lizseymour
06-04-2008, 02:00 AM
Bicycles Built for You: Whether it’s taking a leisurely ride along Chicago’s Lakefront Path, cruising the few short blocks to the beach or discovering the city’s architectural gems, Park Hyatt Chicago (http://www.parkchicago.hyatt.com) makes it easy to just relax and enjoy the ride. This summer, guests are invited to tour the city using the hotel’s complimentary Bicycle Valet program. Trek Hybrids are available through the concierge for those who prefer to see the sights on two wheels. To ensure that bicycle enthusiast’s cycle in style, Park Hyatt Chicago also provides all the amenities necessary for a smooth ride, including: lock, helmet, travel bag, speedometer, lights, pump, kickstand, bottled water, and biking map. For the ultimate convenience, pedal pushers can even request a picnic lunch to enjoy along their ride. The Bicycle Valet program is complimentary; however a refundable deposit is required. Bicycles are available in four-hour increments and guests are required to complete a waiver before borrowing a bicycle.
Golden Group: Plate-spinning? Check. Hoop diving? Roger that. For the past two years, Cirque Shanghai (http://www.navypier.com/cirqueshanghai/index.html) has thrilled and delighted more than 250,000 people of all ages with their breathtaking grace, high-flying acrobatics and feats of strength and daring. In fact, this record-breaking attendance makes Cirque Shanghai the most popular and successful event in the history of Navy Pier’s Pepsi Skyline Stage. They return this year with a nod to this summer’s 2008 Olympics. Cirque Shanghai: Gold combines time-honored Chinese acrobatic wonder with fast paced production, dazzling contemporary visuals, Broadway choreography, cirque-style costumes and thrilling music. The result is an exhilarating display of agility, strength and balance seen nowhere else in the world this summer. The show schedule is: Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays : 8 p.m. (June 4 through September 1); Sundays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays : 2 p.m. (June 4 through September 1); Wednesdays and Saturdays : 6 p.m. (June 4 through September 1); Sundays : 4 p.m. (June 4 through September 1); Wednesdays : 2 p.m. (June 5 through September 1). Tickets $12.50-$29.50; free for kids under three.
Sweet Home Blues Fest: Everybody in Chicago should get the blues this weekend – at the Chicago Blues Festival, that is. (http://www.chicagobluesfestival.us) Since its start in 1984, the event has grown each year, such that last year’s festival took place on six stages and 800,000 people attended in four days. The Grant Park-based event celebrates the heritage of the blues by remembering the legends who created the music. The 2008 edition will celebrate the centennials of Louis Jordan, Robert Petway and Tommy McClennan. This year’s performers include Koko Taylor, Johnny Winter, Buckwheat Zydeco and B.B. King among many more. The festival runs through Sunday, June 8. As always, admission is free.
Storied Stages: If the walls of places such as the Oriental, Goodman, and Auditorium Theaters could talk, you’d hear the kind of stories told on the Chicago Theater Stories Walking Tour
(http://www.theatreclubchicago.com/about/tour.htm). Presented by the Theatre Club Chicago, the tour teaches about theatrical history and performers from exterior views of the Oriental, Goodman, Auditorium, legendary McVicker's Theater and others along the streets of the downtown theater district. Along the way the guide will regale you with stories featuring theater luminaries of the day. The afternoon tour ends at the Auditorium Theater, acknowledged world wide for its perfect acoustics. Tours daily 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. Price: $10-$15. Reservations required. Southwest corner of Randolph Street and Michigan Avenue.
