Ravinia District Goes Retro With 80S Night
Everyone loves the 80s movie genre, which launched stars such as Tom Cruise, Matthew Broderick and Macaulay Culkin. To celebrate its place in movie history (Shelton's Diner's famous scene with Tom Cruise in Risky Business), Highland Park's Ravinia District businesses will host 80s night. As part of the continuing "Third Thursdays" series, many Ravinia District businesses will stay open until 8pm on May 21 to host 80s themed shopping nights, promotions and contests to showcase the diverse shopping, dining and essential services located in the convenient shopping area.
Join the fun at Design Quartet @ Ravinia's Breakfast Club breakfast buffet, the Whole in One Golf Fitness Caddyshack Contest or at Calm Massage Therapy where, in a nod to Jane Fonda, you can roll out those tired muscles to 80s music or even have your spirit cards read!
There will also be a one night only opening of Shelton's Diner, where, courtesy of Yelp's Hugh & Me Tour of the North Shore, the public is welcome to stop by for an ice cream treat and live out the famous Risky Business scene at the diner.
Full Circle Architects will be spinning 80s vinyl, (the public is invited to bring an album from their own collection) serving refreshments and provide architectural information about Sixteen Candles and Ferris Buller's Day Off movie locations, The Nail Shop and DS Cosmetics will be open late serving "Pretty in Pink" refreshments. Visitors are encouraged to "Hoop it Up" at SoShee Boutique by wearing their largest hoops to be eligible for special in store shopping specials.
"Ravinia is a hidden gem," says Michelle Burden, co- owner of SoShee Boutique, "because the businesses are primarily owner operated, the shopping experience here is personal and unique." Co-owner Wendy Banks adds, "We are planning a really fun event with a fun 80s fashion trivia game, hoola hoop contests and great 80s music."
Guests can conjure up memories of Crossing Delancy and the lower east side by stopping into Arthur M. Feldman Judaica Gallery for a kosher pickle, go Back to the Future with Field Violin, to the 1680s and watch a violin being made the way Stradivarius would have, visit The Magic Needle knit shop for a "Knitty Business" promotion featuring select yarns on sale or order the "Abe Froman" special ($2 off any pizza with sausage on it) at Piero's Pizza. Visitors who attend the event in 80s garb can have their photos snapped by former Playboy photographer Jeff Cohen, at Jeff Cohen Creative.
Make reservations for dinner, or stay for drinks or dessert at the District's well-known and lively restaurants: Abigail's, Happi Sushi, Merlo's and Ravinia Barbecue. If there is no time to linger over dinner, Piero's or Hunan Pearl make it simple to bring home a meal for the entire family.
Ravinia District's Third Thursdays will feature several themes throughout 2015 including: an outdoor family festival, quarterly Design and Dine evenings and a progressive holiday party. Other District "Doings" to watch for include: Jammin' in Jens Jensen live music and arts performances on Saturdays from 11:00am to 2:00pm starting on June 6, Ravinia Farmers Market beginning June 10; Pop up community jams that have been known to organically form at the corner of St Johns and Roger Williams and the very first Ravinia District Fall Festival, a celebration of music and art, is scheduled for October 2nd and 3rd. For more information on District "Doings" visit https://www.facebook.com/RaviniaDistrict.HighlandPark?fref=ts. For information on Ravinia District visit https://www.cityhpil.com/Index.aspx?NID=631.