Chicago is brimming with cultural activities that attendees can take advantage of. Here's a sampling of what's going on near the downtown area during conference week.
Theater buffs might want to check out the new Broadway in Chicago production of the hit musical Wicked at the Ford Center for Performing Arts (24 W. Randolph, 312-902-1400). The story of the Wicked Witch of the West's school days won three Tony Awards in 2004. A block away, Chicago's acclaimed Goodman Theater is presenting Dollhouse, a modern adaptation of Ibsen's famous play (170 N. Dearborn, 312-443-3800). Second City, the world-renowned comedy improv troupe, which is a short cab ride from the Loop, is featuring Red Scare, its 91st revue in honor of its 45th anniversary (1616 N. Wells, 312-337-3992). Next door, in Piper's Alley, is the comedy Tony and Tina's Wedding, the long-running hit that features audience participation (230 W. North Ave., 312-664-8844). Then there's Zanies, also in Old Town and less than a block from Piper's Alley, which is presenting comedian Larry Reeb all week (1548 N. Wells, 312-337-4027). Another venue for comic relief is Navy Pier for the Chicago Shakespeare Theater's production of Second City's Romeo and Juliet Musical: The People vs. Friar Lawrence, which proved to be a big hit last summer (800 E. Grand Ave., 312-595-5600).
For film enthusiasts there are several multiplexes in the downtown area. The Esquire is near the north end of the Magnificent Mile at 56 E. Oak Street (312-280-1205), not far from Loew's 600 North Michigan (312-255-9347). AMC River East is east of Michigan Avenue at 322 E. Illinois (847-765-7262), which is near the Navy Pier IMAX Theatre (700 E. Grand Ave., 312-595-5629). For real buffs, the Gene Siskel Film Center offers an eclectic mix of old and new movies at its Loop location (164 N. State St., 312-846-2800).
Music lovers also have lots to choose from. The brand new Lakefront Pavilion, on the site of the former Meigs Field near Chicago's Museum Campus, will be hosting Earth, Wind, and Fire on June 24, while hip-hop group Black Eyed Peas and rapper Talib Kweli will perform there on June 26 (1300 S. Linn White Dr., 312-559-1212). For those who like blues guitar, Buddy Guy's Legends is just south of the Loop (754 S. Wabash, 312-427-0333) and will host artists Sean Costello (June 24) and Bernard Allison (June 25). Rock fans might want to check out the House of Blues (329 N. Dearborn, 312-923-2000) for performances by Collective Soul on June 25 and 26. Baby boomers can enjoy the Moody Blues' sounds of the 70s at the Chicago Theater (175 N. State, 312-902-1500) on June 25. For jazz lovers, the Jazz Showcase (59 W. Grand Ave., 312-670-BIRD) will be featuring the Benny Green Trio June 21-26, and the Winard Harper Sextet June 28-July 3. And Andy's Jazz Club (11 E. Hubbard, 312-642-6805) has live jazz at lunch, dinner, and later in the evening.
—Pamala Spiegel, AL Production Editor