OPENING TODAY: Rage of the Gargoyles Photo Recap, Live Ride Footage, Video Interviews, And More

Rage of the Gargoyles 
Virtual Reality (VR) Gaming Coaster 

Debuting Today (8/13) on the Demon!

**NOTE: Guests must be at least 42” tall to ride the Demon and at least 13 years of age to wear Samsung Gear VR. Younger riders may still ride without the VR headsets** 

Check out ChiIL Mama's live ride footage, review, video interviews & full photo recap from Thursday's press preview. We love ChiILin' at Six Flags Great America. I took along a couple designated riders, my son, Dugan & his friend, Joe. Check out their ride LIVE below. Who better to battle gargoyles through multiple loops and a corkscrew of tracks than 15yr old boys?! 

Check out Six Flags Great America's LIVE Ride Footage including the VR point of view, for Rage of the Gargoyles below. It was our great pleasure to be some of the first riders EVER at the press preview on Thursday August 11th, 2016. This ride rocks! This B-roll footage was given to us to share with our readers with permission from Six Flags Great America.

Disclosure: Thanks to Six Flags Great America and Samsung Electronics America, Inc. for comping our park entry and including us in this history making press preview. We were not compensated in any other way and as always, all opinions are our own

ChiIL Mama's Adventures at Six Flags Great America

Check out our full set of shots here and more favorites embedded below.

It was fun to geek out on the tech. The headsets each contain a Samsung Galaxy S7 and have triple security measures so they don't fly off riders' heads during the double loops. They attach via neck lanyard, cord and then the headgear itself is tightened via a wheel on the back. The first day a few of the sets were glitchy and having trouble calibrating. One of the two sets we had didn't work right the first time through, and I heard at least 3 other riders saying the same. They'll likely work the kinks out as the run continues. Still, it was SO much fun to be one of the first to check it out.

The Reviews Are In:

It was too much fun to interview a few of the first riders in the world ever to experience a VR battle on an actual roller coaster! Check out 3 Chicago high school guys' take on the ride, including my son, Dugan, and his friends, Joe from Lane Tech, and Charlie from Chi Arts. 

40 years ago, when Demon first opened, I was an elementary school kid, and my only phone was a large, Harvest Gold, wall mounted rectangle with a rotary dial. I vividly recall reading an article in the school Weekly Reader that claimed that by the time we grew up we'd be able to see people's faces on the phone when we called. I was so blown away by that idea I ran home and told my parents about it. 

Little did I know, my two kids would grow up in a world of cell phones and selfies. They're adept at Snapchat, Musical.ly, and social media, and even their grandparents, who are over 70, have figured out how to Skype and Facetime. When my son was invited to be one of the first riders in the world to check out a VR roller coaster I got that same feeling I had as a little girl in the 1970s, imagining a future world of video phones. With Rage of the Gargoyles on the Demon, science fiction has become science fact, and this opens worlds of exciting new possibilities!

Demon, now celebrating its 40th anniversary, debuted at Six Flags Great America in 1976 as the Turn of the Century roller coaster. It was one of the first roller coasters in the world that featured a corkscrew maneuver. The ride received a complete makeover in 1979 with the theming that guests enjoy today and was renamed, the Demon. Among those makeovers, the Demon featured two vertical loops and unique theming with its own soundtrack. The Demon continues to delight guests of all ages. 

We were thrilled to be included as some of the first riders EVER. What a trip. Don't miss THIS!! 

Revolutionary Virtual Reality Coaster NOW OPEN at Six Flags Great America!

Riders Engulfed in Demonic Battle on 

the DEMON Roller Coaster

Riders will board the Demon, strap on VR headsets and immediately become helicopter pilots actively fighting off evil creatures using cutting-edge gaming technology throughout the entire ride, as the high-definition imagery syncs with 1,250 feet of looping, twisting coaster track. Surrounded by 360-degrees of sheer chaos, it is up to our guests to save humanity. This highly-anticipated, completely interactive adventure will debut on the Demon roller coaster beginning August 13.

At Six Flags Great America, the Thrill Capital of the Midwest, riders will battle demonic creatures in Rage of the Gargoyles, a fully-integrated Virtual Reality (VR) coaster experience featuring Samsung Gear VR powered by Oculus. This highly- anticipated, completely interactive adventure will debut on the Demon roller coaster beginning August 13.

