BLUE MAN GROUP PARTNERS WITH “AUTISM SPEAKS” TO CREATE AN AUTISM-FRIENDLY PERFORMANCE SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2014 AT 4 P.M.

Modest Alterations to be Made to Accommodate Individuals with Autism  $5 of Every Ticket Purchased for the Performance will be Donated to Autism Speaks Here at ChiIL Mama, we're all about accessible theatre and Chicago excels at presenting autism friendly shows, signed performances for the deaf, amplification sets for the hearing impaired and other accommodations. We're thrilled to add Blue Man Group, long time favs of ours, to the cadre of theaters offering autism friendly performances.   Check out our past Blue Man Features here, including loads of original photos, show reviews and more.  We've included some of our favorite shots below. Blue Man Group and Autism Speaks announce a dynamic partnership that will provide individuals with autism a slightly modified performance of the critically hailed Blue Man Group. On Sunday, October 26 at 4 p.m., at the Briar Street Theatre (3133 N. Halsted Street) minor changes will be made to the performance including, the reduction of sound levels at select moments during the performance. Headphones also will be available upon request. In addition, Blue Man Group will also be creating a calming environment in the lobby with bean bags, dim lights and quiet corners for anyone seeking a sensory break from the high-energy fun of the show. All tickets will be sold at $49 with $5 of every ticket purchased donated to Autism Speaks. For more information and tickets please visit: http://www.ticketmaster.com/promo/4inhh5.  “Those with autism often experience hypersensitivity, anxiety and difficulty communicating, making it challenging to attend events in large public settings,” said Mary Rios, Manager of Field Development, Chicagoland Chapter of Autism Speaks. “We are so excited that ‘Blue Man Group’ has made an autism-friendly performance available for the autism community, allowing them to experience something that others may take for granted. We are thankful to have amazing partners in the ‘Blue Man Group,’ who will also be donating a portion of ticket sales back to Autism Speaks.” About Blue Man Group  Blue Man Group is a unique and thrilling multi-sensory experience that fuses innovative theatrical spectacle and powerful original music with hilarious comedy to create a performance experience unlike any other. The iconic, silent, inquisitive Blue Man character has remained consistent since the show’s opening, but the world he reacts to is continuously changing, allowing for a production that continuously evolves. One of the world’s most popular theatrical productions, today’s Blue Man Group is a blend of signature material that has been in the show since the opening, as well as newer passages that examine the influence of technology on today’s world with a funny and perceptive look at contemporary communication vehicles. The performance then closes with a pulsating finale that has audiences up and out of their seats, featuring an original Blue Man Group music score. Chris Jones from the Chicago Tribune gave the show a Four Star rating and said the material was “brilliantly revamped” and “truly joyous.” After seeing the most recent material, Hedy Weiss for the Chicago Sun-Times wrote, “The show's creators have cleverly updated the production with new wizardry while retaining its essential mind-set.” Chicago Parent editor Tamara L. O'Shaughnessy said “the coolest blue guys in Chicago just got cooler.” Currently, Blue Man Group theatrical shows can be seen in New York, Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, Orlando, Berlin and on tour throughout the U.S. Blue Man Group can also be seen onboard the Norwegian Epic by Norwegian Cruise Line – the Official Cruise Line of Blue Man Group.  The company’s music, featuring custom made instruments and signature, percussive sound, can be heard on five albums, including the Grammy-nominated “Audio,” as well as various film and television projects. As the company grows, it remains true to its vision of providing exciting experiences in a variety of media, appealing to a broad range of age groups and cultural backgrounds.  Blue Man Group Ticket Information Tickets are available from $49-$99. Tickets may be purchased at the Briar Street Theatre by calling the box office at (773) 348-4000; by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787; at all Ticketmaster ticket centers or via the Internet at: www.ticketmaster.com/bluemanchicago.  For more information, visit www.blueman.com/chicago. About Autism Speaks Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Bob and Suzanne Wright, grandparents of a child with autism. Their longtime friend Bernie Marcus donated $25 million to help financially launch the organization. Since then, Autism Speaks has grown into the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. We are proud of what we've been able to accomplish and look forward to continued successes in the years ahead. www.autismspeaks.org.

HELP OUT: 6th Annual Rock4Autism benefit on Sunday April 27th

Here at ChiIL Mama we know numerous kids who fall somewhere on the Autism Spectrum, and the ever escalating numbers are tough on teachers, parents and children. Rock out and help out if you can. This event is oddly symmetrical (27 Live on 4/27) & sure to be awesome. Be there. All ages welcome.

