$1,159 worth of prizes are here, but you've gotta be in to win!
Yeah yeah...I know this isn't a live show, and much (but not all) of this massive Holidaze giveaway skews toward those with punk kin, banger babies and rock tots. Still, we wanted to give you the heads up in case there are littles lurking on YOUR gift list.
LAST CALL! Enter any or all of our 12 Days of Giveaways. There's no limit. Good luck and happy holidays to you. No matter what you celebrate...we celebrate YOU, our readers. All our 12 days of prizes are up and the clock is ticking down to midnight on 12/15/12, when all entries close. So spread the word and enter like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often. Click here for all the direct links to each day in one handy place! Open to anyone 18+ anywhere in the USA.
Disclaimer: Thanks to all the musicians, authors, companies and others who generously donated goodies for our giveaway. All opinions expressed are our own.
#7 Multilingual Chicago 12 weeks of kids' language classes & an adult language boot camp ($420)
#8 Lalaloopsy 3DS Carnival of Friends game by AcTiVision & a Mini Peppy Pom Poms Collectible Character Sew Sleepy #6 of Series 8 ($42)
#9 3 of our favorite video games for PC or Mac/Wii/DS
*Plants Vs. Zombies, Guitar Hero, Moshling Zoo ($86 value)
#10 A BIG BOOK BONANZA!! 2 Traegonia fantasy chapter books (middle grade) & Chicken in the Car and The Car Won't Go ($47)
#11 THURSDAY 12/13/12 WIN FIVE Great New Releases from American Girl. ($55)
#12 KINDIE LAND: 12 CDs, 2 kids' books & BRAIN RULES ($190)12 rockin' kids' CDs, a best selling hardback on parenting/with bonus CD and two sweet music related kids' books--one with CD.
ChiIL Mama will be rockin' out with The Rockettes tonight at Akoo Theatre in Rosemont! I've never seen a legendary Radio City Christmas Spectacular and another Mama friend and I are dressing up and taking our sons. We're all looking forward to the spectacle! Click the link above for loads of sneak peek videos, tickets, show dates and more. We've been promoting this one since the first pre sales back in the summer.
Here are some facts and interesting tidbits from their site:
WHAT IS THE RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR?
This extraordinary Christmas show, which debuted in 1933, stars the Radio City Rockettes, a cast and crew of hundreds and magnificent special effects. The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is an unparalleled Christmas show with universal appeal that lifts the spirit and creates memories including such highlights as “Parade of the Wooden Soldier” and “Christmas in New York.”
WHO ARE THE RADIO CITY ROCKETTES?
The Radio City Rockettes are the world’s most famous precision dance company. Widely known as one of New York City’s most illustrious and beloved icons, they are legendary for their precision dance and eye-high kicks.
The Rockettes are the stars of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular – a show that is seen by more than 2 million people annually and has played in more than 60 cities across North America. From appearances on “Dancing with the Stars,” the Tony Awards, and Super Bowl Halftime Shows to Presidential Inaugurations and co-starring roles in commercials for celebrated product launches such as Diet Coke, the Radio City Rockettes are above anything else – stars.
WHAT CITIES WILL THIS YEAR'S RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR NATIONAL TOUR BE VISITING?
In addition to playing in New York at the famed Radio City Music Hall, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular National Tour will visit four cities in 2012: Nashville, TN, St. Louis, MO, Dallas, TX, and Chicago, IL.
WHAT AGE GROUP IS APPROPRIATE FOR THE RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR?
The show is designed to dazzle audiences of all ages ranging from the youngest of children to the most loyal seasoned patrons. Countless guests return year after year often handing down the holiday tradition to younger generations.
DO I NEED A TICKET FOR MY YOUNG CHILD?
All children who have reached their second birthday require a ticket to gain admittance to Radio City Music Hall. Any child who has yet to reach their second birthday does not require a ticket; however, they may not occupy their own separate seat and must sit on a parent or guardian's lap.
HOW LONG IS THE RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR? IS THERE AN INTERMISSION?
