Chicago Park District Offers Array of Fall 2007 Events
Performances, Tours, Nature Exploration, Holiday Activities, & More Await
Release Date: 08/20/07
The Chicago Park District hosts various events this fall to encourage patrons to “come out and play” in the parks. Offerings include concerts, nature and theater hikes, gardening classes, sporting exhibitions, dance performances and much more. To find out what’s happening this fall from September – November 2007, call 312-742-PLAY or visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com. Highlights this fall include:
Concerts in the Parks
•Now-Sept. 16, all concerts begin at 7 p.m. on weekdays and 5 p.m. on Sundays unless otherwise noted.
•Various local parks
•Admission free
More than 80 outdoor music events descend upon the neighborhood parks as the Chicago Park District hosts Concerts in the Parks now through Sept. 16. Admission is free. Visit the website for schedule or call 312-742-PLAY.
Movies in the Park
•Now–Sept. 18
•Various local parks
•All movies begin at dusk
•Admission free
The Chicago Park District hosts the seventh annual Movies in the Parks, presented by Allstate, with screenings of current and classic movies in more than 170 neighborhood parks throughout the city through Sept. 18. Chicago families bring picnic baskets, blankets and lawn chairs to watch current and classic films. Visit the website for schedule or call 312-742-PLAY.
Niki in the Garden
•Now – October 31, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Thursdays
•Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave.
•$5 suggested donation
This extraordinary and monumental outdoor sculpture exhibition by internationally acclaimed artist Niki de Saint Phalle features massive, magical and joyful works. Pieces include enormous animals, mythical figures, sports heroes and oversized, powerful, dancing women called “Nanas.” For more information call 1.877.CHICAGO or go to www.cityofchicago.org/tourism.
Family Fungus Fun Fair
•Monday, Sept. 3, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.; guided walk at 1 p.m.
•North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 N. Pulaski, 312-744-5472
•Adults, families with children ages six and older
•Admission free, no registration required
Drop in and visit the fungal specimen display. Touch, smell and explore these often overlooked life forms, which are more like animals than plants. Learn about their unique behavior and some fun and practical uses.
Harvest Fest 2007
•Saturday, Sept. 8, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
•Kilbourn Park, 3501 N. Kilbourn Ave., 773-685-3351
•All ages, admission free
The entire family will enjoy a variety of activities from home crafts, garden stories, and face painting, while exploring the gardens with a scavenger hunt.
Adult Fall Garden Craft Series: Naturally Dyed Yarns
•Wednesday, Sept. 12, 6-8 p.m.
•Kilbourn Park, 3501 N. Kilbourn Ave., 773-685-3351
•Ages 18+, $30, pre-registration is highly recommended. Classes are subject to cancellation based upon registration.
Plants and other natural materials offer a rich and colorful palette for the dyer to use. Learn to coax this rainbow from materials easy to grow and gather.
Nature Oasis: Toddlers, Tunes and Turtles
•Thursday, Sept. 13, 5-7 p.m., Gompers Park, 4222 W. Foster Ave., ages 5 & under with an adult, 773-685-3270
•Tuesday, Sept. 18, 5-7 p.m., Winnemac Park, 5100 N. Leavitt, ages 3+, 312-742-5101
•Admission free, no reservation required
Sing songs with musicians from Old Town School of Folk Music, meet live animals, have toddler-friendly nature activities, and enjoy healthy refreshments. Participants are welcome to bring a picnic dinner.
Lincoln Park Art Faire
•Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 15-16, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
•Lincoln Park Cultural Center, 2045 N. Lincoln Park West, 312-742-7726
•All ages, admission free
The Lincoln Park Art Faire celebrates its 10th year with two days of art, live music, an open-air studio and food and drink.
County Fair
•Saturday, Sept. 15, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
•Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave., 312-746-5100
•All ages, admission free
Take part in an authentic urban hoedown at the 7TH annual free County Fair. The event, which kicks off the Fall Flower Show, features a gardening competition, petting zoo, activities for kids, farmer’s market, musical entertainment and much more.
Community Rhythms in Dance
•Saturday, Sept. 15, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
•South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 S. South Shore Dr., 773-256-0149
•All ages, $5 admission
Join us at our dance festival for 8 solid hours of hip hop, classical, ballet, jazz, stepping, salsa and belly dance. Take a class, sit in a workshop or just enjoy the show.
