Big congrats to Non-Equity Jeff Award Nominees and Recipients

 

NON-EQUITY Jeff Award
Nominees and Recipients

RECIPIENTS HIGHLIGHTED IN RED

****Shows with 4 asterisks were highly recommended favorites of ChiIL Live Shows

 

Production - Play
****Opus - Redtwist Theatre
****Punk Rock - Griffin Theatre Company
Red Light Winter - Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co.
Sophocles: Seven Sicknesses - The Hypocrites
Superior Donuts - Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co.
The Word Progress on My Mother's Lips . . . - Trap Door Theatre

Production - Musical
Passing Strange - Bailiwick Chicago
Pump Boys and Dinettes - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre  

Spring Awakening - Griffin Theatre Company
The Light in the Piazza - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
Violet The Musical - Bailiwick Chicago

Director - Play
Blake Montgomery - Moby-Dick - The Building Stage
Helena Kays - 6 Characters in Search of an Author - The Hypocrites
****Jason W. Gerace - Opus - Redtwist Theatre
****Jonathan Berry - Punk Rock - Griffin Theatre Company
Sean Graney - Sophocles: Seven Sicknesses - The Hypocrites
Seth Bockley - The Ugly One - Sideshow Theatre Company

Director - Musical
Elizabeth Margolius - Violet The Musical - Bailiwick Chicago
Fred Anzevino - Pump Boys and Dinettes - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
Fred Anzevino and Brenda Didier - The Light in the Piazza - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
Jonathan Berry - Spring Awakening - Griffin Theatre Company
Lili-Anne Brown - Passing Strange - Bailiwick Chicago

Ensemble
Moby-Dick - The Building Stage
****Opus - Redtwist Theatre
Pump Boys and Dinettes - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
****Punk Rock - Griffin Theatre Company
Shakespeare's R & J - Idle Muse Theatre Company
Sophocles: Seven Sicknesses - The Hypocrites

Actor in a Principal Role - Play
Andrew Burden Swanson - The Last Duck - Jackalope Theatre
Brian Grey - The Oxford Roof Climber's Rebellion - Caffeine Theatre
Brian Plocharczyk - Farragut North - Stage Left Theatre
Dan Behrendt - Red Light Winter - Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co.
****Joey De Bettencourt - Punk Rock - Griffin Theatre Company
Peter Oyloe - Elling - Redtwist Theatre
Preston Tate, Jr. - Superior Donuts - Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co.

Actor in a Principal Role - Musical
Chuck Sisson - The Baker's Wife - Circle Theatre
Courtney Crouse - Pump Boys and Dinettes - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
****Creg Selavi - Urinetown the Musical - Circle Theatre
Jayson "JC" Brooks - Passing Strange - Bailiwick Chicago
Steven Perkins - Passing Strange - Bailiwick Chicago

Actress in a Principal Role - Play
Eileen Niccolai - Orpheus Descending - Shattered Globe Theatre
Jacqueline Grandt - Bug - Redtwist Theatre
Katherine Keberlein - Fifty Words - Profiles Theatre
Melanie Keller - East of Berlin & the Russian Play - Signal Ensemble Theatre
Stacy Stoltz - Assisted Living - Profiles Theatre

Actress in a Principal Role - Musical
Harmony France - Violet The Musical - Bailiwick Chicago
Kelli Harrington - The Light in the Piazza - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
Rachel Klippel - The Light in the Piazza - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre

Actor in a Supporting Role - Play
****Aaron Kirby - Dark Play or Stories for Boys - Collaboraction
Barth Bennett - A Lesson Before Dying - Lincoln Square Theatre
Dereck Garner - Red Light Winter - Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co.
Eric Burgher - A Behanding in Spokane - Profiles Theatre
J.P. Pierson - One Flea Spare - Eclipse Theatre Company
****Ryan Heindl - Punk Rock - Griffin Theatre Company

Actor in a Supporting Role - Musical
Evan Tyrone Martin - Violet The Musical - Bailiwick Chicago
Jeremy Rill - A Little Night Music - Circle Theatre
Justin Adair - The Light in the Piazza - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
Michael Kingston - Pippin - Bohemian Theatre Ensemble

