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Monday, March 11, 2013

FILM OPENING & TICKET GIVEAWAY: The End of Love #review #giveaway



OPENING at Facets Multimedia, Chicago 
March 15th.   

ChiIL out with ChiIL Live Shows and win a pair of tickets to The End of Love showing of your choice here.   Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter through midnight 3/12.   Recommended for ages 15+ (MPAA RATING:  Not rated. Contains some strong language and mild drug content.)







We had a chance to check out a press preview of The End of Love and we were blown away by the poignant plot and genuine rapport of Mark Webber and his toddler son.  The fact that they have an actual father/son relationship and bond makes the characters realistic and the improvised dialogue natural in a way even a great script struggles to approach.  It's intriguing to me that Mark pulled this off without a crew, generally in single takes.  My husband's been in the film/TV industry for over 25 years as a location sound engineer, and I know what a behemoth behind the scenes production usually is!  Mark is on to something vital and dynamic with his hybrid reality show/art film genre.

The End of Love is a must see.  This film has beautiful camera work and deals with matters of life and death, the intensity, fear and exhaustion of being responsible for another little life, and conversely the pure creativity and silly joy that spending 24/7 with a toddler can bring.  It's tough to grieve and recover from the loss of a loved one, through death or even a break up, and far more so when you've got to mentally and physically keep it together for a child.  This is a tribute to that struggle; a coming of age story and a family love story unlike any other I've seen.   




When the mother of his two-year-old son suddenly passes away, down-on-his-luck actor Mark (filmmaker Mark Webber) is forced to confront his shortcomings. He can no longer avoid his responsibilities, but he continues to cope with his reluctance to mature, struggling with the demands of being a single father. When he has a meaningful encounter with a young mother, Mark is no longer able to live in the comfort of denial, as this relationship offers not only a reprieve from loneliness, but a glimmer of hope for the future as well.

The End of Love is an intimate and honest slice-of-life portrait of a father and son (played by Webber's real life son, Isaac) in transition. This semiautobiographical drama is an achingly honest portrait which tells a story about the universal pain of loss and the courage it takes to change. With Michael Cera, Amanda Seyfried and Aubrey Plaza.

Directed by Mark Webber, U. S.A., 2012, 90 mins.

Onion AV Club     Los Angeles Times     RogerEbert.com            




Facets Showtimes:
Fri., Mar. 15 at 7 & 9 pm
Sat., Mar. 16 at 3, 5, 7 & 9 pm
Sun., Mar. 17 at 1. 3, 5 & 7 pm
Mon.-Thurs., Mar.18-21 at 7 & 9 pm   



NOMINATED
Grand Jury Prize
for Dramatic Feature
Sundance Film Fest



"The threat [of economic collapse] is brought home by the extraordinary intimacy and tenderness with which The End Of Love captures the relationship between father and son"
  -Onion AV Club

"Exceptionally intimate... Told in a loose, surprisingly involving cinema verité style, the film is as successful depicting the smallest daily routines between parent and child...as it is at portraying life's more overwhelming moments"
  -Los Angeles Times


 "The End of Love excels at conveying the moment-to-moment frustrations and exhilarations of being a dad"
  -TimeOut NY


"The End of Love connects and lingers by making incredible effort seem natural"
  -RogerEbert.com

DIRECTED BY Mark Webber

STARRING
Mark Webber (Save the Date, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World), Shannyn Sossamon (Rules of Attraction, 40 Days & 40 Nights)

Michael Cera (Juno, Superbad, Arrested Development), Jason Ritter (Parenthood) Amanda Seyfried (Mamma Mia, Chloe), Aubrey Plaza (Parks & Recreation, Safety Not Guaranteed)

When the mother of his two year old son Isaac suddenly passes away, struggling actor Mark (played by writer/director Mark Webber) is forced to grapple with his ability to grow up.

 

As he kindles a relationship with a young single mother (Shannyn Sossamon, 40 Days and 40 Nights), he begins to realize that he can no longer remain in denial about the real life consequences his choices have on Isaac (played by Webber’s real life son to phenomenal affect).   


Set against the backdrop of Los Angeles, The End of Love is an intimate and stunningly honest portrait of a young father in transition between the life he’s been working for and the one that’s waiting for him.

A Here Now Production
in association with
Poor Rich Kids



DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT


I starting writing The End of Love right after the relationship with my son's mother was coming to an end.   My son was a year old at the time. My passion for making another film was reaching a fever point.   I've always been obsessed with realism in film, and I knew my next project needed to explore that obsession.

