On the road: Happy 80th birthday, Elvis!
Chicago
All shook up
Celebrate what would have been Elvis Presley's 80th birthday with more tribute artists than you can shake a pound of bacon at. The festival includes a look-alike contest for a chance to win a trip for two to Vegas; Elvis-inspired food and drinks (a free peanut butter and banana sandwich buffet, anyone?); and radio personality Dick Biondi broadcasting live. The fifth annual Elvis Fest includes a round of “Happy Birthday” and special drink prices to loosen the vocal chords.
7-11 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 8, at The Original Mother's, 26 W. Division St., Chicago. Free to attend, but a $5 donation is suggested to benefit the Chicago Red Cross. (312) 642-7251 or OriginalMothers.com.
Two guys walk into a bar
What's the main thing you have to do on New Year's Day in addition to sleeping in and forgiving yourself for the night before? Laughing about it all at the fifth annual New Year's Hangover Stand-Up Marathon at ComedySportz Theatre. The laugh-a-thon will feature 20 of Chicago's top comedians and you can come and go as you please throughout the evening. Bloody Marys and mimosas will be available at the bar if you're still not ready to give up your naughty ways, and audience members can hang out with the comedians in the ComedySportz Clubhouse at the end of the show.
6 to 1-0 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 1, at ComedySportz Theatre, 929 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. Entry is $15. (773) 549-8080 or comedysportzchicago.com.
Midwest
Boarded up
Going skiing or boarding up north this season? The Inn at Bay Harbor is offering resort lodging guests' complimentary shuttle service to Boyne Highlands Resort, Michigan's largest ski resort. Located just four miles west of Petoskey between sister resorts Boyne Highlands to the north in Harbor Springs, and Boyne Mountain to the south in Boyne Falls, the Inn is also expanding amenities and programs such as complimentary use of snowshoes and ice skates. The new Kids Club offers arts and crafts and yoga classes several times a week. Take advantage of shuttle service and new winter programs at The Inn at Bay Harbor with a Ski Stay Package including overnight accommodations, a $150 gift card to use toward lift tickets, plus tubing and hot breakfast for two.
Round-trip shuttles to and from ski venues and the Inn, Fridays and Saturdays throughout the winter season, and daily now through Jan. 1. 3600 Village Harbor Drive, Bay Harbor, Michigan. Ski Stay Package starts at $285 per night. (800) 462-6963 or innatbayharbor.com.
Sky high
Take the opportunity to annoy your children with stories that begin with, #8220;In my day, we didn't have iPods, computers and video games #8212; we played outside with a ball or a kite!#8221; Then, show them how incredibly fun that can be at the 28th Cool Fool Kite Festival in Milwaukee on New Year's Day. The visual feast includes ice sculptures and free hot chocolate, coffee and snacks in the lakefront Veterans Park. The Milwaukee tradition is free to the public and kites and additional hot food will be available for purchase (or bring your own).
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Veteran's Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (414) 305-3145 or giftofwings.com.
Ice breakers
College students from around the Midwest prove their mettle beyond beer pong at the Collegiate Invitational Ice Sculpting Competition, hosted by downtown Holland, Michigan and the National Ice Carving Association. Nimble handed students compete in an exciting weekend-long competition transforming 300-pound blocks of ice into shimmering works of art using chain saws, torches, chisels and more. The sculptures will remain on display for the entire weekend. Stick around town and enjoy the charming shops and restaurants in downtown Holland and stroll without slipping thanks to heated sidewalks.
6 to 8 p.m. Friday Jan. 9; 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, at 44 West 9th Street Holland, Michigan. (616) 796-1210 or downtownhollandice.com.