'A Winter’s Eve' Madrigal Dinner offers figgy pudding & more
On Saturday, Dec. 17, at 6:30 p.m. the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and the Illinois State University Madrigals, in collaboration with ChicaGourmets, present “A Winter’s Eve” Madrigal Dinner, an annual musical and visual celebration in the Renaissance style of Merrie Olde England. The event will take place in Preston Bradley Hall of the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St. Tickets, which include dinner and the show, are $65; call (312) 742-8497.
Madrigal guests join the king, queen, court jester, and wench for a holiday feast while being serenaded by lords and ladies singing traditional holiday madrigals. The evening’s songs include “Carol of the Bells,” Wassail Song,” “Twelve Days of Christmas,” “ In the Bleak Midwinter,” “Silent Night,” and more. The menu features traditional wassail, a salad of mixed greens, with farm house English cheese, a selection of rye breads, rosemary roasted Cornish game hen, basmati rice cakes, lemon gremoulatta, pear bread pudding with raisins (figgy pudding), English tea, wine and more.
Local elementary school presents free Christmas play
St. Benedict Elementary School will present a Christmas play titled "'Twas the Year Before Christmas." Students from the third grade through the sixth grade will star in this musical written and arranged by Ruth Elaine Schram and Scott Schram. The play will be performed at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19, in the Ackerman Center, 2217 W. Irving Park Rd. Admission is free. Also, St. Benedict Preschool will present a free Christmas play with their preschoolers on Monday, Dec. 19, at 10:30 a.m. in St. Benedict's Church, 2215 W. Irving Park Rd. For more information, please contact principal Rachel Gemo at (773) 463-6797.
SportsFest at McCormick Place Dec. 28-30
After all the presents have been unwrapped, keep the holiday momentum going. Pack up the entire family and head out to Mayor Daley's Holiday SportsFest, Dec. 28-30 at McCormick Place Halls A & B, 2301 S. Lake Shore Dr. This year, the Chicago Park District (CPD) offers a variety of unique sports activities for all ages, free of charge.
"Families are more active than ever," said CPD General Superintendent Tim Mitchell. "SportsFest provides families with an opportunity to incorporate a holiday vacation, exercise and fun."
SportsFest visitors can take advantage of a variety of free athletic and physical activities each day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The CPD Pavilion features badminton, boxing, soccer, fishing ponds, football, an inflatable tumbling area and more. The early childhood recreation area, which includes the Tots Zone and the Tots Obstacle Course, provides interactive play that encourages educational and motor skill development. Drop-in volleyball and basketball games grant holiday wishes for friendly competition. There is even a 24 ft. climbing wall for those with a heightened sense of adventure.
Mayor Daley's Holiday Sports Festival is produced by the Mayor's Office of Special Events, Chicago Park District and McCormick Place.
For more information or to obtain a registration form, contact the CPD at (312) 742-PLAY
or visit www.cityofchicago.org/specialevents.
Christmas Tree Sale
The annual Christmas Tree Sale to benefit Queen of Angels continues at Sunnyside and Western avenues. A wide selection of trees and wreaths at affordable prices are available. Trees will be sold on weekday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. as well as weekends from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Saturday, Dec. 17.
New Year’s Eve Party at IAHC
The Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Ave., will hold its annual New Year's Eve Party in the Fifth Province Lounge on Saturday, Dec. 31. Doors open at 7 p.m.
The cost for the party is $25 for advance purchase and $30 after Dec. 30. The cover charge includes hors d’oeuvres, a champagne toast at midnight, party favors, and live entertainment by local favorites Velvet Green. To purchase tickets, call the Center at (773) 282-7035, ext. 10.
Free DANK Haus Christmas party
On Friday, Dec. 16, DANK Chicago will host a free Christmas Party, featuring the wild and wacky Polkaholics and starting at 7 p.m., in the breathtaking Skyline Lounge on the sixth floor of the historic DANK Haus, 4740 N. Western Ave. The Polkaholics will be sure to play plenty of kamikaze polka all night long (i.e., three sets of people-pleasing polka), including many favorite holiday chestnuts such as "I'm Dreaming of a Polka Christmas," "Sausage and Sauerkraut for Santa," "Yakov the Polka Reindeer" and more. There will be a cash bar with draft German beer (of course), brats, and other snacks available. Come out and meet your friends and neighbors at Lincoln Square's friendliest venue.
