Sunday, February 26, 2012
Emilie Autumn at House of Blues, Chicago
Here are ChiIL Live Shows' original shots of Emilie Autumn's unique show at House of Blues last month on 2/25/2012. We were delighted by the demented, daring world of a Victorian Era Asylum and the colorful characters who dwell within. Emilie Autumn and her Bloody Crumpets put on a memorable live show and were a joy to photograph. The music, set, costumes and underlying social commentary were impressive.
The audience was great, too. We saw many familiar freaks from the Chicago steampunk, Renaissance Faire, and Comic Con crowds, most of whom live for an excuse to dress up. We were enamored with the creativity, talent and passion that went into this show, and Emilie and company truly seemed to enjoy themselves and the audience just as much as the audience adored them.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Act Out: Highly Recommended Zastrozzi Closing (Review)
...to engage the community in questions of
ethics, morality, and the demands of civilization. By exploring these
issues in a theatrical setting, we seek to stimulate dialogue, self reflection, accountability, and a greater apprehension of each individual's role in shaping the culture and the world we live in.
ZASTROZZI The Master of Discipline
Europe, 1893. Zastrozzi - atheist, art-critic, and master
criminal - has spent the past three years in the singleminded
pursuit of revenge against his mother's murderer, the born-again,
former performance artist and self proclaimed Messiah of caterpillars, Verezzi.
With the aid of his murderous protege Bernardo, and his sometimes lover the accomplished seductress Matilda, Zastrozzi has finally cornered Verezzi for a final showdown between good and evil, love and hate, art and mediocrity.
With the aid of his murderous protege Bernardo, and his sometimes lover the accomplished seductress Matilda, Zastrozzi has finally cornered Verezzi for a final showdown between good and evil, love and hate, art and mediocrity.
THE DYBBUK
FALL 2012
In an isolated Jewish shtetl community, brilliant young Talmudic scholar Hannan delves deep into the mystical arts of the Kabbalah, hoping to win the hand of the beautiful Lehla.
When Lehla's engagement to someone else is announced, Hannan dies on the spot... But his relationship with Lehla is only beginning.
In a world where the dead and the living sit side by side at table, history can not be forgotten, and love can not be ignored.
FALL 2012
In an isolated Jewish shtetl community, brilliant young Talmudic scholar Hannan delves deep into the mystical arts of the Kabbalah, hoping to win the hand of the beautiful Lehla.
When Lehla's engagement to someone else is announced, Hannan dies on the spot... But his relationship with Lehla is only beginning.
In a world where the dead and the living sit side by side at table, history can not be forgotten, and love can not be ignored.
Houdini Box-ChiIL Mama's Video Interview With Blair Thomas and Hannah Kohl
Houdini Box at Chicago Children's Theatre opened to rave reviews and critical acclaim. ChiIL Mama had the great opportunity to interview director, Blair Thomas and book/lyrics writer, Hannah Kohl. Catch this show while you can, before it performs a disappearing act worthy of the great magician himself.
Houdini Box is suitable for kids 5 and up, but all ages through adults will enjoy this magical production full of puppetry, excellent music, and a mysterious, creative storyline. Houdini Box is playing in Chicago at The Mercury Theatre through March 4th, then rematerializing in Skokie from March 14th-25th.
*Check out ChiIL Mama's Houdini Box review and photo filled feature here.
*Check out our interview with Oscar nominee, Brian Selznick, author of the original children's stories Houdini Box, the play, and Hugo, the movie, were based on! He's joined by Mark "Mucca Pazza" Messing, one of our favorite musical masterminds who wrote the score to Houdini Box and the recently extended Hunchback Variations, also now playing!
Click here for tickets and further information.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Badfish & Scotty Don't Rock House of Blues Chicago 2/4/12 (photos)
Badfish and Scotty Don't rocked House of Blues Chicago, February 4th, 2012. Check back with ChiIL Live Shows like we vote in Chi, IL....early and often. We've got show video footage and CD reviews coming soon!
Midwest Hype Opens for Badfish at HOB Chicago 2/4/12 (photos)
We have a review of Midwest Hype's new CD and show videos soon to come. So check in with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.
Full Service Opens for Badfish-HOB Chicago (photos)
Here are ChiIL Live Shows original shots from The House of Blues-Chicago show on 2/4/2012. It was our great pleasure to see Badfish and Scotty Don't live. Local favorites, Midwest Hype, opened and we enjoyed a first listen to Full Service, pictured above.
