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Thursday, October 17, 2013

Shrek The Musical Deluxe Edition Blu-ray™ and DVD out now!

Disclosure:  Thanks to Dreamworks and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment for providing us with a review copy.  All opinions are our own.

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING:

Here at ChiIL Mama, we adore Shrek.   The great green ogre and his wife are the stars of a series of fairy tales that finally don't feature a skinny, blond, narcoleptic princess awaiting rescue.   Princess Fiona kicks booty, and is a fabulous role model.    

If you've never checked out the original book by William Steig, we highly recommend it.  The book is even quirkier and cooler than the animated movies (which we also love), and we completely dig the Broadway musical adaptation!   

Now the equation goes one step further with a Blu-Ray/DVD movie... of the play... of the book...


This one's a keeper!   Now out on DVD, Blu-ray and Digital HD from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.  

Steig is an excellent children's author and illustrator and this is the perfect candidate for playing the "same/different game".  We love to check out the original books when we go see book based movies and theatre and then compare and contrast the different versions of the tale with the "same/different game".

Last night Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, special guests and Broadway stars from Shrek The Musical walked the green carpet in NYC at The Hudson Bond for the Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Copy launch event.  



In attendance were Kelly Rutherford (Gossip Girl) and the stars of Shrek The Musical, including Sutton Foster (Fiona), Christopher Sieber (Lord Farquaad), John Tartaglia (Pinocchio), Daniel Breaker (Donkey), Marissa O'Donnell (Teen Fiona), Leah Greenhaus (Young Fiona, Flower Girl) and many others!

Featuring a fantastic score of 17 all-new songs, Shrek The Musical was filmed on stage to capture the magic of a Broadway performance and stars an amazing celebrated cast. The film was shot live on Broadway with 10 cameras and directed by Michael Warren. Now you can bring the magic of Broadway to your home and get the best seat in the house with Deluxe Edition Blu-ray™ and DVD out now!

Here at ChiIL Mama, we had a chance to give away 4 packs of tickets for our readers and review Shrek the Musical by the Broadway Touring Company and then again by Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, earlier this year.  Shrek the Musical is a pure joy to experience and fun for all ages.  Now you can take it home with you to enjoy over and over at your convenience!







6 Steps To Bring The Magic Of Broadway To Your Own Living Room 

Experience The Magic Of Shrek The Musical On Blu-ray and DVD, Available Now! 
With the Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD release of Shrek The Musical releasing this week, fairy-tale fans and musical theatergoers alike can now experience the Grammy-nominated stage production in the comfort of one’s own home! Featuring a fantastic score of 17 brand new songs, Shrek The Musical was filmed on stage to capture the magic of a Broadway performance and features an all-star cast.


Here are 6 simple steps to emulate the magic of Broadway in your own living room:
Step One - Sight
No digital interpretation of the stage would be complete without a state-of-the-art projector that can produce an image of up to 150 inches. If a projector is too costly, a 40 inch television or larger will suffice to give the home audience the optimum visual experience.

Step Two – Sound
No ultimate living room entertainment set-up would be complete without a crisp surround sound system. With the ear being stimulated from 4 angles, the illusion of being immersed in a theatre can be achieved.


Step Three – Tickets Please
Why not design your own tickets to your show? Guests will have to show their tickets before entering the living room for example. German Shepherds dressed in tuxedos make excellent ushers too.

Step Four - Wow it’s Green in Here
With a simple purchase of green crepe paper attached to a range of living room light sources, a green filtered glow will engulf the room to create a wonderfully Shrek-like ambience.

Step Five - ‘Curtain Call Ladies and Gentlemen!’
The anticipation of waiting for the famous theatrical curtains to trickle away is no doubt one of the fundamental experiences of going to the theatre. With a curtain rail, fabric and some sticky tape, your living room will mirror the Gershwin’s famous curtain call in no time.


Step Five: Intermission:
Why not engage in a 15-minute interval? Prepare a refreshing beverage for the adults and load up on the ice cream for the kids. Don’t forget those little wooden spoons for the upmost authenticity.

Step Six: Applause:
Don’t forget to clap along with the audience when something particularly amusing or impressive arises on screen. Booing and hissing at the respective villains may also prove effective. Please note, please do not throw your shows or any object at the screen for fear of damaging your precious TV set.  Although all these tips may make you believe that you are in the theater, it’s not real remember.
We are sure you’ll love watching your favorite animated characters come to life like magic, and now you’re ready to experience it at home! Pick up the Blu-ray for your family to enjoy today!

