SPECIAL PROJECTS

If you are planning to attend the APRA conference in August or dreaming of singing the blues in Chitown, read on.

My favorite planner for Chicago-style entertainment is The Reader. http://www.chireader.com/

Except for word-of-mouth, The Reader is the entertainment bible for Chitown. Weekends are made from The Reader. With the Internet, you don't have to wait for this weekly gem.

For all kinds of events (that is, for the few that may not have made The Reader) visit Metromix, another Chicago entertainment guide.
http://www.metromix.com

Click on Stage to select a theatre, pick a show, find out what's playing on a specific date or search by keyword. Make a selection, then visit Hot Tix to find half price tickets on the day of the show.
http://www.hottix.org

FYI, there is a Hot Tix booth in the Watertower Visitor's Center, not too far from the Hyatt Regency.

If art is your thing, especially free, visit Chicago's Cultural Center, a work of art itself with its Tiffany stained-glass dome. The Center houses many exhibits from furniture design to Irish art to photographs and installations.
http://www.ci.chi.il.us/Tourism/CulturalCenter/

Or just step outside for a tour of free art around the city.
http://www.chicagourbanart.org/.

If furniture made from bicycle rims is not for you, maybe catch the Calder show at the Museum of Contemporary Art.
http://www.mcachicago.org

Put on your dancing shoes, and bring a blanket and a picnic dinner to Grant Park. You'll have a swinging time at the Chicago Summerdance. Come early for free dance lessons, then stay for the music on the lawn.
http://www.cityofchicago.org/CulturalAffairs/SummerDance/aug_sept.html

Chicago means music. For classic Chicago blues, a night at Kingston Mines is a must. Housed on North Halsted, Kingston Mines has a late night liquor license (4 or 5 a.m. depending on the day of the week), so, if you missed your favority blues artists playing at another club, you will find them here later.
http://www.kingstonmines.com/

For more musical venues, wander over to Centerstage Chicago. http://www.centerstage.net/  Read about Wednesday night jazz at the Empty Bottle or find your favorite local artist.

All this tourism making you hungry and thirsty? Find a great beer garden. Chicago has nearly 200.
http://centerstage.net/bars/styles/biergarten.html

We can't forget sports! Put on your game face for da' Cubs or da' Sox.
http://www.chicagosports.com/

Architecture, art, music, dance, parades and festivals. Chicago has something to satisfy all tastes. The City of Chicago's tourism site will help you explore this jewel on the lake.
http://www.ci.chi.il.us/Tourism/

Pamela J. Smith