This season, the Chicago Park District offers Chicagoans a number of ways to celebrate. For an illuminating experience check out one of the holiday events in the Parks. Due to the growing popularity of many of the events, advance ticket sales are recommended. Contact your local park for more details.
Santa's Workshop, for children eight and under, runs from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, in Wrightwood Park, 2534 N. Greenview Ave. Create an arts & craft project with Santa, and watch while he and Mrs. Claus perform an interactive show for families. Each child should bring a gift valuing $10 to the workshop, which will be donated to a Chicago charity. Refreshments will be provided. Call the park at (312) 742-7816 for registration.
Bed-time Stories with Santa are featured at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, at Adams Playground, 1919 N. Seminary Ave., for ages five and under. The cost is $7 per child. Get into your coziest pajamas and head to the park for a night of festive stories read by Santa himself. Warm up with refreshments during and after the readings. Space is limited, so pre-registration is required; call (312) 742-7787.
Skate with Santa takes place from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, at McFetridge Sports Center, 3843 N. California Ave., for all ages. The fee is $4 for those 12 & under; $5 for ages 13-61; and $2 for those 62 and over. Rudolph and his crew hit the ice with you at this magical holiday show. Have your photo taken with Mr. & Mrs. Claus. Refreshments will also be provided. Ice skate rental will be available for an additional $3. For more information, call (773) 478-2609.
A free Holiday Bazaar called "Made in Rogers Park" takes place 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, in Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Ave. Whether you're looking for ceramics, jewelry, textiles or woven items, there's something for everyone. The Holiday Bazaar features handmade items made by Rogers Park artists and craft people. For more information, call (773) 262-8605.
A free Holiday Teen Club Dance, for ages 11-15, is planned for 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, in Revere Park, 2509 W. Irving Park Rd. Call (773) 478-1220.
Attend a "Do It Yourself Messiah" at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, in Berger Park and Cultural Center, 6205 N. Sheridan Rd., for all ages. Admission is $5. Call (773) 761-0376. In addition, a free "Do It Yourself Messiah," for all ages, will take place at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, in Indian Boundary Park, 2500 W. Lunt Ave.; call (773) 764-0338. Chicagoans raise their voices as the audience becomes the chorus in the public performance of Handel's "Messiah," under the direction of Janice Pantuzelos, Chicago Studio of Professional Singing.
Looking for non-holiday fun at the parks? Join Boundaries Theatre Company for its annual interactive murder mystery, for all ages, with $5 admission. Enjoy the antics of disgruntled mall employees trying to put together the worst Renaissance Faire in history. Have fun, but watch the clues and see if you can figure out "whodunnit." "Murder Mystery: Deathcalliber!" will start at 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays: Dec. 3, 4, 10 and 11, at Indian Boundary Park, 2500 W. Lunt Ave. Call (773) 764-0338.
Also, the North Region Theatre of the Chicago Park District announces open auditions for its winter production, William Shakespeare's "King Lear," from 7 to 10 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, Dec. 12 and 14, in Revere Park, 2509 W. Irving Park Rd. If you cannot make either of these dates and still would like to audition, contact Kevin McSweeney via email at northregiontheatre@yahoo.com to make an appointment. Also needed are volunteer crewmembers for costume/ make-up coordinator, stage manager, technical director and sound/ music designer. Performances will take place in February 2006. For more information, call (773) 478-1220.
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