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Leap Weekend

Leap Weekend

' Sip on specially-priced $29 bottles of wine from past leap years (2000 and 2004) at the Leap Year Dinner at Caf' Matou. (Feb 29)
' Shane Salois of Cream Wine Company and sommelier Rashed Islam lead a tasting of more than 12 champagnes with appetizer pairings at the Leap Year Champagne Seminar at Viet Bistro. (Feb 29)
' At the Leap Year Celebration at Zocalo, get a flan dessert for $2.29 (in honor of the day 2/29) plus half-price appetizers and live music in the bar. (Feb 29)
' The Leap Year Celebration at Caf' Penelope features buffalo frog legs, 'frog's leap' …read more

Little Vaudeville

Little Vaudeville

The technology of entertainment is moving swiftly along. CDs, mp3s, mpegs, DVDs, high-def' It seems as though the moment we imagine the next step, it already exists. However, there was a time when none of this existed. Before television, before radio, there was Vaudeville. And amidst all the gadgets and doodads of today's society, vaudeville remains alive and well in Arlington Heights at Dickinson's Little Vaudeville.
Vaudeville was a genre of entertainment common in the United States and Canada from the 1880s until the 1930s. Types of acts included musicians, comedians, magicians, acrobats, dancers, trained animals, impersonators, and more. Many of …read more

The Violet Hour

The Violet Hour

The term 'hidden gem' is often used to describe places that are out-of-the-way or in less populated areas that have something great to offer. The Violet Hour in Wicker Park takes that term to another level.
This cocktail lounge with a speakeasy vibe to it is hidden. No street address or sign marks its entrance. Passersby outside only see a wood-paneled fa'ade plastered with concert bills. Those in the know find their way inside to the white-trimmed, bluish walls and dramatically high-backed chairs. Think 18th-century meets modern chic. A relatively small crowd of hipsters chatter quietly in the dimly-lit room, enjoying …read more

Bonsoirée

Bonsoirée

'Foodies' can be pretty particular about their eating-out choices, as they look for that 'something extra' in restaurants. Bonsoir'e in Logan Square offers just that with an exclusive dining experience.
This subtle caf' and catering company serves up French and American delicacies. While it's open to the public most of the week, every Saturday night they offer an invitation-only prix-fixe dinner, perfect for the true foodie with a sophisticated taste. They call it their 'underground' restaurant. The menu changes weekly, and anyone can sign up on the website. However, only a limited number of people are chosen at random and e-mailed …read more

Chicago Honey Co-Op

Chicago Honey Co-Op

Commute, job, chores, family, friends' you are one busy bee. You'd love to give something back to the colony, but who has the time?
Every little step counts, and you can start by shopping from the Chicago Honey Co-Op, the 'bee farm' on the west side of Chicago. Home to over 100 hives, this apiary provides job training opportunities while producing high-quality beeswax and honey products. You'll be buzzing about the chemical-free candles, lip balm, body bars, bath scrubs, and, of course, good old-fashioned honey' all while supporting local business and sustainable agriculture.
It's good for both you and bee.

For more information …read more

Tony’s Italian Beef

Tony’s Italian Beef

The namesake reigns supreme at the small but popular Tony's Italian Beef. Since 1975, this quick stop has been serving huge portions of food for cheap. Long lines can be found virtually any time of day, as customers come for the breakfast subs in the morning to the burgers and hot dogs in the afternoons and evenings. Indecisive types may want to go straight for the Italian beef; otherwise, they may find themselves overwhelmed by the massive menu of available dishes, including breaded steak sandwiches and 'Chickalinis' (breaded chicken breast deep-fried and smothered with tomato sauce and cheese). Whatever you …read more

Madison Plaza

Madison Plaza

After planning the Three First National Plaza, the same architects designed another building with the same 'sawtooth edge,' giving the southeast face six corners. As a result, the Madison Plaza has nine corner offices on most of its 45 floors. The 599-foot (182 m) structure was originally meant to be one of two, but the second tower was never built.
Madison Plaza is the home of 'Dawn Shadows,' a black metal sculpture created by Louise Berliawsky Nevelson.

Photo credit: Aquistbe, hanneorla, Atelier Teee
Madison Plaza: 200 W Madison St
Public trans: Bus # 11, 14, 20, X20, 56, 60, 124, 127, 134, 135, 136, …read more

Oriental Theatre

Oriental Theatre

The Ford Center for the Performing Arts Oriental Theatre opened in 1926 to much fanfare on the site of the former Iroquois Theatre. It was the first theatre Balaban and Katz had built in the Loop since the opening of the Chicago Theatre in 1921.
The theatre's Asian-influenced d'cor may be over-the-top, but it has never been matched. In its heyday, the theatre was full of turbaned ushers, large mosaics, and multi-colored glazed Buddhas. The Oriental Theatre presented first-run popular films and vaudeville acts. Several stars played there, including The Three Stooges, George Burns, Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, Danny Kaye, Bing …read more

New Addition

New Addition

The Chicago Traveler extends a heartfelt welcome to The San Diego Traveler! This well-written blog has actually been around for a while but is new to the b5media network. I've visited 'America's Finest City' once in my travels, and it is indeed a beautiful city. I have quite a few friends there that I'm looking forward to visiting again sometime in the near future. I'm also anticipating reading all about the coastal city and everything it has to offer.

Baby Loves Disco

Baby Loves Disco

You are a dancing machine! Or, at least, you were, up until you had kids. Now you're a diaper-changing, stain-cleaning, tyke-chasing machine. If the dance floor is still calling your name under all that toddler-hollering, check out Baby Loves Disco.
This dance party allows clubbers and their little dance partners to have fun together. Started in Philadelphia, this concept is now a nationwide sensation, held in over a dozen cities in some of the hippest clubs and music venues that parents never thought they'd see again. The bashes are perfect for little ones ages 6 months to 7 years old. Age-appropriate …read more

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