Bedno.com
2008.12.19 (week 599)

Long dark nights end.
RECOMMENDED:
Movie: "Seven Pounds" now playing everywhere.
Movie: "Yes Man" now playing everywhere.
Ongoing: FREE Collection of Holiday Songs and Recipes.
Ongoing: Ice Skating.
..-Sa: The Hipmas Carol at Center for Performing Arts.
..-Sa: Sexy Santa's Naughty Burlesque at Gorilla Tango.
..-We: Holiday Sing-A-Long Double Feature at Music Box Theatre.
..-We: Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza.
Ongoing: "Almost Has a Witty Title" at The Cornservatory.
Ongoing: A Holiday Evening of Mime at Raven Theatre.
Ongoing: Winter Pageant Redux at Redmoon Central.
Ongoing: Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier.
Ongoing: Winter Vacation at Chicago Public Schools.
Ongoing: "Make Me an Offer" Show at Gallery 350.
..-Sa: Sister Hazel at House of Blues.
Fr: Sexy Circus Coalescence at The Emerald Palace.
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.
...

Movie:    ^
"Seven Pounds" now playing.
Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson.
http://www.sevenpounds.com
Theaters Everywhere.
http://bedno.com/movies
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"Yes Man" now playing.
Jim Carrey, Zooey Deschanel, ...
http://www.yesisthenewno.com
Theaters Everywhere.
http://bedno.com/movies
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Now playing.
The Day the Earth Stood Still, Punisher 2, Transporter 3, Four Christmases, Bolt, Quantum of Solace, Repo!, Soul Men, W, Max Payne, City of Ember, Religulous, Choke, Eagle Eye, Burn After Reading, ...
Theaters Everywhere.
http://bedno.com/movies
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Seasonal:    ^
FREE Collection of Holiday Songs, Recipes and Stories. -2009.01.03 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. -2009.02.28 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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The Hipmas Carol (since 2000). Fr/Sa -2008.12.20 Yearly. All ages. $12-22 SatMat 5p, 8p.
Blends beat poetry, spoken word, storytelling and live music to deliver the classic story with an urban edge.
http://headcheesefatboss.com
The Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, 312/733-6000, 777 N Green Street.
http://www.theaterland.com/CCPA
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Sexy Santa's Naughty List Burlesque Spectacular. Fr/Sa -Saturday 18+ $16 11:30p.
Fr: The Honey Buns. Sa: Miss Tamale.
http://www.Vaudezilla.com
Gorilla Tango Theatre, 773/598-4549, 1919 N Milwaukee. By Blue Line Western stop.
http://www.GorillaTango.com
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Holiday Sing-A-Long Double Feature (since 1984). -2008.12.24 Yearly. $10-15 Fr/Sa various times.
"White Christmas" and "It's a Wonderful Life" double features with singing between (and during?) lead by Santa.
Music Box Theatre, 773/871-6604, 3733 N Southport.
http://www.musicboxtheatre.com
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Christkindlmarket (since 1997). Festive German style holiday market. -2008.12.24 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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HOLIDAY CLASSICS. -2008.12.27 Yearly. All ages.
* A Christmas Carol: 11.21-12.31 Goodman Theatre, 312/443-3800, 200 S Columbus, http://goodman-theatre.org
* The Nutcracker: 12.18-28 Joffrey Ballet, Auditorium Theatre, 312/431-2357, 50 E Congress, http://www.joffrey.com
* Free photo with Santa: for 94th floor visitors 11.15-12.24 Sa-Su 11a-5:30p. John Hancock Center Observatory, 312/751-3681, 875 N Michigan, http://www.hancock-observatory.com
* Christmas Around The World: 11.14-01.04 Dozens of spectacular International holiday decorated trees, Museum of Science and Industry, http://www.msichicago.org
* Zoolights: 11.28-01.04 Over a million lights, Lincoln Park Zoo, http://www.lpzoo.com
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"Almost Has a Witty Title" "Chicago Christmas Spectacular" Fr/Sa -2008.12.27 18+ $15+ 8p.
