Save the Date for Chicago ANA Convention August 14-16 2009

[MAlegant]

In the 40's looks good.  We are so fortunate to have you there and helping with all of this!  Thank you Kate.  The fireworks sound good too!

[lori67]

  PLUS, I LOVE dueling pianos and singing along at the top of my lungs where it doesn't matter how I sound!!   

K

I vote that Kay sits on my right side if she starts singing.   

Lori

[leapyrtwins]

Quick question.  Just how loud is Howl at the Moon? 

I know lots have issues with hearing    Is this something that will be headache inducing?

Lori -

if we go, Kay can sit between you and me.  I'm SSD on the left 

Jan

[Kaybo]

Oh, and aren't y'all the funny, SUPPORTIVE ones!!  Noises don't bother me so whatever is OK with me!!

K

[MAlegant]

Whatever, matters not, as long as everyone is happy. Wait, is that even possible?

[4cm in Pacific Northwest]

Being that I am one of the lucky ones  to have come out with "hyperacusis" since surgery I am not sure I could cope with loud music at the howl in the moon. Their website makes it look like a very loud place for me to avoid.

You folks do not know how lucky you are not to be inflicted with this.

If you care to know what "the curse" is
http://www.hyperacusis.net/hyperacusis/what+is+hyperacusis/default.asp

Someday even my own voice hurts my ears.

Interesting I can go to performances, such as a musical, but the loud pub scene I just cannot handle. Perhaps because at a performance you just watch and listen (and in my case wear an earplug while doing so) ...  but at a pub you have to interact in a loud environment. I would be very receptive to the Mary Poppins Musical but will pass on the loud pub scene.

DHM

[Cheryl R]

I hate to say it too but there is no way I can take loud noise.     I keep the remote by me and turn the sound down with commercials.              I haven't even thought of going to a movie.                      The music playing at the past symposium banquets has made many of us unhappy as then unable to talk easily.             
I am glad someone else made mention of this as it occured to me immediately.
                                                           Cheryl R

[leapyrtwins]

We'll work something out - maybe a mixture of wild times for some and quiet times for others, and some middle ground for all of us.

Personally I'm more a tea person than a howl at the moon type.  Okay, you can stop rolling on the floor and laughing now, Lori & Kay.  I'm actually serious.

Although I've been dying to go to the House of Blues on a Sunday for the gospel brunch, I hear it's very loud and I've shied away from it.  And, you all know how shy I am 

A few drinks in a quiet setting where I can have some conversations is more my speed.  I'll also be coming back from a week long trip to San Diego where in addition to doing the work I knew I'd have to do, I now have additional duties due to my boss being fired   

Jan

[MAlegant]

Sounds like "howling at the moon" won't work, so how about something quieter?  Then anyone with energy and desire can go to "howl at the moon" since it is open so late? 
Marci

[leapyrtwins]

Maybe Signature Room @ the 95th?  As Kate suggested the view would be beautiful and conversations could take place.

See her prior post for a link.

[Kate B]

Just like a large family:-)  I am certain that with a group like us, it will have to be a general format  for Camp AN and then those interested can join in.  Chicago places in general are loud because of the amount of people...With the Air and Water Show that weekend, the city will be very crowded.

Trying to capitalize of "free events" and paid alike, I have a rough sketch outlined below:
Your thoughts?  

Thursday:
Thursday afternoon : High Tea at 2:30 or 3:00 (it ends at 5:00) we need reservations
Late Thursday: Chicago Architectural Boat Tour on the River ( 5:00 ish) (a good way to see Chicago and learn about the skyskrapers and buildings)
We will need to buy tickets online for the same tour time...
Thursday Evening 7:30: Gino's East Chicago Deep Dish Pizza

Friday:A.M. T6:15 a.m Those wanting to walk down Lake Shore Drive (walking path along the lake) for morning exercise will meet in the lobby (time to follow)
After the roundtable:  Dinner??? and the Signature Lounge at the top of the John Hancock 
  
Saturday:  
Before the Symposium: Those wanting to walk down Lake Shore Drive for morning exercise will meet in the lobby (time to follow)
Air and Water Show is in town and you won't be able to avoid this if
Marci's Birthday:   The Pritzker Pavillion in Grant Park has its last concert of the season??, Firework Display,  ? (Signature Lounge if Friday is foggy) and then Howl at the Moon (for those interested)  See links below,
Sunday:  Picture in Hats in the Hotel  (or maybe this should be early Saturday morning and  before people leave)
             Museum Day
             Pirate Exhibit
             Mag Mile Shopping Day 
             House of Blues Gospel Brunch 2:30..It is a stage performance and of course music.
             Air and Water Show 
             Depart for Home

Architectural Boat Tours (You will get a great feel for Chicago by taking this tour)
Wendella Boats
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BX7zxQuU_9Y
http://www.wendellaboats.com/chicago.htm  ($22.00 adults, $20.00 children) (You will see the famous landmarks on this cruise including the Merchandise Mart (formerly owned by the Kennedy family), The Trump Tower, The Sears Tower, The Opera House and many more)

