The Local Tourist, NBC5 Street Team

"In some Chicago neighborhoods, looking for a parking space is not unlike panning for gold." Gary Washburn

If this cold is getting you down, there are a few ways to lift your spirits. One is by imbibing spirits at the "Lose The Blues" Pub Crawl Tour. Lift another's spirits at the "Signature Event". This fundraiser for the Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation can't help but make you feel good.

Another way to get the warm, fuzzy feeling is by attending the UNConcert at Walter Payton College Prep. Why would you want to go see a high school choir, you ask? Well, because they're one of five U.S. choral groups who've been selected to perform in the lead-up to the Summer Olympics in Beijing. They're raising money so that all 42 students can make the trip to Asia.

You may not be able to go to China, so bring China to you at the Chinese New Year Spectacular this weekend. Dancers, vocalists, and musicians take you back to the Tang Dynasty, which ruled almost 1500 years ago! A little closer to home, the Yucatan Peninsula is also rife with history. Experience the culture of its cuisine as Chef Dudley Nieto teaches you how to make some of his Yucatan-inspired specialties.

If you really want to heat things up, burlesque will get your blood boiling. Vegas and Hollywood-style performing come to the Gold Coast with Ivan Kane's Forty Deuce. The revamped night spot Le Passage and its accompanying restaurant The Drawing Room aim for the feel of a speakeasy, and this show will help bring that to life.

On a separate note, the February issue of Chicago Magazine is highlighting the "171 Best Chicago Web Sites". It's a great list covering many aspects of Chicago's online world. There are some of my favorites, and many I've never heard of that are definitely worth checking out. Unfortunately, The Local Tourist isn't in there! In the story they invite readers to submit their own favorite Chicago sites. If TLT is one of them, please let them know by leaving a comment! I'll be forever grateful. (If it's not, let me know and I'll do what I can do correct that!)

Have a great weekend!

Theresa

Labels: Chicago, events, things to do