Play Locally: Shows On Our Hot List TONIGHT! #Giveaway

 Last day of 5th grade and 3rd grade for the punk kin

Today's THE Last Day of School for CPS (except for that odd, optional ONE hour on Thurs morning?!).   Du-Jay & Sagezilla Rock the Wear Anything (Non Uniform) Day.   Buh bye blue polo shirts till August 13th!!

School's out for summer..........If school's also out forever for you, you're likely old enough for our hot 21+ shows.   If not...we've got funky, family friendly recommendations, too.

We adore our kids, but love to get out with AND without them.

Tonight-Tuesday 6/12/12

First for the With:

Act Out-Theatre Opening Tonight

The Nanning Art Theatre-Legend of the Sun at Auditorium Theatre

We've been promoting this one and now it's here, for two days only!!   Don't miss this one.   Du-Jay, Sagezilla and ChiIL Mama will be there for opening night tonight.  Highly recommended.  Get your tickets now, if you haven't already.   Family friendly.



Here are the basics from Auditorium Theatre's site:

The Nanning Art Theatre - Legend of the Sun

Presented by the China Arts & Entertainment Group in
association with Chicago Human Rhythm Project and Chicago Chinese
Cultural Institute

Venue: Auditorium Theatre

Dates: Tuesday, June 12, 2012 - Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Times: 7:30 pm

Price: $55-$17.50

Legend of the Sun, a unique, large-scale dance drama
based on a centuries-old Chinese folk tale, makes its U.S. debut at the
Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Both exquisitely beautiful
and joyously uplifting, this inspired work features more than 60 dancers
while showcasing the songs, dances and traditions of China�s Zhuang
ethnic minority. The piece also incorporates elements of Western modern
dance and music.

Now for the Without:  

Act Out-Theatre Opening Tonight

Henson Alternative Stuffed and Unstrung

Leave the littles at home for this puppet show.   This raunchy improv show is rated R and recommended for 17+ or mature underagers accompanied by an adult.   We can't wait to check it out.    Get your tixs today.   This is a short one week run.   Here's the poop on these potty mouthed puppeteers from our friends at Broadway in Chicago.

 
Stuffed and Unstrung
Theatre : Bank of America Theatre, Chicago Illinois


Dates : June 12, 2012 - June 17, 2012


Running time: 90 minutes with no intermission
 
*This show is rated R and contains language and themes that are not intended for unaccompanied children under the age of 17.

**JUST ANNOUNCED! BRIAN HENSON to perform at Tuesday June 12, Wednesday June 13, and Thursday June 14 shows!**

STUFFED AND UNSTRUNG, a live uncensored show that lets loose the perilous and provocative elements of comedic improvisation on stage with a bunch of puppets. Produced by WestBeth Entertainment and Henson Alternative, STUFFED AND UNSTRUNG was created by award-winning director, producer, and writer Brian Henson and actor and improvisational guru Patrick Bristow and features the Miskreant puppets and The Jim Henson Company's renowned puppeteers.

STUFFED AND UNSTRUNG is a wild romp in which the skilled art of puppetry and spontaneous comedy collide. Unpredictable and irreverent, it's never the same show twice. Expert puppeteers create twisted scenes and songs on the fly, as suggestions from the audience prompt the improvised storylines unfolding on stage. This production delivers "two shows in one" as the hilarious puppet action is projected live on large screens flanking the stage, while the puppeteers race around below - displaying their skills in full view of the audience. With live musical accompaniment and Bristow as host, STUFFED AND UNSTRUNG boasts a cast of six world-class puppeteers in an uninhibited live puppet performance. 

STUFFED AND UNSTRUNG evolved from Henson's production "Puppet Up! -Uncensored," which made its debut at the 2006 HBO Comedy Festival (Aspen, CO) and later toured to the 2006 Edinburgh Festival (Edinburgh, Scotland), The 2007 Comedy Festival (Las Vegas, NV), and Australia's Sydney Big Laugh Comedy Festival and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (both 2007). The 2010 Off Broadway engagement of STUFFED AND UNSTRUNG marked the debut of this completely revamped production featuring all new technical wizardry with original music and staging. STUFFED AND UNSTRUNG appeared alongside Cee-Lo Green and Gwyneth Paltrow at the 2011 Grammy Awards and was featured on NBC's Celebrity Apprentice in 2012.

