Showing posts with label Parents' Night Out. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Parents' Night Out. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

PARENTS' NIGHT OUT: ShPIeL Presents: The World Premiere of Angina Pectoris

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar

OPENING: 



Theater Two at Theater WIT
ShPIeL-Performing Identity Theatre

Angina Pectoris tells the fictitious story of a fictitious Israeli minister Dan Yasour, who, in order to placate the religious right, gets a seemingly innocuous bill passed so that Israeli Jews may only receive organ transplants from Jewish donors. Absurdity sets in when the politician himself needs a heart transplant and the only heart available is from a Palestinian Arab-Israeli.

For group sales or additional information, please contact ShPIeL-Performing Identity at info@shpieltheatre.org
Running Time: 1 hour 30 minutes with no intermission

ShPIeL - PERFORMING IDENTITY PRESENTS THE WORLD PREMIERE OF ANGINA PECTORIS

WRITTEN BY MICHAL AHARONI AND
DIRECTED BY ARTISTIC DIRECTOR DAVID Y. CHACK

An Intricately Absurd and Absurdly Intricate Political Satire in Israel
at Theater Wit, November 18, 2015 – January 3, 2016

ShPIeL-Performing Identity proudly announces the world premiere of Angina Pectoriswritten by Michal Aharoni and directed by ShPIeL Producing Artistic Director David Y. Chack, November 18 – January 3, 2016 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. The performance schedule includes preview performances Thursday, Nov.19 and Friday Nov. 20 at 7:30 p.m. with opening/press nights Saturday, Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday Nov 22 at 7:30 p.m. 

The regular schedule is Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Thanksgiving schedule is as follows: no performance Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 26. The Thanksgiving weekend performances take place Friday, Nov. 27 and Saturday, Nov. 28 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 29 at 2 p.m.

The Christmas week schedule is as follows: no performances Thursday, Dec. 24 and Friday, Dec. 25. Christmas week performances are Wednesday, Dec. 23 at 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 26 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 27 at 2 p.m.

The New Year’s schedule has no performances Thursday, Dec. 31 or Friday, Jan. 1, 2016. There are performances Wednesday, Dec. 30 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Saturday Jan, 2, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $28 for general admission; $22 seniors; $18 for students with ID; $12 for industry with headshot and available at the Theater Wit box office by calling 773.975.8150 or visiting TheaterWit.org. For groups of 10 or more please contact info@shpieltheatre.com or call 773.969.6860. Go to shpieltheatre.com for complete post-performance discussions and guest speakers’ schedule.

Angina Pectoris is a biting political satire from one of Israel’s hottest playwrights that posits the ridiculous. But the humorous situations uncover deeper issues about identity in Israel and today’s world pertaining to culture, religion, and politics in a broader and multicultural context.

“I love the way Aharoni shows life in Israel through humor, satire, and meaningful issues. Her writing is a thought-provoking introduction to the thorny issues of the conflict. Her extensive knowledge of Israeli political realm, combined with her writing skills and her fantastic sense of humor make us not just laugh - but also think.” - Ari Shavit, best-selling author of My Promised Land.

“A brilliant and sophisticated satire, comparable to the mythical 'Yes, Minister' that unveils the intricacies of Israel's politics.” - Ami Pedahzur, The Institute for Israeli Studies of the Schusterman Center for Jewish Studies, University of Texas, Austin.

“I’ve known Michal Aharoni for many years and Angina Pectoris reveals not only intelligence, but it is humorous, unique, and creative.” Dr. Erel Margalit, Israel Minister of Knesset, Labor Party.

ABOUT MICHAL AHARONI, playwright
Aharoni is a playwright, newspaper columnist, and public-relations professional. Aharoni earned her theater degree from Hakibuzim Seminar in Tel Aviv, followed by a Master’s degree from Middlesex University in London. Over the past several years, she has worked as a spokeswoman for many Israeli politicians. Currently she writes for MAARIV online based in Washington, D.C. Her plays have been produced both in Israel and London. Angina Pectoris is her third full-length play. She is very excited to have ShPIeL produce her world premiere that is also being produced in a concurrent transcontinental world premiere in Israel at Tzavta Theatre in Tel Aviv, one of the leading cultural centers in Israel.

