Showing posts with label Kidical Mass. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kidical Mass. Show all posts

Friday, August 12, 2011

Play Locally: Comic Con, Kidical Mass, Full Moon Fire Jam, MCA Fam Friendly Art, Pints for Pups and More...

Saturday:
ChiIL Mama, Du-Jay and Sagezilla can't wait to check out Comic Con tomorrow.

Wizard World-Pioneers of Pop Culture
bring us Comic Con 2011 all weekend.   Sure, they got started Thursday, but the real party's happenin' this Saturday and Sunday.   Up to TWO kids 10 and under are free with every paying adult!!   They'll entice Chi-Town out to the convention center in Rosemont with:

a celebration of graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. 

The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premiers, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests. 

Wizard World, Inc. also produces Wizard World Digital, an online publication covering new and upcoming products and talents in the pop culture world, is distributed on a weekly basis to online and iPad users worldwide.

The Best in Pop Culture Reaching Fans of All Ages!
Celebrities, Movies, TV, Comics, Animation, Video Gaming, Toys, Games, Original Art, Collectibles, Horror, Wrestling, Anime, Manga, Contests & More!

Follow them on Facebook HERE for all the intergalactic, cross species, multicultural, mythical, anime, details.


Wizard World Chicago Comic Con now has 515 Artists & Writers in Artist Alley! This is the largest Artist Alley in the history of any Comic Con EVER!! Nobody puts the “Comic” in Comic Con like Wizard World!! This is historical in size! Enjoy!


We're particularly stoked to:
  • Meet Pam Grier & child stars from the original Willy Wonka movie, Buffy the Vampire Slayer stars, Anthony Michael Hall, costumed characters and more. 
  • 12:00-12:45PM
    JULIE BENZ Q&A
    Having starred in hit shows like "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Dexter" and "No Ordinary Family," Benz talks to fans about her extensive career, ups and downs in the industry and her thoughts on the new generation of sci-fi and fantasy on television. (Room A)
  • 1:00-1:45PM
    WILLY WONKA REUNION
    The five child stars from the original Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory reunite 40 years after the release of the classic 1971 film. Panelists include Peter Ostrum (“Charlie Bucket”), Paris Themmen (“Mike Tee Vee”), Julie Dawn Cole (“Veruca Salt”), Denise Nickerson (“Violet Beauregard”) and Michael Boellner (“Augustus Gloop”). (Room A)
  • ANTHONY MICHAEL HALL Q&A
    After rising to stardom as one of our favorite “geeks” in ‘90s teen classics such as Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club and Weird Science, or as County Commissioner Johnny Smith in the Steven King series “The Dead Zone, ” don’t miss your chance to talk to Anthony Michael Hall as he makes his Wizard World Comic Con debut. (Room B)
and...
  • Create our own Zombeans!!


Calling all mad scientists! Let’s see your monster-making skills with Fear & Sunshine’s current contest – Create Your Own ZomBean!

Calling all mad scientists! Let’s see your monster-making skills with Fear & Sunshine’s current contest – Create Your Own ZomBean. To play along, print up one of the ZomBean creation sheets by clicking here.  Use the sheet to draw and color your very own brain-eating bean. Once you’ve got your ZomBean made, you can scan or photograph it and submit it here or email the picture to contest@ratatatgraphics.com .

And what’s the prize for this ZomBean making contest? If you win, you’ll get not only a Jumbo ZomBean plushie, but you’ll also get a ZomBean based on your design featured in one of the upcoming expansions to the ZomBeans app for Android!

We’re also going to be running a second version of the contest for Wizard World Chicago! Same rules, same prizes. And since I won’t have a chance to really promote the Chicago one, everybody that submitted their ZomBean for the Kenosha Harbor Market contest will have a SECOND CHANCE TO WIN! The Chicago contest will run from 8/8/11 to 8/15/11 and the winner will be contacted 8/16/11 and annouced on all them Ratatat/Fear & Sunshine sites. Let’s see them beans!!!

Join tens of thousands of fans as they converge at the Donald E. Stephen Convention Center (Rosemont) at Chicago Comic Con Wizard World Convention to celebrate the best in pop culture. Chicago Comic Con brings it all - Movies, Comics, Toys, Video Gaming, Games, TV, Graphic Novels, Horror, Wrestling, MMA, Original Art, Collectibles, Anime, Manga & More! Chicago Comic Con is brought to you by the group who produces the most widely attended Comic Con tour! 

