FREE Museum Days This June For Illinois Residents #travel #museums #FreeDays

Here at ChiIL Mama we LOVE our city museums. They're world class!  Come check 'em out for FREE during certain dates in June if you're an Illinois resident.

• Adler Planetarium: June 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12
• Field Museum of Natural History: June 4, 5, 9
• Museum of Science & Industry: June 1 - 6
• Shedd Aquarium: June 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17

*Valid Illinois identification required. Special exhibits are extra.

Thanks to our friends over at The Local Tourist for originally compiling the dates for ease of use.

I have to admit I'm still a bit peeved about the whole free day deal. The museums all used to have 1 free day EVERY week--year round, for residents. But they discovered a sneaky way to do an end run around the mandatory free day clause and cram most of them into the bleak winter months in a big clump. Gahhhhh!  Nonetheless... it's nice out now, and free is free. So, get out there and binge on Chicago's finest museums from today through the 17th!

ChiIL out with ChiIL Mama for the coolest happenings all summer long. 

Check back with ChiIL Mama & ChiIL Live Shows like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often.

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ChiIL Out With ChiIL Mama And Our Asleep With The Fishes Shedd Aquarium Sleep Over Tomorrow!

Asleep With The Fishes 

Group Overnights

& 

Wishes for Fishes Family Sleepover

ChiIL out with ChiIL Mama and the tweens and come along with us on our photo and video filled saga.   Yes, we're heading off on a great adventure tomorrow!   We're not talking Davy Jones Locker here or cement boots, gangster style... but we will be Asleep with the Fishes this Friday in an entirely awesome way. 

We already had the dates booked for ChiIL Mama's review back in December, but we're thrilled to congratulate Shedd Aquarium on their big win, just announced at Chicago Parent!   Between this new fame & acclaim and our upcoming photo feature, things are sure to book up fast.   So reserve your spots today! 

Here's the scoop: 
Grab your pajamas and sleeping bag, and join us for a night of family fun with your favorite Shedd animals. Enjoy themed activities for all ages, animal encounters, dinner and dancing, and an aquatic show. The adventure continues for families sleeping over in our galleries. A late-night snack and continental breakfast are included. Children must be at least 5 years old to stay overnight, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. 

Families wishing to come to the party but not stay overnight may do so by registering for the evening-only option. Enjoy all of the festivities without the slumbering!

Wishes for Fishes Family Sleepover

Next Available:
Dates: Friday, March 28, to Saturday, March 29, 2014
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 9 a.m.
Price: Overnight option: $65 a person ($55 for Shedd members)
Evening-only option (ends at 10 p.m.): $35 a person ($25 for Shedd members) 
*Program fee does not include parking. Membership must be noted on your reservation form to receive the discount.

To register: Call 312-692-3333  

Due to space constraints, we have a new air mattress policy with fee attached. If you bring your own air mattress there is a charge of $15 per air mattress. This fee will be due at time of registration ($15 per air mattress). Shedd does not supply any air mattresses for use. Good alternatives to air mattresses include inflatable pool mats or camping pads.

*Please note children must be at least 5 years old to spend the night. Check the family overnight FAQ page for more information, or e-mail families@sheddaquarium.org.

Hawaii in Chicago Continues Sunday at Shedd Aquarium

As cold, fall rains move in and Chi-Town prepares for 6 months in the deep freeze, the idea of a tropical island get away is all the more appealing.    Hawaiians not only have beautiful weather, but a beautiful culture as well.  Come down to Shedd Aquarium tomorrow from 10am-4pm and meet some fascinating people who have specially flown in from the islands to tell you all about their homeland and heritage.  

 Guests can try their hand at making feather or flower leis, rubbings or other crafts.

ChiIL Mama checked out a bit of Hawaii in Chicago Saturday and met a true artist whose family has made amazing Niihau Shell necklaces for generations.





Mapuana Beniamina explained how some of the longer, intricate strands of minuscule shells can take a year to make. 
  



And even the choker length necklaces take hours.   After a lifetime of making them and teaching others, she's relatively fast and can do about 5 of the shorter necklaces in a day.





Visitors can make a fragrant and beautiful live flower lei.    Thousands of fresh orchids were flown in from Hawaii and are available for Shedd guests to string into gorgeous necklaces.   




There's no charge for any of the special Hawaiian activities beyond Aquarium admission fees.





Learn about eco-friendly conservation efforts, sea creatures, whale watching, active volcanoes and more.  Taste a variety of Hawaiian chocolates and cookies.   Even take home a packet of authentic sea salt.  Even more exciting...come home with a new vocabulary, mythology and cultural knowledge from the islands of Hawaii.   

DISCOVER HAWAII’S NATURE AND MARINE LIFE AT SHEDD AQUARIUM THIS WEEKEND, OCTOBER 22-23

Celebrate the natural beauty and intriguing marine life of the Hawaiian Islands this weekend at Shedd Aquarium. Learn about Hawaii and enjoy FREE family-friendly activities and treats during this special event.  With the regular admission price, guests of the Shedd Aquarium can:

• Enter to win a trip for two to Hawaii, courtesy of Apple Vacations
• Create kahili (feather) crafts, petroglyph rubbings, and art with Hawaii stamps with Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
• Learn from the Pacific Whale Foundation about the humpback whales that migrate to Hawaii in winter months and enjoy other interactive activities
• Explore marine life in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands with representatives from Waikiki Aquarium and make a masked angelfish hat
• Take a look at rare and precious Niihau shells and see how they are strung together to make beautiful jewelry
• Sample delicious treats from Hawaii, including Mauna Loa Macadamia Nuts, Kauai Kookies, Waialua Estate Cacao, Lilikoi Malted Eggs, Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels, and Hawaii Kai Salt
• Make a fresh flower lei
• Get a temporary Hawaii-inspired tattoo
• Savor the Hawaii-inspired menu in the Soundings Café and Bubble Net Food Court
• Plan a Hawaii vacation with travel experts from Apple Vacations 

WHERE                  
John G. Shedd Aquarium
1200 South Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60605

WHEN             
Saturday, October 22 and Sunday, October 23
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau is contracted by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), the state of Hawaii’s tourism agency, for marketing management services in North America. The HTA was established in 1998 to ensure a successful visitor industry well into the future. Its mission is to strategically manage Hawaii tourism in a sustainable manner consistent with the state of Hawaii’s economic goals, cultural values, preservation of natural resources, community desires, and visitor industry needs.
 
