Oak Park (was Planning for Pinkfest 2013)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: James Knapp
----------

I would like to come, have not made any plans yet, I don't know anyone
am like all alone, would be driving, am only 4 hours away, thinking
about staying in Oak Park. Las Vegas must have been the best, but Chiago
is closer for me. Anything planned for Oak Park? I don"t like driving in
Chiago, but Oak Park is ok.

----------
(This posting was entered by James Knapp, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Laura Wright
----------

Yes. We always do something in Oak Park. Usually a dinner at Cafe
Winberie's and maybe drinks at Bar Louie. Some of us have done the
Hemingway and Frank Lloyd Wright tours in Oak Park. Plus you can park
there and take mass transit into the city as several have done.

----------
(This posting was entered by Laura Wright, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Laura Wright
----------

Ginger- how was that Hemingway Bistro in Oak Park last year?

----------
(This posting was entered by Laura Wright, an external user of MyDLV.)

[annie]

> I would like to come, have not made any plans yet, I don't know anyone

I've said this for DLV and I'll say it again for Pinkfest. Even though you don't know anyone prior to the event, I can assure you that you will be among friends. The Pinkfest people are very outgoing and welcoming and those who are new find themselves to be "part of the club" within minutes!

> thinking about staying in Oak Park.

Do you know of any specific hotels in the Oak Park area? For some reason, that whole area finds the "usual suspect" hotel and motel chains to be totally absent. I know that Ginger found a bed and breakfast type place in Oak Park, and I remember talk about an indie hotel south of the tracks/expressway.

One concern I do have about staying in Oak Park is getting back after some of the festivities. IIRC the last outbound Green Line train leaves the loop about midnight. Miss that and it's a very spendy taxi ride.

> Las Vegas must have been the best, but Chiago is closer for me.

This year's Diva Las Vegas was one of the most enjoyable in recent years!

> Anything planned for Oak Park?

As Laura said, we'll most definitely be doing some things in Oak Park.

For some years, including last year, we did our first evening in Oak Park with dinner at Winberies and later just relaxing at Bar Louie (now that Velvet Rope appears to be history). I would not mind doing that again as a start-off evening unless somebody has some better ideas. I found it to be very nice and relaxing after a somewhat hectic fly-in-check-in day.

For some years we've circled back to Oak Park on Sunday for various programs at the Public Library.

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Ginger
----------

The Write Inn is in reasonably walking distance of the Oak Park train
station and close to Winberries, Bar Louie and many other businesses and
services in Oak Park. It is across the street from the Hemingway museum.
It is a budget inn and has mixed reviews on Travel Advisor. I should
have checked the rooms when I was there last year for lunch in the
Hemingway Bistro, but didn't.

I can report the Bistro had really good food, service and if they had
any problems with me I never knew it and I was there a long time waiting
at the bar before I ate. I plan to go back whenever it's convenient. The
hotel lobby and public restrooms were clean and well kept. Its older and
I suspect the rooms will be small, but I'd discount some of the
complaints because some people complain when something is not Hilton
quality at budget prices.

If there are any other questions I can answer let me know!

Ginger

----------
(This posting was entered by Ginger, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Laura Wright
----------

Kinky Boots is cleaning up at the Tony's tonight! Best Musical, best
lead performance Billy Porter, best music & lyrics Cyndi Lauper, best
choreography, best sound design... And to think you could have seen it
first at Pinkfest in Chicago!

Don't miss out this year!

----------
(This posting was entered by Laura Wright, an external user of MyDLV.)

[annie]

> Kinky Boots is cleaning up at the Tony's tonight! Best Musical, best
> lead performance Billy Porter, best music & lyrics Cyndi Lauper, best
> choreography, best sound design... And to think you could have seen it
> first at Pinkfest in Chicago!

I didn't see the TONYs, but I'm glad they got what they deserved!

Only thing is, this may be a hard act for us to follow.

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Laura Wright
----------

Steppenwolf Theatre won three Tonys this year for its revival of "Who's
afraid of Virginia Woolf?" It is located at 1650 N. Halsted Street in
Lincoln Park. Steppenwolf has had some amazing actors get their start
there like John Malkovich, Gary Sinise, John Mahoney, Laurie Metcalf ...
And Alexandra Billings - the first transgender actress to play
transgender characters on network television. Alexandra has even played
non-trans roles at Steppenwolf.

http://www.famoustransgender.com/alexandra-billings.html

Maybe we should plan a night out at Steppenwolf. "Lord of the Flies" is
playing in October.

http://www.steppenwolf.org/Plays-Events/

----------
(This posting was entered by Laura Wright, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Laura Wright
----------

I really enjoyed two years ago when we went to the bar at the Signature
Room on the 95th floor of the John Hancock Center on North Michigan Ave.

We had a fairly big group for after dinner drinks and desserts. Last
year we went to Lawry's for the one fancy/pricey dinner all week, and I
thought we got a wonderful dinner and excellent service. Lawry's is just
off North Michigan Avenue and not far from the Hancock Center.

Does anyone have any ideas for entertainment if we spent a night in the
North Michigan Ave area? There are many options. One theatre nearby is
the Looking Glass Theatre also on North Michigan Ave. We went there two
years ago I think to see the "Chicago Fire" play. It is a cool location
in the old pump house. Another option not all that far from there is
the Baton Lounge on North Clark which is famous for its drag shows. The
Baton is only .5 miles from Lawry's - a short cab ride but walkable in
flats. Also not far from there is the Downtown bar which is a very
popular, loud, busy gay bar on North State Street.

Does anyone have any preferences?

----------
(This posting was entered by Laura Wright, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Elena
----------

I would be interested in going to the Steppenwolf but I am not sure whether
I could go to "Lord of the Flies". It opens on Saturday, Oct 19 but I have
a conflict then. I could maybe go on Sunday.

Laura, when were you thinking of going?

Elena

----------
(This posting was entered by Elena, an external user of MyDLV.)