We Had An Awesome Adventure Rock Climbing!

After some mingling and instructions, we we're ready to climb! Most of us starting out on the easier runs up the wall, but even those were a lot of work! Some went straight for the tougher climbs. We were doing amazing! Everyone really pushed themselves and it seemed like almost everyone made it to the top of a wall by the end of the night. There were even a few races to see who could climb the fastest! Overall, a really fun event!
Events and Adventures Chicago

Paintball!!

For those of you who were able to join us for the Paintball event this past weekend, you know how much fun we had! After a little morning mingle, we suited up and got our supplies…then we were ready to go to war! We spend the whole day running around shooting each other. We worked as teams and sometimes went against each other. It was an entire day of fun! And while most of us wore several layers, we still had some battle wounds to show off! Events and Adventures Chicago

New Member Ice Breaker and Trampoline Dodgeball!

 Friday night was our New Member Ice Breaker for the month and we welcomed some awesome new people to our group! We first got to know a little bit about each other such as what sports we played in high school and places we’ve traveled…and then it was time to jump! We certainly used up a lot of energy that night! We were bouncing all over the place, from one trampoline to the next. Not to mention our intense games of trampoline dodge ball. And flying through the air into a foam pit (some of us face first)! By the end of the night we worked up a good sweat and had so much fun as a group! Events and Adventures Chicago

Splatter Paint Night & Water Balloon Fight

This had to be one of the most exciting events we’ve done all summer! First we expressed our artistic side with splatter painting a canvas. Some people got very creative and enhanced their art with tape designs and some glitter! We were able to make over 20 paint colors…which allowed everyone’s masterpiece to look different. And just when we were done relaxing with painting…we got some aggression out with a water balloon fight! Almost 450 water balloons were gone within 4 minutes! Everyone had a blast! And practically no one walked away dry… It was a night we won’t soon forget!
Events and Adventures Chicago

Tuesday Night At Millennium Park!

Tuesday night we enjoyed a relaxing evening of watching the Wizard of Oz and having a wine and cheese picnic at Millennium Park. We had a great turn out! With a blanket to spread out on, tables, and chairs (not to mention all the food and wine), we we’re set! Although a classic seen by everyone, The Wizard of Oz never gets old and it was even better to watch with new friends! This night definitely beat your typical Tuesday!
Events and Adventures Chicago

The Great Love Debate!

And what a debate it was! This event was truly interactive, interesting, and informative! This was no “teacher to class” lecture, but rather a true discussion in which much of the audience controlled the conversation. We were divided, men on one side and women on the other. Both sexes asked amazing questions and made some really thought-provoking points. All around the room, everyone was completely engaged, including our members. I saw a lot of laughs and some scowls at times, but everyone was actively listening. After the debate we moved as a group to a nearby restaurant where we continued the discussion in smaller groups on the patio. I really enjoyed hearing what each member thought of the debate and heard new points that were not covered. Overall, everyone really enjoyed the show and of course the mingling afterwards! Events and Adventures Chicago

Receiving The Royal Treatment At The Cubs Game!

We received the royal treatment this past Tuesday night for the Cubs vs Padres game! Waiting at the top of the bleachers for us was a whole row of couches reserved for E&A! We had the best view from the rooftop overlooking the Cubbies at Wrigley Field. We sported our baseball gear and enjoyed the array of food and beverages included in our ticket price! There might have been more socializing then actual game watching, but we had an amazing time as a group! And we must be good luck because the Cubs brought home the WIN! Events And Adventures Chicago

An Amazing Weekend!

This past weekend was jam-packed with so much fun, we needed to blog about two events this week! First on Saturday night we had our New Member Ice Breaker! There were a TON of new faces to welcome. They all had a blast playing “People Bingo” and getting to know interesting facts about one another! After the meeting, mingling, and buffet, it was game time! With air hockey, shooting games, racing games, and tickets to win, we were like little kids in a candy store! It was great to see a lot of new members mingling and fitting in with the group so well! It was a great night had by all…but then there was Sunday! Sunday Funday at 6 Flags Great America! With the new amazing ride Goliath out, that’s where we headed first… only to find out there was almost 4 hour wait! A little disappointed, we set out to ride some other rollercoasters. Turns out, it was great that everyone else was in line for Goliath, because that meant shorter lines everywhere else! Everyone said they’ve never been able to go on so many coasters in one day! We even had a take breaks to give our stomachs a rest. By the end of the day, we were very tired and ready to head home after a long day of excitement. What an amazing weekend with E&A! Events and Adventures Chicago

4th of July....Music, Ribs, Fireworks and Fake Mustaches!

