ACT OUT OPENING: InFusion Theatre Co. Presents Fight Girl Battle World at Theater Wit #review

ChiIL Mama and Sagezilla (10) had a chance to check out opening night and Fight Girl Battle World rocks.   This show is the good kind of cheese--a campy, kooky space romp with a kickin' grrrrrl power protagonist, effective use of multimedia screens, scale model space toys, and puppetry with creepy manipulators in head to toe black spandex.    Highly recommended!

Sheila O'Connor as E-V kicks some serious alien butt as the last human girl in the known universe

Visiting Company InFusion Theatre Co.

Fight Girl Battle World

by Qui Nguyen

directed by Mitch Golob

Now playing through June 16, 2013

Critic's Pick in Time Out Chicago! Recommended in the Chicago Reader! Theater Pick in Chicago Magazine!

The costumes and alien characters were particularly fun, although Sagezilla really dug this one and felt sorry for his defeat.

We'd rate this one PG13, for stage violence, minor language and some "sex talk", but it's basically appropriate for tweens & teens and up.  There's nothing too violent or over the top and we both thoroughly enjoyed the two level stage combat, the creative costumes, grrrrrl power, and clever script.   Though the stage combat, choreography and "martial arts" are relatively simplistic, there's enough campy humor and colorful characters to carry the show.

Sarcastic playwright robots and vengeful pink haired generals round out the colorful, hilarious cast.

 

Theater Wit

1229 W. Belmont Avenue

Chicago, IL 60657

Tickets are $25; $15 for students & seniors, $12.50 industry tickets on Thursdays & Sundays

Regular Run (through June 16):

• Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 8:00 pm, and Sunday at 3:00 pm

Here's what InFusion has to say:

From the team that brought you our hit production of Soul Samurai, comes an action-packed sci-fi saga that blends punch-ups and parody into one delicious mix. Set in a futuristic universe where humanity is nearly non-existent, Fight Girl revolves around E-V, a hardnosed prizefighter and the last known female human in the galaxy. 

We infuse video projection, puppetry, stage combat, and much more in this raucous Midwest premiere.

Running Time: 1 hour 50 minutes with intermission

InFUSION THEATRE CO. PRESENTS THE MIDWEST PREMIERE OF QUI NGUYEN’S FIGHT GIRL BATTLE WORLD,

MAY 14 – JUNE 16

InFusion Theatre's Artistic Director Mitch Golob Blends Stage Combat, Multi-Media, and Puppetry In An Action-Packed Sci-Fi Comedy At Theater Wit

InFusion Theatre Company is proud to announce its second collaboration with award-winning playwright Qui Nguyen with the Midwest premiere of Fight Girl Battle World, directed by InFusion Artistic Director Mitch Golob, May 14 – June 16, at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. Performances are Thursdays - Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. Preview tickets are $10. Tickets are $25 for general admission, $15 for students and seniors, and $12.50 for industry professionals Thursdays and Sundays only. Tickets are on sale now at infusiontheatre.com or by calling 773-975-8150.

From the team that brought you Soul Samurai, comes a new chapter of interspace anarchy from Qui Nguyen, Fight Girl Battle World. Set in a futuristic universe where humanity is nearly non-existent, Fight Girl revolves around E-V (Sheila O’Connor), a hardnosed prizefighter and the last known female human in the galaxy. The New York Innovative Theatre Awards nominated Fight Girl for Best Production of a Play, Best Original Full Length Script, Best Direction, Best Featured Actor and Best Sound Design during its world premiere.

Additional Fight Girl Battle World cast includes Brian Barber, Rob Grabowski, Kimberly Logan, Steve Thomas, Michael Harris, Zach Livingston, Meredith Rae Lyons, Elise Mayfield, Kai Young and understudies Maureen Yasko and Kevin Anderson.

The production staff includes David Blixt, fight choreographer; Rasean Davonte Johnson, co-video designer; Anna Henson, co-video designer; Kimberly Morris, puppetry designer, Dave Ferguson, set designer; Charles Cooper, lighting designer, Stephen Ptacek, sound designer; Rachel Sypniewski, costume designer; Cassy Schillo, props designer; Majel Cuza, production manager; Jason Crutchfield*, stage manager and Claire Tuft, casting director.

