On the road: Spring dance
Chicago
Night moves
If spring daffodils make you want to dance, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago is right on time with its world premiere of “Little Mortal Jump” by resident choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo. His 10th piece for the dance group is a blend of different styles and genres that fuses the technicality of movement, stage theatricality and dark humor. The spring program also offers the return of “Too Beaucoup” by Israeli choreographer Sharon Eyal with music by Gang of Four, Depeche Mode, Leonard Cohen, Cole Porter, Vice, and Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers.
7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 15; 8 p.m. Friday to Saturday, March 16-17; and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 18, at Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. Tickets $25-$94. (312) 850-9744 or hubbardstreetdance.com
The emperor's new exhibit
Ruthless warrior or revered statesman? Unearth the story of 13th-century Mongol emperor Genghis Khan, one of the world's greatest leaders and most misunderstood conquerors, at the Field Museum's new exhibit. Visitors can explore a yurt (the traditional house of Mongol nomads), walk through a battlefield and face the sights and sounds of mounted warriors.
Daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Sept. 3 at the Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. Tickets are $24-$29 and includes general admission, $20 for kids 3-11. (312) 922-9410 or fieldmuseum.org.
Sham-rocking Navy Pier
You'll be able to steer clear of hammered leprechauns when you take in the St. Patrick's Day celebration at Navy Pier. Watch the curls bounce and the precise steps of the Trinity Irish Dancers and enjoy music by the band Anish. It's an afternoon of traditional Irish and Celtic festivities on the Family Pavilion Stage following the big parade downtown.
2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 17, at Navy Pier, 600 East Grand Ave. Free admission. Details at navypier.com.
Midwest
Grand Geneva gladiators
You needn't crisscross the country to find extreme sporting events, just cross the state line to the Grand Geneva Resort Spa. This month the resort hosts the AMSOIL Championship Snocross series, a snowmobiling competition. Later in March, there will be the Gladiator Assault Challenge during which participants challenge themselves on a grueling 6.5-mile obstacle course through slippery snow, mud and barbed wire. Interested challenge participants can register online and when booking an overnight stay at the Grand Geneva, enjoy special rates both weekends.
Friday to Sunday, March 16-18 (AMSOIL), and March 31-April 1 (Gladiator), at Grand Geneva Resort Spa, Lake Geneva, Wis. Tickets to AMSOIL are $12-$40 and hotel rates start at $165 a night. Spectator fees for Gladiator are $12 per person and free for 12 years and under. Hotel rates start at $125 a night. (800) 558-3417 or GrandGeneva.com.
Irish allies are smiling
The descendants and friends of hundreds of Irish laborers who constructed the Madison, Ind., railroad incline celebrate their legacy with a variety of events on the eve of St. Patrick's Day. The party includes the ancient sport of Irish Road Bowling where participants roll cannonballs and the Celtic Society gives pointers and keeps score. Five of Madison's popular restaurants each provide one traditional Irish dish for the Taste of Ireland and free trolley rides get visitors to shops, costume contest and entertainment areas with bagpipers and Irish step dancers.
5 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 16, in downtown Madison. Tickets for A Taste of Ireland are $20 and other activities are free. (800) 559-2956 or http://visit madison.org.
Mardi Gras mountain
Boyne Mountain's Carnival Weekend brings bands, beads, outrageous costumes, leprechaun garb, giant hats, the slush cup, outdoor cookouts, skiing, snowboarding and parties. The weekend-long event is three days of entertainment both on and off the slopes at Boyne Mountain Resort. Take part in an obstacle slalom, zip line adventure tour, the Great Carnival Bash in the Civic Center and much more. Kids and teen activities and competitions take place on Saturday.
9 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Friday to Saturday, March 16-17, and 9 a.m., to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, March 18, at Boyne Mountain Resort, 1 Boyne Mountain Rd., Boyne Falls, Mich. (800) 462-6963 or boyne.com.
Worth the trip
You don't have to visit Pebble Beach only for its world-class golf courses. Pebble Beach Food Wine celebrates its fifth season of wine and culinary excellence at Pebble Beach Resorts in Pebble Beach, Calif. The four-day program is filled with 15 dining experiences, two grand tastings, celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, wine tastings with the global wineries, cocktail seminars and after-hours parties.
April 12-15. Ticket prices per person range from $100 for a single event pass to $4,750 for a VIP four-day pass with access to all events and exclusive after-hours parties with the chefs and winemakers. (866) 907-3663) or pebblebeachfoodandwine.com