Autumn Flower Show
•Sunday, Sept. 16 – Monday, Nov. 5
•9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Thursdays
•Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave., 312-746-5100
•All ages, admission free
Celebrate the fall season outdoors with the Fall Flower Show on the Garfield Park Conservatory’s Blue Stone Terrace in the City Garden. Fall asters, mums, grasses, hydrangeas, ornamental kales and other plants fill the conservatory’s outdoor gardens with a rainbow of color as the leaves on the trees and shrubs take on their autumn hues.
Boxing Shows
•Uptown Rumble: Wednesday, Sept. 19, 7-9:30 p.m., Clarendon Park Community Center, 4501 N. Clarendon Ave., 312-742-7512
•Boxing Explosion 2007: Friday, Sept. 28, 7-9 p.m., Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Ave., 773-262-8605
•Boxing show: Nov. 8, 6-10 p.m., Seward Park, 375 W. Elm St., 312-742-7895
•All ages, admission free
Chicago Park District youth boxers ages 13-17 from across the city duke it out in demonstrations of amateur boxing.
Nature Oasis: Fall Campfires for Toddlers
•Thursday, Sept. 20, 5:30 – 7 p.m. at Humboldt Park Boathouse, 1359 N. Sacramento Blvd., 312-742-7549
•Wednesday, Sept. 26, 5:30-7 p.m. at the Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Dr.
•Children 5 & under with an adult, admission free
Sing songs around the campfire with musicians from Old Town School of Folk Music, meet live critters and enjoy cider and roasted marshmallows. Bring a blanket to sit on if you wish. No registration required.
Poetry Night Reading
•Select Thursdays, Sept. 20, Oct. 18 & Nov. 15, 6-7:30 p.m.
•Austin Town Hall, 5610 W. Lake St., 773-287-7658
•All ages, admission free
Come out and enjoy a night of poetry or bring your own to share.
Theater Hike: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
•Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 22-23, 1-3 p.m.
•North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 N. Pulaski
•Tickets $6 for children to age 12, $10 for adults. Call the Nature Center at (312) 744-5472 to register.
Combine a great theatre experience with a healthy hike though the preserve. The action takes place along a guided walk. The actors might use nature for a backdrop, prop, or dramatic ambush to deliver an exciting nature-inspired story. This new dramatization of C.S. Lewis' classic faithfully recreates the magic and mystery of Aslan, the great lion, his struggle with the White Witch, and the adventures of four children who inadvertently wander from an old wardrobe into Narnia.
Adult Fall Garden Craft Series: The Spin on Fiber Processing
•Saturday, Sept. 22, 10 a.m.-noon
•Kilbourn Park, 3501 N. Kilbourn Ave., 773-685-3351
•Ages 18+, $5, pre-registration is highly recommended. Classes are subject to cancellation based upon registration.
Join alpaca owners as they share their experiences in processing fiber from shearing to finished products. They will bring their spinning wheel, fiber samples, weavings, and other examples of articles made with fiber.
Giant Fix / Dance in a Pool
•Thursday-Sunday, Sept. 27-30, 7:30-10 p.m.
•Hamlin Park, 3035 N. Hoyne Ave., 312-742-7785
•Admission free
The Seldoms make an empty pool their stage.
Late Great Nocturnal Night
•Friday, Sept. 28, 4-8 p.m.
•North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 N. Pulaski, 312-744-5472
•Admission free, no registration required
The last Friday of the month is a time to see the Nature Center at night. Drop in to learn about the nightlife and try to see the animals that sleep all day. Look for raccoons, opossums, skunks, and even a flying squirrel, which are active all night.
Pumpkin Patches
•Saturday, Sept. 29-Saturday, Oct. 27
•Various parks
•All ages, entrance fee is free-nominal, nominal fees for on-site activities
Fall pumpkin patches throughout the city features a selection of all shapes and sizes and decorating stations. Most patches include a petting zoo, hayride, pony ride, inflatables, games and a chance to take a photo at the harvest photo station. Visit the website for schedule or call 312-742-PLAY.
Midnight Circus
•Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 29-30, Performances at 3:30 and 6:30 p.m.
