REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: The Explorers Club at Windy City Playhouse

THE EXPLORERS CLUB

By Nell Benjamin

Directed by David H. Bell

Runs at least through April 17

**Recommended for ages 10+**

We were utterly charmed and amused by The Explorers Club and we are excited to be able to partner up with Windy City Playhouse on a flash giveaway for a pair of tickets for this Saturday's 3pm family matinee! 


    Photo credit for all: Michael Brosilow

Here at ChiIL Mama, we're huge proponents of experiential gifts, and with the long Easter weekend coming, tickets to The Explorers Club make a great present or an excellent outing with visiting relatives. Cut clutter and create some lasting memories. This show is recommended for ages 10 to adult and has multigenerational appeal.

Disclosure: ChiIL Mama is elated to partner up with Windy City Playhouse. We have been given press comps and giveaway tickets for our readers in exchange for promoting and reviewing the show on our blog and social media outlets. No further compensation was provided and as always, all opinions are my own.

**FAMILY MATINEE FLASH GIVEAWAY** 

ENTER HERE

ENTER HERE THROUGH MIDNIGHT THURSDAY 3/24 FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS 

($50-$110 est value).  

I caught opening night with two 12 year old girls and a 14 year old boy and we all adored the show! This hilarious adventure is a multicultural mash-up of mistaken identities, feminist fair play, mind altering plants, and plans within plans. The physical comedy and accents are a hoot and a half and the sheer talent of this cast for madcap capers is mind boggling! No real guinea pigs or snakes are harmed in this play.



This was our first venture over to the new Windy City Playhouse and we're completely enamored with the space as well. It's got charm to spare and the first rows have amazingly comfy swivel chairs and drink tables. We love the cozy, creative lobby space. It's quite conducive to pre and post show conversations with friends. Amid a multitude of recent theatre closings, the addition of Windy City Playhouse to Chicago's store front scene is a true treasure!

The Windy City Playhouse ambiance charmingly serves to enhance The Explorers Club as the whole theatre space becomes one big set, where the audience can enjoy drink service from the bar on stage during the 20-minute intermission, just like true characters. Their show specific custom cocktails are pretty tasty too! The run time is just shy of 2 hours and the show is appropriate for ages 10+.

THE PLOT 

The Explorer’s Club has enough to deal with. One member has lost nearly all his guinea pigs, another can’t seem to locate the East Pole, the bartender is missing and, on top of all that, a woman wants to join. Before the British Empire crumbles under the weight, these good old boys must grapple with the approach of modernity, save the world from an international war and, for God’s sake, find a new bartender — but not until after brandy and cigars.

The antics, uproarious barbs and rejoinders of The Explorers Club are propelled by Phyllida Spotte-Hume (Cristina Panfilio) who believes Luigi, the blue NaKong tribesman she’s brought to London from a newly discovered race of Spoon worshipers, is her entree into the society as its first woman member. Goofy admirer Lucius (Alex Goodrich), a botanist and the Club’s acting president, sponsors Phyllida, while intrepid explorer Percy (Ryan Imhoff), returning from his expedition to the East Pole, vies for Phyllida’s affections even though he can’t take seriously the notion of a woman scientist. Neither can the Club’s resident zoologist (Matt Browning), herpetologist (Zack Shornick) and “archeo-theologist” (Dan Rodden). Chaos ensues in The Explorers Club after Luigi inadvertently insults the Queen, possibly setting the British Empire at war with the world.

The Windy City Playhouse performance schedule is: Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30pm; Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm; and Sundays (consult website for Sunday times). Performances take place at Windy City Playhouse, 3014 West Irving Park Road. 

Single tickets range from $25-$55 and are available by calling 773-891-8985 or visiting windycityplayhouse.com. Flexible subscription packages are available for 2016.

THE FAMILY MATINEE

Come enjoy a special family matinee performance of Nell Benjamin’s slapstick farce The Explorers Club at Windy City Playhouse (3014 W. Irving Park Road) this Sunday at 3pm. Benjamin, Tony Award™-nominated co-composer and lyricist of Broadway’s Legally Blonde, penned this madcap physical comedy, animated by lightning-quick dialogue, daredevil stunts, precision acrobatics and onstage snakes and guinea pigs. The antics of The Explorers Club are suitable for children ages 10 and up.

