Special Activities
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Saturday, 23 June 2012
Purchase tickets on your own: http://cso.org/TicketsAndEvents/Default.aspx
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is a musical force in Chicago and around the world. The symphony presents more than 150 performances and events a year and includes 109 talented musicians, internationally renowned conductors, and two award-winning composers in-residence. The program for Saturday, 23 June features Riccardo Muti conducting Bruckner Symphony No. 6 and Paganini Violin Concerto No. 1.
This activity is offered for those coming in early and is not part of the symposium program. You must purchase tickets on your own. See above.
House of Blues Gospel Brunch
Sunday, 24 June 2012; 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Cost per person: $89. Price includes roundtrip transportation, brunch, and music.
House of Blues Chicago opened in 1996 and is located in the historic Marina City complex on the Chicago River. Modeled after the spectacular "Estavovski" Opera House in Prague, the spectacular views from the exclusive Opera Boxes are a unique and unforgettable experience. From legendary acts such as The Who and Al Green to contemporary artists such as Pearl Jam and Jurassic 5, House of Blues Chicago has been host to some of the world’s most renowned musicians. In keeping with tradition, the House of Blues Chicago displays the "Crazy Quilt" and keeps a metal box of mud from the Delta Mississippi underneath its stage. House of Blues hosts the world famous Sunday morning Gospel Brunches featuring inspiring gospel performances and an amazing buffet.
Architectural River Boat Cruise
Sunday, 24 June, 2012; 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Cost per person: $55, Includes roundtrip transportation from the Westin hotel.
River cruise on the Chicago River providing a fantastic view of Chicago’s skyline on Chicago's most comprehensive boat tour. This signature tour of Lake Michigan and the Chicago River includes live narration featuring an overview of architecture and history.
Chicago Grand Tour
Monday, 25 June 2012; 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Cost per person: $39
Professional guided tour of all that Chicago has to offer on Chicago’s finest overall sightseeing tour. You will see the best of Chicago–magnificent outdoor art by world renowned twentieth century sculptors, the Water Tower and its elegant relative Water Tower Place, Lake Shore Drive, and the Magnificent Mile. Drive past three of the five tallest buildings in the western hemisphere as well as Soldier Field, the Art Institute of Chicago, Marina City, State Street and the “Loop”, Gold Coast high rises, and the Museum Campus. Your group will visit spectacular Millennium Park, featuring the Frank Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion and and Anish Kapoor's hugely popular Cloud Gate sculpture.
Major League Baseball: Chicago Cubs vs New York Mets
Monday, 25 June 2012: 6:15 p.m.
Cost per person: $85. Price includes roundtrip transportation and one terrace-reserved seat at the ballpark. Limited to first 25 registrants.
Two storied franchises do baseball battle at the fabled “friendly confines” of Wrigley Field. Wrigley Field was built in 1914 and has hosted the Chicago Cubs for 95 years. It was the site of the one of baseball’s most historic moments: Babe Ruth's "called shot," when Ruth allegedly pointed to a bleacher location during Game 3 of the 1932 World Series; Ruth then hit Charlie Root's next pitch for a homer.
The Museum of Science and Industry (MSI)
Wednesday, 27 June 2012; 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Cost per person: $52.
Walk through a human heart, feel as though you are flying the original Apollo aircraft, or play private eye and track down a suspected murderer with the most modern computer imaging equipment. At Chicago’s famous Museum of Science and Industry, there is something for everyone. Along with time to freely roam the museum, guests will be split into two groups, each experiencing both the Smart Home Exhibit and the VIP Highlights Tour. Throughout the Highlights Tour, take a whirlwind trip around the Museum and see the Burlington Zephyr, Chick Hatchery, Boeing 727 and much more. Guests will receive audio players along with a group docent to ensure a memorable experience. The Smart Home exhibit leads guests through a three-story modular and sustainable “green” home in the Museum’s backyard.
This outing includes the Coal Mine Tour which has been a permanent exhibit since 1933. Step on the hoist and take a narrated ride to the bottom of a mine shaft. You’ll examine the evolution of technology used in mining coal, and experience first-hand the work environment of the U.S. mining industry. Upon entering the mine shaft, you’ll see coal that has been mined and loaded into coal mine trains, where the coal is weighed. From the trains, coal is emptied into a large hopper, called a “skip,” which brings the coal to the surface. Next, see a demonstration of a sump pump that collects water seepage from the mine and removes it to the surface. The tour continues in the safety room. Here you’ll receive a demonstration of methane gas testing methods used in a coal mine.Then, board a work train to view a demonstration of roof bolting before you disembark in various work rooms of the mine, which show both historic and modern mechanical methods of mining coal. Various “miners” operate machinery such as a room and pillar-type undercutting machine, a twin extension face drilling machine, and an automated coal loading machine. From here you’ll travel through a geology crosscut where you’ll be able to examine fossils imbedded in the shale above a coal seam. Next, take a journey into the longwall mining room for a demonstration on modern mining techniques. The final stop on the tour is in the mine control room, located above ground, where you’ll observe and learn how modern mines are controlled with modern equipment, closed circuit television monitors and computers.
Dinner Cruise Aboard The Spirit of Chicago
Wednesday, 27 June 2012; Evening
Cost per person cost: $137. Price includes buffet dinner, exclusive roundtrip transportation, transportation staff, 3 hour cruise aboard The Spirit of Chicago, cash bar, all taxes and gratuities.
Get ready for the time of your life. Step aboard the Spirit of Chicago and enjoy an exciting evening of vibrant fun. Our engaging lakefront excursions turn every occasion into a festive celebration of dining and dancing. And marvel at the most spectacular skyline views in the city. Spirit’s Classic Dining Cruises feature outstanding buffets prepared fresh onboard; the Executive Chef cruises with every group to ensure everything will be perfect.
