Chicago Quirk: Museums

Friday, July 1, 2011

Happy 4th of July Weekend!

Happy 4th! Not a ton on the big event docket, so just relax and enjoy. I'm putting on a bathing suit for the first time this season so I'm a little nervous, but I do love hitting the beach.

It's the last weekend for the Taste of Chicago! Have you gone yet?

Entertaining out-of-towners this weekend? Pay with a Bank of America card, and you'll get free admission to the Art Institute, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Shedd Aquarium, the Chicago History Museum, the DuSable Museum of African American History. I normally would ignore a credit card promotion like this, but admission to these museums can be pricy. If I had a Bank of America card, I'd take advantage of this.

If you're looking for urban 4th of July fireworks, Navy Pier is your only option. If you're willing to branch out into the suburbs, here's a list of fireworks displays to check out.

I might go to the African-Caribbean International Festival of Life. I haven't found too much information about it, but the website makes me want to get up and dance.

And remember, please wear sunscreen when you're outside this weekend! Anyone and everyone can get skin cancer, whether you're prone to burning or not. You'll notice a new badge on the right column of my blog. I took the pledge to be sun savvy. You should too!

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Friday, May 6, 2011

It's a "Bake Sale and Boobs" Kind of Weekend

I know most of you will be spending the weekend with mama, but take a gander at some of these happenings.***

Great American Bake Sale @ The Butcher & the Larder - Saturday, May 7 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Who doesn't love an old fashioned bake sale? Especially when you can buy goodies from places like Hoosier Mama and Floriole. This cash only sale benefits Share Our Strength, a national non-profit aimed at ending childhood hunger in America. You can also bid on some fab online auctions items until the day of the event.

Free Museum Admission with Your Bank of America Card - First weekend of the month
I didn't know this, but apparently the first weekend of every month you can present your Bank of America credit or debit card to the Art Instistue, the Chicago History Museum, the DuSable Museum of African American History, the Museum of Contemporary Art or the Shedd Aquarium for free general admission.

Ever since the drama of 10 Bells getting put down right on the track a few years ago, I'm not really into the Derby. (I may have been crying at my table at The Fifty/50. I really love animals.) But if you're looking for a party to don your fancy Derby hat, check out the round-up from CenterStage Chicago.

Did you ever want to be a burlesque dancer? Gorilla Tango Theater is hosting audtions for "Boobs and Goombas: A Super Mario Burlesque" and "A Nude Hope: A Star Wars Burlesque."

This past Thursday I took a break from dive bars and quirky venues for a night on the town with some fabulous Chicago bloggers at Rockit on Hubbard. The inner class nerd in me always gets excited for super trendy places like this, and my inner fat kid was happy with the amazing truffle fries. Check out some photos of the event below, taken by the fab Danielle of Breakfast At Toast.