During the run of The Explorers Club, a range of child-friendly concoctions will be available during intermission at the onstage Clubhouse bar.  As always, themed beverages are also available for adults. And post-show, families will have the opportunity to take photos with the actors in costume.

In The Explorers Club, actor, circus performer, gymnast and stilt-walker Wesley Daniel shakes things up as Luigi, a blue, Spoon-worshipping NaKong tribesman, who’s been brought to London by anthropologist Phyllida (Cristina Panfilio). Phyllida hopes Luigi will gain her entry to the society as its first woman member. Goofy admirer Lucius (Elf’s Alex Goodrich), a botanist and the Club’s acting president, sponsors Phyllida, while intrepid explorer Percy (Ryan Imhoff), returning from his expedition to the East Pole, vies for Phyllida’s affections even though he can’t take seriously the notion of a woman scientist. Chaos ensues in The Explorers Club after Luigi inadvertently insults the Queen, possibly setting the British Empire at war with the world.

Nell Benjamin, Tony Award™-nominated co-composer and lyricist of Broadway’s Legally Blonde, penned this madcap physical comedy, animated by lightning-quick dialogue, daredevil stunts, precision acrobatics and onstage snakes and guinea pigs. The prolific David H. Bell, currently developing the English-language version of La Révolution Française in Chicago, directs.

About Windy City Playhouse

Windy City Playhouse is a new theater at 3014 West Irving Park Road. Opened in March 2015, the Playhouse is a professional theater meant to entertain through exceptional contemporary, relevant and approachable art. Combining relatable material with high quality artistry, Windy City Playhouse seeks to create work accessible by audiences of all kinds. With a full service bar and light snacks, the Playhouse is not a traditional theater, rather a fun, relaxing and entertaining environment. With amenities such as swivel club chair seating, the Playhouse is designed as a space for audiences to linger before and after the performance—a place to decompress with art.

Disclosure: ChiIL Mama is elated to partner up with Windy City Playhouse. We have been given press comps and giveaway tickets for our readers in exchange for promoting and reviewing the show on our blog and social media outlets. No further compensation was provided and as always, all opinions are my own.

OPENING: The Hypocrites Adding Machine at The Den Theatre (Ages 13+)

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

Adding Machine: A Musical

March 18 – May 15, 2016

Directed by Geoff Button

Mr. Zero, a modern-day everyman, hates his wife, he hates his job, he hates his lot in life. After twenty-five years spent adding figures for the same company, he comes to work one day only to find he’s been replaced by a machine. Beleaguered and broken, Zero’s journey takes him to confounding places both here and in the afterlife as he struggles to believe that his life will ever amount to something. Adding Machine: A Musical is an expressionistic tale of love, murder, and salvation.

Adding Machine: A Musical will play March 18 through May 15
at The Den Theatre’s Heath Main Stage
1329 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood

Previews: Friday, March 18 at 8 pm, Saturday, March 19 at 8 pm, Sunday, March 20 at 3 pm, Wednesday, March 23 at 8 pm,Thursday, March 24 at 8 pm,Friday, March 25 at 8 pm andSaturday, March 26 at 8 pm.
Press Performance: Monday, March 28 at 7 pm
Regular Run: Friday, April 1 – Sunday, May 15, 2015 (Fri at 8 p.m., Sat at 3 p.m. & 8 p.m., Sun at 3 p.m.)
Performance Time Note: Closing performance on Sunday, May 15 will be at 7 p.m.
Tickets Prices: $28 – $36.
Running Time: 95 minutes with no intermission
Recommended for Ages 13+

Based on the play The Adding Machine by Elmer Rice

Composed by Joshua Schmidt; Libretto by Jason Loewith 

and Joshua Schmidt

Directed by Geoff Button; Choreography by Katie Spelman; 

