I am being forced to take 2 weeks of work in Aug/Sep. I live in Chicago, what would the best weeks to take off

Question

What is going on around that time?

Answer 1

either take off aug21-sep1 (and then you'll have a 4 day weekend after that for labor day) or take off tues after labor day for 2 weeks...either way it goes, here are a few things to do during that time:

http://www.msichicago.org/
there is always the new exhibits @ the museum os science & industry

The City of Chicago presents the 7th Annual Chicago Outdoor Film Festival. View seven weeks of classic films every Tuesday evening beginning July 18 through August 29, presented the Chicago Film Office, a division of the Mayor's Office of Special Events and the Chicago Park District.

Now considered a Chicago tradition, this one-of-a-kind outdoor theater experience includes a gigantic screen (50' x 34') and a state-of-the art sound system. Movies begin at sunset (see show times below) in Butler Field, Grant Park at Lake Shore Drive and Monroe. Admission is free, thanks to the generosity of sponsors.

Film critics Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper, hosts of Ebert and Roeper at the Movies, will open the festival. They will share comments, anecdotes, ideas and criticisms. Ebert and Roeper take center stage at 8:15 p.m.
August 22, 2006
Short Film Selection: "Portrait of a Filmmaker" by Mark Mamalakis
On the Waterfront 8:11pm
Marlon Brando, Karl Malden, Rod Steiger, Eva Marie Saint
Brando is the former prizefighter Terry Malloy, who famously "coulda been a contenda" but is instead a longshoreman. He has a chance to be a hero, and speak out against dockside corruption in this award-winning drama that was rewarded with eight Academy Awards including Brando's first Best Actor trophy, as well as Best Director for Elia Kazan.
1954 (108 minutes)

August 29, 2006
Short Film Selection: "Divorce Lemonade" by Justin Hayward
Ferris Bueller's Day Off 7:59pm
Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara
Writer/Director John Hughes has created a visual homage to the city of Chicago as the wise beyond his years Ferris charms his way out of school for the day and takes along his girl and his best pal. The famous parade sequence, which features Broderick's lip synching to "Danke Shan", is a recreation of the Von Steuben Day Parade.
Some material may be inappropriate for Children under 13.
1986 (102 minutes)

The Chicago Air and Water Show shakes up the lakefront August 19 & 20, 2006 for the largest FREE show of it's kind in the United States. This year the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights will headline the 48th Annual Chicago Air and Water Show along the lakefront from Fullerton to Oak Street, with North Avenue Beach as the focal point. The water show begins at 9 a.m. and air show runs from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. both days.

One of Chicago’s most danceable festivals kicks off Saturday, August 26 and 27 in Grant Park. ¡Viva Chicago Latin Music Festival features dozens of performers from the music genres of cumbias, reggaeton, salsa, merengue, tango, ballads, Spanish Pop and Rock and more!
n addition to great music, traditional food items are available at booths throughout the festival. Local and international merchants are on hand vending authentic articles of Hispanic origins as well as articles from the indigenous people of the continents. Items include wool clothing for children and adults, artwork, jewelry and paintings.

28th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival • August 31-September 3, 2006
Produced by the Mayor's Office of Special Events
Programmed by the Jazz Institute of Chicago

Grant Park, Jackson Blvd. and Columbus Drive

Thursday, August 31, 2006
Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Avenue
To purchase tickets call [phone] or www.cso.org
7:30pm - "John Coltrane 80th Birthday Anniversary: Ballads and Brass", featuring Joshua Redman Quartet, Kurt Elling with special guest Ari Brown

Friday, September 1, 2006
Jazz on Jackson
12-12:55pm - John Moulder Ensemble
1:10-2:05pm - Frieda Lee
2:20-3:15pm - Organissimo
3:30-4:30pm - Bobby Lewis Jazz Sextet

Jazz & Heritage Stage
12:30-1:30pm - West Aurora High School Jazz Band
2:00-3:00pm - "Art of the Solo" with Nicole Mitchell and Edward Wilkerson Jr.
3:30-4:30pm - Jazz Links All-Stars with Ken Chaney
Joe Lovano

Petrillo Music Shell
5:00-5:50pm - Dr. Michael White's Original Liberty Jazz Band
6:00-6:55pm - Malachi Thompson & Africa Brass with Billy Harper
7:10-8:10pm - Nneena Freelon
8:30-9:30pm - Charlie Hunter Trio with Ray Anderson

Saturday, September 2, 2006
Jazz on Jackson
12-12:55pm - Chevere
1:10-2:40pm - Earma Thompson and John Whitfield
2:40-3:10pm - Ben Lewis
3:20-3:15pm - Lee Konitz Jazz Workshop
3:30-4:30pm - Dana Hall Quintet

Jazz & Heritage Stage
12:30-1:30 Dos Claves Orquestra
2:00-3:00 "Percussion Discussion" with Paul Wertico
3:30-4:30 Muntu Dance Theatre

Petrillo Music Shell
5:00-5:50pm - Tribute To Oscar Brown Jr. with his daughters Maggie and Africa Brown
6:00-6:55pm - Bik Bent Braam
7:10-8:10pm - Jason Moran and The Bandwagon with Bunky Green
8:30-9:30pm - Joe Lovano Nonet Revisits Miles Davis' "Birth of the Cool"