•Welles Park, 2333 W. Sunnyside Ave., 312-742-7511
•All ages, admission $10, admission free ages 2 and under
•Tickets available at information@www.friendsofwellesparkplaylot.com or www.midnightcirus.net
Chicago's one and only Midnight Circus brings its high-flying theatrical circus to Welles Park for a weekend of "open air" performance. Proceeds benefit the Welles Park play lot fund.
Adult Fall Organic Gardening Series
•Kilbourn Park, 3501 N. Kilbourn Ave., 773-685-3351
•Ages 18+, $20/class or series of 5 classes for $75, pre-registration is highly recommended.
Seed Saving
1.Saturday, Sept. 29, 10 a.m.-noon
Learn why it is important to save your own seeds, how to determine which plants have seeds that can be saved, the right time to harvest and collect seeds, how to clean, dry, test germination and properly store them.
Gardening in the Trenches
2.Saturday, Oct. 6, 10 a.m.-noon
Rejuvenate garden soils by learning a simple, sustainable and homegrown technique to keep the “underground movement” in your garden healthy and productive.
Fall Clean up and Preparation for the Organic Vegetable Garden
3.Saturday, Oct. 20, 10 a.m.-noon
An instructor offers advice on fall planting, harvesting, soil preparation and putting the vegetable garden to bed properly for the winter.
Intensive Urban Composting Systems
4.Saturday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m.-noon
This class will discuss and look at a variety of options for producing compost from leaves, garden trimmings, food waste, cardboard and paper and more.
Fall Pruning and Cleanup for the Ornamental Garden
5.Saturday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m.-noon
Learn proper pruning techniques for the fall and winter to enhance the appearance of trees and shrubs for the following season. Fall garden clean-up will include what to do with herbaceous perennials, how to create winter interest in the garden, and as well as how to improve the soil.
All About Turtles
•Sunday, Sept. 30, 1-4 p.m.
•North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 N. Pulaski, 312-744-5472
•Admission free, no registration necessary
Bring your turtles, questions, and curiosity to the Turtle Club of the Chicago Herpetological Society’s monthly get together.
Arts At Large: Wednesday Night Concert Series
•Select Wednesdays, Oct. 3-Nov. 28 at 7 p.m.
•Lincoln Park Cultural Center, 2045 N. Lincoln Park West, 312-742-7726
•All ages, admission free
Fall concerts feature the following classical musicians: Oct. 3 – composer/guitarist Alan Cole presents music for flute, harpsichord, and guitar; Oct. 17 – a quartet of clarinets; Nov. 7 – Chicago Bass Ensemble; Nov. 28 – harpist Lillian Lau and flutist Ellen Huntington.
Jazz City: Ken Chaney Xperience Reunion
•Friday, Oct. 5, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m.
•Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Ave., 773-262-8605
•All ages, admission free
This concert brings together the original band members from the 1970s when veteran pianist Ken Chaney first made Chicago his home. Featuring the vocals of brother and sister Ben and Barbara Farnandis, and sisters Ann and Susan Ward, Chicago’s funky jazz is a family affair.
Adult Fall Garden Craft Series: Fiber Fun
•Wednesdays, Oct. 10 and Nov. 7, 6:30 - 8 p.m.
•Kilbourn Park, 3501 N. Kilbourn Ave., 773-685-3351
•Ages 18+, admission free
Bring your knitting, crocheting, and needle felting project for an open stitch night. An instructor will be on hand to assist on projects if needed.
Haunted Sanitarium
•Oct. 12-14, 19-31, 7-11 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 6-11 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays
•Theater on the Lake 2401 N. Lakeshore Dr. (Fullerton & Lake Michigan), 312-742-7994
•Ages 13 and up, admission is $10, $8 with student I.D.
This haunted house features different scary scenes such as a cemetery, haunted castle, swamp, and clown room. Prepare to be scared as this attraction is geared for those ages 13 and older.
Pumpkins in the Park 5K Run & Walk
•Saturday, Oct. 13
•Registration at 2 p.m., kids race at 3 p.m., race at 4 p.m.
•Lincoln Park Southfield House, 1800 N. Stockton Dr.
