Chicago St. Patrick's Day Ways To Eat, Drink, & Get Merry Today

The green river dye has faded and the parade is a happy memory for another year. Yet the fun is far from over. Today we'll be enjoying a Pig Roast and live music at Chief O'Neill's. Here's a listing of lots of other sweet St Patrick's Day specials around Chi, IL.

#TBT 2009 ChiIL Mama's Sage (6) rocking her St. Patrick's Day dress

EAT/DRINK

Get Lucky at Chicago’s First and Oldest Wine Bar, Geja’s Café:

Iconic Chicago restaurant, Geja’s Café, 340 W. Armitage, is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day by offering two special St. Patrick’s Day dinners on Thursday, March 17th. Diners can choose from:

[if !supportLists]o   [endif]The St. Patty’s Combo ($35/person) featuring a four-course corned beef and potato fondue dinner, which includes Geja’s Famous Cheese Fondue served with Irish soda bread and marbled rye, a crisp greens salad, a Corned Beef and Potato entrée with assorted veggies, three magically delicious sauces (Green Peppercorn Dijon, Stout Mustard and Guinness BBQ), topped off with decadent chocolate fondue served with green Rice Krispie Treats and assorted fruits.

Pot of Gold Pairing ($50/person), featuring all of the above paired with Irish classics; Magners Cider with cheese fondue, Guinness stout with the entrée, and Geja’s famous Bailiccino, an intoxicating blend of Irish Cream and cappuccino to accompany the chocolate fondue. For more information, visit gejascafe.com or call 773.281.9101.

Put a Fresh Spin on St. Patrick’s Day at Green Bean Restaurant:

St. Patrick’s Day doesn’t have to be just a day of drinking green beer. Put a healthy spin at Green Bean Restaurant, 734 W. Fullerton Ave, with their special Corned Beef Patty Melt and Potato Soup combo for only $8.99, valid on Thursday, March 17th. In addition the special combo, other St. Patrick’s Day-themed menu items include Tempura Fried Green Beans, Cucumber Cantaloupe Stone Water and Lean Green Machine Tea, all physician-approved, non-GMO and gluten-free. For more information, visit  www.greenbeanrestaurant.com.

Make Your Coffee as Irish as You’d Like at Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park’s THE BAR:

Ditch the Bloody Mary’s this St. Patrick’s Day and warm up with a build your own Irish Coffee Bar at Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park’s THE BAR from March 12 - 20. Guest to THE BAR get choose from several hot beverage options and an adult libation. Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park, 200 N. Columbus Dr., is centrally located downtown and makes for a perfect pit-stop between the dyeing of the Chicago River at 9:00 a.m. and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade which kicks off at noon. For more information visit: http://www.fairmont.com/chicago.

Let “Patrick” satisfy your sweet-tooth at Vanille:

This bakery is one of our favs here at ChiIL Mama! Highly recommended.

St. Patrick’s Day, Vanille is featuring the charming and delicious “Patrick” as their Stud Muffin. Vanille’s Stud Muffin Collection is not only known for its good looks but also for its irresistible combination of Vanille’s favorite cakes topped with their signature macarons. “Patrick” starts with Guinness chocolate cake, and gets topped with Bushmills Whiskey ganache and a chocolate macaron. Stud Muffins are available in a variety of flavors for $6.35 each. For more information visit: http://www.vanillepatisserie.com.

RELAX

Too Much Celebrating Taking a Toll on Your Body? Relax and Heal at Massage Envy:

As the leading provider of therapeutic massage in the United States, and with over 44 locations in the Chicagoland area, Massage Envy is the perfect place to rejuvenate after too much holiday celebration. Let a Massage Envy licensed massage therapist heal your post St. Patrick’s Day pain with a variety of different massage and facial techniques. Massage Envy has revolutionized the industry by providing a convenient and affordable membership model. First time Introductory 1-Hour Massage sessions start a $59.99 and introduction 1-hour Facial Sessions start at $69.99. For more information or to find the nearest Massage Envy location please visit: http://www.massageenvy.com.