*Connotes InFusion Company Member

Boyish women (or are they curvy males?!) and regenerating megalomaniacs add to the drama  All Production Photos by Johnny Knight

ABOUT QUI NGUYEN

Qui Nguyen is a playwright and co-founder/co-artistic director of the OBIE Award-winning Vampire Cowboys Theatre Company of New York City.  His plays include She Kills Monsters (currently running in Steppenwolf’s Garage Rep and premiering in Boston; originally produced by The Flea in NYC); Krunk Fu Battle Battle (East West Players); Trial By Water (Ma-Yi Theater); Bike Wreck (Ensemble Studio Theatre); Soul Samurai, The Inexplicable Redemption of Agent G (Ma-Yi Theater & Vampire Cowboys); Alice in Slasherland; Men of Steel; and Living Dead in Denmark (Vampire Cowboys). Qui is a proud resident artist of New Dramatists, a core member of The Playwrights Center, an alumnus of Youngblood and a member of Ensemble Studio Theatre and The Ma-Yi Writers Lab.  Currently, he’s the playwright-in-residence at Mixed Blood Theatre in Minneapolis.

ABOUT MITCH GOLOB

Mitch Golob has directed InFusion’s first eight productions:  the world premieres of The Improv Play, Pluto is Listening, Ghostbox and Créole (nominated for five Black Theatre Alliance Awards), the United States premiere of The Last Supper, and the Midwest premieres of Intrigue With Faye, Rhymes With Evil, and Soul Samurai.  Some of his other directing projects include 8 By Tenn at Hartford Stage Company, where he worked with Tony Award winners Elizabeth Ashley and Amanda Plummer.  He directed the U.S. premiere of Jump to Cow Heaven at Profiles Theatre, And Then They Came For Me at Apple Tree Theatre, and was associate director of the award winning world premiere of Hannah & Martin at TimeLine Theatre.

ABOUT INFUSION THEATRE COMPANY

InFusion Theatre Company seeks out new plays and “infuses” them with other elements of entertainment such as music, dance, and film. “We strive to create dynamic performances by combining different forms of entertainment that will result in both exciting and thought-provoking work and we focus on giving voice to new works, as well as looking at older works in a new way,” says Artistic Director Mitch Golob.

Qui Nguyen’s Fight Girl Battle World, directed by InFusion Artistic Director Mitch Golob runs May 14 – June 16 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave.   Performances are Thursdays - Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m.   Tickets are $25 for general admission, $15 for students and seniors and $12.50 for industry professionals Thursdays and Sundays only. Tickets are on sale now at infusiontheatre.com or by calling 773-975-8150.

ACT OUT KIDS EXTENDED: The Silent Language at TUTA Studio Theatre

NOW EXTENDED

"★★★★...Critic's Choice" -Timeout Chicago

"Highly Recommended" - Chicago Reader

April 19-June 9, 2013

The Silent Language by Miodrag Stanisavljevic

Directed by Jacqueline Stone

THIS is The Silent Language:

*RESERVE SPOTS NOW!