•All ages, 4 yrs. and older for kids race, admission is $30, $10 kids
•Call Fleet Feet Sports at 312-944-4113
Pumpkins in the Park 5K Run and Walk is a unique event where runners and walkers are encouraged to dress in costume in the spirit of Halloween. Post-race party activities include a costume contest, pumpkin painting, food, refreshments, live music and dancing.
Chrysanthemum Show
•Saturday, Oct. 13 – Sunday, Nov. 25, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily
•Lincoln Park Conservatory, 2391 N. Stockton Dr., 312-742-7736
•All ages, admission free
Thousands of the “Queen of Fall” flowers in a rainbow of hues and styles fill the conservatory show house in a traditional Chrysanthemum display.
Citywide Symphony Orchestra Concert
•Sunday, Oct. 14, 3 p.m.
•Jefferson Park, 4822 N. Long Ave., 773-685-3316
•All ages, admission free
Enjoy an afternoon of classical music.
Nature Oasis: Fall Campfire Storytelling
•Wednesday, Oct. 17, 5:30-7 p.m., Gompers Park, 4222 W. Foster Ave., 773-685-3270
•Thursday, Oct. 18, 5:30 – 7 p.m., Humboldt Park Boathouse, 1359 N. Sacramento Blvd., 312-742-7549
•Wednesday, Oct. 24, 5:30 – 7 p.m., Winnemac Park, 5100 N. Leavitt St., 312-742-5101
•Wednesday, Oct. 31, 5:30–7 p.m., Washington Park, 5531 S. Martin Luther King Blvd., 773-256-1248
•All ages, admission free, no registration required
Enjoy spooky nature tales around the campfire, hot apple cider, face painting, live birds and more.
Chicago Park ArtSEEN
•Saturday, Oct. 20, 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
•Bus boards at Randolph and Columbus for the tour
•Admission is $20; call 312-742-4947 to make a reservation
This tour of various works of art in Chicago’s south region parks include a secret place at Buckingham Fountain, Jackson Park’s Statue of the Republic, Washington Park’s Fountain of Time and numerous field house murals at Hamilton, Sherman, Davis Square and Fuller parks. Chicago Park District historian Julia Bachrach guides the tour. Lunch at one park site is included.
Family Star Gazing
•Saturday, Oct. 20, 6-8 p.m.
•Northerly Island, 1400 Lynn White Dr., 312-745-2910
•All ages, admission free
Join the Chicago Park District and the Adler Planetarium for an out-of-this-world family experience where participants will listen to stories, make a craft, and gaze up into the skies through telescopes.
Trails of Terror 2007
•Thursday-Tuesday, Oct. 25 - 30, 6:30 – 9 p.m.
•Peterson Park, 5801 N. Pulaski Rd., 312-742-7584
•Admission opening night Oct. 25, $5, all ages
•Admission $6 ages 14 & under, $8 ages 15 & over
Wind your way through nearly one-half mile of spine-tingling terror at the Chicago Park District's Trails of Terror. At this year's Trails of Terror, visitors will experience the dark side of a deserted carnival crawling with creepy characters.
Haunted Houses
•Thursday-Wednesday, Oct. 25–31
•Various parks
•Age ranges vary, admission free-$8
The Chicago Park District offers various haunted houses throughout the city that feature various spooky themes ranging from all ages to teens and older. Visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com for a listing.
2nd Annual World Festival / Mexican Heritage 2007
•Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 27-28, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily
•Lincoln Park Conservatory, 2391 N. Stockton Dr., 312-742-7736
•All ages, admission free
The Lincoln Park Conservancy, in partnership with the Chicago Park District, hosts the 2nd annual World Festival in conjunction with the Fall Chrysanthemum Show with a celebration of Mexican heritage.
Creatures of the Night
•Saturday, Oct. 27, 12–3 p.m.
•Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave., 312-746-5100
•All ages, admission free
This Halloween-themed event features live nocturnal animals, like fruit bats, spiders, and owls, in a rare daytime greenhouse appearance. Children and families can participate in spider plantings, spooky popcorn hands, secret scent trails, bat origami, and more.
Jazz City: Saxophone Summit
•Friday, Nov. 2, 7:30–9:30 p.m.
•LaFollette Park, 1333 N. Laramie Ave.
•All ages, admission free
Local vets David Boykin, Gerard Harris and James Perkins with special guest Ira Sullivan perform as duos and trios. The set includes a commissioned work that brings it all home.
