On the road
Chicago
Handel your own Hallelujah
See yourself performing Handel's glorious Messiah with a full orchestra, four soloists and a world-renowned conductor. You're not dreaming or in a full out Oprah-mode visualization exercise - you're actually trilling at the annual Do-It-Yourself Messiah at the Civic Opera House. You're seated according to voice range and sing the thrilling chorus parts of the moving piece. The performances typically sell out but even so, there is a Ticket Return Table in the lobby at both performances where unused tickets are accepted and redistributed. Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008 at 3 p.m. and Monday, Dec. 22, 2008 at 7 p.m. Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Sr. (312) 332-2244 or www.ticketmaster.com
Muddle Mojitos and create Coquinhos at Cuatro
Spare your friends and family the de rigueur spiked egg nog and sausage balls and show off the muddling and construction skills you picked up at the Holiday Entertaining class at Cuatro. Executive Chef Edie Jiminez shares his techniques in the areas of libations and appetizers during a highly interactive and entertaining class: muddle pomegranate Mojitos and create party pleasers like Coquinho cocktails, crab empanadas and mini crab cakes. You'll get all "Top Chef" with some in-kitchen prep work as well as bartending in the bar area and leave with a goody bag stuffed with recipe cards, a complimentary appetizer certificate for a future visit, mini 10Cane bottle and more. Call to reserve your spot at (312) 842-8856. Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008 from 1 -3 p.m.; fee $30; 2030 South Wabash Avenue. Salivate at www.cuatro-chicago.com.
Cold play
Northerly Island is the perfectly named place for a day of outdoor winter activities courtesy of Polar Adventure Days. Sure, it's cold but the fun, family event features enough action to warm body and brain: meet and learn about live animals; watch ice sculpture carvings; create nature-inspired crafts; enjoy winter storytelling; and learn about camping in the Arctic. The first 500 visitors to this free event receive a complimentary Polar Adventure Day mug filled with hot chocolate, too. Noon - 4 p.m. on three Saturdays, Dec. 13, Jan. 17 and Feb. 21; 1400 S. Lynn White Dr., on the Museum Campus. For details, call (312) 742-PLAY.
Midwest
Ring-a-ding-ding in the New Year with Frank, Sammy and Dean.
New Year's Eve needn't be a sad, little affair with paper hats, cheap noisemakers and annoyed neighbors just because the economy is on the skids. You won't need more than a few clams to have a kooky New Year's Eve with the Rat Pack at Pheasant Run Resort & Spa in St. Charles, IL. The resort's party package includes tickets to your choice of one of three live performances, an open bar, a New Year's Eve countdown party with champagne toast and a midnight snack buffet. Can you believe $99 per person? Chose from a live tribute to the Rat Pack of the 1960s; stand-up comedy in the on-site Zanies Comedy Club or a hysterical night with Second City's "Dysfunctional Holiday Revue." Overnight accommodations are extra but affordable, too. Save your spot at (800) 4- PHEASANT or drop in on www.pheasantrun.com
Cool those post-Christmas blues.
When all that remains are the carcasses of turkeys and Christmas gifts, a certain post-traumatic stress syndrome settles in and it's time to spatula the posteriors off the sofa. Head to northwest Ohio for an after party at Maumee Bay State Park, Dec. 26-30, 2008. Each day of the Winter Carnival, there's an indoor fair with a putt-putt golf course, ladder golf, bean bag toss, race cars, football toss and other games and staff stage daily competitions for kids in all age groups with prizes are awarded to the best performers. Evening brings Karaoke and Dance-Dance Revolution contests followed by family movies. Spend time in the indoor swimming pool, hot tubs, fitness center, Wallyball courts, game room or venture outdoors for free use of the resort's sleds or explore the Nature Center. The special Winter Carnival rate is $89 plus tax per night for up to four people in a double or lake view double room. Call (800) 282-7275 and mention the promotional code CARNIVAL.
Peanut butter and jelly; Jack and Jill; Christmas and Santa Claus, Ind.
Join the throngs that travel to Santa Claus, Ind., to get one-of-a-kind picture postmark cancellation stamps on their holiday greeting cards and packages. Better yet, make the trip to coincide with Dec. 13-14 Christmas in Santa Claus Festival which offers a craft show, parade, entertainment and a holiday light tour through Christmas Lake Village. Don't miss the Santa Claus Museum, nine larger-than-life Santa statues throughout town, the shops at Kringle Place and treats at Santa's Candy Castle, boasting the world's largest selection of gourmet candy canes and 25 flavors of hot chocolate. How sweet it is at www.legendaryplaces.org and (888) 444-9252.
Worth the Trip
Vermont gets all bubbly for Champlain
The year 2009 marks the 400th anniversary of French explorer Samuel de Champlain's canoe trip up the Richelieu River and his sighting of a the 120-mile-long lake that today bears his name. Vermont commemorates this historic event throughout the year with festivals, symposia, pageants, films, exhibits, performances and much more beginning with a First Night Festival in Burlington on New Year's Eve. You may choose to visit during the Vermont Maple Festival, April 24-26; the Lilac Festival at the Shelburne Museum in late May; Burlington Discover Jazz Festival, June 5-14; Vermont Quilt Festival, June 19-21; Green Mountain Chew-Chew Festival, June 27-30; Independence Day celebration; or the Champlain Valley Fair in late August. Begin to plan now at www.CelebrateChamplain.org and call (800) VERMONT for lodging and attraction information. Dec. 31, 2008 - October 31, 2009.