lizseymour
11-03-2008, 07:50 PM
Get on the SOFA: This weekend marks the return of SOFA Chicago 2008 (http://www.sofaexpo.com/index.htm), the 15th annual International Exposition Sculpture Objects and Functional Art. The renowned event features three-dimensional fine art in glass, ceramics, wood, metal and fiber, from 95 galleries in 15 countries, including dealers from Italy, Israel, the U.S. and others. It also includes a lecture series on art-related topics. All artwork is for sale. SOFA is located in the Navy Pier’s Festival Hall. The hours are: Friday, Nov. 7 : 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 8 : 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 9 : 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Price: $15 general admission; $25 for three day pass. An opening night preview ($50) takes place from 7-10 p.m. Nov. 6.
Turbo Turkey: Whether it’s your first Thanksgiving, and you need some guidance, or it’s your fiftieth and you want to liven it up a bit, check out the Powerhouse Restaurant (http://www.powerhouserestaurant.com/index.html) Thanksgiving Cooking Class on Saturday, Nov. 8. Learn how to roast the perfect turkey, as well as prepare spoonbread, braised red cabbage, dried fruit couscous and seasonal desserts. Wine will be served as well as recipe samplings. Please call Powerhouse for class reservations. The class runs from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Cost is $40 per person.
In Honor of Veterans: For those who served in war and peace, McCormick & Schmick's (http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=content.display&pageID=263) offers a free entrée for Veterans on Sunday, Nov. 9 from 5-10 p.m. The restaurant will extend this offer to those defined as a veteran by the Veterans Administration, Title 38 US Code 101, which is a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. All veterans must show proper identification. This offer includes a complimentary entrée from a special menu. In order to accommodate as many Veterans as possible, most restaurants will not be able to seat parties larger than 6. Reservations recommended.
Clara’s Nutcracker Tea: Celebrating generations of tradition, The Women’s Board of the Joffrey Ballet presents Clara’s Nutcracker Tea (http://www.joffrey.com/index.asp), a whimsical afternoon celebrating the time-honored Nutcracker ballet. Nutcracker leads Clara and Fritz, accompanied by other characters, will be present and interacting with lucky guests on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of The Palmer House Hilton. In anticipation of the premiere of Robert Joffrey’s The Nutcracker on Thursday, December 18, Clara and friends will gather and share her fascinating story. Guests can anticipate a warm welcome from a pair of toy soldiers guarding the entranceway to the Grand Ballroom, which will be transformed into a grandiose holiday wonderland accented in pink and blue hues, with each table donning large centerpieces made of cotton candy. Portraits will be available at the entranceway for those looking to capture the moment of this fanciful afternoon. Just inside, children can partake in various festive activities, including decorating cupcakes from The Swedish Bakery, creating personalized nutcrackers, and choosing from oversized jars filled with delectable candy. Guests will enjoy sounds from a piano player who will be on-hand adding to the ambiance of the throughout the afternoon. At 1:30 p.m. the ring of a bell will mark teatime and all will return to their seats to indulge in finger sandwiches and sip on “Clara’s Tea.” Each child will find a gift backpack at their seat, full of delightful treats including chocolates, Polly Pocket dolls, and rhythm sticks. Champagne, hot chocolate and other beverages will be available for adults as well. Just above the crowd, Clara and Fritz will also enjoy tea on stage for all to see. After tea, there will be a special reading of The Nutcracker, followed by a lesson from Director of the Joffrey’s ECE programs, Pierre Lockett. Lockett will be joined by the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Russian and the Toy Solider from The Nutcracker and teach children the dances from the story. Children can leave their seats and gather around the stage to participate in the lesson. Each child will take home a copy of The Nutcracker, while every individual will receive a complimentary ticket to the upcoming performance of The Joffrey Ballet’s Nutcracker this holiday. Pricing for Clara’s Tea Party is as follows: * Individual Child Ticket $150 * Individual Adult Ticket $200* Patron Ticket $350* Clara’s Table $4,000 - The table to include: Preferred performance seating for ten at the Auditorium Theatre, preferred seating for ten at Tea Party, recognition of level of support in Commemorative Dinner Program, and a $3,100 tax deductible). Suggested age is 3 and up.
MCA First Friday: Happy hour takes on a new meaning with First Fridays at the MCA (http://www.mcachicago.org/programs/ff.php?page=friday). This month, the party theme is “Illumination.” Relax after a long workweek with a cash bar featuring specialty drinks and free Wolfgang Puck appetizers. Enjoy live music from local DJs, the world’s only iMac G5 digital dating bar, and creation stations within the open galleries. Each month features an up-and-coming Chicago artist in a preview of the latest UBS 12 x 12: New Artists/New Work exhibition. First Fridays tickets, which include museum admission, live entertainment, and complimentary Wolfgang Puck hors d’oeuvres, are $15 ($7 for MCA members). Advance tickets are available for $10 ($7 MCA members). Doors are open from 6 to 10 pm with a cash bar until 9:30 pm. Guests must be 21 or older to enter.
