The staff of Chicago's North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau wishes you a happy, healthy and prosperous new year. Not only have visitation figures increased over the past year with hotel occupancy 6% over last year's numbers but combined with higher rates have increased hotel revenue by 10%. Increased hotel stays combined with more day trippers to Chicago's North Shore has meant more traffic to our stores, restaurants and attractions. We look forward to building on our growth and working together with our partners to have a very successful 2007!
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If you're an Elvis fan, you won't want to miss The Elvis Birthday Celebration at the North Shore Centre for the Performing Arts. This one night concert celebrates the music of Elvis, one era at a time, beginning with the early rock-a-billy phase and the military years to Elvis in the movies, the '68 comeback special and finally, the much touted Las Vegas concert years. Stars of the show include Shawn Klush, Rick Saucedo, Matt Lewis, and Donny Edwards, along with special guest performances by DJ Fontana (Elvis' original drummer) and the Sweet Inspirations, the back-up vocalists for Elvis' Las Vegas performances. Tickets range from $29 to $49. For more information, please call 847-673-6300 or visit www.northshorecenter.org.
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The Northbrook Park District will turn up the heat on January 6 with a Winter Carnival, featuring horse-drawn wagon rides, ice sculpture demonstrations, a dogsled team, games and prizes, art activities and a chili cook-off. The action will begin at 11:30am and run until 2:30pm at the Village Green, at Shermer and Meadow in downtown Northbrook. All ages are welcome, and a disc jockey will provide musical entertainment during the event. Sled-pulling huskies will demonstrate their strength and training at Noon. For more information, call 847-291-2980.
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The Music Institute of Chicago presents a variety of musical series and events, from classical to contemporary, performed by its distinguished faculty, talented students, and professional groups. Coming in January is eighth blackbird, one of the most dynamic contemporary ensembles on the scene today, and the Marin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration (an annual free event featuring the Evanston North Shore Community Mass Choir and choirs from the Apostolic Church of God, as well as MIC student ensembles…a joyous community celebration!) Proceeds from this concert benefit the William Warfield Endowed Scholarship Fund. For more information about these and other shows, please call 847-446-3822 or visit www.musicinstituteofchicago.org.
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The view master, the portable hair dryer, the riding lawn mower, the see-through measuring cup, the first garbage can that didn't dent, break or go clang in the night…all of these reshaped the contours of 20th century life, and all were created by one prolific source…a dyslexic kid from rural Louisiana! Come meet Charles Harrison, as he discusses his career as one of the most respected industrial designers of his time and as the first African American executive ever hired by Sears Roebuck & Company. An Evanston resident, Mr. Harrison will discuss his book, A Life's Design, which chronicles his emergent philosophy and inspiring story. A book signing will follow Mr. Harrison's talk. Admission is $5. Reservations are recommended. For more information, please call 847-475-3410 or visit www.evanstonhistorical.org.
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Please join us for a special evening of culinary delights as we showcase the four catering companies available at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts. If you haven't joined us before, please make a new year's resolution to network with us, as these monthly gatherings are a wonderful opportunity for our partners to meet one another, share ideas and learn more about the visitor boosting efforts of Chicago's North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau. This event is open to all CNSCVB partners and there is no charge to attend, but you must RSVP by Friday, January 12 to Jennifer Williams (CNSCVB Sales Manager) at 847-763-0011 x 22 or e-mail her at jwilliams@cnscvb.com. Tickets are still available for Capitol Steps, a fast-moving combination of political skits and songs that has engaged audiences nationwide, if you'd like to see the show immediately following our event. For tickets, please call 847-673-6300.
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In this world premiere play, a hunting trip in southern Illinois turns tragic when a U.S. Congressman reveals to his closest friends that he is changing his political party and his stance on the war in Iraq. While the friends struggle with conflicting feelings of loyalty and betrayal, one hunter's trusty gun dog (Lady) wanders lost in the forest. As each man's ulterior motives become clear, one thing seems certain: after this walk in the woods, nothing will ever, ever be the same. Lady was commissioned by Northlight and was written by Craig Wright (author of last season's hit Grace at Northlight and television's Brothers & Sisters, Lost and Six Feet Under). For more information, please call 847-673-6300 or visit www.northshorecenter.org.
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Two very exciting exhibits make their debut in the Chicago Botanic Garden's newly renovated Regenstein Center. The first, Flowering Amazon: The Paintings of Margaret Mee, includes 37 watercolor drawings, field sketches, diaries and native Brazilian artifacts from Margaret Mee's 15 expeditions into the Amazon forest (from 1956 - 1988). The exhibition runs through Sunday, April 8 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) The second, In Search of Paradise: Great Gardens of the World, features more than 125 full-color images of the world's greatest gardens, taken by the world's best garden photographers. The exhibition explores a number of themes, including water as a central design element in historic and contemporary gardens. A book, which combines more than 200 full-color images and text from the former and new Paradise exhibits, is available for purchase in the Garden Shop. For more information, please call 847-835-5440 or visit www.chicagobotanic.org.
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The Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park is looking for volunteers to assist with its docent program, arts educational programs, working with students in classrooms and helping with various administrative work. Training sessions are informal and informative. No knowledge of art is required. If interested, please contact the Sculpture Park at 847-679-4265. The Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park is a unique facility combining recreational features with an outstanding exhibition of large-scale contemporary sculpture in a beautifully landscaped, easily accessible setting. To learn more, please visit www.sculpturepark.org.
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See Big 10 basketball at its very best as the Wildcat season continues in the New Year. During the month of January, they take on Penn State (1/3), Michigan (1/6), Michigan State (1/10), Wisconsin (1/13), Ohio State (1/17), Minnesota (1/20), Ohio State (1/24) and Minnesota (1/31). The season will culminate with the 2007 Big Ten Tournament, which will be held at the United Center, March 8-11. For tickets and further information, please visit www.nusports.com.
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The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Illinois Bureau of Tourism and Visit Illinois will host the 20th Annual Illinois Governor's Conference at the Palmer House Hilton. This year's conference is themed "The Future is Ours," and features top-tier, industry-renowned speakers and experts who will focus on looking ahead at unique industry trends, new media technology, marketing to growing travel segments and more. Gina Speckman, Executive Director of Chicago's North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau, is honored to be named co-chair of this year's conference. To learn more about the conference and for registration information, visit www.iltourismconference.org. If you are interesting in participating in the trade show, please e-mail Nina Winston at nwinston@visitillinois.net.
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