27 Live is proud to be hosting the 6th Annual Rock4Autism benefit on Sunday April 27th from 12-6pm. This all ages music and family fun event benefits the Northern Illinois Center for Autism. Tickets are $20 and are available online at www.27live.com. 

The 6th Annual ROCK4AUTISM! at 27 Live, Evanston Sunday April 27th 12-6pm ALL AGES, 

lots of family entertainment and 5 ROCK BANDS

The 6th Annual Rock4Autism Benefit Concert and All Ages Family event takes place on Sunday April 27th 12-6pm at 27 Live, 1012-14 Church St. in Evanston. The event draws upwards of 1,000 people throughout the day with 5 live bands and loads of entertainment for the entire family.

27 Live, a restaurant, performance club and Whiskey Bar is a two floor 14,000 square foot venue with many ongoing weekly musical and performing arts events. Serving Dinner Tues- Sat. 5pm-10pm and Sunday Brunch 10am-2pm. The Whiskey Lounge is open Thurs. nights 7pm for an award-winning Jazz Series,Live at The Whiskey Lounge presented by award winning musician Steve Rashid.  27 Live is a big supporter of many causes and values working with its local and surrounding communities.

The Northern Illinois Center for Autism (NICA) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.  NICA has risen to the challenge of serving the autism population in our community. They provide recreation, resources, services, support and education to hundreds of families who live with and /or care for a loved one on the autism spectrum.  Without the generosity of those in our community, this would not be possible.

ROCK4AUTISM:

Featuring:  

Mr. Blotto with David B. Allen

JohnnyV & the Killer Bzzz

Jay Vonn

October Road, and 

A Bloke Named Smokey. 

Doors at 11:30 

Free street parking and in adjacent lots!

This is an all ages event! Face Painters, Bouncy jumper, Drum Circle with Jason Litwin, Professional Story Teller Nili Yelin, The Storybook Mom

Aly Bockler from WCIU's "You & Me in the Morning" will be helping us with the live auction items too!

Silent Auction!

50/50 Raffle

Schedule for the Event:

Band schedule times for Rock 2014

12:00-12:30 Jay Vonn

12:40- 1:15  October Road

1:30 to 2:20  A Bloke Named Smokey   

2:35 to 3:20  Johnny V & the Killer Bees 

3:35 to 4:45  Mr. Blotto   Set 1

4:45 to 5:05 break

5:05 to 6:15  Mr. Blotto   Set 2

Upstairs will be the Kids Entertainment Rooms with ongoing activites:

Storytime with The Storybook Mom, Nili Yelin 2:30-3:30pm

face painters, a children's  drum circle facilitated by Grammy award winning artist Jason Litwin

Link to event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/708736585835983/

27 Live

1012-1014 Church St.

Evanston, IL 60201

www.27live.com

855-927-5483

Advance tickets now available.

Win A 1.2 Million Dollar Dream Home or $1 Million Dollars!

If you've taken the train in the last month, you've no doubt seen ads for The Chicago Dream House Raffle.    And if you entered already, today could be your lucky day!    The first early bird drawing I is today, with 3 lucky winners taking home $25,000, $10,000, $5,000 respectively.   If not, you can still enter through January 20th, for your chance to be a millionaire or own a 1.2 million dollar dream home!   Not only that, your $150 entry fee goes for a great cause.


Sometimes in the lottery of life, families find themselves dealing with children with disabilities.  Lucky for them, they are not alone and support networks, caring teachers, and great facilities exist.   Hope Institute for Children and Families is raffling off a $1.2 million dollar dream house to raise critical funds for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Developmental Disabilities.

ChiIL Mama had the chance to tour the school that stands to benefit from these funds and meet Dr. Tamara King, the principal of The Hope Institute Learning Academy (HILA) and the CEO of The Hope Institute, Dr. Mary Ellen Caron.  


The kids have fabulous, caring teachers, but presently have to wait for transportation in an unsafe zone near busy Ashland Ave, across from Union Park.    They only have 1 smart board that classes must share, and they have a sad little wedge of mud and weeds where a future playground will grow. 


   


The kids are the real winners in this lottery, as funds will build them a fabulous playground and traffic free safe space, and enhance and update technology in the classrooms.



   Dr. Mary Ellen Caron visits classrooms with the press


The Hope Institute Learning Academy (HILA), is a K-5^th grade integrated school for children, many of whom have autism and other special needs.   This school is a unique, inclusionary school, which serves as a model program for integrating special needs children with general Ed Students. 

The school is a unique partnership between the Chicago Public Schools and the Hope Institute, a leading provider of residential, educational and health care services for children with multiple disabilities, including autism.  There are 29,000+ children with autism in Illinois.

