Boss Clown Elections, Ringling Brothers Circus Ticket Winner, & Trick or Treat for Circus Tickets #ChiRingling #giveaway

Congrats to Kathy who won ChiIL Mama's family 4 pack of tickets to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Dragons.   We've sent our winner an e-mail confirmation, in case there were multiple Kathy entrants and there's any doubt.


Click here for our past coverage including full details on the show.



Of course, all our readers are winners.   If you didn't win ChiIL Mama's ticket give away this week, we still have a great nationwide Halloween give away and loads more Chicago area tickets.   We also have a Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey Presents Dragons Discount Code for everyone.

Check back with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.   We'll have more news about The Chicagoland Halloween Ringling Treat soon.

·         5 Chicagoland houses will be distributing 100 Free Kids tickets as Halloween treats again!

Speaking of voting....here's the other big news.   Chi-Town gets to be the final city in the Boss Clown National Election.   And WE get to announce the winners.   Vote on line and watch live on Wednesday. 

WHO:

Parents and Kids across the nation looking to engage with the presidential election process in a fun, kid friendly manner.

WHERE:

It’s all online - www.ringlingbros.com/bossclown

WHEN:

Log online now to meet the Candidates and see previous debates

Log online Wednesday, October 24th at 10:30 a.m. to see the final debate and election LIVE FROM CHICAGO

Who’s The Boss…Boss Clown that is??? For the first time in Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus history, that question will be answered by elementary students across the nation. In an effort to educate students on the electoral process and specifically presidential debates, Ringling Bros. is holding the largest Boss Clown election ever with debates at host elementary schools in Denver, Boston, Pittsburgh and Chicago.

Boss Clowns are lead clowns on The Greatest Show On Earth and the center of the circus! Each Boss Clown debate precedes or follows the actual presidential debates. While the debates focus solely on everything clown and circus, they are structured like an authentic presidential debate, providing our students a real debate experience with a comedic twist that only Ringling Bros. can provide!

Denver, Boston and Pittsburgh debates have already taken place and votes are being tallied from each city and around the country! The final debate and victory announcement for the Ringling Bros. 2012 National Boss Clown Election takes place on Wednesday, October 24th at 10:30 a.m. at Chicago’s Walt Disney Magnet School! Chicago students have the privilege of not only being the final voters but also of being the only students nationwide to vote electronically as well as at actual polling booths – providing them an authentic electoral experience!

All debates can be watched LIVE at www.ringlingbros.com/bossclown as well as any time after the debates!

Watch and be a part of The Greatest Show On Earth!

WHAT ABOUT LIVE EXPERIENCES:

After all that fun and clowning, your family may want to experience Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey in person.  Great news is you can experience the greatest show on earth in full effect all November!  Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Dragons will be in the Chicagoland area the whole month. You can SAVE 40% on all weekday shows and Save 20% on all weekend shows using the promo code MOM.

(*Weekday is defined as any show Monday through Thursday or Friday matinee, not including holidays such as the day after Thanksgiving.  Discount does not apply to Circus Celebrity, Front Row, or VIP seats.  No double discounts.  Service charges, handling, and facility fees may apply.)

Who's Bigger? Update from The Shams Band

Who's bigger, Mr. Biggins or Mr. Biggins baby?   Congrats to Donnie--frontman for Chi-Town's own Shams Band and his wife, Anna, on the birth of their daughter.   The Shams Band have been folk favs of ours for years.    

I still remember when our first kid was born and my husband and I looked at each other one of those early days and said, "Woa, we're somebody's PARENTS."   


Once you guys get over the sleep deprivation.....you can check out ChiIL Mama for all our happenin' family friendly entertainment, events, original interviews, show shots, live footage, reviews and loads of great give aways.   We know parents and kids rock and just 'cause you create a life, that doesn't mean you can't still have a life.   

So, all of you with rock tots, punk kin, little folk, and banger babies.....check in with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.   You'll be glad you did.

