lizseymour
05-28-2008, 12:51 AM
Way Cool on the Water: Even if you’re only in town for a few hours, if it’s during the summer, you simply have to hit the water. Fortunately, there are a bevy of boat options. Award-winning Wendella (http://www.wendellaboats.com/) is family-owned and operated and also happens to be the original when it comes to offering boat tours. Be sure to check out their water taxi service, too. Shoreline Sightseeing (http://www.shorelinesightseeing.com/) also boasts water taxis in addition to their architecture and skyline boat tours. For the full low-down on these and many more tours, check out the Concierge Preferred Guide to Boat Tours (http://www.conciergepreferred.com/host_cities/1-chicago/guides/20). No doubt you’ll be ready to dive in.
Man, Myth & Legend: Internationally celebrated singer Johnny Mathis will perform with the acclaimed Chicagoland Pops Orchestra at The Rosemont Theatre on Saturday, May 31 (http://www.rosemont.com/theatre.html). The first half of the concert will feature the internationally regarded vocal jazz entertainment ensemble Gold Company, under the direction of Steven Zegree, as the opening performance. The legendary Johnny Mathis celebrated the 50th anniversary of his first recording in 2006 and just released his new CD, A Night To Remember. Mathis has sold over 350 million records and albums and is one of only five recording artists to have Top 40 Hits spanning each decade since 1955. Western Michigan University’s Gold Company is recognized as one of the top collegiate vocal jazz ensembles in the world, having performed throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and South Africa. The group performs in every style from vocal jazz and show tunes to the hits of today, and has been selected numerous times as “Outstanding Vocal Jazz Ensemble” by the International Association for Jazz Education. The Chicagoland Pops is Chicago’s only resident pop orchestra, a professional symphonic ensemble presenting an innovative blend of popular music, classical works and a variety of contemporary genres – rock, pop and jazz. Tickets are priced at $55 and $75 and are available by calling Ticketmaster at 312.559.1212 or visiting http://www.ticketmaster.com.
Gospel Music Festival: It’s the 24th annual Chicago Gospel Music Festival (http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/portalEntityHomeAction.do?entityName=Gospel+Music+ Festival&entityNameEnumValue=164), and it’s also one of the largest of its kind in the world. The event takes place in Millennium Park and kicks off on Friday, May 30 at 4 p.m. and runs through June 1. Three-day festival features more than 90 performances from some of the top gospel acts in the world, including The Clark Sisters, Darius Brooks, and the Rance Allen Group. Best of all, admission is free.
Takin’ it to the Streets: Chicagoans never get tired of street festivals, because they’re a great way to enjoy the great outdoors and experience something different. Mayfest (http://www.mayfestchicago.com/) is no exception. This annual German festival rolls out all the favorites, like lager, oompah bands, and dancing, as well as food that includes brats, homemade potato salad, sauerkraut, cakes and pretzels. Don’t miss the old-fashioned wood-barrel-keg tapping on Friday, May 30 at 8 p.m., and the Maypole Dance on Sunday, June 1. The festival runs through Sunday, June 1. Admission is free.
A Taste of Greatness: Savor the flavors of Chicago’s top restaurants, from timeless classics to tomorrow’s hot spots, at the Great Chefs Tasting Party (http://www.ucpnet.org/great_chefs.html). The event takes place at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers on Friday, May 30 with nearly 40 restaurants participating. The night will begin with cocktails and will include a silent auction along with dinner. Proceeds benefit children and adults served by United Cerebral Palsy Association of Greater Chicago. Tickets include all chef offerings and open bar.
Man, Myth & Legend: Internationally celebrated singer Johnny Mathis will perform with the acclaimed Chicagoland Pops Orchestra at The Rosemont Theatre on Saturday, May 31 (http://www.rosemont.com/theatre.html). The first half of the concert will feature the internationally regarded vocal jazz entertainment ensemble Gold Company, under the direction of Steven Zegree, as the opening performance. The legendary Johnny Mathis celebrated the 50th anniversary of his first recording in 2006 and just released his new CD, A Night To Remember. Mathis has sold over 350 million records and albums and is one of only five recording artists to have Top 40 Hits spanning each decade since 1955. Western Michigan University’s Gold Company is recognized as one of the top collegiate vocal jazz ensembles in the world, having performed throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and South Africa. The group performs in every style from vocal jazz and show tunes to the hits of today, and has been selected numerous times as “Outstanding Vocal Jazz Ensemble” by the International Association for Jazz Education. The Chicagoland Pops is Chicago’s only resident pop orchestra, a professional symphonic ensemble presenting an innovative blend of popular music, classical works and a variety of contemporary genres – rock, pop and jazz. Tickets are priced at $55 and $75 and are available by calling Ticketmaster at 312.559.1212 or visiting http://www.ticketmaster.com.
Gospel Music Festival: It’s the 24th annual Chicago Gospel Music Festival (http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/portalEntityHomeAction.do?entityName=Gospel+Music+ Festival&entityNameEnumValue=164), and it’s also one of the largest of its kind in the world. The event takes place in Millennium Park and kicks off on Friday, May 30 at 4 p.m. and runs through June 1. Three-day festival features more than 90 performances from some of the top gospel acts in the world, including The Clark Sisters, Darius Brooks, and the Rance Allen Group. Best of all, admission is free.
Takin’ it to the Streets: Chicagoans never get tired of street festivals, because they’re a great way to enjoy the great outdoors and experience something different. Mayfest (http://www.mayfestchicago.com/) is no exception. This annual German festival rolls out all the favorites, like lager, oompah bands, and dancing, as well as food that includes brats, homemade potato salad, sauerkraut, cakes and pretzels. Don’t miss the old-fashioned wood-barrel-keg tapping on Friday, May 30 at 8 p.m., and the Maypole Dance on Sunday, June 1. The festival runs through Sunday, June 1. Admission is free.
A Taste of Greatness: Savor the flavors of Chicago’s top restaurants, from timeless classics to tomorrow’s hot spots, at the Great Chefs Tasting Party (http://www.ucpnet.org/great_chefs.html). The event takes place at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers on Friday, May 30 with nearly 40 restaurants participating. The night will begin with cocktails and will include a silent auction along with dinner. Proceeds benefit children and adults served by United Cerebral Palsy Association of Greater Chicago. Tickets include all chef offerings and open bar.