Offers through Time Out Chicago
Wherever you see the Time Out Chicago logo below, click on it for the opportunity to win all kinds of cool stuff. Please include the name of the prize in the subject line and include your name, address and phone number in the body of the message. Good luck!

In your face
On May 15, join About Face Theatre at Gallery 1028 (1028 N Hooker St) for an evening of intrigue, passion and surprise at its annual Wonka Ball, all proceeds of which benefit About Face Theatre and About Face Youth Theatre. Working within and beyond the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities, About Face Theatre is committed to innovation, artistic excellence and community transformation. Come see for yourself why About Face is a national center for the development of gay and lesbian theater.
May 15
Gallery 1028 (1028 N Hooker St)
Tickets available at 312-930-4040 and aboutfacetheatre.com.

Manifest Urban Arts Festival
Manifest is an annual celebration of Columbia's graduating undergraduate and graduate student body of work. The urban arts festival occurs on Columbia's vibrant South Loop campus and showcases the talent, celebrates the community, and engages the imagination while realizing the full potential of its students. The work of more than 2,000 graduating Columbia College Chicago students will be on display at screenings, lectures, gallery exhibitions, performances and more-and it's FREE and open to the public. Be sure to check Columbia's first art car festival TRANSMISSION, an environmentally mindful street exhibition of the most green and provocative auto and auto-inspired art by the Columbia community and beyond.
Friday, May 16
Columbia College campus (South Loop)
For more information, visit colum.edu/manifest.

Great Chicago Places & Spaces
Established in 1999, the 10th Annual Great Chicago Places & Spaces (GCPS) festival honors the immense breadth and depth of architecture, design and planning that the Windy City has to offer. Out of its modest beginnings as a one-day festival with approximately 50 tours, GCPS now features an incredible lineup of over 200 free tours, events and activities downtown and at community sites throughout Chicago, including programs designed to inspire the imaginations of young children and much more!
May 17 & 18 For details, please visit greatchicagoplaces.us.

Performed to the Nine(s)
Nine is an unconventional love story based on Italian film director Federico Fellini's masterpiece, 8 1/2. Soon to be a feature film, see it first at Porchlight Music Theatre as it presents the season finale of this sexy and sophisticated Broadway musical. Audiences have the chance to catch the musical live at Theatre Building Chicago until May 18 before this Tony-Award winning Best Musical takes on the big screen to become a major motion picture.
Through May 18
Porchlight Music Theatre at Theatre Building Chicago (1225 W Belmont Ave)
For more information, visit theatrebuildingchicago.org.

Oh, so Sweet Charity
Sweet Charity, the Tony-Award winning musical packed with lively choreography, runs through May 18 at Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook Terrace. The wildly successful musical, which opened to rave reviews on Broadway in 1965, features dialogue from the ever-funny Neil Simon. Based on Federico Fellini's screenplay for the 1957 film Nights of Cabiria, Jim Corti directs this production featuring Summer Smart as the gullible and guileless lady known as Charity Hope Valentine, in her misadventures in the ways of love.
Through May 18
Drury Lane Theatre Oak Brook Terrace (100 Drury Ln)
For more information about, visit drurylaneoakbrook.com.

Appetizing evening
Howard Brown, one of the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) health-care organizations, presents A Taste for Every Palate, a food-and wine-tasting extravaganza that is sure to satiate your every appetite. Enjoy an evening of eclectic edibles and succulent spirits provided by Chicago's finest LGBT-friendly restaurants while surrounding yourself with nearly 1,000 friends and allies.
May 19, 6:30-9:30pm
The Museum of Contemporary Art (220 E Chicago Ave)
- $75 Standard Tickets ($100 at the door) includes a food-and wine-tasting extravaganza, admission to MOCA galleries, and silent auction featuring designer fashions, award-winning art, and exotic travel.
- $150 Premier Sponsor Tickets includes a decadent cocktail party from 5:30- 6:30pm, Howard Brown's Cornerstone Award Ceremony, admission to MOCA galleries, and an exclusive silent auction preview featuring designer fashions, award-winning art, and exotic travel.
For more information, visit howardbrown.org.

