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On the road: Cash dance, 'Tulle' premiere at Joffrey

Chicago

Cash for dancing

See the combination of ballet with classic Johnny Cash when the "Unique Voices" winter program by The Joffrey Ballet features a Chicago premiere by James Kudelka, choreographing to the music of Cash. "The Man in Black" stars three men and a woman in cowboy boots dancing to six songs, which were covered by Cash as part of his "American" album collection. The dancers riff on line, square, swing and step dancing. The other two ballets in the program are the U.S. premiere of "Tulle" by Swedish choreographer Alexander Ekman and Australian choreographer Stanton Welch's "Maninyas." The three artists return with work in noticeably different styles from what Chicagoans have seen before.

Performance times vary Feb. 11-22 at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway. Single tickets are priced from $32 to $155. Purchase tickets at Joffrey Tower, 10 E. Randolph St.; the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University Box Office; (800) 982-2787; or ticketmaster.com. For details on Joffrey Ballet programs, visit joffrey.org.

L'hôtel de l'amour

The Best New Chicago Hotel of 2014 (named by Chicago Magazine) wasn't even in Chicago but in Oak Brook. Le Méridien Chicago - Oakbrook Center invites you to experience the French-inspired property for a weekend getaway this Valentine's Day. There are three exclusive packages from which to choose including: the Romance Package that gets you breakfast for two in bed or in Longitude 87, sparkling wine, fruit, truffles and a late check out of 2 p.m.; the Valentine's Day Package includes a $150 dinner credit to on-site tapas-style restaurant El Tapeo; and the Serenity Package features a full American breakfast for two and a 50-minute ESPA massage in one of the hotel's Spa Suites.

The Valentine's Day offer is valid for stays Feb. 13-15 at Le Méridien Chicago - Oakbrook Center, 2100 Spring Road, Oak Brook. Packages range from $199 to $299. (630) 368-9900 or lemeridienoakbrook.com.

Come on, let's do the Twist

Chicago's ACME Hotel Company offers lovers with a twisted sense of humor a Twisted Romance, Part Deux package. Back for another year, ACME's Twisted Romance package offers frisky fun to celebrate the holiday of love: an overnight stay in a Standard King (upgrade may be possible based on availability); a bottle of tequila; a $10 iTunes gift card; a Twister game; massage oil; and a late check out of 3 p.m.

The package is available Feb. 14 only at the ACME Hotel Company, 15 E. Ohio St. Rates for the Twisted Love package start at $199 for a Standard King. For details and to book a reservation, visit acmehotelcompany.com/downtown-chicago-hotel-deals.aspx or call (312) 894-0800.

Midwest

Drill, baby, drill

Come on, you know you've always wanted to try ice fishing. Now you can learn to ice fish, guided by an expert, then enjoy a warm and relaxing experience at Evensong Spa at Heidel House Resort & Spa. The Drill Divas Ice Fishing Package is a girlfriends' getaway that begins with a hot, hearty breakfast before you're shuttled to a top fishing location on Big Green Lake, Wisconsin's deepest inland lake. There you'll met by the area's expert fishing-guide service. Everything is provided: fishing equipment; a heated fishing shanty; tackle and bait; water bottles; a thermos of Apple Spiced Bourbon toddies or mulled wine; hand warmers; a boxed lunch; and the team will clean and package the fresh catch to take home. Back at the spa, enjoy the waterfall whirlpool, eucalyptus steam room, fireplace-warmed relaxation room, and then be treated to a 50-minute massage.

The package is available January to mid-March, depending on ice conditions, at the Heidel House Resort & Spa, Green Lake, Wisconsin. The package, which includes overnight lodging, starts at $260 per person. (920) 294-3344 or heidelhouse.com/.

It could be magic

St. Joseph, Michigan, transforms from beach town to frozen H2O village during its 11th Annual Magical Ice Fest. Certified ice-carving competitions, a Fire & Ice kickoff display and a 5K Chocolate Walk/Run are just some of the morning-'til-night activities for family and friends to share. Professional carvers create cool art from blocks of ice on downtown streets; the Snow Biz Scavenger Hunt can get you in the running for a St. Joseph Today gift certificate good at more than 40 locations; and after the towering Fire & Ice outdoor display, adults can enjoy the Fire and Ice Party at Shadowland Ballroom.

5:30 p.m. to midnight Friday, Feb. 6; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, in downtown St. Joseph, Michigan. For a list of hotels and info about the event, visit stjoetoday.com or call (269) 985-1111.

Worth the Trip

Families looking for a spring break destination that offers sunshine, beaches and activities for all ages can consider Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. It was named a top 25 World's Best Family Getaways by Travel + Leisure. Choose to stay in one of the resort's vacation homes or villas, which allow access to washer/dryers, kitchens, separate bedrooms and private pools and have ocean, golf course or lagoon views. Spring break activities for families include golf, tennis lessons, bike rentals, kayak rentals, fishing charters, nature cruises and jet packing. For example, the Ultimate Family Package for seven nights starts at $63 per person per night and includes kayak rentals, bike rentals, tennis court time and more. Check the website for other family packages.

Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort is in Hilton Head Island, S.C. For details or reservations, see palmettodunes.com/ or call (877) 567-6513.

Chicago's ACME Hotel beckons with its Twisted Romance, Part Deux package on Feb. 14.
What else would you want to do after learning to ice fish? Soak in the spa at Heidel House in Green Lake, Wis., of course.
Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort in Hilton Head Island, S.C., offers action-packed spring break packages. Courtesy of Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort
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