Signature Lounge at the top of the John Hancock    http://www.signatureroom.com/lounge/default.cfm?PID=15  (open until 1:30 am)

Grant Park Music Festival (free) and ends on August 15
http://www.grantparkmusicfestival.com/

Twice Weekly Fireworks at Navy Pier (free) Memorial Day through Labor Day
Saturday, August 15 show is at 10:15 p.m.
http://www.navypier.com/things2do/fireworks.html

Chicago's Buckingham Fountain (free) in Grant Park
http://www.cpdit01.com/resources/buckingham_fountain.cfm

The Air & Water Show  free---but you also won't be able to avoid this one:-)
http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/special_events/mose/chicago_air___water.html
http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/supporting_narrative/events___special_events/events/mose/history_of_the_chicago1.html

[Kate B]

Here are all of the links as we try to target an activities agenda for AN Camp:-)

With this list, you need a week extra! I've tried to include many "free" events or things unique to Chicago. Of course we have the chains too such as Cheesecake Factory et al...  and a few  of those are also included below..Enjoy!  We are known for our skyscrapers (Sears, John Hancock, Aon Building, Wrigley Building et al)   If you have a favorite place in Chicago, send it this way and I'll modify the list.

Neighborhoods:
Hyde Park (President Obama's neighborhood)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyde_Park,_Chicago
Gold Coast
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_Coast,_Chicago
Magnificent Mile
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnificent_Mile

Architectural Boat Tours (You will get a great feel for Chicago by taking this tour)
Wendella Boats
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BX7zxQuU_9Y
http://www.wendellaboats.com/chicago.htm  ($22.00 adults, $20.00 children) (You will see the famous landmarks on this cruise including the Merchandise Mart (formerly owned by the Kennedy family), The Trump Tower, The Sears Tower, The Opera House and many more)
Chicago's First Lady
http://www.cruisechicago.com/ 
Walking Tours: 
http://www.architecture.org/

Twice Weekly Fireworks at Navy Pier (free) Memorial Day through Labor Day
Saturday, August 15 show is at 10:15 p.m.
http://www.navypier.com/things2do/fireworks.html

Grant Park Music Festival (free) and ends on August 15
http://www.grantparkmusicfestival.com/

Chicago's Buckingham Fountain (free) in Grant Park
http://www.cpdit01.com/resources/buckingham_fountain.cfm

The Air & Water Show  free---but you also won't be able to avoid this one:-)
http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/special_events/mose/chicago_air___water.html
http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/supporting_narrative/events___special_events/events/mose/history_of_the_chicago1.html

Shopping
Mag Mile http://www.themagnificentmile.com/
Heshey Store  http://www.hersheys.com/discover/chicago.asp
American Girl Store  http://www.americangirl.com/stores/
WaterTower http://www.shopwatertower.com/html/index7.asp
Woodfield Mall (Schaumburg, IL--need a car)  Chicago area's largest shopping mall with over 300 shops, stores and restaurants.  Jan and Kate spent many weekends and many dollars there in their youth 
http://www.shopwoodfield.com/

Lisa Lill Studios (only in a few cities) make a custom handbag
http://www.1154lill.com/home/

Museums: (You also almost need a day for each museum)
Art Institute (New Modern Wing opens this May--just in time) which also has a delightful outside garden cafe
Also visit the 68 miniature Thorne Rooms (dollhouse like interiors from late 13th century to the 1930s and American furnishings from the 17th century to the 1930s.)
http://www.artic.edu/aic/
Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) http://www.mcachicago.org/
Adler Planetarium  http://www.adlerplanetarium.org/
Field Museum  http://www.fieldmuseum.org/
Shedd Aquarium and Oceanarium  http://www.sheddaquarium.org/
Museum of Science and Industry http://www.msichicago.org/

The Garfield Park Conservatory  http://www.garfieldconservatory.org/shows.htm
http://www.garfieldconservatory.org/index.html

Lincoln Park Zoo  (free every day) http://www.lpzoo.org/

Millenium Park (many free events)
http://www.millenniumpark.org/parkevents/Default.aspx
http://www.millenniumpark.org/generalinformation/

Chicago is also known for food:
Deep Dish Pizza
Gino's East http://featuredfoods.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/a-store/c-GinoAns_East.shtml?E+scstore+ginos
Lou Malnati's Pizza http://cityvoter.com/lou-malnati-s-pizzaria-958-w-wrightwood-ave-lincoln-park-chicago-il-60614/loc/18207
Uno's Pizzeria http://www.unos.com/
Pizzeria Due http://cityvoter.com/pizzeria-due-619-n-wabash-ave-chicago-il-60611/loc/81590
Giordanos  http://www.giordanos.com/locations.php
Hotdogs and Beef
The Chicago Hotdog (it will never have ketchup)  http://www.portillos.com/portillos/
Italian Beef with Sweet Peppers http://www.portillos.com/portillos/
Sushi:
Sushi Samba
http://www.sushisamba.com/index.cfm/id/10/id2/28.html
Japonais
http://www.japonaischicago.com/
Rush Street Restaurants
Gibsons Steakhouse http://www.gibsonssteakhouse.com/
Hugos Frog Bar (Seafood) http://chicago.metromix.com/bars-and-clubs/seafood/hugos-frog-bar-rush-and-division/136137/content
Greek Islands (http://www.greekislands.net/).

