EVENTS ----------------------------------------------
Annual Spring Flower Show at Lincoln Park Conservatory
Sat, Jan 26 - May 12, 9A-5P, Lincoln Park Conservatory 2391 N. Stockton Drive, FREE!
The free annual Spring Flower Shows offer visitors a chance to experience the beauty of spring with a rare opportunity to meet the direct descendants of the great Azaleas that once bloomed at the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893. In addition, this year’s flower shows will feature a changing selection of spring blooming plants including Azaleas, spring flowering annuals and spring flowering perennials.
http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/spring-flower-show-at-lincoln-park-conservatory1/
Chicago Restaurant Week 2013
Fri Feb 1 thru Sun, Feb 10
It's that time again. Chicago's best restaurants are putting on discounted prix fixe menus for Chicago Restaurant Week during the week of Feb. 1-10 and reservations will sell out quickly.
As in previous years, Restaurant "week" is actually restaurant "10-days," increasing availability for diners and the duration of suffering chefs and servers. (Is there a convenient word, like "fortnight," that describes a 10-day period?) Anyway, all you care about is that this means more reservations. Prices have stayed the same: $22 for lunch and either $33 or $44 for dinner, depending on how fancypants the restaurant is.
http://www.choosechicago.com/articles/view/About-Chicago-Restaurant-Week/180/
FAMILY EVENTS ----------------------------------------------
Cinderella's Ball
Sat., Feb. 2, 4:30P-7:30P, Orland Park Cultural Center 14750 Park Lane, $18-$23. RSVP required
Bring your little Princess & Prince for a night to remember as the Orland Park Pk. Dist. re-creates the royal ball for those age 3 and older. The evening will include music, dancing and refreshments. Dress up for this special occasion. A photographer will be on site to take photos for a small fee.
http://www.orland-park.il.us/DocumentCenter/Home/View/4388
Daddy Daughter Date Night
Fri, Feb 1, 6:30P-10P, Addison Community Rec Center 120 E. Oak Street, Addison
Twist the night away with your dad! You'll enjoy an evening which includes food and dancing with the DJ spinning your favorite tunes. Each family will receive a special gift and complementary photo to remember this special occasion. Dress your best for this fun-filled night out!
www.addisonparks.org/VW-Systems/Calendar/calendar.asp?month=2&year=2013&CalType=allc
Family Valentines Dance
Fri, Feb 1, 7P-8:30P, Portage Park Fieldhouse 4100 N. Long Avenue (NW Side - Portage Pk.) $5
Come out and listen to grat music played by the Portage Park Jazz Band. Enjoy dance contests, refreshments, and fun for the whole family!
www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/family-valentines-dance-at-portage-park/
Pre-Valentine's Day Dance
Fri, Feb 1, 6P-10P, Jesse Owens Park 8800 S. Clyde Ave. (South Side - Calumet Heights) $7
A pre-Valentine's Day Party with a fun-filled night of dancing, games, pictures and more. Sponsored by Teen Connection
Commercial Park Family Movie Night
Fri, Feb 1, 6P-9P Commercial Park 1845 W. Rice St. (Near NW - East Ukrainian Village) FREE!
Come join the fun at Commercial Parks Family Movie Night. Friday February 1st. 6pm-9pm. This is a free event for all ages. Hotel Transylvania is the feature.
www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/commercial-park-family-movie-night/
Polar Bears, Penguins and Pancakes
Sat, Feb 2, 9:30-11A, Bock Neighborhood Center 1223 W. Sharon Lane, Schaumburg, Ages 3-8, $10-$15
Meet at the ‘Bock Pole!’ Children will enjoy a pancake and sausage breakfast with plenty of toppings to create their own personal pancake. Participants will head outside to find polar bears and penguins that are hanging out at Bock this winter. Games and crafts will be available inside. Wear appropriate winter clothes.
www.parkfun.com/programs/special-events/polar-bears-penguins-and-pancakes
Grand Geneva Winter Carnival
Sat, Feb 2, 10A-10P, Grand Geneva Resort 7063 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva, All Ages, FREE!
Grand Geneva Resort & Spa continues its annual Winter Carnival. This all-day festival features a variety of events for the whole family at the campus’ Mountain Top ski hill. The Winter Carnival schedule begins with Grand Geneva’s snow sports team leading guests in ski and snowboard demonstrations and competitions.
Visitors will enjoy an array of outdoor activities including slalom races, a paintball gallery and toboggan competitions. Pint-sized guests will delight in snow-themed editions of popular games including human bowling, Bucky’s Buckets and a water balloon launch. The celebration concludes with the Grand Geneva’s ski team leading a torch-light parade followed by a grand fireworks display.
www.grandgeneva.com/specials/winter_carnival.asp
Daddy-Daughter Princess Gala
Sat, Feb 2, 7P-9P, Bloomingdale Golf Club 181 Glen Ellyn Rd, $49-$59
Spend an enchanted evening with your little loved one and make her princess dreams a reality at the Daddy Daughter Princess Gala. Couples have a memorable evening dancing to the music of the DJ and enjoying an elegant dinner of chicken, beef, pasta, salad, vegetables and dessert. Each couple receives a photo to take home. Reservations are required.
www.bloomingdaleparks.org/Programs/Special-Events/dad-daughter-dance.htm
CONCERTS, THEATER & COMEDY ----------------------------------------------
Ellie Goulding Tues1/29 7P Aragon Ballroom
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Fri2/08 8P North Shore Ctr for Perf Arts
Shawn Colvin Fri&Sat 2/1&2 8P SPACE Evanston
Howie Day Thurs&Fri 2/28&3/1 8P City Winery
COMEDY
Cupid Has a Heart On: A Musical Guide to Relationships
Saturday's thru 2015, 10:30P, Stage 773 - 1225 W. Belmont Ave., $20
An original musical sketch comedy show satirizes falling in love. The Cupid Players are Chicago’s all-musical sketch comedy group; their intelligent and satirical scenes are always accompanied by songs that are sure to puncture your aorta. www.stage773.com/Show?id=99
Who Do We Think We Are?