*CHECK OUT CHIIL MAMA'S PAST COVERAGE ON THE SILENT LANGUAGE

*READ ALL REVIEWS

NEW!   The Reviews are in...The Silent Language is a MUST SEE! The Silent Language Interview Series A Gift Of Kindness and Support TUTA Theatre Chicago & Serbian-American Museum bringHomebody from Belgrade, Serbia!  Read all about it! Press Release:  Artistic Changes at TUTA TUTA is now using social media - connect with us on Facebook and Twitter to get all the latest news! You can also catch up with our blog. The Silent Language By Miodrag Stanisavljevic @ TUTA Studio Theatre "The Silent Language", a U.S. premiere, by Serbian playwright Miodrag Stanisavljevic, translated by Zoran Paunovic, is a highly musical and darkly comedic fairy tale. Written in the 1981, "The Silent Language" is an adaptation of an old Serbian folk tale originally called Nemusti Jezik.  It follows the journey of a young village servant named Poor Gasho as he gains the ability to understand the "the silent language."   As defined in this story, it is the language that only animals can speak and understand.  On a larger scale, the script also speaks to the things we see and hear in everyday life, but fail to recognize due to our inabilities to listen and focus on details.   Stanisavljevic's structure is exciting and risky, marking a departure from the typical "alls-well-that-ends well" fairy tale structure.  It's very open and at times, exposes the harsh realities of both good and evil.  A large forest provides a backdrop for countless discoveries, facing your fears, and finding secrets in unexpected places. "The Silent Language" will mark two big milestones at TUTA.  It will be the U.S. premiere of a rarely produced Serbian play and it will mark the directorial debut at TUTA of their newly appointed Artistic Director, Jacqueline Stone.  Stone, a co-founder and longtime company member, brings a wealth of experience and a unique understanding of TUTA's mission and desire to bring innovative international works to American audiences.  The Silent Language is an ensemble piece, and will draw upon the long tradition and commitment TUTA has to working with its company members.  It's musical in both form and content, and there will be a continued exploration of TUTA's commitment to original and rearranged forms of music.   The production features the talents of company member Jaimelyn Gray, and guest artists Sean Ewert, Laurie Larson, Carolyn Malloy, Max Lotspeich, Aaron Lawson, and Angela Bullard, under the direction of Jacqueline Stone (co-founder).  Design and technical collaborators include:  Original Music and Musical Direction by Wain Parham; set design by Michelle Lilly; costume design by Branimira Ivanova; lighting design by Keith Parham; sound design by Joe Court; prop design by Joel Lambie; and stage management by Allison Raynes. Artistic Director and Co-Founder Jacqueline Stone directs "The Silent Language", which makes this the 13th production she has been artistically a part of for the company over the last eleven years.  As an actress, she has appeared in numerous TUTA productions including The Wedding (1996, 2010, 2011), The Hour, Alice, Little Prince, Still Life in Color, Uncle Vanya (2008, 2009), Baal, and Fulton Street Sessions.  Other Chicago theatre she has worked with include Chicago Dramatists, The Second City, Prop Thtr, 20% Theatre Company, WNEP Theatre, New Leaf Theatre, Backstage, Brown Couch, and io (formerly Improv Olympic).  Stone recently directed the world premiere of Chelsea Marcantal's Devour at 20% Theatre Company, in addition to Jenny Siedelman's August 8, 1974.  She directed the world premiere of Dee Bolos' acclaimed one woman show Southside (Prop Thtr, NYC Fringe, Seattle Fringe).  In addition she directed the world premiere of Don't Let The Pigeon Drive the Bus! (Apollo,Touring company, and Millennium Park) and the Midwest première of Junie B. Jones at Emerald City Theatre Company.   "The Silent Language" will perform at TUTA Studio Theatre, 2010 W. Fulton Avenue, from April 19 to June 9th, Friday and Saturday at 8pm, and Saturday and Sunday at 4pm (no show Saturday, May 4, Sunday May 12, Saturday June 1, or Friday, June 7).  There is an additional 8pm show on Sunday, June 2nd.  Preview performances are Thursday, April 11, to Thursday, April 18. Opening press nights are Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20 at 8 p.m.  Spots are "Pay-what-you-can" for previews and a suggested donation of $25 for adults and $15 for industry/students/children under 18 for the regular performances.  Spots are extremely limited, and reservations are highly recommended.  To reserve spots to The Silent Language:  Call 1-800-838-3006 (24 Hours) or buy here online.  For more information on TUTA, visit www.tutato.com.

Family Coaster Fun With Batman Backwards at Six Flags Great America #mediaday #originalphotos

It was our great pleasure to meet "the caped crusader" at our favorite theme park during Media Day at Six Flags Great America last week.   



I dig a man who can pull off spandex!  And he had gorgeous grey blue eyes, too... and a sweet ride.