Pages of Fun: In Chicago there is a street fair for all tastes. For those with a literary bent there is the 24th Annual Chicago Tribune Printers Row Book Fair (http://printersrowbookfair.org) on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8. In addition to the vast array of new, used, antiquarian and specialty books, you’ll find chef demonstrations, panel discussions, and readings. The Printers Row Book Fair features more than 200 authors and 150 exhibitors. Participating authors include Augusten Burroughs, Thomas Cahill, Jeff Shaara, Blue Balliett, Diana Abu-Jaber, Kenn Kaufman, Garry Wills, Maxine Kumin, Li-Young Lee, Mark Kurlansky, Andre Dubus III, Elizabeth Berg, The Hearty Boys and Spatulatta. For the kids there’s the Kids Corner, where kids and parents can enjoy storytelling, costumed characters, performances, sing-a-longs, and special activities coordinated by educational and cultural groups. The fair takes place on Dearborn Street, between Congress Parkway and Polk. Price: Free.
Golden Group: Plate-spinning? Check. Hoop diving? Roger that. For the past two years, Cirque Shanghai (http://www.navypier.com/cirqueshanghai/index.html) has thrilled and delighted more than 250,000 people of all ages with their breathtaking grace, high-flying acrobatics and feats of strength and daring. In fact, this record-breaking attendance makes Cirque Shanghai the most popular and successful event in the history of Navy Pier’s Pepsi Skyline Stage. They return this year with a nod to this summer’s 2008 Olympics. Cirque Shanghai: Gold combines time-honored Chinese acrobatic wonder with fast paced production, dazzling contemporary visuals, Broadway choreography, cirque-style costumes and thrilling music. The result is an exhilarating display of agility, strength and balance seen nowhere else in the world this summer. The show schedule is: Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays : 8 p.m. (June 4 through September 1); Sundays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays : 2 p.m. (June 4 through September 1); Wednesdays and Saturdays : 6 p.m. (June 4 through September 1); Sundays : 4 p.m. (June 4 through September 1); Wednesdays : 2 p.m. (June 5 through September 1). Tickets $12.50-$29.50; free for kids under three.
Sweet Home Blues Fest: Everybody in Chicago should get the blues this weekend – at the Chicago Blues Festival, that is. (http://www.chicagobluesfestival.us) Since its start in 1984, the event has grown each year, such that last year’s festival took place on six stages and 800,000 people attended in four days. The Grant Park-based event celebrates the heritage of the blues by remembering the legends who created the music. The 2008 edition will celebrate the centennials of Louis Jordan, Robert Petway and Tommy McClennan. This year’s performers include Koko Taylor, Johnny Winter, Buckwheat Zydeco and B.B. King among many more. The festival runs through Sunday, June 8. As always, admission is free.
Storied Stages: If the walls of places such as the Oriental, Goodman, and Auditorium Theaters could talk, you’d hear the kind of stories told on the Chicago Theater Stories Walking Tour
(http://www.theatreclubchicago.com/about/tour.htm). Presented by the Theatre Club Chicago, the tour teaches about theatrical history and performers from exterior views of the Oriental, Goodman, Auditorium, legendary McVicker's Theater and others along the streets of the downtown theater district. Along the way the guide will regale you with stories featuring theater luminaries of the day. The afternoon tour ends at the Auditorium Theater, acknowledged world wide for its perfect acoustics. Tours daily 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. Price: $10-$15. Reservations required. Southwest corner of Randolph Street and Michigan Avenue.
Pages of Fun: In Chicago there is a street fair for all tastes. For those with a literary bent there is the 24th Annual Chicago Tribune Printers Row Book Fair (http://printersrowbookfair.org) on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8. In addition to the vast array of new, used, antiquarian and specialty books, you’ll find chef demonstrations, panel discussions, and readings. The Printers Row Book Fair features more than 200 authors and 150 exhibitors. Participating authors include Augusten Burroughs, Thomas Cahill, Jeff Shaara, Blue Balliett, Diana Abu-Jaber, Kenn Kaufman, Garry Wills, Maxine Kumin, Li-Young Lee, Mark Kurlansky, Andre Dubus III, Elizabeth Berg, The Hearty Boys and Spatulatta. For the kids there’s the Kids Corner, where kids and parents can enjoy storytelling, costumed characters, performances, sing-a-longs, and special activities coordinated by educational and cultural groups. The fair takes place on Dearborn Street, between Congress Parkway and Polk. Price: Free.