Bedno.com
2013.01.11 (wk811)

Gross National Happiness.
RECOMMENDED:
Ongoing: Ice Skating.
Ongoing: Skating in the Sky at John Hancock.
Ongoing: Occupy Chicago at Federal Reserve Bank.
..-Su: Sketch Comedy Fest at Stage 773.
..-Su: Get Fit Free week at Chicago Park District centers.
..-Su: Boat, RV & Outdoor Show at McCormick Place.
Ongoing: Rhinoceros Theater Festival at Prop Theatre.
Ongoing: Supernatural Chicago at Excalibur.
Fr: Shame That Tune at The Hideout.
Fr: North Side Critical Mass at Young Lincoln Statue.
Fr: The Music of David Bowie at Metro.
Fr: Improvised Shakespeare at IO Theatre.
Fr: Lincoln Fair Burlesque Expo at Lincoln Tap Room.
..-Sa: Led Zeppelin 2 at House of Blues.
..-Sa: Sousaphenia at Martyrs'.
Fr: Cosmix at Berlin.
Fr: Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind at Neo-Fut.
Sa: Polar Dash at Grant Park.
Sa: Kidical Mass at Palmer Square.
Sa: Miss America Pageant at Broadcast on ABC from Vegas.
Sa: The Fab Faux at Vic Theatre.
Sa: College of Complexes at Lincoln Restaurant.
Sa: "Twisted" at Berlin.
Sa: Cirque De La Femme at Lincoln Tap Room.
Sa: Joel Hodgson at Mayne Stage.
Sa: Skinprov at Annoyance Theatre and Bar.
Su: Great Midwest Train Show at Dupage County Fairgrounds.
Su: No Pants Subway Ride at CTA Red line station TBA.
Su: New cartoons on FOX.
Su: "Adult Swim" on TOON.
Su: Carnal at Neo.
Mo: Jimi Hendrix Woodstock Concert at Music Box Theatre.
Mo: Pron and Chicken Dance Party at evilOlive.
Tu: Open Gov Hack Night at 1871.
Tu: Chicago Underground Comedy at Beat Kitchen.
We: "In One Ear" at Heartland Cafe.
Th: Benjamin Franklin's Birthday.
Th: Critical Lass TBA.
Th: Nerd Social at Adler Planetarium.
Th: Booty Movement Coalition at Martyrs'.
Th: Extreme Midget Wrestling at House of Blues.
Th: Drum&Bass night at SmartBar.

Movie:    ^
Now playing.
Django Unchained, Les Miserables, Jack Reacher, The Guilt Trip, This is 40, Hobbit, Anna Karenina, Life of Pi, Lincoln, Skyfall, The Comedy, Flight, The Man with the Iron Fists, Wreck-It Ralph, Cloud Atlas, ...
Theaters Everywhere.
http://bedno.com/movies
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Seasonal:    ^
Ice Skating. -2013.02.24 Yearly.
Weather permitting: Wrigley Field; Millennium Park, 312/742-5222, 55 N Michigan; Warren Park, 773/262-8656, 6601 N Western; Riis Park, 312/746-5735, 6100 W Fullerton; Daley Plaza, 312/742-7650, 337 E Randolph; more...
http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com
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Skating in the Sky. -2013.04.08 Yearly. All ages. $5 (+$15 observatory ticket?).
Synthetic ice rink 1000' up.
John Hancock, 888-875-VIEW, 875 N Michigan.
http://360chicago.com
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Ongoing:    ^
Occupy Chicago.
Local presence of movement for economic justice for the 99%.
http://OccupyChi.org
Federal Reserve Bank, 256 S LaSalle. At Jackson.
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Sketch Comedy Fest (since 2002). -2013.01.13 Yearly. Several shows daily.
Nations Largest, over 100 performances featuring local, national, Canadian sketch comedy troupes on four stages. "Sketch comedy is as Chicago as deep-dish pizza and the Sears Tower. Unlike its cousin improvisation, sketch comedy is scripted. Strong writing is a vital element of the art form, which usually consists of short, satirical and funny vignettes. Although elements of improvisation are often used in creating sketches, the resulting performance is scripted, rather than made up on the spot."
http://chicagosketchfest.net
Stage 773, 773/327-5252, 1225 W Belmont. Near Racine.
http://stage773.com
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Get Fit Free week. -2013.01.13 Yearly.