*This show is part of the TBS Just For Laughs Chicago festival all over our city this week.   Chi-Town will be funny ha-ha and funny weird all week long.     Click the link above for all the venues, shows, and details and see your fav TV shows come to life with the dynamic of LIVE comedy.

**You still have till midnight tonight to enter to win one of 5 pairs of tixs to see Kevin Smith (AKA:   Silent Bob) in a not so silent show at The Chicago Theatre.   Click here to enter.**

photo credit:   8 Eyes Photography




Mucca Pazza CD Sneak Peek Party at Hideout 21+(sold out)   If you had the foresight to snag a ticket, I'll see you there.   If you were a punk slacker and did not, check out ChiIL Mama/ChiIL Live Shows in the very near future for our photo filled recap.  We also have some amazing original live video footage and stills from March Fourth, Portland's version of Mucca Pazza.   We'll be reviewing Mucca Pazza's upcoming release, Safety Fifth and March Fourth's newest as well!


Here's the secret scoop about tonight from Hideout:

Mucca Pazza

• Links

Mucca
Pazza has been called a lot of things in its day - abnormal,
discordant, uncouth, indecorous, malodorous, %$@# crazy - but one word
that's never popped up in any description of those voluminous marching
freaks is 'sneaky'...

...until now!

MUCCA PAZZA is inviting you to the official

SNEAK PEAK RELEASE PARTY

for their new record SAFETY FIFTH
available NOW for PRE-ORDER through Electric Cowbell Records!

You're invited to a once-or-twice-in-a-lifetime event at the Hideout, in
celebration of our new record, Safety Fifth, which will be performed in
its entirety! You've never been this intimate with a marching band
before! There will be brassy spaz-outs, there will be guitar freak-outs,
there will be obscure drum rudiments, there will be absurd cheers,
there will be an accordion, a sousaphone, fish on the wall, beer, there
might even be music stands!

Venue Information:
The Hideout
1354 W. Wabansia Ave
Chicago, IL, 60642
http://www.hideoutchicago.com


 

Found Footage Festival Brings 2012 Show to Chicago

Curators Will Tape New DVD at Music Box Theatre

The Found Footage Festival, the acclaimed touring showcase of odd and hilarious found videos, will make its triumphant return to Chicago in June with a brand-new show. Hosts Nick Prueher and Joe Pickett, whose credits include The Onion and the Late Show with David Letterman, are excited to show off their 2012 lineup of found video clips and live comedy on Saturday, June 16th  at 8:30 p.m. at the Music Box Theatre (3733 N. Southport Ave.). The special, one-night-only appearance will be taped for the Found Footage Festival’s Volume 6 DVD. Tickets are $12 and are available HERE.

 
The Found Footage Festival is a one-of-a-kind event showcasing videos found at garage sales and thrift stores and in warehouses and dumpsters throughout North America. Curators Pickett and Prueher host each screening in-person and provide their unique observations and commentary on these found video obscurities. From the curiously-produced industrial training video to the forsaken home movie donated to Goodwill, the Found Footage Festival resurrects these forgotten treasures and serves them up in a lively celebration of all things found.

Among the new clips featured in the 2012 program:

-  A video featuring a woman whose enthusiasm for craft sponging borders on psychotic
-  A new collection of exercise tapes, including one called “The Sexy Treadmill Workout”
-  Never-before-seen clips from the Kenny “K-Strass” Strasser yo-yo pranks that the FFF hosts pulled on local news stations last year
-  An “opening act” of found classroom films from the ‘60s and ‘70s, curated especially for the show by renowned collector Skip Elsheimer of A.V. Geeks
-  Highlights from a 1986 video about how to care for your ferret
 
The Found Footage Festival was founded in New York in 2004 and has gone on to sell out hundreds of shows across the U.S. and Canada, including the HBO Comedy Festival at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal. The festival has been featured on National Public Radio, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and G4 TV’s Attack of the Show, and has been named a critic’s pick in dozens of publications, including The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle and The Chicago Tribune. The FFF can also be seen twice a week in a popular web series on The Onion’s A.V. Club, in the hit documentary “Winnebago Man,” and in their new book, “VHS: Absurd, Odd and Ridiculous Relics from the Videotape Era.” 

