THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – CHICAGO OFFERS UP AN INTERNATIONAL FLARE!
THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – CHICAGO OFFERS UP AN INTERNATIONAL FLARE!
The Chicago Auto Show arrives at McCormick Place (2301 S. Lake Shore Drive) on the Near South Side with the Opening Ceremony/Ribbon Cutting taking place Saturday at 9:45 a.m. (Grand Concourse) for its 103rd annual event through February 18th. Over 1000 domestic and imported vehicles auto-related exhibits competition vehicles and project antique and collector cars will be featured at what is billed as the nation’s largest and longest-running auto exposition!
As usual the Auto Show will not disappoint with their event line-up. Here’s a quick peek at a few of those taking place this Saturday and Sunday (10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.): Vote for Best of Show (North Hall Next to Chevrolet) for your chance to win an iPad; Indoor Test Tracks: Chrysler Jeep & Toyota (South Hall); Live Radio Booth (North Hall) with 103.5 KISS FM (Sat 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.) K-HITS 104.3 (Sat 2:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.) 97.9 WLS (Sun 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.) and K-HITS 104.3 (Sun 3:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.); Former Chicago Blackhawks (South Hall Chicagoland Chevy Dealers) – Tony Esposito (Sat 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.) and Bobby Hull (Sun 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.); Chicago Bears Matt Forte (South Hall Toyota Display Sat 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.); Chicago Bulls Joakim Noah (South Hall Kia Display Sun 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.); and much much more!!
New this year at Navy Pier Lakeview Terrace Room (600 E. Grand Avenue) in the Streeterville neighborhood is the first annual Cider Summit Festival this Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Hosted by SBS Imports and the Seattle Beer Collective this event will feature the largest ever gathering of artisanal ciders and cider producers from across the country as well as British Columbia England France and Spain. You will have the opportunity to sample some 80 elegantly crafted ciders available in 3-ounce or 6-ounce portions. Best part of this event is that the proceeds will benefit the Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research as well as WBEZ Chicago’s own public radio station!
Never been to Rio de Janeiro? Here’s your chance at this year’s Carnival 2013 celebration at Nacional 27 (325 W. Huron Street) in the River North neighborhood. Enjoy an unlimited family-style churrascaria dinner for $44.95 per person (optional cocktail pairings $27/person) as well as some Brazilian Fight Dancing provided by Capoeira on Saturday at 10:00 p.m. followed by a Latin dance party with DJ X until 3:00 a.m. (cover charge $10)!
It’s time again for the Paczki Eating Contest at Bennison’s Bakeries (1000 Davis Street) in Evanston (north suburb of Chicago) now in its 4th year! Eight teams of two will gorge themselves on as many deep-fried Polish treats (Paczki donuts) for a chance to win $300 and have their name added to the plaque of champions. Every participant will get a $50 gift card to the bakery and a free Paczki Contest t-shirt. In Poland Paczki are eaten especially on the last Thursday (Fat Thursday) before Ash Wednesday to use up all the lard sugar eggs and fruit in the house because their consumption was forbidden by Catholic fasting practices during Lent. However here in Chicago we celebrate the festival both on Fat Thursday and Fat Tuesday!!
It’s Mardi Gras at Big Jones (5347 N. Clark Street) in the Andersonville neighborhood again! In celebration of the unique culinary and cultural traditions of Cajun country and also New Orleans Big Jones brings back by popular demand their Family Meal A Cajun Country Ramble ca. 1955. It’s a four-course family-style dinner with a very special cuisine unlike anything you’ll find elsewhere. Laissez les Bon Temps Roulez!
I Don’t Know If You’ve Noticed But It Seems The International Flare Is Leaning More Towards Food – I Must Be Hungry!!! Bon Appétit –
SUE MOSS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO
