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While 2009 will likely prove to be a difficult year for regional tourism, travel experts believe that there will be some opportunities for businesses and organizations that recognize and react to changes in consumer behavior. According to the experts, value will be most important for the 2009 traveler. That doesn't necessarily mean that they will choose the least expensive option, but consumers want to make sure that they are getting their money's worth. They will demand more for what they pay and will shop aggressively to ensure that they get a good deal.
In addition, not everyone will be hitting the airport this year. According to a recent survey by Trip Advisor, 18% of Americans plan to take a "staycation" and visit sites and attractions close to home (which is excellent news for members of the CNSCVB!) Leisure and business trips will likely get shorter as consumers attempt to save money. Nearly two-thirds of respondents said that they planned to stay fewer nights. The survey also found that more travelers are staying connected to the Internet. Nearly 30% said that they would check their email daily during a weekend trip. Almost 40% said that they would check it daily if they were traveling for a week or longer. In addition, marketing will go mobile as more consumers use Internet enabled phones, making text messages and audio/video podcasts a necessity.
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North Shore Center for the Performing Arts
9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie
 The North Shore Center for the Performing Arts has loads of entertainment this month. Evanston Dance Ensemble Alice in Wonderland will enthrall as you follow Alice's trip down the rabbit hole retold through innovative dance. Get Back! features cast members of the original Broadway and London Productions of Beatlemania! Using authentic costumes, vintage instruments, astonishingly realistic characterizations and state-of-the-art digital orchestration, Get Back! is a musical and visual experience that has thrilled audiences throughout the world. Also in March, Menopause The Musical, the phenomenal hit that has thrilled women in over 200 cities and 12 countries, and was a smash in Chicago for more than 3 years. This joyful musical parody will have you cheering and dancing in the aisles. For more information and tickets, please call 847-673-6300 or visit www.northshorecenter.org.
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Saturday, March 14
Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe
Come discover how Chicago's rich horticultural heritage - from the earliest gardens at Fort Dearborn to the 1933 World's Fair Floral Show - impacts our landscape today. Author Cathy Jean Maloney will explore how we've inherited designs, traditions, and plants from yesterday's gardens. Hear about the contributions from Chicago's fascinating gardening pioneers such as Bouquet Mary, Edgar Sanders, the "Dean of Horticulturists," and landscape architects such as Jens Jensen. The author will be available afterwards to sign copies of her recently released book, Chicago Gardens: The Early History. This event, which is FREE and starts at 1:30 pm, will take place in the Fairchild Room in the Regenstein Center; books will be available for purchase. For more information, please call 847-835-5440 or visit www.ohwow.org.
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Now through March 21
Piccolo Theatre
600 Main Street, Evanston
Shakespeare's best-loved comedy—is now set in riotous 1968 London, when the city was at its most precarious. Viola, shipwrecked and far from her home in India, finds herself separated from her twin and in the middle of a "mod" world set a-wobble from anti-war protests, immigration issues, gay rights, and class struggles. Knowing she can find work dressed as a man, Viola dons the disguise of a foreign gentleman recently arrived from India and works for a Duke who holds court in a hip London society which is topsy-turvy with infatuation, longing, and mistaken identities. Viola soon finds herself in love with the Duke who's in love with a Countess who is in love with…. a foreign gentleman, recently arrived from India... who is working for a Duke....... In this comedy, both silly and wise, Shakespeare examines the many facets of love, as well as the darker aspects of human nature. For tickets and more information, please call 847-424-0089 or visit www.piccolotheatre.com.
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Lakeside Field
2400 Campus Drive, Northwestern University, Evanston
Bring the entire family and come cheer Northwestern's women's lacrosse
team as they work to defend their NCAA championship title for the fifth
consecutive year! After Northwestern won its third-straight national
championship in 2007, many in the lacrosse world began referring to head
coach Kelly Amonte Hiller's squad as a dynasty. But after finishing 2008
with a 21-1 record, winning its sixth-straight American Lacrosse
Conference championship, and securing its fourth-straight national
title, NU has firmly cemented itself among the sport's all-time greats.
Come see for yourself - the home season begins March 12! For tickets, a
game schedule, or more information, please call 847-491-CATS or visit www.nusports.com.
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March Highlights
Skokie Theatre Music Foundation
7924 N. Lincoln Avenue, Skokie
The Skokie Theatre Music Foundation has an incredible line-up of entertainment this month including Rosie! Tribute to Rosemary Clooney (3/8 at 2 pm), the Three Troubadours (3/20 at 8 pm), an Ella Fitzgerald Tribute by Ava Logan (3/22 at 2 pm) and Gershwin's Greatest Hits by Elaine Dane (3/29 at 2pm). And on Saturdays (at 2 pm), be sure to bring the kids to see Cirque Da Uno starring Jeffrey the Great! Complete with magic, juggling, unicycle riding, balancing, puppetry, ventriloquism and audience participation, this show should not be missed and will amaze and amuse the entire family! For tickets and more information regarding the March entertainment lineup, please call 847-677-7761or visit www.skokietheatre.com.