Musical Direction by Matt Deitchman

Featuring Neala Barron, Bear Bellinger, Tyler Brown, Patrick Du Laney, Andres Enriquez, Kelli Harrington, Laura McClain, John Taflan and Jonah D. Winston

The production team includes: Lauren Nigiri (scenic design), Izumi Inaba (costume design), Mike Durst (lighting design), Joe Court and Brandon Reed (sound design), Eleanor Kahn (properties design), Ellen Morris (associate music director), Amanda Kroiss (associate choreographer), Evan Cope (production manager), Jacob Palmer (technical director), Justine Palmisano (stage manager) and Tristan Chiruvolu (asst. stage manager)

Candy Free Options for Easter and Beyond With Debbie Lynn Inc, Piggy Paint, I See Me, and SafetyTat

ChiIL Mama's ChiIL Picks List for 

Candy Free Fun

Easter is hopping up fast and spring is the biggest birthday party season. Then there are summer parties, road trips and get togethers. Whether your family and friends have food allergies or sensitivities or you just want to limit the sugar laden treats, we have a list of fun, candy free picks. Check these out:

Disclosure: Thanks to Debbie Lynn Inc, Piggy Paint, I See Me, and SafetyTat for providing us samples for our feature. We were not compensated in any other way. As always, all opinions are our own.

Debbie Lynn Inc. products are sure to excite the creative critters in the family! With unique stationery items like silly animal pens, bold markers, fun erasers, and more, these Debbie Lynn items will encourage creativity and make it more fun! http://www.debbielynn.net/

Here at ChiIL Mama we're especially on board with promoting and supporting Debbie Lynn Inc. This is not only a woman owned business, but Debbie also has a toddler, and MS! My sister has MS as well, so I have first hand knowledge of just how tough this disability can be. We're thrilled to spread the word about Debbie's company, and do our part to help her excel in a business venture that enables her to juggle motherhood, making a living, and living with MS.

Piggy Paint makes painting kids’ nails fun without toxic and smelly chemicals. Natural, eco-friendly, and hypoallergenic, the line is available in an assortment of gift sets perfect for Easter, spring and summer parties and other special occasions. www.piggypaint.com 

We've been reading many disturbing articles lately about dangerous nail polish toxins seeping directly into the bloodstream. I have a 12 year old daughter who adores nail polish so this is a huge concern for me as a mother! We were thrilled to be invited to try out and review 5 of these polishes. They come in an impressive range of colors and we adore that they're natural, eco-friendly, and hypoallergenic. They are a bit more watery and less shiny than their toxic cousins, but they're easy to apply and last.

I See Me! personalized books are perfect for Easter, spring dance recitals, and of course birthday gifting! http://www.iseeme.com/

Customizable with a name and phone number, these labels are perfect for clothes, to toys, to containers, and much more! Anywhere Labels are dishwasher and washing machine safe! http://www.safetytat.com/

SafetyTat Anywhere Labels make it easy to keep track of belongings and children too. The SafetyTat Tattoos can contain as much or little info as you want. When my children were little, I had press credentials to cover many large music festivals like Lollapalooza, Riotfest and Summer Camp Music Fest. We always took the kids with us and made sure they had ear protection and were well labeled with their names and our cell phone numbers. I never lost one of them for more than a few minutes, but we had a few scares and near misses. SafetyTat can provide peace of mind when you need to navigate large crowds with small kids. 

Disclosure: Thanks to Debbie Lynn Inc, Piggy Paint, I See Me, and SafetyTat for providing us samples for our feature. We were not compensated in any other way. As always, all opinions are our own.

Easter PEEPS & COMPANY® Giveaway, Coconut Nest Recipe, and Discount Code

Here at ChiIL Mama we've loved partnering up with PEEPS & COMPANY® for Christmas, Valentine's Day and now the holiday that started it all... Easter. We have a sweet recipe below, a great giveaway, and a rockin' discount for all our readers. 

Disclosure: PEEPS & COMPANY® provided us with complimentary products for review and for our givewaway, all information and discount codes. As always, all opinions are our own.