ABOUT DAVID CHACK, director
Chack, ShPIeL's producing artistic director, is a theatre producer, director, writer, curator and professor at The Theatre School at DePaul University. He is also president of the Association for Jewish Theatre and performance consultant to the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center. Recent ShPIeL productions are Cities of Light and A Salon of Jewish-American Song; The Passions of Emma Goldman, The Invasion of Skokie and Conviction. He has also worked with Theater Wit, Victory Gardens Theatre, Silk Road Rising, Piven Theatre Workshop and Lookingglass Theatre.

ABOUT ShPIeL – PERFORMING IDENTITY
ShPIeL – Performing Identity comes out of extensive research and work on identity and theater by Artistic Producing Director, David Y. Chack, showing how identity, heritage and culture create meaningful art and community engagement that transcends boundaries. Coming from Jewish roots, ShPIeL, over its four years of existence has produced the Chicago Stage 773 and Skokie productions of Cities of Light, The Passions of Emma Goldman, and The Invasion of Skokie at the Skokie JCC Theatre; as well as the Israeli play Conviction with Ami Dayan and Maya Productions at Theater Wit; Belgian theatre artist Noemi Schlosser in Date Me! and Sound of Silence with Salomeeshpilt Theatre at Theater Wit; and a ShPIeL Showcase at N’Namdi Gallery honoring Jewish work alongside Asian-American, African-American, feminist, and Chicago historical pieces. ShPIeL is a proud recipient of the Driehaus Foundation’s Theatre Grant from the MacArthur Foundation.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Dixie's Tupperware Party-Two Unlikely American Icons Team Up

What do drag queens and Tupperware have in common?





Both are great for entertaining, colorfully conceal their goods, and have a staring roll in Dixie's Tupperware Party.    


This raunchy, real Tupperware Party has come to The Royal George Theatre Cabaret for a limited 8 week run, and we highly recommend you check it out.   I haven't laughed this hard and long in a show for years.   My sides hurt.    Dixie's wild wit and quick improv shine in this fast talking, plastic crap hawking, one woman show.


Dixie is a consummate hostess, offering mints and schmoozing with her guests in the intimate theatre space that serves as her expanded, double wide living room.   She has an entire wardrobe of mini skirt, table cloth couture.   Break out your best trailer park chic, and dress up for this one, for the full effect.


Everyone has name tags, ostensibly for the raffle prizes, but this gives Dixie a wicked little advantage of being able to pick on people by name.   This highly interactive, audience participation piece pulls everyone in, whether they like it or not.   Before you know it, she'll have you singing "I've got that Tupper feeling down in my heart" just like Vacation Bible School.


I was most amused and impressed by Dixie's mastery of naive, Southern, trailer trash vocabulary.    She is convincingly geographically challenged and stumbles over the big word in her pitch with a charming lack of finesse.   She rocks the funny scripted bits, with great comedic timing and charisma, but really shines with the off the cuff stuff.   


Beware if it's your birthday.   Our resident birthday girl was tagged "the lesbian", early on, for looking at Dixie's legs, in a gender bender worthy of Shakespeare.   Then the poor girl was playfully teased and referred to throughout the show.


If your number gets picked in the lottery, you're in for a ride.    After you have your mortifyingly fun 15 minutes of fame on the stage, you'll go home with a little Tupperware treat.   Just don't be surprised if you're asked to demonstrate your tea bagging technique on a tiny toddler toy replica or race another team to get your balls in order.


As for the raunchy part, if you're easily offended or a pc police type, you might want to seek your Tupperware fix at a more vanilla, suburban party.    Dixie explains Tupperware in a wine chugging, sex loving, no holds barred way that will have you laughing too hard to fill out an order form.   She extols the virtues of Tupperware for drinking and driving, explains screwing, and explores creative, new uses hookers might find for the squeeze and squirt device with the decorator tips.


