Bedno.com

2009.12.18 (week 651)

You've been VERY naughty!

RECOMMENDED:

Movie: "Avatar" now playing everywhere.
Ongoing: Collected Holiday Songs and Recipes.
Ongoing: Ice Skating.
..-We: 500 Clown Christmas at North Central College.
..-Th: Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza.
Ongoing: Winter Pageant at Redmoon Central.
Ongoing: Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier.
..-We: "Family Album" at Woman Made Gallery.
Sa: Hanukkah.
..-Sa: Barry Manilow at Rosemont Theatre.
Ongoing: "Banana Shpeel" at Chicago Theatre.
Ongoing: Under The Picasso at Daley Plaza.
Ongoing: Supernatural Chicago at Excalibur (Fr).
Fr: Improvised Shakespeare at IO Theatre.
Fr: "Nexus 6" at Neo.
Fr: Cosmix at Berlin.
Fr: Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind at Neo-Fut.
Sa: Zombies on Ice at Millennium Park skate rink.
Sa: School of Rock at Kinetic Playground.
Sa: College of Complexes at Lincoln Restaurant.
...

Movie:    ^

"Avatar" now playing.

3D James Cameron w/ Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez, Zoe Saldana, ...
http://avatarmovie.com
Theaters Everywhere.
http://bedno.com/movies
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Now playing.

Planet 51, The Blind Side, A Christmas Carol, The Box, The Men Who Stare at Goats, Where the Wild Things Are, Zombieland, Capitalism, Invention of Lying, Whip It, Astro Boy, Coco Before Chanel, Fame, Pandorum, Surrogates, Cloudy with Meatballs, Love Happens, ...
Theaters Everywhere.
http://bedno.com/movies
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Movies and Beer. Movies, drinking, heckling, FUN! -Thursday 18+ (ID reqd) $5.

Paranormal Activity: Fr,Mo-Th 6:30p; Su 5p.
Zombieland: Fr,Mo-Th 8:15p; Su 7p.
Bad Santa: Fr,Mo-Th 10p; Su 9p.
Brew & View, 773/929-6713, 3145 N Sheffield. Around the corner from the Red line Belmont stop.
http://www.brewview.com
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Seasonal:    ^

Collected Holiday Songs, Recipes and Stories. -2010.01.03 Yearly. All ages. Free.

Check out this terrific comprehensive set of popular holiday songs, recipes and stories. Also available for mobile.
http://bedno.com/winter
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Ice Skating. -2010.02.28 Yearly.

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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* 500 Clown Christmas. -2009.12.23 14+ 8p.

"Life is worth the risk."
630/637-7469 http://www.500clown.com/
North Central College, 630/637-5141, 30 South Brainard, Naperville IL.
http://northcentralcollege.edu
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Christkindlmarket (since 1997). Festive German style holiday market. -2009.12.24 Yearly. All ages. Free Su-Th -8p, Fr+Sa -9p 11a.

50 Timber cabins, ethnic foods, fine crafted gifts, music, sweets.
http://www.christkindlmarket.com/
Daley Plaza, 312/744-3370, 50 W Washington. Washington and Dearborn.
http://cityofchicago.org
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Winter Pageant. -2009.12.27 Yearly. All ages. $10-15 Various times.

Family friendly long running annual celebrating the changing seasons.
Redmoon Central, 312/850-8440, 1463 W Hubbard.
http://www.redmoon.org
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HOLIDAY CLASSICS. -2010.01.03 Yearly. All ages.

* A Christmas Carol: 11.20-12.31 Goodman Theatre, 312/443-3800, 200 S Columbus, http://goodman-theatre.org
* The Nutcracker: 12.11-27 Joffrey Ballet, Auditorium Theatre, 312/431-2357, 50 E Congress, http://www.joffrey.com
* Free photo with Santa: for 94th floor visitors, certain December days/times. John Hancock Center Observatory, 312/751-3681, 875 N Michigan, http://www.hancock-observatory.com
* Christmas Around The World: 11.20-01.03 Dozens of spectacular International holiday decorated trees, Museum of Science and Industry, http://www.msichicago.org
* Zoolights: 11.27-01.03 Over a million lights, certain dates/times, Lincoln Park Zoo, http://www.lpzoo.com
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Winter Wonderfest. -2010.01.03 Yearly. All ages. $10-17+ Hours vary.