For more information check out gohawaii.com/perfectmoments 

Play Locally-Fire Spinning Events Throughout Chicago

Going through Full Moon Fire Jam withdrawal?    October is the ideal month to still see amazing displays of fire spinning, juggling, hooping and more.   Liz and the Full Moon Jam Organizers put out this great list.   So check it out.   If you missed ChiIL Mama's photo filled coverage of the final jam, check it out here.


Here's one of our Android HD videos from the last jam.





The Full Moon Jam is on hiatus till spring, but here is a list of fire performances that will be happening all around the City, for the rest of October.   Going to any of these performance is a great way to support the fire artists in our community, but also gives you the ability to see choreographed pieces, elaborate costuming and beautiful stage design that have been created specifically for the performance that you are going to watch.  The experience is very different then going to the jam and watching fire dancers dance to the beat of a drum.  

Fire In Chicago for October:

Oct 21 – Friday

Pyrotechniq @ Navy Pier – 6pm, 7pm, 830pm -FREE -  http://www.navypier.com/halloween/halloween.html

Oct 22nd - Saturday

Dollface Performing: Oct 22nd – Cirque du Cite @ tzar - http://cirqueducitechicago.eventbrite.com/

Pyrotechniq @ Navy Pier – 6pm, 7pm, 830pm --FREE

Oct 23- Sunday

Pyrotechniq @ Navy Pier – 530pm, 630pm, 730pm - -FREE

Oct 24th - Monday

Gaea Performing: - "Harvest Festival: Getting Ready for Winter" in Little Village's Amor de Dios Church 2356 South Sawyer Avenue  5-8pm.

Oct 28th – Friday

Pyrotechniq @ Navy Pier – 6pm, 7pm, 830pm - -FREE

Oct 29th – Saturday

Pyrotechniq @ Navy Pier – 6pm, 7pm, 830pm  --FREE

Freakeasy's Monkey's Paw Massacre @ The Metro -   Fire Stage & Fire Art.  11:30, 12:30 and 1:30am  www.freakeasy.net

Oct 30th – Sunday

Pyrotechniq @ Navy Pier – 530pm, 630pm, 730pm - -FREE

Halloween Night – Oct 31st - Monday

Pyrotechniq @ Navy Pier – 530pm, 630pm, 730pm --FREE

Homebrew Haunted House @ Glenview - 1760 harrison 

North Halsted Halloween Parade @ Halsted and Belmont- -FREE during parade and stage show (9pm) -http://www.northalsted.com/pages/northalsted_halloween_parade/31.php

Connect, Inspire, Grow - Networking Event @ The  Vertical Sky Lounge on Halloween night, 8:30pm. - http://cigtober-eorg.eventbrite.com/

Not October... but still FIRE

Thanksgiving Day Parade - Barefoot Hawaiian and friends spinning fire in the parade 

**Not fire related, but speaking of Hawaiian...

Saturday, October 22, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.OAHU AT LINCOLN PARK ZOO’S “SPOOKY ZOO SPECTACULAR”
Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 North Clark Street.  Come and join in on some haunted Hawaii fun at Lincoln Park Zoo’s annual “Spooky Zoo Spectacular.” This family-friendly event provides a free, safe and family-friendly environment for kids to dress up in their favorite costume and learn about animals, make crafts, enjoy entertainment, and collect goodies. Keep an eye out for the Oahu area, featuring fun Hawaii keiki (children) crafts and island treats. This event is free and open to the public. Visit www.lpzoo.org for more information.


Saturday, October 22 and Sunday, October 23, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.HAWAII AT SHEDD AQUARIUM
John G. Shedd Aquarium, 1200 South Lake Shore DriveDiscover the intriguing marine life of the Hawaiian Islands at Shedd Aquarium! Make your own fresh flower lei, sample Hawaii treats, learn about the unique and rare Niihau shell, and enjoy fun activities with the Pacific Whale Foundation, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Waikiki Aquarium. This event is open to the public. Visit www.sheddaquarium.org for more information.

Right Now! Mickey and Minnie Photo Ops and Free Tickets To Disney on Ice presents Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey

production photo by FELD

Disney on Ice presents Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey will be appearing at the United Center next week from Sept. 7-11.  TODAY Mickey and Minnie will be appearing at a few locations throughout Chicago on Tuesday, Sept. 6.     Catch up with them right now at The Skydeck at Willis Tower till 11:45 or head over to The Shedd Aquarium between 1:15 & 1:30 today!


Mickey and Minnie’s next sightseeing stop will be Shedd Aquarium. The first 100 fans to arrive at the Aquarium’s main entrance, between 1:15 and 1:30 p.m., will get to take a photo with the dynamic duo, and receive a free ticket to “Disney On Ice presents Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey” at the United Center. Disney On Ice will also donate a free ticket to a Chicago children’s charity on behalf of each fan.