A whole bunch of Nunsense
Nunsense, the hilarious off-Broadway musical sensation with book, music and lyrics by Dan Goggin, previews May 14, opens May 21, and runs through July 13 at the Marriott Theatre. Starring Alene Robertson, Nunsense also features audience favorite Rachel Rockwell making her Marriott Theatre directorial debut. More than 20 years after it opened off-Broadway, Nunsense has been a hit in more than 26 countries and in more than 5,000 productions worldwide and has been translated into 21 languages. The original 1985 production won four Outer Critics Circle Awards, including "Best Off-Broadway Musical," and ran for 3,672 performances, making it the second-longest running off-Broadway musical of all time. Grab a seat for a holy mother of a good time.
Opens May 21
The Marriott Theatre (10 Marriott Dr)
For more information, visit marriotttheatre.com.

Bike Lake Shore Drive
Bike on world-famous Lake Shore Drive with the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation May 25, 2008 for the seventh-annual Bank of America Bike the Drive. Choose your own pace and distance for the signature Memorial Day weekend event that benefits the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation. Savor the breath-taking views of Chicago's sparkling lakefront and striking skyline on this car-free bike ride. All participants receive an event T-shirt, access to three rest stops and a post-ride festival with a Beatles tribute band, American English. Support our work and become a Chicagoland Bicycle Federation member with your registration package.
May 25
For more information and to register, visit bikethedrive.org.

People Who Shape Our World: Jeff Koons
Jeff Koons, one of the most well-known and intriguing artists of the 20th century, talks about his work, which transforms everyday objects and fantasies into high art. The lecture takes place on the opening day of the major Jeff Koons exhibition that runs from May 31 through September 21 at the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Saturday May 31, 11am
MCA Theater (220 E Chicago Ave)
$10 / $8 for members
Buy tickets by calling 312.397.4010 or online at mcachicago.org.

Wine down
Throughout May you are invited to taste the diverse wines of New Zealand throughout a select group of Chicago area restaurants who will be offering selections by the glass, special menu pairings and flights of various varietals. For a more in-depth experience, you will also have the opportunity to attend New Zealand wine dinners and tastings and because so many cuisines are represented among these restaurants, you will discover just how beautifully New Zealand wine pairs with a myriad of flavors.
Throughout May
At participating restaurants
For more information and to make your reservation visit newzealandwineandfood.com.

Don't miss two special wine tasting events this weekend!
Join David Strata, President of the New Zealand Winegrowers Association, for a tasting of over 30 different New Zealand wines.
New Zealand Tasting with David Strata
Saturday, May 17, 2008
1-4PM
Sams Wines & Spirits
South Loop Location (50 E Roosevelt)
Chicago, IL 60605
312.663.9463
Free!

New Zealand Tasting with David Strata
Sunday, May 18, 2008
1-4PM
Sam's Wines & Spirits
Lincoln Park Location (1720 N Marcey St)
Chicago, IL 60614
312.664.4394
Free!

Streets of Chicago 2008
Sine Qua Non Salon's 4th Annual Charity Hair and Fashion Show celebrates local fashion and architectural preservation at the Victor Hotel (311 N Sangamon). The runway presentation features designers Jeff Millbern, Anna Fong, Wolfbait & B-Girls and Diesel. Making a special appearance and presenting the finale look for the show is Steven Rosengard of Project Runway (Season 4). On June 1, you are invited to partake in a night of music, cocktails and style as we work to preserve our great city, one hairstyle at a time. A complimentary cocktail hour begins at 6:30pm and the runway presentation begins at 8pm. All proceeds will benefit Preservation Chicago.
June 1
Victor Hotel (311 N Sangamon)
For tickets and more information visit sinequanonsalons.com.

Brighten up Chicago
Join Time Out Chicago and thousands of volunteers to make a difference in our schools at the 15th Annual Chicago Cares Serve-a-thon! On June 14, we'll team up to improve 38 Chicago schools by painting classrooms and hallways, creating bright educational murals, organizing libraries, planting flowers and trees, and more. At the end of the day, we'll impact the lives of more than 22,000 Chicago children and their families. Join the Time Out Chicago team!
June 14
Visit chicagocares.kintera.org.

