ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List: Family Friendly Fun
Chicago Magic Lounge presents
a weekly, child-friendly Family Show with
a special Halloween-themed Family Show on October 28
**Recommended for ages 5-16**
From the secret entrance behind the spinning dryers, to the mystifying magic tricks inside, Chicago Magic Lounge is truly a treat! Now, their shows are not just for the adult crowd. Every Sunday at 2pm, Chicago Magic Lounge welcomes families with a 45-minute magic matinee suitable for younger ages. Chicago Magic Lounge, Chicago’s new home for close-up magic, brings magic and mystery to the stage this Halloween season with a variety of performances to satisfy all cravings. A special, child-friendly (ages 5 and older), Halloween-themed Family Show with costumes and trick-or-treating will be held on Sunday afternoon, October 28 at 2pm.
Tickets for all Chicago Magic Lounge performances are available at the box office, (312) 366-4500 or online at chicagomagiclounge.com.
The Family Show Every Sunday at 2pm Tickets: $25, $15 (children, ages 5-16) We take the bar scene out of Chicago Magic and open our Blackstone Cabaret for a 45-minute magic matinee suitable for younger ages. Our mission is to bring back the era of bar magic, bringing out the child in every adult; however, on Sundays, we feature a family-friendly magician that will fill both the adults and children full of wonder. The Family Show makes a great post-brunch activity with many restaurants nearby. The Family Show is suitable for ages 5 and up.
The Halloween Family Show Sunday, October 28 at 2pm Tickets: $15 (children, ages 5-16), $25 The Halloween Show will feature fun and family-friendly magic that will delight children and adults alike. Guests are encouraged to wear costumes and bring trick-or-treat bags as candy will be handed out at the show! The Halloween Family Show is appropriate for children ages 5 and up.
In addition to its programming, Chicago Magic Lounge is a proud organizational sponsor of Open Heart Magic, a non-profit organization of volunteer magicians who perform Bedside Magic™ for kids in hospitals, regardless of their medical condition or physical abilities. Halloween is the 80th anniversary of National Magic Day, which recognizes the day of Houdini’s death and is observed as a day of service in the magic community. Open Heart Magic takes this philosophy and practices it year-round.
About Chicago Magic Lounge Chicago Magic Lounge reinvents the classic "magic bar" that once dotted Chicago's nightlife landscape, bringing cocktails and card tricks back together again. Shows include magic performance at the bar, on the stage and in true Chicago-style Magic form, at the tables of the guests, providing the classic "Close-Up" tradition Chicago-style Magic is known for. Chicago Magic Lounge is also the home of the Chicagoland magic community, showcasing over 30 local professionals, and serving as a networking hub for working magicians from all over the world.
The newly constructed theater at 5050 N. Clark St., designed by Morris Architects Planners, has ushered in a new wave of entertainment, bringing back “Chicago-style Magic” under the leadership of Donald C Clark, Jr. and Joseph (Joey) Cranford. Converted from a 1940s-era, commercial laundry building, the Chicago Magic Lounge is a 7,200 square-foot, Art Deco, state-of-the-art theater and lounge complete with secret doors, elegant performance areas and a magic bar – all dedicated to the art of sleight of hand, prestidigitation and Chicago's contribution to the magical arts. From magicians to mind readers, Chicago Magic Lounge provides guests the unique, one-of-a-kind experience of seeing wonders up-close and personal in a venue unlike anything else offered throughout the country.
THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Ghosts, Ghouls and Talking Potatoes
Directed by Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd
October 7 – November 4, 2018 at the Neo-Futurist Theater
An Original Sketch Show that is Written by Kids,
Performed by Grownups, and Enjoyed by Humans
Barrel of Monkeys company member Isabella Gerasole performs “Untitled (Lunch Lady Slob)”
Just in time for Halloween, Barrel of Monkeys is pleased to present the newest revue of its much lauded sketch show: THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Ghosts, Ghouls and Talking Potatoes, directed by Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd. The Halloween edition plays Sundays at 3 pm from October 7 – November 4, 2018 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.barrelofmonkeys.org or by calling (773) 506-7140. The press opening is Sunday, October 14 at 3 pm.
