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Old Town Merchants & Residents Association 8/28/09
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It's still summer in Old Town!

DEAR OLD TOWN NEIGHBOR, 
There's back to school sales, the Air and Water Show is over, and it's been gray for days.  Fret not -- Summer is still here! There's a three day weekend to lounge at North Avenue Beach, and we're two weeks out from the Old Town Wine Crush, Music, and Comedy Fest! 
 

THE SEVENTH ANNUAL OLD TOWN WINE CRUSH, MUSIC, AND COMEDY FEST!!!

Join the fun at the 7th Annual Old Town Wine Crush, Music, and Comedy Festival.  This year the festival will begin on Saturday, September 12th at 11am and close its gates at 6pm on Sunday, September 13th. 
If the name seems a bit longer than you remember, it's because there is more to this festival than just wine tasting this year!  The music and comedy line-ups are out of this world!
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The headliner on Saturday at 8pm is the GIN BLOSSOMS! Sunday's music stage kicks off at noon with TRUE PRAISE CHORALE, a gospel choir that has performed at the House of Blues among other venues. 
 
In addition to music, there are several comedy acts -- both solo and troupes -- that will be featured on a separate stage.  On a third -- yes third -- stage, there will be food demonstrations from local chefs and specialty food merchants.
 
And it wouldn't be a Wine Crush if there wasn't a wine tasting tent!  This year the multiple tents have been consolidated into one tent featuring an international array of upscale wines curated by House Of Glunz's Christopher Donovan.  Wine tasting runs from 1pm - 6pm both Saturday and Sunday. 
 
The grape stomp is taking place both days as well.  Teams of two will compete for pizes on both Saturday and Sunday at 1:45pm in front of the main music stage at the north end of Wells Street.  For more information on signing up for the stomp, the wine tasting, and complete music, comedy, and food demonstration schedule, CLICK HERE!
Events in and Around Old Town
**CAPS Meeting at the Near North Branch of the Chicago Public Library
Tuesday, September 1st, 6:30pm
1821/1823 Beat Meeting
310 W. Division
 
**CAPS Meeting at Shenanigans HOB
Thursday, September 3rd, 3:00pm
16 W. Division
Meeting of the Hospitality Sub-Committee
 
**7th Annual Old Town Wine Crush, Music, and Comedy Festival
Saturday, September 12th 11am-10pm
Sunday, September 13th, 11am-6pm
Wells Street from North Avenue to Schiller
 
**Chicago Tech Expo '09
Thursday, October 1st 
UIC Forum
***The Chicago TechExpo introduces and connects small business owners to technology solutions to grow and evolve their businesses. The one-day conference and exposition provides relevant, training and education, to allow business owners to learn how technology can improve operations, minimize time spent on administrative tasks, market their business and increase sales by using a very powerful tool: technology.  LEARN MORE ONLINE!
Thanks to the chef, management, and staff of Eivissa for your generous hospitality on Wednesday August 26th for the OTMRA SUMMER SOCIAL!
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Old Town keeps rocking and if you're not paying attention you might miss something -- new businesses, street fairs, new theatre and comedy. . . .  Don't take your surroundings for granted -- get out there and meet your neighbors!
 
Sincerely,
 

Old Town Merchants & Residents Association
In This Issue
Wine Crush, Music, and Comedy Fest
Events in Old Town
Summer Social Pictures
Red Orchid's Next Show
Old Town Social OPENS!
OSCAR AND EMMY NOMINATED THEATRE IN OLD TOWN

What do you get when you cross a local Oscar-nominated actor, an Emmy-nominated playwright, and a storefront threatre in Old Town on Wells Street? 

The answer is a world premiere play at A Red Orchid Theatre written by Craig Wright and co-starring AROT co-founder Michael Shannon. 

Would you like to be a part of the celebration?  Visit A Red Orchid Online to order tickets for the exciting opening night gala or simply to find a night to catch the show during the run.  MISTAKES WERE MADE opens on Friday, September 11th and closes October 18th.  A Red Orchid Theatre is located at 1531 N. Wells Street in between Eivissa and Subway.
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OLD TOWN SOCIAL OPENS THIS WEEKEND!
Old Town's newest meeting place is opening this weekend on the corner of North and Cleveland (455 W. North Ave). 
Old Town Social offers a huge beer list, a charcuterie bar with house-made soppressata, mortadella, and pepperoni; and an atmosphere compared to "a turn of the century mansion dropped into an airplane hangar."
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Old Town Social opens to the public this weekend on Saturday the 29th at 5:00pm and Sunday the 30th at  5:00pm.  Regulare hours are M-F 5pm - 2am, Saturday 11am-3am, and Sunday 11am-2pm.  Check them out at their website!