FLASH GIVEAWAY: 25% Discount To Brain Arts Theatre Camp & Final Production Video #Chicago #TheatreArts #ChiILPicksList #sponsored

"Please sign me up for Brain Arts Camp again, Mom! It's THE best camp I've ever been to." effused my oldest son. Those words were music to my ears. Of course he's going back for two weeks this summer. We were thrilled with the quality and creativity of this camp and highly recommend it.







Disclosure:  ChiIL Mama is elated to partner up with Brain Arts Camp and thank them for providing a discount for our giveaway. We have been compensated to share their camp info with our readers.  As always, all opinions are our own.

The first four of our readers to enroll kids ages 6-14 will get 25% off on a two week camp session for ANY session Brain Surgery Theatre is offering this summer, pending availability. (4 discounted spots per session available with the code ChiIL Mama so don't delay).

My son as a juggling "were-icorn" 

We've been raving about Brain Arts Camp for a couple years now. Click HERE to check out some of our past coverage. This is our last call for the 2014 season, and may be your lucky day.

There's a final production for each camp session. Here's the one from Sail Away Buttercup, the production my 12 year old son loved so much last summer. Check out their full show here:

"I've been through so many camps, I can't even pick a favorite show!" Evan Patrick, Brain Arts Camper

Rock Musical Camps

For Young Artists Ages 6 through 14 

Rock Musical of Epic Proportions (2 Week Session)
Monday 7/21/14 through Friday 8/1/14 from 9 am to 3 pm
Performance Friday 8/1/14 at 4 pm
Brain Surgeon Theater at Gorilla Tango Bucktown
1919 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago IL 60647

It's yet to be titled because YOU could title it! Come create original characters, rock and roll song and dance numbers, and, if history is any guide, a surprise ending. Mornings will be structured around character development, playwriting, and scenework; afternoons focus on skill-building workshops including voice, movement, stage combat, and set and costume design. It's a wild ride that guarantees a summer to remember!

$650 for 2 week session
$1200 for sibling or friend pairs
Register Now

 

Acting and Improv Intensives
For Young Artists Entering 3rd through 9th Grade 

Acting and Improv - Beyond the Basics (2 Week Session)

Monday 8/4/14 through Friday 8/15/14 from 9 am to 3 pm
Showcase Friday 8/15/14 at 4 pm
Brain Surgeon Theater at Gorilla Tango Bucktown
1919 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago IL 60647

Delve deep into both your scripted onstage work and Improvisation guided by some of Chicago's most experienced artist-educators. Final showcases will feature every young artist in challenging, fun scripted roles and Improvisational scenes inspired by audience suggestions.

$650 for 2 week session
$1200 for sibling or friend pairs
Register Now

Movie-Making Camps

For Young Artists Ages 6 through 14

Mini-Movie Making Intensive (5 Days)Monday 8/18/14 through Friday 8/22/14 9 am to 3 pm
Final showcase Friday 8/22/14 at 4 pm
Brain Surgeon Theater at Gorilla Tango Bucktown
1919 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago IL 60647

Dive in and create digital shorts, music videos, and a mini-feature film in this 5 day movie-making intensive. Every camper will get behind the camera, onscreen, and in the editing room. A hands-on, completely original experience for burgeoning filmmakers ages 6 through 14.

$325 for 1 week session
$600 for sibling or friend pairs
Register Now

Brain Arts camps cost less than most other Chicago Theatre Camps for kids and they're crazy creative. Best of all, they let the kids step up and have input in the writing, character development, props, costumes, staging and more. Enroll your budding Thespians and future Filmmakers today!

Click here for complete camp info.

Look for expanded Brain Arts after school programming, new special needs programming, and more, coming THIS fall!

Disclosure: Once again, ChiIL Mama is elated to partner up with Brain Arts Camp and thank them for providing a discount for our giveaway. We have been compensated to share their camp info with our readers.  As always, all opinions are our own.

FOODIE TUESDAY: WIN a $50 Fresh Thyme Giftcard to Celebrate Grand Opening 4/23 #Freshthyme #Ad

It's Thyme to Celebrate a new, healthy market! 

ChiIL out with ChiIL Mama and Fresh Thyme

Fresh Thyme is coming to Mount Prospect, with many other stores popping up in the area throughout the year.  Here at ChiIL Mama we're all about green living, eco-friendly choices, and eating healthy food, so we're more than happy to welcome Fresh Thyme to the area!  We're also super stoked to see Super Stolie and Miss Jamie from the Farm, Kindie Musician friends of ours, will be there to rock your socks off, with family friendly kids' tunes.  They frequently play Beat Kitchen's Concerts for Kids, a rockin' weekly kids' series where ChiIL Mama's the press sponsor.

