Fundraising Doga Class for One Tail at a Time
Sunday, June 4, 2-3:15pm
Yoga Tree, 5232 N Clark, Chicago
An extra special class for you and your best friend! Gentle yoga poses, suitable for all levels, are incorporated with canine massage techniques to bring physical and mental benefits to you and your pooch. Busy lives often make one-on-one time with our pups rare, so give your dog the gift of your undivided attention, patience, and affection and see what you receive in return! Your $20 donation to attend this class will benefit the homeless dogs of One Tail at a Time! Space is limited. RSVP to HeatherOTAT@gmail.com.

Early New Years Eve Dinner & Show w/Denny Diamond & The Family Jewels Denny with his son’s, Lucas & Spenser, have delighted audiences with their tribute to Neil Diamond. Adding in songs made famous by performers like Johnny Cash, Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson & others creates a fun evening of music and laughs.

White Fence Farm
1376 S. Joliet Rd.
Romeovville, Il. 60446

Tickets start at $37.00 up to $42.00. Prices include dinner, show, tax & gratuity. Open bar available.
Seating begins at 5:30pm
Dinner @ 6pm
Show follows dinner and ends around 9pm
Call 815.370.8300 for tickets or visit our website at http://www.dennydiamond.com

Head over to the Lincoln Park Massage Spa on New Year’s Day, in your pajamas, to receive a $20 discount on any massage that’s over 60 minutes!  I can’t think of anything better than a massage after what’s usually the wildest night of the year! Call 773.296.6673 to reserve your appointment or book online www.lincolnparkmassage.com (booking code: PJNY).

WHEN: Saturday, January 1st 2011 10am to 6pm
WHERE: Lincoln Park Massage Spa
630 W Webster Ave, Chicago IL 60614
773.296.6300
www.lincolnparkmassage.com

Time for the weekly concert announcements!  Who are you excited to see?

JUST ANNOUNCED – ON SALE NOW IN METRO:
Saturday, February 12: LOVEHAMMERS * STRAIN BUSY SKY * SIMPLE SIMON * ATHEL * MIDNIGHT OUTLAW

ON SALE THIS SATURDAY 12/18 @ NOON IN METRO:
Friday, March 11: JONATHAN RICHMAN
Friday, April 1: DANCE GAVIN DANCE * I WRESTLED A BEAR ONCE * IN FEAR AND FAITH * TIDES OF MAN * CLOSE TO HOME * DJ BIG CHOCOLATE

ON SALE THIS SATURDAY 12/18 @ NOON IN SMART BAR:
Thursday, January 13: SUPERDRE * DJ C * MERRICK BROWN * SUBNOXIOUS
Friday, January 28: ?UESTLOVE * INTEL

JUST ANNOUNCED – FREE EVENTS IN SMART BAR:
Wednesday, January 19: GENE HUNT * REES URBAN * CZBOOGIE
Wednesday, January 26: MIXWELL HOUSE * KARL ALMARIA * TYREL WILLIAMS * BLUE-J * JULIAN PENA * STEPHEN P

ON SALE THIS SATURDAY 12/18 @ NOON IN DOUBLE DOOR:
Friday, February 11: SIGNAL PATH * ARCHNEMESIS
Friday, February 18: DRE DAY with MIC TERROR (host) * THE JORDAN YEARS * THE OPUS * DJs: THE COMEUPS (Intel, Maker, Pickel), TREW * BIG ONCE * KOOL KERSH

JUST ANNOUNCED – FREE EVENT IN DOUBLE DOOR:
Tuesday, January 18: MUTTS * PRETTY LITTLE EMPIRE * BRONTOSAURUS CHAPERONE

Metro/Smart Bar is located at 3730 N Clark Street. Tickets to Metro and Smart Bar shows are available through the Metro and Smart Bar websites – www.metrochicago.com and www.smartbarchicago.com – and the Metro Box Office. Call (773) 549-0203 for more details.

Double Door is located at 1572 N. Milwaukee in historic Wicker Park. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster or at the Double Door Box office. Call (773) 489-3160 for more details.

1060 W. Addison St.
(312) 617-7017
rinkatwrigley.com

Great location. Horrible pricing.

When this rink opened last year, I was very excited.  It was a great new location with lots of potential.  But then I received further details… On the weekend you need to pay $10 just to step foot into the rink.  Don’t have your own skates? Add another $10, after you wait in line to get your rental pair.  I’m sorry, but $20 to go ice skating is outrageous. On a date? Make that $40! You could go to the movies and get a popcorn and drink for that.  It is a lovely rink though, and when you’re done skating you have a ton of bars to head to.  But the price of admission is what earned this rink it’s number 4 spot on our list.

HOURS:
Monday – Thursday: 2pm – 9pm
Friday: 2pm-11pm
Saturday: 10am-11pm
Sunday: 10am-8pm
Please call or visit their website for holiday hours

PRICES:
Monday-Thursday: Admission $5 adults ($3 children); Skate rental: $5 adults ($3 children)
Friday-Sunday: Admission $10 adults ($5 children); Skate rental: $10 adults ($5 children)

Parking is FREE and available at Clark Street and Waveland Avenue.

#3. Daley Bicentennial Plaza

337 E. Randolph St.
(312) 742-0064
chicagoparkdistrict.com

The "hidden gem", just steps from Millennium Park

I was really excited when I found out about this well kept secret.  Just steps away from the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink, this rink is not well known yet has the same stunning skyline view as its neighbor.  There was a decent crowd when I got there, not nearly the amount of people that were just down the street, but still a bit congested.  The ice wasn’t as well groomed either but it was maintained.  There was a minimal line for rentals and you could be out on the ice in no time.  If you live close to downtown, this is where you probably want to go to get a quick skate in.