If you bring your littles out Sunday, there's a costume contest just for them.
2-2:45   KID’S COSTUME CONTEST 
Bring kids 10 and under for this special event with fun prizes just for families and the youngsters. (Room B)

Kidical Mass Bike Parade-Here's another fun, outdoor, eco-friendly option, if the thunder storms hold off.   


Kidical Mass Ride-- a fun, free bike parade for kids of all ages!

The Logan Square Kidical Mass begins gathering at 10:30am at the Palmer Square bunny park (3100 W. Palmer) and pedals off at 11am. Costumes, funny hats, music and all forms of merriment are encouraged.   Click HERE for more details.

Sunday:


Multilingual Fun

Looking for something fun to do Sunday morning?
Join us from 10-11:30am for Around the World with Multilingual Kids - a new quarterly event featuring cultural games and language lessons for kids 1-8 years old. At this event, kids will make crepes with our French teacher, play traditional games with our Korean teacher and learn new words and songs with our Spanish teacher. Also look forward to Bollywood dance lessons by Bollywood Groove at 11am.  This event is free, but advanced registration is required. Please email Carolina and include your child's name and age. (Parental/caregiver presence required.)
Adult classes in over a dozen language start next week, and classes for kids 1 year and up start the week of Labor Day.  Click here for schedules!




Full Moon Fire Jam-August 14th, 7:45-10:15pm
The Full Moon is coming!

It's time to dust off your fire spinning gear and drums!!
Come out to enjoy one of the FINEST ways to spend your Chicago evening!

Arrive around 7:45pm to watch the sunset.  The Jam will start around this time also. 
Jam ends by 10:15pm and everyone must be out of the park by 11:00pm

: leave no trace : family friendly/no alcohol etc. : rain or shine : photography = no flash

ALL THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR 2011

Full Moon Jams are a community event:  Fire Spinners from Chicago and
beyond gather together, with the passion filled music from local
drummers to share with you their combined passions.  The result:  an
evening of beautiful flames, dances, music and laughter.

Jam happen rain or shine... but please know that these events, despite
their size, are informal in many ways.  No one fire spinner or drummer
is required to come and share gifts at the jam.  Thus.. sometimes
there are less drummers and sometimes their are less fire spinners.
This is just how it is.

If you are a fire spinner and are not on the Chicago Fire Tribe email
group ... please email chicagofiretribe@gmail.com and introduce
yourself, so we can add you to the list of fellow fire friends here in
Chicago.

-The Jams are a LEAVE NO TRACE event... this means... pack it in, pack
it out.  Please clean up after yourselves and if you see and litter,
please help and clean it up.

The Location of the Jam
This is the actual address of the field where the jam is held:

5050 N. Simonds Dr Chicago, IL 60640
west side of Simonds Dr

please note::: The jam is NOT at Foster Ave Beach.. it is South of
the beach, on the west side of the path.

<http://www.googlemaps.com/> and plug in the address.

DRIVING:
Foster Ave and the Lake front.. . *not the beach!*
Lake Shore Drive to Foster Ave, turn right and go east (towards the
Lake) on Foster Ave.
When the street curves around to the right, follow it. The jam is 1/4
a mile down the path on the west side of the street.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:
Red Line to Argyle or Berwyn
Walk to Foster Ave - if at Argyle stop, go North; if at Berwyn stop,
go South to Foster.
Then walk east on Foster till you hit the Lake front and follow the
path as it curves around to the right (south)
We are 1/2 a mile down the path.

DATES FOR 2011

Mark your calenders for upcoming Full Moon Jams! Here is the list of
upcoming dates.  Note that the jams cannot happen on Fridays or
Saturdays, and some of the dates below have been moved to reflect this
request.