Disclosure: ChiIL Mama is elated to partner up with Fresh Thyme and thank them for providing a gift card for our giveaway. We have been paid to share the grand opening info with our readers.  As always, all opinions are our own.

**Click Here for your chance to WIN a $50 Fresh Thyme gift card giveaway!  Then check out Fresh Thyme's GRAND OPENING festivities TOMORROW, April 23rd!**

Fresh Thyme Farmers Market Announces First Grand Opening in Mount Prospect, IL 

on April 23, 2014

Fresh Thyme Farmers Market, a new specialty grocer featuring healthy and organic value-priced offerings, is excited to announce the grand opening for the first location in Mount Prospect on Wed. April 23, 2014 at 7 a.m. CST. The Mount Prospect Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Arlene Juracek and other village officials will be present for the ribbon cutting at the 211 W. Rand Road store location.

 “The entire Fresh Thyme team welcomes community residents to come out and experience what the market has to offer,” CEO Chris Sherrell stated. “We are eager to meet our new neighbors and hope to see them on this exciting day.”

The grand opening event will feature food samplings and giveaways including a grocery bag giveaway to the first 200 customers on grand opening day. The celebration will continue throughout the week with events for kids including face painting, balloon animals, and performances by Miss Jamie from the Farm.

 “Grocery shopping has become as much a sensory experience as a necessity of life,” said Mount Prospect Mayor, Arlene Juracek. “We are excited that Fresh Thyme Farmers Market has chosen Mount Prospect as the first site for this new locally-focused grocer.”  

It’s time to raise some RUCKUS that Fresh Thyme has finally arrived in Mount Prospect, IL! We think people are going to love this new store and what it has to offer. 

Fresh Thyme Farmers Market is thrilled to announce the first store grand opening in Mount Prospect, Ill., at 211 W. Rand Road. Doors open on Wednesday, April 23, at 7 a.m. CST. Fresh Thyme CEO, Chris Sherrell, will join the Mayor of Mount Prospect, Arlene Juracek, and the Mount Prospect Chamber of Commerce who will assist in the grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony and officially welcome the new market to the community. 

Super Stolie helps celebrate Grand Opening!

Wednesday April 23, 11:00am
Saturday April 26, 11:00am 

Grand Opening Scheduled Events:

The first 250 guests on Grand Opening Day will receive a limited edition, custom-designed Fresh Thyme reusable bag, created specifically for the Mount Prospect opening. The limited edition bag will be filled with over $50 worth of healthy, delicious groceries! Guests are encouraged to arrive early to reserve their spot in line; limit one bag per household.

Additionally, Fresh Thyme will celebrate Earth Day by giving free reusable grocery bags to the first 5,000 guests. In paying tribute to the ongoing community-wide celebration of 100 years of baseball history for the city, guests who wear their favorite team memorabilia on grand opening day will also be given a free color-designed reusable bag.

6:45 a.m. – Official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Community Partners Check Presentation

7 a.m. – Doors Open ~ Thyme to Shop!
*The first 250 guests in line receive grocery giveaway bag valued at over $50 of food items! 

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Kids Activities including Boar’s Head Hot Dog Cart
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Complimentary Face Painting and Balloon Animals
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Super Stolie Kids Performance 
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Outdoor Grilling Demonstrations and Samplings
2 p.m. – 7 p.m. Boar’s Head Live Demo Show In-Store

HELP LOCALLY: As part of their commitment to the community, Fresh Thyme will make a financial donation to three different local charities. These charities have shown continual support to the Mount Prospect community, and Fresh Thyme would like to recognize and applaud their efforts and plan to be part of their continued good works in Mt. Prospect and the surrounding area. The local charities include: CEDA Northwest, Mount Prospect Lions Club and the Mount Prospect Parks Foundation. For more information, please visit freshthyme.com.

ABOUT FRESH THYME:

At Fresh Thyme Farmers Markets we believe you shouldn’t have to give away the farm to feed your body nutritious food. We’re on a mission to improve the way our communities eat by offering fresh and healthy food at amazing values -all in a vibrant and fun shopping environment, with smiling friendly faces.

The foundation of healthy eating is often based on incorporating more fresh fruits and vegetables in our diets. Therefore, at the core of our offerings is an abundant produce department, overflowing with fruits and vegetables, fresh from the farm, often locally grown and much of it organic. We’re so passionate about produce that we’ve made it the nucleus of the store, ensuring the bounty of fruits and vegetables is visible from all other departments.