TWGGhostsGhouls-1 (left to right) Barrel of Monkeys company members Lev Caruso and Jennifer Allman perform “The Pig Apocolipse” in THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Ghosts, Ghouls and Talking Potatoes, directed by Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd. All Photos by Beth Bullock Photography.
(left to right) Barrel of Monkeys company members Mary Tilden and Jennifer Allman perform “Old Man Potaters”
Gather ye ‘round for a line-up of scary (and silly) stories featuring talking potatoes getting lost in the woods, Malcolm X fighting zombies, creepy slideshows that haunt old houses, and other spooky scenarios imagined by Chicago elementary school students.
Barrel of Monkeys company members Lev Caruso, Jennifer Allman, Rawson Vint and Jasmine Jordan perform “Candy Man”
(left to right) Barrel of Monkeys company member Jennifer Allman (front) with (back, l to r) Jasmine Jordan, Mary Tilden, Rachel Wilson, Tom Malinowski, Lev Caruso and Isabella Gerasole perform “Nacho and Work” The cast includes Jennifer Allman, Noah Appelbaum, Lev Caruso, Jean Carlos Claudio, Isabella Gerasole, Jasmine Jordan, Tom Malinowski, Kelan Smith, Mary Tilden, Rawson Vint and Rachel Wilson.
Now in its eighteenth year, THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA features adaptations of stories written during Barrel of Monkeys’ creative writing residencies in Chicago elementary schools. BOM teaching artists guide 3rd through 5th graders through a six-week curriculum that uses theater to bring out the storyteller in every child. Afterward, BOM’s ensemble of professional actors, comedians and musicians bring the young authors’ stories to life as raucous sketches, songs and movement pieces, performing first for students in their schools and then for the public.
The stories in THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA resonate with adults while celebrating the imaginations of young people. Rotating themes highlight the diversity of stories BOM students concoct, from hilarious dialogues between unlikely characters to poignant pleas for social change. Every week brings a new line-up of stories, and BOM invites audiences to vote on their favorites at each performance.
Barrel of Monkeys company members Rachel Wilson and Mary Tilden perform “Unicorn aka a Horse”
Location: Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago Dates: Preview: Sunday, October 7 at 3 pm Press performance: Sunday, October 14 at 3 pm Regular run: Sunday, October 14 – Sunday, November 4, 2018 Curtain Times: Sundays at 3 pm Tickets: Previews: $10 for adults, $5 children 12 and under, $8 groups of 10 or more. Regular run: $20 for adults; $5 for children 12 and under. Discounts: $12 for students with ID, seniors, veterans and groups of 10 or more people. Teen Arts Pass (TAP) members: $5 with ID. Tickets are currently available at www.barrelofmonkeys.org or by calling (773) 506-7140. About the Director Brandon Cloyd joined Barrel of Monkeys in 2007 and has been deeply involved in many facets of the company ever since. Prior to joining BOM, Brandon graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and a minor in Business Institutions. Within BOM, Brandon has served as an actor, teaching artist, lead teacher, a member of Teacher Corps, as well as directing shows for schools and public performances of That's Weird, Grandma. Before becoming the company’s Artistic Director in September 2017, Brandon served as BOM After-School Program Coordinator at Loyola Park from 2014-2016 and Program Director from 2016-2017. Outside of Barrel of Monkeys, he worked as the Associate Director of Camp Echo, where he has spent 13 summers managing campers and staff at a co-ed sleep away camp in Upstate New York. Brandon has worked with other theatre companies including Urban Theatre Company, American Theater Company, Filament Theatre, InGen Productions, ACLE's Teatrino in Italy and Purple Crayon Players at Northwestern University.
Barrel of Monkeys company members Kelan Smith and Tom Malinowski perform “The Unknown Granddaughter”
Barrel of Monkeys company members Kelan Smith, Rawson Vint and Lev Caruso perform “Ninja Lovers”
About Barrel of Monkeys Since Barrel of Monkeys’ inception in 1997, its teaching artists have served more than 60 Chicago Public Schools. Over 15,000 elementary school students have participated in the Barrel of Monkeys programs, which aim to build students' writing skills, improve self-esteem, and instill confidence in their ideas and abilities.