A Reasonable Facsimile Theatre Co presents an evening of politically incorrect shows and carols inspired by memories.
http://arftco.com
The Cornservatory, 773/418-4475, 4210 N Lincoln.
http://cornservatory.org
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A Holiday Evening of Mime. -2008.12.28 All ages. Su 2p, Th-Sa 8p.
Evening of astonishing physical theater in vignettes full of rich humor and poignant drama, moving and thrilling, reflects on being human at this singularly magical, mad and magnificent time of year.
773/989-7938 http://themimecompany.com
Raven Theatre, 773/338-2177, West Stage. 6157 N Clark.
http://raventheatre.com
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Winter Pageant Redux. -2009.01.04 All ages. $10-15 Various times.
"A Wild New Look at a Fantastic Old Favorite!"
Redmoon Central, 312/850-8440, 1463 W Hubbard.
http://www.redmoon.org
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* Winter Wonderfest. -2009.01.04 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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Winter Vacation. -2009.01.05 Yearly.
Chicago Public Schools.
http://www.cps.k12.il.us
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Ongoing:    ^
"Make Me an Offer" Gallery Show. -2009.01.23 All ages. Free 9a-6p.
Themed exhibition of nationwide artists emphasizing growing ambiguity between commercial arts and fine arts and the artificial nature of this distinction.
http://www.LGrace.com/MakeMeanOffer
Gallery 350: Illinois Institute of Art, 312/280-3500, 350 N. Orleans.
http://www.artinstitutes.edu/chicago/
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WAY too much great theater and comedy and dance to cover.
Pickup Reader and NewCity magazines.
Hundreds of city locations.
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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 2008.12.19:    ^
Sister Hazel. -Saturday $25+ Two nights. 7:30p.
http://sisterhazel.com
House of Blues, 312/527-2583, 329 N Dearborn.
http://www.hob.com/venues/clubvenues/chicago
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Sexy Circus Coalescence. $5-10+ 8p-3a.
Circus / life as art types holiday pot-luck party. Performer, costume, dance friendly. Includes meditation, intentions, healing. Ringmistress Carla Starla. Environmental Encroachment in the house! Observing Winter Solstice.
http://www.brilliantlymad.com
The Emerald Palace, 3303 S. Emerald Ave.
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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" Monthly. 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.
http://www.hauswerkz.com
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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Movies and Beer. Movies, drinking, heckling, FUN! -Thursday 18+ (ID reqd) $5.
8p Fr-Sa,Mo-Tu; 7p Su: Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist - Michael Cera, Kat Dennings, ...
10p Fr-Sa,Mo-Tu; 9p Su: Sex Drive - Josh Zuckerman, Amanda Crew, Clark Duke, Seth Green, Katrina Bowden, James Mardsen, ...
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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Saturday 2008.12.20:    ^
Chicago's Promoters' Ordinance Kills Independent Music. All ages. Free 6:30p.
Premier, documentary by JaGoFF.
http://www.myspace.com/jagoff
Chicago Art Department, 312/226-8601, 1837 S. Halsted St.
http://chicagoartdepartment.org
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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.
12.20: Debate: Private Property, Free Enterprise, etc.
312/326-2120 http://www.collegeofcomplexes.org
Lincoln Restaurant, 773/248-1820, 4008 N Lincoln. Near Lincoln/Irving/Damen.
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"White Label Sessions" DJ Lego. 21+ $8 9p-?a.
http://www.poontinmuzik.com
Darkroom, 773/276-1411, 2210 W Chicago.
http://darkroombar.com
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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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Sunday 2008.12.21:    ^
* Winter Solstice. Shortest day/longest night, official start of winter. Yearly.
This is a significant holiday to pagans, marking the start of the solar year.
http://aa.usno.navy.mil
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Do-it-Yourself Messiah (since 1976). A grand tradition. -Monday 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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"Adult Swim" NEW EPISODES. Sundays All ages. Free 10p-12a.