Work out all week FREE at all Chicago Park District Fitness Centers! Rates as low as under $15/month.
http://chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/free-fitness-week
Conveniently located all over Chicago., 312/742-PLAY (7529).
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Boat, RV & Outdoor Show (since 1931). -Sunday Yearly.
Largest consumer show of it's kind in the US. Hundreds of exhibitors.
312/946-6200 http://www.chicagoboatshow.com
McCormick Place, 2301 S Lake Shore.
http://www.mccormickplace.com
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Rhinoceros Theater Festival (since 1989). -2013.02.17 Yearly. $15+ Various days and times.
Showcase of experimental new plays.
http://rhinofest.com
Prop Theatre, 773/267-0666, 3502 N Elston.
http://curioustheatrebranch.com
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WAY too much great theater and comedy and dance to cover.
Pickup Reader and NewCity and TimeOut magazines.
Hundreds of city locations.
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Supernatural Chicago (since 2004). Interactive theatre exploring Chicago's paranormal past. Fr/Sa 21+ $25 7:30-9p.
Hosted by Necromancer Neil Tobin. Hear true Chicago stories of the unexplained, brought to life through audience-involving demonstrations of telepathy, clairvoyance, mediumship and magic -- at one of Chicago's most haunted nightspots. Price includes the show plus two drinks and general admission to the club.
800/979-3370 http://SupernaturalChicago.com
Excalibur, 312/266-1944, 632 N Dearborn. Downtown, valet or pay.
http://www.excaliburchicago.com
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Different rock, experimental, jazz, ethnic bands almost every night. 21+ $?
Metro / SmartBar, 773/549-0203, 3730 N Clark, Near Red Line Addison stop, metrochicago.com
Darkroom, 773/276-1411, 2210 W Chicago, darkroombar.com
Double Door, 773/489-3160, 1572 N Milwaukee, Wicker Park near Blue line Damen stop, doubledoor.com
Empty Bottle, 773/276-3600, 1035 N Western, dive-ish, emptybottle.com
Martyrs', 773/404-9494, 3855 N Lincoln, martyrslive.com
Ravinia, 847/266-5100, Highland Pk, ravinia.org
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Friday 2013.01.11:    ^
Shame That Tune. $5 6:30p.
Live comedy game show featuring diaries, interviews and spontaneously-composed songs.
http://shamethattune.com
The Hideout, 773/227-4433, 1354 W Wabansia. 1 block east of Elston.
http://hideoutchicago.com
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* North Side Critical Mass. 2nd Fridays All ages. Free. Gather after 6:30p, leaves after 7p.
THE monthly north side gathering of cyclists. Winds a dozen miles-ish, ending with food+drink. Well attended. Bring friends, tunes, bells, costumes, cameras...
Latecomers use Bedno.com/bike or text WHERE to bike@bedno.com to find us.
http://chicagocriticalmass.org/ns
Young Lincoln Statue, 5949 N Clark. East corner at Thorndale.
http://Bedno.com/bike/nscm
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The Music of David Bowie. All ages. $20-25 7:30p.
Sons of The Silent Age w/ Shirley Manson, Matt Walker, Chris Connelly. Also Waco Brothers doing T.Rex, Death On The Autobahn doing Kraftwerk.
http://chrisconnelly.com
Metro, 773/549-0203, 3730 N Clark. Near Red Line Addison stop.
http://metrochicago.com/shows
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Improvised Shakespeare. Fridays 18+ $14 10:30p+8p.
Based on audience suggestion The Co creates a fully improvised play in Elizabethan style with ALL the typical elements.
http://improvisedshakespeare.com
IO Theatre, 773/880-0199, 3541 N. Clark.
http://ioimprov.com/chicago/
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Lincoln Fair Burlesque Expo. Monthly. 21+ Free 11+9p.
"Fabulous Vaudezilla Vixens, our trademark swag bags, and more fun than the law should allow!"
http://vaudezilla.com
Lincoln Tap Room, 773/868-0060, 3010 N Lincoln.
http://lincolntaproom.com
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Led Zeppelin 2. -Saturday 17+ $25+ Two nites. 9p.
Tribute band.
http://ledzeppelin2.com
House of Blues, 312/527-2583, 329 N Dearborn.
http://houseofblues.com/venues/clubvenues/chicago
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Sousaphenia. -Saturday 21+ $12 2 nites. 9p-1a.
