'Disney on Ice' show celebrates 200 years of magic
Chicago
You couldn't take little Goofy and the Princess to Disney World this year? Make it up to them as Mickey, Minnie, Pinocchio, Jiminy Cricket, Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Mulan, Timon and Pumba sashay into Chicago as part of "Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic" at the United Center. The show features the largest cast of Disney stars ever assembled for a Disney On Ice production.
Shows at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, to Friday, Sept. 11; 11:30 a.m., 3:30 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12; 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13. The 5 p.m. show on Sunday is a Spanish performance. United Center, 1901 W. Madison St. Tickets $12, $19 and $24 with a limited number of VIP ($45 weekday and $50 weekend) and front row ($55 weekday and $70 weekend) seats available. All opening night tickets are $11, excluding VIP and front-row seats. (312) 455-4500 or disneyonice.com. Order tickets by phone at (800) 745-3000.
Jazz hands!
In its 31st year of pulsating grooves and sly musical strolls, the Chicago Jazz Festival won't disappoint with Billy Holiday incarnation, Madeleine Peyroux; a tribute to Benny Goodman; the Dave Holland Big Band; the Arthur Hoyle Orchestra and others. The city's longest running lakefront music festival is three full days of music and activities. Bring the kids to the new area devoted to the Young Lions of Jazz.
11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, to Sunday Sept. 6, at Grant Park at Jackson Boulevard and Columbus Drive. (312) 744-3315 or chicagojazzfestival.us
You need just a few words in Polish to get the most of the Taste of Polonia, the largest Polish festival in the United States: "pierogi," "kielbasa" and "dzikuj" (thank you) should do it. Expect nonstop live entertainment on three stages with rock, blues and polka music courtesy of Polish and American stars, a new Kids' World stage; dancing, folk art, games galore and of course lots of Polish food.
5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, and Sunday, Sept. 6; and noon to 10 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7, at the Copernicus Foundation Center, 5216 W. Lawrence Ave. (773) 777-8898 or copernicusfdn.org
Midwest
Let the chips fall where they may
More than a century ago, hunters realized that buffalo chips made for great fuel and when buffalo herds were thinned, people had to rely on the "cow chip" for cooking fuel. By 1975, the Sauk Prairie area of Wisconsin was dubbed the Cow Chip Capital of Wisconsin and the first State Cow Chip Throw ensued. Today, the cow chip is not only the Unofficial State Muffin, but the city marks the 35th anniversary of the Wisconsin tradition and there's a mess of food from kettle corn to pork chops on a stick. Dennis DeYoung of Styx fame plays Friday night before Saturday's Tournament of Chips Parade and the Wisconsin State Cow Chip Throw with men, women and VIP divisions. Bring the little hurlers for the Children's Chip Chuckin' contest, too. 5 p.m. to midnight, Friday, Sept. 4; and 8 a.m. to midnight Saturday, Sept. 5, at Marion Park in Prairie du Sac, Wis. (608) 643-5463 or wiscowchip.com
Come sail away
Welcome autumn with a one-of-a-kind vacation experience on a multiday Windjammer cruise aboard the Tall Ship Manitou, based in Traverse City, Mich. Each excursion sports a unique theme. The Sept. 11-14 cruise looks to the stars with an astronomy guide on board; sample the Wine Tasting Cruise Sept. 18-21; or the Artisan Chocolate & Storytelling Cruise Sept. 25-28 when a Michigan chocolatier and storyteller join the crew. The Great Lakes Folk Music Cruise Oct. 2-5 features music, history and lore. Packages are $685 per person and include all meals and overnight accommodations and a replica of an 1800s "coasting" cargo schooner and one of the largest sailing ships on the Great Lakes. Overnight accommodations for the Windjammer excursions are limited to 24 in 12 double bunk-style cabins. During the day, you travel to the islands, bays and coastal villages of northern Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay.
Four-day excursions from Sept. 11 to Oct. 5. (800) 678-0383 or tallshipsailing.com.
Go, Speed Racer
The annual Rock Island Grand Prix go-kart race, with some $25,000 in prize money, attracts over 300 drivers from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, France, Italy and South America competing in 15 class divisions. The best drivers on the planet converge on the Quad Cities to compete in the go-kart street race and it's a one-of-a-kind experience for spectators, too. In addition to food and merchandise booths, kids' activities and other race-related activities, the area offers restaurants, pubs, a comedy club, galleries, a dinner theater, casino and live entertainment clubs all within walking distance of the race.
8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 5-6, at Great River Plaza, 2nd Avenue between 17th and 19th streets, Rock Island. Contact the Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 747-7800 or visit visitquadcities.com or rockislandgrandprix.com.
Worth the trip
Cape May, America's oldest seaside resort, boasts first-rate beaches and charming Victorian homes, hotels and guesthouses, which should fill with foodies during the 13th annual Cape May Food & Wine Festival, sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts. Voted one of "America's 20 Prettiest Towns" by Forbes Traveler in 2008, the New Jersey village is a National Historic Landmark City that gets even more delicious over nine indulgent days of food and wine tasting, chefs' cook-offs, a gourmet marketplace, the People's Choice Chowder Contest, five Chefs' Dine-Arounds, winery cellar tours, a beer-tasting dinner, plus classes and demonstrations.
Hours vary by event. Saturday to Sunday, Sept. 19-27. (800) 275-4278 or capemaymac.org.