Chicago French Market Celebrates Independence Day & Bastille Day

CHICAGO FRENCH MARKET
131 N. Clinton St., Chicago, Ill.
(312) 575-0306www.frenchmarketchicago.com
@chifrenchmarket



Independence Day Celebrations at Chicago  French Market
Chicago French Market, located in the MetraMarket (131 N. Clinton St.; 312-575-0306) announces special events open to the public in celebration of American and French Independence Days held this July. Celebrate America's independence 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday, July 3, and honor France's independence throughout the day Wednesday, July 14.

Celebrate America's Independence on the 3rd of July
Chicago French Market celebrates the 4th of July from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday, July 3,
with $2 hot dogs from Chicago French Market vendor Gramp's Gourmet Foods, face painting and balloon animals 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., and entertainer Don Reitsma  2 p.m. until 5 p.m.

The whole family can enjoy spending July 3 at Chicago French Market, and enter for a chance to win an all-American gift basket full of Chicago French Market selections. No purchase is necessary, and the winner is drawn at 5:30 p.m. July 3.

Bastille Day at Chicago French Market July 14
For France's Independence, Bastille Day , join Chicago French Market Wednesday, July 14, with a French wine and cheese tasting from 4 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., sponsored by Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine, Fine Vines and Louis Glunz Wines. Pastoral also offers grab-and-go cheese plates for Chicago French Market visitors.
Listen to a rush hour performance by cabaret singer Greta Pope from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m., and enter for a chance to win a French themed gift basket. Additionally, Canady Le Chocolatier's Michael Canady hosts a chocolate tasting from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m., and offers grab-and-go boxes for pickup. Frietkoten, the traditional Belgian fry shack, also serves Belgian beer during Chicago French Market's Bastille Day celebration, perfect for an after-work drink.

"Chicago French Market is thrilled to celebrate two great national holidays in the month of July and share the festivities with the people of Chicago," said Sebastien Bensidoun of the Bensidoun family, owners and operators of Chicago French Market and other farmers' and French markets throughout the Chicago suburbs and Paris metro area.

Don Reitsma has performed on radio, television, and a variety of special events throughout the United States, Europe and Canada. Don has a beautiful rich baritone voice and also plays numerous instruments including the keyboard, accordion, piano, and organ. Don performs July 3 from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Greta Pope is an award-winning, internationally acclaimed vocalist that sings French songs and favorites from the American Songbook. Greta has been touted as one of the great voices of our time and has performed in front of audiences throughout Europe, the Far East, South America and the Caribbean, as well as the United States and Canada. Greta is scheduled to perform a fabulous Bastille Day "Rush Hour" concert from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Chicago French Market is a European-inspired market offering an array of local produce, meats, seafood, breads, pastries, cheese and wine, chocolates, pastas, artisan-made goods, flowers and a seating area for customers. Chicago French Market's 27 vendors stay open year-round, six days per week, and is located within the new MetraMarket development at 131 N. Clinton St. (between Washington and Randolph Streets). For more information, visit www.chicagofrenchmarket.com.

About Chicago French Market
Chicago French Market is a European-inspired market offering an array of local produce, meats, seafood, breads, pastries, cheese and wine, chocolates, pastas, artisan-made goods, flowers and a seating area for customers. Chicago French Market's vendors stay open year-round, six days per week, and is located within the new MetraMarket development at 131 N. Clinton St. (between Washington and Randolph Streets). For more information, visit www.chicagofrenchmarket.com.

Pamela's Parkside Grill Announces $24 Prix Fixe Menu, Weekly Specials and July Artist Showcase and Worldwide Photo Walk

$24 Prix Fixe Menu, Tuesday - Thursday

In the heart of downtown Arlington Heights is Pamela’s Parkside Grill, a quaint restaurant with an eclectic New American menu owned by executive chef Howard Maybloom and partner Pamela Olin. Pamela’s Parkside Grill offers a great dinner value every Tuesday through Thursday with its four-course prix fixe menu for just $24.

Guests select an appetizer, including choices like Hummus with Pita, or Asian Glazed Chicken Wings. The next course is a selection of a House Salad, or Soup of the Day. Entrée dishes highlight Pamela’s eclectic menu with options like Half Roast Chicken with garlic mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables, Fettuccine Alfredo with grilled shrimp, Wild Mushroom Risotto and Pasta with Stir Fried Vegetables and Grilled Salmon. Save room for dessert with selections like Crème Brulee, Ice Cream or Sorbet and Fresh Fruit. Prix fixe menu selections change weekly.

Weekly Specials

In addition to its rotating prix fixe menu options, Pamela’s Parkside Grill features a number of weekly specials that executive chef Howard Maybloom hand picks each week. Specials may include the Baked Goat Cheese appetizer with fresh herbs, garlic and tomato sauce ($8); Maple-Cajun Glazed Pork Chops with baked sweet potato and grilled pineapple ($26); Southern Comfort Chicken, a boneless chicken breast with peaches in Southern Comfort sauce with mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables ($18); Blackened Great Lakes Whitefish with red beans and rice ($22); and Salmon Vesuvio ($19).