 


Get To Know The Shrek Bunch

The Cast Of The Animated Franchise Comes To Life On Stage and Blu-ray, This Week!

The loved and laughable DreamWorks animation Shrek is brought to life in Shrek The Musical and enjoyed by fans and families of the Broadway stage. Now you can bring the excitement to your living room when you pick up the musical on Blu-ray and DVD. What better way to celebrate the release than a brief introduction to the stage cast of your favorite animated movie. Read down to find out who among them was a Bunhead, a Julliard graduate, and will be starring in a Shakespeare Classic this season.  Meet the Shrek bunch!



Bryan D’arcy James – Bryan plays the role of our beloved ogre Shrek. While he’s sure to win you over in his green role he’s definitely not new to the stage. Mr. Darcy will be star opposite Ethan Hawke in the Lincoln Center Theatre production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The talented artist is also notable on the screen too, most recently for his role as Frank Houston on NBC’s Broadway themed drama ‘Smash’.  You’re probably wondering if he sings too, and he does, his solo debut album is From Christmas Eve to Christmas Morn.



Sutton Foster - Princess Fiona is brought to life by the beautiful Sutton Foster. The multi talented artist (actor, singer, and dancer) is best known for her role in the fan favorite ABC Family series ‘Bunheads’, for which she earned a Critic’s Choice Television Awards nomination. Using her beautiful voice, Sutton has performed at venues across the country performing in concerts such as Funny Girl, They’re playing out songs, Chess, and many more.  Like her fellow cast mate, she also works on solo album projects, releasing two albums, Wish and An Evening with Sutton Foster – Live at the Café Carlye.


Christopher Sieber - Every story needs a villain and none is more villainous than Lord Farquaad, played by Christopher Sieber.  His performance as the miniature maniacal royal is sure to make your living room erupt with laughter and boo’s. Chris’ talent has also been enjoyed in various Broadway productions, such as Pipin, Spamalot, Beauty and The Beast, Into the Woods, and much more. He most recently debut his solo concert  “Minnesota Boy Does Well: Tales from Back and Center Stage.”  Fans of the Olsen twins may also remember him from the ABC comedy Two Of A Kind, in which he played the girls’ father.



Daniel Breaker- The character enjoyed equally by parents and their kids is Shrek’s smart tongued sidekick, Donkey.  As the liveliest character of the musical, Daniel Breaker brings sass, smarts, and laughter to the stage.  The Julliard Scholl Graduate has starred in several Tony and award winning productions such as Passing Strange, Cymbeline, and more. Off screen he has appeared in top titles such as Limitless opposite Robert DeNiro and Bradley Cooper, the Spike Lee-directed project entitled Redhook Summer and Passing Strange.  


John Tartaglia - What do Pinocchio, The Magic Mirror, Dragon Puppeteer all have in common? They are all John Tartaglia. The talented Tartaglia is best known for producing, creating, and starring in the 8-time Emmy nominated children’s show “Johnny and the Sprites”. Additionally, he received a Tony Award Nomination for his role in the Tony-Award winning musical Avenue Q, in which he originated the roles of Princeton and Rod. Most exciting of all his credits may be his 12-year stint on Sesame Street, making him one of the youngest puppeteers to ever perform on the historic show.

We are sure you’ll love watching your favorite animated characters come to life like magic, and now you know the people that are behind that magic! Pick up the Blu-ray for your family to enjoy today!

Disclosure:  Thanks to Dreamworks and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.   for providing us with a review copy.  All opinions are our own.





Wednesday, October 16, 2013

RED FANG: 'Whales and Leeches' Full Album Streaming #metal


RED FANG: 'Whales and Leeches' Full Album Streaming with Exclusive Commentary via  YouTube.




Online Beer Drinking Game Released

New Album Available Now via
Relapse Records

Red Fang are streaming their brand new album Whales and Leeches in its entirety via YouTube along with exclusive video commentary.  Check it out here.  

Additionally, Spin Magazine has named the record album of the week and is streaming it in full along with an exclusive Q&A and track-by-track with the band's Aaron Beam (vocals/bass) and David Sullivan (guitars) here.

Red Fang recently launched a new video game -- a virtual beer shot-gunning challenge for fans. Play and share here.

