Tag Archives: Workshops

Bovine Metropolis Theater: Moooving You to Tears of Laughter

This comedy troupe’s slogan is “Improv Your Life,” and you had better believe you can, at the very least, improve your prospects for a delightful evening. Its weekly roundup of shows, both short-form and long-form, range from the team-tagging Tuesday Night Throwdown to the long-popular On the Spot—which takes shape through audience input—to the Improv Hootenanny, guest starring comics from across the city. Bovine also offers classes and workshops for aspiring sketch performers in its colorful little downtown space, while doing customized shows for private groups—so even if you’re in town for a busy convention, you can make time to laugh with (and, let’s face it, at) your colleagues.

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Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls & Toys: A Vintage Wonderland

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Housed in a turn-of-the-century Dutch Colonial two-story, the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls & Toys looks a lot like a dollhouse itself. Of course, it’s filled with them, fully furnished, as well as train sets and teddy bears; geisha replicas, kachinas, and other figurines from around the world; vintage board games; and all manner of special exhibits featuring puppets and marionettes, role-playing game pieces, and holiday decorations. In such a magical setting, you might even be inspired to attend a hands-on workshop on topics ranging from masks to gingerbread houses—and you’ll definitely want to make reservations for teatime in the Oak and Berries Tea Room. While the first Sunday of every month is Family Free Day, rest assured parenthood is totally optional at this wonder for all ages.

Hyde Park Art Center: Obama’s Neighborhood Gem

Never before did Hyde Park gain such a name than in recent times, thanks to none other than the President of the United States. Reigning from Hyde Park, President Obama has heavy ties to his old neighborhood, just south of the downtown “Loop.” An eclectic mix of mansions and apartments, rib-joints and bistros, the South Side is certainly up-and-coming. But you can’t really make it until you’ve got some cool art on the scene and alas, there’s the Hyde Park Art Center, which has actually been around for 70 years.

Its mission siKiekebeninstall1-webnce it opened in the 1930s (it’s actually the oldest contemporary art venue in Chicago) is to “stimulate”  and provoke the unexpected.  Today it continues to do just that with a wide range of classes, lectures, workshops, camps, exhibits, and not to mention, fun, flirty, cocktail-enriched galas.

The HPAC always stays true to its roots, however, and aims to unite artists and the community. Their Not Just Another Pretty Face bridges the gap between patrons and artists by involving them together directly. If you think you’ve got a cool idea and want to see it materialize through the eyes of a verifiable artist, then this is the program for you.