Festival Hall will be transformed into a winter wonderland featuring hundreds of lush decorated trees, sparkling lights, wintertime decorations and a main town square with vending. Includes ice rink, large inflatable slide/bungee games. Santa and elves listen to children's wishes in a mountain top village.
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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Ongoing:    ^

MORE EVENTS:

See the ChicagoFunNews FaceBook app for unparalleled fast searchable local event listings:
http://ChicagoFunNews.com/fb
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"Family Album" -2009.12.23 We-Fr -7p, Sa/Su 12-4p.

Works by 31 artists showcasing interpretations of family.
Woman Made Gallery, 312/738-0400, 685 N Milwaukee.
http://womanmade.org/groupshows.html
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Hanukkah (aka Chanukah). A Jewish holiday, lasts eight days.

Marks the reconsecration of the temple of Jerusalem and the miracle of the lamp. Observance begins at sunset of evening before listed start date.
http://judaism.about.com
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Barry Manilow. -Saturday All ages. $12-250+ 8p.

http://barrymanilow.com
Rosemont Theatre, 847/671-5100, 5400 N River Road, Rosemont.
http://www.rosemonttheatre.com
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"Banana Shpeel" -2010.01.03 All ages. $25-100+ Various times.

"A New Twist on Vaudeville" roller-coaster mix of styles blending comedy with tap, hip hop, slapstick, more linked by hilarious narrative igniting wacky adventures.
http://cirquedusoleil.com
Chicago Theatre, 773/561-9500, 175 N State. Downtown.
http://thechicagotheatre.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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Under The Picasso. All ages. Free 12p.

Interesting free performances almost every week day at noon. Go to the spectacular Thompson Center nearby (100 W Randolph) for more good art.
http://tinyurl.com/underthepicasso
Daley Plaza, 312/346-3278, 50 W Washington. Washington and Dearborn.
http://www.cityofchicago.org
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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://www.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 2009.12.18:    ^

Improvised Shakespeare. Fridays 18+ $14 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://chicago.ioimprov.com/io/shows/14
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"Nexus 6" 3rd Fridays 21+ $7 10p-4a.

Kinetic DJs Gremlin, Pathogen, et.al. spin club hits, old classics, new music and alternative songs from established artists in EBM, industrial, rhythmic noise and other familiar genres, plus attention paid to the request list.
http://kineticnoise.wordpress.com
Neo, 773/528-2622, 2350 N Clark. Just South of Fullerton. Sometimes parking rare.
http://neo-chicago.com
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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 All ages? $6-11 (also Su 7p) 11:30p.

30 plays in 60 minutes, lots of improv, very welcoming, often topical.
Neo-Futurarium, 773/275-5255, 5153 N Ashland.
http://www.neofuturists.org
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Saturday 2009.12.19:    ^

* Zombies on Ice. All ages. 2:30-5p.

"No dripping gore or blood please"
http://facebook.com/event.php?eid=198831239290
Millennium Park skate rink, 312/742-1168, 55 N Michigan. Downtown.
http://millenniumpark.org
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School of Rock. Ages? $? 6p.

http://schoolofrock.com/chicago
Kinetic Playground, 773-769-LIVE, 1113 W Lawrence. Near Red line Lawrence stop.
http://www.thekineticplayground.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.
12.19: What If Jesus Was President of the United State? Panel Discussion.
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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Midnight Marauders ride. 3rd Saturdays 18+ Leaves after 11:30p-?a.

"Drinking club with a biking problem"
http://chicagomidnightmarauders.org
Billy Goat Tavern, 312/222-1525, 430 N Michigan. Lower Hubbard.
http://billygoattavern.com
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Improv Star Trek. Saturdays $5 ($0 in costume) 12a.

Cast creates an "episode" live from audience title detailing adventures of a lesser-known crew on a less "enterprising" starship. May include first contact with alien species, time travel, mind control, intergalactic intrigue, unexplained phenomena, the eminent destruction of the entire quadrant, or all of the above.
http://chicago.ioimprov.com/io/shows/149
iO Theater, 773/880-0199, 3541 N. Clark.
http://chicago.ioimprov.com
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Sunday 2009.12.20:    ^

The Best Church of God. All ages. $10 tithe. 1p.

"Comedic service satirizing the hypocrisy, absurdity, and immorality of the Christian Right Wing. Brand new ceremony weekly complete with literal interpretations of Old and New Testaments, exciting new hymns, riveting sermons, speaking in tongues, healings, and occasional animal sacrifice as prescribed in The Bible. Wash your dirty souls in the pristine waters of Chicago's only true assembly of God and His unerring Word. Come early to get a front-row pew, your own hymnal, loaner Bible, and a hot cup of coffee from our Concessional."
http://bestchurchofgod.org
Lakeshore Theater, 773/472-3492, 3175 N Broadway.
http://lakeshoretheater.com
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"Salon de Vine" Sundays 21+ Free 8+9:30p.