Featuring Environmental Encroachment, Sanctified Grumblers, Lowdown Brass Band.
http://ChicagoFunNews.com/fb/459688334068679
Martyrs', 773/404-9494, 3855 N Lincoln.
http://martyrslive.com/calendar
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Cosmix. Fridays 21+ $0-5 10p-4a.
Greg Haus spins Electro / Progressive / Breaks / Alternative / Electronica.
Berlin, 773/348-4975, 954 W Belmont. Near Red line Belmont stop.
http://www.berlinchicago.com
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Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind (since 1988). Fr/Sa/Su All ages? $6-11+ Su 7p, Fr+Sa 11:30p.
30 plays in 60 minutes, lots of improv, very welcoming, sometimes topical.
Neo-Futurarium, 773/275-5255, 5153 N Ashland.
http://www.neofuturists.org
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Saturday 2013.01.12:    ^
Polar Dash. All ages. $35-60 9a.
Half Marathon and 10K will be a fun and frosty adventure. USATF certified. To 51st st.
http://chicagopolardash.org
Grant Park, 312/744-3370, Columbus and Congress. Easy by train, bus, trolley, bike or blade.
http://www.cityofchicago.org
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Kidical Mass. 2nd Saturdays All ages. Free 10:30a-12p.
Slow easy going fun group bike ride for families, children of all ages.
http://Bedno.com/bike/kid
Palmer Square, 3099 W Palmer Blvd. "the bunny park" playground.
http://facebook.com/ChicagoKidicalMass
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Miss America Pageant (since 1921). Yearly. Live. 7-10p.
http://missamerica.com
Broadcast on ABC from Vegas.
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The Fab Faux. 18+ $125 7:30p.
performing the Beatles' "Magical Mystery Tour" and Fan Favorites With the Hogshead Horns and the Creme Tangerine Strings.
http://thefabfaux.com
Vic Theatre, 773/472-0449, 3145 N Sheffield.
http://victheatre.com
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College of Complexes (since 1951). "The Playground for People Who Think" Saturdays All ages. $3? +food/drink purchase 2.5hrs 8-11p.
Structured weekly free speech forum with quality lecturers and good American food and bar.
01.12: Building Community: How Working Together Builds Stronger Networks.
312/326-2120 http://collegeofcomplexes.org
Lincoln Restaurant, 773/248-1820, 4008 N Lincoln. Near Lincoln/Irving/Damen.
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"Twisted" Saturdays 21+ $0 -11p, $5 -1a, $7+ 9:30p-5a.
"Meet and mingle with a truly diverse crowd. Dress up or dress down... this is the place to be what you want to be!"
Berlin, 773/348-4975, 954 W Belmont. Near Red line Belmont stop.
http://www.berlinchicago.com
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Cirque De La Femme. 2nd Saturdays 21+ Free 10p-2a.
"SideShow/GrindShow" extreme performers and DJs.
http://facebook.com/cirquedelafemme
Lincoln Tap Room, 773/868-0060, 3010 N Lincoln.
http://lincolntaproom.com
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Joel Hodgson. $18 8+10:30p.
Of MST3K fame, riffing himself.
http://joelhodgson.com
Mayne Stage, 773/381-4554, 1328 W Morse.
http://maynestage.com
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Skinprov. Saturdays 18+ $7 12a.
All male clothing reduced comedy.
Annoyance Theatre and Bar, 773/561-4665, 4830 N. Broadway.
http://annoyanceproductions.com
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Sunday 2013.01.13:    ^
Great Midwest Train Show (since 1974). 2nd Sundays All ages. $0-7 9:30a-3p.
Countless parts in every scale and era; scenery, supplies, memorabilia, demos, 100s of vendors. Also other hobbies.
630/290-1962 http://greatmidwesttrainshow.com
Dupage County Fairgrounds, 630/668-6636, 2015 Manchester Rd, Wheaton. At County Farm Road.
http://www.dupagecountyfair.org
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No Pants Subway Ride. Yearly. Some time after 12p.
Improv Everywhere multi-city culture jamming collective performance art event.
http://improveverywhere.com
CTA Red line station TBA.
http://ChicagoFunNews.com/fb/503169369724076
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New Fox cartoons. Sundays All ages. Free 6:30p.