Enjoy a whole brunch of crab this Father's Day
Treat Dad to a spectacular Father's Day brunch at Shaw's Crab House. On Sunday, June 15, Shaw's will offer its famous brunch buffet at its Chicago location, and all dads will receive a $25 Shaw's Crab House gift certificate. The brunch buffet is available from 10am to 3pm and is priced at $49.99 for adults and $19.99 for children (kids under age five eat for free). A complimentary mimosa is included.
Sunday, June 15
Shaw's Crab House 21 E. Hubbard Street
For more information and to make your reservation, call 312-527-2722 or visit shawscrabhouse.com.

TOC on TV
Do you find yourself staying indoors because of the brutally cold weather? Have you been experiencing the winter blues because you don't want to take a chance of venturing out into teeth-chattering wind and snow, only to have a lousy time? Hey, that's why TOC is your year-round friend. Even in winter. There's the magazine and our comprehensive website, which both give you the scoop on how to best spend your time in Chicago. Now, TOC goes you one better. Every Thursday at 7pm, features editor Laura Baginski appears on WTTW Channel 11's Chicago Tonight. That's right, TOC on TV. Laura will run down the TOC top five things to do for the upcoming weekend and dish out the hot spots and fun excursions that will get you off the cozy couch and into an activity that will add fire to your social life, from museum mingling to culture cruising. Move over Phil Ponce, here comes Laura.
For details, please visit wttw.com.

Tune into spring
It's time to come out of domestic hibernation and explore the city. Located on the Magnificent Mile, the Hard Rock Hotel (230 N Michigan Ave) presents the Floranova package, an opportunity to experience the floral fiesta happening right now at Macy's with gift certificates and discounts as well as a chance to continue the party with discounted admission to select area attractions. Rather rock an art museum than shop till you drop? No worries. This spring you can also take advantage of the artROCK package, which includes overnight accommodations for two, as well as tickets to the Edward Hopper and Winslow Homer exhibits at the Art Institute along with some museum shop mementos. Designed to bring the celebrity experience to every guest, the Hard Rock Hotel offers an escape with true rock star accommodations with these special packages.
For details, please visit hardrockhotelchicago.com.

Raise your hand
Click on the TOC logo to enter to win Noodle & Boo products.
Noodle & Boo was founded to meet the specific needs of children. But for millions of children around the world, tending to their most basic needs is a daily struggle without clean water. The Raise Your Hand Campaign was launched as part of Noodle & Boo's dedication to helping children in need. The campaign aims to fund water purification systems and make a difference in the lives of children in need. With the purchase of Noodle & Boo's new Believe Honey Bar, 100% of the profits go directly to the Raise Your Hand Campaign. The bar contains the same luxe, soothing ingredients found in Noodle & Boo products. The bar provides a rich, moisturizing lather that leaves skin feeling soft and fresh.
For more information, please visit noodleandboo.com.

Charitable trek
Come support runners young and old as they race to the finish line at Montrose Harbor after spending 24 hours on the Madison-Chicago 200 Relay. Over 200 miles will be covered from June 6-7 as relay teams cross state borders to generate funds to support the Special Olympics of Wisconsin and Illinois and the Avon Foundation's Need For Speed Against Domestic Violence program. Raising funds for worthy causes just got a little more fun.
For details, please visit mc200.com.

Hottie with a heart of gold
Click on the TOC logo to enter to win a DVD copy of The Hottie and the Nottie with a beauty makeover fun kit.
ON DVD 5/6. Paris Hilton, known for her clubhopping lifestyle, takes a break from the life of the rich and famous to star in the romantic comedy The Hottie and the Nottie as a perfect 10 woman, Cristabel Abbott, with a best friend, June Phigg, (Christine Lakin) whose looks are a little more than on the unfortunate side. Cristabel's loyal devotion to June causes her to remain by her friend's side until both find boyfriends. In order to win Cristabel's heart, Nate Cooper (Joel Moore) plays the man on the hunt for a suitor for the less-than-beautiful June. Get ready for some plot twisting, though, as roles transpose and the question of who plays the ugly duckling in the story becomes a little more complicated. RATED PG-13.

