CONCIERGE UNLIMITED INTERNATIONAL March 2012 FXOWXUDOXSGDWH Volume XXII—Issue III
.H\,Q $UWV0XVHXPV through +RW6SRW+RWHODWD9HU\&RRO5DWH 11 Light Years Art Institute A client contacted CUI in need of a large hotel suite for a “girls’ 4/16 Charles James: Genius Deconstructed Chicago History Museum weekend” with friends. The client’s friend had booked two rooms on 4/22 Animals Around the World Art Institute her own at a hotel in the Loop, but the rooms were not connecting 4/22 Opening the Vaults: Mummies Field Museum rooms. The client also didn’t want her friends to be all the way in the 5/20 Schiff Foundation: Selections Art Institute Loop when all the activities they had planned were in the River North, 6/3 This Will Have Been MCA Streeterville and Gold Coast areas. With CUI’s extensive relationships 9/3 Genghis Khan Field Museum with the best hotels around, a Premium Suite at a top hotel in the Gold opens Coast was quickly arranged, with plenty of room for all four guests. In 9 Science on the Half Shell Field Museum addition, the client and her friends were accommodated at the CUI 15 Mythbusters: The Explosive Exhibition MSI preferred rate, saving them $200 off the regular rate! 30-4/1 Chicago Int’l Vintage Poster Fair Cultural Center ongoing Deep Space Adventure Adler Planetarium :H5HFRPPHQG Jellies Shedd Aquarium Science Storms MSI In celebration of March Madness, all three Tuscany Restaurant loca- around the globe tions will feature a different, reasonably-priced lasagna each day of through the week, March 19-30. Varieties will include Ricotta Lasagna, Pollo 4/2 Ellsworth Kelly: Prints and Paintings LACMA, Los Angeles Lasagna and Primavera Lasagna. 5/6 Van Gogh Up Close Philadelphia Museum
Trattoria Gianni at 1711 North Halsted has been serving Italian %DOOHW'DQFH favorites for 23 years in the heart of Lincoln Park. The restaurant will 8-10 SPDW Dance: Fifteen Victory Gardens Theatre be celebrating the grand opening of a new, expanded al fresco dining 9-10 Giordano Jazz Dance: Passion/Fire Harris Theatre area this spring! 15-18 Hubbard Street Dance Spring Series Harris Theatre The Chicago International Vintage Poster Fair brings over 25 inter- 22-25 American Ballet Theatre: Giselle Auditorium Theatre national dealers with more than 10,000 original vintage posters for 24 Luna Negra Dance Theater Harris Theater sale to the Chicago Cultural Center on the weekend of March 31- April 1, with a Friday evening preview to benefit the Art Institute on &KLOGUHQ)DPLO\ Friday, March 30. 11 Stars On Ice Allstate Arena 16-18 Disney Live! Three Classic Fairy Tales Rosemont Theatre
5/3-6 Sesame Street Live Rosemont Theatre 1HZ1HZV through 5/20 Snow White Apollo Theater RPM Italian recently opened in the former Ben Pao space at 52 West 5/27 Pinkalicious Broadway Playhouse Illinois Street in River North. Celebrity couple Bill and Giuliana Rancic have teamed up with Lettuce Entertain You and chef Doug Psaltis to &ODVVLFDO6\PSKRQ\ present Italian cuisine (with a few of Giuliana’s family recipes) in a at Symphony Center modern setting. 1-3 Mahler Das Lied von der Erde; CSO; J.Nott, cond. Brides-to-be take note: Vera Wang Chicago is now open at the corner of 4 Richard Goode: Schumann, Brahms, Chopin; R. Goode, piano Rush & Oak Streets, above the ultra-posh Hermès shop. The 5,000 sq. 8,10 Muti and Zukerman; CSO; R. Muti, cond., P. Zukerman, ft. store carries everything from Vera Wang’s most recent bridal collec- violin tion to gorgeous accessories and the Lavender shoe collection. 