Barrel of Monkeys is sponsored in part by Wintrust Financial, Allscripts, Inc., Ernst and Young and Punchkick Interactive. It receives generous support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency; the National Endowment for the Arts; a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events; the Chicago Community Trust; Crown Family Philanthropies; Alphawood Foundation of Chicago; the Maurice R. and Meta G. Gross Foundation; Polk Bros Foundation; the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation; the Robert and Isabelle Bass Foundation, Inc.; The Saints; The Topfer Family Foundation, and many other generous individuals and foundations.
(left to right) Barrel of Monkeys company members Mary Tilden, Isabella Gerasole and Jennifer Allman perform “Untitled (My Family that Lives in Las Vegas)”
Here’s a tasty new treat for Chicago families this Halloween season – the first-ever Frightfully Fit Feast, Saturday, October 28, starting at 4:15 p.m. at Chicago Children’s Theatre, The Station, 100 S. Racine Ave. in Chicago’s West Loop. Bring a big appetite to this unforgettable evening of family cooking, communal eating and Halloween-themed entertainment. Because at Frightfully Fit Feast, families not only get to play with their food, they get to learn how to make easy-to-prepare, delicious and nutritious Halloween treats. What’s on the macabre menu? Spooky Eyeball Tacos, Chocolate Mice, Bloody Cocktails and more. By the end of the night, everyone will have made their own Halloween-themed meal including a non-alcoholic beverage, appetizer, main dish and desert. All kids will leave with a full tummy, a Halloween goodie bag and a big smile on their face. The price, including all food, is $20 per family member or $68 for a family of four. Each additional family member is only $15. Costumes are encouraged. Space is limited. To reserve tickets and for more information, visit icookafterschool.com. Frightfully Fit Feast is presented by Chicago Children’s Theatre’s education department, led by CCT Community Programs Artistic Director Frank Maugeri, in partnership with iCOOK After School.
About iCOOK After School iCOOK After School is a fun, hands-on, after-school cooking program for children with a mission to help teach kids to love everything about food – cooking, eating delicious and healthful dishes and learning about different cultures. iCOOK’s instructors have culinary backgrounds and many are also registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs), so parents can be sure that “health” is an important ingredient in each recipe. For more information, visit icookafterschool.com. About Chicago Children’s Theatre In addition to a full slate of shows in the new Pritzker Family Studio, Chicago Children’s Theatre, The Station, is also home to four classrooms hosting a year-round roster of performing arts classes and camps for children ages 0 to 14. Registration is now open for the upcoming Winter session, January 22-March 17, 2018. Visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org/winterclasses to sign your children up for Improv with The Second City!, Old Town School of Folk Music’s Wiggleworms classes, aerial arts with Actor’s Gymnasium, Hip Hop 4 Totz, Bubble Jams, Taking the Stage and more. Early bird discounts for the Winter Session are offered through November 12. Since its launch in 2005, Chicago Children’s Theatre has cemented its reputation as the city’s largest professional theater company devoted exclusively to children and young families. After 11 years of itinerancy, Chicago Children’s Theatre opened in January 2017 its first-ever permanent home, The Station, the fully repurposed, former 12th District Chicago Police Station. Today, The Station is a beautiful, mixed-use, centrally located performing arts, education and community engagement hub that welcomes all Chicago families. Newly opened in the Pritzker Family Studio is Chicago Children’s Theatre’s all-new production of A Year with Frog and Toad, hailed by Chicago Parent as “exceptionally enjoyable…a timeless tale” and recommended by the Chicago Tribune as “a lovely hour to add to your life…very well sung, and played…3 stars.”
A Year with Frog and Toad runs through October 29. For tickets and information, visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call (872) 222-9555.
360 CHICAGO Observation Deck is ready for a spooktacular year. Admission Halloween weekend includes special Sunday Funday family entertainment, creepy cocktail specials for the adults, and the entire 94th floor dressed for the holiday (including candy stations while supplies last).