MONTH        DAY     DAY OF WEEK      JAM TIME
 August         14th         Sunday                7:45 pm
September   12th         Monday                7:00 pm
October       11th         Tuesday                6:15 pm

More info:

Ongoing:

August at MCA Chicago 

Join us on Tuesdays for MCA Summer Studios

Every Tuesday through August 30, free
11 am-2 pm on the plaza during the Farmers' Market and
5-8 pm in the sculpture garden during Tuesdays on the Terrace

Create amid the sights and sounds of the MCA Farmers' Market and Tuesdays on the Terrace, while drawing inspiration from artwork in the exhibitions Mark Bradford and Pandora's Box: Joseph Cornell Unlocks the MCA Collection. For adults and children alike. 

MCA Summer Studios are every Tuesday through July 26, and have a different theme and project each week.

August 16: Inside the Box
Explore how your choice of materials can alter the environment of a space. 

August 30: Images Collide 
Overlap familiar pictures to create new images.

For more information, visit our Summer Studios page.


Save the Date:


Pints for Pups Fundraiser-Saturday, August 20th, 3-5pm at Dunlays on the Square.  This is the first fundraiser for the Logan Square Dog Park and its shaping up to be a fun event.

Tickets Must be Purchased in Advance, by August 15th and may be purchased for a $40 donation. 
Please visit www.LoganSquareDogPark.com for more information or to purchase tickets!

ALSO!  If you stop by Dunlays any time next week and order the "Dog" themed beer flight of Lagunitas Brews, Dunlays will contribute $3 toward the park for every flight sold!  Be sure to tell all of your friends to make Dunlays their favorite watering hole this week.

Some reasons to consider attending:
  • You love dogs and want to give them a place to play in our community!
  • The event will feature Unlimited Beer, Wine and Sangria
  • Dogs are well come and will receive free treats from Fido to Go - the "GorMutt" food truck - on the patio.
  • A chance to win one of the great prizes donated by our generous event sponsors, including (but not limited to):
Bosch Corporation
Chicago White Sox
Starbucks
Cafe Bolero
Pet-A-Cure
The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation
Polar Pups
It's All About Me Pet Care
Wolfbait
Play - Logan Square
Frog Temple Pilates
Logan Pets Grooming
Ciao Napoli Pizzeria
Don Bono Artwork
Michigan Wines and Cheeses
And More!



FarmFest at Lincoln Park Zoo
Saturday, September 17, 2011 at 5:00 PM
Fall Event 2011

Join Lincoln Park Zoo's Auxiliary Board for their newest event-FarmFest! Reminiscent of Chicago's street festivals and block parties, FarmFest gives a whole new meaning to "party animals." 

What makes this fest so special? Held at the only barnyard in Chicago, FarmFest guests are invited to hoedown at Lincoln Park Zoo's Farm-in-the-Zoo Presented by John Deere with live music from Bubbly Creek Bluegrass Band and The Bon Mots, while enjoying, raffles with rowdy prizes, and of course, the tasty eats and treats found at any Chicago festival. 

All proceeds from FarmFest help feed the animals and keep Lincoln Park Zoo free and open to all, 365 days a year.    Check out FarmFest on Facebook for more info and updates.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Play Locally-Green Scene

 photo ChiILMama.com    Sagezilla enjoys Working Bikes pedal powered electronics

Green Festival, the nation's largest green living event, returns to Chicago to celebrate 10 years, 1 million attendees this Saturday and Sunday.    It's a weekend of 10 year celebrations with CircEsteem also excited to be presenting Circus Shows for the 10th year!

Check out some of ChiIL Mama's photo filled past coverage HERE.   We'll be there Sunday to give you the scoop on the big one-oh.   We got the spiral earrings Sagezilla and I always wear here at the Green Fest years ago from Coco Loco.

Kick Off:
Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon will be cutting the green ribbon at 11 am to kick-off Green Festival.

Where: McCormick Place (Lakeside), 2301 S. Lakeshore Dr.

When: Saturday 10am - 7pm, Sunday 11 am - 6 pm

Details:There are so many new and exciting activities to be on the lookout for at Green Festival. Here are just a few:

Scan the QR Code with your smart phone or iPad's free QR Code Reader app to download and browse the Green Festival Event Guide. These codes will also be posted on site around the box office. This year, Green Festival printed 3,000 fewer Event Guides and provided opportunities to view the Event Guide online.

Truck Farm Chicago is showcasing their mini-farm on wheels, interacting with youth and answering questions about growing food.

