Cassandra's Chicago

Attention All Art Lovers: This Weekend Is For You! Head Out To Pilsen Open Studios To Support Local Artists, Culture and Music!

Admission: Free, vittles and drinks are at cost.

Days & hours: Saturday, October 20, 2012:12-7 p.m.; OPENING RECEPTION Sat, Oct 20, 8p.m.-12a.m.
With: Live Music by Bomba Con Buya
http://www.facebook.com/bombaconbuya
Bring your dancing shoes for a sizzling night of fun! Enjoy Appetizers, Sangria and more!

Sunday, October 21, 2012 at 3p.m.-7p.m.

Efebinas Café1640 S. Blue Island Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60608

Pilsen Open Studios is an artist–run art walk that takes place every October.  Enjoy art all day, October 20, 2012 and Sunday. October 21, 2012. This year includes over 40 spaces and 80+ artists from Halsted Street to Western Avenue & from 16th Street to 23rd Street. Part of Chicago Artists” Month. See wonderful and talented artists like Juan P. Martinez and Amanda Kaliski Alvarez. They are #26 on the map. To view their art, head out to Efebinas Café. See you there!

View and print a map of all the artists participating at: http://pilsenopenstudios.net/

CAF’s Open House Free Today

If you love Chicago’s architecture, check out CAF’s Open House on October 13-14. It’s Free! 
Save the date for Chicago Architecture Foundation’s Open House: October 13-14, and explore our wonderful city during Open House See over 150 cool places FREE for 48 glorious hours! Thanks CAF!
Reservations are not required. All are welcome to attend!

Check it out  at: http://www.openhousechicago.org/sites/

Friday Fun!

Noir is the theme for Friday, October 5. This at -cost event includes admission to the museum, entertainment,  decadent  dessert samples from deca restaurant,  meet new friends, hit the dance floor with tunes provided by Alvin Black III . Doors open from 6 to 10 p.m. There is a cash bar that is open to 9:30 p.m.

General admission is $18, and for MCA members is $10

220 East Chicago Avenue//Chicago, IL 60611

Box office: (312)397-4010

General info :( 312)280-2660

http://www.mcachicago.org

Hello #Chicago: Check Out #ExpoChicago at #NavyPier on September 20-23

If you love art, you do not need to leave the Midwest for an international art fair that will take place at Navy Pier on September 20-23.

Navy Pier, Festival Hall

600 East Grand Avenue//Chicago, IL

For details, visit: http://www.expochicago.com/

Dates& Times: Thursday, September 20-Sunday, September 23

                             Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

                              Sunday from 12 p.m.-6p.m.        

Admission: General one day ticket is $20; Expo Pass (four days) is $65

Want to see the full schedule?

Check out: http://www.expochicago.com/programs-events/dialogues-schedule

International art galleries from Madrid to Berlin, Chicago- based artists, and other talented artists will be displaying their works thanks to renowned Expo Chicago founder Tony Karman. Get inspired, buy, or explore the wonderful wonders of the art world. I would highly recommend checking out a garbage wall created from river rubbish. See the visual reminder of what once lingered in the Chicago, Illinois, Mississippi and Ohio Rivers.   The first “Garbage Wall” was created in 1970 in New York City by the late Gordon Matta-Clark. The “Garbage Wall” is sponsored by the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental group, and curated by Joan Crawford, Matta-Clark’s widow. There is so much to see that it will be in the eye of the beholder to enjoy!

Hello #Chicago: Are You For FREE MSI?

Are you ready for the Science experience? Get your inner Science geek on at MSI Free this Thursday and Friday and next week on September 24-28 too.

Museum of Science and Industry

5700 South Lake Shore Drive//Chicago, IL

For more info, visit: www.msichicago.org or call: (773)684-1414

If you love Chicago’s architecture, check out CAF’s Open House on October 13-14. It’s Free!

Save the date for Chicago Architecture Foundation’s Open House: October 13-14, and explore our wonderful city during Open House See over 150 cool places FREE for 48 glorious hours! Thanks CAF!

Reservations are not required.   All are welcome to attend!

Save the Date:Attention all Pug lovers: Bring your mug and your pug for the Fall 2012 Chicago Pug Party from 12-5p.m. on Saturday, October 6, 2012

Attention all Pug lovers: Bring your mug and your pug for the Fall 2012 Chicago Pug Party from 12-5p.m. on Saturday, October 6, 2012

Don’t have a pug? No worries just bring your mug for the pug festivities. Note that no other types of dogs will be admitted to the festivities.

