Family Fun at Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo

Check out our original photos from C2E2 2012 Saturday above


 
R2D2?    No....C2E2!!!

Yeah, OK... maybe both.   R2D2 @ C2E2

 



Du-Jay & Sagezilla dug C2E2 and can't wait for 2013

 



It's bigger on the inside....



This year's Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) will be their biggest by far. Tickets are selling earlier and faster than ever.  As of the final week of February, VIP tickets are sold out; 1-Day ticket sales are up 65%; and 3-Day ticket sales are up 78%. This is an overall increase of 64% compared to last year! 



**Meanwhile, their exhibit space is also growing...at this point, they are 25% larger than last year.** 



This is great news as it means that the Midwest - and Chicago, in particular - is becoming a center for pop culture enthusiasts similar in scale to New York and San Diego. 



Have you gotten your tickets yet?   Don't miss out.   Click here and order your tickets as soon as possible.   ChiIL Mama will be there...will YOU?!   We'll have photo filled recaps, individual features, hot new releases, reviews, and free downloads for you.   So check back with ChiIL Mama/ ChiIL Live Shows like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often!!

C2E2 2013, April 26-28, 2013 at the West Building at McCormick Place.

Check out their main site here for special guests and more.
  
Our ultra favorite thing about C2E2 isn't one show or genre even...it's mash ups and context!   We swung by Micky D's on the way out and it was beyond amusing to see the comic book world superimposed on reality. It's all about context.  As realtors are fond of saying...location, location, location.



"Welcome to McDonalds, may I take your order?"
 


  

We also love to see the colorful mash ups that organically happen in the crowd as everyone's story lines intermingle.   

Steampunk was a growing presence at C2E2 12, and we bought a fabulous corset & a wooden mustache monocle.

 

We also bought a unique ocarina necklace & a "teacarina" musical, pottery tea cup/instrument among other finds.  






Sagezilla and Du-Jay enjoyed the show, and it's fairly family friendly.   There were a ton of kids of all ages there, and there was plenty for kids to see and do, particularly for tweens and teens.    


Kick Ass fam friendly fun at C2E2

Sure, there's a plethora of the usual comic book boobs n gore...so skip it with the littles if they're very young and easily freaked out, or if you're uber conservative.  Otherwise, dress up and come on down!



Of course we're suckers for any excuse to play dress up, and enjoy seeing adults who are reeeeeally into what they're into, and we dig comics, anime, Dr. Who and games.   That means C2E2 is right up our alley.








First time we ever quoted Mr. T around Sagezilla, she thought we said "I'm Winnie the Pooh", and used to repeat it in a booming Mr. T impression.  To this day I still can't hear "I pity the fool" without laughing.

 

We saw many fun freaks, and even derby zombies from The Outfit!

 

 There were loads of graphic artists, actors & writers about.

Promises...promises

We're a little bummed.   These Romanian artist guys took a steam punk photo of Sagezilla & Du-Jay and said they'd anime the kids and send us the sketch via e-mail after the show, and it never happened.    Was that supposed to read get your sketch a year from today?!

We're coming back to find you for C2E2 2013, so start sketching... long haired boy and tiny but mighty grrrrrl, or they'll kick you in the kneecaps!

You can even get inked up permanently, with some new scars, if you're brave & of age.   I do have 4 tattoos, but not from C2E2.   We just stuck with the kind of ink you turn the pages on!



We also saw another of our big favorites--Threadless--and stocked up on more, cool, artist designed t's!   They give back to the community and work with kids for free, at Girls Rock Chicago camps, 826Chi Writing Workshops and more.

Sage spent her "helpful works" cash on a bunch of seriously rockin' handmade fimo necklaces another kid had made.  They were one of a kind and one of the coolest thing we saw at the whole show because they were so creative.   She also bought a Shawnimal Ninja necklace.   



Du-Jay bought Activision Skylanders, one of his Wii favorites.

 

We also ran into one of our favorite author/artist duos... Kim & Dino, of Traegonia fame.  

We gave away a set of their excellent books to one of our lucky readers in December, as part of our huge Holidaze Giveaways.  





 The Traegonia books are a middle grade, eco-friendly fantasy series our family really digs!!  Highly recommended.   Check out their main site right here.



 

 

Come on out and play.   C2E2's a must see for geeks, gamers, pop culture enthusiasts, families and YOU!