Actress in a Supporting Role - Play
Caroline Neff - Under the Blue Sky - Steep Theatre Company
Sasha Gioppo - Red Light Winter - Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co.
Susan Monts-Bologna - Superior Donuts - Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co.
Vanessa Greenway - Life is a Dream - Vitalist Th. in association with Premiere Theatre

Actress in a Supporting Role - Musical
Anita Hoffman - The Baker's Wife - Circle Theatre
Dana Tretta - Pippin - Bohemian Theatre Ensemble
Danni Smith - Pump Boys and Dinettes - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
Khaki Pixley - A Little Night Music - Circle Theatre

New Work
Deidre O'Connor - Assisted Living - Profiles Theatre
Keith Josef Adkins - The Last Saint on Sugar Hill - Ma'at Prod. Assoc. of Afrikan Centered Theater
Lucas Neff - The Last Duck - Jackalope Theatre
Scott Barsotti, Molly Each, Laura Eason, Brian Golden, Kristin Idaszak, Kim Morris, Nick Ward, Doug Whippo - We Live Here - Theatre Seven of Chicago
Shepsu Aakhu - Speaking in Tongues: The Chronicles of Babel - Ma'at Prod. Assoc. of Afrikan Centered Theater

New Adaptation
Blake Montgomery - Moby-Dick - The Building Stage
****John Hildreth - Watership Down - Lifeline Theatre
Matt Hawkins - Cyrano - The House Theatre of Chicago
Sean Graney - Sophocles: Seven Sicknesses - The Hypocrites
Steve Moulds - 6 Characters in Search of an Author - The Hypocrites

Choreography
Brenda Didier - Pippin - Bohemian Theatre Ensemble
****Kevin Bellie - Urinetown the Musical - Circle Theatre
Nicole Pellegrino - Spring Awakening - Griffin Theatre Company

Fight / Movement Direction
David Woolley - Superior Donuts - Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co.
Matt Hawkins - Cyrano - The House Theatre of Chicago
****R&D Choreography - Watership Down - Lifeline Theatre

Music Direction
Allison Kane - Spring Awakening - Griffin Theatre Company
Andra Velis Simon - Violet The Musical - Bailiwick Chicago
James Morehead - Passing Strange - Bailiwick Chicago
Jeremy Ramey - The Light in the Piazza - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
Jim DeSelm - Pump Boys and Dinettes - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre

Original Incidental Music
Andrew Hansen - Hunger - Lifeline Theatre
Christopher Kriz - The Count of Monte Christo - Lifeline Theatre
Kevin O'Donnell - Cyrano - The House Theatre of Chicago
Kevin O'Donnell - Moby-Dick - The Building Stage
Michael Huey - The Spirit Play - The Strange Tree Group
Ovidiu Iloc - The Word Progress on My Mother's Lips . . . - Trap Door Theatre

Scenic Design
Aam Veness - The Light in the Piazza - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
Amanda Rozmiarek - The Price - Raven Theatre
Bob Knuth - The Women - Circle Theatre
Jack Magaw and Kimberly Senior - Bug - Redtwist Theatre
Ray Toler - Bus Stop - Raven Theatre

Lighting Design
Jared Moore - Lighthousekeeping - New Leaf Theatre
Jared Moore - Sophocles: Seven Sicknesses - The Hypocrites
Kevin D. Gawley - Hunger - Lifeline Theatre
Lee Keenan - Spring Awakening - Griffin Theatre Company
Lee Keenan - The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek - Eclipse Theatre Company
Mac Vaughey - The Ugly One - Sideshow Theatre Company

Costume Design
Aly Renee Amidei - The Count of Monte Christo - Lifeline Theatre
Elizabeth Wislar - A Little Night Music - Circle Theatre
Elizabeth Wislar - The Women - Circle Theatre
Jacqueline Firkins - Cyrano - The House Theatre of Chicago
****Jesus Perez - Urinetown the Musical - Circle Theatre

Sound Design
Christopher Kriz - Bug - Redtwist Theatre
****Christopher Kriz - Opus - Redtwist Theatre
Christopher Kriz - The Count of Monte Christo - Lifeline Theatre
****Mikhail Fiksel - Watership Down - Lifeline Theatre
Thomas Dixon - The Sea - Theatre Mir

