Sophisticated To-Dos for Sophisticated Appetites |
Greetings, Sophisticate!
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(clockwise from top: Me, Mom and big sis, Tynesha) |
Looking for something To-Do for Mother's Day? I've got a few ideas for you below! How 'bout giving Mom a vote in the matter? Visit www.SoleilsToDos.com, check the little boxes to the left of those To-Dos that you think she'd enjoy. Then, under "Event Actions" (just below the To-Do categories), choose "Forward to Friends" and follow the simple instructions from there. If Mom isn't tech-savvy, print out each To-Do individually and let her browse through your selections! |
Beyond Mother's Day, there are soooooooooo many fabulous To-Dos in store for you! Really - I get so geeked 'round about 2am as I feverishly go about foraging for summer To-Dos! Don't miss a thing - take advantage of the calendar features by dowloading To-Dos to your own calendar program or sending yourself an e-mail or text message reminder!
* World Kitchen cooking classes at the Chicago Cultural Center have already started! Make sure your summer picnics come correct by enrolling in "Perfect Picnics in the Park." To find other World Kitchen classes, simply type "World Kitchen" in the "SEARCH" box on the Home page or To-Dos page. Find other cooking classes by clicking "None" next to "Mix-In" (to the right of the category listings) and then click on "Food & Wine." Classes sell out quickly, so don't wait!
* The Ravinia Festival line-up is now available! Be on the look out for Roberta Flack, Al Jarreau, Donna Summer, Dianne Reeves, UB40 (be sure to bring a bottle of red, red wine for this one) and many more! Selecting the "Live Music" category will yield a ton of results, so instead, search by keyword "Ravinia."
* In one stop, find dang near all the festivals, Music In the Parks, Movies In the Parks, Outdoor Film Festival, Summer Dance, Tuesdays on the Terrace, Jazzin' at the Shedd . . . Do I need to continue? I certainly could, but I'm sure you get it - find it all at www.SoleilsToDos.com.
Don't leave your friends out in the cold - shine the rays of Soleil's To-Dos on 'em!
Happy Mother's Day, Moms!
Stephanie!
(I've collected a ton of books for a friend's non-profit organization and now she's MIA!!! If you know of an organization who would like the donation - and will pick the books up - I'd appreciate the referral!) |
| LAUREN'S LAUDARE - THEATER REVIEW |
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 THE BALLAD OF EMMETT TILL
We all know the story of Emmett Till - we cringe when we think of this horrific crime adults inflicted on a defenseless child. We are mystified that adult men could be so threatened by the innocent whistle of a young boy. We are hurt by the psychic costs Till's uncle, aunt and cousins endured throughout their lives over Till's murder - the pain of being unable to protect one of their own. We are saddened by the decades of pain Mamie Till Mobley endured. But we lift our heads with pride as we consider her bravery - she directed the casket be open so the world could see the horror inflicted upon her son. That decision helped fan the flames of a burgeoning Civil Rights Movement. Because of Mamie Till Mobley, we know Emmett Till and what his life - and death - meant.
.jpg) If you know the story, then you do not need to see this play. Unfortunately, the play brought nothing new to the story. I expected to be deeply moved - to feel a full range of emotions, some pleasant and not so pleasant. I initially did not want to see the show because I did not want to brace myself to revisit another example of how horrible human beings can be. I went because we are better as human beings, we grow as human beings, when we confront the pain and least pleasant aspects of life and human behavior. My expectations were not met. [Cont'd]
-Lauren Comments? E-mail me at: Lauren@SoleilsToDos.com
The Ballad of Emmett Till continues through June 1st at the Goodman Theater.
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| DINING OUT! RESTAURANT REVIEW |
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Soleil's To-Dos extends a huge welcome to Fête Select TV - a new feature provided by eFête - the World's Premier Dining Network! Fête's mission is "to join the passion for dining with the desire to explore new cultures and entertainment experiences." Check out their website to explore their events and past reviews, but rest assured you'll also find their To-Dos on Soleil's To-Dos!
The Drawing Room
Located at 937 N. Rush street in Chicago, The Drawing Room draws you in with a contemporary, loungy feel, chic decor and an intimate atmosphere.
(Click above to view the video!)