During TILT or Treat celebrations between Saturday, Oct. 28 and Tuesday, October 31, guests dressed in costume will be also be rewarded with one complimentary ride on the thrill ride, TILT, where they hover 30 degrees over the busy streets below.
FOR ADULTS: Throughout the Halloween weekend, Zombie Brain Shots ($6) ooze at the Architect’s Corner Bar & Café which also serves light bites and offers a full bar with specialty cocktails, wine and beer for sale. Two Zombie Brain Shots include a witches-brew combination of peach schnapps, grape pucker, Midori, grenadine with Bailey’s Irish Cream floated on top, or an eerie concoction of peach schnapps, grenadine, blue curacao topped with Bailey’s Irish Cream. FOR FAMILIES: Sunday Funday on October 29 will be extra-special for the kid with Halloween-themed entertainment from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. activities. Myster AJ’s magic will take youngsters on an eerie adventure as he dazzles and delights each with tricks that leave curious guests dumbfounded. And the Super Epic Story Time team amplifies bump-in-the-night atmosphere with ghost stories and more. As an added bonus, children under 11 years of age visiting during TILT or Treat between 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. can take advantage of a 50 percent savings, resulting in a cost of $6.75 per child or $3.30 per child qualifying for the 606 Resident Appreciation Rate. Observation Deck Hours and Pricing Open 365 days a year from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., the last ticket is sold at 10:30 p.m. General admission: $20.50 for adults (ages 12+); $13.50 for youth (3-11); Chicago 606 Resident Appreciation Rate: $10.25 adults (ages 12+); $6.75 for youth (3-11). Additional pricing packages can be found at www.360chicago.com.
360 CHICAGO is located at 875 N. Michigan Avenue, 94th Floor in Chicago, IL. For information, weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., call 312-751-3681. All other times, please call 312-654-2892. Follow on social media through Twitter and Instagram: @360Chicago; Facebook: 360 Chicago. Visit www.360chicago.com for information.
ZOMBIE ZIP LINES AND HAUNTED TREETOP TRAILS COMING TO EDGE ADVENTURES AERIAL PARK
ChiIL Mama's ChiIL Picks List:
Family Friendly Halloween Fun a Short Day Trip From Chi, IL
For the month of October Edge Adventures Aerial Park - Deep River NWI will present a Halloween experience unlike any other in the Chicago/Northwest Indiana area. The park will be transformed into a spooky forest with Haunted Treetop Trails. And on Saturday evenings, there will be Zombie Zip Line adventures featuring live zombies roaming beneath the zip line course. Edge’s Haunted Treetop Trails will have participants crossing rope bridges, zip lines and log beams while surrounded by ghosts, ghouls and other mysterious effigies. Spooky lights, scary sounds and creepy decor will create the atmosphere of a haunted forest. These haunted elements will add to an already thrilling treetop adventure in the woods. On Saturday evenings in October, Edge will kick things up a notch with Zombie Zip Lines featuring live zombies roaming the earth below the zip-liners. Participants can zoom over the heads of the walking dead as the creepy figures stagger around in a zombie wasteland below the course. Chilling lighting effects and creepy sounds make this nighttime experience one that is not to be missed. Teen actors from area high schools will star as “The Zombies” on Zombie Zip Line evenings. On October 7, Crown Point High School Theatre Department actors will kick things off as they transform the once-friendly forest to a zombie infested wasteland. The second week will feature actors from Hobart High School Theatre Department lurking around the zombie apocalypse zone. On October 21 actors from Lake Central Theater Company will stagger along the trails of terror scaring everything in their path. And on October 28 the park will be overrun with zombies from the Bearcat Theatre Company at Wheeler High School in Union Township. If this sounds a little too terrifying, there will be a much less scary experience for children ages 4-7. In the Jack-O-Lantern Hollow kids’ course, there are low to the ground elements decked out in pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns. Jack-O-Lantern Hollow is a great Halloween activity for the little ones in a zombie free zone. There will be safe passage for the little ones from the parking lot to the Jack-O-Lantern zone. The Haunted Treetop Trails and Jack-O-Lantern Hollow are open