We also interviewed quite a few huge coster fanatics who were there for the ribbon cutting and multiple rides.   We even caught up with 10 year old Draven who has been on coasters all over the country with his dad.   

Check back with ChiIL Mama & ChiIL Live Shows for our Batman Backwards ride footage, video interviews and more in the very near future.



Today we have stills from the day for you.   It was a pleasure to see Theresa from the Local Tourist with her entourage. 

 

The highlight of the day was riding the coaster in the press seat, where we were filmed DURING THE RIDE!   We even wore mic packs so you can hear the screams. 

Click here to check out our original video interviews and footage from the X Flight Coaster grand opening last season. 

I grew up near Kings Island in Ohio, coaster capital of the midwest for much of the 80's, and I've been on The Beast (the largest-fastest coaster when it was built), The Bat (a hanging coaster they took out for safety reasons), a looping coaster that goes forward & backward, and The Racer (their old wooden classic with red & blue racing coaster tracks--one forward/ one backward.   At some point during my teen years I was talked onto all of them at least once, by friends and boyfriends, so I'm no stranger to riding backwards and looping at high speeds.

In spite of all that I'm really not a coaster person and even ski lifts freak me out a little.   The whole drive out to press day at Great America I tried to advance justify wussing out on the Batman Coaster (where you hang from the track and do flips, a G force turn and a 10 story drop)... backwards.   I made excuse after excuse saying I'm too old, coasters make my muscles sore, I don't have to prove anything to anyone....



I almost wimped out a bunch of times on the way there, but when it came to crunch time, I DID IT and got video footage to prove it!    






Even the coaster fanatics declared the Batman coaster extra intense backwards.   It's rare as moms and/or mature adults, that we get to do something physical that scares us, and I felt an actual sense of accomplishment when I braved up and went for it.   

Honestly, it was more like flying than falling and the view was spectacular!   I'm glad I went and would do it again... though I was dizzy enough when I got off that I had to wait a few minutes before I could grab my camera and shoot straight.   Batman Backwards is some heroic fun.

 

BATMAN: The Ride Stats:

-          Opened in 1992 as the world’s first suspended looping roller coaster

-          Given more than 28 million rides

-          Travels up to 50 mph through 2,700 feet of track

-          Features hairpin turns, vertical loops, corkscrews and a zero-g roll

-          One of the most popular coasters in the world

Go Big. Go Backwards! For a limited time only, the world’s first suspended looping coaster, BATMAN: The Ride, will be more intense than ever when riders dare to take on an all new experience – going backwards! 

As the roller coaster climbs the 10-story lift hill, riders will take in the full scope of BATMAN: The Ride’s track as they anticipate the adventure that lies ahead. The train will reach speeds of 50 mph and travel through 2,700 feet of track, all while maneuvering hairpin turns, vertical loops, corkscrews and a zero-g roll. The excitement is magnified since guests cannot see the maneuvers that await.

“BATMAN: The Ride will open for its 21st season this spring, offering our guests an entirely different ride experience by going backwards. No matter how many times you have been on BATMAN: The Ride, nothing compares to the thrill of racing down 10 stories facing the other direction,” said Hank Salemi, Six Flags Great America park president. “You literally have no idea what is coming next. This is a tremendous new experience for our guests and one to take advantage of quickly since it will only be available for a limited time.”

Since opening in 1992,  BATMAN: The Ride has given more than 28 million thrilling rides and reigns as one of the most popular roller coasters in the world. BATMAN: The Ride backwards launched on Saturday, May 4 – the park’s opening weekend – and will be available for a limited time this summer.

About Six Flags Great America

Six Flags Great America and Hurricane Harbor are two great parks that guests can experience for one low price. Located between Chicago and Milwaukee, Six Flags Great America offers endless adventures for the entire family with 14 heart-pounding roller coasters, a FREE 20-acre water park, spectacular shows, a nighttime firework and pyrotechnics extravaganza and three children’s areas. 