This year we celebrated Independence Day at Ribfest in Naperville! There were so many ribs to try, we had a hard time deciding which award winning vendor to choose from! Luckily there was a lot of sharing going on, so we we’re able to sample a good variety! It was definitely a relaxing day, hanging out by the South stage enjoying the music and good conversation. As the day went on, lots of silliness seemed to happen, which included fake mustaches! We later headed up to the North stage to enjoy some lively jazz music and found a great spot to watch the fireworks. We ended the night with an awesome fireworks displays and had an amazing day together as a group! Events and Adventures Chicago

We Finally Got To Play Volleyball!

After weeks of cancellations due to weather, we finally got to play volleyball last night! While it was misting the whole time, we still managed to have a great event! There was lots of friendly competition and even a little smack talk throughout the four games. It was, of course, all in good fun and everyone had a blast! We welcomed a new member Dan for his first event! He definitely had some skills on the court! We’re crossing our fingers for some sunshine next week, but just glad we all got together for a great night! Events And Adventures Chicago

New Member Meeting & Friday Night Mingle!

Friday night at Bar Forza was an amazing mingle! First our new members (and we had a lot!) arrived to go over E&A policies and get to know one another. Once the regular members joined us, the real party started. We were spoiled with our own private room and even a surprise buffet! The new chef delighted us with parmesan French fries and bruschetta, what a treat! The food was a clear hit with everyone as it was gone in about 5 minutes! As the night went on and the music got louder, people started to put on their dancing shoes and bust some…very interesting moves. Overall the night was a huge success with the mingling of old and new members. For our first event members, we hope you had an amazing night and can’t wait to see you at another event soon! Events And Adventures Chicago

Members Meeting & Bowling!

STRIKE!!...is what we were hoping for this past Saturday night at the Member Meeting & Bowling Social, and some of us achieved that! A few people were a bit rusty and needed the first game to get their bowling skills back, but win or lose, we had a ton of fun! The star of the night was definitely Fred! His stance and swing might have looked a bit crazy, but man did he knock those pins down! I think somebody’s been practicing… Before the bowling fun began, we sat down as a group and discussed events the members would like to see on the calendar this summer…they had some amazing ideas! Overall the night was full of energy with cheering and high fives! We can’t wait to put our clown shoes back on! Events And Adventures Chicago

“Best. Weekend. Ever!”

Three words to describe our memorial weekend in the Dells? “Best. Weekend. Ever!” Between zip lining, the jet boat tour, and spending time at the pool and campsite, it was one fun-filled weekend! Arriving at the campsite Friday night, everyone was excited to see friends from their own city and catch up with people then haven’t seen in a while. We had a couple poor late comers who had to set up their tents in the dark, but E&A members are always willing to lend a helping hand! The nights were filled with campfire stories, smores, and games. Those who you got enough sleep and still had energy left ventured off on the Devil’s Lake hike as well as the Downtown Dells walk in the mornings. For a bit more excitement, we went on a wet and wild jet boat ride with our hilarious captain Tom. No one walked away dry after that boat ride…especially the front rows! Zip lining was our other amazing adventure. We bonded as a group while learning how to zip upside down and doing the “trust fall.” Everyone had such an amazing time, we can’t for the Labor Day trip!

Events And Adventures Chicago

New Event Manager and Whirlyball!

As the new event manager for Events and Adventures Chicago, I couldn’t wait to get out and meet everyone! My first event? Whirlyball! I had never played before, so I was unsure of what to expect… It was a blast! Meeting over 30 members was exciting in itself and their amazing energy got me so pumped up! I whizzed and whirled around, not knowing what direction my bumper car was going to go half the time. But we came together as a team and won the game! It was a night I won’t soon forget, I can’t wait till we play again! Events And Adventures Chicago

Live From Greece!!

After nearly 30 hours for flights and transfers we all got to Athens !!!
Even with the travel/jetlag we are all exited to be in Greece and starting our adventure.

The first night we had a welcoming dinner in the heart of Athens old town and not far from the Acropolis, the restaurant that was picked by our guides was perfect. a true Greek favorite as the photos on the
walls of the owner and his family with so many of Greece's famous and other well known world wide bid shots showed us.

As a kid in school you learn about Greek history and it some how seen so unreal, but when you get to walk right up to the pillars of the Parthenon and hear from our guides just how this was all made and what they were thinking at the time this was being built it becomes a image
that will be with you for the rest of there life.
I can't wait to write more next week about the Greek islands we are heading to. Events And Adventures Travel

Spring Is In The Air!

