Check out discounted shows this Chicago Theatre week

It’s Chicago Theatre Week and you can celebrate by attending a show for $30 or less. Originally launched in 2000, the annual Chicago Theatre Week serves up value priced tickets for productions at dozens of theaters across the city.

Last year’s CTW hit record ticket sales as more than 20,000 tickets sold with more than 500 performances displayed by 78 participating productions. Sponsored by the League of Chicago Theatres in partnership with Choose Chicago, more than 50 theatres will participate this year during CTW. The goal is to increase and represent theatre as a vital industry throughout Chicago.

Be sure to visit and attend theatrical showings this week at theatres such as The Chicago Theatre, which is known to be the first large lavish movie palace in America and was the prototype for all others. Opened on Oct. 26, 1921, this beautiful movie palace was constructed for $4 million and built in French baroque style. This seven-story building has 3,600 seats and is more than one half of a city block wide and consists of a vertical sign that displays “C-H-I-C-A-G-O” at about six stories tall. Throughout it’s time, The Chicago Theatre presented the best live and film entertainment with an array of the world’s brightest stars and greatest productions that have graced the stage, which includes Allman Brothers Band, Blues Traveler, Kelly Clarkson, Harry Connick Jr. and others.

For those seeking to make Theatre Week purchases, each theatre’s own ticket offers and ticketing system/box office details will be listed on the Chicago Theatre Week website at chicagotheatreweek.com.

New Illinois radio station “Illinois Soul” launches during Black History Month

Just in time for Black History Month, a new Illinois radio station has begun broadcasting. “Illinois Soul” is dedicated to the reflection of the Black experience throughout the state.

The station is produced by Illinois Public Media from Urbana, with the station located on the University of Illinois campus. With support and input from leaders within the Black community, the new station’s goal is to transform the media landscape.

Illinois Public Media sought input from many people, with the aim being to understand their preferences for a local Black media service. Illinois Public Media has attended community events with surveys in order to find out what topics the community wanted to hear about. The feedback revealed a need to amplify Black voices and stories, connect communities, and celebrate Black excellence.

As a part of its programming, the station will also introduce a new weekly local affairs program, focusing on issues that are important to black adults in Central Illinois.

You can listen to “Illinois Soul” over the air in Champaign-Urbana at 101.1 FM, or stream the station live from anywhere on IllinoisSoul.org.

Thank a Mail Carrier Day!

Kick off the month of February festivities with National Thank a Mail Carrier Day! As our mail carriers continue to brave the wintry elements to deliver our mail on time, we should make an effort to express our appreciation and recognition of their valuable service.

The earliest form of a mail delivery system can be traced back to the Persians and the Greeks around 449 B.C., but the United States did not establish the first formal system until 1692 with postal riders depositing mail to each of the American colonies instead of to individual addresses. In 1775, the Second Continental Congress founded a United States Post Office and appointed Benjamin Franklin as the head of the department and Mary Katherine Goddard as possibly America’s first female postmaster. This first post office served a role in the American War for Independence, whereby courageous post riders rode on horseback across miles of territory to alert the colonies of new activity from British troops.

Two notable figures with ties to Illinois — President Abraham Lincoln and actor Rock Hudson — also served in the industry. President Lincoln was appointed postmaster in 1833 for the New Salem, Illinois post office before its closure in 1836. Hudson worked as a letter carrier in Winnetka, Illinois before becoming one of Hollywood’s favorite leading actors.

After gaining independence from Britain, the first officially recognized Post Office Department of the United States of America opened in 1792 and gradually evolved into the United States Postal Service we know today.

Today, a reliable and efficient mail carrier system fosters valuable connections, just as it served as a critical tool for expansion throughout history. On National Thank a Mail Carrier Day, we celebrate the mail carriers who continue to honor this service. Whether it be sending a letter or simply saying “thank you,” receiving recognition for dedication and hard work is a meaningful way to show them you care.

Free February Museum Days in Illinois

Celebrate free museum days in Illinois this year by taking advantage of one of the many museums across the state offering free admission. From modern art to aquariums, there is plenty to enjoy for families or individuals of all ages. Check out a few museums below offering free admission days in February:

• Adler Planetarium, Chicago - every Wednesday from 4 to 10 p.m.
• Art Institute Of Chicago, Michigan Avenue Entrance - 111 S. Michigan Ave. – Loop, Chicago - weekdays (Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays). To receive free admission tickets, Illinois residents must reserve them online in advance.
• Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe – Feb. 4 – 9, 19. Pre-registration required.
• Chicago Children's Museum, Chicago – Feb. 29
• Chicago History Museum, Chicago – Feb. 19
• Shedd Aquarium, Chicago - every Saturday, Sunday and Monday throughout the month
• Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, Skokie – Feb. 23

You can also enjoy a number of museums that are free all month long:

• Livingston County War Museum, Pontiac
• Northwest Territory Historic Center, Dixon
• Illinois State Military Museum, Springfield
• Karpeles Manuscript Library and Museum, Rock Island
• Ottowa Historical and Scouting Heritage Museum, Ottowa
• The American Toby Jug Museum, Evanston
• Arcadia: America's Playable Arcade Museum, McLean
• DePaul Art Museum, Chicago

For a full list of free museums in Illinois, visit here.