Masters of the hard rock hook, Red Fang--Bryan Giles (Guitar/Vocals), Aaron Beam (Bass/Vocals), David Sullivan (Guitar) and John Sherman(Drums)-- worked with producer Chris Funk (Decemberists) and Mixer Vance Powell (White Stripes, Raconteurs, Kings of Leon). This same team worked on the group's last album Murder The Mountains (April 2011), which sold over 50,000 albums under the radar and allowed the band to tour with sold-out shows and attract rabid fans for over two years. With the help of guests Mike Scheidt (Yob) and Pall Jenkins (The black Heart Procession), Whales and Leeches propels Red Fang into the upper stratosphere of hard rock and metal elite.

Red Fang are currently on the road in support of Whales and Leeches and will be heading to Europe in early 2014 as well.  See below for a complete list of tour dates.

To order 'Whales and Leeches' visit Relapse or iTunes.

For a free download of "Blood Like Cream" from 'Whales and Leeches' via the Relapse Sampler click here.

DATE

CITY
VENUE
RED FANG: Helms Alee, Dog Shredder and Gaytheist support




Wed
10/16
  Boise, ID
Neurolux
Thu
10/17
  Spokane, WA
The Hop
Fri
10/18
  Bellingham, WA
The Shakedown
Sat
11/9
  Seattle, WA
Showbox at the Market
Sun
11/10
  Vancouver, BC
Rickshaw Theatre

RED FANG: The Shrine, Indian Handcrafts, Cancer Bats and Radkey support

Sat
11/30
  San Francisco, CA
Slim's
Sun
12/1
  Santa Ana, CA
The Observatory
Mon
12/2
  Tempe, AZ
Club Red
Wed
12/4
  Austin, TX
Red 7
Thu
12/5
  Houston, TX
Fitzgerald's Downstairs
Fri
12/6
  New Orleans, LA
Siberia
Sat
12/7
  Atlanta, GA
Drunken Unicorn
Sun
12/8
  Raleigh, NC
Kings Barcade
Mon
12/9
  Philadelphia, PA
Underground Arts
Tue
12/10
  Cambridge, MA
The Middle East
Wed
12/11
  New York, NY
Bowery Ballroom
Fri
12/13
  Montreal, QC
Cabaret Mile End
Sat
12/14
  Toronto, ON
Lee's Palace
Sun
12/15
  Detroit, MI
The Shelter
Mon
12/16
  Chicago, IL
Logan Square Auditorium
Tue
12/17
  Minneapolis, MN
Triple Rock
Thu
12/19
  Colorado Springs, CO
The Black Sheep
Fri
12/27
  Portland, OR
Wonder Ballroom

European Tour
Sat
1/18
  Geneve CH    
Usine PTR
Sun
1/19
  Orleans FR   
Astrolabe
Mon
1/20
  Nantes FR    
Ferraileur
Tue
1/21
  Bordeaux FR    
Krakatoa
Wed
1/22
  Bilbao ESP   
Kafé Antzoki
Thu
1/23
  Oporto  PT  
Hard Club
Fri
1/24
  Lisbon PT      
Music Box
Sat
1/25
  Madrid  ESP   
Sala Copérnico
Sun
1/26
  Barcelona  ESP
Bikini      
Tue
1/28
  Toulouse FR   
Connexion
Wed
1/29
  Clermont-Ferrand  FR  Wild Festival
Thu
1/20
  Mezzago  IT   
Bloom
Fri
1/31
  Livorno  IT  
The Cage Club Theatre
Sat
2/1
  Bologna IT   
Locomotiv Club
Sun
2/2
  Ljubljana SLO   
Channel Zero      
Tue
2/4
  Rijeka CROATIA    
Palach
Wed
2/5
  Budapest  HU
Dürer Kert
Thu
2/6
  Prague   CZ
Futurum
Fri
2/7
  Athens    GR
Gagarin 205
Sat
2/8
  Thessaloniki  GR  
Eightball
Sun
2/9
  Istanbul TURKEY   
Jolly Joker *Red Fang only
Fri
3/14
  Köln GER   
Essigfabrik
Sat
3/15
  Hasselt  BEL  
Muziekodroom  
Sun
3/16
  Paris FR   
Divan Du Monde
Mon
3/17
  Sheffield UK   
Corporation
Tue
3/18
  Manchester UK   
Sound Control
Wed
3/19
  Glasgow UK   
Classic Grand
Thu
3/20
  Birmingham UK   
Institute Temple
Fri
3/21
  London  UK  
Islington Academy
Sat
3/22
  Eindhoven NL   
Effenaar
Sun
3/23
  Nijmegen   NL
Doornroosje       
Tue
3/25
  Hamburg GER   
Knust
Wed
3/26
  Gothenburg SWE   
Truckstop Alaska
Thu
3/27
  Oslo NOR   
John Dee
Fri
3/28
  Stockholm SWE   
Debaser Strand
Sat
3/29
  Copenhagen  DK
Pumpehuset
Sun
3/20
  Berlin GER               
Lido
Mon
3/31
  Warsaw POL   
Basen
Tue
4/1
  Wien    
AT
Thu
4/3
  München GER     
Backstage
Fri
4/4
  Leipzig GER   
Taubchenthal
Sat
4/5
  Stuttgart GER        
LKA
Sun
4/6
  Wiesbaden GER    
Schlachthof
Tues       4/8               Tampere FI                                  Klubi 
Wed        4/9              Turku  FI                                       Klubi
Thu         4/10            Jyvaskyla  FI                                 Lutakko
Fri           4/11            Helsinki FI                                    Tavastia
Sat          4/12            St Petersburg RU                         Zal Oghidania
Sun         4/13            Moscow  RU                                Moscow Hall

