| |
The Holiday Inn Chicago/Skokie, 5300 W. Touhy Avenue, has begun construction of the much anticipated Skokie Convention and Banquet Center, an 11,000 square foot addition to the hotel. The state-of-the-art facility will seat approximately 1,000 people for a banquet and upwards of 1,200 for receptions and shows. The new main ballroom will be divisible into eight smaller rooms, while the pre-function space will feature a sweeping staircase leading to a pair of bridal suites. Once completed, over $10 million will be spent, bringing the entire meeting space to more than 14,000 square feet. "We are very excited to bring this facility to Skokie," he said. For more information on the facilities, call the Sales Department at 847-679-8900.
Back to top
Friday, April 21 - Sunday, April 23
Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe
The Midwest "show of shows" for antiques and garden lovers features more than 100 exhibitors from the United States and Europe. Amid a high-peaked white pavilion and formal indoor spring gardens, guests will find interesting and unique decorative items for every budget including magnificent garden statuary, country garden antiques, eclectic botanical-themed designs, architectural artifacts and fun, practical gardening items. Fair hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A three-day fair pass is $18 at the door; $15 in advance. Accompanied by an adult, children age 16 and younger are free. For more information, call 847-835-8326, or visit www.ohwow.org.
Back to top
Sunday, April 16
It is only twice a year that Va Pensiero is able to awaken its nocturnal staff and serve the finest brunch on the North Shore. A little bit of breakfast, a little bit of lunch, and a whole lot of Italian, this three-course menu offers a bevy of choices for even the most discriminating diner. $35 per person, $15 for our children's menu. Dinner will also be served - try the best lamb in the world? Dinner on Easter is served from 5:00pm; reservations suggested for both. For reservations, call 847-475-7779 or visit www.va-p.com.
Back to top
Friday, April 21 - Sunday, April 23
7924 N. Lincoln Ave., Skokie
(formerly The Skokie Theatre)
The Cavalcade of Music Foundation is a not-for-profit entity designed to help people pursue a career in the music industry. The Foundation moves into its new home with a celebratory weekend of concerts and activities April 21-23 featuring the music of Blujazz recording artists Bob Acri, Greg Pasenko and Diane Delin. For information on tickets, concert schedules and opening weekend activities and future concerts, click here http://www.cavalcadeofmusicfoundation.com/theater.html or call 847-967-7652.
Back to top
Saturday, July 15 - Saturday, July 22
This summer, Chicago will play host to the world when it welcomes thousands of athletes, spectators and cultural participants for the Seventh Quadrennial Gay Games Sports and Cultural Festival. The Games, which take place in six different sports villages, are comprised of 12,000 participants and 80,000 attendees. With world-class athletes and artists, the Games feature competition in 30 sports, band and choral performances, nightly medal ceremonies, a week-long arts festival, and dozens of parties. The Games also boast spectacular opening and closing ceremonies complete with entertainment, pageantry, and a parade of participants from more than 70 countries. Northwestern University is the North Village home of the Games and will be hosting wrestling, physique, power lifting, diving and synchronized swimming. Chicago's North Shore CVB is working with the Games to highlight and promote the businesses in our region. For more information, visit www.gaygameschicago.org. For advertising information in the Gay Games Travel Guide, contact Bill Gehrman at gehrman@altus-group.com or call 215-977-9900 ext. 20.
Back to top
Wednesday, April 26 - 8:00 a.m.
Illinois Nut & Candy
(Home of Fantasia Confections)
3745 W. Dempster Street, Skokie
All CNSCVB partners are invited to attend the April networking event, which takes place at Illinois Nut & Candy in Skokie (April 26 from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m.). This is a perfect opportunity to meet other Bureau partners and learn more about the important work of Chicago's North Shore CVB. There is no cost to attend the breakfast, but you must register in advance. Please contact Jennifer Williams (CNSCVB Sales Manager) at jwilliams@cnscvb.com or call 847-763-0011 x 22 to make your reservation.