Organic Cooking Demonstrations feature local chefs engaging with community members and making everything from cheese to raw brownies.

The Green Products Showcase in the lobby features the newest and coolest green products to be on the lookout for in the Green Festival Marketplace.

Saturday Highlights
Saturday
11:00am – Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon – Green Ribbon-Cutting
11:00am – Michele Kaufman – The 2011 Smart Home – Green Living Stage
11:30am – Naomi Davis – Blacks In Green: The Chicago Story – Sustainable Home & Garden Pavilion
12:00pm – Ananda Bliss Tribe – Opening Musical Performance – Main Stage
12:30pm – Colin Beavan, No Impact Man – How to Live: Help the World by Becoming Yourself – Main Stage
1:30pm – Stephanie Davies (Urban Worm Girl) – Composting Inside and Out – Sustainable Home & Garden Pavilion
2:00pm – John Viera (Ford) – Ford’s Environmental Sustainability Efforts: A Holistic Approach – Green Living Stage
2:00pm – John Perkins – 2012 Prophecy: Radical Global Change – Main Stage
2:00pm– Dennis Salazar (Salazar Packaging) and Frank Locantore (Green America’s Better Paper Project) – How to Green Your Business: Step by Step From Paper Use to Packaging
2:30pm– Nancy Jones, Ervin Lopez (Chicago Fair Trade) – Celebrate Chicago: America’s Largest Fair Trade City – Fair Trade Pavilion
3:00pm – Jon Hind – Monkey Bar Demonstration – Yoga and Movement Pavilion
3:30pm – Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr. – Green Mojo: How the Green Movement Can Get It Back, and Keep It In the Future – Main Stage
4:30pm – Kevin Danaher (Global Exchange) – Building the Local Green Economy –GreenBuildingand Renewable Energy Pavilion
4:30pm – Bianca Alexander (Conscious Living TV), Michael Alexander (Conscious Living TV), Mimi Clayton (Mimi’s Organic Exchange), Dennis Jose (ArtLab) – Make Your Art Green With The Art Lab 123 – Sustainable Home & Garden Pavilion
5:00pm – Jeffrey Smith – Don’t Put That In Your Mouth – Main Stage

Sunday
12:00pm – Amy Goodman – Democracy Now! – Main Stage
12:30pm – Suzanne Carlson (Chicago Public Schools), Eric Heineman (Office of Governor Pat Quinn), Doug Widener (U.S. Green Building Council – Chicago Chapter) – What Comes Next: Pushing Forward Green Efforts In Illinois’ Existing Schools – Community Action Pavilion
1:00pm – Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Dr. Brent Ridge – The Fabulous Beekman Boys – Main Stage
2:00pm – L. Hunter Lovins – Climate Capitalism: The Business Case for Protecting the Climate – Main Stage
3:00pm – Dr. Sharif Abdullah – 12 Global Solutions: A Visionary Blueprint For Our Turbulent Times – Main Stage
3:30pm – Alexis Baden-Meyer (Organic Consumers Association), Cassie Green (Green Grocer Chicago) – Millions Against Monsanto: Anti-GMO Strategy Session – Community Action Pavilion
3:30pm – Greg Fisher, Richard McGiniss (Mindful Metropolis) – Urban Beekeeping –Sustainable Home & Garden Pavilion

Ford electric and hybrid vehicles will be ready for test drives in front of the Concourse on Saturday and Sunday.

For more info, check out their web site and get the green scene scoop on Twitter and Facebook.

Green Festival
Twitter: @GreenFestival

Du-Jay, Sagezilla and Dug-lookin' smart    photo ChiILMama.com



Kidical Mass is back

Fixed start locations/times
2nd Saturday every month,
next ride TODAY-May 14th, 2011
Palmer Square, 3064 W Palmer Blvd
Gather in center of park at 10:30 AM for 11:00 AM departure

This ride will end at Haas Park, just east of California on Fullerton, if you wish to meet up with the group after the ride.

