Long Grove – Chicago Theater and Arts

Long Grove Chocolate Fest is back

Chocolate charcuterie lesson at Long Grove Chocolate Fest

Chocolate Fest, a popular festival held by the historic town of Long Grove, IL, is back.

Visitors walk along cobblestone paths, snap photos of the town’s famous covered bridge, and meander among historic structures and a watermill while noshing on chocolate everything from donuts, cupcakes and dipped fruit to cake pops and chocolate popcorn.

They can get tickets to a chocolate-wine pairing or find out how a charcuterie, now among the latest gourmet trends, can be done with chocolates.

Tickets for the fest are $5 through Ticketweb.com. Tickets for the chocolate charcuterie are $30 and the same for the wine pairing.

The chocolate charcuteries is at Long Grove Confectionery Co: 114 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove May 20-21 from 3 to 3:45 p.m.

Wine and chocolate pairing is Saturday from 1:30 to 2 p.m. and Sunday from1 to 1:30 p.m. at Corked, 132 Old McHenry Rd., Long Grove.

There is also has a kids’ zone, live music and a carnival.

Details: Chocolate Fest is May 20, 21, 22, 2022 in dwntown Long Grove, 308 Old McHenry Rd. Hours are Fri, noon– 11 p.m., Sat, 10 a.m.– 11 p.m. and Sun, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

The fest is very popular and there is a limited amount of complimentary parking in the public lots, downtown Long Grove so ride sharing is recommended.

A shuttle service will run from the Buffalo Grove Park District parking lot at 530 Bernard Dr. to Archer Road between Robert Parker Coffin and Old McHenry Rd. next to entrance to the Carnival Parking Lot, Sat. from 10:45 a.m. to 11:15 p.m. and Sunday from 10:45 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.

For more music and other information or tickets visit Long Grove Chocolatefest.

Jodie Jacobs

Around Town: Mid May has treats for the senses

Yummy sweets at Long Grove’s Chocolate Fest, fine art visual treasures of antiques and art at a Merchandise Mart show and fascinating sounds of Finnish music at Symphony Center are all on tap this weekend in the Chicago area.

Long Grove Chocolate Fest

From balsamics and bacon to popcorn and zucchini bread, just about everything imaginable that can infused, covered by or adorned with chocolate can be sampled and bought at the historic village of Long Grove May 17-19, 2019. Bands will also be playing throughout the event.

Details: Long Grove is near Routes 83 and Old Route 53 (about 35 miles northwest of Chicago). The festival is in the business district at the intersection of Old McHenry and Robert Parker Coffin Roads. Admission is $5 over age 12 per day, kids 12 and under free. Tickets can be purchased there or ahead of time by clicking HERE. However, parking is at a premium so there is a 2 for 1 admission discount up to 2 people who rideshare with uber/ lyft) and dropped at the Archer & Robert Parker Coffin Gate. Discount admission applies when upon showing the rideshare receipt at the gate. Hours May 17 are noon to11 p.m., May 18 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and May 19 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information and the band schedule visit Long Grove/Chocolate-Fest.

Chicago Antiques + Art + Design

Explore the 7^th floor of the Merchandise Mart where 75 national and international exhibitors have brought fine art, antiques and unusual design elements. The show runs May 17-19, 2019 but there is also a first-look preview Northwestern Memorial Hospital benefit on May 16.

Details: The Merchandise Mart is on the north side of the Chicago River at 222 Merchandise Plaza, bounded by Orleans and Kinzie. For tickets and hours visit ChicagoAntiquestArtDesign.

Finnish Masterwoks at Symphony Center

A mostly Finnish program that includes violinish Hilary Hahn playing Jean Sibelius’ Violin Concerto, Einojuhani Rautavaara’s “A Requiem in Our Time” will by played by the Chicago Symphony Orchesra led by Mikko Franck, May 16, 17, 18 and 21 of 2019. Also on the program is Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2. The progam is part of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association’s season of “A time for reflection-A Message of Peace.”

Details: Hours are May 16 – 18 at 8 p.m., May 21 at 7:30 p.m. Symphony Center is at 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. For tickets and other information visit CSO

Jodie Jacobs

Around Town mid June 2017

From bike riding to strawberry munching and concerts in a garden to music on a lawn, summer fun is tempting us to find our outdoor muse during or after work.

Chicago Botanic Garden soothes smooths away stress after work. Photos by Jodie Jacobs

Bike to work

First, don’t be surprised if you see more groups of bikers around Chicago, this week. The annual Bike commuter Challenger is upon us asking people to ride a bike to work instead of a train or car. To participate in its fun events and “pit stops” go to Bikedown to register.

TGI M/T after work music

Then, for a different way to enjoy a balmy early evening, check out music with a Latin or Swing beat at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Different nights and different weeks feature different musical sounds and bands. For example, Mondays at 5:30 p.m. there are carillon bells and Tuesday, the music shifts over to the Esplanade for bluegrass or big band sounds.

Visit Chicago Botanic Garden Evenings for more information. The concerts are free but unless you are a member there is a parking fee per car. The Chicago Botanic Garden is east of Edens Expressway at 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe.

Ravinia Festival's lawn is a great place to meet friends for an after-work supper. — Ravinia Festival’s lawn is a great place to meet friends for an after-work supper.

After-work stress-relieving music

Or get a lawn ticket (best price is ahead of time, not at the gate) to hear perfect after-work music at Ravinia Festival in Highland park.

The Julliard String Quartet is June 20. It’s in the Martin Theatre but usually those programs are broadcast on the lawn.

In the Pavilion are Gypsy Kings June 23, Common June 24, Michael McDonald and Boz Scraggs June 27 and Diana Krall June 28.

For show times and other info visit Ravinia.

Have a Strawberry weekend

Long Grove festivals are a chance to see the village.

If everything or anything strawberry excites the taste buds, go over to downtown Long Grove, a cute historic village northwest of Chicago, June 23-25.

Along with lots of booths with strawberry sandwiches and desserts there will be several music stages and stuff for kids. Entry is $5 anyone over age 12.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Strawberry fest’s center is at 308 Old McHenry Rd, Long Grove. Visit Long Grove for more information.