The running time for each show is 2 hours long with a 15 minute intermission. Performances will begin promptly at their scheduled start time. Should you arrive after the start time of your performance, you will be asked to wait until an appropriate interval in the show to be seated so as not to disrupt other seated guests or the performers.
IS THERE A DRESS CODE?
Unless otherwise noted, each theatre where the Christmas Spectacular performs do not have a formal dress code. However, we do ask that you use your best personal judgment when dressing for an event, and encourage you to bring out your festive holiday gear to get you in the spirit!
WHAT'S THE POLICY ON LATE ARRIVALS?
Performances will begin promptly at their scheduled start time. Should you arrive after the start time of your performance, you will be asked to wait until an appropriate interval in the show to be seated so as not to disrupt other seated guests or the performers.
HOW MANY RADIO CITY ROCKETTES PERFORM IN EACH SHOW?
There are 18 spectacular Rockettes and 36 legs moving in perfect harmony.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO BE A RADIO CITY ROCKETTE?
Rockettes must be between 5’6” and 5’ 10 ½” tall. They are proficient in Jazz, Ballet, Modern and Tap. In order to audition, women must be a minimum of 18 years old, and there is no age limit. Rockettes must audition each year for a spot on the line. For further information about the Rockettes, visit www.rockettes.com
HOW MANY DAZZLING, COLORFUL COSTUMES WILL BE WORN ON STAGE DURING EACH SHOW?
There are 144 costumes for the cast of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. The Rockettes will change eight times during each show, and some of the costume changes are done in as little as 78 seconds!
If you haven't already, order your tickets today, for the best seats. Then check back with us like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often. We'll have non stop holiday show reviews, news, and photo filled features leading up to the big day.
Tickets are extremely low, so check ahead if you slacked off and didn't get yours yet. ChiIL Live Shows will be there shooting stills and we'll be bringing you a video interview with lead singer, Chrigel along with our show shots.
We dig a good metal mash up....metal with strings and traditional folk instruments or a sax playing frontman like Chicago's own Yakuza. So we can not wait to hear Eluveitie LIVE.
While Eluveitie always belonged to the fastly growing European folk metal scene, they always brought some fresh wind into it: Eluveities sound is authentic, traditional Celtic folk music combined in a unique way with modern styled melodic death metal. With their new Album “Everything Remains (as it never was)” they have managed to deepen every aspect of their already inimitable style and maybe more than ever can only be described by their own description “The New Wave Of Folk Metal”.
Originally formed by mastermind Chrigel Glanzmann in Winter 2002/2003 as a mere studio project, the first MCD “Vên” was recorded in spring 2003 – already unique in it’s way of having folkmusic on an equal footing with the metal sound. . The self-financed MCD was ardently received by scene and press and sold out within a few months. In 2004 Eluveitie signed to the Dutch label Fear Dark Records, which released a re-mastered (and partly re-recorded) version of “Vên”, and continued as a “real” band, playing gigs together with bands such as Finntroll, Amon Amarth, Korpiklaani, Ensiferum and many others while touring Europe and playing many festivals & openairs.
Although some line-up changes still had to happen, Eluveitie grew into being a band and developed their very own style. In late 2005 Eluveitie was finally ready to enter the studio again and record their first full-lenght album “Spirit”, which was again released through Fear Dark Records. Furthermore a videoclip for the Song “Of Fire, Wind & Wisdom” was produced in Summer 2006, directed by Martin Schäppi, Merlin Sutter & Chrigel Glanzmann / Eluveitie. With “Spirit” Eluveitie went a big step forward, presenting a completely new style of Folk Metal to the scene – starting a new wave of Folk Metal! While the album was turning out to be a huge success, the band toured their asses off again.