After surviving another miserable Chicago winter that included TWO polar vortexes, our members were ready for Spring! What better way to celebrate the end of winter than withthe Naperville Holi Festival. This tradition is a Vedic holiday that marks the end of winter and the arrival of Spring by throwing multicolored powder into the air. We came to the event wearing white, and left wearing every color in the rainbow...you could say E&A knows how to paint the town red! When we weren’t dousing each other with vibrance, we enjoyed bands, dancing and a party in the street. This was by far one of the best events yet of 2014. Needless to say, we sure saw everyone’s colorful side that afternoon! Events and Adventures Chicago

Green River Boat Cruise on the Chicago River!

To Car Bomb or Photo Bomb seemed to be the theme of our second annual Green river boat cruise on the Chicago River.  Still refrigerator cold the Car Bombs and well three layers of wool kept the chill at bay… The photo bombing was well more of a sport both on the boat and at Navy Pier post ride, although proved more difficult on the seas.......go figure!

Once our sea legs were gone after copious amounts of corned beef and maybe a Guinness pint, we joined the 1000's on the Pier for late evening Dancing and fun! Next year we’re going to have people wear blue, St. Nicholas did! Events And Adventures Chicago

10 Ways E&A Will Change Your Life #1

New Blog Series ” 10 Ways E&A Will Change Your Life”

1. FEEL LIKE A KID

        When you are a kid making friends is easy.  You are constantly around other people in sports, school, your neighborhood, summer camp, cousins/family, band, church etc… that you constantly are able to talk and meet and play with people your age and of similar interests.  We take that, along with a million other things, for granted when we are young.  When we are adults and we move cities or become suddenly single for the first time in a long time we can feel very alone; sometimes for the first time ever.  Commute, work, eat, sleep-repeat becomes “life.”  That isn’t LIFE as we know it in E&A.  Every day offers a new adventure to us.  Every weekend is new chance to explore, be creative, to love people, to like, to fail, to get back up, to test my limits, to find my strengths, to face my weaknesses to meet new people and most importantly find out new things about ourselves.  E&A might make you feel like a kid again when we do fun things like Trampoline Dodgeball, Cosmic Bowling, High Ropes Course, Go Karting and other things…you might feel like a kid again but you will most certainly FEEL ALIVE again.

Stay tuned for 2-10 in Future Blog Posts, in the meantime lets get out there and have some fun! Events And Adventures Chicago

Getting Out And Having Fun On Valentine's Day!

Our winter here in Chicago has definitely been one to remember… The polar vortex part one, oh and two; and all the snow almost 70 inches has left its mark on the city, but not on us!  We used Valentine’s Day as an excuse to come out and jive, not sit and sulk like our Debbie Downer friends and neighbors.  Red Ivy on Clark in the old Gangster part of town was the spot, the secret speakeasy room was the space, and all of us were guilty of something that evening! 

Dino and Sinatra on the horn the dim lights of mystery and an old fashion at the bar, not the drink but the tender set the tone for the night.  What makes a night of great food, libations and dancing even better, a working photo booth, especially one with a privacy curtain!  As the night passed we transitioned in to a more modern mix of music and an array of chocolate covered goodies!

All in all a wonderful event and the most important message that singles should remember on Valentines Day is that love is not just for couples...it is for all of us !  Events And Adventures Chicago

Have Your Cake And Eat It Too.....Our 1 Year Anniversary In Chicago!

Over the weekend E&A celebrated their 1 year establishment in Chicago! The party took place at the same location downtown where we held our very first event ever, The Castle. We partied in the historic stone building which was built in 1892. The entrance is dressed with a large pair of winged gargoyles and the inside is decorated with a fashionable, gothic style.  We had a private area all to ourselves where we mingled and talked about our favorite events the past year, and boy were there tons! Pictures were on display which gave us all some good laughs. We watched a video compiled of the great times we’ve had and reminisced together. Nobody could believe how fast the time has gone by. It was an important reminder that you have to live your life to the fullest! It is so important to have fun and surround yourself with awesome people! We talked about some of our favorite events that we can’t wait to do again. We also made a list of new things we want to try. The night carried on with eating, drinking and of course…dancing! We were the first ones on the dance floor and even up on stage. Whenever I need to get the party started I know I can always count on the Chicago members. We have the best group of friends and I can’t wait to see what memories year 2 has in store for us! Bring it on! Events And Adventures Chicago

An E&A Ski Trip!

