Soleil's (so-LAZE) To-Dos Event Calendar

. . . so-LAZE around or choose a Soleil's To-Do!

Fall To-Dos Harvest!
Sophisticated To-Dos for Sophisticated Appetites

November 14, 2007

Okay-so the outdoor festivals are over, but To-Dos are still going strong! Maybe Fall isn't so bad after all. It's a period of rejuvenation; of calm, before the slumber of winter, which precedes the green of spring and the returning warmth of summer! In this great city of Chicago, there's always something To-Do, and Soleil's To-Dos has a bountiful harvest of To-Dos! Whether you take it indoors with film festivals, theater or live music; outdoors with hiking or skiing; or, out-of-town to a warmer climate - www.SoleilsToDos.com is the place to get started. So I'm going to revel in it - and here are a few ways that you can, too! (And please don't keep Soleil's To-Dos to yourself - forward this message to your friends!)

Stephanie!

Starving for a Fabulous Fall View? Visit Starved Rock!

So - here's something great To-Do: enjoy the beautiful colors of Fall at Starved Rock State Park! We're in that transitional period where we no longer hang around outside in a leisurely way, but we also want to make sure that we milk the "warm" weather down to the last little ounce. Just a little over an hour and a half from the Chicago, Utica, Illinois makes a great weekend destination or day trip. Enjoy horseback-riding, hiking, boating, fishing or a good old-fashioned picnic! For more information, visit Starved Rock!

Deeply Rooted Productions' Mature H.O.T. Women Dance Classes

The Mature H.O.T Women's Program liberates the spirit of the dancer to reign free in every cosmopolitan woman. This workshop is designed to strengthen the body, challenge the mind, and nourish the soul through the synergy of modern, ballet and jazz techniques.

As part of my 2007 "exploration of creativity" mission, I decided to enroll in the Mature H.O.T. (Health-conscious, Optimistic and Triumphant) Women dance class with Deeply Rooted Productions. I expected to get a good workout and maybe acquire some grace, but the surprising part was the sense of freedom and the spiritual nurturing that I received. The classes (they had to add a second class because of overwhelming interest!) met once a week for two hours and was comprised of women aged from maybe 30 - 65. Each week was a beautiful and uplifting experience as I witnessed women of various sizes and shapes proudly move their bodies and become even more comfortable with themselves. Our instructors, who addressed us as "dancers" (yes, I am now a dancer!) from day one, were men who embodied grace and positivity and provided constant affirmations. The experience was so much more than I expected! Click on the photo to view a slideshow for a taste of the experience!

For more information, visit Deeply Rooted!

**Stay tuned for "Back to School" on www.SoleilsToDos.com!

Soleil's Pick of the Week - Measha!

Divalicious!

Noted by the San Francisco Chronicle as "a singer of rare gifts and artistic intensity" and by the Miami Herald for possessing "a superb voice capable of just about everything," Canadian soprano Measha Brueggergosman has emerged as one of the most magnificent performers and vibrant personalities of the day. She is critically acclaimed by the international press as much for her innate musicianship and voluptuous voice as for a sovereign stage presence far beyond her years. Her extraordinary versatility, intuitive musicality, and radiant star quality have yielded an exclusive recording contract with Deutsche Grammophon. Her first recording on the label, Surprise, will be released in North America in autumn 2007.

Check out Measha on Friday, November 16th. If I really had my act together, I'd invite 12 single subscribers to share a limo and cocktails and dinner and the performance and post-performance drinks and desert! I'll work on that for this or another To-Do - so stay tuned!

In the meantime, click on Measha's photo for a really clever Measha video. And, at only $20 a ticket, you could certainly share the experience with an aspiring young vocalist!

Get the full scoop at Soleil's To-Dos!

Special Promotion - The Renaissance Collaborative Annual Gala!

I've been involved with the Board of the Renaissance Collaborative (TRC) since 2000 and I'm immensely proud of our mission to provide innovative housing solutions! Our first project, the award-winnning restoration of Bronzeville' historic "Wabash Y" is running smoothly and we are now embarking upon the development of a Senior Village. The Senior Village will provide three phases of housing for (1) seniors living independently, (2) senior raising grand- or great-grandchildren and (3) assisted living. We'd love to have your support with this tremendous venture!

For tickets, e-mail me at Soleil@SoleilsToDos.com or call (773) 952-6434.

New To-Dos!