The real part is a bit more complex.   Yes, this is a "real" Tupperware party, complete with order forms and real product.    But the real elements go beyond so called "plastic crap".    Dixie also shares a poignant monologue about spousal abuse and gripes about the challenges of being a single mother to 3 young children, Wynona, Dwayne, and Absorbine, Jr.   In the style of 70's consciousness raising groups, Dixie uses her 1950's reputation Tupperware parties for a startlingly feminist rallying cry.    


Dixie enlightens everyone on Brownie Wise, single Mama and genius behind the concept of the Tupperware party.    She's all but forgotten, since she didn't "slap her name all over everything like the inventor, Tupper."    Yet, Dixie is reviving the Brownie Wise story, and using it as a rallying cry.   Don't let other people tell you what you can't do, is the heartfelt message beyond the bowls.    Dixie proves that if a single Mama with 3 little dependents, a drinking problem, and a prison record can enjoy economic independence, and rise to the upper echelons of the Tupperware sales empire, then anyone can go for their dreams.

Dixie's tupperware party stars Dixie Longate and is written by Kris Andersson and directed by Patrick Richwood.   

In 2008, Dixie received a prestigious Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Solo Performance.    ChiIL Mama will be interviewing Dixie in early April, so comment if you have any questions for this scrappy, hilarious, entrepreneur.   The show runs through May 15th, as part of a 20-city national tour, so get your tickets today.

















Monday, January 24, 2011

Last Day To Enter-Free Tixs to The Shams at Lincoln Hall & Winter Fest for the Kids at Beat Kitchen

The Shams
photo credit ishootrockstars.com



Winter Fest extravaganza Saturday, January 29!
Little Miss Ann Band, Boogers, Mary Macaroni & more, 11:30am-5pm
Next Saturday, January 29th Concerts for Kids is throwing a HUGE party. With a rocking main stage, facepainting, punk rock hair styling, crafts and lots of fun.

Concerts for Kids Main Stage
noon: Boogers
1:00: Mary Macaroni Magic Show followed by Balloon Animals
2:30: AmeriKid Idol with Andy Moy*
3:30: Little Miss Ann Band
Special thanks to Beat Kitchen, Psychobaby, ChicagoKids.com, Unicoi Art Studio and Sitters Studio for making the fun possible.

*Note: If your child would like to perform in AmeriKid Idol, our open mic show, please email Julie Dickinson.
Buy tickets here. Beat Kitchen is located at 2100 W. Belmont.



To keep up to date with Concerts for Kids, become our Facebook friend at www.facebook.com/kidsshowschicago.



ChiIL Mama's been takin' names all month, but entries close tonight at midnight.   Once again we have 2 tickets for a parents' night out Thursday with The Shams (18+) at Lincoln Hall Thursday, January 27 2011 8:00 PM.
18+ $8.00.   Then we have a family 4 pack of tickets to Winter Fest at The Beat Kitchen Saturday at noon.


These shows are gonna be good ones.  Enter at the bottom of this post for your chance to win!   Finally, we are also still taking entries to win a family 4 pack to opening night of Monster Jam, Monster Truck Show at Allstate Arena on Friday, February 11th.   Concert ticket winners will be announced tomorrow during Free Tickets Tuesday.   You can enter to win Monster Truck tickets through Tuesday 2/1/11


We had a chance to check out The Shams at CBBF and can't wait to see 'em again.   And Saturday, Beat Kitchen features a whole afternoon of kindie rock and punk for the littles.   There will also be punk hair coloring and styling, crafts, and even a chance for your rock stars to strut their stuff on stage on Amerikid Idol.   A keyboard and mic will be in place, and you can bring an ipod or CD to accompany, or DIY.  


