Chicago Hot Blog

The Eagles Chicago Concert

Chris — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 02:53:47 +0000

The Eagles Chicago Concert will take place Wednesday September 24, 2008 at Chicago’s United Center. Click Here To Buy Tickets to see The Eagles perform in Chicago.

The Eagles Chicago Concert

Wikipedia : The Eagles are an American rock band that was formed in Los Angeles, California during the early 1970s. With five Number 1 singles and six Number 1 albums, the Eagles were one of the most successful recording artists of the decade. At the end of the 20th century, two of their albums, Eagles: Their Greatest Hits 1971–1975 and Hotel California, ranked among the ten best-selling albums according to the Recording Industry Association of America. The best-selling studio album Hotel California is rated as the thirty-seventh album in the Rolling Stone list “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time”, and the band was ranked number 75 on Rolling Stone’s 2004 list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. They are also the best-selling American group ever, with Eagles: Their Greatest Hits 1971–1975 being the best-selling album in the U.S. to date.

Click Here To Buy Tickets to see The Eagles perform in Chicago.

Southern Illinois Wine Country

Chris — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:19:32 +0000

While most people don’t know that there are vineyards in Illinois, I am happy to say that Southern Illinois Wine Country offers a great weekend getaway for anyone looking to take a break from city life. During our two full days in Southern Illinois Wine Country we were able to visit nine wineries, most which are part of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. We also hiked through Garden of The Gods and had a taste of some Las Vegas Blue Ribbon winning “Double Decker Pizza” at Cobden’s Palace Pizzeria.

Southern Illinois Wine Country and the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail require a 5-6 hour drive from Chicago, but it is a trip worth taking. No matter what your level of experience, there is a lot to do, learn and taste in Southern Illinois Wine Country.

My favorite wineries seemed to have several characteristics in common. I enjoyed wineries that had a welcoming and knowledgeable staff, did not force you to make specific wine tasting selections, and had a relaxed atmosphere. I hope you find this information about Southern Illinois Wine Country to be informative.

Southern Illinois Wine Country - Favorites
Pomona Winery
Owl Creek Vineyard
Hogg Hollow Winery
Southern Illinois Bed & Breakfast

For more information about Southern Illinois Wine Country, visit the official Shawnee Hills Wine Trail website.

Southern Illinois Bed & Breakfast

Chris — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:10:28 +0000

The best way to experience Southern Illinois Wine Country is to stay at a local bed and breakfast. During our trip to , we stayed at the Shawnee Hill Bed & Breakfast. The facility is centrally located along the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail and the innkeepers are able to provide you with any information that you would need during your stay in Southern Illinois Wine Country.

The Shawnee Hills Bed & Breakfast is located on a sprawling property that features 3 ponds, hiking trails and a cave where Daniel Boone etched his name into the stone. For breakfast you can choose to have a stomach pleasing full-service breakfast in the main house or you may request a smaller but equally filling tray for you to bring back to your room. The innkeepers also provided ample drinks and snacks available at all hours of the day.

One thing that I particularly appreciated about the Shawnee Hill Bed & Breakfast was that the rooms are fully detached from the main house and each room has a private bathroom.

For more information about Shawnee Hill Bed & Breakfast, visit their Southern Illinois Bed & Breakfast website.

Shawnee Hill Bed & Breakfast
Phone: 618-893-2211
290 Water Valley Road
Cobden, Illinois 62920

Note: The location as displayed on Google Maps, Yahoo Maps, etc, is incorrect.

Hogg Hollow Winery

Chris — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:08:59 +0000

The surprise of our trip to Southern Illinois Wine Country was our stop at Hogg Hollow Winery. Located along the newly formed Southern Illinois Wine Trail, Hogg Hollow Winery doesn’t appear to be much at first glance. With a small building a very “fresh” feeling around the facility, we weren’t sure what to expect.

Hogg Hollow is a family owned business that was started by two friends. After learning to brew wine in their basement, the tandem decided to go big and open their own winery. A few years later, they have assembled one of the tastiest lists of wine in Southern Illinois Wine Country.