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| GETAWAY TO-DO IT! BARBADOS GOSPELFEST |
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 Send Mom Packin'!
Mom wouldn't mind a little late celebration - if that celebration takes place in Barbados! From May 18-25, she can enjoy the 16th Annual GospelFest at a perfect getaway spot. Then start planning your own getaway with a visit to GetAway To-Do It!
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MOTHER'S DAY TO-DOS! |
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| To-Dos are added on a daily basis, so don't stop here! Visit Soleil's To-Dos for the most current information.
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"Aqua Couleur Collection," An Exhibit by Adrienne Haqque
Sunday, 5/11
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eta Creative Arts Foundation, 7558 South South Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, (773) 752-3955 |
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An educator and a native of Chicago, IL, Adrienne Haqque specializes in landscapes, still life, abstracts and jewelry, a talent passed down from her parents. Her vibrant, artistic flair and colorful approach to her palette is unique. Says Haqque, [more] | |
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Black Is, Black Ain't
Sunday, 5/11, 12 - 5pm
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Bergman Gallery, Cobb Hall 418, 5811 S. Ellis Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60637 (773) 702-8670 |
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Carl Pope
Exhibition poster, 2008
24 x 18 inches
Taking its title from Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man, this exhibition will explore a shift in the rhetoric of race from an earlier emphasis on inclusion to a present moment where racial identity is being [more] | |
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Puddn'head Wilson (Opening Week)
Sunday, 5/11, 3 - 5pm
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City Lit Theater Company, 1020 W Bryn Mawr Avenue, Chicago, Illinois (773) 293-3682 |
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World Premiere Adaptation of Mark Twains Pudd'nhead Wilson Concludes City Lits 28th Season
A world premiere City Lit adaptation of Mark Twains final novel set in America, Pudd'nhead Wilson, will begin previews on Friday, May 2 and open for the press [more]
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She Calls Up The Sun
Sunday, 5/11, 3:30 - 5:30pm
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Victory Gardens Greenhouse Theater, 2257 North Lincoln, Chicago, Illinois (773) 871-3000 |
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Painted in darkly rich, and warm hues She Calls up the Sun is a tale of a "coastal woman" who in her search for faith and forgiveness uses both needle and thread, to confront the ghosts of her past. Every character struggles to navigate the difficult [more] | |
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Sesame Street Live "Elmo Makes Music"
Sunday, 5/11, 4:30 - 6pm
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Rosemont Theatre, 5400 North River Road, Rosemont, IL |
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Mark your calendar for a musical event like no other-monsters making music! Elmo, Zoe, Big Bird and all their Sesame Street friends are taking to the stage to share their love of music in Sesame Street Live "Elmo Makes Music."
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Soleil's Take: While listening to NPR one morning, I heard an interview with Kevin Clash - the African-American voice behind Elmo! Apparently, inspired by Sesame Street, he began making puppets at the age of ten. Who knew?!?! Okay, maybe you parents out there did, but if you'd like to find out more, click the headline for details. | |
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Checkmates
Sunday, 5/11, 6 - 8pm
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eta Creative Arts Foundation, 7558 South South Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, (773) 752-3955 |
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Written by Ron Milner
Directed by Aaron Todd Douglas
A soul-searching examination of marriage as experienced by an upwardly mobile couple and one steeped more in tradition.
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CheckerJazz: Bill McFarland & the Chicago Horns
Sunday, 5/11, 7:30 - 11:30pm
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Checkerboard Lounge for Blues and Jazz, 5201 S. Harper Avenue, Chicago, IL (773) 684-1472 |
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Bill McFarland and The Chicago Horns have been one of the most prolific horn sections in blues and jazz for the last ten years. Trumpet player Kenny Anderson is a long standing professional who is well known and one of the leading Salsa performers [more] | |
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The Ballad of Emmett Till
Sunday, 5/11, 7:30 - 10pm
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Goodman Theatre, 170 North Dearborn Street, Chicago, Illinois, (312) 443-3800 |
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By Ifa Bayeza
Directed by Oz Scott
The now legendary story of Emmett Till is believed by many to be the start of the modern civil rights movement of the 1950s and remains one of the most pivotal incidents in a monumental era. This world premiere, part [more] |
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Soleil's Take: |
Take advantage of $20 tickets on Sundays, underwritten by Target! | |
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