Here's what's up for Thursday:


Chicago Roots Collective & Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival Present: The CRC Showcase One Year Anniversary



Thursday, January 27 2011 8:00 PM
18+ $8.00   





After opening for Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros at the 2010 Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival, The Shams Band looks to develop their own nitche in the Chicago music scene. These young garage rockers bring energy, passion and captivating harmony to every live performance.
“The Shams Band scene was reminiscent of a southern dance hall upturned by bad-boy rockers. If it weren’t for their mid-western look, a body almost forgot she was in Chicago. With tinges of Wilco, Chuck Berry, and Sly and the Family Stone wrapped up in a rootsy twang package, the energy of The Shams Band is contagious.” -Erin Keane [Via Chicago]
Follow | @TheShamsBand | @DNelsonMusic 

Enter here for your chance to win:



Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Congress--Elect To Go This Weekend--The Black Label Berzerkus Tour and Danzig-Blackest of the Black



Election day is over and you may or may not have gotten your way.   But you can elect to put yourself in Congress this weekend!   Chicago's own Congress Theatre, that is.   Come celebrate or drown your rage with two nights of good times at this "historic entertainment center".   Take a parents night out for some heavy rock therapy, or send your older kids off to these shows, for a quiet night at home.   



ALL AGES
Sat, Nov 6th
The Black Label Berzerkus Tour
Black Label Society, Children of Bodom, Clutch, 2 Cents
Doors @ 6:30PM | 773-276-1235


17+
Sun, Nov 7th
Danzig presents
Blackest of the Black 2010
Doors @ 5:30PM | 773-276-1235


Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Parents' Night Out-Iggy Pop at The Aragon This Sunday

Iggy and The Stooges Perform Raw Power.


Click here for ChiIL Mama's past Iggy Pop feature.   We highlighted his In The Hands Of The Fans project and info on his current tour.   A chance like this doesn't come around every day.  So, book a sitter and we'll see you at The Aragon.




Friday, May 21, 2010

Look For ChiIL Mama This Weekend: Rockin' With The Buzzcocks, Cheering On The Blackhawks, Parading With The Pooches & Checkin' Out Mr. Singer & The Sharp Cookies

FRIDAY:  There's lots of great stuff goin' on this weekend including just for the parents shows and family fun.
First, call out the sitters tonight.   Theater Oobleck is back with more cutting edge theatre, and you can feel xtra good about your cultural self, because tonight only, half of the proceeds go toward peace and justice work.

Theater Oobleck opens "Casanova Takes a Bath" tonight, in a benefit performance. Half the proceeds go to the American Friends Service Committee, to support their work in peace and economic justice.  Check 'em out on Facebook and YouTube.

   
Throw a little shark steak on the grill and cheer The Blackhawks on to victory in game 3 of the Western Conference Final at 7pm Friday.   We're in it to win it!   Game 4 is Sunday at 2pm.
 
The official start of the festival season is upon us with Mayfest leading the pack.   There are bands galore on Friday through Sunday, but we're aiming for 11am Sunday for the pet parade. 
  
On Sunday, pet lovers unite to enjoy our world-famous Mayfest Pet Parade - Sponsored by Higgins Animal Clinic. Here is your chance to showcase the talents of your furry friends and take the stage for our unique per-friendly party. Awards are presented for the ‘Best Looking’, ‘Largest’, and ‘Owner Look-A-Like’ and others. If your pet can do an incredible trick, make sure to sign up for our ‘Pet Trick’ Portion of the show.
SATURDAY: 
The largest Green Festival in the nation is back at Navy Pier this Saturday and Sunday.   Bring a reusable bag and stock up on green samples and swag.

FREE ADMISSION FOR:






  • Volunteers - learn how to volunteer!
  • Bike riders with valet ticket - courtesy of Clif Bar's 2 Mile Challenge
  • Students with ID
  • Youth ages 18 and under
  • City of Chicago Employees
  • Green America & Global Exchange members
    $5 Discount:



  • ONLY AVAILABLE AT DOOR!

  • Seniors 62 and over
  • Public transit riders with transfer or pass
  • Union members with valid ID 
  • Otherwise, admission is $10 a day or $15 for the weekend. 
  •  

Our favorite derby girls are back in action.   Come cheer the Windy City Rollers  on at 6pm Saturday at UIC Pavilion.   Fun for the whole family.
SUNDAY: 
We'll be featuring Mr. Singer & The Sharp Cookies in an upcoming Win-A-Disc-Wednesday, but why wait?   You can check 'em out in person this Sunday, May 23rd at 12pm  at the Beat Kitchen  *followed by arts and crafts with Unicoi Art Studio.  Tickets are only $5.00.  www.sharpcookies.net or get in touch with Mr. Singer on Facebook .