Fresh Thyme Farmers Market is a new full-service specialty retailer focusing on fresh, healthy, natural and organic offerings, all at amazing values. The stores’ signature offering is an extensive produce department with organic and local fruits and vegetables. In addition, Fresh Thyme’s full-service offerings include a natural meat department, healthy deli foods to go, bakery goods, 400 bulk food bins, natural and organic groceries, dairy and frozen, as well as vitamins and body care products. Fresh Thyme will offer a NEW shopping experience to the Midwest, starting with the first store in Mount Prospect, Ill., opening April 23, 2014, followed by 59 additional stores by 2019. You can learn more by visiting freshthyme.com, and be sure to keep in touch by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter.

Fresh Thyme is currently hiring a total of 100 local employees for this location. There are numerous full and part-time employment opportunities available in the Meat and Produce Departments such as meat cutter and produce clerk. Anyone interested may apply onsite at 211 W. Rand Road or by sending their resumes to MountProspectJobs@FreshThyme.com.

Disclosure: Once again, ChiIL Mama is elated to partner up with Fresh Thyme and thank them for providing a gift card for our giveaway. We have been paid to share the grand opening info with our readers.  As always, all opinions are our own.

Comments left on our blog about Fresh Thyme can be used on Fresh Thyme promotional materials.

Best Buy and yurbuds Get You Motivated With A 20% Discount, And A Gift Card Too

Disclosure:  The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.


As a music blogger & music fanatic, I'm highly motivated by the bands whose music I love.   So I jumped at the opportunity to work with Best Buy and the WOLF Bloggers again, on a new campaign.  I've always worked out to music, and I write to music, do housework to music, and drive the kids all over town to music.  Best Buy and yurbuds want to motivate our readers with a 20% discount, so there's an extra incentive for YOU to get motivated by music too!

**ChiIL Out with ChiIL Live Shows and get 2 cool offers from yurbuds & Best Buy:

1.  20% off all yurbuds products at Best Buy both online and in-store. Online yurbuds coupon code is yurbuds20off:**     

2. Also enjoy a $5 Best Buy Gift Card when you purchase a qualifying Health and Fitness product at a Best Buy Mobile Specialty Store: Both offers are valid 1/19/14 - 2/22/14.


  
Every year a zillion people vow to get fit, and flood the gyms in January, then fall off to "pizza on the couch land" by February 1st.  That's why I've begun to start my fitness resolutions then!   If you slacked off or cynically don't make resolutions, or if you did and things are flagging... this one's for you.

Music is a major part of my 2014 fitness plan.  I have a cool treadmill desk and an Android app, "Walking Mate".   I've been known to keep on exercising and go beyond my original goals when the music's great, sometimes without even noticing.  



No Strings Attached:

While blogging and jogging, I have been known to entangle my treadmill tether, my laptop and external drive power cords & firewire, and my head phones into a gordian knot as I shuffle things around my work space.   So, I'm particularly stoked to try out yurbuds NEW Wireless Earphone!

Studies have shown that music can increase the intensity and duration of a workout by as much as 15%.  Unfortunately, most people miss out on those benefits because their earphones hurt and fall out during active use.  *Anyone else notice the multiple ear monitors that fell out during rigorous dance numbers at the Grammys last night?!

yurbuds was founded in 2008 by an Ironman Triathlete and a 24-time marathoner in response to that problem. Our products are ergonomically designed for comfort and exceptional fit, while providing best-in-class audio quality and durability.  yurbuds is passionate about serving our customers and our community.  We listen to and learn from our athletes to produce solutions to their needs.  We are dedicated to innovating and creatively changing the industry of sport audio.  Our goal is to empower athletes through exceptional products and services to help them to push past their barriers, reach new personal bests, and #neverstop.

I'll be tweeting about my progress to @BestBuyWOLF #GetMotivated so feel free to jump in and add your own inspiring fitness/music story to the mix.

“Get Motivated through Music” 

Best Buy is your best bet for Health and Fitness gadgets.   Find Best Buy’s large selection of yurbuds on Bestbuy.com and Check out their sweet selection of Health & Fitness at Best Buy right here. 

yurbuds headphones are the headphone of choice for adding music to your workouts. 