For more info, check out the festival’s official website HERE.
 

ABOUT THE CURATORS:
Joe Pickett and Nick Prueher began collecting found videotapes in 1991 after stumbling across a training video entitled, “Inside and Outside Custodial Duties,” at a McDonald’s in their home state of Wisconsin. Since then, they have compiled an impressive collection of strange, outrageous and profoundly stupid videos. Pickett, a writer/director, and Prueher, a former researcher at the Late Show with David Letterman, have written for The Onion and Entertainment Weekly and directed the award-winning documentary, “Dirty Country” (www.dirtycountrymovie.com), now available on DVD. They are also the masterminds behind the Kenny “K-Strass” Strasser yo-yo pranks that hit local morning TV news shows across the Midwest and have since racked up millions of hits on YouTube.
 
About the Music Box Theatre:
For nearly 30 years the Music Box Theatre has been the premiere venue in Chicago for independent and foreign films, festivals and some of the greatest cinematic events in Chicago. It currently has the largest theater space operated full time in the city. The Music Box Theatre is independently owned and operated by the Southport Music Box Corporation. SMBC, through its Music Box Films division, also distributes foreign and independent films in the theatrical, DVD and television markets throughout the United States. www.musicboxtheatre.com. 

Download the entire Music Box Theatre Summer Calendar HERE.

12TH ANNUAL SKETCHBOOK: REINCARNATE OPENS THIS WEEKEND

Sketchbook is baaaack.   We've been giving you the heads up about Collaboraction's latest for a while now, but today's the day it all begins again.   So, high tail it over to the Flat Iron Building in Wicker for total theatre immersion....or check out the shows at a more leisurely pace from now through July 15.



COME TO THE FESTIVAL THIS OPENING WEEKEND AND SEE ALL THE SKETCHBOOK: REINCARNATE SHOWS IN ONE DAY!

An all access Festival Pass is only $65 ($45 for students/industry) or come see a specific show for only $20 ($10 for students/industry) with the ability to add-on more shows later. Click Here for tickets/passes.

  
CLICK HERE and check out the new SKETCHBOOK:REINCARNATE website which gives you detailed information on each of the shows featured in this year's festival, as well as a calendar of events, ticket/pass purchasing and media coverage.


12TH ANNUAL SKETCHBOOK: REINCARNATE PROGRAM
 
PERFORMANCES @ COLLABORACTION'S
PENTAGON THEATRE & ROOM 300
 IN THE HISTORIC FLAT IRON ARTS BUILDING
1579 N. MILWAUKEE AVE.
3RD FLOOR
CHICAGO, IL 60622
(312) 266-9633

Here's the latest scoop including line up changes:

COLLABORACTION ANNOUNCES ADDITION OF GROUNDBREAKING DOCUMENTARY THEATRE PIECE TO 12TH ANNUAL SKETCHBOOK FESTIVAL

SKETCHBOOK: REINCARNATE Features A Brand New Format and World Premiere Line-Up of Five Programs Including the Unscripted Social Experiment, THE INTERVIEW

Collaboraction’s annual SKETCHBOOK festival will feature an additional program, THE INTERVIEW, an unscripted theatrical experience that breaks new ground in documentary theater, written by Lawrence Bridges and directed by Ian Forester. Mr. Bridges, a seasoned experimental documentary and feature film director, has crafted a set of instructions for a solo performer, which prompt an unexpectedly personal and spontaneous theatrical experience. As the actor responds with stories and personal accounts to these previously unheard instructions, the play unfolds along a hidden arc, resulting in an unforgettable encounter between audience and performer. Since THE INTERVIEW can be done only once by a performer, no two shows will ever be the same. Part theater and part social experiment, THE INTERVIEW promises to be a funny, poignant, and thought-provoking examination of the human condition.

Appearing in THE INTERVIEW will be John Wilson, company member and storyteller on June 9 and the recording artist known as Himself on June 10 with many more throughout the festival which closes July 15. THE INTERVIEW runs 45 minutes.