Nature Oasis: 2007 Park Quest
•Saturday, Nov. 3, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
•North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 N. Pulaski Rd., 312-744-5472
•All ages, admission free
Pack a lunch and come discover what is unique about North Park Village Nature Center.
Nature Oasis: Fall Family Nights
•Thursday, Nov. 8, 6–8 p.m., Winnemac Park, 5100 N. Leavitt St., 312-742-5101
•Friday, Nov. 9, 6-8 p.m., South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 S. South Shore Dr., 773-256-0149
•Friday, Nov. 16, 6–8 p.m., Gompers Park, 4222 W. Foster Ave., 773-685-3270
•All ages, admission free
As it gets colder outside, we’ll head indoors to meet some live critters, enjoy fall-themed nature crafts, refreshments and more.
Thanksgiving Turkey Shoot
•Friday, Nov. 9, 5-6 p.m., Jensen Park, 4650 N. Lawndale, 312-742-7054
•Wednesday, Nov. 14, 6-7 p.m., Kosciouszko Park, 2732 N. Avers Ave., 312-742-7546
•Thursday, Nov. 15, 6-7:30 p.m., Eugene Field Park, 5100 N. Ridgeway Ave., 773-478-9744
•Friday, Nov. 16, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Ken-Well Park, 2945 N. Kenosha Ave., 773-685-3348
•All ages, admission free, child must compete with an adult
Score a turkey! Parents and their children will each have 10 shots from the free-throw line. The highest combined score in each category wins a turkey.
Taming of the Shrew
•Nov. 9 & 10, 16 & 17, 30 and Dec. 1, 7 & 8, 14 & 15 at 7:30 p.m.
•Chase Park, 4701 N. Ashland Ave.
•Ages 8 & over, $8 adults, $5 children/seniors/students
•For reservations, call 312-742-4701 or visit www.chaseparktheater.org
The Taming of the Shrew is a comedy by William Shakespeare and was one of his earlier plays.
Garden Buddies Family Event
•Saturday, Nov. 10, 10 a.m.- noon
•Kilbourn Park, 3501 N. Kilbourn Ave., 773-685-3351
•All ages, admission free
This event includes winter-themed nature crafts, take home plantings, stories, games and demonstrations.
Turkey Trots
•Friday, Nov. 16, 4 p.m., Jackson Park - 6401 S. Stony Island, ages 6-13, 773-256-0903
•Monday, Nov. 19, 4 p.m., Trumbull Park, 2400 E. 105th St., ages 6-17, 312-747-6759
•Wednesday, Nov. 21, 4 p.m., Rainbow Beach & Park, 3111 E. 77th St., ages 6-17, 312-745-1479
•Admission free
Kids run a cross country race for a Thanksgiving Day turkey.
Pottery & Jewelry Show
•Saturday, Nov. 17, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
•Berger Park, 6205 N. Sheridan Rd., 773-761-0376
•All ages, admission free
Check out the variety of artistic styles at the Annual Berger Park Pottery and Jewelry Show featuring the best sampling of works from students of the Berger Park Lapidary and Pottery classes. The beautifully crafted items are great gifts for family and friends.
Turkey Bowls
•Wednesday, Nov. 21, 5 p.m., Rainbow Beach & Park, 3111 E. 77th St., ages 6-17, touch football, 312-745-1479
•Thursday, Nov. 22, 9 a.m., Mozart Park, 2036 N. Avers, ages 18 & over, touch football, 312-742-7535
•Thursday, Nov. 22, 10 a.m., Jackson Park, 6401 S. Stony Island, ages 18+, flag football, 773-256-0903
•Thursday, Nov. 22, 11 a.m., Nat King Cole Park, 361 E. 85th St., ages 15+, flag football, 312-747-6063
•Admission free
Sign up your team for Thanksgiving touch and flag football games.
Holiday Flower Show
•Friday, Nov. 23–Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008
•9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Thursdays
•Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave., 312-746-5100
•All ages, admission free
Celebrate the holidays at the Garfield Park Conservatory. Fir trees decorated in holiday lights hold court surrounded by bold splashes of color from hundreds of poinsettias. Other featured plants include ornamental peppers, plumbago and Jerusalem cherries.
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- Contact Phone: 312 742 7529