Take $5 off the regular ticket price for “Thomas and FriendsTM Live On Stage: A Circus Comes to Town” at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates with code TWITTER (online purchases only). The offer is valid for the Friday, May 8th, 7pm performance only. Redeem this special discount at www.searscentre.com.

Here are two great ways to have FAMILY FUN this weekend!

#1

Kohl Children’s Museum’s first-ever Growing Minds Expo

THIS SATURDAY, May 2 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. FREE!

Visit the Museum’s Expo on Saturday, May 2 for games, prizes, and live stage entertainment as local family-focused businesses bring their best to you!

The exhibition hall will be on the Museum’s tented terrace, adjacent to the parking lot. Enjoy fun, interactive activities like free colorful hair braiding from pigtails to crewcuts, putt putt golf with River Trails Park District, and a whole host of arts, crafts and give-aways.Stage entertainment will take place throughout the day, including Miss Lori of Miss Lori’s Campus at 11 a.m., and a Meet and Greet with WTTW’s Sid The Science Kid at 12:30 p.m.

$2 kiddie train rides will be available that day, and admission to the exhibit hall is absolutely FREE!!!

Learn more at http://www.kohlchildrensmuseum.org/visit/events/growing-minds

#2

Already have plans this Saturday?! No problem, on Sunday you can check out this

4th annual Touch-A-Truck Family Festival

THIS SUNDAY, May 3 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Forget the toy trucks! At the 4th annual Touch-A-Truck Family Festival, children can get a close up look at their favorite full-sized vehicles in a safe and protected environment. More than 25 major vehicles will be present including a school bus, fire engine, a Humvee and military vehicles and construction equipment. Families will also enjoy food and ongoing entertainment and activities, including rides on the Great Chicago Kiddie Express child-sized train, will be available for purchase.

Presented by the Women’s Board of Kohl Children’s Museum, the event will take place at Fields Chrysler Jeep Dodge, 670 Frontage Road, Northfield, Ill. All proceeds benefit Kohl Children’s Museum.

Tickets are $25 per family for up to six people and free parking is available. Special VIP access at 10 a.m. is available for an additional $15 per family.

For tickets, visit www.kohlchildrensmuseum.com or call 847.832.6600.

Elmo is Back and Better than Ever! at The Rosemont Theatre, May 7-10, 2009

When Elmo Grows Up at The Rosement Theatre

 When Elmo and his Sesame Street Live friends think about growing up, it’s a musical show-and-tell as Bert dreams of becoming a forest ranger, Telly longs to be a cowboy and their newest friend, Abby Cadabby, wants to be a Fairy Godmother just like her mommy. Elmo thinks about becoming a ‘weather monster,’ but has a hard time predicting his own forecast—he wants to be anything and everything all at once! “When Elmo Grows Up” includes lessons on perseverance, teamwork and the power of imagination. Children learn that if they believe in themselves and are willing to try, the possibilities are endless. 

Tickets:

Groups of 10+: $3 off regular prices (not valid on premium seats); $10 for Thurs & Fri at 10:30am (all seats)

Dates & Times:

Thurs & Fri at 10:30am & 7pm

Sat at 10:30am, 2 & 5:30pm

Sun at 1 & 4:30pm

CALL GROUPTIX
877-4-GRP-TIX (877-447-7849)

info@groutix.net

www.grouptix.net

Ben Byer

Indestructibe Art: The Exhibition and Concert Event at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel

Monday, June 22, 2009 – 6:00 – 9:00 PM

Tickets $50, call Rebeccah Rush @ 312-848-5919 to purchase or visit www.indestructiblefilm.com/art

The award-winning and critically acclaimed film “Indestructible,” a feature length documentary by the late Ben Byer, has inspired visual artists and a local pianist to celebrate his film in a reflective collaboration of creativity. This event is a unique approach to fundraising and is a perfect representation of Byer’s vision for his work before he died on July 3, 2008 from ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease).

Chad Willetts, recipient of the Creative Excellence Award by the International Television and Video Association, numerous other awards, has traveled worldwide performing and composing for theaters, choreographers and film, including the “Bodyworlds” Exhibit at The Museum of Science and Industry, Musical Director at the renowned “Gordon”, and Composer for several New Zealand ballet companies and television programs. Mr. Willetts, inspired by “Indestructible” to create and organize this unique event, will perform an introspective concert to select scenes from the film. His philanthropic efforts have gone toward a variety of causes including Hurricane Katrina victims, ALS, Muscular Dystrophy and Inner-City Youth. Willetts was named among the “Top 10 Night Spots” by the late Chicago Tribune columnist Terry Armour for his work in The Palm Court at The Drake Hotel.

