HELP OUT: GLOBAL ARTISTS FOR PEACE Benefit Concert at Marriott Theatre July 15

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Musical theater artists from Poland, Germany, and Bosnia and Herzegovina to tell their stories through song in GLOBAL ARTISTS FOR PEACE benefit concert at Marriott Theatre July 15

Broadway Across Borders, a non-profit organization dedicated to cultivating and connecting emerging artists across borders and empowering their artistic and social entrepreneurship, will present its first Chicago-area benefit concert on Friday July 15 at 8 pm at Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire. Broadway Across Borders co-founder Aaron Thielen, who is also Marriott Theatre’s former Artistic Director, announced the event today. The 75-minute multi-media concert featuring musical theatre artists from Poland, Germany, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, will tell the stories of the life experiences of these central and eastern European artists through a program of musical theater numbers as well as original songs written and composed by the artists. The musical performances will be enhanced by video projections and the singers will be accompanied by a five-piece band. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the charitable organization Global Citizens and their program “Stand Up for Ukraine,” to provide grants to help Ukrainian artists tell their stories.

Marriott Theatre’s Aaron Thielen and Ryan Nelson are co-founders of sponsoring organization 

Broadway Across Borders

The featured performers are Adrian Kieroński of Warsaw, Poland; Nikolina Vujić and Sanjin Arnautović of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; and Lucia Miorin of Augsburg, Germany. Repertoire will include songs from the musical HAIR (which Broadway Across Borders will present in concert in three cities of Bosnia and Herzegovina in June 2022), from SPRING AWAKENING (produced by BAB online during the COVID lockdown in October 2020), the musical film THE GREATEST SHOWMAN, and original songs written by the artists. While these performers have previously collaborated with each other in virtual productions, the July 15th concert will be the first time the four will have performed together in person.

Arnautović is a musical theater actor and singer and a teacher at the Academy of Performing Arts in Sarajevo. Vujić is one of the leading musical theater performers in Sarajevo and has performed on television, in theatre at the Sarajevo War Theatre, and in films. She has studied at the Sarajevo Music Academy. Miorin has trained professionally in schools in Augsburg and Berlin, Germany. Kieroński is a graduate of the Fredryk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw, Poland, where he studied voice and acting. He has performed in musical theater productions in Warsaw, Lublin, and Lodz, Poland.

Tickets are $55 (plus tax and service fee) and are on sale now at http://broadwayacrossborders.org/, MarriottTheatre.com, or the Marriott Theatre Box Office (847-634-0200). VIP tickets, which include after-performance reception with champagne and desserts, and intimate conversations with the artists, are also available for $150 (plus tax and service fee).

Broadway Across Borders Presents

GLOBAL ARTISTS FOR PEACE

Friday, July 15, 2022, 8 pm

Marriott Theatre, Ten Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL

Tickets: $55 (plus tax and service fee), VIP Tickets: $150 (plus tax and service fee)

VIP tickets include after-performance reception with champagne and desserts, and intimate conversations with the artists.

Tickets and further info available at http://broadwayacrossborders.org/, or at Marriott Theatre Box Office 847-634-0200 or MarriottTheatre.com.

Four Broadway Across Borders alumni artists from Poland, Germany, and Bosnia and Herzegovina come together for one night to share their stories, talents, and their passion for connecting with artists from around the world. A portion of the proceeds from this concert will be donated to the charitable organization Global Citizens and their program Stand Up for Ukraine to help refugees from Ukraine and around the world.

ABOUT BROADWAY ACROSS BORDERS

Broadway Across Borders is a non-profit arts organization that builds international and cross-cultural collaborations through musical theatre performance that create a shared understanding of humanity by cultivating and connecting emerging artists across borders and empowering their artistic and social entrepreneurship. Broadway Across Borders was co-founded by former Marriott Theatre Artistic Director Aaron Thielen and Ryan T. Nelson (Marriott Theatre Resident Music Director).

"HOPPIEST" HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS AT HOFBRAUHAUS CHICAGO

GET THE HOLIDAYS BREWING AT HOFBRAUHAUS CHICAGO

 

Celebrate the Season with Special Events, Festive Christmas Day Menu, Munich-Style New Year’s Eve Celebrations, Seasonal Brews and More

Here at ChiIL Mama, my kids are a bit German on both sides of the family, and we love to embrace our German heritage with food, music and traditions. Hofbräuhaus Chicago is a great place to find all of the above. Check out their holiday happenings right here. 

Eat, drink and be merry this holiday season at Hofbräuhaus Chicago, located in Rosemont’s MB Financial Park entertainment district. The first and only German micro-brewery, restaurant and beer hall in the Chicago area will celebrate the “hoppiest” time of year with several holiday offerings including a special holiday brew, holiday gift card promotion, visits from St. Nicholas and Krampus, the first-ever Holiday Kinderfest, special Christmas Day menu and Munich-style New Year’s Eve celebrations. 