Queens of the Stone Age-meets Mastodon. …a violent one, from its burly riffage to its apocalyptic lyrics.”
--REVOLVER  
 
 “Whales And Leechesthe thing just stomps from the first drum hit, but when it shifts into the brain-frying bridge two-thirds of the way through, it takes flight and soars.”
--STEREOGUM  
 
 “As brutally bacchanalian as a Viking on shore leave, it’s an infectious reminder of what Queens of the Stone Age once sounded like-and how powerfully Whales And Leeches makes the case for Red Fang’s sludgy godhood.
--ALTERNATIVE PRESS,  
 
“While inherently heavy and sonically adventurous, at the heart of every Red Fang album there are hooks and fist-in-the-air choruses that are among the most accessible and unshakable in the underground.”
--MAGNET
 
Red Fang are primed for a breakout this fall with their new album, Whales and Leechesa blistering hard rock release that should translate well to the live stage.’
-- LOUDWIRE


Tuesday, October 15, 2013

TMBG Once in a lifetime New York City and Los Angeles FIRST ALBUM SHOWS!

From Don't Let's Start to Rhythm Section Want Ad,
The Pink Album in its full glory.
We have THREE SHOWS PLANNED:

The big LA Royce Hall show is Sat. Oct. 26 http://bit.ly/13giDjd

The big NYC-Terminal 5 Sat. Nov. 2 http://bit.ly/15nwnaW




…and NOW the day before that there is a
FREE CONCERT in CONNECTICUT!
A dress rehearsal at Mohegan Sun!

In Uncasville, CT on Friday November 1st
we're playing our annual audience appreciation show
and it is
FREE!

Will we have some kind of little something for everyone--
we hope so!


More Tour Dates!

CHARLOTTE Tuesday October 15 http://bit.ly/18r9YQI
KNOXVILLE Wednesday October 16 http://bit.ly/16qJixC
ATHENS Thursday October 17 http://bit.ly/1emzrLM
JACKSONVILLE Friday October 18 http://bit.ly/133CH9N
ORLANDO Saturday October 19 headlining Nerdapalooza Fest http://nerdapalooza.org/
PENSACOLA, FL Sunday October 20 http://bit.ly/11nUX9D
AUSTIN Tuesday October 22 http://bit.ly/172SRUT
ALBUQUERQUE Thursday October 24 http://bit.ly/10G5ZIr
PHOENIX Friday October 25 http://bit.ly/15giMED
LOS ANGELES Saturday October 26 8pm SPECIAL FIRST ALBUM SHOW http://bit.ly/13giDjd
LOS ANGELES Saturday October 26 2pm for families http://bit.ly/118v0PF
SANTA CRUZ Sunday October 27 http://tktwb.tw/1avAyVC


Monday, October 7, 2013

INCOMING: This Tuesday Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg With Andrew W. K. on Vocals at Double Door (21+) #OriginalPhotos

Chi, IL live shows on our radar.  We've shot Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg at AAA Social Club as part of Riot Fest and last year at Bottom Lounge.  