Six Flags Great America is pleased to present the premiere of igNIGHT ― Grand Finale, a mesmerizing and immersive nighttime spectacle bursting with energy, vivid colors, brilliant visual effects, lively performances, fascinating imagery, and pure imagination. Learn more about igNIGHT ― Grand Finale at sixflags.com. 

About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the world’s largest regional theme park company with over $1 billion in revenue and 18 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. For more than 50 years, Six Flags has entertained millions of families with world-class coasters, themed rides, thrilling water parks and unique attractions including up-close animal encounters, Fright Fest® and Holiday in the Park®.  For more information, visit sixflags.com.

About Warner Bros. Consumer Products

Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.

About DC Entertainment

DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner.  DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world.  In January 2012, DC Entertainment, in collaboration with Warner Bros. and Time Warner divisions, launched We Can Be Heroes―a giving campaign featuring the iconic Justice League super heroes―to raise awareness and funds to fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa. 

BATMAN and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC Comics.

(s13)

 Like SF Great America on Facebook here

 Follow SF Great America on Twitter here

 

They're busy getting the park summer ready!

So go already!!

Parents Night Out: Black Comedy Sightseers Opens at The Music Box #review #film #blackcomedy

Films on our radar.   Highly recommended.    

Sightseers Opens in Chicago Today, Friday, May 17th at The Music Box!

Here at ChiIL Live Shows, we caught a sneak peek at Sightseers and highly recommend it if you dig dark humor.   This welcome addition to the road trip killers genre ala Bonnie and Clide and Natural Born Killers follows a benign looking but lethal English couple on a cross country killing spree.

It's a charmingly cathartic wish fulfillment movie in that the couple kills anyone that annoys them.   I'm reminded of the Talking Heads line from Psycho Killer "...I hate people when they're not polite."   Who can say they've never fantasized about "accidentally" offing rude strangers.   Fortunately most of us stop far short of acting on those thoughts.  Still, the concept makes for a hilarious film.   

Amid the downright banality of a museum tour road trip to such winning locals as Crich Tramway Museum, the Ribblehead Viaduct, and the Keswick Pencil Museum, trigger tempered Chris inadvertently creates an avid disciple.   When Tina discovers her new beau is a psycho killer, instead of doing the sensible thing like fleeing and turning him in, she embraces his unfortunate habit and becomes a jealous, dognapping murderess herself, much to his chagrine.

The scariest thing about this film is the utter normality of the protagonists.   They could easily be the couple camped out next to you this summer.

  

Sightseers A FILM BY BEN WHEATLEY STARRING ALICE LOWE, STEVE ORAM, EILEEN DAVIES “A wicked little pic in which a tacky couple discovers that cross-country road-tripping makes it surprisingly easy -- and fun! -- to knock off the more obnoxious characters they encounter en route.” –Peter Debruge, Variety Fri, May 17   2:15pm · 5:00pm · 7:15pm · 9:30pm Sat, May 18   2:15pm · 5:00pm · 7:15pm · 9:30pm Sun, May 19   2:15pm · 5:00pm · 7:15pm · 9:30pm Mon, May 20   5:00pm · 7:15pm · 9:30pm Tue, May 21     5:00pm · 7:15pm · 9:30pm Wed, May 22      5:00pm · 7:15pm · 9:30pm Thu, May 23   5:00pm · 7:15pm · 9:30pm

Music Box Says:

This week we’re opening Sightseers, the new film from director Ben Wheatley (Kill List). In this gleefully gory laugh riot, Chris wants to show girlfriend Tina his world, but events soon conspire against the couple and their dream caravan holiday takes a very wrong turn. Produced by Shaun Of The Dead creator Edgar Wright and co-written & starring members of The Mighty Boosh and Garth Merenghi’s Dark Place, this black comedy is not to be missed! Check out The Playlist’s 5 Reasons You Must See Sightseers

About the film

A pair of sad-sack lovers turns into a frumpy Bonnie and Clyde as their romantic getaway to the English countryside turns into a bloody killing spree.

