Cheap Thrills: November 30 – December 5

November 30, 2009

Cheap Thrills

It’s a week filled with fabulous sights, sounds and yes – even special little lovelies that can only be enjoyed in this, the coziest season of the year. So strap on your skates – or skis… or snowshoes – and head out into the best city in the world for loads and loads of free fun!

Monday, November 30

Start off the work week right… with a little metal on ice! The Chicago Park District’s nine ice skating rinks have opened their doors for a bit of wintery, slippery fun. Skate rental is $6 and admission is free. Most rinks are open from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays.

Tuesday, December 1

For something a little out of the holiday box, expand your mind by attending a public lecture given by Emory Douglas. As the Minister of Culture for the Black Panther Party, Mr. Douglas created the group’s visual style of the Black Power Movement. Called the “Norman Rockwell of the ghetto,” his images portray strength and dignity amidst poverty and oppression. The lecture begins at 6:30 p.m. at Columbia College.

Wednesday, December 2

Chicago is a hustling, bustling city, one filled with happy noise all day long. Experience the city’s music in a whole new way at the Third Coast International Audio Festival. More than 20 producers created short audio pieces that portray Chicago through sound, story and imagination. Be sure to attend this event at the Chicago Cultural Center and RSVP in advance to info@thirdcoastfestival.org.

Thursday, December 3

One of the best parts of the holiday season are the movies and the Chicago Film Archives wants to Tinsel the Town with some fabulous cinematic treats. They’ll be showing eight short, vintage holiday-themed films at the Chicago Cultural Center, each sure to be better than the last! Films start at 7 p.m., but you’d better arrive early to nab a seat.

Friday, December 4

Forget the egg nog and head straight for the espresso. Once you’ve caffeinated yourself into the stratosphere, take your art-loving friends to 410 S. Michigan for A Night at the Fine Arts Building. From 6 p.m. until midnight, there will be open artists studios, galleries, live music, spoken word and theater performances.

Saturday, December 5

Still digesting Thanksgiving dinner? Burn off those holiday pounds with a little cross country skiing and snowshoeing at Northerly Island. It’s free whether you have your own gear or not, a delightful way to celebrate the season, and the scenery! Oh the scenery! There must be three inches of snow on the ground, so start begging ole man winter now.

- Shannon Sankstone

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Cheap Thrills: November 22-28

November 20, 2009

Cheap Thrills

Shopping, yoga, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, a parade and lights, lights and more lights characterize this week. Start off the holiday season with handmade gifts and continue on with a daily dose of Chicago traditions. From the annual lighting of the Daley Plaza Christmas tree to Zoolights at Lincoln Park Zoo, this week will have you cheering winter’s fast approach!

Sunday, November 22

Didn’t find what you were looking for at the Holiday Pottery and Jewelry Show? Lucky for you St. Christopher’s Church in Oak Park is holding its 2nd Artisan Winter Fair. Free to enter and browse, the fair features artisans from the Oak Park area specializing in clothing, accessories, textiles, pottery, ceramics and jewelry. With the impressive variety of goodies, you are sure to find that perfect gift!

Monday, November 23

Al Gore, Nobel Peace Prize winner, champion for the environment and now author of Our Choice, will be signing copies of his book sat the Borders on State St. downtown. Our Choice offers options for saving the environment – and our future. Wristbands will be distributed beginning at 8 a.m., and no photography is allowed. The signing is at noon.

Tuesday, November 24

The holiday season – a time of joy and of stress – officially begins on Wednesday. Get your mind and body ready for this hectic time of year with ancient exercises that promote wellness. From 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., Yoga Now offers Donation Yoga. A class geared towards all levels of yogi (and yogi-wannabes), this is your opportunity to pay what you can afford and introduce yourself to the relaxing, awakening art, science and exercise of yoga. The Donation Yoga class will be held at the Edgewater location.

Wednesday, November 25

Nothing signals the start of the holiday season like the tree lighting in Daley Plaza. It’s a happy spectacle that shouldn’t be missed! The celebration begins at 4PM with holiday music performed by the CPS All-City Elementary Youth Chorus, and will culminate with Bonnie Hunt, Keith Williams and Mayor Daley lighting the giant Christmas tree at 4:30PM. Make sure to bring canned food to donate to the Greater Chicago Food Depository!

Thursday, November 26

It just wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without the Thanksgiving Day Parade! 2009 marks the 76th time downtown Chicago has held the parade and this year will be better than ever. There will be more than 100 participating units, including giant balloons, marching bands and performance groups. The parade steps off at 8 a.m. at State and Congress and continues north to State and Randolph.

Friday, November 27

Round out one of the happiest weeks in Chicago with a little more light… Zoolights! Each year, the Lincoln Park Zoo enchants nighttime visitors with over a million colored lights. Grab a hot cocoa, watch the light show on the South Lawn, see live ice carving demonstrations and oogle the polar bears… all for free, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday, November 28

Could your Christmas tree use a little sprucing up? Head over to the Chicago Cultural Center and watch the film, “Between the Folds,” a documentary of professional origami artists. Once your creative juices are flowing, Jean Mishima will teach you to make origami ornaments. The event begins at 2 p.m.