Artistic Specialization
Magic Design - Brett Schneider - The Spirit Play - The Strange Tree Group
Percussion - Casey Baker, Kevin O'Donnell, Mike Przygoda - Moby-Dick - The Building Stage
****Puppet, Mask and Video Design - Joanna Iwanicka - Watership Down - Lifeline Theatre
Properties/Set Dressing - Mary O'Dowd - The Price - Raven Theatre
Make Up / Gore Design - Mary Williamson and Christine Conley - Sophocles: Seven Sicknesses - The Hypocrites
Video Design and Cinematography - Nivan Yahaghi and Amanda Clifford - cinematography - We Live Here - Theatre Seven of Chicago
****Music Coach - Zhanna Bullock - Opus - Redtwist Theatre

Dialect Coaching
Anita Deely - Old Times - Strawdog Theatre Company
****Elise Kauzlaric - Punk Rock - Griffin Theatre Company
Eve Breneman - The Light in the Piazza - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre 

Congrats to all the nominees and winners!   You make Chicago a richer and more wonderous city.

For further info about the Jeff Awards, check out their main site here.

Knot Fest--Metal Bands and Dark Circus Arts Invade Council Bluffs, IA and Minneapolis

LINEUP REVEALED FOR FIRST-EVER

KNOTFEST

WITH SLIPKNOT, DEFTONES, LAMB OF GOD, DETHKLOK, SERJ TANKIAN, CANNIBAL CORPSE, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, THE URGE, PRONG, GOJIRA AND MORE

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17 IN COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA

SATURDAY, AUGUST 18 IN SOMERSET, WI/MINNEAPOLIS, MN

TICKETS ON-SALE FRIDAY, JUNE 8  AT 10AM EDT

VIP PACKAGES AVAILABLE

TWO-DATE FESTIVAL

A CONCERT EXPERIENCE TO AWAKEN YOUR DARKEST SENSES

Step into an apocalyptic underworld where firebreathers, nightmarish creatures on stilts, fire and percussive light, and stunning visuals set the stage for anintoxicating and unforgettably sinister concert experience. The first-ever KNOTFEST--an extraordinary two-date metal and hard rock festival--will feature performances from SLIPKNOT, DEFTONES, LAMB OF GOD, DETHKLOK, SERJ TANKIAN, CANNIBAL CORPSE, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, THE URGE, PRONG, GOJIRA and more. KNOTFEST will debut in the heart of America on Friday, August 17 in Council Bluffs, IA at Mid America Motorplex and Saturday, August 18 in Somerset, WI/Minneapolis, MN at Somerset Amphitheater. A list of artists performing at each date is available online at: www.knotfest.com.

“KNOTFEST is a chance for us to bring the sensory-overload of a wild European carnival fest to the heart of America,” explains Slipknot’s M. Shawn Crahan (Clown). “We’re thrilled to delve deep into our catalogue and play a long set for fans. This festival is meant to be touched, felt, smelled and experienced by everyone on top of seeing an amazing day of rock and metal.”

Featuring two heavy-hitting stages of hard music, KNOTFEST will create an intoxicating spectacle, as fans descend into a decadent apocalyptic underworldfeaturing circus big-top tents, pillars of fire, and amusement park rides--including the legendary Ring of Fire carnival ride (Saturday only)--while maskedperformers, firebreathers and nightmarish stilt-walkers roam the festival grounds. Interactive graffiti walls and a drum circle made of junkyard cars willentertain fans and artists alike in the immersive, dark apocalyptic atmosphere. Upon entering the gates, sinister surprises including a Slipknot museum and powerful, vibrant art installations await around every corner for fans to discover and explore.

Tickets for KNOTFEST go on-sale Friday, June 8 at 10:00 AM EDT at the festival’s website, Ticketmaster and the box office. GA tickets and a limited number of VIP packages will be available with amenities ranging from early entrance, a shaded VIP bar and lounge with a main stage viewing area (21+ only), VIP catered meals, preferred parking and a meet and greet with Slipknot. To view all ticket and VIP options for both dates, visit: www.knotfest.com.