Yet whilst touring and playing many festivals like the Graspop Metal Meeting (Belgium) or Summerbreeze Open Air (Germany), Eluveitie already began to work on new material for the succesive album. Finally in Fall 2007 the new album “Slania” was recorded in different studios in Sweden, Switzerland & Liechtenstein, produced, mixed & mastered by Jens Bogren (Amon Amarth, Opeth & more) at the Fascination Street Studios in Orebrö/SE (www.fascinationstreet.se). Having recorded nothing less than the perfection of their very own style, Eluveitie now was in the lucky Situation to receive many offers from almost every known label in metal music & ended up signing with the well-known German record company Nuclear Blast Records, where a new home was found under perfect conditions….
After some talks & the production of a new videoclip (again produced & directed by Merlin Sutter & Martin Schäppi) a release date was set for february 2008. “Slania” turned out to become a breakthrough (chart entries in Switzerland: #35 and Germany: #72) and the band was getting busy taking over the world in 2008 – with appearances at most of the bigger european summer festivals as well as two USA/Canada tours and three European tours within only 12 (!) months.
But never being lazy, Eluveitie worked out new material while touring and was ready to enter the studio again in December 2008! Their follow-up album to “Slania” should become something special – for it is the bands first purely acoustic album (and part I of a two-pieced acoustic concept). “Evocation I – the arcane dominion” was released in April 2009 and turned out to become a real gem of folkmusic and again became a huge success (#20 in the swiss album charts). More tours all over Europe & North America followed as well as their first show in Russia.
Now, after three full length albums and over 250 shows in over 30 countries, Eluvetie is ready to conquer the rest of the world & unleash their latest Masterpiece: When the first ten years of the new millenium have passed, Chrigel and his gang will present the perfect ELUVEITIE album. It has everything their fans and not-yet-fans are asking for: fascinating ancient melodies and stories, bonebreaking, heavy but still danceable death metal and huge choruses that will appeal to all kind of metalheads. „
"Everything Remains“ simply continues where "Slania“ left off taking the bands fresh and unique sound to the next higher level. And this album of course demanded the best treatment there is, so the band hired an army of legends to put the finishing touches to this masterpiece of folk metal: Tommy Vetterli (Kreator, Coroner, a.o.) to engineer and co-produce the album, Colin Richardson (Slipknot, Machine Head, Behemoth, Trivium, a.o.) to mix it and John Davis (U2, Led Zeppelin, Kaiser Chiefs, Arctic Monkeys, a.o.) for mastering duties. …and the new wave of folk metal goes on…
The last time Eluveitie came through Chi-Town and played Bottom Lounge, we shot their openers, Revocation (another of our favs), but had another show to shoot and had to split out and miss Eluveitie. I made sure that wouldn't happen again!
ChiIL Live Shows--Revocation opening for Eluveitie at Bottom Lounge February 2012.
It's finally opening week in Chi-Town for the most hotly anticipated Broadway Show of the year. The Book of Mormon is here! Tickets are sold out through March 3rd, but there are still tickets available after that. Give the holiday gift of anticipation, laughter, and great memories.
And you thought South Park was funny....
The Book of Mormon, written by the creators of South Park, is Broadway's smash hit. Check out The Book of Mormon in a city near you as the national tour is going on now. Click here for full tour dates, tickets, and show info.
Nine 2011 Tony Awards® say it's the Best Musical of the Year.
Vogue says, "It's the best musical of the last 25 years."
AndThe New York Times says, "It's the best musical of this century."
It's THE BOOK OF MORMON, the Broadway phenomenon fromSouth Parkcreators Trey Parker and Matt Stone andAvenue Qco-creator Robert Lopez.The Daily Show's Jon Stewart calls it "A crowning achievement. So good, it makes me angry." Contains explicit language. Note: Tickets may not be resold in any way. Tickets may not be transferred or distributed to any person or entity for sale. For further information, please see theBroadway In Chicago Ticketing Policy. Ticket prices are $45 to $115.Have you got yours yet?!