THE INTERVIEW will run on the following dates and times:
Thursday June 7, 6:00 pm Saturday June 9, 1:30 pm – John Wilson Sunday June 10, 12:30 pm - Himself Saturday June 16, 1:30 pm Sunday, June 17, 7 pm – Craig Spidle Saturday June 23, 4:30 pm Thursday June 28, 7:30 pm Saturday June 30, 1:30 pm Monday July 2, 7 pm – Lance Baker Saturday July 7, 3:30 pm
Saturday July 14, 1:30 pm Sunday July 15, 12:30 pm

Ian Forester is an actor and award-winning theater director, having won the 2008 LA Weekly Award for Best Comedic Direction for his production of John Clancy's “Fatboy.” Film credits: “In Memoriam,” “Sketch,” “Breathing Room.” Chicago theater: “Cadillac,” Chicago Dramatists (dir. Ed Sobel); “The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow,” Collaboraction; “Men of Steel,” Theater Wit; “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot,” Steep Theater; and “Guinea Pig Solo,” Collaboraction. In Chicago Ian directed for Stage Left and Collaboraction, where he was formerly an Associate Artistic Director. He is a co- founder and Artistic Director of needtheater in Los Angeles, where he developed and directed The Interview with Mr. Bridges for its world premiere. He is a graduate of Northwestern University and The School at Steppenwolf.

Lawrence Bridges is best known for his creative work in the film and literary world. He founded the acclaimed film production and design studio, Red Car, and has directed several hundred commercials and music videos, features, and documentaries. Stanley Kubrick has called his work in film “visual poetry.” More recently, he directed a series of six documentaries on prominent American authors for the NEA’s “Big Read” initiative, which include Ray Bradbury, Amy Tan, Rudolfo Anaya, Ernest J. Gaines, Tobias Wolff, and Cynthia Ozick. Bridges’ poetry has appeared in The New Yorker, Poetry, and most recently, The Tampa Review.

What can you expect from SKETCHBOOK: REINCARNATE? 
You’ll see some of Chicago’s most exciting theatre artists pushing the form in a social, mixed-medium environment. Real food will be used in an exploration of the assumptions we make and the connections we have to death row inmates and their final meals. You’ll help resolve a whodunit turned on its head. You’ll meet Chicago librarians in a battle to preserve the boundaries of reality and an overlarge buffoon who goes by “Honeybuns.” Not to be outdone, Nellie Bly, First Woman Reporter, interviews Mary Fons in a comedy about being gutted alive. And this is only the beginning of Sketchbook 2012!

SKETCHBOOK: REINCARNATE will feature five programs in both of Collaboraction’s spaces in the Flat Iron Arts Building. Collaboraction has officially moved into both Studio 300 and Studio 336 to provide programming throughout the year in these two spaces.

SKETCHBOOK: REINCARNATE will run June 6 – July 15. Tickets are $20 for individual programs and $65 for an all access pass and can be purchased by calling 312-226-9633 or online at www.collaboraction.org.
 
FOR DIRECTIONS AND INFORMATION  check out Collaboraction's main site here
and/or
DOWNLOAD COLLABORACTION'S VISITOR GUIDE

Play Locally-Events Round Up Friday Through Sunday

 Moe-Summer Camp Music Festival


My kids are still in school mode till
the middle of next week, so we're wrapping up final projects, photographing the end of the year picnic, school film fest--90 Second Newbery Fest,  moving up to 4th grade luncheon, and making final teacher thank you cards & gifts.

But weather wise.....it's summertime and the livin' is easy.....unless you live in Chicago and there are too many great happenings to choose from!!    Here are a few of ChiIL Mama's favs for this week:

Festivals:

Chicago Blues Fest

click the above link for CHICAGO BLUES
FESTIVAL LINEUP 2012

 A Celebration of Blues
Past and Present 

The 29^th Annual Chicago Blues Festival , the world’s largest FREE
blues fest, will be held in Grant Park on
June 8-10 (Fri-Sun).
The Fest’s theme will be “A Celebration of Blues Past and
Present” and will feature tributes to blues legends we have lost last
year, including Pinetop Perkins, David “Honeyboy” Edwards, Hubert Sumlin,
Willie “Big Eyes” Smith and Mojo Buford. There will also be a number of
city sponsored blues music events outside of Grant Park before and
during the festival.

Midsommarfest in Andersonville 

This fam friendly, multicultural (check out Swedish traditional maypole dances), music and art filled bash is one of our favorites we've been frequenting for years.   Check it out.

