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Explore the White City: World’s Fair Simulation

June 9, 2009 by Explore Chicago - Events  
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The Museum of Science and Industry is bringing back the Columbian Worlds Fair (sort of).  As we get ready to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of Daniel Burnham’s original plan for Chicago, you can now experience a fascinating virtual simulation tour of the 1893 Columbian World’s Fair.  While not free, it is excellent and  can only be seen at the Museum of Science and Industry. The Fair’s White City was a source of inspiration for Daniel Burnham’s bold 1909 Plan for Chicago. Dr. Lisa Snyder of the UCLA Urban Simulation team will present this recreation of the famed White City, with narration by Tim Samuelson, Cultural Historian for the City of Chicago.

Dates: Jun 18, 2009 : Jun 19, 2009 : Jun 20, 2009

Hours: 1 – 2:30 pm

Location: Museum of Science and Industry, West Pavilion Auditorium
57th St. & Lake Shore Dr.
Chicago, IL 60637

Admission: $40; MSI Members $25; general admission to the Museum included.  Call 773.684.1414 for tickets. Website:
For additional information please visit, http://www.msichicago.org Accessibility:

  • Accessible wheelchair entrance(s)
  • Accessible washroom(s)
  • Assistive listening devices provided
  • Accessible seating area available (if auditorium/stadium venue)

CTAPublic Transportation:
El: Red and Green Lines to Garfield. Bus: 2, 6, 10, X28. Metra Electric Line to 55th/56th/57th Street; South Shore Line to 57th Street. For more travel information, visit www.transitchicago.com. Add this Activity to a Trip in Your Personal Trip Planner.


Explore the White City: World’s Fair Simulation
Museum of Science and Industry, West Pavilion Auditorium
57th St. & Lake Shore Dr.
Chicago IL 60637
Phone : 773.684.1414
Get Di
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Farmers Markets at Museum of Science and Industry

June 9, 2009 by Explore Chicago - Events  
Filed under Calendar

The Museum of Science and Industry is now hosting a  FREE farmers markets twice a month starting June 19 in conjunction with the exhibit Smart Home: Green + Wired, Powered by ComEd and the Mayor’s Office of Special Events. Browse seasonal offerings from local growers and purveyors including fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, local goods, plants, and flowers.  There will also be cooking demonstrations, weather permitting.

June 19 will feature a live cooking demonstration at 11:30 a.m. by Carrie Nahabedian of the restaurant NAHA. A 2008 James Beard Foundation Award winner, Nahabedian’s impressive resume spans more than 24 years. Her cooking style is a combination of her Armenian roots and a California lifestyle that she enjoyed during her years as Executive Chef for the Four Seasons’ Santa Barbara and Beverly Hills properties.

Dates:
Jun 19, 2009 : Jul 3, 2009 : Jul 17, 2009 : Aug 7, 2009 : Aug 21, 2009
Sep 4, 2009 : Sep 18, 2009 : Oct 2, 2009 : Oct 16, 2009

Hours: 7:30 am – 2 pm

Location:   Museum of Science and Industry, East Parking Lot
57th St. & Lake Shore Dr.
Chicago, IL 60637

Free Admission  – admission to the Museum or Smart Home is not required.

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Fashion Focus Chicago presents Fashion Cafes – June 16

June 9, 2009 by Explore Chicago - Events  
Filed under Calendar

Fashion Focus Chicago is pleased to present the Fashion Cafe Series at the Chicago Cultural Center. The fashion series will bring Chicago boutiques and designers together for a once monthly evening of shopping and a discussion hosted by a member of the Chicago fashion community. This particular Café highlighted contemporary womenswear designers and retailers which included Beta Boutique; House of Sole; Bess & Loie; Shibuy Hada; Paul Sisti and John Schultz; Christopher Augmon, new jewelry designer Rebecca Zemans and new womenswear line Jlee Silver.

Next Show – June 16th

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Chicago Sidewalk Sale

June 9, 2009 by Explore Chicago - Events  
Filed under Calendar

Come check out the Chicago Sidewalk Sale showcasing local designers and Chicago boutiques! From apparel to accessories, this second annual outdoor emporium offers everything for the fashion savvy. Drop by at lunchtime each day for a fashion show featuring looks available at the sale.  Sponsored by The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs.

Date: july 21–22      Hours: 9 am – 3 pm                   Location: Daley Plaza

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Dusk Variations: A Free Chamber Music Series Starting June 15

Come to Millenium Park on June 15th as this new series of four free concerts of chamber music, inlcuding elements of electronic music, improvisation and rock and roll, combined with classical music.  This new Monday series showcases smaller groups performing non-traditional fare for a broader audience and June 15th opens up with ChicagoCentric, an evening of music by four local chamber ensembles on June 15.  Next month, the series continues with The Biava Quartet, a contemporary string quartet on July 6, composer/violinist DBR with DJ Elan Vytal on July 20, and Rachel Barton Pine, among others, on July 27.  Read more

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Chicago White Sox vs Detroit Tigers – 06-10

Get tickets for game at US Cellular Field

In their last game, After manager Ozzie Guillen expressed his frustration with the White Sox’s poor display of fundamentals, Jose Contreras created a pleasant problem for the starting rotation.  Contreras, in his first start since being promoted from Triple-A Charlotte, pitched eight innings of one-hit ball Monday night to lead the Sox to a 6-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers and a split of their doubleheader.