The Book of Mormon
Theatre : Bank of America Theatre, Chicago Illinois Dates : Begins December 11, 2012 Running time: Two hours, 30 minutes with one intermission
ChiILpicks Theatre tickets are a great clutter busting idea for the holidays and multigenerational fun! Did you catch the War Horse movie? Now all the excitement and action is LIVE on stage in a Broadway in Chicago extravaganza, opening December 18th at the gorgeous, ornate Cadillac Palace! The production is just in town through January 5th so book your tickets now. The time frame is perfect for gifting and for making memories with visiting relatives. War Horse
Theatre : Cadillac Palace Theatre, Chicago Illinois Dates : December 18, 2012 - January 05, 2013 Running time: Two hours, 45 minutes with one intermission
A remarkable tale of courage, loyalty and friendship.
England, 1914. As World War One begins, Joey, young Albert's beloved horse, is sold to the cavalry and shipped from England to France. He's soon caught up in enemy fire, and fate takes him on an extraordinary journey, serving on both sides before finding himself alone in no man's land. But Albert cannot forget Joey and, still not old enough to enlist, he embarks on a treacherous mission to find him and bring him home. This powerfully moving and imaginative drama, filled with stirring music and songs, is a show of phenomenal inventiveness that is currently playing to packed houses in London, New York and Toronto. At its heart are astonishing life-sized puppets created by South Africa's Handspring Puppet Company, that bring to life breathing, galloping, charging horses strong enough for men to ride. warhorseonstage.com Ticket prices are $30 to $105. Groups of 15+ now on sale: 312-977-1710
We can not wait for opening night tonight! What says the holidays like the story of The Grinch?! I've adored the books and the animated TV special since my own childhood, and my children have grown up loving the story as well. Now tonight we'll get to see The Grinch Broadway style in a full blown, live, musical extravaganza! We'll have a full review for you soon. Get your tickets today, for this limited run.
ChiIL Mama and the kids got in on the opening night action at Potted Potter and we all loved it! I honestly can't remember the last time an audience full of adults and kids all laughed so hard. This low tech, old school show is brilliant sketch comedy, and supreme silliness coupled with over the top talent. Dan and Jeff are two funny guys. This show has been extended by popular demand so you have until January 6th to see these brilliantly beguiling Brits before they leave Chi-town.
HARRY POTTER FANS REJOICE - EXTENDED BY POPULAR DEMAND! KIDS COME FREE!Click HERE and use code FAMILY when ordering for performances through December 23* or GET THE BEST SEATS FOR ADDED PERFORMANCESLimited Time Presale Offer for Dec 26-Jan 6 Performances Click HERE and use code HARRIS when ordering**
A
Critic's Pick by the New York Times, New York Magazine and Time Out
London, Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience — A Parody by
Dan and Jeff, won the prestigious 2012 Olivier Award nomination for Best
Entertainment & Family Show; playing to sold-out houses worldwide.
Written and performed by former BBC Television hosts Daniel Clarkson and
Jefferson Turner, the play takes on the ultimate challenge of condensing, or "potting", all seven Harry Potter books into 70 madcap
minutes, aided only by multiple costume changes, brilliant songs,
ridiculous props and a generous helping of Hogwarts magic. The show also
invites audiences to engage with a real life game of Quidditch, but
according to Clarkson and Turner's unique set of rules.
Whether
you camped outside a bookstore for three days awaiting the release of
the Deathly Hallows or you don't know the difference between a horcrux
and a Hufflepuff, the comedy, magic and mayhem of POTTED POTTER makes
for an entertaining and hilarious visit to the theatre. The fast-paced
show, which has made audiences aged six to Dumbledore (who is very old
indeed) roar with laughter all over the world, is perfect for the entire
family.
"A fabulously funny parody...will tickle the funny bone of every age group." - The Daily Telegraph
Tony®Award nominee Cathy Rigby takes flight in an all new production of PETER PAN! Discover the magic all over again of this two time Emmy awardwinning and two time Tony® Award nominated production. The New York Times says "Rigby still carries off the flights, fights and acrobatics that make Peter Pan audiences mesmerized." PETER PAN is filled with timeless magical moments and a captivating hook. The legend you thought you know, is now the adventure you never dreamed possible...Cathy Rigby is PETER PAN!
