Prairie Center For the Arts

A very classy place… clean and very well maintained… a great environment for the arts… plenty of parking

I’ve lived in the suburbs all my life. I was born here, I grew up here, and I try very hard, everyday, NOT to die here.
I like to think I know most areas and things in the ‘burbs like the back of my hand, and for the most part, better than anyone else… okay, maybe not better than my Dad, but he’s got a couple years on me and he trained me well. Growing up, my Dad would always take the whole fam out on the weekends and show us tons of crazy cool, hidden gem-​type stuff all near and far in the ‘burbs, which we (of course) didn’t appreciate at all, but it was kind of a later – life-​lesson that you get once two decades or so have already passed and realize how cool it was that he took the time and put up a fight every.single.weekend to get us all up and going, despite our resistance and eye rolls, to show us the neat stuff that existed in our own backyard.
So anyway, it always surprises me when I hear people sh*t on the ‘burbs. I mean, I know there’s a lameness stigma, but all you have to be is not lazy… or ignorant, to know how far from the truth that mega mall and mini van myth is.
I could, just off the top of my head, name a thousand really cool, indie places in the suburbs and Prairie Center for the Arts is pretty close to the top of that list.
The Center itself is a really cool place. There’s kids art on the walls, but not the crappy kids art that anyone could do, I’m talking real-​deal talented kids… like this 11-​year-​old who drew this Red Panda free-​hand:

Pretty impressive and cute as heck, which if you knew me at all, you’d know that ‘impressive’ and ‘cute’ are two words I never use when talking about kids.
The center offers classes for kids and frequently puts on plays in their 400-​seat theater. From what I’ve gathered, the plays are largely targeted towards kids and family audiences, so the ticket prices remain nominal at best and the shows are typically along the lines of Beauty and the Beast or a ballet, or that sort of jam.
As neat as the inside of the center is, the coolest part of the Prairie Center for the Arts are the outside grounds. A HUGE plot of nature with scattered large-​scale art installations, some of which you can climb on. Like this one of ‘The Muse’ (that’s me being a squirrel in her hand):
Or this one of this metal forest:
There’s also really nice picnic tables with game boards built in so you can play chess and checkers or what have you:
Then there’s this great big pond/​lake thing:
It even has a floating swan island in the middle (those are nesting swans napping on there):
There’s an outdoor stage where they host concerts and free dance lessons of different styles. It’s located at the bottom of a very slight hill so it’s still very much handicap accessible and the acoustics, from what I was told by may partner, where pretty good:
If you walk around the path a bit, you’ll cross over a bridge above a cool, calm creek that’s perfect for playing Pooh sticks on:
You’ll see this massive, artsy sundial along the path:
And there’s plenty of opportunities to see some really cool wildlife here as well. Like this monster snapping turtle I found one day. He was over three feet from the top of his shell to the tip of his tail, longer if he’d un-​turtled his head from his shell, but I wasn’t about to taunt him:
How cool is that?! I mean check out those spikes:
The trails, flowers, greenery, and scenery here really something, and the best part is that it’s absolutely, 100% free.
Do yourself and your family a favor and be like my Dad: Bring yo kids, bring yo wife and enjoy all the spoils of the suburbs’ première art and nature center.

The Prairie Center for the Arts really is such a unique cultural center/​venue and truly deserves high stars. They are home to Summer Breeze concerts which is a weekend series of FREE live outdoor music ranging from classical to rock. Bring a picnic, friends, family or enjoy a date night. But they do so much more, year-​round that earns them the 5 stars. From Cocktail fundraisers to performances of all types and even a monthly young professional network – with a twist!

I attended the Prairie Center For The Arts’ Celebration 2010 and boy it was a celebration… of the senses! Oh yeah, art, live music, and food – delicious food – provided by some of the best restaurants in the area – me likey!
I’m not gonna lie, I was there to try out all the food, but as I made my way through the deliciousness around the Prairie Center, I was able to enjoy the sounds of a jazz quartet, a brass band, a slide guitarist, and a singer/​jazz guitarist duo. There was also a photography gallery of abstract reflections and a silent auction. In addition, to all the sights, sounds, and flavors, there were two artists doing caricatures – these guys were good – my girlfriend and I had to get one of the two of us!
It was a great night at the Prairie Center For The Arts. I liked the layout and versatility of the venue. I’ll definitely have to check out future events and/​or performances there.

The Prairie Center for the Arts holds an annual fundraiser and invites local deliciousness to cater. :) Tickets were $ 55 in advance and there were options including Wildfire, Ram, Bonefish Grill, Seasons, and a bunch more. There is also a silent auction.
The highlights:
Seasons’s dessert shooters (which my sommelier friend Eric carted away in a box because they were generous with leftovers) in five flavors, the best being pecan pie. I will now have to check out the restaurant based solely on this one dessert… of which I had three. :)
The live music/​performances, especially Brass from the Past. There was dancing, a play, and many styles of music.
Free caricatures! By talented artists! I may have to post a pic. :)
The downside:
In spite of the fact that Bonefish Grill’s Sangria ROCKED big time… floral notes, fresh fruit, good flavor/​sweetness… however, the drinkies were not included with the entrance fee. :(Lame.
Plays and etc here throughout the year are fine… good on like a 3.5 star rating. This event was a bit above and I recommend it (especially if, like me, someone else got sick at the last minute and gave you their ticket).

As a child growing up in Schaumburg, I had to take numerous field trips to this place. And all of them were SO boring. Not very entertaining for children at all. They have some good programs here once in a while — like a play or an art gallery, but otherwise this place is pretty boring and I prefer to stay away from it!