 
Now, Sunday night, there's a band for the big kids (AKA:  grown ups and those offspring over 21).   Can you name that foursome?  No..............not the Beatles, tho they begin with the same letter, hail from the same country and were once referred to as "the Beatles of punk".



We may all be a bit older, fatter and grayer than we were "back in the day", but we're not dead yet, and we still like a good live show!   So, come on out to the Double Door and see The Buzzcocks this Sunday at 8PM.   The Dollyrots open.








In case you're not familiar with the band or need a refresher course in Punk101.   Here's the band's bio off their "official site"


  There are hardly any bands performing today that genuinely deserve the adjective ‘legendary’. Buzzcocks are one of those very few. Their achievements are staggering: one of the original holy trinity of British punk (with the Sex Pistols and the Clash), innovators of the independent record scene and genuine punk rock superstars who have been cited as inspirational by bands as diverse as REM, Nirvana and Green Day. Eight studio albums, over twenty singles and EPs, a constellation of compilations, covers by other bands and songs on film soundtracks and advertisements have put Buzzcocks among the top echelons of British recording artists. A Mojo Inspiration award in 2006 is just one of the many accolades they have received for their work.
Buzzcocks have been thrilling audiences for over thirty years. Once called ‘the Beatles of punk’, their music blends high-octane guitar, bass and drum power with heartrending personal statements of love won and lost or dismay at the modern world to create a unique catalogue of unforgettable and immortal music – music they continue to deliver to fans old and new around the world with undiminished passion and energy.


Buzzcocks have forged a unique relationship with their public and are deeply loved and revered by a global audience. They are simultaneously true to their original ideals and open to new ideas – a happy result of their own uncompromising and individual standing.


Over the years, generations of musicians have tried the Buzzcocks methodology and have made their own variations of it. Most are generous in their thanks to the band that started it all. Those impressed by the recent waves of 'punk' bands would do well to spend an afternoon with Buzzcocks' seminal pop treasure Singles Going Steady, consistently the band’s biggest seller and a masterclass in genre-busting songcraft. This compilation of their first UK Top 40 hits is a classic album in every sense, an astounding collection of stunning moments such as ‘Orgasm Addict’, ‘What Do I Get?’ the anthemic ‘Harmony In My Head’ and, of course, the song that has become their calling card: ‘Ever Fallen In Love With Someone (You Shouldn’t’ve Fallen In Love With?)’. These songs have been covered by dozens of groups in many styles, a testament to the originals' strengths not as slices of punk rock history but as examples of songwriting craft.


Buzzcocks are the true godfathers of punk-pop, having laid down that infinitely superior archetype. They are also a band with a past, present, and future. It is a history the group's members could never have imagined back in the hot punk rock summer of '76. Says Pete Shelley: "Looking back on it now, what's going on is like echoes of the Big Bang. You look around you in society and the culture; so many things would not have been the same if there never was punk rock. It's strange; it's like a science fiction novel. But to us at the time, it just sprung naturally."


They're still doing it, better than anyone. Sometimes the archetype is clearly the best. Buzzcocks – no. 1 in people’s hearts. Icons, superstars, legends.


Saturday, April 24, 2010

Parents' Night Out-Resonate

Resonate v5
Take a break tonight at Resonate 5
Congress Theatre will be transformed into a visual and auditory feast tonight from 7pm-3am.   This 18 and over event features numerous artists, musicians and creative acts like hoop and fire dancers and aerial acrobatics.
Emily Knoblauch - Aerial Acrobat

Thursday, October 22, 2009

ChiILoween II--More Hot Happenings before Oct. 31st--CICFF Kids Film Festival, 500 Clown Frankenstein, Parents Nights Out, and Theatre Updates

Here are some of the best, that stand out from the rest, in a packed couple of weeks here in Chi Town.