Visit www.knotfest.com, www.facebook.com/KNOTFEST and www.twitter.com/KNOTFEST for the most-up-to-date information.

KNOTFEST:

DATE                         CITY                                                   VENUE

Fri       8/17                Council Bluffs, IA                            Mid America Motorplex                  

Sat      8/18                Somerset, WI/Minneapolis, MN      Somerset Amphitheater

Cirque Shanghai: Year of the Dragon is Here #review #liveshowphotos

Enter the year of the Dragon, 2012.   What better way to celebrate than with Chi-town's favorite Chinese circus, Cirque Shanghai.   ChiIL Mama caught opening night, and the whole family had a blast.   We welcome this circus' annual summer residency at Navy Pier and eagerly anticipate it.   

Tickets are available via Ticketmaster here or at 800-745-3000.

For the price and the frequency of shows, Cirque Shanghai is hard to beat.    They play Navy Pier all summer, making this an easy, entertaining option for visiting friends and relatives.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE AND TICKET INFORMATION

“Cirque Shanghai: Year of the Dragon” will perform May 24 – Sept. 3, with regular run performances as follows:

Wednesday at 2, 6 and 8 p.m. 
Thursday at 2 and 8 p.m. 
Friday at 2, 7 and 9 p.m. 
Saturday at 2, 6 and 8 p.m.

Sunday at 2 and 4 p.m. 

There will be additional performances Tuesday, July 3 at 2 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 2 at 8 p.m. and Monday, Sept. 3 (Labor Day) at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Tickets are $15.50 - $29.50 and are available by calling 800-745-3000 or visiting Ticket Master here. Discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more are available by calling GroupTix at 773.327.3778 or visiting GroupTixs website here.

 

Our whole family loves to watch people push the boundaries with circus arts 



and we've NEVER seen someone unicycle on a parasol,



fit so many girls on one bike, 

or flip so many simultaneous pots on their head from a rolla bolla board!

 































The new horizontal configuration of the hoop diving was sweet, too. 

 

The motorcycle wire tricks are gone this year, but the Globe of Doom with 5 bikers in a metal globe is always breathtakingly impressive, even though we've seen it in past years with Cirque Shanghai and with Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus.   



We've seen it at Ringling Brothers, but the metal Wheel of Destiny was a new addition for Cirque Shanghai, and provided quite a few gasps, as a blindfolded/hooded performer nearly plunged to the stage below. 



He nearly bit it again during the jump rope routine, 



which I first thought was intentional, to mess with the audience and freak us out.  On further discussion we agreed that maybe his blonde partner (who had less taxing tricks) was walking a bit too fast and threw off his timing.   Thankfully he hung in there!

My kids adore circus arts and have become quite the critics after seeing world class acts from Cirque du Soleil's Ovo and Quidam, Ringling Brothers, Cirque Eloize, Zoppe Family Circus, George Orange, New York's Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, and local favs El Circo Cheapo, Aloft, Midnight Circus, The Actor's Gymnasium and more!   Our kids are also taking circus arts classes from local gem, CircEsteem, where they're learning juggling, unicycle, silks, trapeze, lyra, pyramids, Spanish Web, Chinese Pole, acro, and more.   They've auditioned for and been invited onto the pre-team and hone their circus skills 3 times a week.   So, they're harder to impress than the average 9 & 11 year old off the street.



When the kids saw Cirque Shanghai's 7 ball bounce juggling act, they rightfully noted, "That was pretty cool, and he did juggle up stairs which was impressive, but our friend Will can do 7 ball bounce juggling and he's still in high school, and we just saw it in our own spring CircEsteem show.   They did envy and want a pair of his cool, juggling pocket pants, though!   

They were likewise nonplussed by the silks and lyra, diablo, and even the contortion and acro acts.   Those elicited a series of "My friends and/or I can do that....and that....and most of that act too," from the kids.   Though admittedly their friends are way more flexible and adept at circus arts than the average bear.   As long as they don't want to master the Wheel of Destiny or Globe of Death next....!!

