Play Locally: Peter Pan 360 & Cirque du Soleil's Ovo Closing, The Dwarves/Nashville Pussy at Bottom Lounge, Glenwood Arts Fest, LeThrift Deals, Boogers N Little Beans, Pints for Pups and More...

double click photo slideshow for full screen and more options


Featured Favs:
If you haven't caught Peter Pan 360 yet, or want to experience the magic again before the show flies on to the next city, it's now or Neverland.   The show ends this Sunday, the 21st!   ChiIL Mama highly recommends it.   Check out ChiIL Mama's show review and past photo filled coverage.   There are even reduced tickets at Hottixs.org.

PETER PAN

Broadway In Chicago at Chicago Tribune Freedom Center, 

675 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago 

threesixty entertainment, in association with Broadway In Chicago, is excited to announce a unique event - a spectacular new production of J M Barrie's classic story, PETER PAN, at the Chicago Tribune Freedom Center. Conceived by an award-winning creative team, the SMASH HIT Peter Pan features twenty-two actors, stunning puppets, epic music and dazzling flying sequences surrounded by breathtaking video projection using the world's first 360-degree CGI theater set. Both cast and audience fly over Edwardian London. Performed in a state-of-the-art theater pavilion, this magical new "in-the-round" production of Peter Pan is an extraordinary experience for the whole family.

HALF-PRICE TICKETS THIS WEEK:

MUST ENTER HOTTIX IN PROMOTIONS AND SPECIAL OFFERS TO RECEIVE DISCOUNT

Friday 3:00pm $32.50 buy now or at Hot Tix outlet

Saturday 2:00pm $37.50 buy now or at Hot Tix outlet

Saturday 7:00pm $20.00 buy now or at Hot Tix outlet

Sunday 1:00pm $37.50/$20.00 buy now or at Hot Tix outlet

Family Finds also features Buy One Get One Free Pan Tixs.   Check out the details HERE.

double click photo slideshow for full screen and more options

Cirque Du Soleil's Ovo is also highly recommended.   Click here for ChiIL Mama's Ovo review.   Check out our exclusive video interviews with Ovo's Artistic Director, Marjon van Grunsven and Sébastien Savard, Cirque du Soleil Ovo's Violin Playing Cockroach Dad!


Click here for our photo filled, sneak peek behind the scenes at Ovo.


All Week:  

Dog Flights Benefit the Park - All Week Long at Dunlays!

Can't make it to the Pints for Pups Fundraiser? No Problem! Stop by Dunlays on the Square any time this week and ask for the "Dog" flight. You get 5 FANTASTIC Lagunitas Brews, and $3 goes toward the Logan Square Dog Park!


Facets Films:

Now Playing: An Unlikely Love Story   

One Lucky Elephant   

Sixteen years after adopting Flora, circus producer David Balding realizes she is no longer happy performing. The road to Flora's retirement is an emotional journey which tests their bond in unexpected ways. Ten years in the making, the film eschews easy sentimentality and does not avoid examining the problems and mysteries posed by keeping wild animals in captivity. Aug 19 - Sept 1. Read more  Buy tickets.

Friday: 

Benefit show for Streetwise at Beat Kitchen.  

Half of all proceeds will go to this great organization that helps Chicago's homeless population.

Friday, August 19th @ 8:30 pm

Beat Kitchen

2100 W Belmont Ave

The Future Laureates

Bassel and the Supernaturals

   The Hand Grenades

   Tree

$8

21+

You can buy presale tickets here.

This will be a solid night of live music in a fun venue, for a great cause.    Dance, drink and do good.

Don't miss the 10th Annual

Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest

Friday night (Aug 19) Kick-Off Party: 6-10pm

Saturday & Sunday (Aug 20 & 21) Fest: 12-9pm

Featuring 100+ artists, open studios, and live entertainment by 40 bands on three outdoor stages. Experience art of all disciplines, music, theater, food, and drink on the streets of the Glenwood Avenue Arts District.

Check out www.glenwoodave.org for information and schedules.

Weekend:   53rd Annual Air & Water Show.  Love it or hate it, this event will overrun the waterfront this weekend.    We avoided it for years, then my husband ended up interviewing some of the pilots a few years back and the kids were clamoring to check it out.    So we went and had a pretty good time.    


