Chicago and its neighboring suburbs are filled with performing arts options. Such venues where groups might take in a show also double as unique off-site venues. Following is a sampling of event-ready cultural institutions in Chicagoland.
Aurora features the Paramount Theatre (630.896.6666; www.paramountaurora.com), where the first scene of a Johnny Depp movie was recently shot, and the 2009 calendar includes author David Sedaris and Broadway shows such as Movin’ Out. Built in 1931, the 1,850-seat Art Deco Paramount provides groups with a “sense of warmth and grandeur,” according to William Pope, rentals manager at the theater.
“The Paramount Theatre is a fabulous space for meetings or award ceremonies that require a large screen for PowerPoint presentations or films,” Pope says, adding that the stage of the theater is also used for dinners, receptions, parties and fundraisers. “The stage can comfortably dine 200 guests and can accommodate 300 to 400 people for a mingling event, such as a cocktail party.”
The North Shore Center for the Performing Arts (847.679.9501; www.northshorecenter.org) in Skokie, home to the Skokie Valley Symphony Orchestra and various other performances, is frequently used for special events that utilize the lobby for pre- or post-event dinners or receptions, with the core of the event happening in the theater, whether it is an awards show, shareholders meeting or seminar, says Michael Pauken, general manager of the center.
“The seats are designed for optimal viewing, and the technical capabilities are far superior to those of a hotel ballroom, he says. “In our case, we know that the users of our facility are happy because most of our business is repeat business.”
In downtown Evanston, the Music Institute of Chicago’s 500-seat Nichols Concert Hall (847.905.1500; www.musicinstituteofchicago.org/nichols.php), a critically acclaimed performance venue called a “jewel box of a hall” by the Chicago Tribune’s John von Rhein, accommodates up to 550 people for everything from concerts and receptions to film screenings and lectures, according to Fiona Queen, director of concert hall operations.
“A large number of concerts are accompanied by a post-event reception in the lobby of the hall,” she says.
The historic 900-seat Arcada Theatre (630.587.8400; www.onestientertainment.com/arcada/arcada.htm) in downtown St. Charles, where upcoming entertainment options include a Super Bowl screening and performances by actor Martin Short and musician Dr. John, accommodates any occasion, from corporate meetings to holiday parties, says Lonnie Michonski, marketing coordinator/ticketing manager for Onesti Entertainment Corp., which operates Arcada.
“Equipped with a 50-foot drop-down screen, the Arcada is an ideal setting for PowerPoint presentations or film viewings,” Michonski says. “The historic pipe organ is a classic addition and is available upon request; the spacious lobby is excellent for catering or display booths, and the theater also has a state-of-the-art sound system and lighting.”
