From the category archives:

Out on the Town

Free museum days

Free museum days for Illinois museums:

Chicago Children’s Museum - Target Free First Sundays and Kraft Free Family Night
Free admission for kids 15 and under. First Sunday of every month, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and every Thursday evening from 5-8 p.m.

Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago – Target Free Tuesdays
Free every Tuesday for IL residents

Art Institute of Chicago
Admission to the Art Institute of Chicago is free to Illinois residents every weekday, January 2–February 10, 2012.
Discounts for city residents.
(For more details, check out MonicaW’s Art Institute blog.)

The Field Museum - Discount days
Illinois residents can enjoy complimentary basic admission during The Field Museum Discount Days.

National Museum of Mexican Art – Free Admission every day
Free admission every day during museum hours, 10 a.m – 5 p.m. Tuesday – Sunday

Millennium Park Family Fun Festival Presented by Target
Look for free events, such as a free festival of music, skating rink, performances and family activities for all ages, seven days a week in the Millennium Park Family Fun Activity Tent and on the Jay Pritzker Pavillion Performance Stage.

Smart Museum of Art
Admission is free. Part of the University of Chicago, this museum is located on the Hyde Park campus at 5550 S. Greenwood Avenue.

Museum of Contemporary Photography
Part of the Columbia College Chicago, this museum is exclusively devoted to photography and is—of course—free! If you are in the Loop, it is at 600 S. Michigan.

Money Museum
Part of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. This is where we admit that, being Thriftistas, we are interested in money!  (Okay, we are mainly interested in saving our money!) This free museum is only open during business hours, but you can also reserve a spot on their daily 1 p.m. tour of the museum. This museum is at 230 S. LaSalle St.

Huge thanks to Insider’s Passport and Explore Chicago for the info!

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Chandler’s Girls Night Out

 

Ladies who work or live near Schaumburg may be interested in the (not quite) monthly Girls Night Out at Chandlers. The next event in 2012 will be held on 26 January from 5-9 p.m. Admission and appetizers are free (we always like that word!) and there is a cash bar.

This looks like a fun way to check out fashion, cosmetics, handbags and other female guilty pleasures.

Chandler Chop House is located at 401 N. Roselle Rd. in Schaumburg.

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Millennium Park free events

Cabaret Pritzker microphoneMillennium Park has many free events almost any night of the week — yes, even in the winter! Personally I’m intrigued by the “Cabaret With a View” where you sit on the enclosed stage of the Pritzker Pavilion in a climate-controlled environment.

Check out the fabulous events. Don’t forget your wine and a picnic!

 

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Free Joffrey Ballet tours

Interested in ballet?  Want the background scoop?  If so, then lucky you for living in (or near) Chicago!  The Joffrey Ballet offers free tours on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month.  Although they are free, you can’t just pop in– you have to call at least a few days in advance and reserve a spot as space is limited.

Another neat thing they offer?  Lunchtime lectures…These aren’t regularly scheduled, so you will have to check their website (and again, contact them in advance).

Phone: 312.386.8921

 

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First Thursdays Gallery Walks 2011

It’s getting to be that time of year again…indoor activities!  I like galleries and museums, plays and concerts during the winter.  It is a nice counterpoint to summertime fests and beer:)

People who live or work near River North, West Loop, and Fulton Market district can enjoy free gallery walks on the first Thursday of each month.  Presented by the Art Dealers Association of Chicago, the galleries in these neighborhoods stay open from 5- 7 pm so you can explore the neighborhood galleries.

2011 dates:  3 November, 1 December

If you want to add a meal, both neighborhoods have (or are near) some great restaurants.   BeerBistro is my favorite bar in the West Loop (it is the half baked cookie, I admit it)– so that would be my recommendation if you want food after touring the West Loop galleries.  (I haven’t been to the Fulton Market Galleries yet; anyone have any recs on where to eat near there?)

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Tuesday nights at the MCA

The Museum of Contemporary Art is launching an interesting series of arts events in October called Tuesdays in the Cafe. The MCA is free on Tuesdays, so unless you purchase something from Puck’s Cafe, it’s completely free. All start at 6pm and run every month through April 2012.

First Tuesdays – Doodleganza - they supply the art supplies and it’s hands-on! Some “special activities” happen too, but the information is not too specific on what.

