Ladies Night Out: A Celebration of Femininity and Women in Business

The first annual Ladies Night Out at the Village Commons in New Lenox features wine-tasting, artisans, mini-manicures and a movie starring Sarah Jessica Parker portraying a role in which she attempts to balance work, parenting and marriage.

The brainchild of Annette Bowden, village trustee and chairperson for the Performing Arts Committee, the Ladies Night Out event is planned with a sense of humor and fun.

It's the last of the season's Movie Nights at the Village Commons. The film is I Don't Know How She Doest It. In a NLCTV interview, she discussed how the event is intended, of course, to promote women in business. But it's also a Home Depot-sponsored celebration of the cultural and social aspects of the lives that real women live.

Nancy Hoehn, village economic development director, is also integral to the project. The two came together to arrange an evening that honors the lives of women in this community. Bowden said the event was intentionally planned for the post-opening of school. The elementary schools begin on Aug. 21.

But after having purchased all the school supplies, arranged for physicals and coordinated transportation issues, there is one night that mothers and others can relax and enjoy an opportunity to pamper themselves, to joke about the hustle and bustle of everyday life and laugh together.

For two hours, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 22 at the , about 30 female vendors are planning to show off or demonstrate their wares. Then at about 8:15 pm., the movie is slated to begin.

It's an outside event, said Hoehn.

"We're hoping the weather cooperates," she said, and reminded attendees to bring along a blanket or a lawn chair because it's lawn seating.

A wine tasting event and snacks are planned. The vendors range for artisan participants from the French Market to mini-manicures and from Mary Kay and Avon to hand-crafted jewelry, Lia Sophia, Tastefully Simple and more.

On reflection, Hoehn said, the Ladies Night Out is a unique event. Today's business women are not obligated to conduct themselves as if they were in the male-dominated board room. Women are abandoning the old-fashioned style and operating successfully as they work in a way that celebrates their femininity.

It's a free movie night and an opportunity to shop vendor booths, enjoy wine tastings, complimentary massages, mini-manicures, give-a-ways and more. Home Depot is planning to conduct a presentation on "Do it HERSELF" demonstrations.

"It's all about the ladies," Bowden said. "So leave the kiddies behind and pamper yourself to a night out with family and/or friends right here in your own back yard ... the New Lenox Commons. You don't have to prep and there's no cleanup."