I was still a bit creeped out by the massive display of war machinery and the whole show's basically kid enticing military propaganda.   It was good to see protestors were being given space to do their thing, and raise public awareness there, too.   


I'd last gone back in the early 90's and the sweaty masses and the sight of a bunch of little kids playing all over a tank left a bad taste in my mouth.   I kept thinking of the hippy sticker....It'll be a great day when education gets all the money it wants and the Air Force has to hold a bake sale to buy bombers.  ~Author unknown, quoted in You Said a Mouthful edited by Ronald D. Fuchs


This time around, we didn't see the "tank playground" and my husband was in awe of the planes.   We've debated this for year and his take is, he can admire the science and technology of the machinery and split it from it's intent.    So he doesn't see death, destruction and war, he sees state of the art aeronautics.    The kids just dug the aerial tricks and the excuse to hang with the family at the lakefront all day.




Saturday:
Little Beans Cafe Family Concert Series-The Boogers
Boogers and BBQ-What a great way to spend a Saturday as a family.   Like the Ramones?   Check out Little Beans impressive play space and come rock out with one of ChiIL Mama's favorite bands for the punk kin.    You can see our video interview with The Boogers and loads of live concert footage on ChiIL Mama's YouTube Channel--The Boogers.    Check 'em out!

Sold Out, but ChiIL Mama will see you there from 3-5 if you got your tixs.

Le Thrift Storewide 

Sale

Hey Le Thriftiers! SALE  

Saturday August 20th, 2011

25-75% all items in store

Complimentary drinks and  

hors d'oeuvres starting at 5 p.m.

   Extended Hours on Saturday

10 a.m. to 10 p.m.  

1754 W. Division, Chicago IL 60622  

Online customers use code SSLeThrift  

www.lethrift.com

Saturday only 25% off  

Take advantage of our special deals... they won't last long 

Of course we'll be in the photo pit at Bottom Lounge Saturday for this sweet 17+ show!    Click HERE for all the show details and to enter our The Dwarves Are Born Again Disc give away!


Save the Date:

Like temporary tattoos and dunk tanks? Good thing you're invited to 5th Annual Threadless Family Reunion!


ChiIL Mama adores Threadless.   They run free workshops with our favorite non profits like 826Chi and  Girls Rock Chicago.   Du-Jay just took a free creative writing class at their headquarters on Madison earlier this week.   Each kid got to pick a free Threadless T-Shirt to keep and let the shirt spark their creative writing.

New Art Exposition to Feature Leading International Contemporary, Modern and Design Galleries

The inaugural exposition CHICAGO debuts September 19–23, 2012 in Festival Hall at Navy Pier, produced by the newly formed Art Expositions, LLC under the leadership of President and Director Tony Karman.  The new fair will open the fall art season in the heart of America and will draw upon our city’s rich history as a preeminent arts and culture destination.  exposition CHICAGO will showcase up to 100 international art galleries, presenting a curated mix of contemporary and modern art, design and new mediums.  

“This is an exciting time for Chicago.  With our foremost cultural institutions, innovative technology sectors, internationally renowned restaurants, music and theater, and a new Mayor strongly committed to the arts, it’s the right time for us to launch a new contemporary art exposition for our city,” said Karman. “exposition CHICAGO is about looking forward – in theme, scope and presentation. We will adhere to the highest of standards of quality to present a thoughtfully curated mix of dealers, artwork and design for collectors, curators and arts enthusiasts to explore.”  

For 2012, exposition CHICAGO will introduce an overarching theme – Discovery – to focus the programming and special installations that will occur at Navy Pier and other public art projects and events throughout the city.
 
“Discovery is important in all aspects of what we are trying to do with exposition CHICAGO.  We envision that this theme will complement– and magnify – the extraordinary work of our local institutions, dealers, curators and artists,” said Karman. “September is the perfect time to establish our exposition and we will work closely with Chicago’s arts, design, entertainment, business and tourism industries to ensure a not-to-be-missed experience.”   

Art Expositions, LLC has committed to present exposition CHICAGO at Navy Pier for at least three years.
 
For more information about exposition CHICAGO, please call (312) 428-3094 or visit www.expositionchicago.com.

