Cook County Entertainment
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Indoor playground and adventure park Lava Island to make Illinois debut in KildeerNov 12, 2025 4:35 pm - A former Best Buy store in Kildeer will become home to the first Lava Island Indoor Play Oasis in Illinois. The relative newcomer to the family entertainment scene opened its first location in Aurora, Colorado, in 2018 and is in a growth mode envisioning dozens of locations across the country.
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Chef reconnects with Mexican roots at Salsa 17 in Arlington HeightsNov 12, 2025 11:33 am - After more than 30 years as an executive chef in Italian restaurants and steakhouses, Cesar Gutierrez is reconnecting with his Mexican roots as he takes over the kitchen at Salsa 17 in Arlington Heights.
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Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestras embrace ‘Time’ in 50th anniversary seasonNov 11, 2025 11:14 pm - The Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestras launches its 50th anniversary season on Nov. 16 with the world premiere of a new trumpet concerto titled "Past Time" by composer Brandon Ridenour.
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Chubby Cattle’s all-you-can-eat Wagyu barbecue coming to Rosemont in 2026Nov 11, 2025 6:06 pm - Chubby Cattle BBQ, specializing in tableside barbecuing of Wagyu beef, is set to open in Rosemont’s entertainment district in summer 2026.
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Dining out: Velvet Taco opens Monday in Naperville, plus National Pickle Day and moreNov 11, 2025 4:20 pm - Velvet Taco opens Monday in Naperville’s Block 59, with giveaways and more. Plus, Friday is National Pickle Day, and Jason’s Deli is rewarding social media posters with 100-gallon buckets of pickles.
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Elmhurst’s GreenMan Theatre puts out call for plays for its sixth annual ‘8 to the Bar’ festivalNov 11, 2025 3:42 pm - GreenMan Theatre Troupe has selected “Lights! Camera! Action!” as the prompt for its sixth annual play festival of eight 10-minute plays — “8 to the Bar” — to be performed July 2026 in Villa Park, Ill.
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Performing live never gets old for Grand Funk Railroad playing Rivers Casino SaturdayNov 11, 2025 2:14 pm - He’s played it a million times, but Grand Funk Railroad’s Don Brewer never tires of performing “We’re an American Band.” “I get a charge when I see the audience get up on their feet and they’re all having a good time.” The band headlines Rivers Casino Des Plaines Saturday, Nov. 15.
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Best Bets: Illumination: Tree Lights at Morton Arboretum and Lightscape at Chicago Botanic GardenNov 11, 2025 11:20 am - Let there be light as Illumination: Tree Lights returns to Morton Arboretum in Lisle and Lightscape opens at Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe. Plus, Steve Cochran and friends perform stand-up in Aurora, and Metropolis hosts “Let’s Hang On: A Rock ’N Soul Party.”
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From continuing education to bestseller: Author Shelby Van Pelt’s journey to successNov 10, 2025 6:39 pm - Shelby Van Pelt developed early drafts of her novel “Remarkably Bright Creatures” in a College of DuPage continuing education writing workshop, highlighting the importance of being surrounded by a community of like-minded learners and the value of diverse perspectives and experiences.
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Spotlight: Buffalo Theatre’s ‘Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley’ and Goodman’s ‘Christmas Carol’ take the stageNov 10, 2025 11:48 am - Holiday shows commencing this week include Buffalo Theatre Ensemble’s “Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley,” Goodman Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol” and The Second City’s “Jack Frost Roasting on an Open Fire” at Aurora’s Copley Theatre.