Fall 2012 Chicago Pug Party

Time: Saturday October 6th, 2012 (12noon - 5pm)

Location: Chicago Party Animals

1133 W. Fulton Market

Chicago, IL 60607

Admission: Adults are $8. Kids are $4. Pugs free!

Hundreds of Pugs expected…Bring yours! This is a kid/family friendly event. Tasty food and beverages will be available from fabulous food trucks.

Planned Attractions! Indoor Space off leash, Pet Cartoon/Caricature Artist “George Berlin,” Milwaukee Pug Rescue / Fun Pug items for sale and Karaoke…Yes please sing!

Hello Chicago: Events for the Weekend of September 14-16

Are you enjoying the wonderful sweater weather? Here are a couple of recommendations for this weekend:

Love Art? Head out to the Chicago Arts District’s FREE Friday Gallery night fun from 6 to 10 p.m.

in  Pilsen on Friday, September 14.

Pick up a map at the Information Center at 1821 South Halsted//Chicago, IL

For details, visit: http://chicagoartsdistrict.org/events_main.asp

Check out 30 creative art spaces including performances  

Use your peepers to find some creepers!

Morton Arboretum

4100 Illinois Route 53, / /Lisle, IL.

Day and Time: 7-9pm on Friday, Sept 14.

Admission: $23 ($16 for members)

For more info, call: (630)968-0074 or visit: www. mortonarb.org

Events: Families with kids under 10 can search for Spiders in the Twilight around Lake Marmo, take a moonlit tram, and huddle around the campfire to roast delectable marshmallows.

Want to see theater performances at affordable prices? Check out:   www. hottix.org

Here are some performances that are available at discounted prices:

IMPERIAL SILENCE: UNA OPERA MUERTA

Friday 7:30pm $14.00; Saturday 7:30pm $14.00; Sunday 3:00pm $14.00

John Jota Leanos at Museum of Contemporary Art

220 E. Chicago// Chicago

Cultural taboos around silence, death, and dissent are presented through a multimedia performance that fuses dark, humored animation with Mexican folklore dance, Mariachi music, hip-hop, bossa nova, and blues. The work is created by San Francisco-based director, John Jota Leaños; Chicago-based choreographer Joel Valentin-Martinez; DJ/composer Cristóbal Martinez; and the Tucson Mariachi ensemble, Los Cuatro Vientos.

DIAL M FOR MURDER

Jedlicka Performing Arts Center, 3801 S. Central Ave., Cicero

Admission: Friday 7:30pm $8.50; Saturday 7:30pm $8.50; Sunday 3:00pm $8.50

Earlier work by Frederick Knott who wrote last season’s Wait Until Dark, captivated audiences and won numerous Tony Awards before being adapted to film by Alfred Hitchcock. Ranked in the Top 10 Mystery Films by the American Film Institute. Things go awry for Tony Wendice when the scoundrel he hires to hires to kill his wife gets murdered and the intended victim survives.

Check out: www.hottix.org  for other performances that are budget friendly.

Head out to Homewood for Homewood’s Fall Fest at 11am-10pm on Saturday, September 15

Martin Avenue and Ridge Road in Homewood, IL.

Time and Day: 11a.m.-10p.m. on Sat, Sept 15.

For more info, call: (708)798-3000 or visit: www. homesweethomewood.com

Enjoy the following activities:

Horse-drawn wagon rides, petting zoo, pony rides, children’s crafts, games, and pumpkin patch, magic show and live music, food and art vendors.

Everybody loves a parade! Come down to celebrate Mexican Independence Day in Pilsen at noon on Saturday, September 15.

18^th Street from Newberry Avenue to Wolcott//Chicago, IL

Day and Time: Noon on Saturday, Sept 15

Admission: Free

Events: see floats galore, hear the mariachi bands play and everything else you see at a parade.

Parade!

