lizseymour
12-15-2008, 08:21 PM
Sky-High Breakfast with Santa: As the big day (or night, really) draws near, Santa has to eat while he can –and he might as well do it in style! Bring the family and join him for the Hancock Observatory’s Breakfast with Santa (http://www.hancock-observatory.com/en/Whats_on/events.html) on Saturday, Dec. 20 and Sunday, Dec. 21 from 9-11 a.m. Mr. and Mrs. Claus invite kids of all ages up to the new Espressions by Lavazza Café. Space is limited, and seatings are at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., and 11 a.m. Adults $25, Children (4-11) $15. It’s also the final weekend of the Crazy Coloring Competition. Choose your weapon – crayons or marker pens – then give it your best shot. You could win your next birthday party at John Hancock Observatory (prize valued at $800. One entry per person only; winner drawn at random).
Disney Holiday Music Concert: The Chicago Cultural Center is the place to be this Saturday, Dec. 20 at 3 p.m. for When You Wish Upon A Star: The Magic of a Disney Holiday (http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/portalContentItemAction.do?BV_SessionID=@@@@135501 3621.1229017264@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccdadeflmljldicefecelldffhdfhk.0&contentOID=537022775&contenTypeName=COC_EDITORIAL&topChannelName=SubAgency&blockName=Cultural+Center%2FI+Want+To&context=dept&channelId=0&programId=0&entityName=Cultural+Center&deptMainCategoryOID=). Take a warm break from holiday shopping and enjoy this free, holiday concert featuring songs like When You Wish Upon A Star, Bella Note, O Holy Night, Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Give A Little Whistle and more. Performers include some of Chicago’s top cabaret professionals Michelle Bradley, Rob Dorn, Laura Freeman, Carla Gordon, Beckie Menzie, Tom Michael, Bradford Newquist, Allen Nichols, and Melissa Young. Admission is free, but seating is limited. Early arrival is recommended. Also, enjoy hot chocolate, special coffees and holiday treats at the Café at the Cultural Center before the show. The Café is open 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Joffrey Ballet’s Nutcracker: It’s an irresistible part of the holidays. Once again the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago and the Chicago Sinfonietta Orchestra perform Tchaikovsky's classic Christmas ballet, the Nutcracker (http://auditoriumtheatre.org/wb/pages/home/performances-events/performances.php?event_id=9) at the beautiful Auditorium Theatre. Two performances daily through Dec. 28, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Price: $25-$115. Not for kids under age 5.
Sing-a-long at the Movies: It’s yet another tradition: the 25th Annual Christmas Sing-Along and Double Feature at the Music Box Theatre (http://www.musicboxtheatre.com/feature/christmas.html). From Friday, Dec. 19 through Wednesday, Dec. 24., audiences are invited to sing carols with Santa between screenings of "White Christmas" and "It's a Wonderful Life." Price: $15 for double feature; $10 for one film. Santa welcomes the audience and leads them in the singing of Christmas carols. The lyrics are projected onto the theater's screen so no one misses a chance to sing their hearts out. Then the audience sits back and enjoys a Christmas movie classic. Some folks like to keep the music going and opt to see “White Christmas” so they can sing the timeless lyrics of Irving Berlin along with Bing Crosby, Danny Kay and Rosemary Clooney. Others prefer to cheer for Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey and hiss Mr. Potter during a showing of the heart-warming “It’s a Wonderful Life.” And those truly filled with holiday spirit see both films for one low price.
Custom Your House: The house is decorated, now it’s time to lay in provisions for your holiday feast. That job just got easier: Custom House offers special side dishes (http://www.srgchicago.com/emails/thanksgiving2008/) to go for Christmas. Chef de Cuisine Richard Camarota’s “to go” menu offers guests side dishes and desserts that serve anywhere from two to eight guests. Each item comes with specific instructions for reheating. Orders should be placed 48 hours in advance for pick up on December 24, 2008. The menu consists of the following offerings available in small (serves 2-4), large (serves 6-8), or any three large sides for just $48:
Vegetables:
Brussels Sprouts ($12 / $18) with homemade bacon and leeks
Green Bean Casserole ($12 / $18) with celery root and crispy shallots
Glazed Carrots ($10 / $15) with honey and thyme
Sweet Corn Succotash ($10 / $15) with zucchini and roasted peppers
Braised Cippolini ($12 / $18) with sweet tomato sauce and Parmesan cheese
Spinach & Salisfy Gratin ($12 / $18) with orange zest and winter spices
Potatoes & Starch:
Sweet Potato Puree ($7 / $13) with candied walnuts
Yukon Gold Potato Puree ($8 / $15) with roasted garlic
Potato Gratin ($10 / $15) with one-year ages cheddar
Buttermilk Biscuits ($6 / $10) with housemade butter
Desserts:
Sweet Pumpkin Cheesecake Squares ($6 / $10)
Assorted Cookies ($10/lb)
9” Apple Crumble Pie ($18)
Orders can be picked up between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on December 24, 2008.