Proposed route from Palmer:  north on Kedzie, east on Logan, south on Sacramento, east on Altgeld, north on Mozart, east on Logan again, south on Fairfield, east on Altgeld, southwest in alley to the park
contact: Karen Furlong 773 235-4630


Ride Guidelines

Please wear helmets and ride safely.
Rides are typically 4 miles at a 5-6 mph pace on quiet residential streets, roughly 1 hour with stops.
Rides are suitable for children who can ride their own bike for at least three miles; we have had children do this on training wheels just fine.
Younger children are welcome on trail-a-bikes, child trailers and child seats of their parent's bike.
Festive dress and decorations encouraged.
It is expected that all kids bring a parent or guardian.



Floating start locations/times


April 2nd, Clarendon Park, gather 11:00 AM, ride 11:30-12:30.  Please see calendar for details.

Our friends over at the blog, Chicargobike, are often there and happy to answer questions about how to get a number of littles around via bike in an urban environment.   They're parents to 3 young boys and their good ideas aren't theoretical, but spring from real life experience.   They own a tandem, a Dutch box bike, and enough recycled and salvaged bikes to share.    The
ir blog even gives directions on how to build your own box bike!   



They get around town by bike an impressive amount, and just spearheaded a bike Friday "bike train" at our school.    The train meets about 50 minutes before school and caravans along side streets, picking families up along the way.    They hope to make the bike train a weekly event in the warm months and encourage a growing number of families to ride.   The ride culminated with coffee for the sleepy grown ups and muffins for all.



10-2pm Saturday and Sunday
*bring your own trays and flats back--reduce-reuse-recycle

This annual sale of organic annuals does tend to get crowded, but it's a great opportunity to support The Chicago Park District and it doesn't get any more organic, locally grown and sustainable than DIY veggies.    Even if you just have porch pots or a city roof garden, it's great to grow your own.   

Friday, January 7, 2011

Look for ChiIL Mama This Weekend.......And Think Globally-Play Locally


 Saturday:
For the hard core winter lovers and those with good cold weather gear...

Don't miss this Saturday's Kidical Mass Ride-- a fun, free bike parade for kids of all ages! 



The Logan Square Kidical Mass begins gathering at 10:30am at the Palmer Square bunny park (3100 W. Palmer) and pedals off at 11am. Costumes, funny hats, music and all forms of merriment are encouraged.

The organizers say Saturday's forecast is chilly, so bundle up! The proposed route is to a nearby cafe where parents can socialize and kids can be kids. 

And with winter here, check out www.bikewinter.org for all season family cycling tips.






MCA Free Family Days Color Me In Space--It's the 2nd Saturday of the month and that means free, artsy fun.   Maybe you're not up for a chilly morning bike ride, but you're up for some fun in a warm, colorful museum space.   Don't hibernate--create.


Saturday & Sunday:




School of Rock plays a tribute to Queen at Reggie's Rock Club Saturday and Sunday at 2pm


It's a win-win situation--one of our favorite bands in one of our favorite venues!
I first introduced the kids to Queen two springs ago around St. Patrick's Day, when a number of people had broken out their bikes and were enjoying the spring like weather.   I began belting out Bicycle Races and Du-Jay quizzically asked "WHAT are you singing, Mom?"   I realized at ages 5 and 7, they still hadn't been properly introduced to Queen yet.   


We loaded Queen's Greatest Hits to the ipod and the rest is history.   Two years later, and 4 more albums to the ipod, the kids have a good chunk of Freddy Mercury's life work memorized.   They do a wicked duet on Bohemian Rhapsody on Guitar Hero.   And they're more than jazzed to see The School of Rock Kids become one of their favs.


The kids at School of Rock are another favorite of ours.   We've seen them perform at Kidzapalooza and at The Windy City Rollers, and these kids rock!   Click HERE to see ChiIL Mama's coverage of The School of Rock rockin' the roller derby between bouts.  Come check 'em out this weekend at Reggie's at their two all ages afternoon shows.


Photo by ChiIL Mama    KenazWorks 2011


Swing by The Empty Bottle--another favorite venue for live music, for some unique artist made goodies.   We've had great luck finding fabulous things at Handmade Market in the past.







Howlin' Good Hockey With The Chicago Wolves



Wolves and dogs unite




Adopt A Dog at Chicago Wolves games January 8th,
February 19th, March 26th and April 9th


We're stoked to be going to The Chicago Wolves game Saturday night at Allstate Arena.   As much as we love Chicago hockey, and ardently follow The Chicago Blackhawks, this will be our first Wolves game!