It hit me suddenly: why not take what I was going through in my life and use that to build a character and create an ultimate situation where I could live in character for the duration of the shoot.  I never had a father growing up, and I myself at the time was a brand new dad.  One night playing with my son, the story of The End of Love was born.


I rehearsed with my cinematographer Patrice Cochet on how we could film the movie in a way that would not obstruct the real life moments happening.  He came over and played with my son and me for a full month before we even got started.   



The filming was very experimental in nature. It is mostly shot in real time utilizing just single takes.   

We had no crew.


Patrice and I got to the point of being so in synch with one another, I would make a small gesture or glance and 
he knew where to move the camera. 
In this day and age where millions of people are tuning into reality television, I hope audiences will connect with my cinematic version. In so many ways as an artist, my work is a reflection and reaction to what I'm experiencing in my life. I love leaving a film where I felt a connection with its characters, where I feel I have related somehow, and I believe The End of Love successfully blurs the line between reality and fiction in a way where the raw emotion is so easy to tap into.

It's been a huge eye opening journey for me, and I hope you enjoy the film as much as I do. 


Thank you.

MW


Saturday, March 9, 2013

TONIGHT: The Heard Opens for Slightly Stoopid at Congress




Movin' on up like George and Weezy.....   Chi-town's own The Heard was tapped to open for the midwest leg of Slightly Stoopid's national tour.   Catch 'em at Congress Theater TONIGHT.   ChiIL Live Shows will be there...will YOU?!    Get there early at 8pm sharp and catch The Heard.   You'll be glad you did.  We'll be shooting sweet pit photos for you, so check back for our recap soon.  But you'll feel more than slightly stupid if you're 17+ and miss this one.   Two words...  stealth groove!

Show Details:

Calendar

Silver Wrapper, React & Congress Present
Silver Wrapper & React Present: SLIGHTLY STOOPID with TRIBAL SEEDS and THE HEARD
Tribal Seeds, The Heard
Sat, March 9, 2013
Doors: 8:00 pm / Show: 9:00 pm
$25.00 - $30.00
This event is 17 and over


Slightly Stoopid
With more than a decade of making music together, the members of Slightly Stoopid have perfected one of the rarest and most valuable skills a band can develop: the art of the stealth groove, that knack for quietly, almost innocently, sliding into a composition, and utterly lassoing anyone within earshot by mid-song. That's where the band has come to reside, musically: deep in the pocket, that ever-elusive, funky trench where a band can entrance an audience, hypnotize it and hold on to it until the set or CD is finished. Built on a bedrock of nasty, oceanic slabs of dubby bass, meditative vocal harmonies, rock-steady guitar licks and tightly syncopated percussive rhythms, Slightly Stoopid illustrates a case study in underground success, steeped in years of hard touring, an improvisational business model, and a creative process that continues to unwind and push the envelope of a new jam-based genre the band helped to create.

Illustrating the perfect underground success story, Slightly Stoopid's dual front men Miles Doughty (Guitar, Bass, Vocals) and Kyle McDonald (Guitar, Bass, Vocals) created their own label, Stoopid Records, in the early 2000’s. They later added musicians Ryan ‘RyMo’ Moran (Drums) and Oguer 'OG' Ocon (Congas, Percussion, Harp, Vocals) from the B Side Players, as well as C-Money (Trumpet, Keyboard) and Dela (Saxophone) from John Browns Body; solidifying their on stage line up. The buzz surrounding the group continues to increase with each successive release; their album catalog sales have topped the 800,000 mark under their own record label, Stoopid Records, and the group continues to play sold-out shows at the most prestigious concert venues around the world. In addition to that, their annual summer amphitheatre tours consistently rank in Pollstar’s top concert tours of the year. 

The Slightly Stoopid story can be traced to Ocean Beach, California, when childhood chums Miles and Kyle formed the group in 1995, mixing rock, reggae, and punk sounds into one smooth stylistic cocktail. Soon after, late/great Sublime front man Brad Nowell gained interest in the group, and signed them to his Skunk Records label – while the band members were still in high school. After a pair of successful releases (Slightly Stoopid and The Longest Barrel Ride), the group began releasing on their own label, Stoopid Records, beginning with 2001’s Acoustic Roots: Live and Direct (a 40-minute acoustic set, captured live at San Diego 's Rock 105.3 radio station). They then went on to release Everything You Need (selling more than 250,000 copies) Closer To The Sun, Winter Tour '05-'06, their first-ever DVD Live in San Diego, Chronchitis (debuted at #48 on the Billboard 100 and #2 on the indie charts), and their latest Slightly Not Stoned Enough To Eat Breakfast Yet Stoopid (B sides + new material).

