ChiIL Live Shows has a brand spankin' new Facebook Page and we could use some like love. We'll be running loads offree 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).
Remember Colin Quinn-side kick on MTV's Remote Control? He's nobody's sidekick now!! We were front row, center on opening night, when he came through Chi-Town with his freakin' funny one man show. Now he can be all yours, to play at will, without leaving the couch.
His wise and wickedly witty take on humanity and history had us laughing out loud. Even now, months later, his schtick is still stuck in my head. I can't sit down to work without his rant about bloggers and cavemen coming to mind. I'm a bit flattered, though. He mostly lampoons people groups, and only a few professions made the cut. Note to Colin...bloggers may have the cave man keyboard stance, but we're the cockroaches of the publishing world...surviving, thriving and multiplying while traditional media is dropping like the dinosaurs.
I know you WANT this DVD.
COLIN QUINN - Long Story Short on DVD and Blu-ray
The one-man show directed by Jerry Seinfeld
"Hilarious!" New York Times
Nominated for a 2011 Emmy Award Taped before a live audience at the Helen Hayes Theatre in New York City, Colin Quinn: Long Story Short showcases the comedian's keen observations in the uproarious history of the world, juxtaposing modern-day human behavior with the rise and fall of empires.
Colin Quinn began his comic career in New York as a regular on the comedy show circuit. Colin made his television debut as co-host of MTV's popular game show "Remote Control". Quinn landed a spot on the legendary late-night show, "Saturday Night Live" where he entertained audience for five seasons. After SNL, Quinn tackled societal issues on "Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn". Colin's first one-man show Sanctifying Grace, began off-Broadway in 1994 and was later produced as Colin Quinn - An Irish Wake and played at the Helen Hayes Theatre. Last summer, Colin appeared in the Adam Sandler comedy "Grown Ups". He can be seen in Sony's "Donny's Boy" opposite Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg, June 2012.
From his personification of Caesar as the original Italian mobster, to his complaints about Ancient Greece and Antigone giving way to Costco and Snooki, Quinn is at his satirical best, taking on the attitudes, appetites and bad habits that have toppled the world's most powerful nations.
First running on Broadway, then airing on HBO, the show's Broadway run was extended due to the popularity. Quinn has been touring Long Story Short throughout 2011 and took a show to the highly acclaimed Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal where it received tremendous accolades. Directed for the stage by Jerry Seinfeld, the Broadway show was produced by Eva Price and Richard Martini.
Bonus Features: - Commentary with Colin Quinn and director Jerry Seinfeld - Behind-the-Scenes Footage - Press Event Footage
Press: "Quinn is a Master. A Polished Act." - Daily News "Colin Quinn nails it. State of the art." Time Magazine "Brisk and Seinfeldian" New York Magazine
ABOUT VIDEO SERVICES CORP. Founded in 1993 by former rock critic Jonathan Gross, Video Services Corp. is a leading independent DVD distributor with offices in Los Angeles and Toronto. With a vast catalogue strong in television, sports and comedy, some of VSC's releases include the Canadian hit Corner Gas, The Roller Derby Chronicles The Tom Green Show, The WHA Chronicles and Spectacle: Elvis Costello With.... VSC also owns the e-commerce websites sportonvideo.com, laffstock.com and jewishflicks.com.
ABOUT MVD ENTERTAINMENT GROUP MVD Entertainment Group (previously known as Music Video Distributors, Inc) was founded in 1986 by Tom Seaman, an industry veteran of more than 40 years, whose background includes retailing stints with Record Hunter, Sam Goody, Musicland, CBS Retail, and wholesale experience with Jem Records. MVD initially acted primarily as a one-stop, buying all labels' music-related VHS releases and reselling to music and video stores. In the last 10 years, MVD has transitioned from being a one stop/wholesaler for music video to a corporation consisting of three major divisions: MVD Visual, MVD Audio, and MVD Distribution. Some of the artists MVD has worked with include Sublime, Pixies, Bad Brains, Devo, The New York Dolls, Iggy Pop, the MC5, Dead Kennedys, Danzig, Marillion, Ween, Shane MacGowan, Stryper, Johnny Winter, and much more. Since 1999, MVD has released over 1500 exclusive titles. For more information, visitwww.mvdb2b.com.
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.
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!
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.
Gala Fundraiser at Actor's Gymnasium-opening night of Lost & Found 2012
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.
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.
Here's a full set of ChiIL Live Shows' pit photos fromLed 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!
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.
Helpful hint: Bring ear protection. Eh, what was that? I said, you'll be regretting not throwing in earplugs for everyone. What?! I can't hear you over the deafening roar of those powerful truck engines.
I SAID....BRING EARPLUGS! YOU CAN BUY SOME FUN TIRE SHAPED ONES ON
SITE FOR $20, BUT IF YOU'D RATHER SPEND THE CASH ON A COOL SHIRT YOU CAN
WEAR MORE OFTEN OR A CREEPY SNO CONE CUP, THEN BRING YOUR OWN EARPLUGS.