Nonetheless, they thoroughly enjoyed the show and thought that kids of all ages and adults would dig it, whether they're well schooled in circus arts themselves, are avid fans, or have never seen anything like it.   In addition to the super stars in Globe of Death, 



and Wheel of Destiny, 



the slackwire unicycle, 






spring board, 



creative foot juggling, 

and chair stacking acts were particularly fun.

 

Both kids were entranced with the 5 bikers, simultaneously circling the metal globe and Sagezilla, in particular, loved that one was a long haired girl!   



Sage's more interested in being strong than cute.   She's all about grrrl power and nontraditional roles, and she was elated that the biker girl gave her a high five on the way up the aisle at the close of the show. 

  

Come celebrate the Year of the Dragon in style with Cirque Shanghai!  Here are further official details:

“CIRQUE SHANGHAI: YEAR OF THE DRAGON” COMES TO NAVY PIER® PEPSI® SKYLINE STAGE MAY 24 – SEPTEMBER 3

Cirque Shanghai returns to Chicago’s Navy Pier this summer with a magnificent new show “Cirque Shanghai: Year of the Dragon”.   The production will run now through September 3, 2012 (Labor Day), rain or shine, at the Navy Pier® Pepsi® Skyline Stage, the 1,500-seat, canopied, open-air theater on Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave. 

“Cirque Shanghai: Year of the Dragon” is a spectacle for audiences of all ages, featuring performers direct from China who are leaders in their craft of tumbling, juggling, balancing and more. This year’s production features an incredible line up of awe- inspiring acts, including favorites such as Bike Balance and Hoop Diving, as well as an all-new Group Chair Stack, Teeterboard act and the Wheel of Death!

China’s finest daredevil motorcycle troupe, “Imperial Thunder,” returns with not two, not four, but five motorcyclists riding at break-neck speed within a steel globe – more than ever before in this death-defying feat.

Audiences and critics alike rave about Cirque Shanghai. The Chicago Tribune hails the production to be a 

“beguiling, sophisticated and contemporary 75-minute show, replete with some bravura acrobatics and infused with fabric-strewn visuals,” 

and the Chicago Sun-Times raves “Cirque Shanghai has been an especially bright spot on Navy Pier...bringing young, talented acrobatic troupes and first-rate production values to the canopied, open-air Skyline Stage.” 

Time Out Chicago says, “Jaw-dropping, aerobatic stunts...adults will enjoy this show every bit as much as kids.”

Directed by Miao Miao Chen, “Cirque Shanghai: Year of the Dragon” is presented in this exclusive U.S. engagement by Navy Pier in conjunction with International Special Attractions, Ltd. (ISA) production headquarters in Shanghai, China.

MEET THE CREATIVE TEAM:

International Special Attractions (ISA) was established in 1989 and over the past two decades has become a world leader in the production of large scale special attractions, events and theatrical productions. ISA’s ICE! attractions can be seen annually at four Gaylord Hotel locations throughout the United States, and have been enjoyed by over 5 million people worldwide. ISA was the first company to bring Chinese acrobats to Broadway and also produces Cirque Shanghai, which has performed in some of the most prestigious venues in the world, and recently played a sold out run at the New Victory Theatre on Broadway in New York City. Additionally, ISA has produced Luminasia for the past two years at The Galt House Hotel in Louisville, KY, USA. Clients have included The Walt Disney Company, Gaylord Entertainment, Navy Pier Chicago, Busch Entertainment Corp and Six Flags, Inc. Featured Television coverage has aired internationally, including networks such as NBC, CBS and ABC to name but a few.

Originally from a classical music background, Haiping Ge was one of the earliest producers serving in the Shanghai government's Office of Cultural Exchange Affairs. From that office, he hosted many of the first Western entertainers performing in China. For the last two decades, Haiping Ge has been producing shows with ISA for the world's premium venues. His current productions include: Cirque Shanghai for New Victory Theatre on Broadway; ICE! attractions in Dallas, Nashville, Orlando and Washington D.C. in association with Gaylord Resorts; Luminasia at The Galt House in Louisville, KY, USA. Haiping also produced a Chinese acrobatic show for Disney World, Florida which will run through the end of this year.