HELP LOCALLY: Scrabble for Cheaters for 826CHI

826CHI is one of our favorite spaces.   I've volunteered and taught workshops there and both of my kids have enjoyed numerous, free creative writing classes.   Help 'em out if you can.   They're a true treasure!! FINAL CALL: STILL ROOM FOR ROGUERY    51 depressing weeks of rule-following and norm-abiding have finally come to an end: it's Scrabble time. Bring your most crooked comrades, beguiling buddies, and plunderous pals to 826CHI on November 10th-that's next Saturday-to play some Scrabble and raise money for our creative writing programs! Teams of two fundraise as much as humanly possible and use that money to purchase officially-sanctioned cheats on game day. Cheats vary in their degree of skullduggery, but one thing is certain; teams with the most money can buy the most cheats, thereby increasing their chances of pummeling all competition into oblivion...even if they are horrible spellers. You may not be a skilled Scrabbler, but are you a good cheater? To form a two-person team, take the following four steps: 1. Sign up your duo online, 2. Call your grandma, pester your roommates, and beg your coworkers for cheating money (checks to 826CHI are tax deductible!) 3. Master the "Q-without-U" word list, and 4. On 11/10/12, demonstrate your cheating prowess and annihilate all competitors. The tournament begins Saturday, November 10 at high noon. All participants shall gather in 826CHI's Scrabbleadium, conveniently located at our normal location: 1331 N Milwaukee Avenue. The tournament champion will be presented with the most glorious trophy imaginable and a custom-made Scrabble game, plus ultimate bragging rights for 365 days. View the rules, cheats, and scope out your competition here. For questions or additional information, please contact 826CHI Communications Coordinator, Abi Humber, at (773) 772-8108 or Abi@826chi.org.     Neither 826CHI nor this fundraiser is sponsored by or affiliated with Hasbro, the makers of the SCRABBLE®-brand, tile-based word game.

Pitchfork Music Fest New Additions, Free Kids Under 10 and More

ChiIL Live Shows/ChiIL Mama has been rockin' Pitchfork bands all year.  We've been sharing their tours, forwarding their free downloads and posting their new videos all year long.   We've also been shooting their live shows in Chi-Town and shooting original band video interviews.   Now it's just about time again for summer festival season, so get your Pitchfork tickets and come get your groove on and rock Union Park.   

Last year, my son Du-Jay who was 10, had the opportunity to go behind the scenes and interview a number of the musicians at Pitchfork himself!   He came with a class full of kids from 826CHI, one of our fav non profits for free creative writing classes.  Pitchfork's known for hosting awesome info booths for most of our city favorites like Girls Rock Chicago, 826CHI, and roller derby!   They have an excellent, eclectic assortment of crafts, collectable posters, vinyl and more.   And the food booths are a multicultural bonanza of tasty treats.


**The best news for families is kids under 10 are FREE with a paying adult!!   Put those little tax deductions to work saving you even more green and come rock out with the punk kin.**

We've gone AND taken the kids just about every year and they have a blast!!

Here's what Pitchfork has to say:

In its seventh year, the Pitchfork Music Festival continues to be one of the most well regarded and exceptional festivals in the country.  Consistently praised for its discerning lineup, inviting and laid back environment, reasonable prices, wide array of activities, and much more, there is very good reason why people across the world return year after year! This year’s event, happening Friday, July 13 – Sunday, July 15 at Chicago’s Union Park, is now less than two months away. A limited number of single day tickets for each day of the fest are still available for $45 at www.ticketweb.com. As previously noted, prices have stayed the same this year!

We are thrilled to be adding two more bands to this year’s fest -- Japandroids will be playing Friday, and Chromatics will perform on Saturday! As previously announced, this year’s excellent lineup introduces a creative range of emerging bands while honoring already beloved and internationally renowned acts, including A$AP Rocky, The Atlas Moth, Beach House, Big K.R.I.T., Chavez,  Dirty Projectors, Feist, The Field, Flying Lotus, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Hot Chip, Iceage, Nicolas Jaar, Kendrick Lamar, Lotus Plaza, The Men, Olivia Tremor Control, Oneohtrix Point Never, Purity Ring, Ty Segall, Schoolboy Q, Sleigh Bells, Vampire Weekend, Wild Flag, and so many more. See the full lineup below.