The staff at Hogg Hollow Winery is all family and everyone seemed to love what they were doing. The Hogg’s were even gracious enough to give us a quick tour of their facility so that we could learn a bit more about the wine making process.

If you’re staying at one of the Bed & Breakfasts along the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, you’ll need to make a small trip to get to Hogg Hollow, but it will be a trip well rewarded.

For more information visit the official Hogg Hollow Winery website.

Owl Creek Vineyard

Chris — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:07:32 +0000

One of our favorite spots in Southern Illinois Wine Country was Owl Creek Vineyard. The facility features a large deck overlooking the wooded “Owl Creek” with a staff that is friendly and personable.

When we arrived at Owl Creek Vineyard we were greeted by happy puppy who dropped a ball at my feet. I tossed the ball into the grape vines and he happily ran off to retrieve his toy. After a few more games of fetch, we headed inside and upstairs to the tasting room.

After tasting their entire menu of wines and their specially made sangria, we bought a bottle and took a seat outside on their deck. There is currently a deck expansion underway, but there was no construction going on while we were there. The deck provides a great place to sit and relax after a long day of wine tasting.

For more information visit the official Owl Creek Vineyard website.

Pomona Winery

Chris — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:04:27 +0000

Pomona Winery was the first stop during our trip to Southern Illinois Wine Country. What separates Pomona from the rest of the wineries on the Shawnee Hills Wine Train is that all of their wines are made with local fruit, but not grapes. Most of the wines at Pomona are made with apples, while some of their desert wines being made with berries and other fruits.

The staff at Pomona Winery was very informative and they led us through their entire wine list. As they poured, they would teach us a bit, talking a lot about the types of food that would complement each wine. All of the wines at Pomona were delicious and it was a great way to start our day on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail.

With their unique variety of fruit and desert wines, knowledgeable staff and friendly atmosphere, Pomona Winery is one of the sure-fire stops on your trip to Southern Illinois Wine Country.

For more information visit the official Pomona Winery website.

Chicago Roller Derby All-Stars

Chris — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:31:49 +0000

The Chicago Roller Derby has crowned the undefeated Hell’s Belles as their 2008 season champions, but the action rolls on. Beginning Saturday July 12, The Chicago Roller Derby has lined up All-Star events featuring the best Rollergirls from Chicago competing against Roller Derby teams from around the country.

The Chicago Roller Derby is comprised of 4 all-female teams from Chicago. The teams play each other on a rotating basis and there is a combined squad that plays teams from other cities. The Chicago Roller Derby Stadium is located at 1909 South Laramie in Cicero (map). On Derby Day, doors at 6pm and the action starts at 7pm. Tickets are $15 Advance tickets, $20 at Door.

Tickets for the Chicago Roller Derby are sold at several locations across Chicago, but tickets for the All-Star Games do not yet appear to be available. Check the official Windy City Rollers website for updated ticket information.

Chicago Roller Derby - All-Star Schedule
Saturday, July 12th - Chicago vs Tuscon
Saturday, August 16th - Chicago vs Minnesota
Saturday, September 20th - Chicago vs Kansas City

Upcoming Events
Chicago Summer Events
Chicago July Events
Dirty Dancing Chicago
Chicago Criterium

Chicago Weekend Events

Chris — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:27:33 +0000

As we get deeper into summer, the weekends in Chicago start a little earlier. These are the Chicago Weekend Events for the weekend of June 27, 2008. Be sure to check back to Chicago Hot Blog for all your Chicago Weekend Event updates.

Chicago Weekend Events - June 25-29, 2008
Hurry out and get your Taste of Chicago Discount Tickets before The Taste of Chicago starts on Friday.

The 2008 Grant Park Music Festival will perform Wednesday at 6:30pm, Friday at 6:30pm, Saturday at 7:30pm - at Millenium Park.

Cirque Du Soleil brings Kooza to Chicago’s United Center. Thurs June 26 - Sun June 29.

Chicago Summer Dance takes place at 601 S. Michigan (in Grant Park). Thurs-Sat (6pm-9pm) and Sunday (4pm-7pm). Also this Wednesday June 25 at Athletic Field Park (3546 W. Addison St) 6-9pm.