Live the “Suite Life” this St. Patrick’s Day at Hyatt Centric The Loop Chicago:

Those looking for a convenient and centrally located downtown Chicago hotel with a great holiday deal needn’t look any further than the Hyatt Centric The Loop Chicago. This March guests can use the Special Offer Code “SUITEH” to receive a discounted suite upgrade up to 50%. The hotel is located downtown only blocks from the Chicago River, which will be the star of the show this St. Patrick’s Day weekend as it is dyed a festive green color. For more information please visit: http://theloopchicago.centric.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html

Play Locally-Kindie: Rolie Polie Guacamole at 11am & Ellis Paul today at 1pm

 photo credit:   Kenaz-Mara ChiILMama.com

Chi-rish Dog--Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade

Happy St. Paddy's Day, Chi-rish and friends.   It's gonna be a hot time in the old town tonight.   With a forcast of 86 degrees on our 5th day of record breaking temps for mid March, take time to catch some hot family friendly music before hitting the beach.   We've been giving away tickets and promoting Rolie Polie Guacamole at Family Grounds at 11am and Ellis Paul at SPACE at 1pm for weeks.   Now today's the day, and both bands are highly recommended outta towners on tour, so this may be your only chance to see them live for a while!!   Tickets for both are available at the door.

Here are ChiIL Mama's Saturday favs for families:

*click this link for our earlier coverage on both, including full show details, music videos and more.

Rolie Polie Guacamole at Family Grounds- 

KINDIE BAND ROLIE POLIE GUACAMOLE CELEBRATES RELEASE OF NEW ALBUM “HOUSES OF THE MOLY” AT FAMILY GROUNDS CAFÉ, CHICAGO, IL.

The family concert is at Family Grounds Cafe, 3652 North Lincoln Avenue , Chicago, IL at 11am. Tickets $8.    

Click here for Family Grounds' Schedule and more info

Rolie Polie Guacamole's 3rd Lp and first cover album features fan favorites including: Upside Down, Fire Truck, Dragon Hunt, Octopus's Garden, Coconut, This Land Is Your Land...

Ellis Paul at SPACE-

ELLIS PAUL - SPECIAL FAMILY SHOW!
SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 2012   1:00PM
EVANSTON, IL
S.P.A.C.E.
1245 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, IL 60202
phone: 847-492-8860
Price: $10.00

For more information, visit www.evanstonspace.com or call 847-492-8860.

***NOW AVAILABLE!***

"The Hero in You" is Ellis Paul's follow up to his debut family release, "The Dragonfly Races", which was named to National Public Radio's 'Top 10 List' as well as winning a "Parents Choice Award".

This new project features 14 inspiring songs about true American heroes such as Woody Guthrie, Thomas Edison, Jackie Robinson, Chief Joseph, Rosa Parks and more, and was written by Ellis for both parents and children to enjoy.   *ChiIL Mama will have a full CD review up soon, along with our original video interview with Ellis Paul.   The CD is fantastic and has been in heavy rotation in our car this month!


Have a great, weekend....whether you're rockin' the green beer, green beard, or just rockin' the littles.    Enjoy!

SEE PINKALICIOUS IN GREEN-D! AT THE BROADWAY PLAYHOUSE AT WATER TOWER PLACE

GO GREEN! ST. PATRICK’S DAY WEEKEND
 
Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce that Emerald City Theatre’s 2010 hit PINKALICIOUS: THE MUSICAL will Go Green! for St. Patrick’s Day weekend performances, March 17 and March 18, 2012, playing at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place (175 E. Chestnut St).  Individual tickets are on sale now.
 
In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, patrons will be able to wear “green-tinted glasses” during the performance and will see PINKALICIOUS: THE MUSICAL like no other performance.  Patrons are also encouraged to wear green to the show and will be greeted with fun festivities and St. Patrick’s Day décor the second they step into the lobby at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place.
 
SPECIAL TICKET OFFER
Go Green with PINKALICIOUS: THE MUSICAL March 17 and 18!
Special Offer - 3 Tickets for $45!*
Use Code GREEN When Ordering
 *Valid on all March performances. Offer ends March 24 at 11:59pm. Not valid with any other offer or on previously purchased tickets. Subject to availability. Normal ticketing fees apply. Other restrictions may apply.