Back to top
In a unanimous decision, the Village Trustees of Skokie approved plans to demolish the Saks Fifth Avenue Store at Westfield Old Orchard. The Saks store, which closed last year, occupied 104,000 square feet of space and will now be replaced by approximately 64,600 square feet of retail stores and restaurants. The development will be in a plaza setting designed to draw customers to the north mall. "When Saks closed it was a concern for us, but also an opportunity," said Scott Nieman, Westfield Vice President of Development. "We're combining small shops and restaurants in a very attractive setting that will bring even more people to the north end." The Saks building is scheduled to be torn down this June and the new redevelopment project completed by May, 2007.
Back to top
Now Through Saturday, April 8
Pick-Staiger Concert Hall - Northwestern University School of Music
50 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston
An exciting and diverse lineup of performers will converge on the Pick-Staiger stage for a festival of one-of-a-kind concerts. With a program ranging from drummer extraordinaire and seven-time Grammy Award-winner Paul Wertico (April 7) to Clair Musser's legendary 1933-34 Chicago World's Fair Marimba Extravaganza (April 8), this festival promises to be a true and harmonious convergence. Tickets range from $5.50 to $14. For more information, please call 847-491-5441 or visit www.pickstaiger.com. The ticket line is 847-467-4000.
Back to top
Now Through May 13
Piccolo Theatre - Evanston Arts Depot
600 Main Street, Evanston
The Piccolo Theatre's "Mistero Buffo, Comic Mysteries" presents the bawdy antics of the jongleur, a great buffoon who delighted crowds, infuriated the powerful, and scratched at the consciences of medieval Europe. The audience meets head on with his comic caravan of rich and poor, angels and drunkards, soldiers, cheats, popes and donkeys. His stories explode with love of humanity and rant against oppression...for the jongleur is a wise fool who suggests a dangerous gospel. The Piccolo Theatre Ensemble performs this masterpiece of physical comedy with the same hysterical fire that made the jongleur famous. Not for the politically weak of heart, themes in "Mistero Buffo, Comic Mysteries" run in a disturbing parallel to the current American political climate. Tickets are $20 and $15 for seniors and students. For more information, please call 847-424-0089 or visit www.piccolotheatre.com.
Back to top
Cinderella - Saturday, April 8
Melissa Manchester - Saturday, April 22
Centre East at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie
9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie
The New York Theatre Ballet presents the beloved fairytale "Cinderella" on Saturday, April 8. Showtimes for this beautifully choreographed performance are 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. and tickets are $23. On Saturday, April 22, Centre East welcomes Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Melissa Manchester who performs some of her greatest hits including Come In From The Rain, Don't Cry Out Loud, and Midnight Blue, as well as songs from her newest album, When I Look Down The Road. Showtime is 8:00 p.m. and tickets are $49. For more information, please call the Centre East box office at 847-673-6300 or visit www.centreeast.org.
Back to top
The following businesses have recently joined Chicago's North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau as Preferred Partners. Please help us build a bigger and stronger Bureau by letting us know of any businesses or industry contacts that you believe would benefit from becoming one of our Preferred Partners. Please contact Jennifer Williams, CNSCVB Sales Manager at jwilliams@cnscvb.com or call 847-763-0011 x 22 with any questions. The CNSCVB gratefully acknowledges the following new Preferred Partners and thanks them for their support.
|
Tub Tim Thai Restaurant
4927 Oakton St.
Skokie
847-675-8424
Pam Panya
Celtic Knot Public House
626 Church St.
Evanston
847-864-1679
Debbie Evans
Lake Shore Gift Baskets
1627 Mc Daniel
Evanston
847-328-3799
Rae Hunter
Bonefish Grill
1905 Cherry Lane
Northbrook
847-509-0661
Keith Sansone
|
Great Harvest Bread
2126 Central St.
Evanston
847-866-8609
Liz Schars
Panera Bread
1700 Sherman Ave., Evanston
847-733-8356
9611 Skokie Blvd., Skokie
847-679-9156
1199 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette
847-853-8170
Main Street Merchants Association
704 Main St., 2nd Floor
Evanston
847-492-3460
Alan Price
|
Back to top
|
|
|
Please send us your events as well as any news and photos we can use to keep our North Shore visitors and community informed. Send your submissions to gspeckman@cnscvb.com.
|
|