Pamela’s also features its signature flambé desserts like Bananas Foster and Crepes L’Orange ($10/$14). Other dessert specials include Pecan Pie ($8), and Cheesecake ($7).

Local Artists Featured in July

Owner Pamela Olin is a nationally recognized artist and welder and shares this passion with local artists by displaying the work of four artists each month. These unique pieces, a combination of sculptures, still life oil paintings, abstract acrylic work and photography, punctuate the eclectic feel of Pamela’s Parkside Grill. Artists whose work is featured at Pamela’s in July include:

• Sandie Bacon, classically trained artist, painter and muralist from Lake Bluff, Ill.

• Gary Swiontek, talented photographer from Arlington Heights, Ill.

• Sandra Fink May, energetic artist and advocate of the arts from McHenry, Ill.

• Pamela Olin, steel welder, painter and designer from Arlington Heights, Ill.

Monthly Gallery Dinners at Pamela’s

As it launches its new artist showcases, Pamela’s offers a Gallery Dinner on the first Tuesday of each month. For $25, guests dine on four courses with the four featured artists of that month. The artists change tables after each course so that everyone gets a chance to dine with each artist. Space for the gallery dinners is very limited. Reservations can be made by contacted Pamela’s Parkside Grill at (847) 394-2728.

Join Pamela’s for the Worldwide Photo Walk, July 24

On Saturday, July 24, Pamela Olin of Pamela’s Parkside Grill participates in the WorldWide Photo Walk with “A Dog’s Eye View of Arlington Heights.” The annual global walk features more than 900 walks across the globe with more than 19,000 participants worldwide. Guests for the Arlington Heights, Ill. walk are asked to bring their pups and cameras, and document the tour from the frame of a dog’s viewpoint.

The August artist showcase will feature submitted framed photos (8” x 10”) that fit the theme of “A Dog’s Eye View of Arlington Heights.” The submitted photos will be sold for $25 each during the August Gallery Dinner on Tuesday, August 3. All proceeds are donated to Arlington Heights charity, Buddy Foundation which provides safety and care for stray, abandoned and abused animals and seeks to re-home them with foster families and eventually “forever” homes. Visit http://thebuddyfoundation.sc102.info/ for more information.

There is no fee to participate on the photo walk. Contact Pamela at Pamela’s Parkside Grill at (847) 394-2728 to participate.

About Pamela’s Parkside Grill

Pamela’s Parkside Grill is located at 27 W. Campbell in downtown Arlington Heights, Ill. Pamela’s features New American cuisine including sautéed fresh seafood and grilled steaks. With its upscale atmosphere and inviting décor, Pamela’s is the perfect place for business meals, romantic dates and everything in between. Enjoy live entertainment each week at Pamela’s. For more information or to make a reservation, contact Pamela’s Parkside Grill at (847) 394-2728 or www.pamelasparkside.com.

Dover Sole and Maine Lobster Duo at Restaurant Michael Tonight Only

As a perfect way to start the holiday weekend, Restaurant Michael (64 Green Bay Rd., Winnetka; 847-441-3100) is offering a Dover Sole and Maine Lobster Duo tonight only, Friday, July 2 for just $29 (plus tax and gratuity).

The dish is comprised of half of a 1.5 pound Dover Sole (two fillets) and half of a 1.25 pound Maine Lobster (claw, tail and arm meat all shell free). The duo is served with grilled thin asparagus and drawn lobster butter over creamy polenta.

There are just 60 available and the duo must be requested upon making the dinner reservation at (847) 441-3100. For more information about Restaurant Michael, visit www.restaurantmichael.com*

*This special offer is not compatible with Groupon. Groupons are honored as always, but the regular price for the duo will apply

The Grand Opening Celebrations for Mayne Stage and Act One Café continue with more special events

Tony Award nominated, Ann Hampton Callaway performs at Mayne Stage

Mayne Stage welcomes Tony Award nominated singer, pianist, composer, lyricist, arranger, actress, educator, TV host and producer, Ann Hampton Callaway at Mayne Stage on Friday, July 2 and Saturday, July 3 at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) and 10 p.m. (doors open at 9 p.m.). Tickets are $35.

Ann Hampton Callaway, daughter of Peabody and Chicago Emmy Award winning television and radio journalist John Callaway, is back in Chicago for four shows only. She is best known for Tony-nominated performance in the hit Broadway musical Swing! and for writing and singing the theme song to the hit TV series The Nanny. Callaway is a Platinum Award winning writer whose songs are featured on five of Barbra Streisand's recent CD's. The only composer to have collaborated with Cole Porter, she has also written songs with Carole King, Rolf Lovland and Barbara Carroll to name a few.