Fridays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout October. Zombie Zip Lines take place every Saturday night in October from 5 to 10 p.m. Advance reservations are recommended. These offerings are included in the regular park admission prices. The two-hour adventure is $39 for adults and $29 for children 8-12. The three-hour adventure for adults is $49 and $39 for children 8-12. Tickets for the Jack-O-Lantern Hollow kids’ course are $10 for a one-hour experience. Edge Adventures Aerial Park –Deep River NWI is located adjacent to Deep River Water Park. The park features more than 50 self-guided treetop obstacles including zip lines, cargo nets and rope bridges. Adults and kids can harness up and play in the trees. All of the aerial park’s challenges provide thrills and screams for guests at every skill level. Edge Adventures provides all safety equipment – helmet, harnesses, belays and gloves. Guests participate in a safety briefing and practice course, and are assisted by Edge-trained staff throughout each of the course routes. They have the thrill of climbing, zipping and working through the courses with the security of knowing that they are 100 percent on the safety line from start to finish. Certain age, height and weight limits apply for the larger courses. Adventurers must be at least 8-years old, with a minimum weight of 40 lbs and a maximum of 275 lbs. Hands must reach 66” high with feet flat on the ground. Groups of 20+ may reserve a Group Adventure any day subject to availability. Call or email for details. Edge Adventures Aerial Park – Deep River NW Indiana is located at 9001 E. Lincoln Highway, Crown Point, IN 46307. For preregistration and advance ticket information, visit http://www.edgeadventureparks.com/deep-river You can also email us at info@edgeadventuresparks.com ; call us at 800-590-8347, like us on Facebook https://.www.facebook.com/deepriveraerialpark/ ; or follow us on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/edgeadventures_deepriver/ Summary of Hours Jack-O-Lantern Hollow (ages 4-7) – scary rating 0 skulls • Fridays starting at 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. • Saturdays 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. • Sundays 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Haunted Treetop Trails (ages 8+) – scary rating 1 skull • Fridays 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. with last climb starting at 6 p.m. • Saturdays 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. with last climb starting at 9 p.m. • Sundays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with last climb starting at 4 p.m. Zombie Zip Lines with Haunted Treetop Trails (ages 10+) – scary rating 2 skulls • Saturdays in October from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. with last climb starting at 9 p.m.
Fire-Shooting Carnival Game, UFO Ride, Mini Movie Set, Diabolic Comedy Club, Devilish Cooking Class and Haunted Attic Maze “The Nest”
among the many interactive experiences
At Redmoon’s Pilsen home, October 18-19 & 25-26
Here at ChiIL Mama/ChiIL Live Shows we've been watching Redmoon Theatre grow and evolve since their beginnings in the early 1990's. So we were super stoked to be invited down for an exclusive behind the scenes build tour with Frank Maugeri (Producing Artistic Director) for the 2nd year.
Frank is a large-scale public art spectacle maker and we were thrilled he took time out from his busy day at T-minus 2 days with "20 weird interactive oddities to finish" to personally show us the ropes. His excitement is contagious and we can't wait to see this year's Skelebration come to fruition. Wack a fly room! As much as we dig actually enjoying their spectacles, there's something magical in the process too. We love to see the process and the progress. Check out our full behind the scenes slide show right here and our favorites embedded below.
One of our favorite elements of Redmoon shows is the reappearance of past props, costumes and sets, morphed into new configurations. Frank laughed when I brought that up as a plus and confessed that it's more a matter of budget and necessity than nostalgia, and that he'd love to make every show entirely new. Yet, it's recycling at it's best, and fun for Redmoon regulars to reminisce on past productions and enjoy the creative new twists on old favs. You'll recognize some sets and costumes from last season's Bellboys, Bears and Baggage and Skelebration, but this interactive extravaganza has plenty of all new features, too, and it's different for every unique individual who comes through.