Turbo Turkey: Whether it’s your first Thanksgiving, and you need some guidance, or it’s your fiftieth and you want to liven it up a bit, check out the Powerhouse Restaurant (http://www.powerhouserestaurant.com/index.html) Thanksgiving Cooking Class on Saturday, Nov. 8. Learn how to roast the perfect turkey, as well as prepare spoonbread, braised red cabbage, dried fruit couscous and seasonal desserts. Wine will be served as well as recipe samplings. Please call Powerhouse for class reservations. The class runs from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Cost is $40 per person.
In Honor of Veterans: For those who served in war and peace, McCormick & Schmick's (http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=content.display&pageID=263) offers a free entrée for Veterans on Sunday, Nov. 9 from 5-10 p.m. The restaurant will extend this offer to those defined as a veteran by the Veterans Administration, Title 38 US Code 101, which is a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. All veterans must show proper identification. This offer includes a complimentary entrée from a special menu. In order to accommodate as many Veterans as possible, most restaurants will not be able to seat parties larger than 6. Reservations recommended.
Clara’s Nutcracker Tea: Celebrating generations of tradition, The Women’s Board of the Joffrey Ballet presents Clara’s Nutcracker Tea (http://www.joffrey.com/index.asp), a whimsical afternoon celebrating the time-honored Nutcracker ballet. Nutcracker leads Clara and Fritz, accompanied by other characters, will be present and interacting with lucky guests on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of The Palmer House Hilton. In anticipation of the premiere of Robert Joffrey’s The Nutcracker on Thursday, December 18, Clara and friends will gather and share her fascinating story. Guests can anticipate a warm welcome from a pair of toy soldiers guarding the entranceway to the Grand Ballroom, which will be transformed into a grandiose holiday wonderland accented in pink and blue hues, with each table donning large centerpieces made of cotton candy. Portraits will be available at the entranceway for those looking to capture the moment of this fanciful afternoon. Just inside, children can partake in various festive activities, including decorating cupcakes from The Swedish Bakery, creating personalized nutcrackers, and choosing from oversized jars filled with delectable candy. Guests will enjoy sounds from a piano player who will be on-hand adding to the ambiance of the throughout the afternoon. At 1:30 p.m. the ring of a bell will mark teatime and all will return to their seats to indulge in finger sandwiches and sip on “Clara’s Tea.” Each child will find a gift backpack at their seat, full of delightful treats including chocolates, Polly Pocket dolls, and rhythm sticks. Champagne, hot chocolate and other beverages will be available for adults as well. Just above the crowd, Clara and Fritz will also enjoy tea on stage for all to see. After tea, there will be a special reading of The Nutcracker, followed by a lesson from Director of the Joffrey’s ECE programs, Pierre Lockett. Lockett will be joined by the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Russian and the Toy Solider from The Nutcracker and teach children the dances from the story. Children can leave their seats and gather around the stage to participate in the lesson. Each child will take home a copy of The Nutcracker, while every individual will receive a complimentary ticket to the upcoming performance of The Joffrey Ballet’s Nutcracker this holiday. Pricing for Clara’s Tea Party is as follows: * Individual Child Ticket $150 * Individual Adult Ticket $200* Patron Ticket $350* Clara’s Table $4,000 - The table to include: Preferred performance seating for ten at the Auditorium Theatre, preferred seating for ten at Tea Party, recognition of level of support in Commemorative Dinner Program, and a $3,100 tax deductible). Suggested age is 3 and up.
MCA First Friday: Happy hour takes on a new meaning with First Fridays at the MCA (http://www.mcachicago.org/programs/ff.php?page=friday). This month, the party theme is “Illumination.” Relax after a long workweek with a cash bar featuring specialty drinks and free Wolfgang Puck appetizers. Enjoy live music from local DJs, the world’s only iMac G5 digital dating bar, and creation stations within the open galleries. Each month features an up-and-coming Chicago artist in a preview of the latest UBS 12 x 12: New Artists/New Work exhibition. First Fridays tickets, which include museum admission, live entertainment, and complimentary Wolfgang Puck hors d’oeuvres, are $15 ($7 for MCA members). Advance tickets are available for $10 ($7 MCA members). Doors are open from 6 to 10 pm with a cash bar until 9:30 pm. Guests must be 21 or older to enter.