- Shannon Sankstone

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Cheap Thrills: November 16-21

November 16, 2009

Cheap Thrills

The holiday season is just around the corner. Prepare yourself for the excitement and fun by learning to budget, sampling handmade items and researching that perfect gift early. In your down time, Chicago’s always offering art exhibits and music! Enjoy!

Monday, November 16

Relax right into the work week at the Chicago Cultural Center’s Classical Mondays, a complimentary luncheon concert series. This week’s performance will feature the Greenleaf Ensemble: Dileep Gangolli on clarinet and Kuang Hao Huang on piano. The music begins at 12:15 p.m.

Tuesday, November 17

With the holidays coming up, budgeting can be a challenge. The Chicago Public Library can help you make ends meet with their Money Smart series. Presented by Money Smart Partner, from the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office, the next seminar will teach you A Practical Guide to Budgeting at the Chicago Lawn branch at 6 p.m.

Wednesday, November 18

Ever wonder what happens to street pole banners? Well, head over to Daley Plaza at noon to find out! The city will be holding a live auction in the lobby and it’s free to watch the fun. Highlights this year include White Sox World Series banners signed by Mark Buehrle and Chicago 2016.

Thursday, November 19

Getting a little worried about finding the “it” gift of the year? Get a head start on the holiday shopping bonanza at the Illinois Artisans Program’s arts and crafts showcase. There will be 13 artists and artisans showing – and selling – everything from quilts to jewelry. The fun runs from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Thompson Center.

Friday, November 20

Put a little BOOM! in your Friday. JASC Tsukasa Taiko will give a performance of traditional Japanese drumming at the Chicago Cultural Center at 12:15 p.m. This is a special sneak peek of their Taiko Legacy 6 performance, which will be on December 27.

Saturday, November 21

Get that holiday shopping done early, and put a little handmade goodness under the tree while you’re at it! The annual Holiday Pottery & Jewelry Faire at the Berger Park Cultural Center features the best of students’ work. Everything is for sale and everything is as beautiful as the park. Make sure to stop off for some of the best coffee in the U.S. at Metropolis!

- Shannon Sankstone

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Cheap Thrills: November 8 to November 14

November 6, 2009

Cheap Thrills

Where in the world can you find yourself YEE-HAWing one day and then marveling at a collection of gems the next? In Chicago, of course! This week, we’ve got bluegrass and gems and even a little schooling, Arabic and underwater hockey to keep us entertained. As always, all the fun in our great city is FREE, so have at it, you cultured frugalistas!

Sunday, November 8

Start your week off with a little YEE-HAW! at Uncommon Ground. From 4PM to 6PM, the bluegrass band, Dime Store String Band, will have you tapping your toes to an eclectic blend of traditional bluegrass and tunes reminiscent of the late and great Jerry Garcia.

Monday, November 9

Needing a little bling to put the sparkle back in your Monday? The Field Museum’s Grainger Hall of Gems has reopened and admission is free on the second Monday of every month! Free Second Mondays are from 9AM to 5PM, and are for general admission. Special exhibits – like the fantabulous The Nature of Diamonds exhibit – are extra.

Tuesday, November 10

Expand your newfound knowledge of gems at The Urge to Embellish, an exhibition at the Illinois State Museum Chicago Gallery in the Thompson Center. The exhibition examines the various forms of “bright shiny,” and how we use them in everything from the ceremonial to the whimsical.

Wednesday, November 11

When I say “library,” do you think of… crocheting and knitting? Manning Library patrons do! Every Wednesday at 4:30PM, yarn junkies from all walks of life convene to talk, laugh and stitch in a welcoming environment. Bring your project and your questions, because learning from each other is part of the fun. You can even embellish your scarf, if you so wish.

Thursday, November 12

It’s too cold to swim in the lake, and too warm to skate in Millennium Park. What’s a Chicagoan to do? Why, join the Chicago Underwater Hockey Club at Kennedy King College, that’s what! From 7:30PM to 9PM, the co-ed group plays competitive hockey… underwater. They’ll provide the special equipment, you provide the swimsuit.

Friday, November 13

It wouldn’t be a proper Cheap Thrills without an event at the Chicago Cultural Center, and hoo boy this week is a good one! In support of National Arab Heritage Month, the Music Without Borders concert series is featuring the Bulbul Ensemble. Based in Chicago, the group enchants audiences with traditional Arabic classical music. The performance begins at 12:15PM.

Saturday, November 14

Here’s something you don’t see everyday: A 70-foot tall Bullwinkle J. Moose yearning for freedom… and several volunteers struggling to contain him. Intrigued? The Thanksgiving Parade balloon handlers will be learning their trade on the Science and Industry Museum front lawn all day. While participation in Parade School is limited to official parade balloon handlers, watching the spectacle is free. And a hoot.

- Shannon Sankstone

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