Directed by Ben Wheatley (Kill List), Chris (Steve Oram) wants to show Tina (Alice Lowe) his world and he wants to do it his way - on a journey through the British Isles in his beloved Abbey Oxford Caravan. Tina's led a sheltered life and there are things that Chris needs her to see - the Crich Tramway Museum, the Ribblehead Viaduct, the Keswick Pencil Museum and the rolling countryside that accompanies these wonders in his life.

But it doesn't take long for the dream to fade. Litterbugs, noisy teenagers and pre-booked caravan sites, not to mention Tina's meddling mother, soon conspire to shatter Chris's dreams and send him, and anyone who rubs him up the wrong way, over a very jagged edge...

Dir. BEN WHEATLEY | English | 88m |

Film details. What: Sightseers Where: The Music Box Theatre When: Opens Friday, May 17th

More at Music Box: Our Orson Welles matinee series continues this weekend with The Trial. Welles and Anthony Perkins star in this gripping adaptation of Franz Kafka’s tale of a nightmarish totalitarian state. Given 4 stars by Roger Ebert, the Music Box is thrilled to give our patrons the rare chance to see this film on the big screen!  

This weekend, cult classics come out at midnight. On Friday, it’s The Room, director/writer/“actor” Tommy Wiseau’s bizarre drama about love and betrayal (Purchase advance tickets now). Then, on Saturday night, it’s The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Grab a virgin kit and join the Midnight Madness shadow cast for a party that’s been going on for over 35 years (Purchase advance tickets now).

INCOMING: Epic from Blue Sky Opens May 24th (PG) #familyfriendlymovies

Over here at ChiIL Mama, we can't wait to see Epic!!!   I don't know who is more stoked... the kids or ME?!

“Epic,” opens on May 24, 2013 and is rated “PG,”.   The animated feature stars Josh Hutcherson, Amanda Seyfried, Colin Farrell, Christoph Waltz, Beyoncé Knowles, Aziz Ansari, Chris O’Dowd, Pitbull, Jason Sudeikis, Steven Tyler, Judah Friedlander and Blake Anderson from director Chris Wedge and writers Tom J. Astle and Matt Ember. The film comes from the creators of “Ice Age” and “Rio”.

“Epic” is a 3D CG adventure/comedy that reveals a fantastical world unlike any other. From the creators of “Ice Age” and “Rio,” “Epic” tells the story of an ongoing battle between the forces of good (who keep the natural world alive) and the forces of evil (who wish to destroy it).

When a teenage girl finds herself magically transported into this secret universe, she teams up with an elite band of warriors and a crew of comical, larger-than-life figures to save their world… and ours.

TONIGHT 5/16 FREE Advanced Screening Tickets for THE WAY, WAY BACK (PG13)

ChiIL out with ChiIL Mama and a free, advanced screening of The Way, Way Back!   Screening is TONIGHT, Thursday, May 16, at 7 pm at the Kerasotes Showplace Icon. 

Thanks to Fox Searchlight and Gofobo for providing the link to advanced screening tickets for our readers.   We are excited to announce the release of  THE WAY WAY BACK starring Steve Carell (The Office, Crazy, Stupid, Love.) and Toni Collette (The Sixth Sense, Little Miss Sunshine).

To download tickets for this screening simply go to:

www.gofobo.com/rsvp

And enter the code:

MOMSW5Y0

tickets are first come first served and not guaranteed

Synopsis:

THE WAY, WAY BACK is the funny and poignant coming of age story of 14-year-old Duncan’s (Liam James) summer vacation with his mother, Pam (Toni Collette), her overbearing boyfriend, Trent (Steve Carell), and his daughter, Steph (Zoe Levin).

Having a rough time fitting in, the introverted Duncan finds an unexpected friend in gregarious Owen (Sam Rockwell), manager of the Water Wizz water park. Through his funny, clandestine friendship with Owen, Duncan slowly opens up to and begins to finally find his place in the world - all during a summer he will never forget.

Happy 8th Birthday Nakama

Portrait of Nakama 2013 by Sage (10)

His name is Japanese for "circle of friends" and he has certainly become part of our circle of friends over the past 9 years.    We've always shared our home with big dogs and they inspire us and enrich our lives.   