Artwork will include a variety of medium and genre that were individually selected and invited by the committee. David Lebenbaum, Deborah Boardman, Janet Mcnolte, Ike Edgerton, Matthew Hanner, Barbara Cjurie, Holly Wolf-Mattick, Shelley Davis, Mason Willetts, Tim Kitzrow, Stella Ryan, Ed Mitchel are some of the talented painters and sculptors participating. Artists are donating their time and efforts for this cause and will be in attendance for the event.

All pieces from the exhibition will be auctioned to raise funds for ALS Film Fund, a non-profit organization created by the late Ben Byer and his sister, Rebeccah Rush, dedicated to raising awareness and inspiring change through creative means for ALS patients worldwide.

INDESTRUCTIBLE ART: The Exhibition and Concert Event

Monday, June 22, 2009

6:00 – 9:00 PM

Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel, Proud Sponsor

The Crystal Ballroom

136 E. Walton Place, Chicago, 312-751-8100

Tickets $50, call Rebeccah Rush @ 312-848-5919 to purchase or visit www.indestructiblefilm.com/art

Evening to include concert, art exhibition and auction, trailer screening, light fare and wine reception.

Speaker Series 2009

Chris Matthews interviews

Tucker Carlson,

Arianna Huffington and Paul Begala

Free Speech and the Power of the Press

The Chicago Theatre • Wed., April 22 • 7:30 P.M.

Get 2 tickets for $99 to see Chris Matthews, Tucker Carlson, Arianna Huffington and Paul Begala. Part of Speaker Series 2009, you won’t want to miss what is sure to be an entertaining discussion on free speech and the power of the press.

SPECIAL OFFER: 2 Tickets For $99

USE CODE: HARDBALL

Click here to purchase your tickets and be sure to USE CODE HARDBALL.

For more information, visit

www.thechicagotheatre.com or www.speakerseries2009.com

Arianna Huffington

Tucker Carlson

Wizard of Oz at The Chicago Theatre

Take 50% off the regular ticket price (all sections) for “The greatest family musical of all time”, The Wizard of Oz on Friday, May 1st at 7:30 P.M. Go to www.TheChicagoTheatre.com and use code 3RUBYSLIPPER.

This magical production, based on the Royal Shakespeare Company’s sparkling new stage adaptation off on the classic 1939 MGM movie, is presented with breathtaking special effects that will sweep audiences away from the moment the tornado twists its way into Kansas.

Other performances on (discount doesn’t apply):

Thur., April 30 at 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Sat., May 2 at 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

Sun., May 3 at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

About The Venue

The Chicago Theatre

175 N. State St.

Chicago, IL 60601

(312) 462-6300

Don’t miss Chicago’s premier short play festival!!

Get $3 off your ticket for any show with DISCOUNT code 114 –
BUY NOW!

SKETCHBOOK is a short play festival like no other. Chicago’s established and emerging artists come together to present 14 never-before-seen plays (all 7 minutes or less), plus a NEW musical guest each night (Jon Langford, The Changes, etc.), group participatory art projects and multi-media interludes. BYOB is encouraged. Set at The Building Stage with no ‘fixed seats’ audiences are brought into a multi-sensory aworld where they can be both artist and spectator.

For complete schedule and musicial line-up visit www.collaboraction.org.

Collaboraction’s 9th annual SKETCHBOOK Festival runs April 16 – May 10, 2009 at The Building Stage, 412 N. Carpenter St., Chicago, Thursday – Sunday.

Preview performances run April 16 and April 17 at 8 p.m. Press/opening night is Saturday, April 18 at 7 and 9 p.m. The rest of the performance schedule through May 9 is as follows: Thursday & Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 7 & 9 p.m., and Sunday at 7 p.m. The closing show, Sunday, May 10, is a special MARATHON performance of all 14 shows and an awards party beginning at 3 p.m.

Ticket Information
General admission tickets are $25. Industry and student tickets available for $15. The Festival Pass is available for $40 and allows unlimited admission into the festival, subject to availability. Tickets to the closing night MARATHON performance and awards party, Sun., May 10 at 3 p.m. are $30. For tickets and more information, visit www.collaboraction.org or call 312.226.9633

CENTRE EAST at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie presents River North Chicago Dance Company on Saturday, April 18 at 8 p.m.

Balcony tickets are regularly priced at $46 each, but we’ve snagged a
a discount offer through SeeChicagoDance for $23 each ticket!

That’s a 50% off bargain, baby!

The dancers of River North Chicago have earned national honors for their skillful technique and charismatic energy. The Chicago Sun-Times calls these performers “unabashedly, unashamedly entertaining.” With its theatrical and accessible style and passionate delivery the company delivers a jazz dance performance guaranteed to captivate young audiences and seasoned dance aficionados alike.

Click here to purchase 50% off balcony tix for the April 18th performance.

For more information visit Centre East or call the box office at 847-673-6300.