The 26th Annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival begins today, Thursday, October 22nd and runs through November 1st.   Check out the CICFF web site.   I've been a volunteer at Facets for 20 years, and they are truly one of Chicago's treasures.   If you go to the film fest at Facets on Halloween morning, say hi.  ChiIL Mama, Du-Jay and Sagezilla will be volunteering with the box office and concessions from 9-12:30.

Monday, October 26th--Frankenstein with franks and  steins!

Parents need a night out, too.   And, if you can snag a rare Monday night sitter, or talk your "significant other" into wrangling the monkeys while you have a girls or guys night out.........this is the place to be!   Adrian is not only an acrobatic superstar, but a local Chicago Dad and a friend of ours.   If you've never seen a 500 Clown show, your life is incomplete.  They're wacky, wonderful, and not to be missed!



500 CLOWN FRANKENSTEIN
with franks & steins
Monday October 26
Reserve your tickets now with a donation
party happens between shows
at Galaxie, 2603 W. Barry Ave, Chicago

"Outrageous humor and ape-shit acrobatics" Time Out Chicago


500 Clown Frankenstein came to life in 2003 in a hole in the wall theater in a Chicago downtown building slated for demolition. The show continues to have an active touring life in fancy and not so fancy digs all around the US (with one European stint so far).
Now begins 500 Clown Raw – a series of Chicago-based 500 Clown events that celebrate immediacy, risk, and liveness in small spaces with small crowds.
First up: Shaking up 500 Clown Frankenstein with a new performer line up featuring 500 Clown veteran performer Adrian Danzig partnering with the fabulous and riveting Matt Hawkins and Leah Urzendowski.
We hope you join us on this new and exciting ride, which will take us into 2010, filled with new shows, clown jams, and inspiring action-events building community around the unpredictable power of the moment.
click here for more info and to watch some 500 Clown Frankenstein (click on video in left column)

"Fiercely clever and monstrously funny ...

a bold, compassionate and often dangerous distillation of Mary Shelley's horror novel about arrogance, obsession and irresponsibility." Daily Herald
Donate now to reserve tickets.
$30 gets you
a show, franks & steins.
whaaa? yes.



and more frankenstein...
The Hypocrites' Frankenstein at the MCA
Opening Night Performance & Private Party
Saturday, October 24th, 7:30pm
Only ten tickets left

Call 773.989.7352 exclusively to book now before they sell out




Rocky Horror Show--Another great night out that'll take you right back to your college days....and make you forget about dirty diapers and homework help for a few precious hours. October 22-31only.  Shows at 8PM  @  Athenaeum Theatre  





The Raveonettes were one of our favorite bands we'd never seen, from Lollapalooza 2009.   They'll be at Metro this Sunday at 7pm, with The Black Angels.  




And, if Rocky Horror isn't kitschy and seasonal enough for ya.   Here's another production goin' on this week at one of our favorite venues, Hideout.   Check out Little Shop of Horrors at 8PM tonight through Sunday only.   Tickets are a reasonable $15.00.   Reserve in advance.   It's a small space and likely to sell out.

Finally, Our Kid-Friendly Theatre Update through the end of October:


Special Halloween Treat--two for one tickets to The Hundred Dresses

Buy one ticket, get one free*
for the hottest family show in Chicago!  

Special Halloween performances at Noon and 3pm. Come in costume! Treats and a gift bag for every child!

* One child ticket FREE with purchase of each full-price adult ticket for Sat., Oct. 31 shows!
   Request Treat1 when ordering



Treasure Island at Lifeline Theatre has been extended by two weeks.


Performances are selling out - don't miss your chance to experience Robert Louis Stevenson's legendary high-seas adventure, adapted for Lifeline Theatre by award-winning ensemble member John Hildreth.

Treasure Island runs Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 4pm & 8pm, and Sundays at 4pm, through November 15, 2009.

Call the box office today at (773) 761-4477 or order ONLINE.

Treasure Island
















  

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