Here's Naki as a puppy via Ree Keca at Kumakura Akitas


Our current kids include 2 young girl & boy humans Sagezilla & Du-Jay (10 & 12), a female rescue Husky mix, Igraine the Brave AKA:  Iggy Pup (3) and Nakama, our 105lb Akita (8).   Here's to the hairy children!    We love you, Nakama.   Happy happy birthday.


Portrait of Nakama by Sage (age 8)

Nakama--Lakefront fun.   Photo by Bonnie Kenaz-Mara

HELP OUT & BOOK ON OVER: Author Tracy Beckerman Signing Lost in Suburbia: A Momoir and Dress for Success Fundraiser

ChiIL out with ChiIL Mama and win a great read.   We're giving away FIVE copies of Lost in Suburbia:  A Momoir right here!!

**Meet Tracy in person and pick up your own signed copy of Lost in Suburbia: A Momoir, at Barbara's Bookstore in Willis Tower on May 17th at 12:30pm.   Click here for full details.**

ChiIL Mama's stoked to be working with author and nationally syndicated humor columnist, Tracy Beckerman, whose debut book, Lost in Suburbia: A Momoir, was released April 2nd on Perigee Books/Penguin Publishing. Lost in Suburbia details Tracy's journey from single, city girl to stay-at-home mom in the suburbs and how she rediscovered her "cool" as a new mom.   We're giving away 5 copies to our lucky readers and we'll be running a full book review in the near future as well.

Click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win!  Enter through midnight June 14th.   5 will win.   Many will laugh!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

“… finding the humor in parenting made this suburban mother much happier- and gave her a second act.”- Metro 

Lost in Suburbia: A Momoir 

Along with the release of her book, Tracy has launched a “Cool Mom, Book and Blow Dry Bar Tour” to benefit the international non-profit, Dress for Success.   The overarching goal of the "Cool Mom" tour is to engage with mom bloggers and influencers in each city in order to support and raise funds via the Dress for Success Crowdrise Campaign. Tracy has set the goal of raising $5,000 for Dress for Success.

Dress for Success®  Partners with Lost in Suburbia Author 

Tracy Beckerman

Check out The Cool Mom Dress For Success Crowdrise Campaign Drive

 to Benefit Women in Need 

Tour Stops Include New York City, Charlotte, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Washington DC, and Chicago starting April 17

Sponsored by Theraderm, Living Fresh Collection and Office Candy

Mommy media maven and author of Lost in Suburbia, Tracy Beckerman, and the international non-profit for women, Dress for Success®  announce the Cool Mom/Dress For Success Crowdrise Campaign to benefit and empower disadvantaged women around the country.   

Help out.   Click here to donate.

The multi-city Cool Mom Tour kicked off in New York City on April 17 to celebrate the release of Beckerman’s momoir Lost in Suburbia and support women seeking to keep or reclaim their cool, personally and professionally. The tour will make stops in Charlotte, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Washington DC, and wraps up in Chicago on May 16.

The Power Walk for Dress for Success was hosted by Dress for Success Worldwide during Mother’s Day Weekend. On Saturday, May 11, the organization, walk participants, volunteers, friends and family came together in support of helping disadvantaged women around the country take steps to a secure financial future.

“I truly belive in the mission of Dress for Success to empower women, especially the 80% of their clients who are moms.  That’s why I’ve set up a fundraiser on Crowdrise to help them raise money during my book tour,” stated Beckerman.  “With the support of moms all along my book tour, I hope to increase awareness for this organization and raise $5,000.” 

Since its inception in 1997, Dress for Success has worked with over 120 affiliates worldwide to help more than 650,000 women with career development by providing workplace attire, a strong support network and the tools they need to succeed in a professional setting.

The Cool Mom Tour sponsors include Theraderm, clinical grade skin care at your convenience; Living Fresh Collection, luxurious, eco-friendly bedding offering a cleaner and healthier sleep experience; and Office Candy, offering cute office supplies and all things sassy. These like-minded companies have come out to support the “Cool Mom” tour and Dress for Success, and will provide gifts and door prizes at each event.

