The word “suburban” may evoke visions of comfort and conformity rather than creativity. But in fact, Chicago’s collar counties have cultivated a flourishing arts tradition over many generations.
Planners in search of the inspiration and class that a cultural venue or artistic group activity bring to an event can find plentiful choices outside the Loop.
TIPSY PAINT, GLENVIEW
The cosmopolitan art scene of the North Shore would put many sizeable cities to shame.
“Chicago’s North Shore stands apart as an arts and cultural center in the Metropolitan Chicago area,” said Gina Speckman, executive director at Chicago’s North Shore CVB. “The wealth of visual and performing arts venues include the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, the Chicago Botanic Garden, and the wealth of arts venues in Evanston, leading with Northwestern University’s exceptional programming.”
Art makes for great team-building opportunities as well as alternative venues. Why passively view art when you can actually make it yourself?
“Tipsy Paint’s goal is to bring out the inner artist in everyone through a fun, social environment,” says Hap Proesel, owner of Tipsy Paint. “We have a group of talented instructors who walk our guests through a complete painting step-by-step. It’s very rewarding to watch people come in with apprehensions and leave with something they are very proud of, and be able to call themselves artists.”
Tipsy Paint allows attendees to create their own masterpiece with a paintbrush in one hand and a wineglass in the other. All groups need to bring to the studio is their beverage of choice. Canvases, acrylic paint, brushes and aprons are provided. The maximum group size is 45 on-site or unlimited for off-site events.
OPERA IN FOCUS: A WILLIAM FOSSER PUPPET PRODUCTION, ROLLING MEADOWS
Woodfield, Rosemont, Elgin and surrounding towns make up the Chicago Northwest region. Convenient for air travel and blessed with a hot art scene and deeply engaged community arts organizations, this area has plenty of creative outlets.
“The Chicago Northwest region teems with unique art experiences,” said Dave Parulo, president of Meet Chicago Northwest. “For example, Native American art can be viewed at the Trickster Gallery in Schaumburg, which also features an annual Pow Wow. To enjoy art in nature, many folks escape to Volkening Heritage Farm, and the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights offers a full schedule of plays with attractive group packages.”PageBreak
Groups in search of a one-of-a-kind artistic experience can choose to watch a production at Opera in Focus: A William Fosser Puppet Production.
“Opera in Focus is one of the most technically sophisticated puppet theaters in the world,” says Justin Snyder, artistic director of Opera in Focus. “The puppets that we make and use are the only ones of their kind in the world, which makes our theater unique on the planet. If you are a fan of orchestral music, fine puppetry or stagecraft in general, you will be delighted and enchanted by the Puppet Opera.”
Each performance features three to five scenes of a well-loved opera or musical performed by wooden rod puppets in elaborate, hand-made costumes and extravagant sets. The company’s repertoire ranges from classics such as Carmen, La Boheme and Faust to contemporary favorites such as The Wizard of Oz and The Phantom of the Opera. Groups of 30 or more can arrange for private afternoon or evening performances followed by a backstage tour and puppet demonstration. Banquet space for 120 is available.
ROSEMONT THEATRE
When Lady Gaga comes to town, she plays Rosemont Theatre. The glitzy performing arts center has also hosted Bruce Springsteen, Justin Bieber and full-scale Broadway musicals such as Mama Mia! and South Pacific. The main theater has 4,400 seats, and its lobby can accommodate as many as 3,000 for a reception. Speaking of top performers, the multilevel, 150-person VIP room is perfect for making very important people feel even more special.
DRURY LANE THEATRE & CONFERENCE CENTER, OAKBROOK TERRACE
Populous and prosperous, the western suburbs, encompassing communities such as Oak Park, Itasca, Oakbrook Terrace, Lisle, St. Charles and Aurora, generously support the arts.
It’s easy to mix meetings and performing arts at Drury Lane Theatre & Conference Center in Oakbrook Terrace. Under one roof, it combines 35,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and a 971-seat theater presenting top-notch productions of Broadway hits as well as plays and concerts. Past shows have included beloved musicals like Les Miserables, West Side Story, Oliver and Spelling Bee. There are discounts on tickets for groups of 20 or more.PageBreak
ERNEST HEMINGWAY BIRTHPLACE HOME AND MUSEUM AND PLEASANT HOME, OAK PARK
As the childhood home of Ernest Hemingway, Oak Park has made serious contributions to English literature. The author spent the first six years of his life in the Queen Anne-style home of his maternal grandfather, now known as the Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Home. The home, which is within walking distance of the Ernest Hemingway Museum, offers group tours for 10 or more. Currently known as the Hemingway District, the surrounding neighborhood is filled with restaurants and eclectic boutiques. When Hemingway was 6 years old, his family moved to a Prairie-style mansion called Pleasant Home. This National Historic Landmark is available for rental and can host groups as large as 150 indoors or 80 on the expansive front porch. Private tours and meals are available for groups of any size.
“There is no better place than Pleasant Home in Oak Park to solicit “out-of-the-box” ideas,” says Werner Huget, former president of the board of Pleasant Home Foundation. “This historic home transports you from the frenetic daily business life to a more relaxed setting. In this quiet place, people are inspired by the architectural details and history surrounding them, and ideas begin to flow.”
ARCADE THEATRE, ST. CHARLES
Built in 1926, the glitzy Arcada Theatre became a popular stop on the vaudeville circuit. George Burns, Maria Von Trapp and Vincent Price are just a few of the stars who trod its boards in those early days. The property was purchased in 2005 by Onesti Entertainment Corporation and subsequently underwent a major revitalization project. Restored to its former elegance, the venue now unabashedly features “the music of your youth,” hosting national touring acts like Joan Jett, Kenny Loggins, and Eddie Money. The theater offers 900 seats, a 50-foot cinema screen and backstage tours for groups.
GENEVA ART WALK
Geneva is a favorite getaway spot for Chicagoans. Located along the Fox River, the small city’s picturesque downtown is home to many fine restaurants and nearly a dozen art galleries. They feature works from paintings to sculpture, pottery, glass and jewelry. On the first Friday of every month, the galleries are open until 9 p.m., and groups can enjoy a self-guided tour of works by some of the region’s most lauded artists.
JACOB HENRY MANSION ESTATE, JOLIET
In Chicago’s southern suburbs, colleges foster the local art scene with galleries, sculpture gardens and performances, and the stately homes of many 19th century industrialists exhibit stunning and noteworthy architecture.
Widely regarded as the most outstanding specimen of Renaissance Revival architecture in Illinois, Jacob Henry Mansion Estate is a 40-room work of art and a National Historic Landmark. A master woodcarver from Germany spent three years handcrafting the elaborate fireplaces and staircases, and it is adorned with furniture and artwork appropriate to the period. In 1876, the mansion received the Architecture Award at the American Centennial Celebration in Philadelphia. The mansion hosts events of up to 200 people, as well as tented garden events for 350.