Head out to Lincoln Park for the Cultivate Festival, a FREE festival of food, ideas and music from 11 a.m. -7 p.m. on Saturday, September 15

Stockton Drive & LaSalle Street in Lincoln Park

Admission: Free Fun for all ages

For details, visit: http://chipotle.com/cultivate/Chicago.aspx#

Check out  different cooking techniques and demonstrations  using sustainable ingredients from local farmers by practicing chefs Jon Shook & Vinny Dotolo, Paul Kahan, Zakary Pelaccio, Danny Grant, also featuring Chipotle Chefs: Matthias Merges, Amanda Freitag, Sarah Grueneberg, Richard Blais and Chris Pandel

Check out the fun you can have if you attend this FREE festival at: chttp://youtu.be/SedjlEqB3G0

Hear live entertainment by G. Love &Special Sauce, Allen Stone, LP, J Roddy Walston and the Business and JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound. Check out four of the five experience tents to learn and earn a free coupon for a burrito, a bowl, salad or order of tacos. Sample local and specialty beer and wine.  The kids’ area is filled with engaging, interactive activities like create a tee that kids can take home, educational presentations and organic snacks.

The delicious food at the Cultivate Festival will be provided by the following sustainable farmers: Seedling, Nichols Farm, Becker Lane, One Guerilla Farmer, Spence Farms, Harmony Valley Farms, Degroot Vegetable Farm and HerbThyme Farms. Thanks!

Are you ready to adopt a furry four legged friend? Head out to the Pedigree and Walmart Dog Adoption Event at 10 a.m. -3 p.m. on Saturday, September 15 at Solider Field’s Stadium Green.

Solider Field’s Stadium Green

360 East Waldron Drive//Chicago, IL

For details, visit: www.pedigree.com

There will be over 100 dogs available for adoption from local shelters. Bring home a loyal friend for life.

Enjoy a timeless classic: The Sound of Music at Athenaeum Theatre at 7p.m. on September 15!

Athenaeum Theatre,

2936 N. Southport Ave.//Chicago, IL

Day and Time: 7pm on Sat, Sept 15.

Admission: $20-$30; $15-$25 seniors and students; $10 kids 12 and under.

For more info, call: (773)935-6875 or visit: www.athenaeumtheatre.com

Events: Hear The Sound of Music complete stage production, complete with Chamber Orchestra.

Everyone will have some fun at the Edgewater Gralley Street Festival at Noon-10pm on Sat, Sept 15!

Location: In the streets, courtyards, and alleys around Glenwood and Granville Avenues in Chicago.

Day and Time: Noon-10pm on Sat, Sept 15

Admission: $10; $5 seniors and kids under 18; $25 family package.

Discounted advanced tickets available (visit website for information)

For details or discounted tickets, visit: www.edgewatergralley.com

Events: Live entertainment, food, family corner with kids’ activities.

Actung!! Don’t miss St. Joseph Octoberfest & Antiques Market!

Location: Saint Joseph School, 1740 Lake Avenue//Wilmette, Illinois.

Day and Time: 9am-11:30pm on Sat, Sept 15

Admission: $30; $20 seniors.

For more info, call: (847)256-7870

Events: Games for kids (10am-3pm), food and drink in the Biergarten tent, German dinner served in Beer Hall with oompah band, followed by outdoor party with band.

Making home improvements? Attend the Lake County Home Improvement Remodeling Expo on September 15-16 FREE in Grayslake

Lake County Fairgrounds (on Peterson & Midlothian, 1/2 mile west of RT 45)

1060 East Peterson Road //Grayslake, IL 60030

Admission: Free

Free Parking

For details, visit: www.HOMESHOWEVENT.com

Check out over 100 local & national exhibitors featuring interior, exterior, building, landscape, design and renovation, demonstrations, Ask the experts, displays, product samples, savings and more!

Become inspired; see amazing innovations for your home and the opportunity to discuss your options with professional and knowledgeable representatives.

Enjoy food, fun, entertainment and more!

Reptile and Amphibian lovers will finally be in the majority at The Frog Lady Presents: Reptiles and Amphibians at 2-3pm on Sat, Sept 15 at Morton Grove Public Library.

Morton Grove Public Library, 6140 Lincoln Avenue// Morton Grove, IL

Day and Time: 2-3pm on Sat, Sept 15

Admission: Free

For more info, call: (847)929-5102 or visit: www.webrary.org

Events: Meet more than 25 live Reptiles and Amphibians to learn about their natural history and personal adoption stories. Touch’em. Hold’em. Ask questions about’em.

Amphibian lovers will be in the majority yet again! Welcome to “The World of Salamanders.”

Location: Sand Ridge Nature Center, 15891 Paxton Avenue// South Holland, IL

Day and Time: 1:30pm on Sat, Sept 15

Admission:

For details, call (708)868-0606 or visit website: www. fpdcc.com

Events: Check out Interactive presentations on Salamanders. Learn about’em. Ask and answer questions about’em. You’ll get to meet and greet a resident salamander, and then go on a search for salamanders and amphibians.