Now thru Oct. 3, 8P, The Second City - 1616 N. Wells St., $23-$28
The Second City's 100th revue kicks off another election cycle by diving into the country's increasingly personality driven political system, and celebrating the absurd and banal beauty that has come to define U.S. politics and the nation at large. Written and performed by Tim Baltz, Edgar Blackmon, Holly Laurent, Katie Rich, Mary Sohn and Steve Waltien; Matt Hovde ("Sky's the Limit (Weather Permitting)") directs.
www.secondcity.com/performances/chicago/nowplaying
Whirled News Tonight
Now thru Sep. 27, 8P, iO - 3541 N. Clark St., $15
Whirled News Tonight presents “Newspeak” is an improvised show that is currently running at Chicago’s famed iO Theater on Fridays and Saturday nights at 8:00 PM. “Newspeak” is the first production for the Whirled News Tonight team and strives to not only provide a satirical turn on current events, but to provide another, human, point of view of those stories. When the audience arrives they will be brought to a table with several local and national publications where they can cut out any articles they are interested in and tack them onto several bulletin boards onstage. The cast will randomly choose articles on which to base their improvisation. www.ioimprov.com/chicago/io/shows/whirled-news-tonight
FAMILY THEATER & CONCERTS
The Mystery of the Pirate Ghost
Sat & Suns thru Feb. 17, 11A & 1P, Lifeline Theatre - 6912 N. Glenwood Ave (Rogers Park), $15
A burglar is at large in Boogle Bay and the prime suspect is none other than the ghost of the infamous pirate Blackeye Doodle. A heartwarming adventure for children of all ages, with music, swashbuckling, and spooky fun! Based on the 1985 book by Geoffrey Hayes (Bear by Himself, A Poor Excuse for a Dragon). www.theatreinchicago.com/the-mystery-of-the-pirate-ghost/5519/
The Cat in the Hat
Sat., Jan. 26 thru May. 19, Apollo Theater 2540 N. Lincoln Ave. (Lincoln Park), $10-$16
This Dr. Seuss adaptation follows two children stuck indoors during a rainy afternoon as they are introduced to the mysterious Cat in the Hat. He brings trouble in all forms as the children have to help fix all his mischief before they have to explain the mess to their mother.
www.emeraldcitytheatre.com/shows_1213_catinthehat.php
Snow White
Saturdays thru Feb 23, 10:30A & 1P, Northbrook Theatre - 3323 Walters Ave., $8-$10
Northbrook Theatre for Young Audiences performs the classic fairy tale with songs, dancing and puppetry-a feast for the eyes and ears. The beautiful Princess flees the Evil Queen and stumbles across a house of Dwarfs, who befriend and protect her. Will the Evil Queen find her? Will Snow White find true love? The actors and puppets capture the whimsy and magic of the fairytale. Be prepared for a delightful show, filled with laughter and a lesson about the inner qualities of kindness, generosity and humility.
www.nbparks.org/Theatre-Performing-Arts/current-upcoming-shows.htm
Cathy Rigby is Peter Pan
Jan 30 - Feb 10, Cadillac Palace Theatre (next door to the Hotel Allegro) $18-85
Tony® Award nominee Cathy Rigby takes flight in an all new production of PETER PAN! www.broadwayinchicago.com
THEATER
The Agony & Ecstasy of Steve Jobs
Now thru Feb 9, 7:30P, North Berwyn Park District's 16th Street Theater - 6420 16th Street, Berwyn, $18
Details: Mike Daisey takes the audience on a journey through the famed former Apple CEO's life & work, and shines a light on how technology-obsessed our culture is. www.16thstreettheater.org
I Love Lucy® Live On Stage
Now thru Mar 3, Broadway Playhouse @ Water Tower Place (formerly Drury Lane Theatre), $35-85
I LOVE LUCY® LIVE ON STAGE, the brand new hit musical stage show adapted from the longest-running and most beloved television program in history, starring Lucy, Ricky, Fred and Ethel: America's favorite foursome, is coming to Chicago for the very first time! Imagine stepping back in time and into the Desilu Playhouse soundstage! www.broadwayinchicago.com
The Book of Mormon
Now thru Sept , Bank of America Theatre (formerly the Shubert Theatre), $45-115
Try to snag tickets to one of the best new musicals in years! Written by the creators of South Park, you'll laugh a lot at this Tony Award-winning play. Nine 2011 Tony Awards® say it's the Best Musical of the Year. Vogue says, "It's the best musical of the last 25 years." And The New York Times says, "It's the best musical of this century." It's THE BOOK OF MORMON, the Broadway phenomenon from South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone and Avenue Q co-creator Robert Lopez. www.broadwayinchicago.com
SPORTS ----------------------------------------------
BULLS
Mon 28 7P vs Charlotte Bobcats
Super Bowl XLVII (47) ~AKA "The Bro Bowl"
Sun, 5:30P, Baltimore Ravens VS San Francisco 49ers' in New Orleans
For the first time in Super Bowl history, two brothers will face off against each other as head coaches. The Baltimore Ravens' John Harbaugh and San Francisco 49ers' Jim Harbaugh set up the milestone coaching matchup with impressive runs through the playoffs, thus providing Super Bowl XLVII with one of the greatest pregame storylines in the championship's history: brother vs. brother with the Lombardi Trophy at stake.
