Bus Trip: Alfred Stieglitz at the Art Institute

Friday, March 11, 2016, 9:45 AM - 3:15 PM. $35.00.

Alfred Stieglitz was a photographer and art promoter, instrumental in making photography an accepted art form at the turn of the 20th century. Join us for a docent-led tour of the Stieglitz collection at the Art Institute, which includes several 19th century prints along with works by Stieglitz and other Pictorialist photographers, then explore the museum. Lunch is on your own and not included in the registration fee.


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Kendrick Lamar, Untitled Unmastered

After being nominated for (and winning) more Grammies than any other artist last year for his album To Pimp a Butterfly, rapper Kendrick Lamar surprised the music world this week by releasing, with no promotion, a follow up collection of demo recordings and song sketches.


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What to Read after Seeing Deadpool

Just two weeks after opening in theaters, Deadpool has made more at the box office than any of Fox's previous X-Men related movies, earning a place at the pinnacle of pop culture for one of mainstream comic book history's weirdest, most violent, and funniest characters. Fans of the movie are probably already enjoying the Deadpool graphic novels and looking for something similar to read next.


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Bus Trip: Dressing Downton – Changing Fashion for Changing Times

Tuesday, February 09, 2016, 8:45 AM - 3:00 PM. $40.00.

Celebrate the final season of Downton Abbey at the Driehaus Museum. View costumes from the series, many using original fabrics from the early 20th century; others re-created from old photographs, paintings, and patterns. Get a new perspective on the show’s most memorable characters, both upstairs and down.


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Judge This by Chip Kidd

From binder clips o federal tax forms, Chipp Kidd aims his graphic designer’s eye on everyday objects, judging the clarity or mysteriousness of their designs, sometimes describing ways in which confusing designs could be made more clear and providing examples of how the commonplace has inspired his own work as the designer of some of the most iconic book covers in publishing history.


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Bus Trip: The Wonderland Express at the Chicago Botanic Gardens

Saturday, January 02, 2016, 9:15 AM - 2:00 PM. $20.00.

Take a magical adventure to a winter wonderland of twinkling lights and holiday beauty. Outside, 750,000 lights sparkle. Inside, a 10,000-square-foot exhibition of model trains winds through miniature Chicago-area landmarks, including Navy Pier, Soldier Field, Chicago Stadium, the Art Institute, Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House, and even more!


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The Decline of Western Civilization Collection

Previously only seen at special screenings or on bootlegs tapes, Penelope Spheeris’ three-part documentary series chronicling the punk scene of the ‘70s, the heavy metal scene of the ‘80s, and the anti-establishment, homeless teens of the ‘90s, has been restored and collected in a four DVD set.


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Bus Trip: Private Lives at ShawChicago

Sunday, December 06, 2015, 12:30 PM - 5:30 PM. $35.00.

Brilliant and witty, Noel Coward's comedy of manners, Private Lives, is a delightful romp of a play. While honeymooning with their new spouses (coincidentally at the same hotel,) a divorced couple realizes that they still have feelings for each other, despite their perpetually stormy relationship. Passion, laughter, romance, anger, and love set the stage for a classic battle of the sexes.


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Bus Trip: The Best of Second City

Saturday, November 21, 2015, 12:45 PM - 7:00 PM. $48.00.

Experience some of the funniest sketches, songs, and improvisations from the Second City's fifty-five year history live and in person performed by The Second City Touring Company. This is where it all began for Second City alums Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell and more.


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From Hell by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell

While certainly better known for the superhero masterpiece Watchmen, for my money, Alan Moore's best and most satisfying work might be From Hell, the obsessively-researched recounting of the Jack the Ripper murders.


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Bus Trip: Chicago’s Early Film Industry

Monday, October 19, 2015, 9:45 AM - 3:00 PM. $35.00.

Go behind the scenes at the Chicago History Museum with an archivist to view photos, prints and architectural drawings that document Chicago's early film industry. Learn about production studios, movie palaces, film stars and plot lines. Before the tour visit The Secret Lives of Objects from the museum's vast collection of artifacts, documents and images.