 

Midsommarfest is Andersonville's annual summer street festival, now
entering its 47th year. Each year, nearly 50,000 people throng Clark
Street from Foster to Catalpa for two days of music, dancing, kids'
entertainment, and delicious food. Vendors from around the region sell
their wares to passers-by, while ethnic dance troupes and cutting-edge
bands keep the party going.

We are very excited to announce that this year’s 47^th annual Midsommarfest street festival will kick off on Friday evening, June 8^th with a special performance by 16 Candles!
This opening night celebration will take place on Clark Street between
Balmoral and Catalpa Avenues beginning at 5:00 pm, and will also feature
food from some of your favorite local restaurants and of course cold
beer and sangria.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL MIDSOMMARFEST STAGE SCHEDULE!

Printer's Row Lit Fest

Book geek fun for the whole family.   We love this fest and try to swing by every year.    Loads of author book signings, a fun kids area, music and more....

Concerts:

It's a date....a command....a rockin' Portland band!

March Fourth & Jonas Friddle at Martyr's Friday 6/8

We've been promoting this one, but today's the day.   Click the link above for full show details, March Fourth video and more.   Come early to see Chi-Town favs Jonas Friddle at 9:30.   Can't wait to shoot tonight.   March Fourth goes on around 11pm. 

Act Out-Local Theatre:  



Rock of Ages Opening

This week we had the great pleasure of checkin' out opening night of Broadway in Chicago's Rock of Ages in the intimate Broadway Playhouse space at Watertower Place.   The kids adored it!   Best swag.....lighter shaped flashlights for audience participation on the arena rock ballads without the burnt fingers!   Check out our prior coverage here. We'll have a new review up in the very near future.



Just Opened:   We're also hoping to duck by Lookingglass to review Eastland (playing through 7/29) and Steppenwolf in the very near future.



Here's the closing/opening scoop from League of Chicago Theatres show openings 

*on our go see list

*reviews coming soon at ChiIL Mama/ChiIL Live Shows



show openings: 
Almost an Evening - Circle Theatre

*The Circus Princess - Chicago Folks Operetta

Dancing Queen - Riverfront Theater

Exit, Pursued by a Bear - Theatre Seven of Chicago

*Go Go Power Rangers: A Mighty Morphin Burlesque - Gorilla Tango Theatre

*Gotham City - DCA Theater-We'll be there for opening night tonight and have a full review for you shortly

*Hank Williams: Lost Highway - Filament Theatre Ensemble

Immediate Family - Goodman Theatre

*Next Up: The Glass Menagerie - Steppenwolf Garage Theatre

*Next Up: Life and Limb - Steppenwolf Garage Theatre

*Next Up: South of Settling - Steppenwolf Garage Theatre

*Rock of Ages - Broadway Playhouse

*Sketchbook: Reincarnate - Collaboraction


show closings:
Camelot - Light Opera Works

Elephant's Graveyard - Red Tape Theatre

Hostage Song - Signal Ensemble Theatre


Hostage Song at Signal Ensemble Theatre
Kin - Griffin Theatre

The March - Steppenwolf Theatre

Peter Pan's Shadow: Part 2 Everland - Dream Theatre

Pride and Prejudice - Lifeline Theatre

tick, tick...BOOM! - Porchlight Music Theatre

*Timon of Athens - Chicago Shakespeare Theater-highly recommended!   The acting is phenomenal and cuts to the quick.   Timon of Athens is a searing, soul and body baring look at what is truly important, how money changes things, and how to truly see who your friends are.   The sets are astounding--transforming from sleek and minimalist to a breathtakingly realistic seascape.   This is a must see!    Closing 6/10.


The Whole World Is Watching - Dog and Pony Theatre Company
 

Special ticket offer
Luna Negra Dance Theater at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave., is offering discounted $22 tickets to Luna Nueva on Jun 7-10, 2012. This festival of three new works by Chicago-based Luna Negra Dance Theater (LNDT) is choreographed by Gustavo Ramírez Sansano, LNDT artistic director; Mónica Cervantes Rodriguez, LNDT dancer and choreographer; and guest artist Diana Szeinblum. Offer limited two per customer. Purchase tickets by calling the MCA Box Office, 312.397.4010 and use the promo code LOCT.