Miao Miao Chen is a second-generation performer as well as the show’s director. She studied with the internationally famous Shenyang Performing Arts Academy beginning at age five, and joined the acclaimed Shenyang Acrobatic Troupe, one of the top ten troupes in all of China, at age 13.  Chen is the recipient of a Gold Lion Award from the International Acrobatics Competition in France, and received the top award for Best Innovative Performance in Uruguay. Chen has performed throughout the USA, Canada, Europe and Asia. In 2006 and 2007, Chen worked as a choreographer for “Le Grand Cirque” which has toured in cities across Australia, the United Kingdom and United States. Chen previously directed hit productions of “Cirque Shanghai” in 2009, 2010 and 2011.


 About Navy Pier:

Located on Lake Michigan, just east of Chicago’s downtown, Navy Pier is the most- visited tourist and leisure destination in the Midwest, welcoming more than 8 million visitors annually. Originally opened in 1916 as a shipping and recreation facility, it is now one of the country’s preeminent recreation and exposition facilities, showcasing 50 acres of parks, gardens, restaurants, shops, attractions, sightseeing and dining cruise boats, exhibition facilities and more.

Beauty and The Beast at Chicago Shakespeare #Giveaway

music by Alan Menken | lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice book by Linda Woolverton | directed by Rachel Rockwell in Chicago Shakespeare's Courtyard Theater June 28–August 26, 2012 Bring your whole family to Navy Pier for this 75-minute heartwarming musical adventure based on the Academy Award-winning Disney film. It recounts the "tale as old as time" of a clever beauty and her ferocious captor—a young prince trapped under an enchantress's spell, who must learn to love and be loved in order to break the curse. Dazzling production numbers, including the beloved title song and "Be Our Guest," will fill CST's Courtyard Theater. Audience members are invited to meet the cast in the lobby following each performance. Approximate Running Time: 75 minutes A CST Family production best enjoyed by ages 5 and up ChiIL Mama/ ChiIL Live Shows will be there for the opening performance on July 7th and we'll have a photo filled review for you then.  We're also excited to offer one of our lucky readers 4 free tickets to your choice of dates between June 28th & July 13th.   Enter right here for your chance to win! *Wait for Rafflecopter to load up right here (if you've gone through RSS feed or are scrolling down the blog and don't see it, click on the actual page title and it should pop right up).  Entries accepted nationwide.   Enter like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.   Winning rocks!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Shows on Our Radar: March Fourth & Jonas Friddle at Martyr's 6/8

Martyr's

Fri, Jun 8 

9:30pm

$12adv/$15door

21+

Are you a fan of Chi-town's Mucca Pazza?   Ever watch Portlandia?   March Fourth is Portland's punk rock marching band and they're marching forth to entertain YOU, right here in the windy city.   Check 'em out.   My little sis lives in Portland and has been a fan for years.   She was born on March 4th and every year the band throws down a big show on their namesake day and invites everyone who shares that birthday to get in free.   So basically they've been playing her birthday bash for years!   Fun fun.  We'll be there to shoot the show and can't wait to check em out at Martyr's.   Here's the March Fourth site.

 

Here's what Martyr's site has to say:

---

March Fourth Marching Band

Throw up your batons! Toss about that pocket-stored confetti! Let the high steppin’, flair totin’ cyclone of happiness begin!” -San Francisco Bay GuardianMarchFourth Marching Band (known as M4 by fans) is a large band and performance troupe from Portland, OR that was formed in 2003. M4 is hard to describe and, though the music can stand alone, the live show is unparalleled, unexpected, and uplifting.MarchFourth Marching Band connects with so many different types of audiences that they have been invited to play a huge variety of events over the past seven years–everything from the music festival main stage to the elementary school gymnasium to the streets of a town near you.

---

Jonas Friddle & the Majority
Jonas Friddle & The Majority arrived on the scene simultaneously debuting two records on March 24th, 2012. “Belle De Louisville” and “Synco Pony” showcase this seven-piece band’s ability to pull from both the string band and blues traditions of American Roots music. The Chicago-based “orchestral folk” group is comprised of a string section, brass, organ, banjo and drums. Each member of the Majority boasts a strong personal music career with close ties to Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music, where the band formed.Jonas Friddle’s passion for old-time style banjo from his native North Carolina leads to rhythmic and rolling compositions. Following the example of new folk groups like Crooked Still, Abigail Washburn and Old Crow Medicine Show, Jonas looks for a new take on an old sound. 