Check out the June 10th game at U.S. Cellular Field as part of this series

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Andy Dick at Lakeshore Theater – June 9 and June 18

Lakeshore Theater

Comedian Andy Dick plays Lakeshore Theater on June 9 and June 18.    Andy is one of the many actors to experiment with a recording career after their star rises high enough to afford them such side projects. Brashly funny and often utilizing a manic personality to get his humor across, Dick was more often infamous for his legendary heavy partying and drug use before an incident with the law helped him change his habits.

Raised in a military family, he knew early on that he was an attention hound and looked to comedy to relieve this feeling. He moved to Chicago to study at the Second City training facility, eventually making friends with actor Ben Stiller, who was developing his own humor and trying to escape the shadow of his famous parents. The two hit it off, and when Stiller had the chance to develop his own Fox television show, Dick was one of the first cast members. Although the show’s cutting-edge humor was a ratings bomb, an Emmy Award helped dull the pain when Fox canceled the show. The various cast members moved on to successful comedy careers, but Dick kept relatively quiet until he was cast in NBC’s News Radio.

Enjoying his first successful national exposure, Dick also started gathering headlines over his hard partying. Rumors of drug use persisted, but appearances in several high-profile movies helped him avoid bad publicity for a while. But everything came to a head when friend and partying buddy Chris Farley was found dead after an especially heavy binge. Dick was crushed, but the worst was yet to come as costar and friend Phil Hartman was shot to death in 1998 following an argument with his wife. Dick’s drug intake grew, and by 1999 he was being investigated after allegedly exposing himself at a Florida concert. Later that same month, he was the last-known person to be seen with David Strickland, an actor who hung himself in a Las Vegas hotel room.Finally, after News Radio was canceled that summer, he was arrested after driving his car into a telephone pole. He was high on cocaine and marijuana and was sentenced with possession of both as well as other charges relating to the incident. Given a choice of either jail or rehab, the actor began a laborious stint in a clinic where he kicked his habits and emerged clean.

After a short-lived series on NBC got him back on his feet, he was asked to start his own show on MTV and soon he had the most popular sketch comedy show the network had in years. With his newfound success, he decided to try his hand at recording an album and put together Andy Dick & the Bitches of the Century in 2002. Five years later he returned with the live album Do Your Shows Always Suck? ~

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Show Your Chicago Spirit on Olympic Day – June 23

June 5, 2009 by Explore Chicago - Events  
Filed under Calendar

If you are looking to get into the Olympic spirit, then June 23rd will be your day.  Every year on June 23, the world honors the enduring Olympic spirit by staging events and celebrations since 2009 marks the 115th anniversary of the birth of the modern Olympic Movement. The entire country has rallied around Chicago’s bid and the prospect of bringing the Games back to the United States: more than 100 U.S. cities will be showing their support for the Movement with festivities featuring athletic events and appearances by Olympians and Paralympians. Find out how to get your city involved!

Chicago will be holding several free events to commemorate Olympic Day. On the evening of June 23, North Avenue Beach, the proposed site of the triathlon start, will host a multisport extravaganza. In addition to serving as the finish line for two three-mile fun runs, the beach will host competitions in the Olympic sports of beach volleyball, basketball, volleyball, soccer and kayaking, as well as softball. The celebration will be capped off by an Olympic Day on the beach featuring top local music acts.

Check out the schedule of events below to find out how you can get involved and show your support for Chicago 2016:

Youth Fun Runs, 10 am
In honor of Olympic Day, World Sport Chicago and the Chicago Park District are hosting fun runs for youth in various summer camps throughout the Chicago area.


Public Rally @ Daley Plaza, 12 Noon
Come out to Daley Plaza during lunch to celebrate Olympic Day with leaders of Chicago’s bid and the City of Chicago and participate in sport activities.

Fun Runs, 6 pm
Two 3-Mile Fun Runs will kick off the Olympic Day celebrations.

  • The North Fun Run will begin at Irving Park & Lake Shore Path.
  • The South Fun Run will begin at Balbo Drive & Lake Shore Path (across from Grant Park).
  • The start time for both Fun Runs is 6 p.m.
  • The North & South Fun Runs will both end at North Avenue Beach, where multiple sports competitions and demonstrations will be happening simultaneously. In addition to the Fun Runs, there will be Beach Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer, Kayaking, Archery and Softball, to name a few.

The celebration will conclude with an after party and Olympic Day concert on the beach featuring local entertainment.

Celebration Party at North Avenue Beach, 6 – 10 pm
Celebrate Olympic Day with free live entertainment at North Avenue Beach beginning at 6 pm! There will also be multiple competitions and demonstrations taking place throughout the night. Sport demonstrations include: Soccer, Basketball, Kayaking, Archery, and more!

Olympic Day @ White Sox-Dodgers Game, 7 pm

Buy tickets to celebrate at U.S. Cellular Field!