Seemingly always on the move, there appears to be no slowing down in sight for Slightly Stoopid, and according to Miles, that’s precisely what fuels the group’s creativity. “For us, the most important thing in the future, we just want to stay busy and always playing music – whether creating, touring, or just sitting on your couch and jamming. I think we’ll always be recording. And just have fun – without the fun part, it ain’t worth it.”



Tribal Seeds
From San Diego, California, award-winning reggae group Tribal Seeds have
become known for their spiritually driven, refreshing rock vibe they have infused
with the roots style of reggae music. Originally started by two brothers, Steven
Rene Jacobo [lyrics, lead vocals, rhythm guitar] and Tony-Ray Jacobo [producer,
keyboard player], Tribal Seeds now boats six members, including: Tony Navarro
[lead guitar], Carlos Verdugo [drums], Jose Rodriguez [keys, percussion], and
Victor Navarro [bass].
Tribal Seeds' unmatched musical talent and authentic sound has brought them to
the forefront of the reggae rock genre, as their art form has reached people of all
ages across the United States, and worldwide. The band's self titled debut
album, "Tribal Seeds" was released in 2008, and their second album "The
Harvest" was released in June of 2009. iTunes named both albums the "Best
Of" in the Reggae genre, for their respected years. Their debut album helped
garner them the "Best World Music" title at the San Diego Music Awards in
2008, and "The Harvest," which contained fourteen new and original songs,
debuted at the number 5 spot on the Billboard Reggae Charts. The tracks,
written and produced by Tribal Seeds, were recorded and mixed by Alan
Sanderson at Signature Sound Studios in San Diego, and mastered by
Erik Lobson at Universal Mastering.
On July 19, 2011, Tribal Seeds gave listeners a brand new EP entitled
"Soundwaves," which peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Reggae Charts.
The band notes that the album was inspired by their life experiences, being on
tour, and their desire to inspire youth to raise their voices and seek a higher
consciousness.
Tribal Seeds have toured throughout the United States, and have also performed
in Mexico, Guam, Aruba, and Hawaii. They have shared the stage with artists
such as Dave Mathews Band, Jack White, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jane's
Addiction, Skrillex, MGMT, Cee Lo Green, Jason Mraz, Matisyahu, Sublime with
Rome, Taking Back Sunday, O.A.R., Pretty Lights, Pepper, Collie Buddz, The
Wailers, Julian Marley, Stephen Marley, Gregory Issacs, SOJA, Rebelution, and
many more.


The Heard
Native peoples from deep within the mesh of yo' boom box speakers, The Heard are a 6-piece instrumental horn-funk explosion. Our "soul" purpose is to educate you on the finer points of pocket. Inspired by breakdancers, brain enhancers, Dirty Bastards, New Masters, a James Brown "Get down!" and yo momma shaking that ass to Tower of Power records in the basement - this is Nu-Funk for the Nu-Millenium.


Click here for Tickets

Friday, March 8, 2013

CLUTCH New Single "Crucial Velocity" & Tour Updates


  • CLUTCH Premiere New Single "Crucial Velocity" on NPR    
  • First Leg of Earth Rocker North American Tour Starts Tonight in Cincinnati! 
  • Earth Rocker Available March 19th in North America  


Check back with ChiIL Live Shows for our live Clutch show shots and exclusive interview with Clutch frontman, Neil Fallon coming SOON.


Earth Rocker North American Tour Leg 1

3/15: Austin, TX (SXSW) @ 1100 Warehouse
3/16: Austin, TX (SXSW) @ Scoot Inn - "Converse/Thrasher Deathmatch 2013"
4/3: Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom - SOLD OUT!
4/20: Baltimore, MD @ Rams Head Live - SOLD OUT!


Follow CLUTCH on Twitter:

Like CLUTCH on Facebook

For More Info Visit:




CLUTCH Premiere New Single "Crucial Velocity" on NPR


As CLUTCH prepares for the release of their highly anticipated new studio album Earth Rocker the band is ready to give fans another taste of what they can expect on March 19th.

Today the band has teamed up with NPR for an exclusive premiere on the second single from Earth Rocker entitled "Crucial Velocity". Get a first listen to the song HERE.

CLUTCH are featured on the cover of this month's Decibel Magazine. The magazine features an in-depth interview with the entire band, as well as a special column on craft beer from resident beer expert Jean-Paul Gaster. Copies of the issue can also be purchased HERE.

CLUTCH kicks off he first leg of the Earth Rocker North American tour tonight in Cincinnati, OH and it runs through April 20th in Baltimore, MD.  Support on the first leg will come from Orange Goblin, Lionize and Scorpion Child.

The band will also be playing at two SXSW Music Festival appearances in Austin, TX this year. They will play two official "SXSW" shows.  