I can't wait to "Get Motivated" while incorporating music into my routine through the #1 selling sport earphone company – yurbuds! 

yurbuds launch their new Wireless Earphone--you benefit

Cut the cords and unleash your inner athlete with the Inspire Limited Edition Wireless Sport Earphones. These Stereo-Bluetooth® earphones lock in place comfortably so they never hurt and never fall out. The 15mm drivers provide the biggest sound available, providing the motivation you need to #neverstop. These sweat and water resistant earphones feature full track & call control with a wind-blocking microphone designed for call clarity. The athlete tested battery lasts up to 6 hours and provides visual and audible indicators when running low. This is sound with no strings attached.

#1 Selling Sport Earphone Company, yurbuds®, Introduces Wireless Product for a Seamless Workout Experience

Key Features:

·         With yurbuds TwistLock™ Technology and FlexSoft Comfort Fit, these Stereo-Bluetooth® earphones lock in place comfortably and are guaranteed never to hurt or fall out.

·         Bigger Sound for music and calls provided by 15mm drivers

·         Smart Battery powers a week's worth of workouts and provides visual             and audible indicators when running low.

·         Dedicated Pairing Button for simple 1-touch pairing.

·         Compatible with all Bluetooth® devices.

·         Earphones that never hurt and never fall out.

yurbuds®, the #1 selling sport earphone company in the United States, is transforming the athlete experience with its new Inspire Limited Edition Wireless earphones to get you motivated through music. 

Launching at CES 2014 in Las Vegas this January, athletes and tech enthusiasts will be able to enjoy the first-ever Stereo-Bluetooth® wireless earphones guaranteed to never hurt and never fall out.

 “We’ve cut the cords so fitness enthusiasts have less in the way of achieving the perfect workout,” said Daniel DeVille, Director of Marketing for yurbuds. “Designed based on user feedback, we are excited to deliver best-in-class wireless earphones that solve the needs not currently met by other wireless earphones and meet the rigorous standards of even the top professional athletes.”

Disclosure:  The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

WIN a Jack the Giant Slayer Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD + Ultraviolet) US & Canada $44.95 value #giveaway #ad

ChiIL out with ChiIL Mama and win a Jack the Giant Slayer Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD + Ultraviolet).  Giveaway open to residents of the USA and Canada).    

Click here to check out our photo filled past Jack the Giant Slayer coverage & our full movie review.   

We were thrilled to give away 100 family four packs of tickets to a special advanced screening  of Jack the Giant Slayer and loads of cool swag to our readers.   Now YOU can own it to watch again and again.  Thanks to Warner Bros. for providing us with a Jack the Giant Slayer Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD + Ultraviolet) for our giveaway.


Enter here for your chance to win 

Open through midnight July 9th to any residents of the US or Canada.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Warner Bros. is proud to announce the arrival of Jack the Giant Slayer now released on DVD & Blu-ray as of June 18!

Unleashed on the Earth for the first time in centuries, the giants strive to reclaim the land they once lost, forcing Jack (Nicholas Hoult), into the battle of this life to stop them and rescue the princess! 

The question is... are you courageous enough to rescue the princess? Are you brave like Jack?  Take the quiz to find out!

Celebrate this classic story with NEW content exclusive to the Jack The Giant Slayer Blog App! 

• Control the Action! - Move your mouse across the GIFS and take control of action-packed scenes from Jack the Giant Slayer. YOU ARE IN CONTROL OF THE ACTION!

• How Brave Are You? QUIZ - Are you brave like Jack? Do beanstalks and "giant" challenges make you afraid or courageous? Take the quiz to find out!

• Giant Soundboard - Jack the Giant Slayer is filled with epic giant stomps, sword slashes and thunderous sounds! Play with official sound effects from the movie and compose your own "giant hit song"! 

Get Social With It!

• Tweet with the #JackTheGiantSlayer hashtag 

About Jack the Giant Slayer:

Unleashed on the Earth for the first time in centuries, the giants strive to reclaim the land they once lost, forcing Jack (Nicholas Hoult), into the battle of this life to stop them. Fighting for a kingdom and its people, and the love of a brave princess, he comes face to face with the unstoppable warriors he thought only existed in legend... and gets the chance to become a legend himself! Directed by Brian Singer (X-Men, Superman Returns)

Starring: Nicholas Hoult (About a Boy), Ewan McGregor (Star Wars, Moulin Rouge!), and Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones).

Thanks to Warner Bros. for providing us with a Jack the Giant Slayer Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD + Ultraviolet) for our giveaway.

WIN a FREE Pair of Tickets to Summer Party Power of Choice ($120 value) #Personal PAC #abortionrights #giveaway #ad

You've gotta fight for your rights with a party...