HOURS:
Monday – Wednesday, 1 – 9 pm
Thursday, 1 – 6:30 pm
Friday, 1 – 9 pm
Saturday – Sunday, 3:30-8:30 pm
Please call or visit their website for holiday hours

PRICES:
$7 skate rental; admission free.

No food concessions are available.

#2. McCormick Tribune Ice Rink

Millennium Park- On Michigan Ave. between Washington St. and Madison St.
(312) 744-6630
millenniumpark.org

The icon for Chicago ice skating

The first thing you need to know about this rink probably won’t come as a surprise.  It is crowded. And if you don’t have your own skates, you will wait in line. Probably for a while.  That being said, it’s very nice here.  The view of the highrises along Michigan Avenue combined with the holiday music coming from the speakers really gets you into the festive spirit.  Rental prices are a bit high at $10, but the rink is large and well maintained. If you’re only going to go ice skating once or twice this season, you should come here.  It is definitely an experience.  My biggest gripes are how crowded it is and the rental line. I love everything else about it.

HOURS:
Mondays—Thursdays, 12PM-8PM
Fridays, 12PM-10PM
Saturdays (through Dec.18), 10AM-10PM
Saturdays (beginning Jan. 8), 10AM-9PM
Sundays, 10AM-9PMPlease call or visit their website for holiday hours

PRICES:
$10 skate rental; admission free.

#1. Midway Plaisance Park

1130 Midway Plaisance North (East 59th Street at Woodlawn)
(312) 745-2470
chicagoparkdistrict.com

The #1 place to skate in Chicago

This rink is a bit far and some of you may not have a car, so you’ll have to rely on public transportation to get here.  That being said, it is by far my favorite place to ice skate in the city.  To overcome the first hurdle of location, may I recommend you befriend someone with a car? You’ll thank me. What makes this my favorite? There’s ample parking. The ice is well groomed and maintained.  It’s a large rink. It’s not crowded. Rentals (which are only $4) and concessions are available.  If you go alone, or with friends, you will have a good time and you’ll probably see me there!

HOURS:
Monday – Thursday, 12 – 7 p.m.
Friday, 12 – 4:30 p.m., 5 – 7 p.m.
Saturday, 1-9 p.m.
Sunday, 12 – 7 p.m.
Please call or visit their website for holiday hours

PRICES:
$4 skate rental; admission free.

So there you have it. Be sure to let us know if you have a different favorite. I do plan on trying more rinks and will be sure to update you if the winner changes.  In the meantime, you can see a large list of park district rinks here: http://www.cpdit01.com/resources/communications.ice-rinks/

How awesome would it be to play Rock Band in a great venue like Lincoln Hall? Well here’s your chance! Chicago Loot Drop is giving you the opportunity to watch, and even perform, at Lincoln Hall.  All in the name of charity.  Local band, I Fight Dragons will be judging and there’s even a raffle!  Band signups close at 5pm tonight, but if you miss it, don’t worry. You can still be a spectator!  The proceeds go to Child’s Play Charity and the goal is to raise funds to buy toys and games for children in hospitals. More details, tickets and band signup here: chicagolootdrop.org

Wed., Dec. 15th, 2010 @ 7 pm
Lincoln Hall (map)
2424 N Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614

New Year’s Irish Style
$70 package 8pm-close
The Irish Oak
3511 North Clark Street

The Irish Oak presents: 2011

Ring in the new year with a little luck of the Irish and a lot of booze and food of the Irish. The Irish Oak, part traditional pub, part Wrigleyville party stop, is hosting their own New Years eve bash by offering $70 packages of beer, wine, and call drinks, plus classic Emerald Isle fare like Shepard’s Pie, Fish N’ Chips, and corned beef among other selections. (Not to mention, “traditional Irish cake throwing.” We don’t know exactly what that entails but frankly they had us at “cake throwing”.)

For more info and to purchase tickets, check out their Facebook event page here

Wines Around the World
December 17th, 7pm
Jack’s Bar and Grill & 404 Wine Bar:
2856 N. Southport

Italians love their wine and know their food. If a quick jaunt over to the land of amore isn’t possible this month, we’ve got the next best thing (basically). Join fellow vino-enthusiasts sipping their way around the world without the hassle of body scanners Thursday, December 17th as they enjoy Italian-themed wine and appetizers.

Jack’s Bar and Grill and 404 Wine Bar hold their Wines Around the World every 3rd Thursday of the Month. Check out their site for more deets!

Bacon and Whiskey Tasting
Dec. 15th 7-10pm
The Irish Oak, 3511 N. Clark

Every third Wednesday of the month, the folks at The Irish Oak shake up your hump day and your cholesterol by bringing you 5 whiskey tastings with 5 bacon inspired food pairings. This round is all about organic. So what’s exactly on the menu then? Details are coming soon, but let’s face it, when there’s bacon, does it really matter what comes after?

RSVP on their Facebook page to reserve your spot now!

Vaudezilla presents: Lincoln Fair, A Monthly Burlesque Exposition
Friday, December 10

9 & 11pm

Lincoln Tap Room
3010 N Lincoln Ave.

Chicago: The birthplace of deep dish pizza, the Blues and Burlesque? Pay tribute to Chicago’s history by not paying cover at one of Vaudezilla’s upcoming burlesque shows at Lincoln Tap Room. Besides some naughty entertainment, Vaudezilla offers Henna tattoos, The Newlywed game, swag bags, and “more fun than the law should allow”!

Check out their site for more info on this, um, educational event