Spring has sprung and that means a plethora of PEEPS & COMPANY® fun for every taste! Easter is early this year, March 27th, so get hopping. 

ENTER HERE  Enter Here through midnight 3/24 for your chance to WIN!
(U.S. residents only, no P.O. boxes) 

One of ChiIL Mama’s lucky readers will receive ALL the PEEPS & COMPANY® candy items listed here to use as Easter goodies!! 

• PEEPS® Orange Delight Flavored Marshmallow Dipped in Orange 

• PEEPS® Marshmallow Chicks

• PEEPS® Marshmallow Bunnies

• PEEPS® Decorated Eggs

• PEEPS® Party Cake Flavored Marshmallow Chicks

• PEEPS® Sour Watermelon Flavored Marshmallow Chicks

• PEEPS® Chocolate Dipped Mousse Flavored Marshmallow Chicks

• PEEPS® Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Chicks

• PEEPS® Rainbow Pop

• MIKE AND IKE® Easter Treats

• MIKE AND IKE® Jellybeans

• HOT TAMALES® Jellybeans

(*NOTE: Pictured PEEPS® PEEPSTERS®, PEEPS® Lime Delight Flavored Marshmallow, PEEPS® Chocolate Mousse Flavored Marshmallow Bunnies, and PEEPS®  Sugar Free Marshmallow Chicks are currently unavailable. Giveaway winners will not receive the 5-inch PEEPS® Plush, PEEPS® earbuds, or PEEPS® luggage tag, though these are available for purchase.)

All of ChiIL Mama's readers are winners with this discount code! 

Discount code: EASTERTREATS

valid for 20% off your purchase at through April 15, 2016 HERE

Want something fun that will outlast the sugar overload? PEEPS & COMPANY® Easter products include earbuds, soft plushies, and even a 
luggage tag! 

PEEPS & COMPANY® challenged ChiIL Mama to design a unique Easter basket, that would playfully display all the tasty treats they sent us. So we bought an adorable PEEPS & COMPANY® bunny bucket at our local Walgreens and multicolored, paper Easter grass to match. Do we know how to rock a theme or what?! I could see this PEEPS & COMPANY® bunny bucket having fun adventures with little ones in the garden this spring, the beach, and beyond, instead of being stored away with the Easter decor!

Peeptacular Toasted Coconut Nests

An original recipe by ChiIL Mama
(makes a dozen nests)

This Easter favorite is simple to DIY and it's extra tasty with PEEPS & COMPANY® jelly beans. 

 

Hot Tamales and Mike and Ike Jelly Beans by PEEPS & COMPANY® 

1 (11.5 oz.) bag of milk chocolate baking chips

2 cups shredded coconut 

1 tablespoon butter

Parchment paper or wax paper

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or spray with non-stick spray and spread coconut in a thin layer. Coconut spray is a healthy alternative that goes great with these treats. Preheat oven to 350°. Place in the oven for about 8-10 minutes, or until coconut is light brown. Keep an eye on it toward the end of your toasting time and stir it a bit if necessary. Remove from the oven.

Line counter with parchment or wax paper in a square big enough for 10-12 nests. Melt chocolate chips and tablespoon of butter in a microwave safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds till melted. Do not over cook. Remove from microwave.

Mix toasted coconut into chocolate mixture and spoon onto the parchment or wax paper. Shape it into a nest and press in on the center. Shape and add MIKE AND IKE® jelly beans and/or HOT TAMALES® cinnamon jelly beans (our favorite!!) once all the nests are on your paper. Let them cool down and enjoy!

This was such a tempting treat, I left them to cool down and all the nests vanished before I could snap a shot!  Somehow I don't think the Easter Bunny snuck them into a sack for delivery Sunday. I'm going to try to make more today and get my photo shoot in before the kids appear and these all too tasty nests disappear.

EASTER'S FOR EATING ALL THE PEEPS!!

PEEPS & COMPANY® 2016 Easter Offerings Information

5-inch PEEPS® Plush: Spread the joy of PEEPS® when you give this plush PEEPS® chick as a gift to those of any age (assortment of colors).