Seems like women's rights should be a given in this century, yet every day we hear about more scary attacks on our rights to choose, rights to our own bodies, rights to sound medical information and more!   Step up and help ensure that US stays out of your uterus.

Meet up with others who care about keeping this choice between a medical provider and the woman involved.  If you want to keep abortion safe and legal for Illinois women, please share this link and enter below for your chance to win two tickets to Personal PAC's fundraiser.

Come join us for the party of the summer! This year's Power of Choice will be bigger and better than ever- with food trucks, craft beers, music, and an AWESOME auction! Come party for your rights!

Thanks to Personal PAC for donating tickets for our giveaway and for us to attend.

Click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win 2 free tickets ($120 value)  Enter through midnight 6/6.   Please help us spread the word.  Sharing rocks and the more you share the better your odds or winning.    

a Rafflecopter giveaway

It’s the Party of the Summer .. Come Party for Your Rights!

Chicago, Illinois May 2013

Come out and support women’s reproductive rights while enjoying a great evening. Here in Illinois women have the Power of Choice but that isn’t the case in many other states where women’s reproductive rights fall under attack.

Today’s younger generation is too quiet, not expressing their opinion one way or another. Young people need to get involved in order to protect their future rights in the state of Illinois.

A great way to get involved is by coming out to Personal PAC’s Power of Choice event Party for Your Rights on June 14th.

The event is at a new venue, the posh Gallery 1028 located at 1028 N. Hooker St.

The Party starts at 5:30pm and will last until 8:30 with plenty of free parking. Tickets start at $60 and all proceeds go directly to supporting the work of Personal PAC.

Guests will enjoy live music, live art, craft beer & drinks and delicious edibles by a variety of food trucks. There will be raffles, silent and live auctions throughout the event.

Prizes include: Round trip airline miles for 2, Vacation House in Cabo San Lucas, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox Sport Packages, Choice of 3 Dream Vacations: New Orleans, New York or Napa Valley.

Personal PAC, a bi-partisan political action committee dedicated to preserving abortion rights in Illinois by electing pro-choice candidates to state and local office.

Your donation helps support the efforts of Personal PAC and the Power of Choice!

Personal PAC

For More Information Click Here 

Disclosure:   Personal PAC donated tickets for our giveaway and for us to attend in exchange for promoting this fundraiser.   All opinions are our own.

ChiIL Mom's Day Blu-Ray Giveaway With Warner Bros #giveaway #BestofWB #ad

We’re proud to announce the Best of Warner Bros. Mother’s Day Movie Night Blog App!

Something old... something new.   Cinema Classics meet new Blu-ray technology here at ChiIL Mama's cool Mother’s Day Giveaway!   

Thanks to Warner Brothers and ChiIL Mama, you can chiIL out and watch some classics while the kids treat you like a star!   Here at ChiIL Mama, we're excited for the release of The Best of WB 100 Film Collection and jazzed to be able to offer a free Blu-ray for YOU. 

One of our lucky readers will win one of the following Blu-ray titles (Prize will be chosen randomly from the titles below!)

- A Star is Born (1976) (Blu-ray)

- Cabaret (1972) (Blu-ray)

We think that most can agree... Moms are the best - and they do a lot for us! Now it’s time to return the favor and celebrate this Mother’s Day by giving mom the movie night she deserves! Celebrate Sunday, May 12th in the best way possible by spending quality time with your family and watch one of YOUR favorite classic films! Watching a classic flick together tells the story of a different time and place, and is the perfect opportunity to catch up and share stories with your family... tell them something that they never knew about Mom!    

Enter to win:  Click the Rafflecopter Link below to enter.   Entries accepted through midnight on Mother's Day 5/12.

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Feeling Playful?

•    Guess-the-Scene Game! - How well do you know the silver screen’s most famous love stories and sing-a-longs? Play the Guess-the-Scene game to test your knowledge on the world’s greatest films! The quicker you pick, the more points you score. Ready? Action!

•    Words in Film! - Select your mood and let quotes and images from film express how you’re feeling!

•    Movie Night Conversation Starters! - Watching a classic flick together is the perfect opportunity to catch up and share stories... this Mother’s Day make it a point to connect with your family and give them a chance to learn something about mom they never knew!  Here are some conversation starters to get you started.

Win Extra Entries! 

•    Post your results from the Guess-the-Scene Game in the comments below. 

•    Share your favorite classic film, romance or musical flick from when YOU were a kid in the comments below.

•    Share our contest on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter 

Disclosure:  Thanks to Warner Brothers for supplying us with a Blu-ray for our giveaway.