Warm up this winter as you travel the world aurally then get whirled on the dance floor at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Brazilian classics, the music of Cameroon, the traditional tunes and instruments of Indonesia and Northern New Mexican polkas and chotes are just a few of the lively sounds on the menu for World Music Wednesday (one of the best concert values in town). Experiment with dance styles from around the globe at the Friday night Global Dance Party. Each evening will feature a dance class followed by two hours of music from live bands or DJs. 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 25-March 29, and Fridays, Jan. 27-March 17, at the Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. World Music Wednesday is free with a suggested donation of $10. Global Dance Parties costs $12. (773) 728-6000 or oldtownschool.org/
Meet and eat
From Ada Street to Tuscany on Taylor, more than 350 of Chicago’s best eateries are gearing up for 14 days of Chicago Restaurant Week. The 10th annual feast features special prix fixe menus starting at $22 for brunch and lunch and $33 and/or $44 for dinner (excluding beverages, tax and gratuity). Get your fill of American, Italian, Vietnamese, Latin, French, Mediterranean and Japanese fare as well as specialty bites from steakhouses, seafood joints, gastro pubs, pizza parlors and more. Make reservations early at suburban restaurants like The Ashburn in Rosemont, Atwater’s in Geneva, B. in Oak Brook, Vie in Hinsdale and many more. Jan. 27-Feb. 9 in Chicago and the suburbs. Go to EatItUpChicago.com to see a list of participating restaurants and to make a reservation.
One is not the loneliest number
As we round the end of the month, the pressure of Valentine’s Day begins to weigh on the heart. Celebrate singledom at Thompson Chicago when the luxury property offers the Single Awareness Day package. Your getaway package includes: a two-night stay in a double-bedded room; a $50 food and beverage credit, good for sweet treats for a night-in or breakfast the next morning; a bottle of prosecco upon arrival; a personalized itinerary from Thompson Chicago’s concierge team for a night out on the town; and a late checkout of 2 p.m. Available Feb. 10-15 at the Thompson Chicago, 21 E. Bellevue Place, Chicago. Stays are based on availability, with 72 hours prior advanced booking required. Rates start at $189 per night. To book a room, call (312) 266-2100 or visit thompsonhotels.com/hotels/thompson-chicago.
Midwest
Snow-sculpting demos, dog-sled rides and events for kids and adults are all on the menu at Schnee Days in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. The Schnee (or “snow”) Days festival in this east-central Wisconsin town includes a hunt for colored ice cubes, a chili cook-off, a pub crawl, waitstaff races, a talent show, a 5K costume run, a pool tournament and an evening dance. Jan. 27-29 in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. (920) 876-2922 or see schneedays.com/ for a schedule of events.
Some like it hot
Like your chili mild or incendiary? You can have it your way during the fifth annual Downtown Chili Tour in St. Joseph, Michigan. Plus, find chili-inspired desserts, hot beverages, special sales at local shops and family-friendly entertainment. Merchants and restaurants will offer samples of favorite chili recipes in an effort to win the People’s Choice Award or the Chili Pepper Award. Enjoy a full weekend of fun in St. Joseph by attending the second annual Winter Beer Fest on Saturday, too. 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, in downtown St. Joseph, Michigan. Suggested donation is $2 per person or $5 for a family of four or more. The St. Joe Winter Beer Fest runs from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28. $35 in advance, $40 at the door. (269) 985-1111 or stjoetoday.com/
Bring it on
Quit grumbling about the cold and take advantage of wintertime fun courtesy of Lake Geneva’s Winterfest, a two-week festival of art and winter activity for all ages. Watch the work of 15 teams of expert snow sculptors from around the country competing for a national title during the U.S. National Snow Sculpting Competition Feb. 1-5. Local restaurants will offer specials throughout the fest, plus guests can take a tour of historic Maxwell Mansion, enter the Abominable Snow Race Jan. 28, have a drink at the ice bar at Baker House, join the Lake Geneva Cocoa Crawl Feb. 3, then gear up for the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa’s annual Winter Carnival Feb. 4 with ski and boarder rail jams, a torchlight parade, a beer tent and fireworks. Jan. 28-Feb. 12 in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Get the complete schedule of events, info about parking and shuttle service and hotel specials at visitlakegeneva.com/winterfest/.
