Boat, Bike, Kayak, Walk At Chicago Museum

The Culinary Chicago series held on Tuesdays April 15, 22, and 29 celebrate Chicago's flavorful fare. Hot Dog! A History of Chicago Foods on April 15 discusses the origins of the city's best foods. On April 22, The Local Option looks at organic and all-natural foods, what that really means, and how to support local growers. Our series ends on April 29 with the Chef Showcase, where you can get an insiders look into Chicago's food scene with a panel of internationally recognized Chicago chefs, including Gale Gand of Tru, Michael Kornick of MK, Bruce Sherman of North Pond, and Carol Wallack of Sola. All Culinary programs begin at 7:00 p.m. and individual tickets are $10/$8 for Museum members per event. The ticket package for all three events is $27/$22 for Museum members.

Set sail with the Chicago History Museum. Exploring Chicago's Yeast Side: A History of Beer, on Sunday, May 18 from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. This sunset boat tour looks at the history of brewing in Chicago with beer tastings by Berghoff Brewery. On Sunday, June 1, the Devil in the White City boat tour discusses the World's Columbian Exhibition of 1893 and components of Erik Larson's best-selling book; tour begins at 6:00 p.m. Stars and Stripes Summer Sail on Wednesday, June 25 from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. is a pre-Fourth of July celebration. Enjoy a patriotic evening while fireworks light up the sky. Tickets for the Museum's boat tours are $45/$40 Museum members.

A different kind of boat tour, by way of a kayak, on Sunday, June 28 is a new addition to the Museum's spring/summer line-up. Paddle into the Past allows participants to kayak down the Chicago River while learning about the city's history and architecture. This three-hour tour starting at 10:00 a.m. is a workout for both the mind and body. Tickets are $55/$50 Museum members.

Ride Like the Devil: The Devil in the White City Bike Tour on June 15 includes 25 miles of biking with an optional extra 10 miles. This tour is for White City enthusiasts who are able to provide their own bike. The tour runs from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. and tickets are $25/$20 Museum members. For the participants that would rather walk, the Museum is offering four different walking tours this spring. Explore The Glitzy Gold Coast on May 3 and June 7; the Lincoln Park Neighborhood on May 31; and The Old Town Trek on May 17 and June 21. On May 10 and June 28, Saturday in the Park, is a walking tour through Lincoln Park, along the lakefront. These walking tours are held on Saturday mornings from 10:00 a.m. to 12noon and tickets are $10/$5 Museum members.

The Museum's documentary film series, Project Sunday, will feature King Corn on Sunday, April 13. This 90 minute film follows two recent college graduates as they discover the source of America's food – from planting it to the dinner table. On Sunday, May 4, Screaming Queens, a 60 minute film exploring the transgender community as they began a human rights struggle in 1966 against routine police harassment that still continues today. Project Sunday films begin at 1:30 p.m. and are free with Museum admission. The Screaming Queens film is presented in advance of the related Out at CHM program on Thursday, May 8. Screaming Queens and Lavender Panthers: A History of Transgender Activism invites activist and transgender expert, Susan Stryker, as she looks at the history of transgender activism in Chicago and throughout the nation. Tickets are $12/$10 Museum members. The program begins at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m.

The Museum's monthly In The K/Now series exploring contemporary issues that affect Chicagoans will look at school violence on Tuesday, April 1. Safe On Campus? Curbing Violence In Our Schools will have a panel addressing how the shootings at Columbine, Virginia Tech, NIU and Crane Tech have communities grappling with the safety of children and young adults at school. On Tuesday, May 6, 'Roid Rage: The Great American Steroid Scandal is a discussion that explores how steroid use has affected the nation's sports leagues and tarnished America's favorite pastime. All In The K/Now programs run from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. and are free of charge.

In conjunction with the new exhibition, Catholic Chicago, the Museum presents The Saintly Stroll, on May 10 and June 14 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. This tour is presented in partnership with the Center for Religious Architecture, and includes stops at some of the city's most historic and beautiful churches. Tickets are $10/$5 Museum members. -- www.chicagohs.org