EVENTS ----------------------------------------------
Backyard Monsters
Mon, Jan 7 thru 22, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum 2430 N. Cannon Drive, $7-$9; $6 for kids ages 3-12
Learn about spiders, butterflies, beetles and other bugs at this interactive exhibition, featuring live insects and larger-than-life robotic creatures. Museum is open until 5P daily.
www.naturemuseum.org/the-museum/exhibits/backyard-monsters
Nature Story Time
Thu, Jan 17, 10:30A - 11:30A, Hal Tyrell Trailside Museum - 738 Thatcher Avenue, River Forest, $1
Enjoy nature-inspired stories, crafts and activities. For children ages 3-5 with an adult. $1 per child.
Acupuncture to Quit Smoking
Tues, Jan 15, 6:30P, Ravenswood Chiropractic & Wellness Center- 5215 N. Ravenswood Ave, FREE
Finally kick the habit for good and learn about the benefits of acupuncture for quitting assistance. Presented by Chinese Medicine Expert and Licensed Chicago Acupuncturist, Tracie Hinton-Chavez LAc.
Princess Party
Sun., Jan. 20, 2P, Oakbrook Terrace Park District Fitness Center - 1 Parkview Plaza, $15-$20 | 630-574-0420
Ball gowns and tiaras are encouraged at this party for girls ages 3-12 which features desserts, glamour crafts, pamper services and dancing in a ballroom setting. http://obtpd.org/content/catalog/events.pdf
Frosty Fest at Viking Park
Fri, Jan 18, 5:30P-8:30P, Viking Park - 4374 Old Grand Avenue, Gurnee
Mark your Calendars! Don’t miss this unforgettable evening of Winter Time Family Fun!!! Join us at Viking Park and take part in all the fun activities including: Dog Sled Demos, Visits with Frosty the Snowman, Horse Drawn Carriage Rides, Ice Sculpting, Snowman Building Contest (if there is snow?!?), Music and Children's Crafts, Fun Winter Activities, Marshmallow Roasting & Cocoa and snacks provided while quantities last! Bundle up and make some great family memories! Activities subject to change based on weather conditions.
http://www.gurneeparkdistrict.com/specialevents
NBC's "America's Got Talent" Season 8 Auditions
Sat & Sun, Jan 26 & 27, McCormick Place, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive
Performers of all ages are invited to audition for season eight of "America's Got Talent." Season eight of "America's Got Talent" will air this summer.To preregister for an audition slot and for more information, go to www.agtauditions.com.
CONCERTS, THEATER & COMEDY ----------------------------------------------
José Feliciano Wed&Thurs 1/23&24 8P City Winery
Sixpence None The Richer Sun 1/27 7P SPACE Evanston
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Fri 2/08 8P North Shore Ctr for Perf Arts
FAMILY THEATER & CONCERTS
Yo Gabba Gabba! Live!
Sat & Sun, Jan 19 & 20, 2P & 5P, Akoo Theatre at Rosemont - 5400 N. River Rd., $25-$75
Is your family ready to GET THE SILLIES OUT? Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! is going back on the road in 2013 with a new show, "Get the Sillies Out!" featuring the one and only DJ Lance Rock, plus Muno, Foofa, Brobee, Toodee, and Plex, and of course, hip hop legend Biz Markie. Winner of Billboard’s Creative Content Award, Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! has performed in front of countless fans across the U.S. and Canada over the past three years, and the new show "Get the Sillies Out!" is sure to be one you won't want to miss. They have taken the fan favorites from the past two tours and combined them with some all-new music and other surprises that we can't tell you about… yet! http://www.rosemonttheatre.com/yo_gabba_gabba.php
SPORTS ----------------------------------------------
BULLS
Mon Jan 14 7P vs Atlanta Hawks
Sat Jan 19 7P vs Memphis Grizzlies
BLACKHAWKS
Tues Jan 22 7:30P vs Blues
WOLVES (Allstate Arena, Rosemont)
Wed, Jan 16 7P VS Texas Stars
Thur, Jan 18 7.30P VS Texas Stars
Sat, Jan 19 7P VS Houston Aeros
28th Annual Chicago Cubs Convention
Fri-Sun, Jan 18-20 @ Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers - 301 East North Water Street (new location formerly @ Hilton Chicago)
Whether this is your first Convention or your twenty-eighth, you won’t want to miss the chance to check out the new atmosphere at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers as Starlin Castro, Anthony Rizzo, Jeff Samardzija and Darwin Barney are joined by more than 50 former, current and minor league Cubs. Cubs Convention will take place Fri, Jan 18, 1-9P; Sat, Jan 19, 9A to midnight; and Sun, Jan. 20, 9A-1P www.chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/community/convention.jsp
SoxFest
Fri-Sun, Jan 25-27 @ Palmer House Hilton
White Sox fans eager to put the quasi-collapse of 2012 behind them and look forward to Year 2 of the Robin Ventura era can gather together at SoxFest 2013. There will be a ton of current players and coaches on hand for the event, including (deep breath), Paul Konerko, Adam Dunn, John Danks, Tyler Flowers, Gavin Floyd, Alexei Ramirez, Addison Reed, Chris Sale, Matt Thornton, Dayan Viciedo, Robin Ventura, Harold Baines, Daryl Boston and Bobby Thigpen. If that's not enough, members from two of fans' favorite Sox teams, the 2005 championship squad and the "Winning Ugly" team of 1983, will be on hand. Joe Crede, Jermaine Dye, Frank Thomas, Tony La Russa, Ron Kittle and Greg Luzinski all plan to attend to commemorate their seasons. The event's times are Fri, Jan 25, 4-9P; Sat, Jan 26, 9A-4; Sun, Jan 27, 9A-3P. www.whitesox.com/SoxFest
FREE MUSEUM DAYS ----------------------------------------------
Adler Planetarium / 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive Chicago (312) 922-STAR (7827)
Jan 14-17
Art Institute of Chicago / 159 E. Monroe Chicago (312) 443-3600
Free for all Illinois residents 1st & 2nd Wed of the month Jan. 2-Feb. 8, 2013. Children 13 and under free.
Chicago Children's Museum / 700 E. Grand Ave. at Navy Pier Chicago (312) 527-1000
Always free: 5-8P every Thursday and the first Sunday of every month for kids 15 and under.
Field Museum / 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive Chicago (312) 922-9410
Jan 15-18
John G. Shedd Aquarium / 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive Chicago (312) 939-2438
Jan 14 & 15
Museum of Science and Industry / 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive Chicago (773) 684-1414
Jan 14-18