Dates:
Jun 23, 2009 Hours:
10 am – 10 pm Location:
Daley Plaza and other locations
N. Dearborn St. & W. Washington St.
Chicago, IL 60602

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Free Millennium Park Workouts – Summer Saturdays

June 5, 2009 by Explore Chicago - Events  
Filed under Calendar

Looking for a great free event to start your weekend? Then make your way down to Millenium Park for a workout led by a Chicago-area dance company, or take classes in Yoga, pilates or Tai Chi with instructors from the Lakeshore Athletic Club – Illinois Center. Free workouts are presented by Millennium Park, McDonald’s corporation and the Mayor’s Fitness Council, and take place on the Great Lawn of the Pritzker Pavilion.

7 am Tai Chi
Start your day with this ancient Chinese martial art that has brought peace and discipline to its adherents for centuries.
8 am Yoga

Improve strength, balance, mental focus and flexibility through guided poses, mental imagery and breath work.

9 am Pilates
Strengthen your core muscles and lengthen your muscles while improving your balance and coordination.
10 am Martial Arts/ Aerobic Dance
June – Body Attack/Body Jam with Les Mills Trainers

Take a fiercely energetic class inspired by martial arts, drawn from a wide array of disciplines including Karate, boxing, Taekwondo, Tai Chi and Muay Thai.

July - Capoiera with Marisa Cordeiro of Gingarte Capoeira Chicago
Learn the moves that combine elements of fighting with dancing, singing and musical instruments.

AugustSamba Dance Mania with Shirley Vieira and Edilson Lima of Brazil via Chicago
Dance and get fit to the Brazilian rhythms of the samba.

September - Zumba with Nancy
Feel the heat with fast and slow rhythms combined with resistance training to the Latin beat.

Dates:
Weekly: Every Saturday
From: Jun 6, 2009 to Sep 19, 2009
Upcoming Dates:

  • Jun 6, 2009
  • Jun 13, 2009
  • Jun 20, 2009

Hours: Saturdays, June 6 – September 19

Weekly Workouts

Tai Chi, 7 am;

Yoga 8 am;

Pilates 9 am;

Martial Arts/Aerobic Dance 10am

Location: Millennium Park
N. Michigan Ave. & E. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60602

Free Admission

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Party at St. Mike’s

June 5, 2009 by Explore Chicago - Events  
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For the 25th consecutive year, Party at St. Mikes will shift Chicago’s summer festival season into high gear with three nights of heart-pounding live entertainment, June 12 through 14 outside of St. Michaels church in Old Town. This year the fest features Chicago uber-group, Freddy Jones Band, in addition to many other live music talents and activities.

The “Party at St. Mike’s,” St. Michael in Old Town’s annual summer festival, allows thousands of people from all over the city to join with parishioners for an outdoor party. The event, which coincides with the annual Old Town Art Fair, takes place over the course of the weekend and gathers people together to enjoy food, drink, and music.

More Info

Over the years since St. Michael’s began hosting an annual Summer Festival, the event has been successful because of its community of volunteers who work hard to make it a fun and hospitable event for many. The Party at St. Mike’s provides an opportunity for people to make new friends and share in the fun with old ones all while helping to raise significant funding for St. Michael in Old Town Parish.

For more information, please e-mail Deanna Cunningham at celebration@st-mikes.org.

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3rd of July Fireworks

June 5, 2009 by Explore Chicago - Events  
Filed under Calendar

Chicagos annual commemoration of our nations independence is nothing short of spectacular. The Independence Eve celebration will take place on Friday, July 3 at Taste of Chicago. Once again, the soundtrack for the pyrotechnic experience will be aired by 101.9 THE MIX and broadcast live on WGN-TV Channel 9 from 8:30pm- 9:30pm.

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Mayor’s Cup Youth Soccer Tournament

June 4, 2009 by admin  
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Families and friends are invited to participate in the 16th Annual Mayors Cup Youth Soccer Tournament (advance registration required for team participation). One of the largest youth soccer tournaments in the United States, This FREE tournament takes place in Lincoln Park at Montrose Harbor.

Venetian Night

June 4, 2009 by Explore Chicago - Events  
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Approximately 35 boats will be decorated with lights and props as they sail along beautiful Lake Michigan, between the Shedd Aquarium at Roosevelt Road and the Chicago Yacht Club at Monroe Street. People of all ages stake out spots along the lakefront as early as 9 am to ensure a good view of the event.

Chicagoween 2009

June 4, 2009 by Explore Chicago - Events  
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Chicago celebrates Halloween like no other city. Parks, streets and buildings come alive with the decorations of the season and activities are all centered round this very scary and very orange time of year.

Taste of Chicago Public Preview

June 3, 2009 by Explore Chicago - Events  
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Taste of Chicago will have a sneak preview on Daley Plaza, Wednesday, June 10, 11am-2pm. Several of our newest participants will have food booths on the Plaza selling some of their Taste menu items. Plus, we'll have a live performance from The Eli Story which appears at Taste of Chicago on June 26th at the Illinois Lottery Taste Stage.

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