They know how to do it up right in Rosemont.   We won't just be treated to a pro hockey game, by 4 time league champions, but we'll also get in on a pre-game fun fest and fireworks and laser light show, too.   You can even leave the game with a furry, little mascot in need of a home.   At ChiIL Mama, we have 2 rescue dogs and are huge fans of adopting homeless shelter dogs rather than going through pet stores and risking puppy mill pets.


The Wolves strive to provide their fans the best entertainment value in sports. 


Pregame ShowPREGAME SHOW

Be sure to arrive early for the pregame fireworks and laser show! You won’t want to miss the best pregame show in hockey! More>>





Breakaway MagazineBREAKAWAY MAGAZINE

Breakaway Magazine is the official program of the Chicago Wolves, and is a free giveaway to the first 7,500 fans at all Saturday home games. Check out Breakaway Online>>





Fun FestSATURDAY FUN FEST

The Saturday Fun Fest takes place before every Saturday home game in the Skyline Room from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Admission is free! More>>



 Check out The Chicago Wolves site HERE for this season's schedule and more.   Can't make it to the game?   Check 'em out on TV. 
The Chicago Wolves will return to network television during the 2010-11 season when the team airs 18 home games on My50 Chicago (WPWR).  The other contests - home, away and playoffs - will continue to be broadcast live on Comcast Network 100.

Fun "Facts" from The Chicago Wolves site


  • More than 800 dogs have been adopted as part of the Adopt-a-Dog program presented by Pedigree & Pet Supplies "Plus"
  • Free Fun Fest occurs before every Saturday game from 5-6:30 p.m. in the Allstate Arena Skyline room
  • 100% of all kids at Wolves games wear smiles!






Sunday:


Beat Kitchen Concerts For Kids

The 2011 Kindie Concert Season is off to a great start with some Minneapolis bluegrass from our neighbors to the north.   Check out award winning musicians, The Okee Dokee Brothers.   Tickets are just $5.   Their all ages show is at noon.



Beat Kitchen and Subterranean have an excellent line up of kids show for winter and spring.   Check out shows by ChiIL Mama's past Win A Disc Wednesday bands Little Miss Ann, The Boogers, Mr. Singer & The Sharp Cookies.

Concerts for Kids Music Calendar Jan - May 2011


Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont Ave. Chicago, 773-281-4444

Shows start at noon unless specified

Jan 9:  The Okee Dokee Brothers

Jan 16:  Poochamungas
Jan 23: Mr. Singer & the Sharp Cookies
Jan 29:  Winter Fest w:Little Miss Ann Band, Boogers, AmeriKid Idol,  Mary Macaroni
Plus facepainting, crafts and more!
Feb 5: (SATURDAY) Lindsay & The Shimmies
*Subterranean--Little Miss Ann Band on Saturday, February 19th at 4pm.

Feb 20:  Super Stolie and The Rockstars
Feb 27:  Karen 4 Kids!
Mar 6:  Human-Tim + Robot-Tim
Mar 13:  Little Miss Ann Band w/ The Candy Band
Mar 20:  Jeanie B! and The Jelly Beans
Mar 27: Mary Macaroni
Apr 3:  Kara Kesselring &  Sugarcreek Road
Apr 10:  Boogers
May 1:  The Dreamtree Shakers
May 22: Mr. Singer & the Sharp Cookies


 
Check out Beat Kitchen on Facebook for updates and visit their website for tickets. 



No Pants Subway Ride Chicago



And you thought Kidical Mass would freeze your petushki off......

"The No Pants Subway Ride is a global event started by Improv Everywhere in New York in 2002."
Http://www.improveverywhere.com/

I remember laughing my pants off at Ayun Halliday's recounting of her participation in the New York version of this event every year.   Now the second city can show them big apples how it's done.   Join a host of pantsless wonders and exhibitionist theatre freaks (who still aren't as freaky or masochistic as those Polar Plunge freaks who jump in frozen Lake Michigan every winter!)

It's fun to shake up people's routines and mess with their heads in a funny en mass prank.   Come create some memories.