Second Tuesdays - Culture Catalysts: Chicago’s Movers and Shakers - “Meet the artists featured in our Chicago Works series and others who influence arts and culture in Chicago”

Third Tuesdays - Internet Superheros Art and Tech -“Explore the intersection between art, technology and the internet”

Fourth Tuesdays - Face the Strange, New Music from Chicago and Beyond - One hour sets of music

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Pilsen Second Fridays gallery nights

Your interest in art doesn’t have to be confined to the Monets at the Art Institute [nor should it be!]. But one you get outside of established districts like River North, where do you go?

A favorite is in the Pilsen East neighborhood, which holds court every second Friday [hosted by the Chicago Arts District and the Podmajersky family, who rent out most of the artists' lofts and galleries in this 'hood]. There are some fabulous art/garden spaces here, along with an eclectic crowd with which to mingle and share some Two-Buck Chuck.

What differs about this neighborhood’s galleries is that many change constantly, and are usually not the established artists you find in River North. The result is fresh perspectives and a variety of work.

The galleries are open from 6-10pm (very reasonable hours for a gallery walk!).  The dates for 2010 are: January 8, February 12, March 12, April 9, May 14, June 11, July 9, August 13, September 10, October 8, November 12 and December 10, and the action starts around Halsted and 18th, going south to around Cermak.

I also suggest checking out Kristoffer’s Cafe, right at 18th and Halsted. The tres leches cake is amazing and addictive [sorry!] and their tamales [Mexican and Mayan] are welcome as it’s a bit of a trek before you hit more restaurants. UIC is also nearby, so there are plenty of other options just a bit north.

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Independent Retail Week 2011 parties & discounts

Independent Retail Week

Photo from ExploreChicago.org

It’s that time again: Fashion, fashion, fashion plus a dose of parties, swag and discounts. Here’s a quick guide to the best of the free grabbed from Explore Chicago:

 

Monday, October 17 from 5:30-7pm — Anna Fong @ The Blackstone Hotel, 636 S. Michigan
This hour-long presentation will consist of a 30-minute runway show of Chicago designer Anna Fong’s Fall/Winter 2011 Collection and a 30-minute hair demonstration by Salon Master Tony Di Pasca, a ‘How To’ for the latest Di Pasca styles for the upcoming cold months. This is a free event, but space is limited and reservations are required. For more information and to make reservations, email escalante@escanlantephotography.com.

Tuesday, October 18 from 2-8pm. — Alice Berry Studio Open House @ 1820 W. Cortland St.
Shop at Chicago designer Alice Berry’s open house and enjoy refreshments, informal modeling, shopping incentives, and more. This free trunk show is the perfect place to find that shawl, scarf or shrug and be sure not to miss the sale rack, featuring 50-75% off merchandise.

Tuesday, October 18-20, 4-9pm — Luxe Collectives @ Fashion House, 1520 W Fulton, Room 1520
Luxe Collectives is the pop up showcase of boutique retailers from across the nation offering luxury, designer apparel and accessories in a guided, intimate shopping experience. This is a free event, but space is limited and reservations are required. For more information and to make reservations, visit www.luxecollectives.com.

Tuesday, October 18-21 from 10am-5pm — Fashion Pops @ Block 37 at 108 N. State St.
This free shopping event will feature five pop-up shops including Cityblue, Gray and Frill offering Fall merchandise for purchase and giving shoppers a unique opportunity to check out looks from a variety of neighborhood boutiques all under one roof. More information can be found by visiting www.block37.com.

Wednesday, October 19 from 4-6 pm — Rock Candy by Helen @ Glam to Go, 2002 W. Roscoe Street 
This free event with cocktails and nibbles, plus goody bags and giveaways, will feature models showing the Fall collection from Rock Candy by Helen, matched with selected pieces from Glam to Go’s garments.

Thursday, October 20 from 5-9pm — Ellie Thompson and Thierry Roger present Soiree CHICago @ 8 S. Michigan Avenue, Suite 2203
This free event, themed as a tale of two cities, Paris and Chicago will feature the new designer collections, live models, champagne cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Thierry Roger will be showcasing his custom collection of women’s wear, while Ellie Thompson unveils Land & See a fine jewelry collection.

Thursday, October 20-21 from 11am-7pm — Experience Eclection, 2415 W. North Ave.
Visit Eclection’s showroom which houses independent designers in Chicago with items from handbags to jewelry to apparel to art. Experience the individually while enjoying desserts and drinks at this free event.

Sunday, October 23 from 4-9pm — Nomadic Ant Trunk Show at Squasht by Les, 2556 W. Chicago Avenue
This free event at Squasht by Les Boutique welcomes Nomadic Ant’s jewelry collection for a special in-store shopping event. Enjoy music and refreshments.