It may still be winter in Chi-Town but all 4 bands made us want to dance barefoot and welcome the summer festival season in with a vengeance. We had a chance to check out Full Service's self titled CD, released in 2011, with 10 fun tracks including Lately, Coconuts, Hi Ho, Gymnasium, Ramona, Tasteless Gravy, Rocketships (LIVE), Hotter in the House, Trumpets & Hallways. It may just make you wanna pack up the tent in a micro bus and hit the road! Keep an ear out for these boys on the summer circuit. They put on a sweet, live show.
Give them a listen at their main site, Full Service Music, here.
They're currently rockin' Austin, TX (their current home base) and just premiered their documentary, "TAKEOVER!", about their unique, determined underdog style of co-opting tours and scrambling their way up from the parking lot scene to the main stage!. Check out the details on their Takeover! Facebook page and website.
Home is Where The Yard Is Vol 1 is now available, too.
ChiIL Live Shows will have HD videos from that night, from all 3 bands, coming soon. So check back like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often. See you out there.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
ChiIL Live Shows Facebook Page #Free Give Away
ChiIL Live Shows has a brand spankin' new Facebook Page and we could use some like love. We'll be running loads of free downloads, worldwide tour news, live Chi, IL show dates/features in the theatre and music scene, and new artists that will only appear on our FB page.
Then we'll run also run a feed from the blog with our original band video interviews, live show shots, give aways and reviews. To kick things off right, we're giving away Colin Quinn's Long Story Short DVD to one of our random likers as soon as we hit the big 100, thanks to our friends over at MVD. We're more than half way there!
Every time we hit a new 100 likes we're picking one winner from our followers for new DVDs, CDs & more. First up-this sweet DVD-Colin Quinn-Long Story Short ($19.99).
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Brian Selznick Video Interview-Author of Hugo Cabret & Houdini Box
Article first published as
Interview With Brian Selznick, author of Hugo Cabret & Houdini
Box on Technorati.
Check out ChiIL Mama's prior photo filled Houdini Box coverage for show details.
If you haven't caught this one yet, we highly recommend it! The Mercury Theater run ends March 4th. Then the show moves to Skokie. Catch Houdini Box before it magically disappears!
Check out ChiIL Live Shows original interview with Brian Selznick & Mark
Messing on opening day of The Houdini Box, theatrical adaptation, at
Chicago Children's Theatre. I caught up with Brian and Mark hours
before the first performance of this world premier. Hugo, the movie,
adapted from Selznick's book and illustrations, was a huge hit in 2011
and has been nominated for 11 Oscars-the most of any film this year!
Hear how Brian first found out about the nominations, see him dabble
in set painting, hear about his stage adaptation of Houdini Box, and get
to know the man behind Scorsese's latest masterpiece. Hugo is one of
our family's favorite films of all times. The Houdini Box play was also
adapted from one of Selznick's original children's book. Mark Messing
wrote the score.
Check out ChiIL Mama's prior photo filled Houdini Box coverage for show details.
If you haven't caught this one yet, we highly recommend it! The Mercury Theater run ends March 4th. Then the show moves to Skokie. Catch Houdini Box before it magically disappears!
Monday, February 20, 2012
Act Out: Ending--Zastrozzi-The Division at Viaduct Theater
GET YOUR TICKETS ONLINE NOW, OR AT THE BOX OFFICE ON SHOW NIGHT!
Final 4 SHOWS THIS WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY.
the DIVISION presents ZASTROZZI
@THE VIADUCT THEATER
ALL SHOWS 7:30PM/$20
3111 North Western Avenue
(on the east side of lower western, just south
of the western/belmont/clybourn intersection)
773.296.6024
LOBBY BAR OPENS 1 HOUR BEFORE CURTAIN $5 PARKING LOT @ S/W CORNER OF BELMONT AND WESTERN
BONEdanse-This Is A Damage Manual (photo filled feature)
BONEdanse--This is a Damage Manual was so excellent I came back for the closing performance in Theater Wit's space and brought Sagezilla, too.
There were quite a few kids in the Sunday afternoon audience and she thoroughly enjoyed the show (and the bone candy & skull shaped lollipops at the afterparty).
I figured she'd dig the show, since at age 8, she's all about 80's punk, grrrl power, and being mighty, and Atalee Judy and her troupe are some of the mightiest.
We also did a little shop therapy and increased our BONEware wardrobes by another tee and a fleece.
Their run at The Wit is over, but they do have some exciting shows coming up at Viaduct Theatre and in conjunction with the Chicago Park District.