You Can Have Your Pan and Beauty Too

It's an amazing time to be a kid in Chicago right now, with Broadway in Chicago running not one but two amazing productions for the young and young at heart.   My 8 year old daughter and I had a girls' night out at The Oriental Theater on Sunday night and just adored Beauty and The Beast.    


When I asked her later which she liked better and why, she sagely said it was too close to call.   Peter Pan had better moving backgrounds, but the tapestry like set for Beauty and the Beast was cool, too.   Then of course Beauty had big dance numbers and fun songs.   But Pan had cool aerial arts and flying characters.     Then again, Beauty had a disembodied talking teacup child and a levitating transformation from beast to prince she was still trying to figure out days later.   Wisely she declared it a tie.


Fortunately, with half price deals at Hottixs right now, you may not have to make that hard choice either.   You can see both for the price of one through July 10th, while supplies last!

    Pan Plan-Leave extra time before hand, or take a stroll during intermission and check out the cool history of Peter Pan. 
  
ChiIL Mama's challenge:
1.  See how you measure up to the main characters in height.   
2.  Find out how "my friendly" turned into the name, Wendy, and how Barrie's beloved character ended up becoming a new girls' name in our world as well as his.
3.   Catch a quote.    Find out what famous actors and musicians thought of productions of Peter Pan they saw.
4.   See if more Broadway productions had women or men play Peter Pan.     How many of each?


Peter Pan is currently booking through August 21st.

Beauty Treatment-
1.   Arrive early enough to enjoy the lobby and interior of The Oriental Theater. It's our favorite place in Chicago to play i-spy.    There are amazing mythical beasts, ornate scroll work and seriously cool creatures that are well worth exploring before the house lights dim.


2.   Sight lines for shorties:    If your littles get beastly when big heads in the row in front of them block all the action, stop by the coat check early for the most royal looking booster seat cushions ever.    They're red velvet like the auditorium seats and complimentary.    However, they are in limited supply.   


3.   Sharing is beautiful.    We were lucky to have 7th row seats-right in the vortex of metallic ribbons shot out into the audience during "Be Our Guest".   We gathered up an armload full, and took a fun redistribution walk during intermission.    There was a trail of happy, smiling children as we gave the ribbons out to everyone who didn't catch one.   We made it through the lobby, ribboned the kids in the bathroom line and then left the last hand full draped on the restroom sign.    As the lights flashed and we headed upstairs, an excited group of kids was claiming the last of the ribbons.


Beauty and the Beast is playing through August 7th.

24 W. Randolph, Chicago

LAST YEAR’S SOLD OUT ENGAGEMENT was hailed by the Chicago Sun-Times as "warm and winning performances, a tuneful score, and real heart," the classic musical love story is filled with unforgettable characters, lavish sets and costumes, and dazzling production numbers including “Be Our Guest” and the beloved title song. Experience the romance and enchantment of DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST! 

Peter Pan Threesixty Review And Peter Pan's Neverworld Book and Tee Winners Announced

Of course, we've been raving about the whimsical, wonderful production of Peter Pan Threesixty since it opened.   We featured the show again when the run was extended, and we're happy to announce they're currently booking through August.    Check out their web site for ticket info, show times and dates, and even production video clips.


You can even take a "Neverland Pirate Cruise" to select show dates (including today 7/1), and/or a pre-show tour.   There's also an option to order a picnic before the play.

ADD TO THE MAGIC!

NEVERLAND CRUISE: Travel in style along the Chicago River to see PETER PAN, a spectacular new production based on the classic story by J M Barrie. On select nights, sail along Chicago's newly renovated Riverwalk to Neverland. Package includes cruise to and from the Freedom Center aboard Chicago’s Little Lady and price level 1 ticket to PETER PAN. Don't miss what the Wall Street Journal calls "a visually dazzling, London-born production." 

Click here for the details. 

INTO NEVERLAND: Begin your journey in the Pavilion, our foyer tent, and learn about J M Barrie, the story behind Peter Pan, and its 100-year theatrical and cinematic history. Take a tour of the extraordinary THREESIXTY° THEATRE. Watch video interviews with the creative team. Access exclusive information about the cast and the production, including the 360° CGI Technology. The tour is hosted exclusively by our very own cast members - Fridays at 5 pm! 