Please confirm yourself on the event page so they know your coming!   All the secret meeting times and place and details are there.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_177085572310173
At the meeting points, participants will be organized into groups and assigned a specific train car. Once everyone is divided up we will all head to nearby subway station. Do not talk to others once you enter the subway system.Pretend no one knows each other.

Sit in the car as you normally would. Read a magazine or whatever you would normally do. Your team leader will have already divided you into smaller groups, assigning your group a specific stop where you will depants.

As soon as the doors shut at the stop before yours, stand up and take your pants off and put them in your backpack. If you’d like to use a briefcase, purse, grocery bag, or whatever instead of a backpack that’s fine too. If anyone asks you why you’ve removed your pants, tell them that they were “getting uncomfortable” (or something along those lines.)

Exit the train at your assigned stop and stand on the platform, pantless. You will wait on the platform for the next train to arrive. Stay in the exact same place on the platform so you enter the next train in the same car as you exited the last train.

When you enter, act as you normally would. You do not know any of the other pantless riders. If questioned, tell folks that you “forgot to wear pants” and yes you are “a little cold.” Insist that it is a coincidence that others also forgot their pants. Be nice and friendly and normal.

You can wear fun underwear if you like, but nothing that screams out, “I wore this because I’m doing a silly stunt.” Wear two pairs of underwear if it makes you feel more comfortable. Don’t wear a thong or anything else that might offend people. Our aim is to make people laugh, not piss them off.

If you haven’t already, please take a moment to read about previous No Pants! Subway Rides.

Please leave your cameras in your bags during the event and resist the temptation to snap photos with your iPhone, etc. while the event is happening. Take as many as you like before and after the event, but during the ride we really want people to enjoy the experience of participating rather than documenting. It detracts from the mission if everyone is taking photos of each other rather than keeping a straight face. Don’t worry, we have photographers assigned to every meeting point who will take great photos.

This is always a blast, and we look forward to seeing you there. We encourage you to bring friends, but make sure they get a chance to read all of these instructions so everyone is on the same page

See you on the 9th!


Coming Soon:







Starting Friday, January 28th:





Film Screenings at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
A Tree and a Flower
Facets Children's Programs is starting 2011 off right with a great film series at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. On selected Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from January through April, Facets will be offering screenings of short and feature-length films at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Lincoln Park (2430 North Cannon Drive).

Admission to the museum is included with the screening, and most programs will be followed by interactive science-based demonstrations by Nature Museum staff.

For more information, click here.

If you've been following ChiIL Mama a while, you'll know that our family has volunteered at Facets Multimedia for over 20 years and we've been volunteering at and covering the International Children's Film Festival for years as well.   

Click HERE for our behind the scenes look at the festival last fall.



Speaking of Roller Derby...
Check out The Windy City Rollers for Grrrl Powered family friendly fun.








WCR HOME OPENER JANUARY 15!

It's roller derby season again in Chicago! The Windy City Rollers open their 2011 home season on January 15 at UIC Pavilion!

Our home season bouts for the 2011 season will be played as double headers. Each home team will play the other teams twice -- totalling 6 bouts -- working to earn a spot in the championship game for the Ivy King Cup.

All four home teams are returning to the track with their eyes on the prize. Rookies no more, the Hell’s Belles return this season with the passionate unity of a team that was tried by fire. The Manic Attackers will be well defended by last season’s league rookie of the year, Bork Bork Bork, and also welcome fan favorite Ying O’Fire back to their ranks. Plagued late last season with injuries, the Double Crossers are back with a lean, mean squad of seasoned veterans including Georgia on Yer Behind, Julia Rosenwinkel and Blossom Bruiso. The reigning champions, The Fury, are back with most of last year’s hard-hitting squad with the highly intimidating Yvette Yourmaker rejoining the already fearsome blocking squad.

BOUT CHARITY: Girls in the Game
ANTHEM: Our very own Head of Officiating, Unk!
MUSIC PROVIDED BY: Oncore Productions, DJ Danger/Travis Matthews

Tickets for the January 15th bout are available online through Ticketmaster, the UIC Pavilion box office or from any WCR skater. There’s still time for Season Tickets and Group Tickets. Both are available by contactinggroups@windycityrollers.com.



2011 Season Schedule: Saturday, January 15, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011 (Ivy King Cup Championship)


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