Check out their main site for details and follow them on Facebook, to stay up to date.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Act Out: Top Theatre Picks-Lost & Found at Actors Gymnasium
Lost & Found: A Recycled Circus
Back by popular demand!
February 11 – March 11, 2012
"This production will charm, warm and wow you…sly and nuanced clowning…wordless, impressive poetry" - Chicago Theatre Blog.
"Director Lawrence DiStasi showcases a wry sense of humor and some superb acrobatics in this quirky Actors Gymnasium show" "Recommended" - Chicago Reader.
We had the great pleasure of checking out opening night of Lost & Found at The Actors Gymnasium last Saturday. The caliber of their circus arts is truly top notch. This
colorful extravaganza combines all of our favorite elements--aerial
acts, steampunkery, a funky, rag tag band of urchins playing instruments
and making mischief, a love triangle, technology as art, low tech fun, recycled
and upcycled outfits, drums and toys. We'll be returning to catch the
show again with the kids as soon as possible. Lost and Found is highly
recommended, family friendly fun for all ages. We were quite impressed
with the cast, and the cast off set dressings. We're also enamored
with Co-Artistic Director, Lawrence E. DiStasi's statement about the
show. He says:
I
didn't used to like old things. They kind of depressed me. But now,
when someone takes an old chair or something, a thing that has managed,
against all odds, to survive the world for many years, and they give it a
little careful attention-I think it's incredibly moving. And these
things have so much personality. It's almost like they're alive. Like
people. They have souls in a way. Unfortunately most of the stuff we
all bring into our lives is disposable. And things that are made to be
thrown away, are sad company. It's so hard to stay away from them, but
who needs that kind of sadness? Anyway, I think there is treasure in
our garbage-in what we throw away, and overlook. And those people we
throw away and overlook too. There is magic in our trash. And probably
our future there too.
ChiIL
Mama has potential video interviews in the works with the Artistic
Directory and also actor/Chicago Dad, David Catlin, who plays alongside
both of his daughters in the show. Saylor, who is 9 and in 4th grade,
went to preschool with ChiIL Mama's Sage. Saylor's younger sister,
Emerson, is a 6 year old first grader and Lost & Found 2012 is her
first circus show! So check back with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi,
IL...early and often. We have lots of exciting things in store.
The Opening Night Gala was lots of fun, too. We saw a zillion familiar faces including
our past video interview subject, Director-David Kersnar, who can be
seen HERE. (in his fabulous "Ernie & Bert style bed interview" with
Mark Messing) on the set of Goodnight Moon.
We
also sat next to an accomplished aerialist, whom we photographed and
chatted with in the past, when she played Alice in Lookingglass' last
remount of their namesake story. We also saw familiar faces from
CircEsteem, including Will, a talented high school senior, who plays the
lead juggler in Lost & Found. We highly recommend checking it
out.
Lost & Found gets ChiIL
Mama's GRRREAT GREEN SEAL OF APPROVAL: 99% Recycled! - Costumes, props
and set pieces used in this show are re-purposed, recycled,
found-object art.
Last
year's runaway hit, Lost and Found: A Recycled Circus returns to The
Actors Gymnasium! A collaborative original work by Co-Artistic Directors
Larry DiStasi and Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi, together with an amazing
team of designers and performers, this circus production explores the
world of second-hand treasure. Cast-off junk and cast-off characters are
saved in this show and given thrilling, new life. Lost and Found: A
Recycled Circus features aerial acrobatics, live music, and magical,
found-object invention.
Shows run every Friday through Sunday till March 11th.
The Actors Gymnasium
927 Noyes St
Evanston, IL 60201
927 Noyes St
Evanston, IL 60201
Recommended for ages 5 and up.
Adults $15
Students with ID and kids under 13 are $10
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Led Zeppelin 2 at House of Blues Chicago 1-14-12 (live show photos)
Here's a full set of ChiIL Live Shows' pit photos from Led Zeppelin 2 at House of Blues Chicago 1-14-12. Double click the slideshow for SmugMug and more settings, including easy share options. We'll be putting up a "best of" much smaller set from this show as well, but these guys were so much fun to shoot and we got so many sweet shots, we didn't want to decimate it down to just a few pictures. Enjoy!
Here's a video from their recent Ft. Lauderdale, Florida shows and Stairway to Heaven below, so you can get a taste of their live shows. Check out their Zep2 YouTube Channel for more.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Advanced Auto Parts Monster Truck Jam Rolls Outta Chi-Town Sunday! (photo filled feature)
Check out all of ChiIL Mama's live show shots above. Monster Jam's sooo much fun to shoot. Double click on the slide show to get to SmugMug's easy sharing and more options.