Blue State, eh?
Click on the TOC logo to enter to win a DVD copy of Blue State.
Now on DVD comes Blue State, a romantic comedy that revolves around an idealistic Democratic campaigner who makes the trek up north after vowing to move to Canada if John Kerry loses the 2004 election. John Logue (Breckin Meyer) makes good on his "campaign promise" and finds Chloe (Anna Paquin), a traveling companion who is not all that she appears to be and the trip ends up taking more twists and turns than either could have imagined. Instead of watching another presidential debate, try picking up a copy of this romantic comedy that's as poignant as it is "disarmingly fun."

Celebrate Earth Day
Click on the TOC logo to enter to win a DVD copy of Six Degrees Could Change the World..
On April 15, in the special-event DVD Six Degrees Could Change the World, National Geographic reveals the effects of global warming. National Geographic explores the startling theory that Earth's average temperature could rise six degrees Celsius by the year 2100 and reveals how each progressive degree could affect us all. Learn how existing technologies and remedies may help in the battle to dial back the global thermometer.

Rock out for a cause
Be a part of history at the first Rothbury Music Festival, July 3 through 6. Take in the scenery of Rothbury, MI, while enjoying the sounds of the Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, Modest Mouse, 311, Of Montreal and many more. The festival is working to create sustainability and a greater green awarenes. Gain access to musical performances, art exhibits, yoga classes and more at the only place to spend your Independence Day weekend.

July 3 to 6
For more information, visit rothburyfestival.com.

The space between
Click on the TOC logo to enter to win a DVD copy of Alex Haley's Queen.
Life becomes a little more complicated when you start searching for what lies between black and white. Celebrate Black History Month with the Emmy-nominated TV mini-series Alex Haley's Queen, released January 15 for the first time on DVD. Join the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Roots, Alex Haley, on the journey that retells the story of his grandmother Queen, the child born of a black slave and white plantation owner, and how Queen attempts to find where her light skin and mixed heritage belong in a post-Civil War society. Featuring the star-studded cast of Halle Berry, Danny Glover, Tim Daly, Ann-Margret and Martin Sheen, Queen demonstrates how finding out where you fit can be a struggle whether it's the 19th century or the 21st.

Loop the Loop
The Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA) is proud to announce its Loop the Loop audio walking tours, now available at chicagoloopalliance.com. The program enables visitors to explore the diverse cultural vibrancy and architectural highlights of Chicago's famed downtown neighborhood. CLA has integrated a virtual tour, free downloadable audio and maps which bring Loop the Loop to life. Each Loop the Loop tour directs participants to visit some of the city's most renowned offerings: Art Loop-From Picasso to the Peristyle, Chicago's Loop is home to some of the most acclaimed and notable artwork and installations in the city. Highlights of the tour include Cloud Gate, "The Bean," in Millennium Park, Alexander Calder's Flamingo at Federal Center Plaza and Picasso's Chicago sculpture at Daley Plaza. Landmark Loop-The Loop is filled with architectural wonders and notable landmarks. Highlights of the tour include the Harold Washington Library, Macy's on State Street and the starting point of the historic Route 66. Theatre Loop-With hundreds of productions each year and nearly a dozen theaters within walking distance in the Loop, Chicago is the ideal location to take in a show. Highlights of the tour include the Cadillac Palace Theater, the Harris Theater and the Chicago Theatre. Loop the Loop is sponsored by TOC, Blick Art Materials, the Chicago Architecture Foundation and Where Magazine; supported by the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society; is made possible in cooperation with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity/Bureau of Tourism.

Looking for a hot time in the old town?
Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! is NPR's weekly hour-long quiz program. Thursday nights, on the radio, you can test your knowledge against some of the best and brightest in the news and entertainment world while figuring out what's real news and what's made up. This week's panelists include Roy Blount Jr., humorist and author of Feet on the Street, Rambles Around New Orleans; Kyrie O'Connor, deputy editor of the Houston Chronicle; and comedian Paula Poundstone. Tapings will take place at the Bank One Auditorium in the Bank One Plaza Building in Downtown at 7:30pm.

Get all that for only $20. Buy tickets online at: www.chicagopublicradio.org
or by calling 312.893.2956.