Best news about the new birth...The Shams Band will be playing a bunch more Chicago gigs in the near future.


Here's the latest right from the band:

Good afternoon Friends & Family, 

With the recent arrival of Donnie's daughter (Maeve LeGault Biggins was born 8/24/2012. Anna & Baby are healthy and doing great!), we don't have the luxury of touring. So instead, we're touring Chicago and playing at some of the city's best venues. We'd love to see you at a show, a few shows, or all of them!

Upcoming Shows:

Friday, October 19th at Hard Rock Cafe

63 West Ontario, Chicago, Illinois 60610

All Ages | $10 | 11PM

Saturday, October 20th at Fitzgerald's 

6615 W. Roosevelt Rd, Berwyn, Illinois

21+ | $10 | 9pm w/ RICO 

Tickets: http://www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com/

Sunday, October 21st at The Empty Bottle

1035 N. Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Music, Friendly, Food Trucks! - Block Party 

$5 Donation | 2PM | All Ages
Tickets: http://www.emptybottle.com/show/3141544/

Friday, November 2nd at Beat Kitchen

2100 W. Belmont, Chicago, IL 

17+ | $7 | 9PM | w/ The Ben Miller Band

Tickets: Here

Vinyl Update:

We have heard the final vinyl and the order has been placed. We have 100 screen printed vinyl jackets that are made special for all of you. If you haven't reserved your copy yet, we recommend doing so. These are already selling fast from the preorder. Thank you to everyone so far for ordering them and being patient.

T-Shirts:

Our first run of shirts are almost sold out, and we will have these at the shows. We will be putting in another order next week. They are extra comfy and made of the softest cotton. If you've bought one, take a picture and post it to our Facebook page. You'll win a free ticket to an upcoming show! Buy A Shirt:  Here

That's it for now. We hope to see you over the weekend. More exciting things are coming our way this winter and 2013!

Thank you for always supporting our dream. 

Love, 

Donnie, Paul, Brian, Doug & Ben

Buy "COLD CITY" Here

Follow Us On Facebook

Tweet At Us - @theshamsband

Kinky Boots Opens TONIGHT-Producers Daryl Roth and Hal Luftig Press Conference Video

Check out ChiIL Live Shows HD footage from the press conference.   Here are producers Daryl Roth and Hal Luftig with background on the movie the show was based on and exciting tidbits about the musical adaptation.


Kinky Boots is in pre-Broadway production in Chicago!   They've been in previews since October 2nd, and opening night is TONIGHT 10/17.    ChiIL Live Shows will be there and we'll have a full review up shortly.  We adored the movie and can't wait to check it out the live, stage adaptation!





Check out our prior original video footage of Cyndi Lauper, Composer & Lyricist and Harvey Fierstein, Playwright right here!    


We also have lots of fun stills from the press conference right here, including everyone's fine footwear from kinky boots to leopard heels.

      Billy Porter/ Stark Sands 

                        Jerry/Harvey/Cyndi 

Billy/Stark/AnnaLeigh

3 Production Photos    Credit:  Gavin Bond

Winners Announced-Fam Friendly Chi-Town Tickets #Giveaway

Big congrats to Melissa K.   You've won ChiIL Mama's 4 ticket give away for Harold and the Purple Crayon at Chicago Children's Theatre at 6:30 this Friday, 10/19.   Your name will be on 4 tickets at the box office.   Tickets include a craft making post show pajama party with Wishcraft.   Wear your PJs if you wish.  Full show location and details are here.    Congrats again!


a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Shows are selling out for this limited run.   Click here for ChiIL Mama's past Harold coverage then order your tickets today.

Big congrats to Nicole F.  You've won ChiIL Mama's first 4 ticket give away for ChiTAG--Chicago Toy and Game Fair.  Enjoy!