Note the venue change to Double Door and come on out this Tuesday. Tickets purchased for Metro will be honored.



Now they're back with Andrew W. K. on vocals.




Tuesday Double Door Show Details


AM Productions and Double Door Present
Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg with Andrew W.K. on Vocals
FIGO, Porn and Chicken
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Doors: 7:30 pm / Show: 8:30 pm
$25.00


*NOTE CHICAGO VENUE CHANGE FROM METRO TO DOUBLE DOOR

This event is 21 and over
Tickets purchased for the Metro will be honored.
Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg with Andrew W.K. on Vocals


Andrew W.K. will be joining Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg as the lead singer for their 2013 world tour. The punk drumming icon and his band will be fronted by the king of partying for a high-octane performance of more than THIRTY of Marky's classic fan-favorite songs! These will include songs that took him from the halcyon stage of CBGB's to touring around the world. From the celluloid halls of Rock 'n Roll High School to the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, Ramone's career has taken him far and wide, earning him a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, an MTV Lifetime Achievement Award, and immortalizing his handprints on the Hollywood Rock Walk.

Speaking on how he chose Andrew W.K. as his singer, Ramone said, "I first met Andrew through a mutual friend and he told me about his party philosophy, which has also always been my exact take on life. We went into the rehearsal studio and it just clicked. We had so much fun that we wanted to invite everyone to the party. I've said before and I will say it again, these songs are too good not to be played live!!!"

W.K. echoed Ramone's sentiment, saying, "When Marky Ramone asks you to be his singer, you don't even think about it. It's an automatic, YES. I was intimidated by the magnitude of the opportunity – freaked out and overwhelmed – but I was also completely determined and focused – it's something I had to do. Even just the first rehearsal felt like an odyssey, but that's how you can tell the experience is changing your life. I've never had a more rewarding, humbling, orchallenging invitation than this, and I'm serving the gods via this incredible sound Marky and his band created. There's never been better rock 'n' roll music made than this, and I will give everything I have to do it justice." 

The historic pairing will kick-off their world tour in New York City on May 3rd, 2013 at Andrew's very own venue, Santos Party House, in downtown Manhattan.

Currently, Marky Ramone hosts his own weekly satellite radio show "Punk Rock Blitzkrieg," which is broadcast nationally via Sirius/XM Faction. He has also entered the culinary realm with the release of his highly successful Marinara Pasta Sauce, based on his Great Grandfather's recipe. Marky Ramone's Marinara Pasta Sauce has wowed such mainstream media outlets as the Wall Street Journal, Food Network Magazine and the New York Post. The sauce is even served and sold at world renowned chef Daniel Boulud's New York City restaurant, DBGB Kitchen & Bar.

Andrew W.K. has been a constant figure in national media ever since his 2000 debut, and in recent years he's been spreading his message of positive partying and high-energy entertainment with even greater intensity. His singular ability to straddle both mainstream media and fringe culture has made him an instantly recognizable modern pop icon. An example of his lasting influence is the recent 10th Anniversary Deluxe release of his landmark debut album, I Get Wet, the world tour of which sold out dates across the U.S., Europe, Australia and Japan. Most recently, Energizer Personal Care announced Andrew W.K. as the face of Playtex's new product, Fresh + Sexy Wipes. Andrew continues to surprise, confound, and engage his audience with an expanding array of energetic and enthusiastic entertainment.

FIGO

It's been a crazy ride for New York's FIGO. The band, which doubles their live electronic punk rock carnage with a strictly bangers DJ and remix crew, has rocked crowds across North America, Europe, and Asia, touring relentlessly on the local club circuit to sharing stages with the likes of The Crystal Method, Ladytron, Cut Copy, The Faint, Skrillex, The Presets, 2ManyDJs, Eric Prydz, and several others. They've crushed major music festivals along the way, including Identity, Summerburst, Detour, Amsterjam, I Love This City, Camp Bisco, South By Southwest, and more.

After releasing their first single, "PLAZA," via Calcium Records with remixes from EDM heavyweights Tommie Sunshine and Stephen Cole, followed by their own remixes of Justice, Ladytron, and A Place To Bury Strangers, FIGO's debut EP, Put It All On Black, was released independently in 2012. The release has received critically – acclaimed reviews and nods from RCRDLBL, FILTER Magazine, The New York Post, NME Magazine, Brooklyn Vegan, URB Magazine, and many others, with comparisons to anyone from The Misfits and Iggy & The Stooges, to Nitzer Ebb, Soulwax, and Kasabian. Keeping true to their signature electro-punk vs. dance sound, FIGO has since collaborated with and remixed artists as diverse as K'Naan, The Boxer Rebellion, and NERVO, for labels such as AM Octone, Astralwerks, and Mute.