For more information about Ann Hampton Callaway, visit www.annhamptoncallaway.com. For tickets, visit www.maynestage.com or call (773) 381-4554.

Listen to Chicago Favorite, Ron Hawking

Fall in love again with the timeless classics and interpreted by Chicago's entertainer Ron Hawking. Enjoy standards made famous by such artists as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and more with shows at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.) Thursday, July 8, Friday, July 9 and Saturday, July 10. Hawking interprets the songs "his way" but with the same vocal charm and charisma that made the original artists so beloved. Tickets are $30 for main floor, $35 for mezzanine and $45 for VIP seating.

For more information on Ron Hawking, visit www.ronhawking.com. To purchase tickets, visit www.maynestage.com or call (773) 381-4554.

Enjoy a night of improvisional sketch comedy with TJ and Dave

Laugh the night away with an improv show created on the spot by T. J. Jagodowski and Dave Pasquesi, Second City-seasoned masters of long-form improv. At 8 p.m. Friday, July 16, TJ Jagodowski and Dave Pasquesi perform a 45-minute showcase of characters whose relationships reveal the quirks of human nature. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15.

For more information about TJ & Dave, visit www.tjanddave.com. For ticket information visit, www.maynestage.com or call (773) 381-4554.

Cabaret duo Beckie Menzie and Tom Michael rewind time to the 60’s

After Dark's 2007 Outstanding Cabaret Artists of the Year, Beckie Menzie and Tom Michael sing their way through the music that defined a generation - in "That 60's Show". At 8 p.m. Friday, July 23, relive the decade that changed the world as one of Cabaret Scenes Magazine “Top Ten Cabaret Acts,” Beckie Menzie and Tom Michael perform “That 60’s Show” at Mayne Stage. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20.

For more information on Beckie Menzie and Tom Michael, visit www.beckiemenzie.com. For ticket information visit, www.maynestage.com or call (773) 381-4554.

Journey back to the 60’s and 70’s with comedian Mike Toomey

Take a trip back in time as Mike Toomey presents his “TV & Me,” a look back at growing up with now-classic television shows and cartoons. Joining Mike is special guest, Ana Belaval from WGN Morning News. The show is at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.) Saturday, July 24 at Mayne Stage. Tickets are $20.

For ticket information visit, http://www.maynestage.com/ or call (773) 381-4554.

Enjoy party tunes with The Stephanie Rogers Band and Blues and more with Nicholas Barron Band

Enjoy a night of live entertainment. Friday, August 6 at 8 p.m., listen to The Stephanie Rogers Band with Nicholas Barron Band performing at Mayne Stage. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets range $15-$20.

The Stephanie Rogers Band is a high-energy group who make party music fun again. They play a variety of music for people of all ages.

Nicholas Barron is an American artist. He's a songwriter, guitarist, singer and painter. The band plays blues with a combination acoustic guitar playing with bass and solo performances. For more information on The Stephanie Rogers Band, visit www.hipchick.com.

For more information on Nicholas Barron visit www.myspace.com/nicholasbarron. To purchase tickets, visit www.maynestage.com or call (773) 381-4554.

About Mayne Stage

Mayne Stage is located at 1328 W. Morse Ave. in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood. The new Mayne Stage showcases the hottest local and national musical acts, theatrical performances, comedy troupes and more. It is the ideal location for a variety of private events. It shares the space with Act One Café, the perfect place for pre-show dining or an after-show cocktail or dessert. Valet parking is available for $5. The venue is conveniently located ½ block east of the Morse stop on the CTA Red Line. For more information, to see a list of upcoming shows or for tickets, please call (773) 381-4554 or visit www.maynestage.com.

Cheers to drink specials at Act One Café

Enjoy discounted drinks with friends at Act One Café (1330 W. Morse Ave., Chicago; 773-381-4550). The following drinks are offered daily:

Sunday: Enjoy a Bloody Mary or Mimosa for $5

Tuesday: Drink up with $4 draft pints

Wednesday: Cheers to half-priced bottles of wine

Thursday: Sip on Mayne-Hattens and Elder Statesman for $5

Don’t forget about Act One Café’s all-you-can-eat buffet

Satisfy hunger with an all-you-can-eat buffet at Act One Café (1330 W. Morse Ave., Chicago; 773-381-4550). From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday, enjoy all that Act One Café has to offer. Adults are $12.99 and children are $6.99.

Remember, Act One Café's patio is now open. For more information, call (773) 381-4550 or visit www.actonecafe.com.

About Act One Café

Act One Café is located at 1330 W. Morse Ave. in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood. It is open for dinner from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The bar is open until 10 p.m. weekdays and until Midnight Friday and Saturday. Brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information, or to make a reservation, call (773) 381-4550 or visit www.actonecafe.com.