Click here for ChiIL Mama's past ChiTAG coverage then enter below for your chance to win.   We have a total of SIX family 4 packs to give away weekly, leading up to ChiTAG's big 10th anniversary.   Prior entries do carry over, but you can Tweet and share for additional entries throughout the duration.   Good luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Remember to Check back with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.  

**Click here for the rest of our family friendly 4 pack ticket give aways going on right now including:  Chicago Toy & Game Fair, weekly tickets to all Beat Kitchen's Concerts for Kids, Six Stories Tall at Adventure Stage Theatre and Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus--Dragons.**

Keep Your Mitts Off These Binders Full Of Women

CLUTCH Announce Earth Rocker as New Album Title

Here at ChiIL Live Shows, we've been fans of Clutch's uniquely poetic, genre defying metal for decades, so we're stoked to announce they've got new material coming.   We had a chance to interview frontman, Neil Fallon, recently in Indianapolis and we'll have that exclusive video interview published here shortly.   Clutch is skipping Chicago this fall, but they'll be playing Joliet November 2nd with Monstro and Lionize.   Be there! Check back with ChiIL Live Shows like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often for loads of original content, pit photos, video interviews, free downloads, give aways and more. Earth Rocker World Tour to Kick off in January 2013   Maryland rockers CLUTCH have announced Earth Rocker as the title of their new studio album.  Earth Rocker is scheduled for a worldwide release in March of 2013 on CLUTCH's label Weathermaker Music. In conjunction with the album's release CLUTCH will embark on the Earth Rocker world tour beginning in The United Kingdom in January of 2013.  In addition to the tour dates, the band will be available for press opportunities on select dates. A complete list of dates can be found below.  A full United States and Canadian headline tour will follow and is slated to run from March 8th through April 20th. The band has completed tracking Earth Rocker with Machine handling all production duties.  Machine is currently in the mixing process on the album.  Fans can keep up on the progress of Earth Rocker by visiting the new website www.earthrocker.com. The website will be a hub dedicated to all things Earth Rocker.  Fans can expect to see daily updates including photos, videos from the studio, song title announcements and samples of new songs.  In addition to the new website CLUTCH has joined the world of twitter.  Follow CLUTCH on Twitter @ClutchOfficial. Frontman Neil Fallon commented on the the recording process for Earth Rocker and how it differs from other CLUTCH albums: "Last minute overdubs are fun.  Harmonicas, tambourines (yes, we use those), claps, the odd backing vocal.  Recording can be monotonous, so those unintended moments can be a lot of fun. It's kind of like kindergarten music class, but with beer.   And sometimes the spontaneity of a last ditch idea breathes a lot of life back into a song that we've been beating up for weeks on end. A looming deadline can be a great muse!" He continues, "It has a lot in common with Blast Tyrant in that Machine's production techniques are really unique.  It differs from Blast Tyrant and a lot of other CLUTCH records in that, overall, the songs are faster and concise." When asked about how this record how it differs from other CLUTCH releases guitarist Tim Sult added, "As far as the composition of the songs go, this is the heaviest and fastest CLUTCH album to date. " CLUTCH will also take to the road starting on Halloween for a quick run of dates including two stops in Flint, MI and two stops in Detroit, MI.  MonstrO will open these shows with Lionize providing direct support. In what has become an annual tradition, CLUTCH will play a string of Holiday tour dates this December.  The dates kick off December 26th in Washington, DC and conclude with a special New Year's Eve performance in Worcester, MA at The Palladium.  Support on these shows will come from Mondo Generator, Saviours and Wino.  A complete list of all dates is below. With Lionize and Monstro 10/31: Flint, MI @ The Machine Shop - Tickets  11/1: Flint, MI @ The Machine Shop (Sold Out - Rescheduled from 5/13) 11/2: Joliet, IL @ Mojoes - Tickets  11/3: Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews Hall (Sold Out - Rescheduled from 5/12) 11/4: Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews Hall - Tickets Holiday Tour With Mondo Generator, Saviors and Wino 12/26: Washington DC @ 9:30 Club - Tickets  12/27: Asheville NC @ The Orange Peel - Tickets  12/28: Lexington KY @ Buster's Billiards & Backroom - Tickets  12/29: Columbus OH @ Newport Music Hall - Tickets  12/30: Sayreville NJ @ Starland Ballroom - Tickets  12/31: Worcester MA @ The Palladium - Tickets  Clutch Earth Rocker World Tour 1/21: Press Day in London, UK 1/22: London, UK @ Islington Academy - Tickets   1/23: Amsterdam, NL @ Melkweg - Tickets  1/24: Press Day in Paris, FR 1/25: Paris, FR @ La Maroquinerie - Tickets 1/26: Stuttgart, GER @ Universum - Tickets 1/27: Munchen, GER @ Backstage Club - Tickets 1/28: Press Day in Berlin, GER 1/29: Berlin, GER @ Lido - Tickets 1/30: Press Day in Cologne, GER - Tickets 1/31: Cologne, GER @ Luxor - Tickets 2/1: Brussels, BE @ VK - Tickets  2/2: Hamburg, GER @ Logo - Tickets 2/3: Copenhagen, DK @ Amager Bio - Tickets 2/4: Press Day in Oslo, NO 2/5: Oslo, NO @ Parkteateret - Tickets 2/6: Press Day in Stockholm, SWE 2/7: Stockholm, SWE @ Tyrol - Tickets Follow CLUTCH on Twitter @ClutchOfficial  Like CLUTCH on Facebook  For More Info Visit: http://www.pro-rock.com  http://www.earthrocker.com  http://weathermakermusic.com/