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Thursday, March 26
Zingarella Café
2300 Lehigh Ave., Glenview
Please join us at Zingarella Café for our monthly networking event. This "rise and shine" gathering, from 8 - 9:30 am, includes a complimentary continental breakfast and is a wonderful way for members to meet one another, share ideas and learn more about the visitor-boosting efforts of Chicago's North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau. The networking event is open to all CNSCVB members and there is no charge to attend, but you must RSVP by Friday, March 20 to Jennifer Williams (CNSCVB Manager of Membership and Advertising) at 847-763-0011 x 22 or e-mail her at jwilliams@cnscvb.com. We look forward to seeing you!
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Do you know someone who could benefit from Membership with the Chicago's North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau? Simply refer a business to the CNSCVB, and if that business joins, you will receive a $25 gift card! It's that easy! The program runs through June 30th and in order to redeem the gift card, your referred business needs to become a member of the Bureau by June 30th. Please call Jennifer Williams, Manager Advertising and Membership at 847-763-0011 ext. 22 or email her at jwilliams@cnscvb.com for more details.
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Now Through April 5
Northlight Theatre
9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie
The stakes are high when half-sisters inherit a book of rare stamps that may include the "crown jewel" of the stamp-collecting world. The battle for possession takes a dangerous turn when three rival collectors enter the sisters' world, willing to go to any lengths to stake their claim on the find. Combining the best aspects of Hitchcock, Chandler and Mamet, Mauritius is a gripping blend of sharp comedy and heart-pounding drama that simmers with constant surprise. Named one of Time Magazine's "Top Ten Plays of 2007," Mauritius was written by Theresa Rebeck, the Pulitzer Prize nominated author of Omnium Gatherum and The Scene. For tickets and more information, please call 847-673-6300 or visit www.northlight.org.
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Saturday, March 28
The Glen Town Center
2651 Navy Blvd (between Jos. A. Bank and Mitchell's Fish Market), Glenview
The Easter Bunny is back in town! Be sure to bring your camera so you can take plenty of pictures as you enjoy breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Catered by Eggsperience, this event (which runs from 9 am - 11 am) is suitable for children up to 8 years old. Reservations are required. Please call 847-724-2025 to reserve your space or visit www.theglentowncenter.com.
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Francesca's North
1145 Church Street, Northbrook
847-559-0260
www.francescarestaurants.com
Francesca's North opened in May 1995 and instantly became the hottest spot on the North Shore, and for good reason! According to Chicago Magazine Great Dining, "Scott Harris has mastered the art of serving generous portions of good food at low prices in stylishly simple surroundings with friendly service - a winning formula that eludes so many." Francesca's North features the zesty, earthy cuisine of Rome and the surrounding areas of Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio. The restaurant encourages the lively art of dining with a contemporary, casually sophisticated trattoria ambiance, good, simple cooking, friendly service and fair prices. Now accepting reservations, Francesca's North has put an end to the tradition of waiting for hours for a table at the bar. The restaurant is also available for private parties. Please call or visit their website for more information.
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St. Patrick's Day on the North Shore!!
The Luck of the Irish!
Local Businesses Celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Style
Do you want to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in style? Then, take a look at what's happening on Chicago's North Shore! Hackney's on Lake (847-724-7171) will be serving Corned Beef & Cabbage every day from Thursday, March 12 through Tuesday, March 17. In addition, the Chicago Celtic Pipe Band will perform every day from Friday, March 13 through Tuesday, March 17. The Skokie Theatre (847-677-7761) will present "Celtic Muse" starring Gillian Kelly on Sunday, March 15. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Courtyard by Marriott Glenview (847-803-2500) is offering weekend packages that include a $20 Target gift card, so make your reservations today! The Village Inn Sports Bar & Grill in Skokie (847-675-3737) will offer their famous Corned Beef & Cabbage plate and Ruben sandwiches along with Green Beer, from Friday, March 13 thru Tuesday, March 17. BRAVO! Cucina Italiana, with locations in Evanston (847-733-0917) and Glenview (847-724-8400) offers tempting specially priced dishes to celebrate St. Patrick's Day including a new Tuscan lunch and dinner menu. McCormick & Schmick's in Skokie (847-763-9811) is honing in on its Irish Heritage with a special Happy Hour menu served all week long (Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20 from 3:30pm-6:30 pm; extended hours on St. Patrick's Day.) featuring Corned Beef Sliders, Guinness Mussels, Irish Stew and Green Beer. RA Sushi in Glenview (847-510-1100) will be hosting a Sake and Sushi Social on Friday, March 13 at 8:00 pm with great food and lessons on creating the perfect sushi roll! The cost is $30 per person. Reservations are required.
Happy St. Patrick's Day from all of us at the CNSCVB!
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The following businesses have recently joined Chicago's North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau. Please help us build a bigger and stronger Bureau by letting us know of any businesses or industry contacts that you believe would benefit from becoming one of our members. Please contact Jennifer Williams, CNSCVB Sales Manager at jwilliams@cnscvb.com or call 847-763-0011 x 22 with any questions.
The Actors Gymnasium
927 Noyes Street
Evanston
Rani Waterman
847-328-2795
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MKOT, Inc.
1585 Tara Lane
Lake Forest
Marsha Goldstein
847-295-8221
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Please send us your events as well as any news and photos we can use to keep our North Shore visitors and community informed. Send your submissions to gspeckman@cnscvb.com.
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