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Bus Trip: Schweikher-Langsdorf Home & Studio

Friday, September 18, 2015, 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM. $45.00.

Hop aboard our bus as we visit one of Illinois' hidden architectural gems, architect Paul Schweikher's 1938 home and studio sited on 7.5 acres in Schaumburg. An organic integration of eastern and western sensibilities, Mid-century Modern before such a term existed, we'll tour the home, including its Japanese garden, then enjoy the included lunch catered by Elegante Cuisine.


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Refused: The Shape of Punk to Come

Like last week's recommended band, Veruca Salt, this week's band released a new record after nearly 20 years apart. The members of the Swedish hard-core quartet Refused put aside their differences for a reunion tour, ultimately leading to the release of Freedom, a record that unfortunately fails to capture the excitement of the 1998 classic, The Shape of Punk to Come.


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Bus Trip: Sights of the City

Saturday, July 25, 2015, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM. $25.00.

Visit the Green City Farmer's Market. Shop for specialty foods from local producers and buy lunch. Take time to visit Lincoln Park Zoo or the Conservatory and then meet at the Peggy Notebart Nature Museum for a guided tour, including the Butterfly Room and the Wilderness Walk.


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Veruca Salt: Ghost Notes

After about 17 years of changing line-ups, the original members of mid-90's, Chicago rockers, Veruca Salt have come together with "hatchets buried, axes exhumed" to release a new album.


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Bus Trip: Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike at the Goodman Theatre

Sunday, June 28, 2015, 12:30 PM - 6:00 PM. $45.00.

Join us for the Chicago debut of Christopher Durang's hilarious Tony winning play at the Goodman Theatre. Aging siblings Vanya and Sonia share a home where they bicker and complain about their lives. Suddenly, their movie-star sister, Masha, swoops in with her new boy toy, Spike to throw her woebegone family deeper into midlife crisis.


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Bus Trip: Maker and Muse at the Driehaus Museum

Friday, June 19, 2015, 8:45 AM - 2:00 PM. $30.00.

Created in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the jewelry of Maker & Muse illuminates the artistic ideals defining every facet of design. Our special one-hour guided tour highlights the art jewelry of Maker & Muse and the unique story of the women who played a crucial role in its creation.


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Bus Trip: Plant Hunters at the Morton Arboretum

Tuesday, May 19, 2015, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. $25.00.

Tour the Arboretum grounds by tram, then stop at the Sterling Morton Library to experience Plant Hunters, an exhibit featuring artifacts relating to famous plant hunters and exploring modern conservation efforts by the Arboretum's scientists.


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Bus Trip: Sense and Sensibility at Chicago Shakespeare

Friday, April 24, 2015, 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM. $40.00.

Jane Austen’s deliciously charming romance is full of wit, passion and now, glorious song. This is the world premiere of Tony Award-nominated composer Paul Gordon’s musical, specially commissioned by Chicago Shakespeare Theater.


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Bus Trip: Garfield Park Spring Flower Show

Saturday, March 21, 2015, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. $20.00.

Escape the end of winter and put some spring in your step at the Garfield Park Conservatory. Enjoy gorgeous flowers at one of the largest conservatories in the world, long before they are blooming naturally outside.


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Bus Trip: Puppet Opera Theatre

Wednesday, March 11, 2015, 2:45 PM - 6:30 PM. $20.00.

Following the tradition of the Kungsholm Puppet Opera, Rolling Meadows’ Opera in Focus presents scenes from well-known operas performed by beautifully designed puppets in a show for both opera aficionados and those without musical drama experience. Enjoy the performance, plus a backstage tour.


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Bus Trip: House of Blues Gospel Brunch

Sunday, February 15, 2015, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM. $40.00.

The House of Blues Gospel Brunch is legendary. Join us for local talent performing both traditional and contemporary Gospel songs selected by the legendary gospel artist Kirk Franklin. Before and during the show, treat yourself to an amazing all-you-can-eat buffet featuring breakfast favorites, carving stations, southern specialties, and mouth-watering desserts.


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