DANK Chicago (the largest chapter of the largest German-American organization in America) is a benevolent non-profit German-American organization. Its purpose is to preserve the German culture, traditions, and language. Membership is open to anyone wishing to join, and it draws members from all over the Chicago Area. DANK Chicago has been serving large doses of German hospitality for over 46 years. For more information, email dankhaus@mac.com or visit www.dankhaus.com.
New Year's Eve at O'Donovan's Pub
O'Donovan's Pub and Restaurant, located at 2100 W. Irving Park Rd., will be observing New Year's Eve with a festive celebration. According to general manager Frankie Zela, O'Donovan's will charge $60 per person. Book a group of 10 persons now and receive the 11th ticket free. Call (773) 478-2100 to secure your reservation.
Doors open at 8 p.m., and there will be an open bar from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. A Chef's Buffet will be laden with unusual hors d'oeuvres, chicken vesuvio, pastas, hand-carved roast beef, and much more, created by executive chef David Wennerlyn. Listen or dance to Mr. Brown's 3-piece Band from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. The group's music includes rock 'n' roll, blues, classics, current rock, and original tunes. Decorations and party favors add to the fun, and of course there will be a Champagne toast at midnight. Save your New Year's Eve ticket from O'Donovan's, Kincade's, Kendall's, Kelsey's, or The Twisted Lizard and receive your first drink in 2006 free at O'Donovan's.
Party at Twisted Lizard
The Twisted Lizard, located at 1964 N. Sheffield Ave., will be observing New Year's Eve with a party at $75 per person. Enjoy an open bar from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., as well as a dinner buffet featuring Sergio's Southwestern Mexican favorites: appetizers, entrees, and desserts. There will be a DJ for your listening and dancing pleasure, decorations, party favors, and a Champagne toast at midnight. Make your plans now to welcome 2006 at The Twisted Lizard. Call either Corey or Sergio at (773) 929-1414 to make a reservation.
Holiday happening in Lincoln Square
At 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, the Luther Memorial Choir will sing songs to warm the heart in Giddings Plaza. For more information, visit www.lincolnsquare.org or call the Lincoln Square Chamber of Commerce at (773) 728-3890.
'Turn Green into Blue' Christmas tree recycling program
As Chicagoans begin to purchase wrapping paper and decorate their Christmas trees, the City is announcing the date of its annual after-the-holidays recycling event, "Turn Green into Blue." Residents can recycle their Christmas trees or a bag of recyclables at one of 23 locations on Saturday, Jan. 7, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. In exchange for participating, they will be given a year's supply of blue bags while supplies last. They will also be able to pick up a bag of mulch and a blue spruce sapling.
Dispose of Christmas trees and other recyclable holiday trash while keeping the alleys and streets clear of this kind of debris—and get the bags to recycle all year long.
The Christmas trees brought to parks for recycling are placed into a chipper and turned into reusable mulch. To avoid damaging the chipping machine, residents are asked to remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel, wiring and other materials from their trees before recycling. Residents who don't have a tree can participate in the event by bringing in a large bag of clean recyclables such as used metal cans, glass and plastic bottles and containers, or paper.
For more information about the "Turn Green into Blue" program or any of the City's other recycling opportunities, visit www.cityofchicago.com or call 311.
Participating area locations include Lincoln Park, Cannon Dr. at Fullerton Ave.; Margate Park, 4921 N. Marine Dr.; North Park Village, 5801 N. Pulaski Rd.; DeVry Institute, 3401 N. Rockwell St.; Warren Park, 6601 N. Western Ave.; Grant Park, 900 S. Columbus Dr.; and Humboldt Park, 1440 N. Sacramento Ave. |