“Innovation is park of Six Flags’ DNA, and this revolutionary VR technology will transform this classic, fan favorite into a cutting-edge thrill,” said Hank Salami, park president. “Rage of the Gargoyles VR is the perfect addition to breathe new life into the Demon coaster that has been a part of our arsenal of rides for 40 years.” 

Riders will board the Demon and strap on Samsung Gear VR headsets. They will immediately become helicopter pilots to actively fight off evil creatures using cutting-edge gaming technology, as the high-definition imagery syncs with 1,250 feet of looping, twisting coaster track. Surrounded by 360-degrees of sheer chaos, it is up to the riders to save humanity. 

For more information, visit www.sixflags.com/vrcoasters

About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation 

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the world’s largest regional theme park company with $1.3 billion in revenue and 18 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. For 55 years, Six Flags has entertained millions of families with world-class coasters, themed rides, thrilling water parks and unique attractions. 

About Samsung Electronics America, Inc. 

Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, N.J., Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), is a recognized innovative leader in consumer electronics, mobile devices and enterprise solutions. A wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., SEA is pushing beyond the limits of today’s technology and providing consumers and organizations with a portfolio of groundbreaking products in appliances, home entertainment, Internet of Things, mobile computing, smartphones, virtual reality, wireless infrastructure and wearables, in addition to offering leading content and services related to mobile payments, 360-degree VR video, customer support and more. Samsung is a pioneering leader in smartphones and HDTVs in the U.S. and one of America’s fastest growing home appliance brands. To discover more about Samsung, please visit www.samsung.com. For the latest Samsung news, please visit news.samsung.com/us and follow us @SamsungNewsUS. 

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, cameras, digital appliances, printers, medical equipment, network systems, and semiconductor and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com. 

Follow SFGA on Snapchat 

Check Out More of ChiIL Mama's Photo Favs Here:

World's first VR game ON a roller coaster. Ready for take off?!

Huge success!

Back for more, in the last seat this time around.

The VR headsets are pretty ingenious and surprisingly comfortable.

Disclosure: Thanks to Six Flags Great America and Samsung Electronics America, Inc. for comping our park entry and including us in this history making press preview. We were not compensated in any other way and as always, all opinions are our own.

What's Black and White and Red All Over? #Lollapalooza #Kidzapalooza #lolla

ChiIL Mama's own Sagezilla & Du-Jay have been rocking Kidzapalooza all 3 days every year since 2005!


Lollapalooza 2012!


we'll be rockin' out with:

The Black Keys
Black Sabbath
The Black Angels
Jack White 
RED Hot Chili Peppers
RED Oblivion


...and hundreds of colorful characters (on stage and in the audience!)    
Here's the lineup.    


Lolla is officially SOLD OUT but they'll be streaming live shows if you slacked off and missed out on tickets.   If you DO have your tixs lined up, remember kids 10 and under are FREE with a paying adult!    Kidzapalooza is hands down THE best fest kids area we've ever been to.   And we get out a LOT.


We've been rockin' Lollapalooza since THE first one years ago in 1991, and we have press credentials again this year, to bring it all to you.  We can't bring a video camera in, but we have features on many Lolla performers from locations where we could shoot, earlier this year, and we'll be bringing you stills and commentary all 3 days of Lolla 2012.   



*Up now:  stills from Jane's Addiction at Metro, FIDLAR at Lincoln Hall 8/1, and numerous kindie musicians.


Coming soon:  
Check out our original photo filled features on Oberhoffer (including our exclusive video interview), Jane's Addiction at Summer Camp Music Fest and Bear in Heaven!   We even have original, unseen, live show footage.

Growing Up Kidza:   Here's Sagezilla and Du-Jay at Kidzapalooza 06 at the ripe old ages of 3 and 5, hearing Perry Farrell and Patti Smith live for the first time!

Kidzapalooza 

Kidzapalooza 2012 Schedule of Performers

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3rd
11:30–11:55 12:30–12:55 1:30–1:55 2:30–2:55 3:15–3:40 3:45–4:00 4:05–4:30	Laura Doherty *Our video interview/footage here Harrison Ivaz *just 13!   Interviewing him Sunday. School of Rock *YES!! Purple Apple *Awesome Chi-town kids/interview & vids & live show footage posting soon The Verve Pipe *Highly Recommended/our vids here more live show footage & vid interview coming Special Guest *usually a famous adult band Andrew Christopoulos *also a Chi-town kid, just 17
SATURDAY, AUGUST 4th
11:30–11:55 12:30–12:55 1:30–1:55 2:30–2:55 3:15–3:40 3:45–4:00 4:05–4:30	Harrison Ivaz Purple Apple School of Rock Quinn Sullivan *just 13!! Dan Zanes *Highly recommended/ our videos here Special Guest The Verve Pipe
SUNDAY, AUGUST 5th
11:30–11:55 12:30–12:55 1:30–1:55 2:30–2:55 3:15–3:40 3:45–4:00 4:05–4:30	Laura Doherty The Happiness Club Quinn Sullivan Andrew Christopoulos Peter DiStefano & Tor Special Guest Dan Zanes