Here's a snapshot of what's coming up this week! I admit that this listing isn't exactly technologically advanced, but hey - I'm workin' on it! Visit the website for great interactive options like: sort by category, choose calendar view, download event to your calendar, send text message and e-mail reminders, keyword search - and so much more!

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

� Dance Chicago 2007 Festival � Dance

� Corey Wilkes' "Wednesday Night Smooth Jazz Jam Session" - 7 - 10pm � Live Music

� Live Music at M Lounge - Gary Tu - 7 - 10pm � Live Music

� Far Niente Wine Dinner - 7 - 11pm � Food & Wine

� Carnivale's Live Latin Wednesdays - 7:30 - 11pm � Live Music

� AfroFolk: Ubala y Sus Rolass - 8:30 - 10:30pm � Live Music

Thursday, November 15, 2007

� Dance Chicago 2007 Festival - Thursday, 11/15 � Dance

� eta Literary Series: Timuel D. Black, Jr. - 6 - 8pm � Author/Artist Event

� Close Up 2 - Yaw - 7 - 10pm � Live Music

� Cr�ole (Closing Weekend) - 7:30 - 9:30pm � Theater

� Defiance **Opening Week** - 7:30 - 9:30pm � Theater

� The Craft - Featuring Black Thought, of The Roots - 8pm - 2am � Live Music

� Bourbon at the Border - 8 - 10:30pm � Theater

� Gypsi Fari Reggae Band - 9pm - 2am � Live Music

� Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - 9pm - 12am � Live Music

Friday, November 16, 2007

� Dance Chicago 2007 Festival - Friday, 11/16 � Dance

� Art, Wine, Music! - 5:30 - 8:30pm � Art/Exhibit

� Historic Bronzeville Gallery Trolley Tour - 6 - 9pm � Art/Exhibit

� Thanksgiving 101: Dinner and Demonstration - 7 - 9pm � Food & Wine

� Facets' Night at the Factory Gala - 7 - 11pm � Benefit/Charitable

� Cr�ole (Closing Weekend) - 7:30 - 9:30pm � Theater

� Close Up 2 - Carlos Cannon - 8 - 11pm � Live Music

� Measha Brueggergosman - 8 - 10:30pm � Live Music

� Bourbon at the Border - 8 - 10:30pm � Theater

� Defiance **Opening Week** - 8 - 10pm � Theater

� Sounds So Good Makes You Wanna Holler - 8 - 10pm � Theater

Saturday, November 17, 2007

� Dance Chicago 2007 Festival - Saturday, 11/17 � Dance

� Urban Livin Home Show - 2nd Annual Harvest at Home Show - 11:30am - 4:30pm � Fashion & Design

� Sessions at Hidden Pearl Caf� - 1 - 4pm � Live Music

� The Big Deal - Artist Group Show (Opening Reception) - 3 - 7pm � Art/Exhibit

� All About the Comedy Tour: Mike Epps and Rickey Smiley - 7 - 10pm � Comedy

� Cr�ole (Closing Weekend) - 7:30 - 9:30pm � Theater

� Bourbon at the Border - 8 - 10:30pm � Theater

� Defiance **Opening Week** - 8 - 10pm � Theater

� Sounds So Good Makes You Wanna Holler - 8 - 10pm � Theater

� Water for Chocolate - 9pm - 3am � Party

� Close Up 2 - Carlos Cannon - 10pm - 1am � Live Music

Sunday, November 18, 2007

� Dance Chicago 2007 Festival - Sunday, 11/18 � Dance

� The Big Deal - Artist Group Show & Sale - Sunday, 11/18 � Art/Exhibit

� Defiance **Opening Week** - 2 - 4pm � Theater

� Bourbon at the Border - 3 - 5:30pm � Theater

� Cr�ole (Closing Weekend) - 3 - 5pm � Theater

� Female Styling Stepper's Course - 3:30 - 5pm � Personal Growth & Development

� Sounds So Good Makes You Wanna Holler - 5 - 7pm � Theater

Monday, November 19, 2007

� The Big Deal - Artist Group Show & Sale - Monday, 11/19 � Art/Exhibit

� Defiance - 7 - 9pm � Theater

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

� Dance Chicago 2007 Festival - Tuesday, 11/20 � Dance

� The Big Deal - Artist Group Show & Sale - Tuesday, 11/20 � Art/Exhibit

� Live Music at M Lounge - Julia Huff Trio - 7 - 10pm � Live Music

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

� Dance Chicago 2007 Festival - Wednesday, 11/21 � Dance

� The Big Deal - Artist Group Show & Sale - Wednesday, 11/21 � Art/Exhibit

� Corey Wilkes' "Wednesday Night Smooth Jazz Jam Session" - 7 - 10pm � Live Music