We're fans of local fav, Jonas Friddle, too.    He played the Beat Kitchen Concerts for Kids series we sponsor with our alt-punk-parenting blog, ChiIL Mama.   This show's for the big kids, though, AKA:  adults (21+).   

Check out Jonas Friddle & the Majority's main site right here.   Sign up for their mailing list and you can get two tunes FREE from their dual album release.   Way to make an entrance!  

Click here for tixs to their Martyr's show and further details.

Happy 10th B-Day TLT--$5 Off Code

 

X marks the spot--X as in Roman Numeral for 10--a decade of The Local Tourist.

Yes, TLT has hit the big ONE OH.   Don't miss a whole lotta birthday fun this Sunday 6/3.   TLT is having the birthday but YOU get the gifts.   For $35, you get a tote bag full of great discounts worth some serious cash and help local charities, too.   If that's not enough to put your finger on the buy button, since yours truly, ChiIL Mama, is a TLT writer and Passport to Chicago host, I have a sweet little discount code for $5 off.   

Enter TLTHOST in the coupon spot and you can pocket that $5.    Click here to buy your passport .   You can pick it up today!

Bonus with every Passport ordered online:  FREE "I'm A Local Tourist sling bag!

Pick up your passport here:

Bleeding Heart Bakery, 1351 W Belmont
Fri, June 1, 5pm to 7pm
Sat, Jun 2, 10am to 12pm

 
Fitness Formula Club West Loop, 10 S Clinton
Sat, June 2, 10am to 2pm
Sun, June 3, 8am to 2pm

 

Hope to see YOU at the after party from 9pm on at Public House!

9:00pm   
TLTen Official Celebration
Where: Public House River North
Join us for the TLTen OFFICIAL Celebration! This party is FREE with your Passport To Chicago.

Celebrate with our custom cake made by none other than Bleeding Heart Bakery's Michelle Garcia!

Meet and greet our fabulous Host Committee of Local Tourists and help us celebrate 10 years with a complimentary Premium Cocktail. Hungry? Enjoy Public House's Late Night Menu for half-price, only available with your Passport To Chicago!

 

Check out the list of awesome venues participating in Passport to Chicago right here. 

There are smokin' one day deals for June 3rd, but also discounts and deals for a YEAR after....till 5/31/2013!

I'm sooo going to use my massage coupon after working Do Division for two days, and Cafe Con Leche is one of our neighborhood favs already.   

8:00am - 6:00pm   
Foot Massage at VALEO Chicago, 10% off services
Where: VALEO Chicago Loop

 After a long day of exploring our beautiful city, your SOLES need some relief. Come to VALEO Chicago for a complimentary 10 minute foot massage. While you’re here, you can enjoy 10% off any of our other unique experiences. RSVP strongly recommended. Availability subject to change to accommodate demand.



6/3 12:00pm - 4:30pm   
Free Cafe Con Leche
Where: Cafe Con Leche Logan Square
A decadent Cafe Con Leche for each Passport To Chicago guest


Here are a few more offers we're stoked about:




6/3 12:00pm   
$10 Gift Card at Frill Boutique
Where: Frill Accessory Boutique Bucktown/Wicker Park
Passport To Chicago participants will receive a $10 Gift Card to use towards any Frill jewelry or accessories on June 3rd! Frill's prices tend to range between $16-$39 per piece and new jewelry and accessories come in the door weekly, making it a great regular stop to find the most on-trend items of the season. The $10 Gift Card can also be used in combination with our regular "Buy 2 get the 3rd 1/2 off deal!"  *Gift Card can only be used 1x per customer in stores on June 3, 2012. 

Tour Through A Lens
Where: Tour Through A Lens Magnificent Mile/Streeterville 

4:00pm   
Free pizza at Pizzeria Via Stato
Where: Pizzeria Via Stato River North
Free pizza with your Passport To Chicago (one per table, valid with any purchase over $10, dining room only)

Save on admission at Chicago Children's Museum
Where: Chicago Children's Museum Magnificent Mile/Streeterville

15% off brunch at Rockit Burger Bar
Where: Rockit Burger Bar Wrigleyville

And much much more.......

