From the Saturday, Feb. 7, editions of The Daily Journal (Kankakee, Ill.) and The Times (Ottawa, Ill.) …
The WISCH LIST
By Dave Wischnowsky
February may be a short month, but in Chicago it’s long on fun. So, if you’re considering a trip up to the Windy City and looking for something to do, here’s the long and short of it.
Tonight: The Ultimate ’80s Prom
Do you miss the ’80s? Do you miss Prom? Do you miss the ’80s and Prom?
If you answered yes to any of those questions and are still looking for something to do tonight, consider a last-minute trip to Chicago’s House of Blues (329 N. Dearborn St.), which is preparing to relive Prom with a throwback twist.
Featuring popular cover band Sixteen Candles, HOB will host the “Ultimate ’80s Prom” playing all of your favorite hits from the decade, along with drink and food specials and a costume contest. Doors open at 7 p.m. with the performance beginning at 9 p.m.
For more information, visit houseofblues.com.
Feb. 14: Chicago Botanic Garden Orchid Show
If you’re fed up with the snow and cold, the Chicago Botanic Garden – located north of the city at 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe – has a way to put a little springtime in your step.
Beginning on Valentine’s Day and running through March 15 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily), the garden’s balmy Regenstein Center Greenhouse will be home to more than 10,000 orchids ranging in color from orange and yellow to pink and purple to red and blue. It’s being described as “The best. Eye candy. Ever.” and on Saturdays and Sundays, the garden’s Orchid Marketplace offers an opportunity to actually purchase the plants.
For more information, visit chicagobotanic.org/orchid.
Feb. 14-22: Chicago Auto Show
Motorheads rejoice! At 9 a.m. on Feb. 14, the nation’s largest auto extravaganza returns to McCormick Place (2301 S. Lake Shore Drive) for the 107th edition of the wildly popular Chicago Auto Show.
With more than 1 million square feet of event space spanning McCormick’s North and South Exhibit Halls, the Auto Show will showcase nearly 1,000 different vehicles, along with accessories and auto-related exhibits featuring competition vehicles and collector cars.
For more information, visit chicagoautoshow.com.
Feb 21-22: Walker Stalker Con
Zombies are big these days – and on Feb. 21-22 at Navy Pier, Chicago gets its own bite of the action during Walker Stalker Con, a fan event spawned from the popularity of AMC’s hit “The Walking Dead.”
The convention offers an opportunity for fans to meet up and also mingle with many of the show’s current and past stars of “The Walking Dead,” including Steven Yeun (Glenn), Chandler Riggs (Carl), Danai Gurira (Michonne), Melissa McBride (Carol) and Emily Kinney (Beth).
As an added bonus, the convention will also include appearances by stars of AMC’s “Breaking Bad,” including RJ Mitte (Walt Jr.) and Giancarlo Esposito (Gus Fring), and ABC’s former smash hit “LOST.”
For more information about the convention, visit walkerstalkercon.com/chicago.
Feb. 22: Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade
With the delicious restaurant offerings and an opportunity for an intimate glimpse into a distant culture, it’s always a good idea to visit Chicago’s bustling Chinatown. But there’s perhaps no better time to visit than during the neighborhood’s annual Lunar New Year Parade.
At 1 p.m. on Feb. 22, Chinatown will celebrate its 103rd anniversary and ring in the Year of the Ram with its parade stepping off at Wentworth Avenue and Cermak Road and traveling up to 24th Street. The event will feature marching bands, colorful floats, teams performing lion dances and a 90-foot “mystical dragon,” along with much more.
Oh, and once again, Chinatown’s restaurants aren’t to be missed.
Admission is free. For more information, visit ccc-foundation.org.