Kindie Land:   


ChiIL Mama has been there for all 3 days of every year of Kidzapalooza, since it's inception.  Check out our original photo filled features, give aways, video band interviews, and live show footage on some of 2012's hottest Kidza acts including:


*ChiIL Mama's video interview with producer Tor Hyams & Ralph Covert of Ralph's World who headlined Kidzapalooza 2011.


*Dan Zanes (live show footage & stills)


*The Verve Pipe (our original video interview, live show footage & stills)


*Purple Apple  (our original video interview, live show footage & stills)


*Laura Doherty  (our original video interview, live show footage & stills)

X-Flight Wing Coaster Xtreme Xcitement at 6 Flags Great America

Check out X-Flight--the innovative wing coaster, new for 2012, right here at 6 Flags Great America.  ChiIL Mama was invited to the ribbon cutting and had the opportunity to interview Hank Salemi, Six Flags Great America Park President, Park V.P., a professional Air Show Wing Walker and one of the first wave of riders who also writes for TLT.   Check out our 4 exclusive interviews along with original footage of the opening ceremony/ribbon cutting and X-Flight in action above.

It was so much fun to be one of the first to check out X-Flight, shoot the coaster, and hear everyone's take on the best spot to sit on the ride. Join us for an exhilarating sneak peek, then go ride the ride this summer. X-Flight is xtreme fun.

Revolutionary Wing Coaster officially open to the public at Six Flags Great America

Get ready to take flight! Six Flags Great America has added a state-of-the-art roller coaster for the 2012 season. X-Flight is a ground-breaking wing coaster featuring cutting-edge technology. The Gurnee theme park has the first wing coaster in the U.S. 

X-Flight takes riders on a flight that defies gravity, with no track above or below them. Riders sit in pairs, suspended on either side of the track with their feet dangling, as they begin their climb up a 12-story plunge launching them into speeds of 55mph through 3,000 feet of intense drops and five inversions, including a barrel roll and zero-g roll. One of the most adrenaline-pumping moments on the ride is an extreme fly-through where the coaster speeds straight toward a structure, before making a last-minute vertical flip to fit through a keyhole cut-out.

“Six Flags Great America has a long history of introducing legendary rides and first-of-its-kind roller coasters,” said Hank Salemi, Six Flags Great America Park President. “What makes X-Flight so unique is soaring through 3,000 feet of high-speed drops, loops and turns, with nothing above or below you. The coaster’s train actually looks like a plane with seats suspended on either side of the track. It’s like nothing you have ever experienced before. We are thrilled to bring this revolutionary wing coaster to our guests for the 2012 season.”

X-Flight is designed by acclaimed Swiss manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard, who also designed Six Flags Great America favorites: Raging Bull, SUPERMAN: Ultimate Flight and BATMAN: The Ride. The wing coaster will make its home in the County Fair section of the park.

Six Flags Great America is located between Chicago and Milwaukee and offers fun for the entire family with 14 heart-pounding roller coasters, a free 20-acre water park, spectacular shows, a nighttime illuminated parade and three children’s themed areas. Soar on X-Flight all season long with a 2012 Season Pass, now on sale for $64.99 for four or more. Buy now and get a 2012 Season Parking Pass free. Sale ends October 30, 2011. For more information including video of X-Flight and all the upcoming 2012 Six Flags attractions, visit www.sixflags.com/2012news.

# # #

About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the world’s largest regional theme park company with 2010 revenue of nearly $1.0 billion and 19 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Six Flags Over Texas, the company’s flagship location, just celebrated its 50th anniversary season in 2011.