15-17 Muti Conducts Cherubini Requiem; CSO and Chorus; R. Muti, cond.; A. Mizrahi, narrator 22,24 Russian Masters; CSO; K. Petrenko, cond. :LQH,QVLJKW 29-4/1 Uchida Plays Mozart; CSO; M. Uchida, conductor and piano at Harris Theater For March, our connoisseur Bernard Guinand presents “Spring is in the Air: 26 Music of the Baroque: Handel’s Allegro; MOB Chorus Let’s Cook with Wine!” Visit www.conciergeunlimited.com to view this and Orchestra; J. Glover, cond. month’s Wine Insight. &RQFLHUJH8QOLPLWHG,QWHUQDWLRQDO&XOWXUDO8SGDWH0DUFK 2SHUD Lyric Opera of Chicago &RQFHUW5RFN%OXHV-D]] 1-17 Showboat by J. Kern / O. Hammerstein; J. DeMain, cond. 2 The Chieftains Symphony Center 4-24 Rinaldo by G. Handel 7-8 The Head and the Heart The Vic 6-25 Aida by G. Verdi; R. Palumbo, cond. 9 Gomez The Vic Metropolitan Opera, NYC 9 Lady Antebellum Allstate Arena 1-17 Khovanshchina by M. Mussorgsky; K. Petrenko, cond. 9 Lyle Lovett & John Hiatt Star Plaza Theatre 2,8 Madama Butterfly by G. Puccini; P. Domingo, cond. 10 Kelly Clarkson Horseshoe Casino 5-31 L’Elisir d’Amore by G. Donizetti; D. Renzetti, cond. 16 Gaelic Storm Riviera Theatre 19 Black Keys United Center 7KHDWUH 19 Fiona Apple Lincoln Hall through 22-23 B.B. King House of Blues 11 Megacosm A Red Orchid Theatre 23 George Benson Chicago Theatre 11 The Feast: An Intimate Tempest Chicago Shakespeare Theatre 24 Saw Doctors The Vic 25 The Convert Goodman Theatre 25 Boyz II Men House of Blues 25 Gypsy Drury Lane Oakbrook 26-27 Magnetic Fields The Vic 4/1 Legally Blonde Marriott Lincolnshire 30 Of Monsters and Men Park West 6/24 The Doyle & Debbie Show Royal George Theatre 30-31 Jeff Tweedy The Vic 9/2 Million Dollar Quartet Apollo Theater opens 6SRUWV 3-4/8 Camino Real Goodman Theatre 6-25 Bring It On: The Musical Cadillac Palace Theatre ♦Bulls ♦Blackhawks ♦ Wolves 13-18 Riverdance Ford Center/Oriental Theatre 5 Indiana 9 New York 4 Oklahoma City 21-4/22 Cascabel Lookingglass Theatre 8 Orlando 11 Los Angeles 7 Milwaukee 27-4/8 Fela! Oriental Theatre 10 Utah 13 St. Louis 14 Peoria 4/5 The March Steppenwolf Theatre 12 New York 18 Washington 24 Hamilton 4/8 A Midsummer Night’s Dream Shakespeare Theater 14 Miami 21 Vancouver 25 Houston open run 16 Portland 25 Nashville Blue Man Group Briar Street Theatre 17 Philadelphia 29 St. Louis Sky’s the Limit (Weather Permitting) Second City 24 Toronto 100th Revue Second City 26 Denver around the globe 30 Florida through also 17 Crazy For You London, UK 9-10 Monster Truck Nationals Sears Center 7/1 How to Succeed in Business... New York, NY 11 Stars on Ice 2012 Tour Allstate Arena 9/2 Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark New York, NY 23 State High School Hockey Champ. United Center 28 All-American Games H.S. Basketball United Center 6QHDN3UHYLHZV 6SHFLDO6HDVRQDO 4/1 Van Halen Allstate Arena 4/5-6/3 Jersey Boys Bank of America Theatre 2-4 World of Wheels Donald E. Stephens 4/18-29 Being Shakespeare Broadway Playhouse 10-18 Chicago Flower & Garden Show Navy Pier 4/19 Daniel Tosh Chicago Theatre 11 South Side Irish Parade Beverly/Western Ave. 4/21 The Iceman Cometh Goodman Theatre 16 William Shatner: Shatner’s World Auditorium Theatre 5/1-6 Cats Cadillac Palace Theatre 17 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Columbus & Balbo 6/8 Roger Waters Wrigley Field 25 Greek Independence Day Parade Halsted & Randolph 6/9 Brad Paisley Wrigley Field 30-31 Celtic Woman Rosemont Theatre 6/15 Aziz Ansari Chicago Theatre through 6/20-24 Cirque du Soleil: Dralion Allstate Arena 11 McCormick Tribune Ice Rink Millennium Park 7/6 Neil Diamond United Center 4/8 Hancock Observatory Ice Rink John Hancock Building 7/12-14 Barry Manilow Chicago Theatre around the globe 7/20-21 Cirque du Soleil: Michael Jackson United Center 16-4/8 Monte Carlo Spring Festival Monte Carlo, Monaco 12/11 The Book of Mormon Bank of America Theatre 20-4/27 Cherry Blossom Festival Centennial Washington, D. C. 7/27-8/12 2012 Summer Olympic Games London, U.K. Contact your CUI concierge for top tickets to all upcoming events!
