Giveaway: Four Tickets to See the Peking Acrobats at Aurora's Paramount Theatre

Are you ready for another great ticket giveaway, courtesy of Aurora's Paramount Theatre? You are? Well then ... let's get started!

The Peking Acrobats will perform at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora on Saturday, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m. Photo by Brittany App.The Peking Acrobats will perform at the Paramount Theatre on Saturday, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m. One lucky Go West reader will win four tickets to this family-friendly show!

The Peking Acrobats made their western debut in 1986. They balance on a pagoda of chairs; they walk across wires; they perform on trick cycles, and they display acts of precision tumbling and gymnastics. The acrobats defy gravity while displaying amazing acts of contortion, flexibility and control. Plus, their performances are accompanied by live musicians on traditional Chinese instruments.

Tickets for the show at the Paramount are $25 for children and $35 for adults. They can be bought at the box office, purchased online or by calling 630-896-6666.

There will be one winner of this Go West Giveaway, which is being brought to you by the generosity of the Paramount Theatre. The winner will receive a "family four-pack" of tickets, a value of at least $120!

The giveaway starts now and ends Thursday, Feb. 2, at 8 p.m. Central time. To enter, you just have to answer the following question in the comment section below: What's your favorite part of an acrobatic show? (For instance, do you love juggling? Like tumbling tricks? Prefer displays of sheer strength?)  Make sure to leave your email address, so we can contact you if you win.

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Weekend Spotlight: Storytimes, Legos, Music, Dancing and More

I'm struggling with the realization that this is the last weekend in January. Where did the month go? Here are some highlights to help you make the most of a weekend that is calling for rain/snow showers on Friday, flurries on Saturday and clouds on Sunday. Well, it certainly sounds like January!

Your kids could meet Presto, the Elgin Sympony Orchestra's cello mascot, at the "Family Fun Series: Many Strings Attached" concert on Sunday afternoon.STORYTIMES A PLENTY: The Go West Calendar features nearly 10 drop-in, free storytimes on Friday alone, in 'burbs including Montgomery, Aurora, Elburn, Batavia, Geneva and more. Several are in the evening and are aimed at families. There are a bunch on Saturday as well. Sounds like a good weekend to spend some time in a cozy library!

LEGO FRENZY: The Batavia Public Library is hosting its "LEGO Day" on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can drop in for a number of LEGO-inspired activities and a craft. Local LEGO enthusiasts will display a LEGO city and favorite LEGO scenes.

FUN STRINGS: The Elgin Symphony Orchestra's "Family Fun Series" continues this weekend with a concert entitled "Many Strings Attached" at the Hemmens Theatre. The fun gets underway Sunday at 2 p.m. with pre-concert crafts, music-making and activiites. The concert itself will start at 3:30 p.m. and will focus on the string family. Tickets can be bought at the door and are $15 for adults, $10 for children ages 18 and under. Click here to see photos from the fun Go West Young Mom had at the October concert, the "Halloween Spooktacular."

DANCING FEET: The Fox Valley Park District's A-Factor Dance Company will perform its "Winter Showcase" on Saturday at the Prisco Community Center in Aurora, at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $6 each and are available in person and at the door. The performance will showcase repertory pieces in ballet, modern, jazz and tap. The dance company is an offshoot of the park district's Steppin' Out Dance Studio and includes more than 50 local dances ages 7 to 18.

DOZEN PRINCESSES: Steel Beam Theatre in St. Charles will be performing "Twelve Dancing Princesses" on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. Tickets are $14 for adults and $10 for students. 

A Go West Mom You Should Know: Beth Feller of the Batavia Mothers' Club Foundation

Beth Feller joined the Batavia Mothers' Club Foundation as a way to make new friends in the area and to become more involved in the community. Just four years later, she became the president of the non-profit philanthropic group, which is hosting a "New Member Open House" on Thursday, Feb. 2, at 6:30 p.m.

Beth Feller, pictured here with her husband Brad Feller, is our latest "Go West Mom You Should Know" for her work as president of the Batavia Mothers' Club Foundation. Photo provided.Feller, 33, is a stay-at-home mom, and her husband Brad Feller works in business development at Monitor Liability Managers. They live in Batavia with their three sons: Nathan, who is 6 1/2 years old; Jake, 4 1/2 years old; and Luke, 9 months, as well as their "furry child" Maddie, an 8-year-old Vizsla. 