Take advantage of Art Institute Free Days every Thursday from 5pm-8pm.

Hopelessly Devoted, a Catholic comedy, runs Thursday at the Laugh Out Loud Theater in Schaumburg.

Round 2. White Sox vs. The Cubs at U.S. Cellular Field - Friday-Sunday.

Jammin’ At The Zoo bring Blondie to Chicago - Friday at 7pm.

Free Yoga at Millenium Park - every Saturday morning through September 27.

The Chicago Pride Parade steps off in Boystown - Sunday at Noon.

Navy Pier Fireworks launch every Saturday and Wednesday night throughout the summer.

The Freedom Museum is offering free admission every day through September 9 (closed tues) - and the weekend is always a great time to check out Wicked in Chicago.

Chicago July 2008 Events

Chris — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:05:28 +0000

July is one of the best months of the year to get out and experience Chicago. With so much going on in the city, take a look at our list of July Events in Chicago and Contact Us if you know of anything that should be added to the list.

Chicago July Events
The Freedom Museum is free to the public through September 9, 2008. Closed Tuesdays.

The Grant Park Music Festival brings classical music to Millenium Park. Every Weds, Fri & Sat.

Summer Dance teaches you the moves. Every Thurs-Sunday at 601 S. Michigan Ave (in Grant Park).

Taste of Chicago 2008 will be at Grant Park June 27 - July 6, 2008.

There is Free Yoga and Pilates at Millenium Park. Every Saturday Morning.

The AVP invades North Avenue Beach July 10-13, 2008. Free Thursday.

The Hyde Park Art Center hosts their monthly “Cocktails and Clay” on Friday July 11, 2008.

The Field Museum is Free on Monday July 14, 2008.

The 2008 Chicago Outdoor Film Festival will be at Grant Park. Tuesdays beginning July 15, 2008.

2008 Pitchfork Music Festival will be at Union Park, July 18-20.

The World’s Largest Block Party happens in The West Loop. July 18-19.

See The Dark Knight (Batman) at The Navy Pier IMAX. 72 Hours of consecutive shows run July 18-20.

Jammin’ At The Zoo features Fastball and Blind Melon on Friday July 25, 2008.

Venetian Night is Saturday July 26, 2008 at Grant Park.

The Chicago Criterium takes place Sunday July 27, 2008 at Grant Park.

July is the perfect time to take an evening viewing of Wicked in Chicago.

MCA Free Days are every Tuesday throughout the year. The Chicago Art Institute is free every Thursday evening. There is no MCA First Friday in July.

Navy Pier Summer Fireworks go off every Wednesday and Saturday night, with a special shows on July 2nd and July 4th. Also check out the Taste of Chicago Fireworks on July 3rd.

Worlds Largest Block Party 2008

Chris — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:30:42 +0000

The World’s Largest Block Party (Old St. Pat’s Festival) takes place July 18-19, 2008. The party runs 5:30-10:30pm on both days. The World’s Largest Block party takes place in parking lot at the corner of Madison and Des Plaines, in the West Loop.

The World’s Largest Block Party 2008 will feature the music of Rusted Root on Friday July 18 and the music of Pat Monahan (from the band Train) on Saturday July 19. The official World’s Largest Block Party website says that tickets go on sale June 25. Tickets are $35 in advance and it has been known to sell out. Tickets are available online or at select 5/3 Bank locations.

I attended The World’s Largest Block Party a few years ago, and it was a great time. Many people have called this “The World’s Largest Singles Block Party”, as there is a lot of mingling going on. One of the best things about the evening (besides the music and the beautiful people) was the seemingly free alcohol. When you arrive, you are given 5 free drink tickets. It was also easy to get a few extra free drinks out of the volunteers.

World’s Largest Block Party

The host of the event, Old St. Pat’s Church, is Chicago’s oldest public building and a treasured historic landmark. The World’s Largest Block Party is Old St. Patrick’s major fundraising event of the year. The Block Party proceeds support the mission and outreach activities of Old St. Pat’s including the Education Center, the Outreach Group, CARA Job Placement and Mentoring Program, Career Transitions Center of Chicago and Global Alliance for Africa.