:HDUH\RXUWLPHVDYLQJFRQFLHUJHVHUYLFHDQGUHVRXUFHIRUORFDOQDWLRQDODQGLQWHUQDWLRQDOQHHGV &RQFLHUJH8QOLPLWHG,QWHUQDWLRQDO&XOWXUDO8SGDWH0DUFK
+DSS\6W3DWULFN·V'D\ 1&$$0DUFK0DGQHVV
Erin go bragh! From shillelaghs to soda bread, Concierge Unlimited The 2012 NCAA Basketball Tournament begins on March 13, and International holds the key to your greenest and greatest St. Patrick’s Day 68 schools will battle it out on courts around the country to make it to celebrations. the championship game on April 2 at the Superdome in New Orleans. There’s no need to travel far and wide to get in on the action, 3/2-7: Chicago Irish Film Festival however. Here are some local options for festive viewing. The 13th anuual Chicago Irish Film Festival highlights the best work ♦ Bull & Bear of emerging and established Irish filmmakers. Bull & Bear is a luxury multi-media sports emporium, with a full (Beverly Arts Center) menu, personal table taps and 25 plasma screen TVs. 3/4: Wearing of the Green Dinner Dance ♦ Ditka’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations begin with the IAHC’s fifth annual Wear- For a more refined game-viewing atmosphere, Ditka’s steakhouses ing of the Green Dinner Dance. Festivities include dinner, live music, in the Gold Coast and Oakbrook Terrace offer stellar menus and a spot prizes and a raffle. variety of private dining options. (5:00 - 10:00 p.m. at the Irish American Heritage Center) ♦ Joe’s Bar 3/11: South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade Joe’s Bar on Weed Street is a massive warehouse-style venue special- izing in sports, live music and private parties, with 110 plasma After a brief hiatus, the South Side Parade is back. Despite its rowdy TVs and HD projector screens for optimal viewing. reputation from years past, the rejuvinated parade promises a more family-friendly atmosphere. The parade begins at 11:00 a.m. and ♦ Mother Hubbard’s proceeds down Western Avenue from 103rd Street to 115th Street. Visit ESPN’s preferred venue for NCAA sponsor parties. This classic Chicago sports destination features seven 10 ft. screens so you’ll be 3/12: Siamsa na nGael sure to see all the action. This annual event at Symphony Center offers world-class Celtic ♦ enertainment courtesy of the Metropolis Symphony Orchestra, Old St. Theory Patrick’s Concert Choir, the Trinity Irish Dancers and narrator Brian Pop in to Theory for a casual drink, or reserve the VIP room for a big Dennehy. celebration at this upscale River North sports lounge. (7:30 p.m. at Symphony Center) &RQJUDWXODWLRQVWR·V 3/17: St. Patrick’s Day Cruise -DPHV%HDUG$ZDUG1RPLQHHV Shoreline Sightseeing conducts its famous St. Patrick’s Day cruise on the green Chicago River. Traditional Irish fare will be served while do- See what all the buzz is about and experience the world-class cuisine cents highlight the Irish community’s role in shaping modern Chicago. of the area’s best chefs. Contact your CUI concierge today for top table (10:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m., Odgen Slip at Navy Pier) reservations! ♦ Best New Restaurant: Bistronomic, Next 3/17: St. Patrick’s Day Parade ♦ Outstanding Bar Program: The Aviary, The Violet Hour The big parade takes over Columbus Drive and the river runs green on ♦ Outstanding Chef: Carrie Nahabedian, Naha; Paul Kahan, Saturday, March 17. The festivities begin at 10:45 a.m. Blackbird; Tony Mantuano, Spiaggia (12:00 noon, Columbus Drive from Balbo to Monroe) ♦ Outstanding Pastry Chef: Patrick Fahy, Café des Architectes; Mindy Segal, Mindy’s HotChocolate 3/17: St. Patrick’s Festival ♦ Outstanding Restaurant: Tru The fun doesn’t have to end after the parade is over. Head over to the ♦ Outstanding Retaurateur: Donnie Madia, One Off Hospitality St. Patrick’s Festival for a family-friendly celebration with traditional ♦ Outstanding Service: Spiaggia; Topolobampo Irish food, dance. music and children’s activities. ♦ Outstanding Wine Program: Sepia (1:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. at the Irish American Heritage Center) ♦ Rising Star Chef of the Year: Dave Beran, Next; Matthew Kirkley, L2O; David Posey, Blackbird 3/18: St. Paddy’s 5K Run/Walk ♦ Best Chef, Great Lakes: Josh Adams, June (Peoria Heights); Don’t put away the green just yet. Work off the holiday calories with Michael Carlson, Schwa; Stephanie Izard, Girl & the Goat; Martial a 5K run/walk in Lincoln Park. The event features the “Leprechaun Noguier, Bistronomic; Chris Nugent, Goosefoot; Bruce Sherman, Leap,” a fun-filled kids’ dash, and a post run/walk at the Peggy Note- North Pond; Giuseppe Tentori, GT Fish & Oyster; Paul Virant, Vie, baert Nature Museum. (Western Springs); Andrew Zimmerman, Sepia (10:00 a.m. at Cannon Drive and Fullerton)
