Travel calendar
Keith Jarrett at Orchestra Hall
Let the kids have their Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers. Keith Jarrett is renowned as one of the most creative musicians of the last 40 years, an improviser extraordinaire, prolific composer and master of jazz piano. On Sept. 13, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra presents a special evening with Jarrett that celebrates the 25th anniversary of his trio (which includes Jack DeJohnette on drums and Gary Peacock on bass. For tickets, plunk down the plastic at www.cso.org or call (312) 294-3000.
Celtic Fest
Every Sean, Séamus and Mary will be slipping into their best brogue for the 12th Annual Celtic Fest along Chicago's lakefront, Sept. 13-14. More than 120 performers, from bagpipers to folk rockers, take the stage at the Petrillo Music Shell, but that's just a wee bit of the glee. Ladies like the Men in Kilts Leg Contest, the Coffee and Tea Garden and Celtic Art Fair, while the guys belly up to the Blarney Stop Beer Tent for bagpipers and the Scottish Heavy Athletics Competition. By all means, bring little Finn and Fiona to the Wee Ones Play Area so they can enjoy the free Grant Park festival, too. Call (312) 744-3315 or visit www.celticfestchicago.us for details.
As Seen from the Lake: Cosmopolitan Chicago in Film and TV
Film fans with sea legs might consider signing up for As Seen from the Lake: Chicago in Film and TV, an evening boat tour on Lake Michigan offered by the Chicago History Museum. Learn how filmmakers and television producers have used the waterfront to create iconic images of Chicago with a Museum historian as your guide. Recall how sites such as Buckingham Fountain and Marina Towers have figured into movies (1938's In Old Chicago and 1975's Cooley High, for example) and TV shows like Married with Children. Sunday, Sept. 14, 6-9 p.m. Reserve your spot at (312) 642.4600 or www.chicagohistory.org.
Midwest
Frankenmuth Oktoberfest
Don't mistake the Frankenmuth Oktoberfest for a simulated Teutonic party on a strip mall parking lot. Frankenmuth, aka "Michigan's Little Bavaria," is the first Oktoberfest outside of Munich to be sanctioned by the Parliament and the City of Munich. The wunderbar festival offers oodles of German culture and heritage with food, from colossal pretzels to authentic sauerbraten, barrels of beer, "wiener" dog races, oomph bands and entertainers flown in from the Motherland. For lodging ideas and tickets, waltz over to www.frankenmuthfestivals.com or phone (800) 386-3378. Thursday, Sept. 18 through Sunday, Sept. 21.
End of Summer Bash - Hinsdale
Don't you love an End of Summer Bash that's held on Sept. 12? It's as optimistic as David Cassidy when he sang "C'mon, Get Happy," at the opening of the Partridge Family TV show. That's why it's kismet that Cassidy performs outdoors in Hinsdale's Burlington Park during this annual fest. Pre-purchase tickets until Sept. 11 at $7 each, or tickets at the door are $10 each. Food, beer and wine available on site. Get additional info at (630) 789-7090 or www.villageofhinsdale.org.
41st Annual Wo-Zha-Wa Days - Wisconsin Dells
After a couple of weeks in school, give the kids a reason to cheer: a return to the Dells for some indoor water park action and three days of outdoor live music and a street carnival, arts and crafts, flea markets, food vendors and a 100-unit parade. "Wo-Zha-Wa" could be an exclamation when you surprise them with the fun weekend, but it actually translates to "time of fun" in the Ho-Chunk language. Get over to www.wisdells.com or call (800) 22-DELLS for details. Sept. 12-14, 2008.
Worth the Trip
Healthy Living Months in Jamaica
Too many brats and burgers on the grill this summer? Sunset at the Palms Resort & Spa in Jamaica is teaming with Caribbean Fitness Consulting for the resort's Healthy Living Months throughout September and October 2008. Each week is packed with invigorating classes and workshops - from Deep Water Jogs to Ocean Power Walks on Negril's pristine white-sand stretch of beach. The trendy all-inclusive Sunset at the Palms offers exotic 'treehouse-style' guest rooms sitting on stilts among the palms; swimming pool with swim-up bar; three restaurants; tennis; spa services: cooking classes: and nonmotorized water sports. Call Sunset Resorts (800) 234-1707 or jog over to www.sunsetatthepalms.com.