In a recent collaboration, FIGO hooked up with Doc Nasty to take on dancefloor dracula Drop The Lime's stupid-funky cover of Bruce Springsteen's "State Trooper", out now as an official remix on Ultra Records. In signature FIGO style, the flip-script of Drop The Lime's dark and gritty cut takes grimy punk riffs spun with bits of electro-house and reverb, and voila, you've got raw dance-core in all its crunchy, bass-battered glory. FIGO shows no sign of slowing down in 2013: in addition to their Ultra Records release, this October they'll be packing up their musical mayhem and traversing the U.S. on a full live tour supporting legendary punk-rocker Marky Ramone with notorious party-rocker Andrew W.K.

Porn and Chicken

A Party. DJs. Music Makers. Trouble Makers. A Lifestyle.


Venue Information:
Double Door
1572 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL, 60622






















THE TOSSERS PREMIERE “USA” MUSIC VIDEO (10/7)

Chicago’s Irish pride and joy, THE TOSSERS, have teamed up with ARTISTDirect to premiere the music video for “USA”, an anthemic track from their current album, The Emerald City. “USA” follows vocalist Tony Duggins through the neighborhoods and streets of Chicago, includes current and past performances, and visits some of the band’s haunts. Paying homage to their country, heritage, hometown, and loved ones, THE TOSSERS never forget where they came from.

Watch the music video for “USA” here.



Beginning October 8th, THE TOSSERS will travel across the US for a headlining tour, playing their favorites from each of their albums, including The Emerald City. Don’t miss your chance to experience Chicago’s finest – see a full list of tour dates here.


For Additional Information on THE TOSSERS:
https://www.facebook.com/TheTossers
http://www.victoryrecords.com/thetossers
http://www.thetossers.com/

“Emerald City” Music Video
“USA” Music Video

Tour Dates:
10/8 – St Louis, MO @ Fubar
10/9 – Springfield, MO @ Outland Ballroom
10/10 – Tulsa, OK @ The Vanguard
10/11 – Dallas, TX @ Prophet Bar
10/12 – San Antonio, TX @ Limelight
10/13 – Houston, TX @ House of Blues
10/14 – New Orleans, LA @ Howlin’ Wolf
10/15 – Birmingham, AL @ The Nick
10/16 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
10/17 – Nashville, TN @ The End
10/18 – Newport, KY @ The Thompson House

10/19 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Pyramid Scheme
10/20 – Champaign, IL @ High Dive

INCOMING: LIL' ED & THE BLUES IMPERIALS TO PERFORM IN CHICAGO!

"Full of fire, Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials hit the floor running and accelerate from there.
High-octane, expressive, fiercely articulated, harrowing intensity, raucous slide." --Living Blues

Alligator recording artists Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials, touring in support of their latest Alligator CD, JUMP START, will perform in Chicago on November 8, November 9, November 29 and November 30, 2013. Mixing smoking slide guitar boogies and raw-boned Chicago shuffles with the deepest slow-burners, Lil' Ed Williams and his rip-roaring Blues Imperials -- bassist James "Pookie" Young, guitarist Mike Garrett and drummer Kelly Littleton -- deliver gloriously riotous, rollicking and intensely emotional blues. Currently celebrating 25 history-making years together, Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials ply their musical talents with skills that have been honed to a razor's edge. Recently, they were awarded the 2013 Living Blues Critics' and Readers' Awards for Best Live Performer. The band won that same distinction in the 2012 and 2011 Living Blues Critics' Poll. The group won the coveted 2009
Blues Music Award for Band Of The Year, the same honor they received in 2007. Concert information is as follows:




Date: Friday, November 8 and Saturday, November 9, 2013
Venue: B.L.U.E.S.
Address: 2519 North Halsted Street
City: Chicago, IL
Phone: 773-528-1012
Showtime: 9:30pm
Ticket price: TBA

Date: Friday, November 29 and Saturday, November 30, 2013
Venue: Rosa's Lounge
Address: 3420 West Armitage Avenue
City: Chicago, IL
Phone: 773-342-0452
Showtimes: 9:30pm (Friday, November 29) / 10:00pm (Saturday, November 30)
Ticket price: $12 advance / $15 day of show