Monster Jam is a car crushin', dirt throwin', tire spinnin', truck jumpin' fun for all. We had a blast at opening night Friday! If you haven't gone yet, today's the last day for Chicago, unless you want to wait till next year. Final Chi-Town shows are Sunday at 2pm & 7:30pm at Allstate Arena.
Monster Jam is a car crushin', dirt throwin', tire spinnin', truck jumpin' fun for all. We had a blast at opening night Friday! If you haven't gone yet, today's the last day for Chicago, unless you want to wait till next year. Final Chi-Town shows are Sunday at 2pm & 7:30pm at Allstate Arena.
Check out our past coverage here for our discount ticket code and photo filled feature from last year.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
This is a Damage Manual-BONEdanse Rocks!
In the opening scene of This is a Damage Manual, the ensemble is in suspended animation, frozen in space and time, as the audience filters in. Take a good look, as this is one of the last moments of calm before a storm of political, passionate, intense dance. We adored this surreal look at damaged souls, making the best of an insane world. Damage Manual had the whole audience laughing and cringing in turn. The music was fantastic and the message right on target. This show is a must see for self help addicts, skeptics, and nonconformists. Is the message hitting a little too close to home? You can even duck out for a hypnotically suggested tranquilizer, in the form of a well stocked lobby bar, over intermission.
I was blown away by the excellent, multimedia presentation, and the way BONEdanse organically melds into the space. They made great use of the varying textures in The Wit walls, projecting giant images on the black cinder block back wall and throwing visually stunning shadow play across the brick and metal end walls. The voice overs of Earl Nightingale, self help guru, were even more disturbingly wonderful with the vintage scratch of a record running throughout. Atalee Judy and the ensemble take us on a vital journey through the eyes of a driven, unbalanced ballerina, an over medicated 50's houswife, a nazi, and more. The audience is propelled on a journey through dream treatment, tranquilizers, and other attempts to numb people into acquiescence in an unbalanced world.
Conceptually, this is an adult piece, or recommended for mature tweens and teens. Although there isn't anything objectionable or over the top, if you're considering bringing underagers.
Here are our post show shots. Be sure to stick around for snacks and a bit of shopping therapy after the show! The multifaceted women of BONEdanse not only choreograph, write, and kick butt on stage, but they design amazing, affordable eco-friendly clothes too!! Instead of a fundraiser, BONEdanse is selling Bone Ware. Damage Manual was drop dead delicious, but it's well worth the ticket price to get to the goodies. T's are only $5-$15. Fleeces are $15. One of a kind Upcycled T-Shirt dresses are $30-$40.
Check out photographer, Chrystyne, modeling one in our shots above. I snagged the awesome black & orange one with excellent text on the back "I will not be a victim...I will not be a perpetrator....above all I will not be a bystander & PEACE...it's what matters.
BONEdanse is one of our favorite Chi-town dance troupes. Check out their creative and ferocious theatre. These women are all about being smart AND mighty, and they create some mighty fine, thought provoking pieces of modern dance. We've been loving their weekly Danse Skitz. Check 'em all out on YouTube where Danse Skitz #1-10 are all archived. They were all shot around Chicago last June through August.
Don't miss the opportunity to see them live. This is a Damage Manual has just 6 performances left!
Check out ChiIL Mama's prior coverage with more show details and Chrystyne's exceptional photos here.
this is a DAMAGE MANUAL
february 2-12, 2012
th/fri/sat 8pm, sun 3pm
theater wit
1229 belmont
tickets $15-$24
BONEdanse PRESENTS This
is a DAMAGE MANUAL THIS WINTER. WHERE THE SUB-TRASH PROPAGANDA OF THE
80S CLASHES WITH THE FEAR OF EVERYTHING 50S WHERE THERAPY PROMISES TO
HELP, BUT MORE OFTEN DESTROYS... WHAT’S YOUR DAMAGE?
BONEdanse’s (simplified from its former Breakbone DanceCo), evening length version of This is a Damage Manual premieres
this February; a satirical, witty, and humoured performance that offers
as many absurd questions about the idiosyncrasies of human behavior as
it answers.