Chicago has seen over 60 inches of snowfall this winter season! So we bundled and headed to the slopes! Usually the most dreaded part is the road trip, but not with E&A. We started the morning off with coffee and donuts and all piled in a bus together. We sat back and relaxed as we were chauffeured to the lodge. When we arrived we geared up with our skis and snowboards and had a private instructor awaiting us for lessons! We spend the whole day admiring the views from the lift and atop the mountains. The sun was shining and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. There was nothing that got in the way of us snow bunnies! Although, we did break for some hot cocoa and shared some laughs about the latest stories on the slopes. In our group, we had some beginners as well as some experts, but at the end of the day we all had wonderful winter day of fun together!  Events And Adventures Chicago

What’s The Worst Part About Living In Chicago?

 The WINTER of course!  But not when you’re a member of E&A!  We took that 17 degrees and ran with it, all the way to rooftop of the exclusive Dana Hotel.  The Dana Hotel is the home of Vertigo Sky Lounge, a bar with an incredible outdoor lounge nestled in the heart of downtown Chicago.  But it would be a shame to let this view go to waste because of the winter cold, so Vertigo created an ice bar for the outdoor area.  That’s right!  A whole lounge made entirely out of ice!  We got a few cocktails from the ice bar and admired the incredible view of the city.  Huge fire pits kept us warm and gave a beautiful glow to the intricate ice sculptures that inhabited the rooftop.  We sat on couches made of ice that were topped with cozy fur blankets.  Even though our bodies were cold that night, spending the evening with each other warmed our hearts. Events And Adventures Chicago

Trapped In A Room With A Zombie.......

The night was cold, the air was crisp and the moon was full. This makes for a perfect evening to be trapped in a room with a zombie! Us E&A members really got to know each other as we put out heads together in order to fight for our lives! (not really). We had one hour to work together to solve a series of riddles and puzzles in order to reveal the key that opened the door to freedom. Doesn’t sound too difficult, right? Wrong! I forgot to mention we only had 1 hour and there was a  live zombie that was out to get us! Even though he was chained to the wall, he was struggling to get his rotting hands on us any way that he could!  To make things worse, every 5 minutes a link in the chain was released allowing the zombie to inch closer and closer.  The team work was amazing! We solved every clue but one… that meant we were zombie meat!  All in all this adventure was totally awesome and it was my favorite event yet.  Next time E&A is takin’ that zombie down!   Events And Adventures Chicago

What’s Better Than A Saturday Night And A Rockin’ Piano?

How about two rockin’ pianos!
Throw in some friends and now we’re talking great fun! Over the weekend we hit the town and enjoyed live dueling pianos and danced the night away. We had plenty of food, drinks and laughs. It was the perfect night to unwind and let loose. Plus, there were so many new members to meet! You know you’re having fun when you check your watch and 3 hours have passed in the blink of an eye. We could have sang and danced until the sun came up (especially those of us who ended up on stage). E&A definitely showed that crowd who’s boss! Only some of us left with sore feet, but we all left with new friendships! Events And Adventures Chicago

2013 Went Out With A Bang!

2013 sure went out with a bang for Events & Adventures in Chicago! Our New Year’s Eve Midnight Masquerade Party was the most extravagant event yet with over 100 members! The evening was magical as we were dressed to impress from head to toe, showing off our elaborate masks. From feathers to sequence to lace, everyone looked fabulous! The atmosphere was decorated with bright, bold colors and funky oversized furniture. Enormous light fixtures hung from the ceiling casting a soft glow upon us. Our private lounge was warm and cozy. We enjoyed floor to ceiling windows as a blanket of snow covered our beautiful city . The champagne bubbled, the excitement was contagious and the dance floor was the place to be. As the clock struck Midnight, smiles and hugs filled the room. It was the perfect setting to celebrate with friends, old and new. It is amazing to see how far we have come and it only continues to get better! We simply cannot wait to see what new friends and memories 2014 has in store for us!
Events And Adventures Chicago

Helping Others On Christmas!

What do most people do on Christmas Eve morning? Last minute shopping? Relax? Wrap presents? Not some of us E&A members here in Chicago. We spent half of our day volunteering at the Greater Chicago Food Depository, a nonprofit distribution center. We came together as a group of friends and recognized the needs of thousands of individuals and families during this special holiday. We packaged, sorted and organized food. These items went out to 650 pantries, soup kitchens and shelters in Chicago and the surrounding county. It was a nice opportunity to spend time together while sharing the common interest of helping others. Events and Adventures can proudly say that we assisted in feeding 150,000 hungry people a delicious Christmas meal. What an amazing accomplishment! Plus, some of us even caught a few minutes of fame as the FOX news Station reported alongside us as we were hard at work! Events And Adventures Chicago