Latest news with #LincolnshireMarriottResort
Chicago Tribune
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Lincolnshire Marriott Resort celebrates 50th anniversary with a multisensory trip back to the 1980s
Lincolnshire Marriott Resort celebrates its 50th anniversary season with a high-octane trip back to the 1980s. Always Something There … is a totally rad musical celebration of the pop culture and fashion of the 1980s, with the most awesome mixtape of hits by Madonna, Pat Benatar, Debbie Gibson, and Whitney Houston, and other music icons, director James Vásquez said. Always Something There … opened June 26 at the Marriott Theatre as part of a curated pairing of theatre and pop-up dining at the newly created, Back to the Grill, presented by Three Embers Restaurant, running June 18 through August 10, 2025. Brad Lajoie, general manager at Chicago Marriott Lincolnshire Resort, said each pop-up is an extension of the current stage production at the theatre, transporting guests to another realm while enjoying a themed food and beverage menu led by the culinary team at Three Embers Restaurant. As Back to the Grill, Three Embers Restaurant is transformed into a vibrant homage to the 1980s, complete with diner-style booth seating, bold neon accents, and reimagined album covers and movie posters inspired by favorite 1980s icons. 'This fun pop-up series enhances a guest's overall experience by creating a seamless, immersive journey that begins before the curtain rises and continues well after the final bow,' Lajoie said. Chef de cuisine Ed Laxner, said in coming up with menu items for Back to the Grill, he first listened to the Always Something There… soundtrack for inspiration. 'This brought back my childhood memories and the dishes I grew up eating – I took inspiration from that to elevate the dishes and to add the typical Three Embers seasonality to them,' Laxner said. New menu items like Loco-Motion Taco Salad, We Got the Bleu, chicken cordon bleu with bacon, Dreamloaf, a vegan meatloaf with classic sides, and Sweet Emotion Forest, a decadent take on Black Forest-style dessert and more. Lajoie says they introduced this multi-sensory initiative in celebration of Lincolnshire Marriott Resort's 50th anniversary, inviting guests to deepen their theatrical journey with a themed meal before or after the show, bringing the story to life through a curated culinary experience that engages all the senses. Always Something There … is a vibrant new jukebox musical by Chicago-raised playwright Sandy Rustin (Clue, The Cottage, Mystic Pizza). Set to an electrifying soundtrack of hits from the 1980s, this show delivers a fresh twist on the time-travel tale, promising a fun and relatable experience for audiences of all ages. When Samantha Craig wakes up on the morning of her 45th birthday, back in her 18-year-old life, she finds a golden opportunity to relive her senior year of high school in suburban Chicago, 1989. Armed with the wisdom of her adult self, Samantha can reshape her teenage choices. She can rekindle friendships, reclaim her voice, and maybe even get a second shot at first love, according to the program description. 'Guests aren't just watching a story — they're tasting it, feeling it, and living it in a more memorable and meaningful way,' Lajoie said. Visit for more information.
Chicago Tribune
18-04-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Annual Chefs' Night fundraiser for Deerfield-based Center for Enriched Living set for May 5
A delicious assortment of food awaits everyone who attends the Center for Enriched Living's annual Chefs' Night, May 5 at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort. There will be everything from chili pork verde nachos to raspberry trifle, spinach pie, Thai salad, sesame chicken, rigatoni, and a whole lot more at this food fest that benefits the Deerfield-based organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Twenty-nine vendors are donating food and beverages to this benefit which is attended by 500-700 people. Tickets are $125 at Sue Bersh of Deerfield has been a volunteer with the Center for Enriched Living (CEL) for six years and became president of the organization's board two years ago. She has served on the Chefs' Night committee for six years, and was a cochair for three years. Bersh praised Chefs' Night, saying, 'It's a sense of community at the event. Everyone feels like a friend when you're gathering around to support an organization you all care about. But you're having a great time in a casual setting.' In addition to sampling food, attendees see a video that shows the impact of the organization, Bersh noted. 'We always have a parent speak about what CEL means to them, and that's my favorite part,' Bersh said. There is also a car raffle, with tickets costing $100 or three for $275. The winner will have a choice of winning a 2025 Ford Mustang or $30,000 in cash. There will also be a silent auction with around a dozen items. Herb Washington, who has been CEO of the CEL for two years, has worked with people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities for his entire 28-year career. He joined CEL because, 'I really felt the mission, the culture, the supports that were provided really resonated with me on a personal level and aligned with my values,' he said. CEL serves over 400 people each year in its 20,000-square-foot building. 'Most of our clients have some degree of intellectual disability, anywhere from mild to profound,' Washington said. 'Also, autism, cerebral palsy, down syndrome.' Board President Bersh said that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are now often integrated into the schools, 'But at age 22, they age out and they have nowhere to go. That's where we really fill a need. You hear the parents speak about what that means to them, and it warms your heart, and you realize what an important role this organization plays for families.' CEL offers a wide range of services and activities. 'We have a day program that focuses on building social connections, orientation to the arts, and to community resources,' Washington said. That's the REACH Adult Day Program. 'We have another program called Catalyst, which focuses on teaching skills of independence and life skills,' Washington said. CEL also has an employment program which works to connect people with their dream jobs and supports them during their employment. It also assists them to learn new skills. 'We set them up for success and then we help find the job,' Bersh said. 'We also have a mental health program that meets the mental health needs of people with disabilities but also provides mental health resources and support to families,' Washington said. In addition, a summer camp is offered for teens and adolescents. Washington reported that the CEL, which began in 1968 and became an independent agency in 1984, is completely independently funded. It receives no funds from the State of Illinois. Individuals and families pay for the services, with fundraising making up 50-60 percent of the revenue. 'About 60 percent of our clients receive some degree of financial assistance to help cover costs,' Washington said. Chefs' Night, which is celebrating its 25th year, is the main fundraising event, Washington reported, raising about $500,000 annually. In addition to raising funds, Washington noted that Chefs' Night 'is also important in that it brings future supporters into the circle and is a good introduction into what CEL is all about.'