The band's wildly energetic and seriously soulful new CD JUMP START is jam-packed with Lil' Ed's incendiary slide playing and rough, passionate singing, as the ragged-but-right Blues Imperials cook like mad alongside him. Produced by Williams and Alligator president Bruce Iglauer, it is a tour-de-force of untamed slide guitar, rock solid rhythms, heartrending ballads and authentic deep blues vocals. Williams wrote or co-wrote 13 of the album's 14 songs, which all overflow with the band's full throttle drive and serious sense of fun. JUMP START reveals a band firing on all cylinders and ready to spread the genuine houserockin' fever to their biggest audience yet. "It's all blues, really," says Lil' Ed. "Some of it will make you dance, some will ease your soul."

Lil' Ed boasts a direct bloodline to blues history -- his uncle and musical mentor was the great Chicago slide guitarist, songwriter and recording artist J.B. Hutto. Live, Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials simply can't be beat as Ed breaks out the deepest back-bends, the highest toe-walks, and the most authentic electric slide-guitar blues being played today. Garrett's risk-taking rhythm guitar work and Littleton's conversational, old school drumming perfectly complement Lil' Ed's and Pookie's rambunctious playing.

Adding to the legend is Ed's storybook rise, taking him from working in a car wash to entertaining thousands of fans all over the world. He's made multiple appearances on Late Night With Conan O'Brien, and has brought his music to fans from Japan to Poland. According to The Chicago Tribune, "Williams represents one of the few remaining authentic links to pure Chicago blues."

Now, with JUMP START, Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials will continue bringing their seriously inspired and wildly fun Chicago blues to "Ed Heads" new and old, wherever they may be. After almost a quarter century together, Lil' Ed, Pookie, Mike and Kelly have played thousands of gigs, logged tens of thousands of miles and have no plans to slow down anytime soon. According to Littleton, "The journey has been amazing. We melded right away and have kept growing." Garrett agrees, saying, "It's a perfect fit. And we keep getting better." Young adds, "We are way stronger now, and we're still having fun. My dreams have all come true."


"Long ago," recalls Lil' Ed, "Uncle J.B. told me, 'When you get the right guys in your band, you'll know.' When Mike and then Kelly joined up with me and Pookie, we just clicked. I knew. We are a family," says Lil' Ed, summing it all up. "And families stay together."


Thursday, October 3, 2013

AUDITION: Casting call for "The Oregon Tail Burlesque: You Have Died of Sexy"

Gorilla Tango Burlesque is auditioning female performers for the January 2014 premiere of "The Oregon Tail Burlesque: You Have Died of Sexy" directed by Sabrina Harper and choreographed by Zatanna Zor-Elle at Gorilla Tango's Bucktown Theatre (1919 N. Milwaukee Ave.)  We are seeking comic actresses of all different shapes and sizes with strong movement backgrounds. No prior burlesque experience is required; but performers must be comfortable and confident with their bodies, as revealing to pasties and panties is required in performance. Must be 21 or over. We are will also be casting understudies for our open run productions of "Boobs of the Dead: A Walking Dead Burlesque," “A Nude Hope: A Star Wars Burlesque,” and “The Empire Brings Sexy Back: A Star Wars Burlesque Sequel” Send headshot and resume to Juicy Lucy at juicylucy@gorillatango.com for more information or to schedule an audition or any or all of these productions.



Audition Date: Sunday, October 13th, 2013
Audition Time: Auditions will be held in one hour blocks from 7:00pm-10:00pm
Callbacks: Monday, October 14th, 2013 from 7:00pm-9:00pm
Location: Gorilla Tango's Bucktown Theatre (1919 N. Milwaukee Ave.)
Pay: $25 per performance + tips 


Time commitment: Oregon Tail opens Friday, January 10th at 9:00pm and will run for 12 weeks performing every Friday at 9:00pm. Understudy performances begin on Fridays or Saturdays in November or December depending on casting. Rehearsals for all shows are scheduled based on actor availability and will work around holiday breaks. Full performance schedule at www.gorillatango.com.


Material to Prepare: Come dressed and prepared to learn a short dance that involves a strip portion down to bra and panties. Cold readings will also be done. Sides will be sent to actors prior to audition date.

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