Sunday, October 23 from 12-6pm — shopNEWD CHICAGOmade, 1917 West Division Street
At this free event, guests can enjoy 20% off merchandise made in Chicago storewide including wall art, hats, jewelry, handbags, apparel and more all made by local artisans.

Sunday, October 23 from 3-7pm — Haute on Halsted, 120 N. Halsted Street 
Join Entourage Man for this free event as they sip and shop from the men’s collections of apparel and accessories.

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Mystery shopping decoded

shopping

Photograph by Wonderlane, available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderlane/5247393335/in/photostream/ under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Mystery shopping: It’s an urban legend, where someone dines at a great restaurant, or shops at a nice store, and gets it all for free, right?

Well, no. It’s actually quite true. But, it’s not as simple as critiquing your waiter or writing up that snotty salesclerk. Some shops can take a great deal of time, sometimes the pay isn’t commensurate with your time outlay, and reimbursements can take up to 90 days or more — if the company is reputable enough to pay you.

The mystery shopping ‘game’ is one I’m rather new to, with around 2 years under my belt. I’m not one of those whose main job is to shop — rather, I’d like to enjoy the various perks and I’m glad to give feedback when it fits in my schedule and it’s something I’d like to do. But I’ve learned a lot and hope it’ll help you in your own quest:

  • Read up on it. There are many reputable, amazing companies to work with; not all are this way! Check out the message boards on Volition forums  and Mystery Shopping Forum to review which companies pay, pay quickly, and have good shops. I’ve found these both to be excellent guides with honest opinions and experiences. Also be sure they’re part of the MPSA [Mystery Shopping Providers Association].One of the agreements you make with each company is not to disclose with whom you’ve shopped, so you won’t be able to ask “Where can I get in on Cheesecake Factory shops?” without backlash. But, there are designations for companies that do retail, hospitality [yes, that's a free stay at a hotel], fast food, casual dining or fine dining. Once you’re in you can decide if you want to shop a particular place.
  • Sign up with as many reputable MSCs [that's "mystery shopping companies"] as possible. Some may not be in your town, but Chicago itself has plenty of shops to go around. Also check the lists on the MSPA site and Volition. You can even search your MSCs for shops while you’re on vacation, or traveling through airports. I’ve listed some favorites below.
  • Read the shop materials closely.It may seem crazy, but some MSCs have 8, 15, even 20-page reports for you to file. Many are multiple choice, but often you are expected to write a short essay about different parts of the experience [i.e., was the bathroom clean? Did the hostess greet you naturally? How many customers were there in line ahead of you?].It’s important to purchase the right items, interact as requested and be alert — it’s easy to overlook something small and have your entire shop disqualified. Not fun! Make sure you’re ready to give a full, honest disclosure, and that you cover all the bases. Some things are timed… but you can’t be obvious timing or taking notes. It can be a bit of a juggling act, but with smartphones and watch timers, it’s not too hard to keep up. You also likely will need to give accurate times — to the second at times! — and take those times discreetly. Luckily the fact that most of us are on our phones is a decent cover.
  • Keep a record of your shops. A spreadsheet or some sort of system to keep track of the shops you are going to do and those you’ve done is helpful for later questions and to be sure you’ve been paid.

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Free concerts by the Chicago Chamber Orchestra 2011-12

Can I tell you that the more I look for free events in the Chicago-area, the more I find?   Most people know of the free concerts in Millennium Park or which street fests we can enter for free or for a low admission fee, which means most of us think of free events as summer-time events.  However, there are a lot of free concerts and plays in the winter if you hunt around (or visit this site:).

 

I’ve never really attended many orchestras, but now that I know how many free concerts there are, it may be time to expand my horizons a bit.

One of Chicago’s non-profits that offers free concerts is the Chicago Chamber Orchestra.  Every month or two, they hold a concert on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m.  Locations vary, so don’t automatically go to the location of the last event.

The 2011-12 schedule is posted…

Updated:

2 October at the Chicago Cultural Center

13 November at the Chicago Cultural Center

4 December United Methodist Church (325 N. Oak Park Ave, Oak Park)

8 January at the Chicago Cultural Center

18 March at the Fourth Presbyterian Chuch (N. Michigan Ave. at Chestnut Street)

6 May at the Chicago Cultural Center

13 May at the Fourth Presbyterian Church (N. Michigan and Chestnut Street)

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