Read on to find out why we think Beth Feller is a "Go West Mom You Should Know" as well as more information about how you can help support or become a member of the Batavia Mothers' Club Foundation.

Q. How did you first get involved with the Batavia Mothers' Club? Can you tell me a bit about the foundation and what you like most about it?

A. I joined Batavia Mothers' Club Foundation (BMCF) in October 2007 after I had my second child.  I had heard about the BMCF when I first moved to Batavia and thought it would be a great way to meet new people and get involved in the community. BMCF is a non-profit, 501c3 organization that has been around for over 75 years. The mission of the BMCF is to improve the lives of women, children and families in the Fox Valley area.  The money we raise throughout the year is disbursed back into the community to other local nonprofit groups, Batavia schools and other educational opportunities. We usually disburse anywhere from $20,000-$30,000 each year. 

The funds are raised by our annual Arts and Craft Show in October, our annual Fox Trot 5K in April, and other smaller events. What I like most about the BMCF is the wonderful balance of philanthropy and social activities.  This club has given me the chance to be an active and supportive member of my community while working with a wonderful group of women, who are all experiencing similar joys and challenges of being a mom.

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Welcome to a New Sponsor: McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage

I’m excited to welcome another sponsor to Go West Young Mom, and it’s a place that could help you create a great date night with your husband – or make for a memorable outing with your children.

The McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage is a state-of-the-art facility in Glen Ellyn that hosts a wide range of events: Classical musical, dance, jazz, theater, visual arts and more. In the past few months, everyone from Rosanne Cash to Garrison Keilor to Thodos Dance has performed at the “MAC,” as the center is known.

It also offers a number of concerts and events each year that are aimed at families. The Von Heidecke Chicago Festival Ballet performed “The Nutcracker” there in December, and Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players played there in October.

"Each season at the MAC provides a wealth of programming for kids and their parents, from our popular Kidjazz! to nationally-touring acts," said MAC Director Stephen Cummins. "The MAC Kids Club provides additional opportunities for children to be involved in the arts through activities, contests and Optionsmore."

Up next in the “MAC Kids” series is Kidjazz! on Saturday, Feb. 18, at 10 a.m. Kidjazz! is an annual interactive musical concert that seeks to introduce the world of jazz and other American musical styles to children. It will feature the Arts Center Jazz Ensemble, with a special focus on the work of trumpeter, composer and bandleader “Dizzy” Gillespie. The show is recommended for children ages 5 through 11; tickets are $12 each for adults and for children.

On Saturday, March 10, at 10 a.m., the MAC will host the Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia performing “Treasured Stories of Eric Carle.” The show features adaptations of such stories as “Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?” “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” and “Papa Please Get the Moon for Me.” The production uses original music, puppetry and black lights, so the puppets almost appear to "glow" and sometimes even float in the air -- it's as if the books have come to life. The show is recommended for children ages 4 and up. Tickets are $12 each for adults and for children.

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The updated Go West Guide to Indoor Play

There's something about snow, freezing rain and high temperatures in the low 20s that had me thinking over the weekend about places where I could take my daughter to play indoors. Maybe that was just me, but if you feel the same way, you'll love the new, improved, updated Go West Indoor Play Guide!

Photo courtesy of Kiddie Club Lane in Lombard.Thanks to notes and suggestions from a number of readers, the guide now includes Odyssey Fun World in Naperville; ice rinks in Geneva, Aurora and Glen Ellyn; Brunswick Zone in Naperville; St. Charles Bowl in St. Charles; Epic Air Trampoline Park in South Elgin and the Nature Center at Tekakwitha Woods in St. Charles. Personally, I'm most excited to check out the Grounds for Hope Cafe in Lisle. A great cup of coffee + a 3-story playhouse for my kid = happy days indeed!

Rather than include detailed admission rates and hours, which are subject to change often, I have included links to each spot's website, as well as phone numbers. As with the items on the Go West Calendar, I always urge you to call ahead to make sure everything is proceeding as scheduled that day.

I have so appreciated suggestions for this guide, so please keep them coming. In the meantime, Happy (Indoor) Playing!

Click here to continue on to the Go West Indoor Play Guide.