We're excited to see their second year of their family friendly Halloween/Day of the Dead/fall Skelebration growing and expanding as well. This time around they're slated for this weekend AND next. I love to geek out on the plans, the gazillion man & woman hours that go into "engineering wonder" as Redmoon's mission states. It's mind blowing what goes on under the radar and behind the curtain. So here is our take on the compelling little secret bits, to get you stoked for the real deal. **ChiIL Fact: The walls of the upstairs haunted maze were dug up from the new downtown site of the Maggie Daley Park, now under construction.**
Skelebration's fun for all ages with a little bit scary maze for ages 7+ in the upstairs for a donation and plenty of scare free zones to explore at your leisure in their gargantuan Pilsen space. QUOTE OF THE DAY:
"Are my cables on the floor there making an artistic shot for you?" Yes... yes they are. Like I said, I do dig the composition of things in progress. But it's also incredible to me that all the individual pieces are creating a whole much greater than the sum of it's parts. These cables aren't just going to end as an artsy photo. They'll go on to power the magic, run the bells and whistles, inspire creativity and joy, and blow people's minds.
When I see a line of welders' masks, they not only look cool as is, but they make me think spark, energy, pieces coming together, inspiration, and a creative collective of talented people... Get your tickets and bring the whole family out to experience the wonder that is Redmoon's Skelebration.
We're getting "Fired Up" about it!
Who wouldn't want to watch movies in a crypt all night?! (vintage cartoons along with some stunning artist made originals by one of Redmoon's first interns from waaaaaaay back in the day.
You can even get a tattoo (that won't freak your mom out or last far past Halloween)!
Check back with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often. We'll have a full set of Skelebration show shots up after next weekend and more.
REDMOON’S FAMILY-FRIENDLY SKELEBRATION
RETURNS TO ENGINEER SEASONAL WONDER
Fire-Shooting Carnival Game, UFO Ride, Mini Movie Set, Diabolic Comedy Club, Devilish Cooking Class and Haunted Attic Maze “The Nest”
among the many interactive experiences
At Redmoon’s Pilsen home, October 18-19 & 25-26
This fall, Redmoon’s family event Skelebration, which debuted with great success last year, returns for its second annual installment of experiential exploration. Redmoon invites families into its otherworldly playground inside its Pilsen home (2120 S. Jefferson Street) for a re-invention of the seasonal rituals of Halloween. Creativity, imagination and a sense of adventure are celebrated with interactive experiences, immersive encounters, creative snacks and imaginative music, this year directed by Kasey Foster under conceptual direction by Redmoon Producing Artistic Director Frank Maugeri. Redmoon extends the event over two weekends, Saturdays and Sundays, October 18-19 and 25-26.
Redmoon’s Skelebration 2014 promises an all-new array of multisensory delights, including:
·Redmoon’s Celestial Swing, an eerie mausoleum on the outside with a peaceful, ethereal swing inside.
·TheUFO Carousel where children can climb inside one of three gigantic flying saucers and spin off into space.
·Redmoon’s Spectacle Hall features a massive series of interactive possibilities including, among many other things, a live-animation cinematic experience with a pair of 200-foot-long scrolls unfolding to tell a dynamic adventure story.
·Redmoon’s “Cartoon Adventure,” a mini movie theater where children and adults don headphones and enjoy five original short animated films by Laura Heit, Joseph Hodgson and Franck Aubrey, Hannes Vartianien and Pekka Veikkolainen, Selina Wagner and PES.
·Families can “picnic” in TheMan-Made Lagoon, an intimate space where music fills the air in designer/composer Jake Ruttenberg’s sonic adaptation of Orson Welles’ radio drama War of the Worlds.
·Redmoon premieres its newest food service device The Pastry Wheel,whichwhimsically pairs the iconic image of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair Ferris Wheel with urban pedal power, serving cupcakes, brownies and other enticing sweets.
·Performers roam the space serving delightful treats, including signature Redmoon mechanical marvels such as TheFloating Trays, TheLibation Machine, TheMonkey Butlers and The Fish Bubble Man.
Families can enter Redmoon’s haunted sideshow-like series of rooms known as “The Devil’s in the Details,” which hold experiences both eerie and humorous, including:
·“The Chocolate Bar,” a delectable room of dip-able treats.