Holiday shopping can be stressful when trying to find the perfect gift for family or the office gift exchange. Skip the candles or magazine subscriptions and get them something they’ll love at Hofbräuhaus. Perfect for holiday gift-giving, an on-site gift shop allows customers to bring an authentic Bavarian experience into their home. With handmade German steins, men’s and women’s apparel, holiday ornaments and even lederhosen, the gift shop offers something special for everyone. Throughout the holiday season, Hofbräuhaus guests who purchase $100 worth of gift cards at Hofbräuhaus Chicago will receive a free $25 bonus gift card to gift or spend on themselves.



Visitors can solidify their spot on the “nice” or “naughty” list at Hofbräuhaus Chicago this season with a little help from German holiday folklore icons, St. Nicholas and his devilish companion Krampus. The pair will visit Hofbräuhaus from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. on Saturdays from Dec. 9 through Dec. 23. Derived from Germanic folklore, Krampus is a beast-like creature said to punish those who are naughty throughout the yule season. Krampus is said to be spotted during the month of December roaming the streets in search of those that wound up on the naughty list.



For those looking for holiday fun for the whole family, Hofbräuhaus Chicago will host its first “Holiday Kinderfest” Sunday, Dec. 17 from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Families can enjoy $5 meals for children ages 12 and under in addition to a variety of free activities including face painting, ornament decorating, magic acts, visits with Santa and more. A special bubble show will take place from 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.



Those looking to avoid the stress of cooking a Christmas dinner can visit Hofbräuhaus Chicago Monday, Dec. 25 for a special German “Weihnachten” menu. Special holiday dishes include:

Gefligelcremesuppe
Creamy chicken soup with vegetables, croutons and chives

Bayrische Kartoffelsuppe
Creamy Bavarian potato soup with vegetables, sliced sausage and croutons

Gebackener Tortenbrie
Breaded brie cheese wedges lightly fried and served with a winter salad bouquet, balsamic dressing and cranberry sauce

HB Rib Eye und Pfeffersteak
10 oz. grilled rib eye steak smothered with brandy peppercorn sauce and served with sauerkraut, “bratkartoffeln” German pan-fried potatoes with bacon and onions

Frische Knusprige Schweinshaxen
Crispy pork shank served with Bavarian cabbage and bacon salad, potato and bread dumplings and house made HB lager bier gravy

Crème Brulée
Classic crème brulée served with sweet whipped cream and fresh berries

Glühwein



To pair with its authentic German fare, Hofbräuhaus Chicago is brewing a special “Dopplebock” holiday beer at its onsite microbrewery. Hofbräuhaus Chicago’s Dopplebock is an exceptionally malty brew with very little bitterness and will be available December 2017 through January 2018.

Chicagoans are invited to ring in 2018 the Bavarian way with two exciting celebrations at Hofbräuhaus Chicago Sunday, Dec. 31. Families looking to ring in the New Year earlier in the day can celebrate at Hofbräuhaus Chicago’s “Munich-style” family-friendly celebration starting at 2 p.m. Festivities include a face painter from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m., followed by a magic show complete with illusions, live animals and a little help from the audience. Families can participate in a parade and toast to Munich’s New Year at 5 p.m. All guests will receive a complimentary glass of champagne or sparkling wine for the little ones.

At the stroke of midnight, Hofbräuhaus Chicago will “prost” to 2018 with a glass of champagne for its guests as they enjoy spectacular fireworks above MB Financial Park.

Hofbräuhaus Chicago is located at 5500 Park Place in Rosemont, in the MB Financial Park at Rosemont.  Valet parking is available for a minimal charge, and parking is also available in the nearby parking garage (free with validation). For reservations and more information, call 847-671-BREW (2739) or visit hbchicago.com.

OPENING TOMORROW: ChiIL Mama's Video Interview With The Flying Steps From Red Bull's Flying Bach #VideoInterview

ChiIL Mama's ChiIL Picks List:

It sounds like a wacky mash up straight out of a sitcom or children's book. 3 B-Boys (hip-hop break dancers from Germany) hook up with a Swedish ballerina and hit the road, on tour with modern street dance to a score by Bach! Believe it or else... it's true. This show is opening right HERE in Chicago THIS Friday, and they've been playing all over the world to rave reviews. 

Check out their insights on how this show is uniting old and young audiences and fans of quite divergent genres, and bringing packed houses back in cities where theatre and dance had been dying off. We also asked them "What's in your ipod?" and more. Catch our interview and clips from a hip-hop class they taught below:

ChiIL Mama was invited to Joffrey Tower earlier this spring, to do a video interview with 4 of the dancers. 

WHO:  Four dancers from the Berlin-based dance crew The Flying Steps, four-time break dance world champions, including Swedish contemporary dancer Anna Holmström and break dancers Mikel, KC-1 and Lil’ Ceng…



These fierce 4 were a treat to meet. They were personable and incredibly talented. 





We chatted off camera a bit,too, after the formal interview, and asked the B-boys if they lived for touring and if it kind of sucked to have to teach classes or vice versa, since teaching and taking the stage sometimes require different talents and personalities. Of course, the guys admitted they dig performing and touring the world, but they also said one of their favorite things to do is teach hip-hop to KIDS in Berlin! Love it. They've even run their own school since 2007! I bet they're fantastic at it, too.