)RUPRUHHYHQWLQIRUPDWLRQ9,3UHVWDXUDQW KRWHODFFRPPRGDWLRQVRUWRSWLFNHWVFRQWDFW&RQFLHUJH8QOLPLWHG,QWHUQDWLRQDO \RXUWLPHVDYLQJFRQFLHUJHVHUYLFHDQGUHVRXUFHIRUORFDOQDWLRQDODQGLQWHUQDWLRQDOQHHGV &RQFLHUJH8QOLPLWHG,QWHUQDWLRQDO&XOWXUDO8SGDWH0DUFK 6SULQJ6XPPHU&RQFHUW3UHYLHZ Concierge Unlimited international holds the key to your VIP access to the .H\5HDVRQV hottest upcoming concergs. Contact your CUI concierge today for tickets! &OLHQWV5HO\RQ&8, 4/1 Van Halen, Allstate Arena 4/5 Guster, The Vic ast-minute Libations 4/5 Thomas Dolby, Park West L A client was invited to an exclusive, last minute VIP 4/6-7 English Beat, SPACE wine tasting at a wine cellar. Wanting to make an impres- sion and not show up empty handed, the client wisely 4/7 Erykah Badu, Arie Crown Theater contacted their CUI concierge for assistance. The CUI 4/10 Preservation Hall Jazz Band, SPACE team was able to recommend and secure a quality bottle 4/12 Rodrigo y Gabriela, Chicago Theatre of wine, along with tasting notes, and have it delivered to 4/16 Daryl Hall, Auditorium Theatre the client, all within the hour! 4/16-17 Death Cab for Cutie, Chicago Theatre 4/19 Leon Russell, Mayne Stage eekend Warrior A client had placed an order for breakfast the 4/21 Snow Patrol, Aragon Ballroom W week before New Year’s Eve, and the company was to be 4/22 Counting Crows, Riviera Theatre closed for a four-day weekend the following week. The cli- 4/27 Gipsy Kings, Chicago Theatre ent received last minute changes to her meeting over the 5/2-3 Yanni, Chicago Theatre holiday weekend, and texted the new meeting details to 5/11 St. Vincent, The Vic her CUI concierge. The CUI team was able to secure the 5/12 Andrew Bird, Auditorium Theatre catering changes and reconfirm all the arrangements—all during the CUI concierge’s holiday weekend days off! 5/13 Chris Botti, Rosemont Theater The client was extremely grateful for the help, and the 5/15 Steve Winwood, Chicago Theatre meeting went off without a hitch. 5/17 Mark Lanegan Band, Metro 5/19-20 Bonnie Raitt, Chicago Theatre 3XW&8,\RXUVDYY\VDYLRUWRZRUN > 5/21-22 Beach Boys, Chicago Theatre 5/22 M. Ward, The Vic 5/28 Red Hot Chili Peppers, Allstate Arena 5/30 Nickleback, Allstate Arena Save your valuable time and let us be At Your Service 6/2 Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, Chicago Theatre ♦Catering & Corporate Dinners♦ 6/8 Roger Waters, Wrigley Field ♦Entertainment♦ ♦ ♦ 6/9 Brad Paisley, Wrigley Field Favorable Hotel Rates ♦Flowers & Unique Gifts♦ 6/10 New Edition, UIC Pavilion ♦ VIP Restaurant Reservations♦ 6/28-29 Ministry, The Vic ♦Private & Corporate Events ♦ 7/6 Heart, The Venue at Horseshoe Casino ♦Top Tickets: Theatre, Sports, Concerts & more♦ ♦ ♦ 7/6 Neil Diamond, United Center Travel & Transportation 7/8 Ringo Starr, The Venue at Horseshoe Casino Contact Amanda Rubin, your CUI Concierge at 7/12-14 Barry Manilow, Chicago Theatre (312) 692-8140 8/3-5 Lollapalooza, Grant Park [email protected] 8/7-8 Coldplay, United Center www.conciergeunlimited.com 9/19-20 Madonna, United Center
6XJJHVWLRQV We invite your suggestions for future issues of Cultural Update. Are there cultural events you would like us to highlight? Do you have feedback about a restaurant or event that we have WRWKH recommended? Let us know what you think! Please feel free to contact the editor via email at (GLWRU [email protected] or by phone at (312) 220-0500.
2011 Concierge Unlimited International, hereinafter CUI. All rights reserved. Cultural data subject to change. This CUI Cultural Update is the sole and exclusive property of CUI. It shall not be, in whole or in part, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitte d in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, record- ing, or other without written permission of CUI.