PEEPS® earbuds: If you need a sweet bit of time to yourself, let your favorite yellow PEEPS Chick take you away with your favorite music through these PEEPS earbuds. Get a dose of stress relief, in stereo, every time you put them on and crank up the tunes!

PEEPS® luggage tag: From candy to cute accessory, these PEEPS® luggage tags add a pop of color and whimsy to your gear (assortment of colors).

PEEPS® Orange Delight Flavored Marshmallow Dipped in Orange Fudge: These three Chicks are orange delight flavored and dipped in orange fudge to enhance the flavor. Share them with your friends or keep them for yourself!

PEEPS® Marshmallow Chicks: The five and 15 count packages of the iconic PEEPS® Chicks are available in classic Easter colors including yellow, pink, blue, lavender, green, and orange Chicks! The 10 count package of Chicks is available in all of the classic Easter colors as well as white.

PEEPS® Marshmallow Bunnies: The four count bunnies come in classic yellow, pink and blue colors. The 12 count bunnies come in classic colors as well as lavender, white, green and orange. The 16 count are packaged in classic colors plus lavender and green.

Chicks: Back by popular demand, PEEPS® offers a sugar-free Chick! The Chick is perfect as an Easter basket essential and baked good enhancement.

PEEPS® Decorated Eggs: Nine white eggs iced with pastel colors in 3 unique designs, these eggs are great for recipes, crafts and immediate consumption.

PEEPS® Party Cake Flavored Marshmallow Chicks: Ten delicious vanilla cake flavored marshmallow chicks sprinkled with fun rainbow confetti.

PEEPS® Sour Watermelon Flavored Marshmallow Chicks: Sweet and sour flavors collide to create a burst of watermelon in these ten green chicks with a blush pink center.

PEEPS® Chocolate Dipped Mousse Flavored Marshmallow Chicks: Three delectable chocolate mousse-flavored Chicks dipped in either creamy milk or dark chocolate.

PEEPS® PEEPSTERS®: Bite-size combination of delectable chocolate and delicious marshmallow flavored crème. Available in creamy milk chocolate or rich dark chocolate varieties. 

PEEPS® Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Chicks: Individually wrapped marshmallow chicks covered in either milk or dark chocolate.

PEEPS® Rainbow Pop: Four chicks in colors yellow, green, pink and blue marshmallow on a stick- it’s like a colorful PEEPS® lollipop.

MIKE AND IKE® Easter Treats: Bring chewy, fruity goodness this Easter season with a 10 oz. gift bag of MIKE AND IKE® Easter Treats flavors. Filled with grape, pineapple-banana, strawberry, lemon-lime, and cherry-flavored MIKE AND IKE® candies – and all made with real fruit juice – this gift will put a spring in anybody's step as the bright new season gets underway.

MIKE AND IKE® Jellybeans: The Assorted Fruits MIKE AND IKE® JELLY BEANS are a fan favorite. 

HOT TAMALES® Jellybeans:  Celebrate Easter with our cinnamon-flavored jelly beans (14 oz. package)

Disclosure: PEEPS & COMPANY® provided us with complimentary products for review and for our givewaway, all information, and discount codes. As always, all opinions are our own.

 

Parents' Night Out: Connected at Collaboraction Opens April 21st

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

COLLABORACTION'S 20^TH ANNIVERSARY WORLD PREMIERE

CONNECTED  TO EXPLORE TECHNONOLOGY, SPANNING TIME AND SPACE,  APRIL 21-MAY 29 IN CHICAGO'S FLAT IRON ARTS BUILDING

Here at ChiIL Mama and Live Shows, we're utterly intrigued with the concept and can't wait to catch this show. What other production actually asks audience members to bring headphones and a smart phone, if they have them, in order to experience a pre-show silent disco?! Each performance will also be followed by a town hall discussion with an expert in astrophysics, technology or human evolution. Audience members also can join the Connected community, share content to be included in the show and find information that deepens the experience of seeing the performance at collaboraction.org.

For its 20th anniversary show, Collaboraction is exploring mankind, technology and our connection to it all with the world premiere of Connected, the story of humankind as told by the nine planets in our solar system, starting with the Big Bang and stopping at numerous historical and future campfires along the way.