Click here to buy.

4th of July Weekend 1/2 Price Special at Hottixs for both Peter Pan & Beauty and The Beast (ChiIL Mama's checkin' out B & The B July 3rd and will have a full review) Friday, July 1 at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 2 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, July 3 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 6 at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 7 at 7 p.m. Friday, July 8 at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 9 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, July 10 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m Friday, July 1 at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 2 at 8 p.m. Sunday, July 3 at 1 p.m. and 6:30p.m. Wednesday, July 6 at 2pm and 7:30p.m. Thursday, July 7 at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 8 at 8 p.m. Half price tickets to the above performances may be purchased ONLY at one of the two HOT TIX booth locations OR online at HOTTIX.org WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!

The last 2 months we've also done a tie in with Chicago author, Peter Von Brown, who has written a fabulous sequel to Neverland in the style of J.M. Barrie.    Here are our winners of signed copies of the NeverWorld book and a NeverWorld T-shirt combo.


Winner 1:    Rhee L., Miamisburg, OH
Winner 2:   Susie C. Chicago, IL


We still have a full book review and audio interview with the author, coming up this month.  This action packed, sequel to Peter Pan, NeverWorld, is the only expansion on Peter Pan that stays true to J.M. Barrie's original.    Check out Peter's Website for ordering information.  


Author Peter Von Brown had a chance to see the original mounting of this same production of Peter Pan in London's Kensington Gardens, where the original book by J.M. Barrie was set.    He even ended up there the same night as Prince Charles and Camilla!   ChiIL Mama linked to his review previously.   Despite a traditionalist bent, where he wished that Tinkerbell was depicted as a dot of light and that Nanna wasn't a puppet, Von Brown loved the show.   So did we.


Peter Pan threesixty



Ciaran Joyce, part of the original Peter Pan company from Kensington Gardens, is a fantastical and fantastic embodiment of the impish ruffian, Peter Pan.


We highly recommend checking out Peter Pan threesixty.    Broadway in Chicago continues their 10th season in style with this breathtaking, visual feast.    We felt more like we were on a ride at Universal Studios than in a play in Chicago.    The flying over London scenes and the under water adventures are amazing.   In fact, in a genius melding of the best of old and new, 400 square miles of virtual London, circa 1904 were rendered for the show!   The multimedia effects put the viewer smack dab in the middle of Captain Hook's pirate ship and make every audience member an integral part of the action.    


We loved the human mobile effect of the major characters suspended by wires from the center of the tent.   Come experience the world's first 360-degree CGI theatre set, along with 23 actors, stunning puppets, epic music, and dazzling flying sequences.   We're hoping that threesixty entertainment does move forward with their plan to produce more shows this way.





Snarky Tinkerbell was Sagezilla's absolute favorite character.   She embodied all the playfulness of a young girl, and power of a magical creature, without the hyper feminine poofyness and prissyness of the Disney version of fairies.    Emily Yetter did an excellent job being childlike and childish, yet entirely endearing, even when she was being a brat.   Of course, now my kids' new favorite expression is "You silly ass."   Thanks Tink.   Guess it could be worse.    They haven't shot anyone with arrows yet.


We also loved the fact that the mermaids were vicious, dangerous and more true to classic mythological versions and those seen in the recent Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.    Mythical mermaids are much more interesting when they're drowning sailors than sitting around primping.   Although I must say that the harshest critic in the family, my 8 year old daughter, declared the mermaid's silks work "weak".    I have to agree with her, though it thrilled me that we are so fortunate to live in a world class theatre city where my kids have seen truly stunning aerial arts at Lookingglass Theatre and learned how to do silks and trapeeze work themselves at CircEsteem.





There was nothing weak about the band of bawdy buccaneers.   Pirates are always in season, on the big screen or under the big top.   We adored these Neverland ne'er-do-wells, led by the legendary Captain Hook.   Overall, the production, though non union, is well acted, and the stunning sets and costumes are worth the Broadway Theatre price tag.    This is a production adults and children will equally love, and a memorable family event that won't soon be forgotten.    Come have your own grand tent adventure, on the picturesque banks of the Chicago River, with the boy who refused to grow up and the children who love him.