Film:  

Bike-In Movie Theater: Talking Heads: Chronology

Classic concert film Talking Heads: Chronology screens tonight at 8:30pm outdoors at the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, as part of its Bike-In Movie Theater programmed by The Logan Square International Film Series. Free. 21+

 *Thanks to Gaper's Block for the film heads up.    How can ya beat Talking Heads, Hideout, Bikes and Movies.....all in the same place?!   Where's that like button?

Chic-A-Go-Go 800th Taping:

Wanna BE the show instead of just SEE the show?   We adore Chic-A-Go-Go. 

Saturday, June 9, 2012

12:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Chicago Access Corporation

322 S Green St # 100, Chicago, IL

(map)

CHIC-A-GO-GO #800 TAPING JUNE 9th Noon-3pm

NEXT STUDIO TAPING SATURDAY JUNE 9 NOON-3PM

WE ARE TAPING OUR 800th EPISODE!!! Can you believe it! We have super
special guests, the return of the Fantasy Dance, and some genuinely
special AWESOME surprises (that will shock and amaze you)!

SCHEDULED GUESTS INCLUDE

50 year Chicago nightclub veteran MR. LEE performing his ultra-rare 45 “Love and Happiness!”

Amazing Chicago outsider/insider genius WILLIS EARL BEAL!

15-year old wunderkind KATE DIAZ!

San Diego electro-kooks HOT NERDS!

And some super surprises!!!

The taping takes place at the Chicago Access Network Studios, located
at 322 S. Green St. (one block west of Halsted, half block north of Van
Buren).

There is free and metered street parking and some low cost lots in
the neighborhood, but we are also very accessible by public
transportation, as the Halsted bus stops near us and the Blue Line’s
UIC-Halsted stop is only a block and half from the studio.

Dress casual or wear a costume, it's up to you! No invitations or
reservations needed, everyone is welcome, bring your friends! Bring
kids! Bring your friends’ kids!

5 Free Pairs of Tixs to See Kevin Smith on 6/14 #Giveaway

My husband, Dug, & *Joey Lauren Adams--Insomniac With Dave Attell Shoot (boom mic just out of frame)

My husband sticks his hands down celebs shirts for a living.  I shoot rock stars and am in and out of tour buses and back stage green rooms all the time.   Luckily neither of us is the jealous type, and sometimes "it's not what it looks like" really does apply.   It's a cool job sometimes....but it's a job nonetheless.   Sometimes there is a mic or power pack on the end of those hands in the waistband or bra, and the blonde getting off the tour bus really is conducting interviews.   

All the musicians I've met have been completely professional and the line between groupie and working press has never come into question.  It's the guy fans who smirk knowingly at me and quip "What do you have to do to get a photo pass, eh?!"   Hmmmm.   Maybe you have to be a working member of the press or a solid photographer/videographer/writer.   Didn't hear them ask any of the male shooters in the pit next to me....

Dug says the same thing about putting mics on TV and film celebs.  They're the pros....they're used to it and they "get it".  It's the regular people who freak a little at the invasion of privacy.  Fortunately I'm not weirded out that my husband's had his hands on everyone from Julia Roberts to Giuliana Rancic.

Amazingly enough, in 3 days, Dug and I will have been married for 12 years, and we've been monogamously together since 1997.  With the vast majority of our friends divorced, that's an accomplishment.  This August 18th, my parents are celebrating their 50th Anniversary together!

So, in honor of love--long lasting, newly dating, BFF, and whatever configuration works for you....we've got FIVE pairs of tickets for a date night out to see film icon, Kevin Smith (Clerks, Chasing Amy, Dogma, Mallrats).  He will treat fans to a special evening and Q&A, a week from today, Thursday, June 14, at 8pm at The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State Street.   His appearance is part of the

TBS Just For Laughs Chicago festival


We adore Kevin Smith's prolific and quirky style, and we aren't afraid to admit to having adult friends who collect Jay and Silent Bob dolls and other memorabilia.   We dig his films and his genre crossing creativity.   This is sure to be an amusing night to remember and we're stoked to be able to give away 10 tickets to you...our readers.