**Check out ChiIL Mama's interviews with Pinkalicious and her little brother and our show review by clicking here.**  
 
Chris Jones with the Chicago Tribune exclaims, “…Ernie Nolan’s well-paced production is sassy and on target.” Hedy Weiss with the Chicago Sun-Times says, “Gregor’s score is a zestful pastiche that ranges from jazzy blues and quasi-operatic numbers to half-time pom-pom-shaking cheers. And Ernie Nolan’s lively direction and choreography…make the most of it.” Phil Potempa with the Northwest Indiana Times raves, ““…this storybook-brought-to-life adventure combines just the right amount of music and comedy with themes that audiences of every age can learn from.”
 
When Pinkalicious Pinkerton eats one too many pink cupcakes, she catches a serious case of “Pinkititis” and turns pink from head to toe!  Will her broccoli-eating brother be able to help cure her before it’s too late?  Find out in the colorful musical adventure, remounted from Emerald City Theatre’s sold out production at their Chicago home at The Apollo Theater. This heartwarming musical’s Gateway Theme of healthy eating is sure to strike a chord among parents and picky eaters alike.  Emerald City’s Gateway Themes are a topic of conversation adults can have with their early-learner.  Education and Artistic staff create materials in the playbill to provide support for adults. All performances will include an age appropriate pre-show activity in the lobby and an autograph session with the cast after the performance.
 
PINKALICIOUS: THE MUSICAL is a Midwest premiere directed and choreographed by Ernie Nolan, with a book by Elizabeth Kann and Victoria Kann and music and lyrics by John Gregor.  Elizabeth Kann and Victoria Kann are co-authors of the New York Times best-selling children's picture books Pinkalicious (HarperCollins, 2006), Purplicious (HarperCollins, 2007), Goldicious (HarperCollins, 2009) and Silverlicious (HarperCollins, 2011) also illustrated by Victoria Kann.  Elizabeth and Victoria are sisters who grew up in Brooklyn, New York. Victoria's award-winning artwork has graced the covers and pages of many magazines, newspapers and books. Elizabeth's writing has appeared in a variety of newspaper and print publications.
 
Individual tickets for PINKALICIOUS: THE MUSICAL are on sale now and range in price from $16-$22.  Exclusive St. Patrick’s Day Ticket Discount: 3 tickets for $45! Use code GREEN When Ordering. *Valid on March 17-18, 2012 performances. Not valid with any other offer or on previously purchased tickets. Subject to availability.  Normal ticketing fees apply. Other restrictions may apply.
 
A select number of premium seats are also available. Tickets are available at all Broadway In Chicago Box Offices (24 W. Randolph St.,151 W. Randolph St., 18 W. Monroe St. and 175 E. Chestnut), the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Kiosk at Water Tower Place (845 N. Michigan Ave.), the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Line at (800) 775-2000, all Ticketmaster retail locations(including Hot Tix and select Carson Pirie Scott, Coconuts and fye stores), and online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com. 

For groups of 15 or more, call (312) 977-1710. Groups of 10 or more may receive a discount on most shows by calling (312) 977-1710.  Gift certificates, which can be redeemed for any production or for season ticket packages, can be obtained at Broadway In Chicago box offices, or by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 775-2000. Performance schedule varies – for information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.
 
About Emerald City Theatre
Emerald City Theatre is one Chicago's most attended non-profit theaters with an annual attendance of nearly 80,000 between its performance home at Apollo Theater and regional tours. Emerald City serves as a Child's Gateway to the Arts, inspiring early learners through play. Emerald City is proud to be the home of 28 world premiere productions. 

Emerald City employs nearly 100 of Chicago's top artistic and teaching talent to bring magical, interactive productions and programs that entertain children and their grown-ups in all parts of Chicagoland. The company's year-round programming includes live productions at the Apollo Theater and other venues, theater class offerings, summer theater camps, an extensive touring program, and an annual Celebrate Reading literacy initiative. 

Emerald City continues to expand its artistic and institutional boundaries under the guidance of Executive Director Karen Cardarelli, Producing Artistic Director Ernie Nolan, and a twenty-member Board of Directors.  Emerald City is a non-profit company, supported by The MacArthur Fund for the Arts and Culture, Katten, KPMG, Chicago Community Trust, Illinois Arts Council, City Arts, Deloitte, Winston & Strawn, La Rabida Children’s Hospital, and the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs. For more information on the Emerald City Theatre, please visit www.emeraldcitytheatre.com.