The kids might not want to admit it, but summer is quickly coming to an end. From the fun final festivities on the swankiest beach spots, to terror-inducing theatre productions and officially kicking off football season, we rounded up the top Chicago promotions and events available to Chicagoans and visitors this fall.
Fest it up with a lakefront view
The city’s hottest beach front destination, Shore Club, located at 1603 North Lakeshore Drive, has announced a series of events running through October. From Rose Day to Beerfest, this lakefront destination is providing both Chicago residents and visitors alike with the perfect events to enjoy a Windy City beachside, including Rose Fest on the Beach (Saturday, September 15 2-5 p.m.), Whiskeyfest on the Beach (Saturday, September 22 2-5 p.m.) and Oktoberfest on the Beach (Saturday, October 6 12-4 p.m.) For more information, please visit www.shoreclubchi.com.
Go antiquing at one of the “Best Markets in Chicago”
Hailed as the “Best Market in Chicago” by Time Out, The Randolph Street Market continues their 15th Anniversary celebration with their September market on Saturday, September 29 and Sunday, September 30. Located in the heart of Downtown Chicago, the Randolph Street Market is an internationally revered European-style antiques and vintage market in Chicago’s historic West Loop/Fulton Market. The Chicago gem is known as the treasure hunting destination for antique collectors, merchandisers, decorators, fashionistas, stylists and Hollywood set decorators. Founded in 2003 as a one day happening on the street, the event is now a monthly two-day market festival. For more information, visit www.randolphstreetmarket.com.
Experience Movies in the Park rooftop-style
For those whose summertime favorite activities include Movies in the Park, a must this year is experiencing ROOF on theWit’s Movie Monday series. Movies start at 8:30 p.m. on the rooftop that kicked off Chicago’s rooftop craze, ROOF on theWit hotel, 201 N. State St. These events are 21+ and include complimentary popcorn for attendees. Their only date in September as of right now is September 10 and they will be playing BLUES BROTHERS. For more information, please visit www.roofonthewit.com.
Pay a visit to the new exhibit at the National Hellenic Museum
The National Hellenic Museum’s exhibition Lives Afloat: The Greek Refugee Crisis through the Lens of Tasos Markou 2015-2017 is a photographic exhibit that portrays the realities facing refugees as they arrived in Greece at the height of the Greek Refugee Crisis. The NHM’s Lives Afloat exhibition shows a perspective over a three-year period, from the difficulties of sea crossings and the living conditions in camps, to the poignant moments of families trying to adapt to living with limited resources and the sense of chronic waiting. Throughout the coming year this exhibition will be supplemented with public programming, docent-led tours, and invited speakers to help raise awareness about this crisis, and the fate of refugees across history. For details, visit www.nationalhellenicmuseum.org.
Kick off Chicago Bear football season in Lincoln Park
Chicago’s hottest beer destination with the city’s most comprehensive beer list, HopCat – Chicago, in collaboration with On Tour Brewing Company, is creating the perfect celebration for the Bears home opener, providing a game day experience fit for a superfan! HopCat- Chicago, known for having 130 beers on tap, 100+ bottles from around the world and more than 30 local Illinois-made craft beers, will be screening the game from start to finish on their big screen with delicious burgers, famous Crack fries and local brews for guests to enjoy. On Tour Brewing Company will be in attendance to discuss their brewery and hand out samples of their tasty brews. For more information, visit https://hopcat.com/chicago.
Participate in a Silent DJ event at one of Chicago’s best rooftops
AIRE is hosting its final Silent DJ Night with Silent Chicago Saturday, September 1 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. In addition, AIRE will continue to serve small plates such as a Bavarian Pretzel, Chile Chicken Chiquitos, and Grass Fed Beef Sliders, and carefully crafted cocktails, as well as an extensive offering of local draft beers and wines. Taking into account Chicago’s unpredictable weather, AIRE features open fireplaces for cool nights spent high above the city streets, and umbrellas for shade on sunny days. AIRE is also available for private events. For details, visit https://theloopchicago.centric.hyatt.com/en/hotel/dining/aire.html.