Head out to Busse Woods South for the 59th Annual Pow Wow at 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, September 15. Experience Native American Dance, drumming, food and art outdoors

Busse Woods South

Higgins Rd. and 290// Elk Grove Village, IL 60305

The 2012 Pow Wow at Busse Woods (south), enter on Higgins Rd.

Admission: on Saturday and Sunday: Suggested Donation $8 adults; $4 12 and under/55+/active military

For details, visit:www.fpdcc.com

The Forest Preserve District of Cook County and the American Indian Center of Chicago present the 59^th Annual Pow Wow

Friday, Sept. 14 . 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Education Day – Free to school groups

7 p.m. — Films in the Forest: Smoke Signals

Smoke Signals is a humorous yet serious story about Victor, a young man who Director Chris Eyre describes as “trying to forgive his father.” The movie gives us a glimpse into the contemporary Native American world, and is created by an almost exclusively Native American cast. Free

On Saturday, Sept. 15:

11 a.m. to 9 p.m. —Native American Dance Competition, including singers, artists, food vendors, storytelling, archery and more!  Grand Entries at 1 p.m. and  7 p.m.

On Sunday, Sept. 16: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Native American Dance Competition, including singers, artists, food vendors, storytelling, archery and more Grand Entry at noon.

Head out to Lake Katherine for the Monarch Butterfly Festival at 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on

Sunday, September 16. 

Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens

7402 W. Lake Katherine Drive//Palos Heights, Illinois 60463

For info, call :( 708) 361-1873 or visit: http://www.lakekatherine.org/whats_happening/specialevents.asp

Day &Time: Sunday, September 16 at 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Admission: $5 per person; children 3 and under are free

Check out all the fun that will take place:

·         Butterfly Tent

·         Live Music

·         Rock Climbing Wall

·         Hayrides

·         Children’s Games and Crafts

·         Make and Take Garden Activities

·         Scarecrow Making

·         Arts and Crafts Fair

·         Potato Dig

·         Canoe Rentals

·         Amateur Photo Contest

·         Face Painting

·         Food Vendors

·         Farm Animals

·         The Frog Lady

·         Reptile Road Show

·         Children in Butterfly Costumes Will Receive a Free Gift While Supplies Last

Hello Chicago: Believe and You Can Achieve Your Goal of Earning A College Degree & Get College Credit for What You Know

Attend a free workshop entitled “Get College Credit for What You Know” at 5:30-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 11 at the Complete the Degree Center.

Complete the Degree Center

35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1750//Chicago, IL 60601

Admission: FREE; RSVP required

RSVP required, email: msanford@completethedegree.org
with RSVP and title of workshop in Subject line

Day & Time: Tuesday, September 11; 5:30-7:00 p.m.

For details, visit:http://www.completethedegree.org/workshops-events/

Believe and you can achieve your dream of earning a degree. College can become a reality for you. In this economy, knowledge is power and the degree can make a difference in getting the job you want or need.

Attend this free 90 minute workshop, which can help you get a step closer to your goal of earning a degree.  In this workshop, participants will learn about how prior learning might translate into college credit, explore the methods that are often  used to evaluate prior learning,  and  identify the learning you may have from on the job training, military experience, volunteer work, hobbies, and more. Participants will learn about the various methods you can use to demonstrate what you know, including exams, transcripts, and the creation of a learning portfolio.

Hello #Chicago:#Student# Loan Help Attend a FREE Workshop entitled “How to Get a Student Loan Out of Default” at 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 12 at Complete the Degree Center

Got Student loans and don’t know what to do next?  Don’t let your credit score take a tumble attend a FREE workshop entitled “How to Get a Student Loan Out of Default” at 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 12.

Complete the Degree Center

35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1750//Chicago, IL 60601

Admission: FREE; RSVP required

RSVP required, email: msanford@completethedegree.org
with RSVP and title of workshop in Subject line

Day & Time: Wednesday, September 12; 5:30-6:30p.m.

For details, visit:http://www.completethedegree.org/workshops-events/

Participants will learn the fundamental principles of borrowing to pay for school and get on the right
track through understanding of one’s basic rights and responsibilities. Learn about
loan forgiveness options and how to maximize available resources and keep
college costs under control.