Help Locally: Just a Few Tickets Left to Circus Soiree!

Thursday is the biggest CircEsteem event of the year!  Buy your tickets now!   Check out the items from our silent auction.  Over 60 amazing packages to bid on.   It's CircEsteem like you've never seen us before at this fall's Circus Soirée! Join CircEsteem on Thursday, October 18th from 7pm-10pm at Architectural Artifacts for an evening of inspiring performances, delectable food and libation, a spectacular silent auction- Whimsy, surprise and amazement around every corner! VIP ticket holders can enjoy a private pre-party reception from 6pm-7pm in the Architectural Artifacts garden with special food, an open bar and exciting live performance as well as reserved VIP seating at the main event!   Learn more about the needs behind our fundraising- $50,000 a year-   CircEsteem offers free tutoring and circus instruction 3 days a week, 32 weeks of the year, through our 'HomeWork & CircusWork' program.This program is 100% free to participants and serves over 30 youth each week. 20,000 miles a year to transport-  CircEsteem transports 30 youth a week, picking them up at school and taking them home afterwards.  Money raised at Circus Soirée will help us buy a new van allowing more youth to participate. Will YOU support CircEsteem and help us reach our goals?     40,000 participants   CircEsteem reaches over 40,000 people each year offering over 150 workshops and performances.  We crisscross the city and suburbs providing circus programs at 15 offsite locations 5 days a week.  100% High School graduation rates- CircEsteem has a 100% graduation rate from high school, with all of the students going on to pursue higher learning.  To date CE graduates have amassed over $600,000 in outside scholarships thanks to our partnership with Chicago Scholars.   $10,000 in matching funds- CE has employed over 60 youth since the creation of the CircusTeens Job Program. To date CircusTeens have been paid over $40,000 with almost $15,000 of it being saved for college. In addition CE has provided matching funds to encourage college savings totaling nearly $10,000.   There's still time to buy your tickets to Circus Soirée! Nothing would please us more than having you join our fundraising efforts on Thursday, October 18th at Architectural Artifacts for our Circus Soirée! Your contributions help make our free programming, youth employment efforts and community outreach a continued reality! For more info, to purchase tickets or make a financial contribution  please visit Brown Paper Tickets.   Kindly, Maribeth Joy Executive Director