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Because it is still pretty chilly out, it’s hard to imagine summertime, which seems like it’s light years away. But our friends at SAIC are already planning various summer camps for the entire family to enjoy. Starting in June, SAIC will begin a variety of programs and curriculum for your youngsters.  Classes include multimedia, fashion, and other art forms.

We began our postcard distribution this week advertising. Registration for summer camps is already underway, so be sure to grab a postcard which advertises all of the camps and dates. If you act now, you can sign up and become eligible to win a free class at SAIC!

Registration is currently underway. Please visit www.saic.edu/summercamps for more information.

One of the world’s greatest classic tales hits the stage for the first time with THE 101 DALMATIANS MUSICAL. Audiences will be transported to a slightly topsy-turvy, exciting, and altogether fantastic reality that gives grand license for song, dance and spectacle in a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience!

Our good friends at Broadway in Chicago have shared a special offer with us this week for $50 main floor seats for selected shows. Just click here to purchase tickets and use the code CRUELLA when ordering.  101 Dalmatians not your flavor? Tickets are available and now on sale for An Evening w/ Patti & Mandy, Billy Elliot, and Beauty and the Beast.

The 101 Dalmatians Musical opens TODAY and runs through February 28th!

Nickelodeon presents Storytime Live!, their latest musical adventure featuring four of the top-rated preschool shows: “Dora the Explorer,” “The Backyardigans,” “Ni Hao, Kai-lan,” and “Wonder Pets!” Join hosts Moose & Zee as they take you through four exciting musical adventures.

Our pals over at Media Consultants have commissioned us to distribute handbills and posters in support of the upcoming shows. Our teams will be utilizing our children oriented routes distributing these materials through out the city and surrounding suburbs. Sure to be one of the most popular children’s tours this spring, Storytime Live! is a family event you won’t want to miss!

Storytime Live! is at the Rosemont Theatre March 12th through the 14th.  Please visit www.nicklivetour.com for more information.

Now in its third season, Navy Pier presents a host of special event programming that features Chicago’s most talented children’s entertainers and educators. Toddlin’ Thursdays will thrill audiences with “live” interactive performances, and exciting entertainment on the Family Pavilion Stage. With activities that include real-life characters and storytelling, Navy Pier is the place to be.

This isn’t the first time we’ve been involved with Toddlin’ Thursdays, and we can’t wait to start working with the folks at Navy Pier once again.  Utilizing our Kids Route, we’ll be distributing 3000 handbills advertising the upcoming family events to locations throughout Chicago.

Toddlin’ Thursday’s is at Navy Pier every Thursday through March. Please visit www.navypier.com for more information.

Lifeline Theatre is excited to bring The Last of the Dragons to life on stage! Based on the story by Edith Nesbit and adapted by David Bareford, Dragons takes place in the land of Astoria, where tradition dictates that every princess be given to a fire-breathing dragon so she can be saved by a handsome prince. But what happens when this tradition is challenged?

We have begun a citywide distribution in support of The Last of the Dragons, bringing handbills and posters to all corners of the city. Don’t miss this very entertaining production that’s fun for the whole family!

The Last of the Dragons is playing at Lifeline Theater through February 10th.  Please visit www.lifelinetheatre.com for more information.

Barbie is absolutely everywhere these days and the Rosemont Theatre is no exception! Barbie at the Symphony will be coming to Rosemont Theatre on Saturday, December 12 and is a a special film with Orchestra presentation of the best-selling Barbie™ “Princess” movies, under the musical direction of Arnie Roth. The film is an adaption of  6 CGI animated films features Barbie™ singing and dancing to some of the world’s best loved musical scores. Released in over 30 languages, these popular films have introduced millions of children to Ballets such as The Nutcracker and Swan Lake, and the timeless music to which they are set.

With a strong educational aspect, families can now enjoy the classical music from the films played live by a full symphony orchestra, while watching favourite scenes on the big screen above the Orchestra. direction tour marketing is currently distributing promotional materials through its Family and Childrens specialty routes in Chicago, Evanston, Skokie, Wilmette, Hoffman Estates, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Barrington, etc.

Barbie at the Symphony is in town for one performance only and tickets begin at $18.00. For more information click here.

Rosemont Theatre has ben keeping us VERY busy this week as we visit children’s and family friendly locations throughout the North Shore suburbs, NW suburbs, and the city to support the upcoming Yo Gabba Gabba performance at Rosemont Theatre. The series premiered in 2007 and has since become a TV sensation. My son loves it and I have to say, I’ve begun to enjoy it as well. They have a great series of guests and their sets and concepts are allot of fun. I’m not sure what the Live show has in store but you can bet that my son will be there with Dad in tow.

Yo Gabba Gabba Live will be at the Rosemont Theatre for two shows on Saturday, December 5th. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.

The amount of family programming that Chicago has to offer is simply stunning and as a new parent, I’m excited to take advantage of all the great offers. The Harris Theater for Music and Dance returns with the Harris Family Series that kicks off next weekend (Saturday, November 7th) with a performance by our good friends at River North Dance Company. RNDC will be hand jiving and hustling through the history of dance. Each decade from the Roaring 20’s to the Hip-Hoppin’ 90’s is brought to life in costumes, narrative and fast footwork.

DJ Beethoven and the New Millenium Orchestra will be featured for the January installment (Saturday, January 30th) as they tackle the question, What is a DJ? Are DJ’s today’s composers? Was Beethoven one of the first? Come on this exciting trip with Francesco Milioto and his New Millennium Orchestra as he spins you through an urban electronic and orchestral mix of music.

Tickets for the Harris Family Series are $10 and all shows begin at 1PM. A subscription can be purchased for all three shows for just $20. For more information log onto www.harristheaterchicago.org

Our Family and Children’s route is quickly becoming our most active specialty route that we offer here at direction tour marketing. Our family and children is an excellent opportunity to reach moms, dads, and children to promote family oriented events and programs. Our route coverage includes day care centers, park districts, retail boutiques, kid friendly restaurants, and activity centers.  Our coverage includes over 100 locations and ranges from from Hyde Park to Lake Forest. Currently, we have a number of clients reaching out to our family and children route including Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago Children’s Theatre, and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA).

Give us a call for a quote to reach children and families in the chicago area.

MCA Family Days kicked off last weekend and I took the opportunity to take my son for an afternoon of art appreciation and stimulating activities. Needless to say, it didn’t work out that way and I spent most of the afternoon trying to explain to a two year-old that he can’t eat Goldfish snacks in the galleries. Otherwise, we had an excellent time. On Family Days, the MCA sets up a number of creation stations throughout the museum to allow children and parents to interact and create works of artistic genius.  The teachers at each station are great fun and Family Days allows for a fun , affordable (read: Free) day with the family.

MCA Family Days are the second Saturday of the month and the next upcoming date is Saturday, December 12th. Keep an eye out at your favorite family destination as we’ll be distributing magnets with all of the dates listed.