Here's his official bio from the TBS Just for Laughs Site:


There's "prolific," and then there's Kevin Smith, who in addition to a
storied film career and being a NY Times Best Selling Author and reality
TV star, hosts the weekly, wildly popular podcast SModcast alongside buddy Scott Mosier. He has spent nearly 20 years as a writer/director making Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, Zack and Miri Make a Porno, Cop Out, Red State,
and a producing several other films, all receiving acclaim and praise.
Plus, he's released three DVDs of Q&A sessions, and several cable
specials, including the EPIX original Kevin Smith: Too Fat For 40. He's published two books full of essays and blog postings (Silent Bob Speaks and the best-selling My Boring-Ass Life), as well as Shooting the Shit with Kevin Smith - a collection of the best material from SModcast.
One of the first filmmakers to venture into cyberspace, Smith has
legions of fans who follow his podcasting and comic book-writing; and
hey, maybe they even visit his comic book store Jay and Silent Bob's
Secret Stash in Red Bank, New Jersey.  

*Wikipedia excerpt Joey Lauren Adams:

...Adams appeared in Mallrats, written and directed by Kevin Smith.
The two started dating during the film's post-production, and their
relationship provided the inspiration for Smith's next movie.

Meanwhile, in 1996, while Smith was finalizing the script for Chasing Amy, she was cast for a role in the slapstick comedy Bio-Dome, which was directed by Jason Bloom. Adams played the role of Monique, girlfriend to Bud Macintosh (Pauly Shore).

In 1997's Chasing Amy, Smith cast Adams in the lead role of Alyssa Jones, a lesbian who falls in love with a man, played by Ben Affleck. Later, Smith would describe Chasing Amy as a "sort of penance/valentine" and a "thank-you homage" to Adams.^[3] In addition to her acting work on the film, Adams wrote and performed the song "Alive" for the movie's soundtrack.

Adams' performance in Chasing Amy earned her both the 1997 Chicago Film Critics Award and Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award for Most Promising Actress, and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress-Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. From there, Adams was originally slated to play the female lead in Smith's next film, 1999's Dogma, but Linda Fiorentino ultimately got the part.^[4] However, she would later make brief appearances in two other Smith projects: the 2001 film Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, and the 2004 animated short Clerks: The Lost Scene, featured on the Clerks X DVD. In both of these appearances, Adams reprised the role of Alyssa Jones.

**My husband and the Insomniac crew ran into Joey in her home town of little rock, while shooting with Dave Attell.   Dug can also be seen on screen in that Insomniac episode, sticking a mic down the shirt of Connie Hamzy  AKA:   Sweet Connie of Little Rock (who BTW didn't just interview & shoot bands, but was in fact a groupie who claimed to have sex with numerous bands' members).    Attell burst in on my husband and Connie in the back room. while Dug was placing the mic and teasingly did an improv bit about...."What are you doing?    You're just the sound guy.   You know the order.   She does me, then the cameraman, then you."    When it aired later, he promised me it was only a gag.......  

Hamzy is mentioned in Grand Funk Railroad's song "We're an American Band" ("Sweet, sweet Connie, doin' her act/ She had the whole show and that's a natural fact.")Wikipedia

Click here to purchase tickets to see Kevin Smith at Chicago Theatre 6/14 and for further show information.   

Enter below 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).    

Please enter with the full legal name you want to appear on the tickets at the box office if you win.  Enter through midnight 6/12 and we'll announce our 5 winners on 6/13.  We'll contact winners by e-mail, but check here as well (sucks to win and find out after the fact--thank you spam filter).  Your tickets will be held at the Chicago Theatre box office.

Enter like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.   Winning rocks!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cirque du Soleil's Dralion is Coming to Chicago #Original Video Interview

ChiIL Live Shows caught up with Dralion performer, Vladik, a rockin' young juggler and musician (born into the Moscow Circus), who now combines acrobatic tricks and modern dance in his juggling routine.    Check out our original video interview above then check him out live in the Chi-town area starting June 20th!

What's part Dragon...part lion...all astounding and coming to Allstate and United Center?    Cirque du Soleil’s Dralion!

Make 2012--The Chinese Year of the Dragon one to remember for your family! 

