When the city announced that after 52 years, it was cancelling Chicago’s Venetian Night celebration, Joe and I were SO disappointed. It’s always been one of our favorite summer celebrations – one we looked forward to all year.

Then we talked to our friend Theresa Carter, aka The Local Tourist (who’s hosted a chef’s cruise and networking parties on our yachts this summer). She loved Venetian Night too (although she’s a red-haired Irish lass). The upshot? Together we came up with this amazing idea…to host a Bringing Back Venetian Night cruise.

Get ready to party –Italian style. We’re Bringing Back Venetian Night!

Come cruise on our Free Spirit luxury yacht (far more comfy than a gondola). Lake Michigan will be our canal. The magnificent Chicago skyline our Venice (but not sinking into the sea).

You’ll dine on a delectably decadent Italian buffet and enjoy a premium open bar. And there WILL be fireworks…from Navy Pier…..but fireworks nonetheless.

Head Gondolier, Captain Joe Donofrio (yes, we ARE Italian) will make sure you have the best viewing spot on Lake Michigan.

Sound like a dreamy way to spend a summer evening? Yep. That’s what we thought!

Don’t wait to sign up. Capacity is limited.

Saturday, July 31, 2010

8 – 11p

$80 in advance, $90 at the dock

Free Spirit Yacht Cruises

Burnham Harbor

Dock J

For more info, to sign up.

Won’t be long now before we’re back at Burnham Harbor. And we can’t wait!

Our first charter is on April 22^nd. Hopefully, the weather will be warmer by then.

Given the recession, we’re really thrilled to see that charters aren’t taking a hit (at least ours aren’t).  In fact, The Gypsy Spirit is booked every Saturday night in July and August. And there’s only one date open in June. Amazing!

Seems that the smaller yachts book up first. Our Free Spirit, which is larger with a 120-person capacity, is booking nicely, but we have a few more openings than on the Gypsy.

Could be that companies (and private parties) are going smaller this year, but so far we’re not about to make any predictions. We’re just looking forward to getting out on Lake Michigan and doing what we love best — hosting wonderful events for our clients on our private charter yachts.

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