May include Simpsons, Family Guy, Cleveland, American Dad, more.
http://www.thesimpsons.com
FOX. http://www.fox.com
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"Adult Swim" Sundays All ages. Free 10p-12a.
Extraordinary block of popular and leading-edge absurdist cartoonage.
http://www.adultswim.com
TOON. On cable.
http://www.cartoonnetwork.com
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Carnal. 2nd/Last Sundays 21+ $? 10p-4a.
Sexy electro, short skirts, cheap booze.
http://tinyurl.com/stereokillerfb
Neo, 773/528-2622, 2350 N Clark. Just South of Fullerton.
http://neo-chicago.com
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Monday 2013.01.14:    ^
Jimi Hendrix Woodstock Concert. $11 7:30p.
Music Box Theatre, 773/871-6604, 3733 N Southport.
http://musicboxtheatre.com
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Pron and Chicken Dance Party. Mondays 21+ $? 10p-?a.
"A safe haven for all things lewd & crude, lascivious & licentious."
http://facebook.com/PnCdanceparty
evilOlive, 773/235-9100, 1551 W Division.
http://evil-olive.com
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Tuesday 2013.01.15:    ^
Open Gov Hack Night. Tuesdays All ages. Free 6-10p.
"Volunteers create web apps with open data to improve transparency, efficiency, and decision-making for governments and our democracy."
http://opengovhacknight.eventbrite.com
1871, 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza. 12th Floor.
http://1871.com
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Chicago Underground Comedy. Tuesdays 21+ $5 Doors 9p.
"The Hippest, Hottest Stand-Up Showcase to Emerge in Years" +good menu & booze.
http://www.chicagoundergroundcomedy.com
Beat Kitchen, 773/281-4444, 2100 W Belmont.
http://beatkitchen.com
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Wednesday 2013.01.16:    ^
"In One Ear" (since 1988). Poetry Open Mic. Wednesdays 18+ $3 10p-?a.
"2nd Longest Running Open-Mic In Chicago!"
http://facebook.com/group.php?gid=5016477382
Heartland Cafe, 773/465-8005, 7000 N Glenwood. Near Red Line Morse stop.
http://www.heartlandcafe.com
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Thursday 2013.01.17:    ^
Benjamin Franklin's Birthday. (1706.01.17-1790.04.17). Yearly.
Day to remember the great early american scientist, thinker and statesman. Franklin is remembered for his Poor Richard's Almanac, the discovery of the electrical nature of lightning leading to the invention of the lightning rod, and for his political activities in pre and post revolutionary America. Born in Boston MA, one of thirteen children of a puritan family, died in Philadelphia. Because Franklin recommended thrift, some schools start a Thrift Week on his birthday.
http://earlyamerica.com/lives/franklin/index.html
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Critical Lass. Monthly. All ages. Free 6p.
Monthly 5-8 mile bike ride exclusively for women/trans cyclists. Departs at 6:30, ends with a nosh.
http://FaceBook.com/CriticalLass
TBA. http://Bedno.com/bike/cl
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Nerd Social. 21+ $15 7p.
http://chicagonerds.com
Adler Planetarium, 312/922-7827 (STAR), 1300 S Lake Shore.
http://adlerplanetarium.org
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Booty Movement Coalition. Monthly. 21+ $7 9p.
Mix of top local musician doing big band improv phat funk.
http://myspace.com/bmcchicago
Martyrs', 773/404-9494, 3855 N Lincoln.
http://martyrslive.com
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Extreme Midget Wrestling. 17+ $15-20 9p.
http://extrememidgetwrestling.com
House of Blues, 312/527-2583, 329 N Dearborn.
http://houseofblues.com/venues/clubvenues/chicago
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Drum&Bass night. Thursdays 21+ $10 10p-4a.
SmartBar, 773/549-0203, 3730 N Clark. Near Red Line Addison stop.
http://smartbarchicago.com/calendar
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Attractions:    ^
Many great exhibits of local works and curated collections. All ages. Free. Mo-Th 8a-7p, Fr 8a-6p, Sa 9a-6p, Su 10a-6p.
With various special events, music and performances almost every day.
Chicago Cultural Center, 312/744-6630, 78 E Washington. SE of State/Lake train stops.
http://chicagoculturalcenter.org
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Various good modern art shows. All ages. $0-12, Free Tu 10a-8p, Mo closed, We-Su 10a-5p.