In addition to its musical offerings, the fest also features a wide array of other activities, including 50 individual vendors, plus specialty fairs, for attendees to enjoy. News regarding these festival elements will be announced in the coming weeks.

This year, we are excited to introduce “The PMF Upgrade Challenge.”  For one hour, once a week, Chicago radio station and festival partner WXRT 93.1 will present “The PMF Upgrade Challenge” for festival ticketholders. 2012 attendees are invited to participate for a chance for them and a friend to be upgraded to VIP for the entire festival weekend. Even if you just have a single day pass, you and a friend will be upgraded for the entire weekend! To participate, keep an eye on WXRT and the Pitchfork Music Festival Facebook pages where contests will be presented in the forms of questions and other challenges.  Winners will be chosen based on their responses to these contests. This will be happening at one random hour each week, and each week, two pair of tickets will be upgraded to VIP for the entire weekend.

Visit www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com for more information on the 2012 festival, and to purchase tickets. Stay up on festival related news via the ChiIL Live Shows Facebook page and Twitter & Pitchfork Music Festival Facebook page and Twitter.
 
 
FRIDAY JULY 13, 2012 LINEUP - GATES OPEN AT 3PM
  
Feist
Dirty Projectors
Big K.R.I.T.
The Olivia Tremor Control
A$AP Rocky
Clams Casino
Tim Hecker
Purity Ring
Japandroids**
Lower Dens
Willis Earl Beal
Outer Minds

 
SATURDAY JULY 14, 2012 LINEUP - GATES OPEN AT 12PM

Godspeed You! Black Emperor
Hot Chip
Sleigh Bells
Wild Flag
Flying Lotus
Cults
Atlas Sound
Grimes
Nicolas Jaar
Chromatics**
Danny Brown
Youth Lagoon
Schoolboy Q
Liturgy
Cloud Nothings
Lotus Plaza
The Atlas Moth
The Psychic Paramount


SUNDAY JULY 15,  2012 LINEUP - GATES OPEN AT 12PM

Vampire Weekend
Beach House
Chavez
AraabMUZIK
King Krule
Real Estate
Ty Segall
Thee Oh Sees
Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Kendrick Lamar
The Men
The Field
Iceage
Dirty Beaches
Milk Music
Oneohtronix Point Never
A Lull

 
 **Just Announced
 
 For more information, please visit: www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com

Brilliant Corners Benefits 826CHI & Chirp Radio

Fun For Kids of All Ages

As if circus arts, a stellar band line up, and carnival rides weren't enough to guarantee our presence at Brilliant Corners Fest...

They are also benefitting some of our ultimate favorite non profits.

826CHI

Our favorite secret spy center and ultimate, free, creative writing center says:

-Knock Knock.

-Who's there?
-Orange.
-Orange who?
-Orange you glad that the Fantastic George Orange is going to be performing his comedy and clown routine for the benefit of 826CHI?
-Why, yes. Yes, I am. 

826Chi is thrilled to be partnering with the sure-to-live-up-to-its name, Brilliant Corners, vaudeville-wondershow-extravanganza tthis weekend Sept. 16th - Sept. 18th at Eckhart Park (Chicago and Noble). On the third day of the fun, Sunday September 18th, at 5:30pm, we'll be co-presenting The Fantastic George Orange under a true old world circus tent! Tickets are only $15 and part of the proceeds will go directly to us! Grab yer tickets here! 

Take a trip with us down the rabbit hole of his show - an experience not to be missed. George Orange has dedicated himself to bringing a new breed of unconventional and thought provoking comedy to the broad audiences of street theater festivals and circus big tops. As an eccentric European clown and slack-rope dancer from Cardiff, George is often compared to Mr. Bean and Jacque Tati. He captivates audiences, crossing the boundaries of language and age, with his charming, mostly non-verbal, very visual, show. Opening music provided by Albanie and Her Fellas!

Brilliant Corners' Saturday Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Performance Benefits CHIRP

Our favorite streaming, indie radio station says:

Come check out newcomer, Brilliant Corners of Popular Amusements runing September 16 through the 18th at Eckhart Park.   They're ambitiously combining live music and circus arts with carnival rides, games, to create a Vaudeville for the 21st Century!   