HILA partners children with autism and general education students, interacting and learning in an inclusive classroom.  The innovative school enrolls approximately 425 students, 25 percent of which have autism and other special needs.  

The Chicago Dream House Raffle is Hope’s largest fundraising initiative in history, to raise funds for a new playground, library services and technology at HILA, as well as new home-like settings for children requiring residential care for their disabilities and much-needed oral health care for children with autism and other disabilities. 

All proceeds will help The Hope Institute for Children and Families provide services to children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other developmental disabilities throughout Illinois.

Approximately 29,000 school-age children in Illinois have an autism spectrum disorder. For 54 years, The Hope Institute has provided living, learning and health care services to children with multiple developmental and physical disabilities from across Illinois.

For more about the Chicago Dream House Raffle go to www.chicagoraffle.com. The Hope Institute for Learning and Families is at www.thehopeinstitute.us.

Here's the official raffle scoop:

THE HOPE INSTITUTE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES RAFFLES OFF 

$1.2 MILLION DREAM HOUSE

Some lucky person with a $150 raffle ticket will win an exquisite $1.2 million Hinsdale dream home or $1 million in cash, in the Chicago Dream House Raffle to benefit The Hope Institute for Children and Families. Individuals can purchase their $150 raffle tickets for a chance at the dream house, along with thousands of dollars in cash prizes through January 20th.  

The grand prize is a stunning 3,225 square-foot home with four bedrooms and four-and-a-half baths, a gourmet chef’s kitchen, private wine cellar, entertainment room and more. All proceeds will help The Hope Institute for Children and Families provide services to children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other developmental disabilities throughout Illinois.

The Hope Institute will sell up to 35,000 tickets for the Dream House Raffle.   As incentive to purchase tickets early, the raffle includes cash prizes of up to $25,000 in each of three early bird drawings for tickets purchased before the deadlines of September 30, October 28, and November 18. The grand prize drawing deadline is January 20 and the drawing will be held on Feb 4. For a complete list of prizes, go to http://www.chicagoraffle.com

Any individual who buys more than one ticket will be entered into an additional, exclusive Multi-Ticket drawing to win a 2012 Porsche Boxster or $30,000 cash; a European vacation or $10,000 cash; or a Hawaiian vacation or $5000 cash. Multi-ticket purchasers will receive an entry into this drawing with each ticket they purchase. If ticketholders refer a friend to purchase a ticket, they will be included in the Refer-a-Friend drawing and given the chance to win $10,000 cash.

The grand prize Dream House is an exquisite 2-story custom home on a spacious corner lot.  It features a luxurious master bedroom and bath, stunning living and dining room with arched doorways, three fireplaces, rich cherry hardwood flooring and French doors throughout. For photos and descriptions of the Dream House, go to http://www.chicagoraffle.com/Photos.aspx.

Proceeds for the raffle will help The Hope Institute for Children and Families provide educational, residential and health care services to more than 29,000 Illinois children per year with multiple developmental disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorders. 

To enter the Raffle, call 1-800-697-7734, or go to www.ChicagoRaffle.com and register online. Forms can be mailed to The Hope Institute at 15 East Hazel Dell Lane, Springfield, IL 92712.  Entrants may also print online ticket forms and fax them to 312-254-5014. Ticket purchasers must be 18 years or older, have US residency and meet other requirements in the Rules and Regulations as specified on http://www.chicagoraffle.com/Rules.aspx.

About the Hope Institute for Children and Families:

For 54 years, The Hope Institute has provided living, learning and health care services to children with multiple developmental and physical disabilities from across Illinois. For more information, go to http://www.thehopeinstitute.us/  or call (217) 585-KIDS.

2011-2012 Chicago Dream House Raffle Schedule

Date	Event	Prizes awarded
Sept. 30	Early bird I deadline (tickets must be purchased by this date to be eligible for the first drawing)
Oct. 18	Early bird I drawing	$25,000, $10,000, $5000
Oct. 28	Early bird II deadline
Nov. 15	Early bird II drawing	$25,000, $10,000, $5000, $2500, $1000 cash
Nov. 18	Early bird III deadline

Dec. 6

Early bird III drawing	$15,000, $10,000, $1000, $1000, $1000
Jan. 20, 2012	Grand prize drawing deadline

Feb. 4

Grand prize, Multi-ticket, Refer-a-friend drawings

Dream House or $1 million annuity, $25,000, $10,000, $5000, $2000, $1000 (5x), $500 (5x), $150 (335x)