wait to treat our audiences to the show where everyone leaves smiling” says Eileen LaCario, Vice President of Broadway In Chicago.

Jersey Boys tells the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, and how a group of blue-collar boys from the wrong side of the tracks became one of the biggest American pop music sensations of all time, creating their own sound and selling 175 million records worldwide - all before they were thirty.

The Bank of America Theatre is located at 18 W. Monroe. Tickets range from $35-$100 and can be purchased at all Broadway in Chicago Box Offices, by calling 800/775-2000, the BIC ticket kiosk at Water Tower Place, and online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

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Break Time by Mark Loehrke

4/4/2012

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Thanks to the oft fickle arrival of warmth and blooming (though not this year), Chicago may not always come up on lists of likely spring break destinations. But even if our official beach season is still months away, families looking for outings and activities beyond the typical surf and sand may find that the bigger problem with a spring break trip to Chicago has more to do with duration than meteorology – one week is just not enough time to pack in everything this city has to offer.    

Sights, Sea

One of the most welcome harbingers of spring in Chicago every year is the return of tour and commuter boats to the waters of Lake Michigan and the Chicago River, including the familiar sightseeing vessels and water taxis run by 78-year-old Wendella Sightseeing. This spring, the venerable tour company will begin cruising from a brand new dock on the river at the base of the soaring Trump International Hotel and Tower (401 N. Wabash), offering its popular architectural tours and water taxi routes from a convenient new port. Call 312/337-1446 for schedule and ticket information.        

Up in the Air  

Of course, looking up from the water is only one way to appreciate Chicago’s grand architecture – you can also look down from the clouds with an elevator ride up to the John Hancock Observatory (875 N. Michigan; 888/875-VIEW) or Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower (233 S. Wacker; 312/875-9696).  

Expedition Chicago

Spring break doesn’t mean there isn’t room for a little education. Of course, education is a lot more fun when it’s hands-on and epic in scale like it is on the Museum Campus. Check out the creatures of the deep at the Shedd Aquarium (1200 S. Lake Shore; 312/939-2438) or explore ancient civilizations and much more at the Field Museum of Natural History (1400 S. Lake Shore; 312/922-9410). Out at the Adler Planetarium (1300 S. Lake Shore; 312/922-7827), meanwhile, visitors can experience virtual collisions between the orbital debris of the past fifty years in the new Space Junk 3D show. Finally, a few miles south of the Campus, complete your museum tour with a stop at the massive Museum of Science and Industry (57th and Lake Shore; 773/684-1414), where they’re testing scientific hypotheses in the most entertaining ways possible in the new MythBusters exhibit.

All Over Town

Another upshot to the arrival of spring in Chicago is the ability to get out and traverse the city without having to be enclosed in a fully sealed and heated conveyance. In other words, expect plenty of company in the open-air trolleys and double-decker sightseeing buses run by Chicago Trolley (773/648-5000), which offers convenient hop-on/hop-off service throughout downtown. For a DIY outdoor alternative, try a self-guided, pedal-powered tour of the city and its magnificent lakefront with a rental from one of the many outlets of Bike and Roll Chicago (239 E. Randolph; 312/540-1700).

Family-Friendly Fun and Fuel

Fuel up for a big day with breakfast or lunch at YOLK (1120 S. Michigan; 312/789-9655, 355 E. Ohio Street; 312/822-9655, 747 N. Wells; 312/787-2277) or enjoy a meal among the trees, waterfalls and wildlife of the Rainforest Café (605 N. Clark; 312/787-1501).  

Finally, no quest for warmth and excitement in Chicago would be complete without a little time on Navy Pier (600 E. Grand; 312/595-7437). In addition to the usual assortment of rides and attractions, the Pier is hosting Swing into Spring through April 15, featuring a town square setup with live music and storybook performances, as well as visits from the Easter Bunny.

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