In each city, influential mom bloggers and tastemakers will join Beckerman and tour partner, Culture Mom Media at the private “Cool Mom Book and Blow Dry Bar Tour” to raise awareness for the important work of Dress for Success. Each event will feature women coming together for a night of camaraderie, hair styling, food, drinks, giveaways and to support women in need through Dress For Success.

            

About Tracy Beckerman

Tracy began writing after she moved with two young children to the suburbs of New Jersey from New York City as a way to find herself and share a few laughs about the endless sea of "mom bob" haircuts, minivans, and coordinated tennis outfits. What started out as a single column for a local NJ paper a few years ago turned into a hit and is now nationally syndicated to over 400 newspapers, 250 websites and reaches nearly 10 million readers in 25 states. Tracy has appeared on The Today Show, CBS Early Show and Better TV. Her latest blog posts and column articles on marriage, funny family anecdotes, and being a "cool mom" in the suburbs can be found on her LOST IN SUBURBIA® blog (which won her the title of "America's Top Blogger" by Lifetime Television’s hit TV show, The Balancing Act in 2010). You can read it here: www.lostinsuburbiablog.com. You can purchase her new “momoir” here: http://www.lostinsuburbia.com/. 

About Dress For Success

Dress for Success is an international not-for-profit organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Since starting operations in 1997, Dress for Success has expanded to more than 120 cities in 13 countries. To date, Dress for Success has helped more than 650,000 women work towards self-sufficiency. Visit www.dressforsuccess.org to learn more.

About Theraderm

Therderm is a clinical-grade skin care line that is simple enough to fit into your busy schedule and powerful enough to address the visible signs of aging. At Theraderm, we believe in skin care that allows the skin to restore itself while revealing the natural beauty ever woman possesses. In addition to being a Board Certified, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon for over 30 years, Theraderm’s founder Dr. James Beckman, has 6 sister, 3 daughters and a beautiful wife. Whoa, that’s a lot of estrogen. No wonder he made a product that really works, he’d never hear the end of it. http://www.therapon.com/

About Living Fresh Collection

Living Fresh Collection, LLC was launched in 2012 as a direct sales company that provides linens for your home that creates a cleaner, healthier more luxurious sleep experience.  Originally offered to high-end resorts and hotels, we designed our luxurious bedding by blending the purest of eucalyptus fibers available with cotton to create Tencel+Plus Lyocell Eucalyptus bedding.  Our products are naturally dust-mite resistant, hypoallergenic & antimicrobial.

It has been proven in study after study that sleep is essential to one’s health, wellbeing and longevity. Lack of sleep affects our mood, creates fatigue, impedes our focus and most importantly can have short and long term health consequences.  Living Fresh Collection was created from natural fibers to promote health and wellbeing, while considering environmental sustainability and recognizing nothing is more important than a great night’s sleep. Please visit www.livingfreshcollection.com for more information.

About Office Candy ®

Office Candy® is a premiere online boutique of designer office supplies that focus on keeping their clients organized. They carry items ranging from file folders, clipboards, file totes, notepads, journals & more. Office Candy® was founded by Laurie Noel Meek, a Golden Circle Member of the National Association of Professional Organizers. Laurie began writing about these products on her organizing blog and then quickly realized that there wasn’t a resource that carried all of these items in the same place so she founded Office Candy® in 2011

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Office Candy now offers an Affiliate Program, Preferred Organizer Discount & Candy Consultant Program for those interested in direct sales. These 3 divisions along with the retail website keep The Office Candy Gals very busy.

Items range from $5-85 and each offers a unique take on office supplies. “Just because it’s practical doesn’t mean it can’t be cute” is one of their taglines that they live by every day in and out of the office. Office Candy is an extension of Laurie’s love of office supplies & all things cute and fun. Office Candy can be found on social media: www.Facebook.com/OfficeCandyGals, www.Twitter.com/OfficeCandyGals, www.pinterest.com/OfficeCandygals/