Disney Holiday Music Concert: The Chicago Cultural Center is the place to be this Saturday, Dec. 20 at 3 p.m. for When You Wish Upon A Star: The Magic of a Disney Holiday (http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/portalContentItemAction.do?BV_SessionID=@@@@135501 3621.1229017264@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccdadeflmljldicefecelldffhdfhk.0&contentOID=537022775&contenTypeName=COC_EDITORIAL&topChannelName=SubAgency&blockName=Cultural+Center%2FI+Want+To&context=dept&channelId=0&programId=0&entityName=Cultural+Center&deptMainCategoryOID=). Take a warm break from holiday shopping and enjoy this free, holiday concert featuring songs like When You Wish Upon A Star, Bella Note, O Holy Night, Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Give A Little Whistle and more. Performers include some of Chicago’s top cabaret professionals Michelle Bradley, Rob Dorn, Laura Freeman, Carla Gordon, Beckie Menzie, Tom Michael, Bradford Newquist, Allen Nichols, and Melissa Young. Admission is free, but seating is limited. Early arrival is recommended. Also, enjoy hot chocolate, special coffees and holiday treats at the Café at the Cultural Center before the show. The Café is open 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Joffrey Ballet’s Nutcracker: It’s an irresistible part of the holidays. Once again the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago and the Chicago Sinfonietta Orchestra perform Tchaikovsky's classic Christmas ballet, the Nutcracker (http://auditoriumtheatre.org/wb/pages/home/performances-events/performances.php?event_id=9) at the beautiful Auditorium Theatre. Two performances daily through Dec. 28, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Price: $25-$115. Not for kids under age 5.
Sing-a-long at the Movies: It’s yet another tradition: the 25th Annual Christmas Sing-Along and Double Feature at the Music Box Theatre (http://www.musicboxtheatre.com/feature/christmas.html). From Friday, Dec. 19 through Wednesday, Dec. 24., audiences are invited to sing carols with Santa between screenings of "White Christmas" and "It's a Wonderful Life." Price: $15 for double feature; $10 for one film. Santa welcomes the audience and leads them in the singing of Christmas carols. The lyrics are projected onto the theater's screen so no one misses a chance to sing their hearts out. Then the audience sits back and enjoys a Christmas movie classic. Some folks like to keep the music going and opt to see “White Christmas” so they can sing the timeless lyrics of Irving Berlin along with Bing Crosby, Danny Kay and Rosemary Clooney. Others prefer to cheer for Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey and hiss Mr. Potter during a showing of the heart-warming “It’s a Wonderful Life.” And those truly filled with holiday spirit see both films for one low price.
Custom Your House: The house is decorated, now it’s time to lay in provisions for your holiday feast. That job just got easier: Custom House offers special side dishes (http://www.srgchicago.com/emails/thanksgiving2008/) to go for Christmas. Chef de Cuisine Richard Camarota’s “to go” menu offers guests side dishes and desserts that serve anywhere from two to eight guests. Each item comes with specific instructions for reheating. Orders should be placed 48 hours in advance for pick up on December 24, 2008. The menu consists of the following offerings available in small (serves 2-4), large (serves 6-8), or any three large sides for just $48:
Vegetables:
Brussels Sprouts ($12 / $18) with homemade bacon and leeks
Green Bean Casserole ($12 / $18) with celery root and crispy shallots
Glazed Carrots ($10 / $15) with honey and thyme
Sweet Corn Succotash ($10 / $15) with zucchini and roasted peppers
Braised Cippolini ($12 / $18) with sweet tomato sauce and Parmesan cheese
Spinach & Salisfy Gratin ($12 / $18) with orange zest and winter spices
Potatoes & Starch:
Sweet Potato Puree ($7 / $13) with candied walnuts
Yukon Gold Potato Puree ($8 / $15) with roasted garlic
Potato Gratin ($10 / $15) with one-year ages cheddar
Buttermilk Biscuits ($6 / $10) with housemade butter
Desserts:
Sweet Pumpkin Cheesecake Squares ($6 / $10)
Assorted Cookies ($10/lb)
9” Apple Crumble Pie ($18)
Orders can be picked up between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on December 24, 2008.