Weekend Spotlight: Inflatables, Musicals, Crafts and More

Looks like we're in for a cold and snowy weekend, so all but one of these events is indoors. But if you are looking to go sledding, snowtubing or outdoor ice skating, make sure to check out this guide to the best spots in the far western suburbs. And the Go West Calendar has plenty of open gyms, drop-in storytimes and more in addition to the highlights below.

Note: It's always wise to call ahead before heading out to make sure an event is still going on as scheduled. But that's more important than ever when the weather is bad, as it looks to be this weekend. So have fun, keep warm and stay safe!

Photo by iStockphoto.WHEATON: Wheaton Bible Church is hosting its "Winter Blowout 2012" on Friday night from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event will feature more than 20 inflatables, along with balloon artists, an illusionist, cotton candy and face painting. You can even purchase dinner for your family. You don't have to be a church member to attend - it's open to the public. The cost is $7 per child (ages 3 through 6th grade.) Kids get a wristband, and they must be accompanied by an adult.

MAPLE PARK: We love the Kaneland Community Fine Arts Festival here at GWYM, and the festival is now bringing another great family-friendly show to Kaneland High School in Maple Park. "Main Street Kids' Club: A MathStart Musical," will be performed at 7 p.m. Friday. It tells six stories about adventure, friendship, mystery and of course math. The production is just about an hour long. Individual tickets can be purchased, but even better is the family ticket for $25, which allows for all members of one household to attend on one ticket. Tickets will be available at the door. (Note: Depending on the weather, this show could be postponed. Check the festival's website on Friday afternoon for a final decision.)

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Baby Makes Four: A Cranial Band for EZ Unleashes the Tears in Mom

We got one of the most wonderful gifts recently: My almost 7-month-old baby FINALLY rolled over! Yippy! I know that 7 months is kinda on the late side but whatever, he did it and if I didn’t write it down I wouldn’t ever remember when this joyous occasion occurred. His sister Ava was late on that stuff too.

EZ getting cuddle time with mom, despite his helmet. Photo provided.The reason why this is an even bigger deal is because EZ rolled over for the first time ever... wearing his helmet. I swore that thing would hold him back but well, well, looky here. I was wrong. For the first time in my life, I was wrong. Imagine that. I think I scared the bajesus out of him when I squealed louder than a hyena. HE ROLLED OVER!!!! EEEEEEEEE HAPPY DAY!

This whole cranial band (aka supa fly helmet) has been a roller coaster for us. When EZ was four months old he was diagnosed with positional plagiocephaly. Basically, this means his head was flat on one side due to us not moving him enough to keep his head from being flat. That makes us sound like horrible parents, doesn’t it? What the heck is wrong with us for never wanting to pick up our baby... jeez. Mommy FAIL.

This couldn’t be further from the truth. EZ was born early and babies who are born early didn’t get a chance to have all their little bones and bits to grow like a full - baby. So this means EZ’s head was super duper soft, easily moldable. Regardless of the position, me wearing and carrying him, his head still became flat. He preferred to lay with his head to one side (don’t kill me for saying this) but EZ sleeps 12 hours a night and that’s a long time to be laying in one position.

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Giveaway: Four Tickets to 'Main Street Kids' Club: A MathStart Musical' in Maple Park

We have another great ticket giveaway for you, and this one is going to be a very quick turnaround.

Click to see the poster in a larger size.The Kaneland Community Fine Arts Festival brings a number of events to the Kaneland community each year, including its annual showpiece festival, which year scheduled for Sunday, April 22.

But first, as part of its "Fesival Performance Series," the festival will be presenting "The Main Street Kids' Club: A MathStart Musical" this Friday, Jan. 20, at 7 p.m. at Kaneland High School at 47W326 Keslinger Road in Maple Park. 

The musical is inspired by the award-winning series by Stuart J. Murphy. It tells a tale of adventure, mystery, friendship and math, and was adapted by Scott Ferguson, famous for "Schoolhouse Rock Live!"

"This show is a spectacular way to teach your children that math is a crucial skill needed ... well ... EVERYWHERE!" says Maria Dripps-Paulson, the executive director of the festival.

She says the production is only about an hour, so younger children can easily sit through the show.

Tickets are reasonably priced, too: $10 each for adults, $8 for students/senior citzens. But even better is the $25 "Family Ticket" that allows all the members of a family living in one houshold to admitted for the price of $25.

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