Ed Debevics 1950's menu known for "rude" waitstaff (purposeful) with hourly dance routines on the counter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9V2XWj-JJo
http://featuredfoods.com/a-store/eds_p3a.pdf

Hard Rock Cafe

HighTea at the Drake
http://www.hiltonebusiness.com/projects/dining.thedrakehotel.com/palmcourt/palmcourt_intro.html

Theatre
In addition to Broadway productions you might check out the Looking Glass Theatre (David Schwimmer from Friends is associated with this one)
http://lookingglasstheatre.org/content/
Blue Man Group   http://www.blueman.com/about  http://www.blueman.com/tickets/chicago
Broadway tickets (some theaters have same day reduced pricing)
http://www.broadwayinchicago.com/
Second City (comedy--SNL products came from this troupe including John Belushi)
http://www.secondcity.com/?id=theatres/chicago

Chicago Cubs  http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=chc
Chicago White Sox http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=cws

House of Blues Edwin McCain is the headliner on August 15 http://www.houseofblues.com/tickets/eventdetail.php?eventid=57222
Also known for its Sunday Gospel Brunch 10:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. seatings http://www.houseofblues.com/venues/clubvenues/chicago/gospelbrunch.asp

Nightlife
Lounge with a city view:The Signature Room at the top of the Hancock
http://www.signatureroom.com/
 
Pubbyhttp://chicago.citysearch.com/profile/41814298/chicago_il/mcfadden_s_restaurant_and_saloon.html

Howl at the Moon (gregarious dueling pianos--lots of whole room audience participation)
http://www.howlatthemoon.com/

Buddy Guys Legends (blues club)
http://www.buddyguys.com/
Outside of New Orleans, Chicago is known for jazz and blues
http://www.10best.com/Chicago,IL/Nightlife/Jazz_&_Blues_Clubs/

Clubby:
http://chicago.metromix.com/bars-and-clubs/seafood/tavern-on-rush-rush-and-division/137048/content
http://www.huntclubchicago.com/
 
Super Club Level
Enclave http://www.enclavechicago.com/

Lounge with Club Atmosphere
The Martini Ranch http://www.martiniranch.com/

Chocolate Bars (yes...really)
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/91822/best_chocolate_cafes_and_bars_in_chicago.html
Also one at the upscale Peninsula Hotel on Friday evenings
http://chicago.metromix.com/bars-and-clubs/restaurant/chocolate-bar-at-the-river-north/144839/content

Worship Listed because of notoriety
Holy Name Cathedral http://www.holynamecathedral.org/menu.htm
Bahaii Temple for North American Worship (need a car for this one) http://www.bahai.us/bahai-temple  1 of 7 temples in the world (also a beautiful drive down Sheridan Rd)
Willow Creek Church in South Barrington (need a car) http://www.willowcreek.com/

Lake Shore Drive
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGQO7A0otOs
run, walk, or drive along this Lake Michigan geographical masterpiece
From the Drake you are steps away.

The list has been updated to reflect recent additions and a few more

[leapyrtwins]

Kate -

I think you're right.  Planned activities are a good idea, but people can do their own thing also; so many options!!! 

Didn't mean to put a damper on the piano bar; if people want to go, they should go.  There are plenty of other opportunities for us to spend time together; not everyone will want to do everything.

Although I'd love to go to the gospel brunch, the ANA is having brunch Sunday morning and I've already indicated that I will attend.  Beyond that, I am open to any and all suggestions - although I'd dearly love to have tea.  It's a Drake tradition and I've never been.  If I don't go in August, chances are I never will since I don't typically frequent places like The Drake.  I'm more suited to places I can wear my flip flops 

Jan

 

[Cheryl R]

We took our group pictures at the last symposium Sun after the brunch in the lobby as found that getting a bunch of people together in such an event is harder than you think it would be.  Plus we were a smaller bunch.                      I am not against any doings but just know that sometimes it is harder than you think.              Plus breakfast starts at 8 Sat am and bet it would be hard to get a group out before that.              I am not a morning person,   Can you tell?                     Plus not a stay up late one like I used to be.                        It will work out I know.      The actual symposium is pretty time consuming too.     
Kate is so wonderful with the Chicago info.          She could be a Chicago guide very well.                    I almost don't even need to look at my Chicago book as it is all right here.     
                                                                    Cheryl R

[Kaybo]

The main thing I wanted to do is TEA and sine our plane doesn't even ARRIVE until 2:55, I guess we won't get to do that...

I don't care about the Howl at the Moon - Dave & I aren't big party-ers but thought we would go if everyone did - we want to make the most of our time without 3 little ones in tow..

K