Attend a concert performed by the most diverse orchestra in the nation
The immigrant experience and development of diversity in America is highlighted by one of the nation’s most diverse orchestras in Chicago Sinfonietta’s spectacular, multimedia program of I.D. Images of Diversity. Following its popular Millennium Park performance in early September, I.D. Images of Diversity officially kicks off the Chicago Sinfonietta’s 2018-2019 season. The orchestra and select special guests will perform concerts that invoke themes of the American Dream from several cultural perspectives on Saturday, September 22 at 8 p.m. at Wentz Concert Hall at North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville, and Monday, September 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. For tickets or more information, please visit http://chicagosinfonietta.org.
See incredible theatre performances around the city
- THE WOMAN IN BLACK
A big production hits our Chicago theatre landscape this fall. Revitalizing the local theatre scene and bringing thrills and chills to the stage, the original London production of THE WOMAN IN BLACK will begin previews November 15, with a Press Opening on November 18 at the Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted St. For the Chicago production, director Robin Herford will recreate his original staging for the first time in the U.S., with a Chicago-based cast. This American premiere of the Original London West End production is presented by PW Productions and Pemberley Productions. Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com or www.theroyalgeorgetheatre.com. - WAISTWATCHERS THE MUSICAL!
The production that has had audience members “burning off pounds just laughing,” according to the Los Angeles Times, WAISTWATCHERS THE MUSICAL! makes its Chicago Premiere at the Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted St., this fall. Produced by Dana Matthow, the musical takes a lighthearted and hilarious look at women dealing with their relationship to food, friendship and fitness (raise your hand if you only work out to sip Pinot Grigio and enjoy chocolate without guilt!), capturing audiences of all ages from start to finish. The production run begins September 13. The production is 90 minutes of non-stop exercise, song and dance, featuring four women and their exuberant younger trainer as they all tackle universal issues of dieting, exercise, plastic surgery and sex. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.waistwatchersthemusical.com.
- PRIVATE PEACEFUL
From Michael Morpurgo, the celebrated author of the international hit War Horse, comes the critically acclaimed production, PRIVATE PEACEFUL. Simon Reade’s stage adaptation of Morpurgo’s award-winning book garnered rave reviews throughout its 2017 and 2018 tours across Ireland, including 5-star reviews from The Guardian, The Sunday Herald, and The Irish Mail. Starring Shane O’Regan, his moving story of Tommo Peaceful’s life, from growing up in rural England to enlisting to fight in the first World War, comes to Chicago’s Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Avenue in Chicago, IL, October 17 through November 11—the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One. PRIVATE PEACEFUL will run at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Avenue in Chicago from October 17 to November 11. For more information visit https://www.privatepeacefulusa.com/.
- THE MADNESS OF EDGAR ALLAN POE: A LOVE STORY
Opening First Folio Theatre’s 2018-2019 season, the madness returns with a remounting of THE MADNESS OF EDGAR ALLAN POE: A LOVE STORY, an original play by Executive Director David Rice. This critically acclaimed production first premiered in 2006 and has sold out all five of its previous productions. The riveting tale of life and death, love and heartbreak runs October 3 through November 4. In the course of the performance, Poe and his wife Virginia guide the audience from room to room through historic Mayslake Hall, taking them from the garrets to the dungeons and deep into the madness of Edgar Allan Poe. After the 2018-2019 season, THE MADNESS OF EDGAR ALLAN POE: A LOVE STORY will not return to First Folio Theatre for five years. For more information, please visit www.firstfolio.org.
- THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
Theater Unspeakable, a carefully devised, physical theater company based in Chicago, presents THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N Lincoln Avenue, from October 17 through November 11, 2018. THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION is a whirlwind re-telling of the American fight for independence that combines tongue-in-cheek humor with a dash of derring-do (perfect in the modern world of Hamilton). Director Marc Frost brings to life the original story of the greatest democratic experiment in world history in hand with a talented cast. Prior to arriving in Chicago, THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION will play at The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. Photos are available here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5tjyxh48jr4192g/AAAdoypjFQmlC2iAugAPM9Dia?dl=0.