� Live Music at M Lounge - TBD - 7 - 10pm � Live Music

� Carnivale's Live Latin Wednesdays - 7:30 - 11pm � Live Music

� Poi Dog Pondering - 8:30pm - 12:30am � Live Music

Thursday, November 22, 2007

� Dance Chicago 2007 Festival - Thursday, 11/22 � Dance

� The Big Deal - Artist Group Show & Sale - Thursday, 11/22 � Art/Exhibit

� Close Up 2 - Snatch - 7 - 10pm � Live Music

Friday, November 23, 2007

� Dance Chicago 2007 Festival - Friday, 11/23 � Dance

� The Big Deal - Artist Group Show & Sale - Friday, 11/23 � Art/Exhibit

� Close Up 2 - Snatch - 8 - 11pm � Live Music

� Global Ryhthms, featuring Tao - 8 - 10pm � Live Music

� Sounds So Good Makes You Wanna Holler (Closing Week) - 8 - 10pm � Theater

� Bourbon at the Border - 8 - 10:30pm � Theater

� Poi Dog Pondering - 8:30pm - 12:30am � Live Music

Saturday, November 24, 2007

� Dance Chicago 2007 Festival - Saturday, 11/24 � Dance

� The Big Deal - Artist Group Show & Sale - Saturday, 11/24 � Art/Exhibit

� Global Ryhthms, featuring Tao - 8 - 10pm � Live Music

� Sounds So Good Makes You Wanna Holler (Closing Week) - 8 - 10pm � Theater

� Bourbon at the Border - 8 - 10:30pm � Theater

� Defiance - 8 - 10pm � Theater

� Close Up 2 - Snatch - 10pm - 1am � Live Music

Sunday, November 25, 2007

� Dance Chicago 2007 Festival - Sunday, 11/25 � Dance

� Defiance - 2 - 4pm � Theater

� Global Ryhthms, featuring Tao - 3 - 5pm � Live Music

� Bourbon at the Border - 3 - 5:30pm � Theater

� Female Styling Stepper's Course - 3:30 - 5pm � Personal Growth & Development

� Sounds So Good Makes You Wanna Holler (Closing Week) - 5 - 7pm � Theater

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

� Dance Chicago 2007 Festival - Tuesday, 11/27 � Dance

� Live Music at M Lounge - Eric Allen Quartet - 7 - 10pm � Live Music

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

� Dance Chicago 2007 Festival - Wednesday, 11/28 � Dance

� Corey Wilkes' "Wednesday Night Smooth Jazz Jam Session" - 7 - 10pm � Live Music

� Live Music at M Lounge - TBD - 7 - 10pm � Live Music

� M Lounge - Chris Greene Quartet - 7 - 10pm � Live Music

� Carnivale's Live Latin Wednesdays - 7:30 - 11pm � Live Music

� It's A Wonderful Life (Preview Week) - 8 - 10pm � Theater

Thursday, November 29, 2007

� Dance Chicago 2007 Festival - Thursday, 11/29 � Dance

� Black Nativity - Thursday, 11/29 � Theater

� Close Up 2 - Song Bird, Blue Sky Band - 7 - 10pm � Live Music

� Defiance - 7:30 - 9:30pm � Theater

� It's A Wonderful Life (Preview Week) - 8 - 10pm � Theater

� Bourbon at the Border - 8 - 10:30pm � Theater

Friday, November 30, 2007

� Dance Chicago 2007 Festival - Friday, 11/30 � Dance

� Jazz City: Organ Blast - 7:30 - 9:30pm � Live Music

� Close Up 2 - Song Bird, Blue Sky Band - 8 - 11pm � Live Music

� Daryl Hall & John Oates: The Home For Christmas Tour - 8 - 11pm � Live Music

� It's A Wonderful Life (Preview Week) - 8 - 10pm � Theater

� Bourbon at the Border - 8 - 10:30pm � Theater

� Defiance - 8 - 10pm � Theater

Soleil's To-Dos!

www.SoleilsToDos.com