"Floranova" to bloom March 13 at Macy's on State Street

The art, music and botanical gardens of the Latino world will transform Macy's flagship store in Chicago with the debut of Floranova, the 2008 annual spring flower show. This artistic, cultural and horticultural extravaganza will run from March 13 to March 30 at Macy's on State Street.

Floranova will draw inspiration from Mexico, Cuba, Brazilian modernism, colonial Brazil, the Amazon, and South Beach, Miami, to create an amazing visual experience and energy throughout the store. While the show will mainly occupy the first floor on the State Street side of the store, customers will notice dazzling visual elements in other locations as well, including the middle fountain atrium and the Walnut Room. A true samba for the senses, the show is sure to excite Chicagoans and visitors alike when they visit Macy's on State Street this March.

"Our 2008 flower show will bring the beauty of the Latin world to our customers through an extraordinary floral spectacular," said Michelle Mesenburg, divisional vice president of marketing events and communication for Macy's North. "We are creating a floral fiesta at State Street and are thrilled to present the glorious flowers, music and art of these Latin cultures to Chicagoans this spring."

The Flora
Brilliantly colored flowers and exotic foliage stretching the length of a city block will grace the first floor of Macy's on State Street. Thousands of flowers and plants will be flown in from greenhouses and growers across the country to create the Latin-themed show. The show will flow along the State Street side of the first floor with three themes:

• North State Atrium - This area of the store will be extremely tropical and reminiscent of the Amazon. The plant life will feature numerous varieties of palms; banana plants in red and green shades; nearly 30 types of ferns; hundreds of vermiliads and more.
• Middle State - This area will be reminiscent of colonial Brazil making a statement in white. Featured flowers will include more than 20 varietals of orchids along with ferns, gerberas and azaleas.
• South State - This area will highlight Central America and Mexico with bold, bright splashes of color and more than 20 varietals of succulents. From white, yellow, red and purple gardenias to hanging lipstick plants along with jade plants, the South State area of the store will exude excitement and playfulness. Desert-like sections will be mixed in with cactus plants and dry desert wood scenes as well.

While many of last year's flower show plantings were placed on ledges and above eye level, Macy's visual team will display most of the plantings on the ground this year, making it easier for Macy's customers to view the wide variety of plants and truly experience the show.

The Art
As in past years, Macy's has scoured the globe to find talented and unique partners to help bring the show to life and provide a spectacular visual experience for customers. Artist David LeBatard, known as "Lebo," designed this year's flower show image in his signature, colorful South Beach style. A gallery dedicated to Lebo's artwork will be on display near the Archives on the 7th floor; the artwork will be for sale to Macy's customers. In addition, Brazil's top living artist, Maria Bonomi, will be creating organically inspired oversized silver leaf sculptures for the show. Three of Bonomi's oversized cast metal leaves, each standing five feet high, will hang in the North State atrium near the Tous shop. Bonomi's work will be available for purchase as well.

Locally, Macy's is thrilled to feature fine art from various Latin artists through a partnership with local gallery owner and art dealer Aldo Castillo. Pieces from Castillo's gallery will be featured in several windows on State Street and in an exhibit on the first floor.

The Vision
Along with the amazing flora and artwork, Macy's top-notch team of visual artists will add additional spark and color to show through vibrant, over-the-top displays throughout the first floor, on the lower level and in the 7th floor Walnut Room.

Highlights include:

• On the first floor - a brightly colored carpet running the length of State Street from Randolph to Washington displaying segments of blue, pink and green hues.
• In the North State atrium - a 58-foot high planting of exotic, oversized metal flowers gleaming in bright colors representing Lebo's flower show image in his signature South Beach style.
• In the Fountain Atrium - oversized, colorful fiberglass bugs planted in the fountain and hung on the walls, including a 24-inch beetle along with an 8½-foot dragonfly, among others.
• On the lower level - a giant, 16-foot high red and yellow rooster made of chicken wire, foam and papier-mâché with plantings of flowers around it that will serve as a great photo opportunity for customers during the show.
• In the Walnut Room - a 38-foot high beanstalk in the center of the restaurant made of metal wire and fabric and designed to portray Lebo's signature South Beach style.

The Experience
Floranova will create a veritable sensory experience for Macy's customers by highlighting the electrifying sights, sounds, and tastes of the Latin world. The State Street store will come alive with a series of events during the show, from shopping parties, family fun days and chef demonstrations to tango performances and a Latin marketplace.

March 13 will mark the opening day of the show, and Macy's will celebrate by hosting a kick-off celebration throughout the first floor of the show with local Latin entertainment, music and dancers from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., including a performance by Flamenco Triana featuring local Flamenco dancer Michelle Nascimento.

On Friday, March 14 and Friday, March 28, Macy's will host a Latin-themed marketplace from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with foods and wares representing various Latin countries. The marketplace will feature samples from local restaurants, including Adobo Grill and Fogo de Chão; crafts from local artisans, including handmade jewelry from Diverso by Diana Samper; and entertainment from local musicians and dancers, including Alma de Tango, a local Tango quartet who will both sing and dance for Macy's customers during the celebration. Customers will also enjoy the music of Spanish guitar duo Hector Fernandez and Tom Kimball who have performed together since 1994 along with a performance by Chicago's Ensemble Espanol Spanish Dance Theatre.

Additional Floranova details available on macys.com/campaign/flowershow/northChi.jsp or customers can visit macys.com/events for a full listing of all of the events scheduled during Floranova.

Floranova Brochure
All of these activities and more will be detailed in a Floranova brochure available at the Macy's Express desk near the Fountain Atrium during the flower show. The brochure will include a list of events taking place throughout the run of the show; a list of the plants featured; special offers to local Latin restaurants including Zapatista and Nacional 27; a savings pass good for $10 off a purchase of $50 or more (exclusions do apply); and trend information highlighting the hottest styles available at Macy's this Spring. Floranova Tours
The brochure will also highlight Macy's unique partnership with the University of Illinois Extension's Master Gardeners who will offer guided tours of the show. The Master Gardeners will also staff an information booth on the first floor near the fountain atrium to offer advice and printed materials with tips for gardening in Chicago's climate. With the exception of Easter Sunday, the master gardeners will staff the information booth from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Thursday through Sunday for the duration of the show. They will also offer complimentary guided tours of the show on a first-come, first-served basis every Thursday through Sunday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. All tours will depart from the fountain atrium.

About Macy's on State Street
Macy's on State Street, which sets the bar as the most exciting destination in retail, is a full-service department store with a 150-year legacy of fashion leadership and retail excellence. Macy's North's inspiration for unexpected merchandise originates from its legendary State Street store in Chicago-home to the world-famous Walnut Room, Great Clocks and Tiffany Ceiling.

Macy's North, one of seven regionally based retail divisions of Macy's, is based in Minneapolis and operates 63 stores in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. For additional media materials, please visit our online pressroom at macys.com/pressroom and click on Macy's North.