Part historical docudrama, part science fiction, Connected soars through the history of space and time for an exciting new immersive theatre experience illuminating our relationship with technology and each other, and how a special tribe used its unique connection to one another to survive it all. 

Performances are April 21 through May 29 at Collaboraction, in the Flat Iron Arts Building, 1579 N. Milwaukee Ave., Room 300, in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. Press opening is Wednesday, April 27 at 7 p.m. 

Tickets are on sale now. Tickets are $15-$30. For tickets and information, visit collaboraction.org or call (312) 226-9633.

Led by Collaboraction Artistic Director Anthony Moseley, Connected will be a milestone production that takes on the critical social issue of technology and whether we allow it to bring us together or isolate us further. Connected features intimate staging where the audience of 50 sits in a circle around a metaphorical campfire as the action takes place all around them. The production uses puppets, 3-D mapped video projections, meta-theatrics, social media, audience interaction and story-telling.

Audience members are asked to bring headphones and a smart phone, if they have them, in order to experience the pre-show silent disco. Each performance will be followed by a town hall discussion with an expert in astrophysics, technology or human evolution. Audience members also can join the Connected community, share content to be included in the show and find information that deepens the experience of seeing the performance at collaboraction.org.

"For our 20^th anniversary show, we wanted to explore and celebrate the origin of theatre itself, the ancient phenomena of coming together around a campfire to share stories and dream about the unknown, a uniquely human endeavor which speaks to our need for community and our penchant for asking the questions 'why'," said Moseley. "We aim to make this a show really about community and our connection to one another. I can promise it will be a truly unique piece of Chicago theatre history in its staging and scope."

Connected features an ensemble cast included Collaboraction company members Antonio Brunetti and Luis Crespo, along with Justin Dietzel, Amber Hughee, Warren Levon, Mary Mikva, Annie Prichard, Rasika Ranganathan, and introducing Stella Moseley.

The design team includes Anthony Moseley (writer/director), Jen Ellison (assistant director), Ashley Woods (set design), Erik Barry (lighting design), Elsa Hiltner (costume design), Matthew Reich (sound design), Rachel Watson (puppet and prop design), Sam Porretta (Outside Eye), Sarah Moeller (producer), Erica Bush (production manager), Caitlin Body (stage manager), Ian Downing-Beaver (dramaturg) and Stephanie Svarz (artistic intern).

Previews of Connected are April 21-26: Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m. and Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Press opening is Wednesday, April 27 at 7 p.m. Performances run through May 27: Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m. Industry Night performances are Monday, April 28 and May 23 at 7:30 p.m. No show Thursday, April 28. Single tickets are $30; $15 for students, educators and industry. Purchase tickets online at collaboraction.org or call 312.226.9633.

About Collaboraction

Collaboraction (collaboraction.org) collaborates with artists, community activists, and citizens from throughout the city to create original theatrical experiences that push artistic boundaries and explore critical social issues with a diverse community of Chicagoans. Collaboraction has worked with more than 3,000 artists to bring more than 60 productions and events to more than 100,000 audience members.

Production highlights include Collaboraction's acclaimed series of Crime Scene productions responding to Chicago's current crime epidemic, 15 years of the SKETCHBOOK Festival, Sarah Moeller's Forgotten Future: The Education Project in 2014, 2010's Chicago premiere of 1001 by Jason Grote, 2008's world premiere of Jon by George Saunders and directed by Seth Bockley, and 2007's The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow: an instant message with excitable music by Rolin Jones.

Collaboraction, based on the 3^rd floor of Wicker Park's historic Flat Iron Arts Building with three theatre spaces, is led by Artistic Director Anthony Moseley, Executive Director Darcy Addison and a dedicated staff and board of directors. 

Collaboraction is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, Richard H. Driehaus Foundation via the MacArthur Foundation, and the Wicker Park & Bucktown SSA #33 Chamber of Commerce. This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

For tickets and information, visit collaboraction.org or call 312.226.9633.   

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