Girl's Rock! Chicago Fugazi Cover Benefit This Sunday at Lincoln Hall

We've supported Girls Rock! for years before we even had an eligible kid.   Simply put, Girls Rock! Chicago ROCKS.   This sweet summer camp teaches girls how to play instruments, builds self esteem, teaches self defense, band promotion and more.   Last year, ChiIL Mama's daughter, Sagezilla was old enough to start learning guitar and she can't wait to come back again this summer.   The girls wrote their own lyrics and music and then performed LIVE and in a recording studio for a compilation CD.   Her week of camp's final showcase was at METRO!

Sagezilla (right) plays Metro after just 1 week of guitar lessons at Girls Rock! Camp with her first band, Octopie.

....................................

FUGAZI COVER SHOW & BENEFIT

Sunday, June 3 | 7pm
Lincoln Hall | 2424 N. Lincoln Ave. | Chicago, IL
All-Ages | $10 | Kids under 10 FREE

The headline might read: Punk Rock Vets Play Fugazi to Support Budding Tween & Teen Musicians. Even if it doesn't, we're thrilled to be the beneficiary of this very cool event organized by staunch GR!C supporter Paul Kelvington. Paul assembled a group of stellar local musicians - Kevin J. Frank (Guage, Haymarket Riot), Jay Ryan (Dianogah) and Adam Reach (The Poison Arrows) to form INSTRUMENT and become Fugazi for one great night --- and one awesome cause! 

They'll perform Fugazi's beloved compilation, 13 Songs, plus some surprise favorites. Girls Rock!'s own When Flying Feels like Falling will open the ALL-AGES show so bring the whole family to celebrate the DIY spirit Fugazi embodies and rock camp seeks to provide! Tickets available at Lincoln Hall's site here.

*Come early and catch WFFLF!    We've known Violet since she was a 3 year old and it's been fun to see her grow up and hit her stride.    These high school GR!C kids are our fav under age punk rockers and we frequently promote their shows.    They rock hard!

Girls Rock Chicago present:

INSTRUMENT play Fugazi's "13 Songs" and more

Adam Reach (The Poison Arrows)

Jay Ryan (Dianogah)

Kevin J. Frank (Gauge/Haymarket Riot)

Paul Kelvington (Econoline)

plus When Flying Feels Like Falling

Sunday, June 03 2012 7:00 PM

All Ages $10.00
Buy

Paul Kelvington is a man who loves to pay tribute and adores doing

it for a good cause. In 2010 he formed Econoline, a Minutemen tribute

which enrolled the talents of over 20 fantastic local musicians to both

pay homage to Minutemen's D. Boon, and to help foster DIY spirit and

musicianship in future generations through a generous donation to Girls

Rock! Chicago summer camp. 

*Check out our original live show shots from that night right here.

For one night only, he's back with INSTRUMENT, playing Fugazi's definitive compilation, 13 Songs (plus some secret favorites). Joining him are Chicago punk vets and Econoline contributors Jay Ryan, Kevin J. Frank, and his old friend Adam Reach.   Veteran Girls Rock! campers When Flying Feels Like Falling open.

All proceeds benefit Girls Rock! Chicago, a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to fostering girls’ creative expression, positive self-esteem and community awareness through rock music. Girls Rock! summer camps are open to girls 8-16 regardless of their ability to pay or play. 2012's camp season begins June 25 and limited spaces are still available.

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4th ANNUAL CAMP KICK-OFF
Saturday, June 23rd | 1 to 6pm
Chicago Quest |1443 N. Ogden | Chicago, IL
$5 person | $10 family | campers FREE

Campers! Parents! Volunteers! Grab your friends and family and help us get this summer started off right at the  4th Annual Camp Kick-Off Party & Show! As always, there will be food, bands and fun so bring your own blanket and enjoy the day in the sun with GR!C. All 2012 campers are admitted free so this is a great day to meet campers from both sessions as well as our awesome volunteers, staff and board! Stay tuned to the website & our facebook page for more details as we have them.