Museum of Contemporary Art, 312/280-2660, 220 E Chicago.
http://www.mcachicago.org
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LIKE A DOWNTOWN AMUSEMENT PARK. All ages. Mostly free.
With Giant Ferris Wheel, IMAX theatre, historic carousel, a*mazing Chicago ride, classic spinning swing ride, new mini-golf course, major VR games, food court, quality restaurants and bars, stained glass window museum, enclosed garden, wonderful specialty shops, children's museum, water taxis, several cruise lines and the Shakespeare Theatre.
Summer: 10a-10p Su-Th, 10a-midnt Fr-Sa; Fall: Mo-Th 10a-9p, Fr+Sa 10a-11p, Su 10a-7p; Winter: 10a-8p Mo-Th, 10a-10p Fr-Sa, 10a-7p Su.
Navy Pier, 312/222-9328, 600 E Grand. On-site parking, or Grand Red line stop then take free trolley.
http://www.navypier.com
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See how the universe works. All ages. $10-18+ Mo-Fr 9:30a-4:30p (-10p 1st Fridays), Sa/Su 9a-4:30p, closed xmas, open -6p 12.26-1.5.
Much high tech exhibitry.
Adler Planetarium, 312/922-7827 (STAR), 1300 S Lake Shore.
http://www.adlerplanetarium.org
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Masterpieces. All ages. $0-18 Mo/Tu/We/Fr 10:30a-5p, Th 10:30a-8p, Sa/Su 10a-5p, closed xgiving+xmas.
And other interesting permanent and visiting exhibits.
Art Institute, 312/443-3500, 210 S Michigan.
http://artinstituteofchicago.org
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World class gardens. Easy to get to. All ages. $8.75 parking. 8a-sunset, closed xmas.
385 acres, 23 gardens, 9 islands, prarie simulation, oriental features, miniature railway, produce, shows, restaurant, more...
Chicago Botanic Gardens, 847/835-5440, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe.
http://www.chicago-botanic.org
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Quality exhibits and activities for young minds. All ages. $0-12, Free Th 5-8p. 10a-6p.
Chicago Children's Museum, 312/527-1000, Navy Pier.
http://chicagochildrensmuseum.org
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Natural History done right. All ages. $6-12. Last entry 4p, closed xmas. 9a-5p.
"Sue" permanent dinosaur exhibit, insects, anthropology, world culture, geology, ecology, much more.
Field Museum, 312/922-9410, Roosevelt at Lake Shore Drive.
http://www.fmnh.org
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Exhibits covering 4000 years of surgical history. Not for the squeamish. All ages. $3-6, Free Tuesdays. Tu-Sa 10a-4p. Closed 12.24-25, 12.31-1.1.
International Museum of Surgical Science, 312/642-6502, 1524 N Lake Shore.
http://www.imss.org
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World class zoo. Now with web cams. All ages. Free (Building hours vary) 9a-6p.
Lincoln Park Zoo, 773/742-2000, 2200 N Cannon.
http://www.lpzoo.com
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Consistent world class wonderland, set aside a whole day. All ages. $6-11 +parking/movies, Sometimes free. Mo-Sa 9:30a-4p, Su 11a-4p.
Exhibits include clock (possibly the best historical collection in existence), trains, toys, flight, genetics, chemistry, coal, petroleum, human body slices, cyberspace, farming, the U-505, TONS of space flight tech, and much more.
Museum of Science and Industry, 773/684-1414, 57th at Lake Shore.
http://www.msichicago.org
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Truly stunning world class aquarium. $11-18, some deal days. Sa/Su 9a-6p, Mo-Fr 9a-5p (-6p in summer), some later days.
Rear outside deck has the city's best skyline view. Now with web cams.
Shedd Aquarium, 312/939-2438, 1200 S Lake Shore.
http://SheddAquarium.org
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Notes:    ^
ALWAYS call before going to a listed event.
ALWAYS call before going to a listed event.
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Disclaimer.
My mom the attorney would want me to remind you that no Bedno accepts any liability whatsoever for your use of any information presented here, as-is, at your own risk, ad infinitum, etc etc.
http://bedno.com/terms

Many thanx to ChicagoFun.com.
Many thanx to ChicagoFun.com for hosting this system. ChicagoFun.com is THE one-stop special-event planning resource for the Chicagoland area.
http://ChicagoFun.com


2013.01.11