Stray Hen Cafe

The Ravinia Festival is a popular event that attracts over 600,000 visitors annually. The festival takes place from June to September at Ravinia Park, which hosts 120 to 150 music events. The Breaking Barriers Festival is part of a successful series of concerts and symposiums focusing on female conductors. This time, the festival celebrated female composers in classical, jazz, and singer-songwriter genres. The festival featured three evening concerts, panel and roundtable discussions, workshops pairing composers and conductors, and other events collaborating with New Music USA and The Chicago Network.

Do you want to escape from the busy city life and immerse yourself in nature's beauty? Look no further than the Forest Preserves of Cook County. The forest offers over 69,000 acres of wildlife, outdoor recreation, and environmental education opportunities. Whether you have just one hour, a full day, or a night to spare, you can explore the stunning natural landscapes spread over 70,000 acres. The Forest Preserves offer something for everyone, regardless of age or interests. You can attend a camping basics workshop, take your children to a concert in the woods, or try activities such as "forest bathing," owl prowling, or nature photography. Additionally, you can go cross-country skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking, boating, and check out the aquatic centers and golf courses. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even spend a night under the stars and fall asleep to the gentle sounds of nature at one of the five campgrounds.

If you're searching for a fascinating magic show, be sure to check out the performances of Dennis Watkins. Dennis is a third-generation magician and an award-winning entertainer who grew up surrounded by magic. His grandfather owned a small magic shop in Dallas for nearly 30 years and was a close-up magician. When Dennis was only seven years old, his grandfather explained that the purpose of magic wasn't to deceive people but to stimulate their imagination and bring back the feeling of being a kid. Dennis has carried forward his grandfather's legacy by creating a show entertaining three generations of audiences. His debut show was based on the life of Harry Houdini, which turned out to be a huge success. The show was sold out for eight consecutive performances. Dennis played the lead role of Harry Houdini and even performed Houdini's famous Water Torture Cell escape in each show. In 2012, he was honored with a Joseph Jefferson Award for his work on the show, "Death and Harry Houdini."