The first show is the indiemerchstore.com showcase Friday, March 15th at 1100 Warehouse. Doors open at 6:30 PM and CLUTCH will headline the show and perform at 12:15 AM. Admission is free with SXSW Badge and for Wristband holders. A limited number of tickets will be sold to fans at the door only. 

   
The following day, Saturday, March 16th CLUTCH will play at the Converse/Thrasher "Death Match 2013" event. This showcase takes place at The Scoot Inn and is free and open to the public. Fans are suggested to arrive early as the event is first come, first serve. The event starts at 12 noon and CLUTCH is scheduled to headline the outside stage at 5:00 PM.



The second leg of the Earth Rocker North American tour was recently announced and will kick off May 1st in Richmond, VA and runs through May 26th in San Antonio, TX.  Support on this run comes from The Sword and Lionize.     

CLUTCH's first ever lyric video for the song "Earth Rocker" is in and can be viewed here.


Earth Rocker is available for pre-order exclusively at the CLUTCH Merch Store 
Fans can pre-order the record individually or partake in the special fan-friendly bundle packages that are being offered.     

Fans can keep up on the progress of Earth Rocker by visiting the new website
www.earthrocker.com. The website is a hub dedicated to all things Earth Rocker. Fans can expect to see frequent updates including photos, videos from the studio, song title announcements and samples of new songs.



Earth Rocker World Tour

3/15: Austin, TX (SXSW) @ 1100 Warehouse
3/16: Austin, TX (SXSW) @ Scoot Inn - "Converse/Thrasher Deathmatch 2013"
4/3: Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom - SOLD OUT!
4/20: Baltimore, MD @ Rams Head Live - SOLD OUT!

North American Tour Leg 2 

European Tour Dates:
6/7: Zeppenlinfeld, Germany @ Rock im Park*
6/8: Nurburgring, Germany @ Rock Am Ring*
6/13: Madrid, Spain @ Gloos Club
6/14: Barcelona, Spain @ Music Hall Barcelona
6/15: Bilbao, Spain @ Sala Santana*
6/17: Bordeaux, France @ Le Krakatoa
6/18: Lyon, France @ Transbo Club (at Le Transbordeur)
6/19: Milan, Italy @ Flame Festival*
6/20: Zurich, Switzerland @ Earshakerdays @ Volkhaus*
6/22: Cognac, France @ Les Anciens Abattoirs 
6/23: Clisson, France @ Hellfest*
6/26: Thessaloniki, Greece @ Principal Club Theater
6/27: Athens, Greece @ VOX IERA Odos
6/30: Dessel, Belgium @ Graspop Metal Meeting*
7/4: Hisingen, Sweden @ Metaltown*
7/13: Stavern, Norway @ Stavern Festival*

*Denotes Festival Date*





ACT OUT: Circus acts, book, wine and talk at City Winery!


ChiIL Live Shows will be there... will you?   We're presently working out the details, but we hope to review and run a book giveaway for our readers as well!      

Of course, if you follow us much, you know we cover the local and international circus community thoroughly here at ChiIL Live Shows and our family friendly site, ChiIL Mama.   We've done multiple features on CircEsteem, Aloft, 500 Clown and major touring acts like Cirque du Soleil, Cirque Eloise, Cirque Shanghai, Ringling Brothers, and many more as well.   In fact, my own kids who will soon be 10 & 12, have been studying circus arts for close to 3 years now and perform with CircEsteem.

We plan to shoot stills on Monday and will have a photo filled recap up shortly.  As always, nothing compares to being there.   So what are you waiting for.   Get your tickets today.

Think you know the circus? Think again.

Whether it's your first time in a long time, you're a fan, or a successful circus professional, come out to celebrate the diversity & artistry of today's circus.
Join us on March 11 at City Winery for Circus Now: anevening celebrating contemporary American circus and the recently released book The Ordinary Acrobat, hosted by Duncan Wall with presentations and performances from the Chicago circus community.    

Join CircEsteem's Executive Director Maribeth Joy as she presents on how CircEsteem uses circus as a tool for social change.  Also performing will be CircEsteem juggling instructor, Brian Dailey and CircEsteem graduate Will McGowan.


Featuring presenations by:  
Maribeth Joy, Executive Director, CircEsteem     
Shayna Swanson, Artistic Director, Aloft Loft
Adrian Danzig, Artistic Director, 500 Clown      
Joe Yonek, Director, Divine Flight Chicago AcroYoga 
Matt Roben, Professional circus performer   


7pm Start Time!

Tickets: $10 tickets sold online, at box office, and at the door by City Winery

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