Catch Dralion performances in Rosemont at Allstate Arena (June 20-24) and Chicago at United Center (June 27-July 1)

Spotlight On:

Vladik Miagkostupov
Act:        Juggling
Country:              Vinetza, Ukraine
Date of birth:     January 27, 1984
Languages spoken:         Russian, English

Vladik’s love of performing was cultivated at a very young age as he was born into a creative family. Both of his parents were part of the Moscow Circus. At the age of 4, his parent started his training in dancing and acrobatics. His father, who is a juggler, taught Vladik juggling. His professional career started at the age of 9. Since then, he performed in more than 30 countries as well, for renowned companies such as Lido de Paris in Paris, Le Cabaret in Monte Carlo and with Dralion by Cirque du Soleil. He won several awards including the gold medal in Paris at the Cirque de Demain competition.

Cirque du Soleil saw him at the Cirque de Demain’s competition and then invited him to send a video. Vladik joined Cirque du Soleil in 2003 as a performer in Solstrom by Cirque du Soleil. He joined Dralion on tour in 2006. His act is not just an ordinary juggling act but includes a modern mix of juggling, dance and acrobatics. He now returns in Dralion for the North America Arena tour.

Vladik was personable and awesome to interview and we are sooo stoked to see him in action LIVE in a few weeks!  

We also caught up with Drailion's PR expert, Vanessa, for an exclusive video interview, coming soon.    She's got the scoop on the whole show and what wonders await.     

Click here to get your tickets today and do up the Year of The Dragon in style with unforgettable Dralion!

Broadway in Chicago: Rock of Ages Opens In Chi-Town

The orginal Broadway cast of the hit musical ROCK OF AGES, featuring Constantine Maroulis, perform a medley from the show

Break out those 80's arena rock t's and those hair band moves.   Rock of Ages is BACK in Chicago from June 05, 2012 - August 05, 2012 at the Broadway Playhouse.

Check out our past review right here.



ChiIL Live Shows will be there this Wed night and we'll have a full review shortly.  

In the mean time:

here's our triple patron interviews from Rock of Ages' 2010 Chi-Town run.




Chicago-Theater.com says:  

Hair band devotees rejoice: The anthems of the '80s are back. The new
musical features the hits of Journey, Bon Jovi, Styx, REO Speedwagon,
Pat Benatar and many more.

In 1987 on the Sunset Strip, a small-town girl met a big-city rocker,
and in L.A.'s most famous rock club, they fell in love to the greatest
songs of the 80s. This arena-rock love story is told through the
mind-blowing hits of Journey, Bon Jovi, Poison and many more.

Dates 

Opening night: 5 June 2012

Booking through until: 5 August 2012

Audience

Rock Of Ages may be inappropriate for children aged 7 and under, according to Chicago-Theater.com.



(*ChiIL Mama's note:  Broadway
in Chicago posted a PG13ish warning that some of the dances and
costumes may be inappropriate for children.   There are "stripper"
characters, but nothing more risque than a bra and fishnets.   I did see
a few younger children in full 80's rock star dress, and they were
having a blast.   Still, parents who are uncomfortable with simulated
lap dances and semi-mature sexual themes might want to make this a
parents night out.)



Last time we made it an adult night out, but this time around Du-Jay (11) and Sagezilla (9) will be rockin' out with ChiIL Mama. 

Run time

 2 hours and 20 minutes with one 10 minute intermission.

Rock of Ages
Theatre : Broadway Playhouse, Chicago Illinois



The worldwide party musical ROCK OF AGES features a mix of 28 rockin' 80's tunes including DON'T STOP BELIEVIN', WE BUILT THIS CITY, THE FINAL COUNTDOWN, WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE, HERE I GO AGAIN, CAN'T FIGHT THIS FEELING and I WANT TO KNOW WHAT LOVE IS. 


In 1987 on the Sunset Strip, a small town girl met a big city rocker and in LA's most famous rock club, they fell in love to the greatest songs of the 80's. It's five time 2009 Tony® nominee ROCK OF AGES, an arena-rock love story told through the mind blowing, face-melting hits of JOURNEY, NIGHT RANGER, STYX, REO SPEEDWAGON, PAT BENATAR, TWISTED SISTER, POISON, ASIA, WHITESNAKE and many more. Don't miss this awesomely good time about dreaming big, playing loud and partying on!


"Impossible to resist!"
- Charles Isherwood, New York Times

"Rock and comedy in perfect proportion!"
- David Cote, Time Out

Rock of Ages the movie hits theatres June 15th.   Here's the movie main site.   Check out the Broadway show then go see the Hollywood take.