Millenium Park to host some of opera's famous stars
Chicago
'Barber of Seville' makes the cut
If ticket prices deny you visits with old chums like "Don Giovanni," "Carmen" and "Porgy and Bess," hit your mark at Millennium Park for a grand night of vocalizing with some of opera's most famous stars (many of them featured in Lyric Opera's 2009-2010 season). Sir Andrew Davis conducts the Lyric Opera Orchestra while Deborah Voigt, James Morris and other opera stars take the stage in a free concert dedicated to the men and women of the United States Armed Services.
7:30 to 9:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 11, at Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street. (For this performance, the seating area opens at 5:30 p.m.) (312) 742-1168 or millennium park.org
Pipes are calling
There's no need to book a flight on Aer Lingus to get a taste of the Emerald Isle. Every Sean, Patrick and Mary-Margaret will be slipping into their best brogue for the 13th Annual Celtic Fest along Chicago's lakefront. Bagpipers to folk rockers, including headliners Leahy and Gaelic Storm, take the stage at the Petrillo Music Shell, but that's just a wee bit of the glee. Ladies must not miss the Men in Kilts Leg Contest, while the guys belly up to the Blarney Stop Beer Tent for brews, bagpipers and a bird's-eye view of the Scottish Heavy Athletics Competition. Stroll the Celtic Fest Art Fair, cultural tent and refuel at the Coffee & Tea Garden. There also will be the Wee Ones Play Area.
11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 12-13, at Grant Park, Jackson Boulevard at Columbus Drive. celticfest chicago.us.
Book it kids
Is there a better way too get kids excited about reading than by taking them to a street fair that's all about books? The 57th Street Children's Book Fair began 23 years ago and hosts dozens of local book sellers offering a selection of books and merchandise as well as reading-related activities, live entertainment and refreshments. The 2009 theme is "Buried Treasure: Dig in and Discover Books" and there will be activities and books about pirates, archaeology, adventure and treasure. Don't miss the parade featuring a cast of storybook characters
1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, at 57th Street and Kimbark Avenue. (773) 684-1300 or 57cbf.org
Midwest
How green was my county
Sample Green County Wisconsin's luscious products and meet top producers, growers, cheese makers, brewers, farmers, bakers and candy makers at the Meet Your Maker event. Enjoy the Indian summer weather while perusing the outdoor market's vendor showcase at the recently opened Hilltop facility of the New Glarus Brewing Company, home of the popular farmhouse-style ale Spotted Cow. Producers share samples, recipes and suggest ideas for using their products and the brewery is open for tours and brew sampling. Enjoy live local music in the courtyard, ideas about cheese and beer pairing, cooking demonstrations and chef insider info for a $5 admission (kids 16 and under admitted free). Serious foodies may want to take in the Bounty of Green County Dinner Feast, a five-course dinner featuring local foods paired with award-winning brews.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at New Glarus Brewery Hilltop Plant on Highway 69 near New Glarus Woods State Park. (888) 222-9111 or greencounty.org
Caboodle of strudel
Somewhere between your local eatery offering a bowl of sauerkraut and a long trek to Munich, there lies your best Oktoberfest alternative. The largest and most authentic Oktoberfest celebration outside of Bavaria just around 300 miles from Chicago is in Cincinnati, Ohio. Oktoberfest Zinzinnati lures more than half-a-million people to its five stages of continuous live German music, more than 40 food and drink vendors, a colorful parade of folks donning ethnic outfits, beer stein races, Running of the Wieners (daschunds) and the annual Largest Chicken Dance. Admission is free.
11 a.m. to midnight, Saturday, Sept. 19, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, on Fifth Street from Race Street to Broadway in downtown Cincinnati. For information about nearby hotels, event dates and times and more, go to Oktoberfestzinzinnati.com
Surrender, Dorothy!
Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion take the yellow brick road back to Chesterton, Ind., for the 28th Wizard of Oz Festival. With the 2009 theme is "There's No Place Like Home," the fest celebrates the book and film with official Oz characters and celebrities available for autographs, a collection of Judy Garland's original gowns, a kickoff gala, artisan and crafter booths, a Munchkin Kid Zone and contests.
6 to 11 p.m. (gala) Friday, Sept. 18; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20. Just south of I-80, exit 31, on Highway 49, Chesterton, Ind. (219) 926-9900 or OzFestivalChesterton.com
Worth the trip
Take a trip to the Great White Way with hosts who really know live theater. Noreen Heron & Associates Inc., a Chicago-based public relations firm specializing in entertainment, offers its first annual Chicago to New York tour that includes round-trip airfare, accommodations at the four-star Sheraton Manhattan Hotel and tickets to New York's two hottest Broadway shows "A Steady Rain" and "Billy Elliot." Guests can enjoy a talk-back session with the producer of "A Steady Rain," dinner at Tavern on the Green; transportation between the airport, hotel and restaurant; and admission to a choice of six tourist attractions. Rates, per person are: $1,999 for single occupancy, $1,799 for double occupancy, $1,599 for triple occupancy and $1,399 for quadruple occupancy.
Thursday to Sunday, Oct. 15-18. (773) 969-5200 or visit heronpr.com.