Midwest travel: Get folksy at University of Chicago's Folk Festival
Chicago
World music
Celebrate traditional music from around the world at the University of Chicago's 57th annual Folk Festival. On Saturday, get in on free daytime workshops such as Scandinavian dance, an in-depth presentation on bagpipes, Shanties, primers on recorders and harmonicas, Shapenote singing, a Barndance or two, Cajun Dance and many more. Performers include fiddler Liz Carroll, the first American-born composer honored with Ireland's highest traditional music prize, the Gradam Ceoil TG4 Cumadoir award; Laurence Nugent, senior All-Ireland Champion Flute Player; rocking Cajun trio T'Monde; The Bucking Mules; local bluesman Oscar Wilson; and pianist Ethan Leinwand, playing St. Louis prewar blues, Chicago boogie-woogie, New Orleans R&B and Texas barrelhouse blues, among others. 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at the University of Chicago, Mandel Hall, 1131 E. 57th St., Chicago. Admission is $25 adults, $20 seniors, $10 students on Friday and $30 adults, $25 seniors, $10 students on Saturday. See uofcfolk.org/ for a schedule of workshops and concerts.
Cider house rules
Sweet, dry or fruity - hard cider is having a moment. The Cider Summit returns for its fifth year to Chicago's Navy Pier with owners and cider wizards guiding guests through local, regional and international artisanal samplings of more than 150 ciders. Don't miss the new regional small producers pavilion, premiering with eight cidermakers from the Northwest, or the Cider Cocktail Lounge. Plus, nibble on an expanded array of specially selected food pairings. General admission tickets include a souvenir tasting glass, eight tasting tickets and a $1 donation to Heartland Alliance. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. General admission tickets cost $35 and VIP tickets are $45 (includes express entry and two extra tasting tickets). All tickets are sold in advance at cidersummit.boldtypetickets.com/. A separate ticket is required for each session.
Who do you love?
Conrad Chicago invites locals to indulge in a romantic staycation with its Romance and Chill package or play film critic with the Academy Awards package. Romance and Chill includes a bottle of Champagne and chocolate-dipped strawberries upon arrival. Don robes while watching a movie, including in-theater releases, on the hotel's 65-inch flat-screen TVs and stay up late snacking on Garrett's popcorn and gourmet pizza. The next morning, enjoy breakfast for two and late check out at 2 p.m. Book the Academy Awards Package and enjoy two complimentary in-theater movies per day on the hotel's king-size flat-screen TVs, Garrett's popcorn and gourmet pizza, and award season items such as Oscar ballots.
The Romance package is available through Feb. 28, with rates starting at $255 a night. The Oscar package is valid through Feb. 26, with rates starting at $266 a night. The Conrad Chicago is at 101 E. Erie St. (312) 667-6700 or conradchicagohotel.com/.
Midwest
Be a Prince
Celebrate Valentine's Day in honor of Minnesota's favorite son, Prince. The Paisley Park Valentine's Day package at the Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington includes: breakfast for two; $100 voucher for the Bloomington ChopHouse and a bottle of Champagne; two “Purple Rain” cocktails; and free Wi-Fi access at the hotel. The property is located near Mall of America and light rail to access Minneapolis, and it offers a free shuttle to the mall and MSP Airport. Reservations must be made by Feb. 8. The Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington Package price is the current online rate plus $100. To book a package, see www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/minnesota/hilton-minneapolis-bloomington-MSPBWHF/index.html.
Presidential carnival
Families and couples can enjoy the season at Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa's 2017 Winter Carnival over Presidents Day weekend. Indoor and outdoor winter activities include turkey bowling; cozy bonfires; sledding, ice skating, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing; snow art for kids and families; Putt Putt Ice and Snow Golf; Broomball; free pony and sleigh rides; and an Ice Bar, serving up drinks and hot chili. Two Fire and Ice Winter Glow shows take place on Saturday and Sunday night on the resort's Marina, where you can watch glowing hot air balloons soar over Lake Galena. In addition to on-site activities, you'll be just 15 minutes from a downhill ski and snowboarding area. Friday through Monday, Feb. 17-20, at Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa in Galena, Illinois. Presidents Day weekend packages and a Love is in the Air package are available during the Winter Carnival. Visit eagleridge.com/ to view current packages and make reservations or call (800) 892-2269. For details about Winter Carnival activities, call (815) 777-5000 or see eagleridge.com/winter-carnival.
Love inn
Harrodsburg, Kentucky, boasts a half dozen bed-and-breakfasts and country inns located among four National Register Historic Districts. Kentucky's oldest town is home to Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, a retreat for more than 200 years. Its Bee My Valentine package (available through Feb. 19) includes accommodations for two at The Inn, from-scratch Kentucky breakfast, chocolate-covered strawberries, a flower arrangement, 20 percent off purchases in The Shops and complimentary village admission. Guestrooms, suites and private cottages are located in 13 restored Shaker buildings. See the website for other winter packages. Central Kentucky Tours is also offering a Valentine's Day outing to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail to visit some of the area's outstanding distilleries. Book the Valentine package, which starts at $185 for two adults, at (800) 734-5611 or shakervillageky.org/ using the promo code LOVE. Check distillery tour times and availability at centralkentuckytours.checkfront.com/reserve/. To plan another midwinter escape, see harrodsburgky.com/.