WHAT:  Talk to press and host break dance workshops with local troupes and students at downtown Chicago dance studios including beginner and advanced sessions with high school and college students. 

We can NOT wait to see their show opening THIS Friday 6/20, and we'll be there to review opening night. Check out our exclusive video interview and photos from their workshop right here. Then get your tickets to see them LIVE. They're here for SIX performances ONLY. We've been promoting this show since way back in March, but if you're still hesitating, don't. This is one multicultural, genre defying mash up you must see to believe. 



Here's the Scoop:

DISCOVER THE HIGH ART OF GETTING DOWN.

High culture meets urban art: In the clash of cultures Red Bull Flying Bach turns a international classical world upside down. Their creative performance visualizes and revives Johann Sebastian Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier crossing the borders of serious music and youth culture. Note by note. Step by step. With piano, harpsichord and electronic beats.

• When: June 21-22 & June 27-29 (Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30pm, Sunday afternoons at 2pm)
• Where: Civic Opera House
• Cost: $24 to $88 via Ticketmaster or at the Civic Opera House box office

This June, Chicago scores a major coup in the arts & performance sphere: The Flying Steps, four-time break dance world champions, perform Red Bull Flying Bach, a show making its exclusive U.S. stop in Chicago only for six performances at the prestigious Civic Opera House, June 20-29.  This follows a sweeping tour with sold-out shows in over 24 European cities plus Japan, Australia, Canada and Chile.

Red Bull Flying Bach blends eye-popping urban dance – power moves, head spins, flairs, freezes, popping & locking – with live classical music performed by Christoph Hagel, opera director and pianist extraordinaire.  Swedish ballerina Anna Holmström joins the seven international members of The Flying Steps.  German-Lebanese b’boy Vartan Bassil is the show’s lead choreographer.  The music?  J. S. Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier, of course, plus electronic beats.  Two disparate genres like classical music and break dance come together in amazing and surprising ways.

EXCLUSIVE U.S. ENGAGEMENT

of Red Bull Flying Bach Brings World-Renowned Dance Crew The Flying Steps

to Chicago for six performances only, June 20-29

For the first time in the United States after three seasons of sold out performances around the world, the celebrated and distinguished dance crew The Flying Steps will bring Red Bull Flying Bach to Chicago, making its debut in an exclusive U.S. engagement for six performances only downtown at the historic Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, June 20 – 29, 2014.

Bach and breakdance don’t go well together? The four-time breakdance world champions The Flying Steps and opera director Christoph Hagel prove the contrary with their breathtaking performance, Red Bull Flying Bach. With their interpretation of Johann Sebastian Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier, they shift and overcome the borders between classical and urban culture. By combining Bach’s classical masterpiece with modern electronic beats and clever choreography, the audience of each performance truly experiences a powerhouse production invoking visual amusement with delightful sound.

Red Bull Flying Bach has sold out theaters around the world, such as Sweden, Australia, Germany, Iceland, Chile, Russia, Japan and Austria. The show itself is a beautiful blend of the minds of Artistic Directors Vartan Bassil (choreography) and Christoph Hagel (piano, musical director). The Civic Opera house, playing host to this one-of-a-kind performance, is eager to have the show debut on its famed stage later this year.

“We're really excited to host Flying Bach for their U.S. premiere this June,” said Rich Regan, Director of Facilities at the Civic Opera House.  “It's a groundbreaking blend of traditional and contemporary entertainment that will be completely new to Chicago audiences.”

Swedish ballerina Anna Holmström joins the seven male break-dancers of The Flying Steps, fusing key elements of urban dance culture with precision ballet.

Tickets, ranging from $24 – $88, are now on sale by visiting at: http://www.ticketmaster.com/Red-Bull-Flying-Bach-tickets/artist/1595623 or by visiting the Civic Opera House box office. Red Bull Flying Bach will be performed over two weekends only:  Friday and Saturday evenings, June 20, 21, 27 & 28, at 7:30pm, and Sunday afternoons, June 22 & 29, at 2pm.

ChiIL Mama's Photo Favs:

ABOUT RED BULL FLYING BACH

High culture meets urban art: In this clash of cultures, Red Bull Flying Bach turns the international classical world upside down. The creative performance visualizes and revives Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier crossing the borders of serious music and youth culture. Note by note. Step by step. With piano, harpsichord and electronic beats. With head spins, power moves and freezes. With visuals and a storyline, 70 minutes long.

ABOUT THE FLYING STEPS

The Flying Steps are consecutively one of the most successful urban dance crews worldwide with breathtaking shows and one-of-a-kind choreographies, appealing to a diverse audience. The group was founded by Vartan Bassil and Kadir “Amigo” Memis in 1993 in Berlin. The Flying Steps specialize in urban dance styles like b-boying and popping-and-locking, and have won several world championships, like the Battle of the Year and Red Bull Beat Battle.

In 2007, they opened their own dance school in Berlin – The Flying Steps Academy. With a mission to guide the next generation of urban dance and offer young prospects an opportunity with social projects, the Academy is how the Flying Steps set the stage for the next generation of dance.