With its title
sourced directly from the industrial post-punk music entity The Damage
Manual featuring 80s punk era icons Martin Atkins (Public Image Ltd
[Pil], Killing Joke), Chris Connelly (Murder, Inc), Geordie Walker
(Killing Joke) and Jah Wobble (PiL), BONEdanse’s Damage Manual, also
draws largely from the world of vintage instruction manuals and
self-help vinyl records to explore how universally damaged we all are
and how many of us stay that way.
Once again, here's the basics:
WHAT:
Damage Manual, a darkly comedic dance theater work examining vintage
self-help books and recordings through dynamic physicality.
WHO: BONEdanse. A solo created by guest choreographer Jyl Fehrenkamp Choreography by Atalee Judy with performances by Janna Barta, Anita Fillmore, Atalee Judy & Mindy Meyers. Lighting Design: Jacob Snodgrass Costumes, Video, and Soundscore: A. Judy
WHEN: Thursdays-Sundays, February 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11 and 12; Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances at 8:00 pm, Sundays at 3: 00 pm
WHERE: Theater Wit is located at 1229 W Belmont, Chicago, 60657 in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood.
HOW: Ticket prices are Th/Fr $15, Sat $24, and Sunday matinee $20. ALL tickets are available at walk-up or call-in box office: 773.975.8150 (no service fee online or by phone) www.theaterwit.org Follow BONEdanse on Facebook and join their email list for exclusive discount ticket offers at www.bonedanse.com
Make it a whole Wit Weekend:
This is a Damage Manual & Punk Rock are both playing at Theater Wit!
Kid
alert-Punk Rock Contains Adult themes NOT suitable for kids. Damage
Manual is appropriate for all ages, but recommended for an adult night
out or possibly savvy tweens & teens--conceptually.
Punk Rock
Griffin Theatre
Theatre Wit
Visiting Company Griffin Theatre
Punk Rock
By Simon Stephens
Directed by Jonathan Berry
Now playing through March 04, 2012
The American Premiere of Simon Stephens' powerful and critically acclaimed drama about a group of high school age students preparing for their final exams and nearing the end of their school lives. When the whole world opens up before you, there’s a danger it’ll swallow you up, there’s danger all around in this shattering new play that explores the volatility of adolescent life.
*Strong Adult Content
There is no late seating available for this production.
****NOTE: If you loved This is a Damage Manual.....In a similar vein, check out Under The Gaslight, coming soon at Aloft.
Under the Gaslight
The Aloft Loft
Chicago, IL
The Aloft Student Ensemble Performance group presents a full length contemporary circus show exploring the line between sane and "crazy". Aloft's signature style of using traditional circus apparatus in new and surprising ways, and spinning clear narrative through movement and risk come alive again through this group of 10 up-coming acrobats, studying at the Aloft Loft, the Midwest's premiere contemporary circus school. Trained by some of the top instructors in the country, and directed by Aloft's Artistic Director, Shayna Swanson, the performers have created a show based in consensus building which questions weather mental illness is just one tragedy away from everyone.
All proceeds from this show will go into a new scholarship fund to assist current Aloft Loft students who lose their incomes due to the economy in continuing their acrobatic training. Some money will also be directed into mirco-grants to help professional artists-in-residence at the Aloft Loft develop new work.
Revocation at Bottom Lounge-Pit Photos 2-2-12
Revocation opens for Eluveitie at Bottom Lounge, Chicago 2-2-12
all photos by Bonnie Kenaz-Mara for ChiILLiveShows.com
25% Discount on Tickets, Ticket Winner Announced & Video Interview With Adrienn Banhegyi
We had the great pleasure of chatting with Adrienn, a young skipping rope artist from Hungary, who will be in town with Quidam, starting February 8th. We can't wait to see her act in person opening night!
Quidam will be at the Ford Centre in Hoffman Estates February 8-12th only. So get your tickets today!! Congrats to our family 4 pack winner:
(check out our original rafflecopter form here for more info and/or to enter to win 4 tickets to Windy City Circus through )
We still have a special discount code!
**All
our readers are winners! ChiIL Mama's also got a cool 25% off
discount on non-peak performances on all price levels using the promo
code “CHILL”. Non-peak performances are all performances except for
those on Friday and Saturday.
Shows are at Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates. Click here for full show details and a schedule of area pre-show appearances at suburban Whole Foods locations.
Here
is Adrienn in action. Come see her and all the world class circus
artists in Cirque du Soleil's Quidam. Recommended for families with
kids 5 and up. Quidam makes a great "date night" too!
Also check out ChiIL Mama's Original Interview with Quidam's Publicist, Jessica by clicking right here.