- SWEET CHARITY
Marriott Theatre’s Production of SWEET CHARITY will be running from September 5 through October 28. The dance-filled, groovy musical comedy inspired by Federico Fellini’s Nights of Cabiria, SWEET CHARITY explores the turbulent love life of Charity Hope Valentine, a hopelessly romantic but comically unfortunate dance hall hostess in New York City. With a tuneful, cool, mid-1960s score by Cy Coleman (Little Me, City of Angels, Barnum), sparkling lyrics by Dorothy Fields (Annie Get Your Gun, Seesaw, Redhead), and a hilarious book by Neil Simon, SWEET CHARITY captures all the energy, humor, and heartbreak of Life in the Big City for an unfortunate but irrepressible optimist. Features the songs “Big Spender,” “If My Friends Could See Me Now,” “There’s Gotta Be Something Better Than This,” and “I’m a Brass Band.” This production is directed and choreographed by Alex Sanchez. For more information, please visit www.marriotttheatre.com.
Head to the ‘burbs for a concert
Ideally set at the gorgeous patio restaurant Prairie River overlooking a golf course with evening sunsets in the background, Eaglewood Resort & Spa presents its 10th Annual Sounds of Summer concert series. The family friendly, free weekly concerts are perfect for enjoying a beverage, some sweet bites and the musical stylings of some of Chicagoland’s most talented performers. Live performances will occur every Friday and Saturday night at 7 p.m. through Saturday, September 22, with 33 total concerts total. Eaglewood Resort & Spa is a unique, full-service resort with four distinct dining options, a spa, 18-hole golf course, bowling alley, fitness center and more. The expansive property sits on a beautiful 104 acres in the Chicagoland area, with 295 guest rooms and suites and more than 37,000 square feet of event space, offering an unparalleled experience in the Midwest. For more information, please visit www.eaglewoodresort.com.
Jam at Chicagoland’s newest music venue and gastropub
Chicagoland’s newest music venue and eatery, Hey Nonny, 10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights, will officially open to the public Thursday, October 18. In its intimate listening room, Hey Nonny will present the best Chicago and touring musicians playing jazz, rock, blues, country, reggae, classical, and folk in ticketed concerts six nights a week. Farm-to-table cuisine will be featured in the Hey Nonny Gastropub. Hey Nonny will celebrate with a grand opening weekend Friday, October 25 – Saturday, October 27. Focused on creating an intimate music experience, Hey Nonny will offer a farm-to-table menu will offer small plates, shareables, and entrees with ingredients sourced from local farms. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.HeyNonny.com or call 224-202-0750.
Join a fall dining session with delicious Spanish cuisine
El Tapeo Modern Spanish Kitchen, 2100 Spring Road in Oak Brook, Illinois, is excited to continue their Tour De Spain Series this Fall on Thursday, September 13 at 7 p.m. The spirited gathering place, located on the ninth floor of Le Méridien Chicago – Oakbrook Center, invites guests to experience a five-course modern Spanish dinner paired with Spanish wine and cocktails. With only eight seats available at each event, the dinner series is perfect for date night or an intimate get-together among friends. The dinner for eight is $85 per person (plus tax and gratuity). There is a $50 non-refundable deposit required to secure reservation. Additional dates for Tour De Spain are Thursday, October 4 and Thursday, November 15 at 7 p.m. For more details, visit https://eltapeorestaurant.com.
Get fit for fall
Orangetheory® Fitness is a one-of-a-kind, group personal training workout that uses intervals of cardiovascular and strength training. Their heart-rate-monitored training is designed to maintain a target zone (known as the “orange zone”), no matter what the fitness level of the individual, they will be stimulating metabolism and increasing energy. The workout is half endurance and half strength and power training. Everyone in class wears a state-of-the-art heart rate monitor with their individual heart rates displayed in real-time on large monitors positioned throughout the studio. For more information on the 49 Chicagoland locations, visit www.orangetheoryillinois.com.
Redecorate your space with Chicago’s very own paperie
Paper Source, a Chicago-based premier paperie and gift retailer, has the best cards, treats and trinkets for your fall re-decorating fever! With fun and trendy gift items and cards, Paper Source is the one-stop-shop for all your home, office and artistic needs! Head to one of their 125 stores in the U.S. or visit their website at www.papersource.com which offers nationwide shipping.