·“Heck’s Kitchen,” a cooking class with the Devil where families participate in making Deviled Eggs.
·“The Bedroom Swat-a-Fly,” a larger-than-life human fly swatting game.
·“The Cinematic Cemetery” film studio, where families can be the star of their own scary movie.
·“Satan’s Cackle Shack,” where Matt Demon, voted “Hell’s Most Humorous Devil” 1998, entertains the audience with his killer stand-up routine.
By spinning a wheel to determine a nominal additional fee, which could range from $5 to $10 to a silly physical act, children and adults gain access to two more experiences:
·A chance to play “Fired Up,” Redmoon’s newest carnival game where children shoot a target and are rewarded with a spectacular surprise.
·Visitors brave enough to enter “The Nest” will ascend into Redmoon’s frightening attic maze. An adventure into a vampire nest inspired by Bram Stoker’s gothic tale of Dracula, “The Nest” creates an eerie, mystical and enigmatic world that’s chilling without resorting to horror or gore, instead playing on the sounds, shadows and corporeal experience of encountering the supernatural in everyday life.
Audiences can enter Skelebration at staggered entrance times as follows: Saturdays and Sundays at 1 pm & 4 pm
Adult tickets are $20 (age 18+), youth tickets are $12 (age 4-17) and children are free (age 3 and under). Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. Tickets are available in advance online at redmoon.org/box-office or by calling 312-850-8440 ext. 123. Tickets will also be available at the door, subject to availability.
Upcoming Party for the Adults: Boneshaker
Following the two weekends of family fun, mom and dad – and the rest of the 21+ party crowd – can escape into Redmoon’s fifth annual Halloween event Boneshaker, taking place at 2120 S. Jefferson St. Friday, October 31 (Halloween night) beginning at 9 pm.
Many of the creative installations from Skelebration get the grown-up treatment for Boneshaker. The UFO Carousel, Celestial Swing, “Fired Up” game, devilish cooking class, “Bedroom Swat-a-Fly” game, “Satan’s Cackle Shack,” “The Cinematic Cemetary” and attic maze “The Nest” all remain. Joining them will be an outdoor Fire Garden, Redmoon’s signature fire-spouting and music-pumping Fire Organ, a cigar-rolling room and specialty Mezcal tasting salon, in addition to multiple bars and gourmet dessert stations.
Early Bird tickets for Boneshaker are $75, available until October 24, and $100 as of October 25, which include food and open bar. Group tickets for 10 or more receive a 10% discount. Boneshaker is for patrons age 21 and up.
About Redmoon
Redmoon's mission is to transform the experience of Chicago through free large-scale theatrical events that promote community, creativity and an empowered democracy. Redmoon burst into Chicago’s cultural consciousness with its award-winning production of Moby Dick in 1995. While the indoor productions continued to receive critical acclaim and popular support, Jim Lasko chose to focus the theater’s energy outdoors, where Redmoon sought to deploy spectacle to bridge difference and transform the ways that people see and understand public spaces. Over the past 24 years, Redmoon has become a highly valued Chicago institution with its high-profile collaborations, vibrant outdoor performances and authentic community partnerships. In 2009, Lasko joined forces with long-time collaborator Frank Maugeri to co-lead Redmoon as it garnered international attention for its unique productions, site-specific performances and participatory events. Since 1991, Redmoon has performed for more than 350,000 people in 49 different neighborhoods in 186 public spaces.
Generous funding for Redmoon’s 2014-15 programming has been provided by The 1111 Foundation; Alphawood Foundation; The Amgis Foundation: The Cookie Jar Fund; The Efroymson Family Fund, a CICF Fund; The John R. Halligan Charitable Fund; The Marshall Frankel Foundation; The Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; The Irving Harris Foundation; Lagunitas Brewing Company; Mardi Gras Fund; The MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at Prince; Sahara Enterprises, Inc. and The Thanksgiving Fund.
For more information on Redmoon and its programs, visit www.redmoon.org.
Here's our gallery of build favs:
Get creative. You're allowed to write on the walls here!
Make a vintage movie melding modern tech with a classic look... staring YOU!