Extraordinarily good block of free-form thought-jazz toonage. May include Venture Bros, Oblongs, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, SeaLab 2021, Tim and Eric's Awesome Show Great Job, Metalocalypse, Family Guy, more.
http://www.adultswim.com
TOON. On cable.
http://www.cartoonnetwork.com
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Monday 2008.12.22:    ^
Start of Capricorn. Astrological sign, the goat. Yearly.
http://www.astrology.com
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Hanukkah (aka Chanukah). A Jewish holiday, lasts eight days. -2009.12.12 Yearly.
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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Holiday Burlesque. 21+ $12-15+ 9p.
Pearl Pistol and Manny More host w/ music by The Slingerland Ride. Chicago's finest starlets: Paris Green, Red Hot Annie, Lady Jack, Donna Touch, Naughty Natanya, Back Door Aly, Natsha Minsk, Dizzy Lizzy, Viva la Muerte, Siren Jinx, Pearl Pistol & more!
http://www.pearlpistol.com
Darkroom, 773/276-1411, 2210 W Chicago.
http://darkroombar.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.
http://www.boomboomroomchicago.com
Green Dolphin Street, 773/395-0066, 2200 N Ashland. At Webster.
http://www.jazzitup.com
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Stewart / Colbert. Mo/Tu/We/Th Reruns several times a day. 10-11p.
Brilliant Emmy award winning "news" shows.
COM. On cable.
http://www.comedycentral.com
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Tuesday 2008.12.23:    ^
Good day for Brew&View. Tuesdays 18+ $5+ Now non-smoking.
Drinking, movies, heckling, FUN!
8p Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, 10p Sex Drive.
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 Healing Circle (since 1994). Open-ended exploration of energy healing technique and philosophy. Tuesdays All ages. $5 7:30-9:30p.
People coming together weekly to give and receive healing, practicing different systems which support one to rebalance the mind, body & spirit, including Reiki, Quantum Touch(R), Young Living Theraputic Grade Essential Oils, Magnified Healing(R), Jesus Healing System, and Full Spectrum Healing. This is the original Healing Circle that began at Grant Hospital, moved to Ann Sather's, then to Healing Earth Resources. Open to all persons of Light and Love & is non denominational.
http://www.myspace.com/chicagohealingcircle
JHP Community Center, 773/293-3621, 5110 N Western Avenue.
http://www.jhpcommunitycenter.org
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Hope! Hope! Hope! 21+ $10+ 9p.
Benefits Coalition For The Homeless featuring MC Ratso, Kim, Favorite Saints, Blasted Diplomats, Radar Eyes,
John Greenfield, more.
http://www.myspace.com/kimchicago
Empty Bottle, 773/276-3600, 1035 N Western.
http://www.emptybottle.com
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Wednesday 2008.12.24:    ^
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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Brights Meetup. All ages. Free 6:30-?p.
Party with good company, food & drink, showing The Life of Brian. Kitchen closed but guests byo allowed. Bar offering drink specials. Hosted by Richard King.
http://brights.meetup.com/6/calendar/9341628/
O'Donovans, 773/478-2100, 2100 W. Irving Park. In the party room.
http://www.kincadesbar.com/odonovans/home.asp
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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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"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 2008.12.25:    ^
* Christmas. Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Yearly.
Gifts are exchanged. Spirit of giving encouraged.
http://www.dmoz.org/Society/Holidays/Christmas/
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The Big Bang. 17+ $15-20+ 10p.
Unit Entertainment presents DJs Scream, Cisco, Omar Perez, Rick Perez, Eddie 2 Raw.
http://unitentertainment.net
House of Blues, 312/527-2583, 329 N Dearborn.
http://www.hob.com/venues/clubvenues/chicago
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"Atomic New Wave Dance Party" Thursdays 21+ $5 10p-4a.
DJs QBot + Kamar and special guest DJs spin 80s, New Wave, more.
http://www.djkamar.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. $0-10, 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. $12 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. $0-9, Free Th 5-8p. Su-We+Fr -5p, Th+Sa 10a-8p.
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


2008.12.19