Brilliant Corners’ Magic City Tent is running 3 days of acrobats, aerial artists, and more, along with live music and short films. On Saturday, September 17th, proceeds from one of these performances — Bindlestiff Family Cirkus , a group that combines elements of Vaudeville, Circus, Wild West Shows, Burlesque, and Sideshow — generously benefits CHIRP Radio. Tickets for the Saturday performance are available here. The previously-announced act, Ricochet, had to cancel for personal reasons.

Music fans also will find plenty to like over the course of the weekend, with live performances by Shellac, Bill Callahan, School of Seven Bells, Dan Deacon, and many others under the bigtop in the Criss/Cross Tent.

Brilliant Corners promises to be more than a festival — its website teases pop-up events, one night shows, and a general state of mind — but the weekend should be a doozy of an introduction. Check out the Brilliant Corners website for specifics.

826 Day Creative Writing Piece: Lobster Moths and Llamas in Love

826 day (8 min 26 sec writing based on the weird knickknacks in our living room)

Lobster Moths and Llamas in Love
by Bonnie Kenaz-Mara

The was once a llama who gained consciousness in the Swedish American museum.    He found himself mysteriously dwelling on top of a steep steppe of stereo equipment in a Chi-town single family home.    He could only move at night, when the 4 human inhabitants of his dwelling were far away in their dreams.    But all day he looked out over his space and plotted where he'd roam that night.    He was content, looking down from his lofty heights and warm and comfortable in his stylish, real wool coat.    The children of the family had taken great time and care in creating him, so he never feared losing a limb in his nightly exploits.

As he gazed around, pretending a nonchalance he didn't feel, behind his unmoving eye, his gaze fell on many things.    He often hung out with the three wooden Dala horses from Sweden.    They were pretty laid back.    And the two stuffed bears in biker jackets and sunglasses he shared a shelf with were downright cuddly, under their tough looking exteriors.   He was a bit afraid of the Lego T-Rex that could shape shift into a ferocious looking crocodile or a fang toothed shark.    But he thought most often about the beautiful lobster moth who lived across the room.

She had been created by the family, after they read a lobster moth book and was a beautiful, ethereal and all together unique creature.    Her crimson body was a soft, fuzzy, stuffed beanie lobster, while by day her wings were cardboard and a Xerox copy of a real butterfly tattoo from the end of The Very Hungry Caterpillar.   By night, her wings grew gossamer and shimmering, and she'd flit around him, and lead him on marvelous, magical adventures.

Happy 8-26 Day

CELEBRATE 8/26 DAY!  

No need to worry ... despite August 26th being a National Holiday (8/26 Day), 826CHI will be open! And not just open. We will be partying. This is your invitation to join us in the celebration!

Be a part of the fun by exercising your right to write!  Throughout the day we are encouraging you to set aside 8 minutes and 26 seconds to write a short story/character sketch/ poem/recipe etc. (We're looking to get an ambitious 82.6 of these micro-masterpieces before the clock strikes 8:26pm!) 

Send us your writing by emailing us (info@826chi.org), tweeting us (@826chi) with it, hiring a bike messenger, enlisting Mortimer the messenger pigeon, posting it to our virtual wall (facebook), or posting it to our real wall, right here at 826CHI.

[If you're stuck, here are some prompts from our students: What would you do if a milkshake attacked the world? What would you do if a giant panda let all of the animals out of the zoo? What would you do if you woke up to find out you were the only person on Earth?]

The Boring Store and 826CHI will be open and welcoming any and everyone to write from 11am - 4pm. Beyond giving you a space and supplies to write your piece, we will be giving away prizes, (fear not, internet friends, we'll get you some prizes too!) and passing out "I WROTED TODAY" stickers so you can show off your writerly pride. We will also be throwing confetti, pasting stories dangerously high in  The Boring Store's windows, having a pencil sharpening contest, dancing and playing with balloons.

To wrap it up, join us at the Standard Bar and Grill, across the street, to toast the holiday from 4pm - 6pm!

In honor of 8/26 and 826, here's a link to some fabulously creative writing ChiIL Mama's own Du-Jay and 11 other creative kids, 5th grade and up wrote at Threadless HQ last Tuesday.    Check 'em out and get your laugh on.

http://www.threadless.com/news/743562/826CHI_Students_Write_about_Threadless_Tees


Congratulations published authors! 

HAPPY 8/26 DAY!