Sunday, September 3, 2006
Jazz on Jackson: "A Salute to New Orleans"
12-12:55pm - Lucky 7s
1:10-3:15pm - Maurice Brown/Corey Wilkes "Crescent City/Windy City Jam"
3:30-4:30pm - Rebirth Brass Band

Jazz & Heritage Stage
12:30-1:30pm - Civic & Arts Jazz Ensemble
2:00-3:00pm - Hijazz
3:30-4:30pm - "A History of Jazz" with John Watson

Petrillo Music Shell
5:00-5:50pm - Donald Harrison Quintet
6:00-6:55pm - Willie Pickens' 75th Birthday Celebration
7:10-8:10pm - Lee Konitz's New Nonet directed by Ohad Talmor
8:30-9:30pm - Joey DeFrancesco Trio with Dr. Lonnie Smith and Ron Blake

Celtic Fest Chicago celebrates its 10 year anniversary in 2006.
To help celebrate, we will be hosting The Bangor Male Voice Choir from Wales, featuring 40 voices. Of course the other Celtic nations will be represented as well. Besides Wales, they are Ireland; Scotland; Cornwall; Isle of Man; Brittany, France; and Galicia, Spain.

There are 9 stages at Celtic Fest, as well as additional entertainment areas.

The Petrillo Music Shell National and International performers will gather to offer an amazing variety of traditional and cutting edge Celtic music.

The Celtic Crossroads Stage Celtic musical acts from Chicago and around the world present their music in a more intimate setting.

The Next Generation Tent Afternoon gatherings will feature young musicians who are keeping Celtic music alive and well. The evenings will showcase performances by established acts.

Dance Stage Chicago’s top dance groups and schools will perform a wide range of Celtic dance forms, ranging from Scottish Highland dancing to Irish step dancing.

The Celtic Voice Tent A celebration of the Celtic voice through poetry, storytelling and song.

Harp Tent Devoted to the Celtic harp, the Harp Tent will showcase the talents of professionals and students.

Uillean Pipe Tionol A gathering of Uilleann pipers, featuring special piping performances on Ireland’s native bagpipe.

Ceili Dance Tent Featuring music by local Celtic musicians, the tent will offer ceili dance demonstrations (or Irish social dancing) with instructors and open dance sessions.

Evening Showcase Starting at 5:00pm, the Uilleann Pipe Tionol becomes the Evening Showcase with an exciting line0up of entertainers.

The Gathering An informal meeting place where you can get up close and personal with the performers. Dancing is encouraged. Performances run in the evening 6-9pm.

Bagpipe Circle Bands from the Chicagoland area will gather to play a medley of marches, reels, jigs, hornpipes, waltzes and airs in the North Rose Garden. Don’t miss the daily bagpipe parade around the festival grounds.

Celtic Kids’ Oasis An interactive area for kids of all ages featuring miniature golf, face painting, a climbing wall and a pop-a-shot game.

Art Fair Celtic artists will display and sell their original hand-made creations, expressing the diversity of Celtic culture in media ranging from metals to paints to jewelry.

this is the listing for the Dance in the Park Series:

http://egov.cityofchicago.org/webportal/COCWebPortal/COC_EDITORIAL/SummerDance2006updated.pdf

Answer 2

Well, speaking as a sports fan, The White sox are hosting the Yankees and Tigers in August; the Yankees are, well, the Yankees and the Detroit series could be a heated showdown, since Detroit is only a few games in first. It could determine the AL Central champ. The Sox play Detroit again at home in September and it could again determing the division champ.

Gotta be fair, so I'll mention the Cubs play the Cardinals the weekend of Aug. 18-20 which is usually pretty good. They play the Giants Sept. 1-3 and the Dodgers 12-14. The Cubs aren't going anywhere, but Wrigley Field is a great "bar" to sit in and watch a baseball game.

The Bears have preseason games August 8, 12, 20, 28 and Sept. 1 and have regular season games Sept. 11, 18, 25. if you've always wanted to see a Bears game but couldn't stomach the idea of sitting there bundled up like an Eskimo, now's the time to go.

I'd either check the teams' websites or Stubhub.com to get tickets.

Here's a link to a page on Metromix that lists almost everything going on in Chicago during August and September: http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/search/events.front?categories=&date=Specify+date%28s%29+below&start_date=08%2F01%2F06&end_date=09%2F30%2F06

Then again, you could just walk to the lake, lay on the beach and chill out... That's what I do. It's a lot easier and more relaxing.

Answer 3

Take off early August, and drive up to Milwaukee to the Wisconsin State Fair. Make sure you have a Cream Puff there (just ask anyone where they are). All of the beer companies have music tents with awesome bands!

If you love golf, go to Minneapolis (Chaska) August 21 - 27 to Hazeltine National golf Course, and watch the US Amateur golf tournament. It's cheap, and is one of the most beautiful golf courses anywhere!

Otherwise stay in Chicago. There are always music festivals in the park, or go to all of the great museums there!

Answer 4

This site will help you find some things going on in the area. And you can plan your time off accordingly. If you have kids you may want to take time off in August before they go back to school if you want to do "family" stuff. Then again, you could wait till after Labor Day and have some free time to yourself to do whatever your heart desires! Maybe go to a game, go to the race track in Joliet, go see a concert, Shedd Aquarium, Six Flags or the water park. Go camping.

http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/

Answer 5

myself I always took the first 2 weeks in Sept. the weather was nicer things were a little slower, but if you got kids, you can't do it.

Answer 6

late sept, it will be cooler then.