Girlie-Q presents "Premier Queer Burlesque and Variety Performances" in "Chicago's Most intimate". Fine wines and handcrafted cocktails.
http://girlieq.net/upcoming-shows/
Joie de Vine, 773/989-6846, 1744 W. Balmoral.
http://joiedevine.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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Monday 2009.12.21:    ^

* Winter Solstice. Yearly.

Shortest day/longest night (sun 07:13-16:42), official start of winter.
http://aa.usno.navy.mil
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Winter Vacation. -2010.01.01 Yearly.

http://www.cps.edu
Chicago Public Schools.
http://www.cps.k12.il.us
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Do-it-Yourself Messiah (since 1976). A grand tradition. -Tuesday Yearly. All ages. Free but sells out. RSVP required. Mo 7p, Su 3p.

Handel's work with full orchestra, audience participates as chorus.
888/880-9701 http://www.imfchicago.org/diymain.html
Civic Opera House, 20 N Wacker.
http://www.lyricopera.com
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Boom Boom Room (since 1991). Mondays 21+ $? 10p-4a.

Long running weekly w/ smart local DJs. 4kft dance space, multiple bars and environments, late night dining, state-of-the-art sound and lights, free parking, more.
12.21: Gene Farris.
http://5chicago.com/calendar
Green Dolphin Street, 773/395-0066, 2200 N Ashland. At Webster.
http://www.jazzitup.com
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Rehab. Mondays 21+ $? 10p-2a.

"America's Best Party" according to frisky young Wickers.
http://facebook.com/rehabdanceparty
Debonair Social Club, 773/227-7990, 1575 N Milwaukee. At North and Damen.
http://debonairsocialclub.com
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Stewart / Colbert. Mo/Tu/We/Th Reruns several times a day. 10-11p.

Brilliant awards winning "news" shows.
COM. On cable.
http://www.comedycentral.com
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Tuesday 2009.12.22:    ^

Start of Capricorn. Astrological sign, the goat. Yearly.

http://www.astrology.com
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Good day for Brew&View. Tuesdays 18+ $5+.

Drinking, movies, heckling, FUN!
Paranormal Activity 6:30p, Zombieland 8:15p, Bad Santa 10p.
Brew & View, 773/929-6713, 3145 N Sheffield. Around the corner from the Red line Belmont stop.
http://www.brewview.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://www.beatkitchen.com
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Wednesday 2009.12.23:    ^

"In One Ear" (since 1988). Poetry Open Mic. Wednesdays 18+ $3 10p-?a.

"Eclectic mix of people who groove on laid-back vibes."
http://www.myspace.com/inoneear
Heartland Cafe, 773/465-8005, 7000 N Glenwood. Near Red Line Morse stop.
http://www.heartlandcafe.com
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Thursday 2009.12.24:    ^

* Live Santa tracking. Yearly. All ages. Free.

NORAD air traffic control follows the big guy all night, with radar and video feeds.
http://www.noradsanta.org
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Chinatown ride. All ages. Free 5:30-11p.

"X-mas Eve pedal to dinner in Chinatown and a movie"
Ends at Won Kow, 2237 S. Wentworth, tropical drinks, ...
http://thechainlink.org/events
Daley Plaza, 312/346-3278, 50 W Washington. Washington and Dearborn.
http://www.cityofchicago.org
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Mass. Yearly. All ages. Free. 8p-1a.

Late Christmas eve gatherings at most churches welcoming all. Northsiders try the Evanston cluster.
http://bedno.com/winter?c=songs
http://bedno.com/photos/album/20031225
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"Matzo Ball" (since 1974). Yearly. 21+ $95+ 9p.

Jewish single, dress upscale.
http://matzoball.org/event/chicago/
Martini Park, 312/640-0577, 151 W Erie.
http://www.martinipark.com/chicago
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"Atomic New Wave Dance Party" Thursdays 21+ $5 10p-4a.

DJs QBot, Kamar, special guests spin 80s, New Wave, more.
http://atomicnewwave.com
Neo, 773/528-2622, 2350 N Clark. Just South of Fullerton. Sometimes parking rare.
http://neo-chicago.com
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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 of Chicago, 312/443-3500, 210 S Michigan.
http://www.artic.edu/aic
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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. $0-10, Free Th 5-8p. 10a-5p.

Chicago Children's Museum, 312/527-1000, Navy Pier.
http://www.chichildrensmuseum.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

2009.12.18