Prong Video Interview With ChiIL Live Shows & Live Show Shots From Cobra Lounge, Chicago #Album Review

ChiIL Live Shows caught up with front man, Tommy Victor and drummer, Alexei Rodriguez, before their 4/20 set at Cobra Lounge, Chicago, for an exclusive video interview.   We talked about everything from their new album, to that crazy chaos that's parenting and touring as a musician.   Tommy and Alexei both have daughters on either end of the age spectrum-about to graduate from high school and 20 months old.   They had some insights for our continuing series on How Creatives Parent and How Parents Create.   Check it out here.

 

Prong is back with a vengeance.  Their 8th studio album, Carved Into Stone is just released and their recent 4/20 Chi-Town show at Cobra Lounge sold out!  Here at ChiIL Live Shows, we've been giving Carved Into Stone a listen repeatedly, and can't get enough.   Hopefully Tommy's serious when he says they're writing new material and want to put out back to back albums, and ride the momentum of this sonic boom, Carved in Stone, instead of slipping back into oblivion, and releasing another album in 5 years. 

This album, the first all new material in 5 years, indeed, is an amalgam of the best of Prong's past and fresh new fury.    These 11 tracks of rage will bring joy to metal fans world wide.  There's not a weak link in the bunch, but Revenge_Served Cold will warm hearts.  This album comes out swinging with Eternal Heat, and doesn't ease up.   Ammunition, State of Rebellion, and List of Grievances (likely our favorite) provide plenty of rebellion ragers.   We also really dig Keep on Living in Pain and Eternal Heat.  Even the slower title track, Path of Least Resistance and Reinvestigate which close out the album, are strong and full of sweet riffs.  Carved into Stone is a metal must have.

On 4/20, we caught a little of En Masse and Witchburn's whole set and were super impressed with Witchburn in particular.   We'll have live show shots from both bands up in the very near future.  We'd seen some past Witchburn clips online that were interesting enough, but they just don't do their live show justice.   Check 'em out when you can!

During Prong, the pit was so frenetic and outta control they had to send in the bouncers and toss a few bodies out of the club.   I got smashed into the side of the stage a half dozen times and eventually had to duck behind the merch table fast.  I spent a few days limping, but my camera gear all survived.   Despite the near brawl, it was a welcome reunion and the band sounded great!   They've still got that legendary power to stir things up. 

*Tony Campos is presently touring with Soulfly.   Phil Zeller (Toxic Holocaust) is on bass

Tommy Victor began as a sound guy for CBGBs, and formed the first incarnation of the band with bassist Mike Kirkland who was CBGB’s doorman.   In the past 20+ years, Prong has been through many incarnations and weathered the death of their bass player, ex-Killing Joke bassist Paul Raven, at age 46.   They've been on tour with many of the big boys like Sepultura, Pantera, Soulfly and Fear Factory, among others.   Tommy took a hiatus from Prong around 2000 and played with Danzig and Ministry.   He'll be back out again in May with Danzig Legacy.   Check Prong's site for dates/cities.

They were signed by Epic in 89 and unceremoniously dropped in 96 after the album Rude Awakening turned eerily prophetic, and proved a rude awakening for the band, indeed, when it didn't sell as well as anticipated.   In our interview, Tommy conceded that for a while after that he wanted nothing to do with Prong, but eventually ran out of money and decided to give it another go.

We hate to sound all schadenfreude (happy about the misfortunes of others), but the metal world was not finished with Prong, and we welcome you back with bursting ear drums and head banging mosh pits.    Your cash flow problems = our gain.   And failure, struggle and loss make for great material.

With fresh material in mind, Prong tapped producer, Steve Evetts (Dillinger Escape Plan, Suicide Silence), who worked them relentlessly to make Carved Into Stone as good as it gets.   Tommy and Alexei spoke humorously, heatedly, and at length about the whole brutal recording process.  As so often happens, we had our best conversations off camera, once the lens wasn't pointed at the band.   Suffice it to say, all the hard work paid off and they're pleased with the final result.

Evetts was a great fit for polishing up Carved Into Stone, so all the raw power, energy and emotion come through, combined with technical prowess.    They may have hated the tedious retakes, but with high production values and a perfectionist streak, plus a healthy ear toward not overproducing, Evetts earned his excellent reputation and did right by the band.

 

Here's Prong's take on Carved Into Stone off their home site:

What becomes an iconoclast the most? Carved Into Stone sums up what

Prong stands for. This is an album slaked in hostility, personal

detachment and seething with the urban paranoia that's long been the

mark of this sonic triad. It's eleven tracks that don't merely settle

into the New York City-born band's cannon of material that has yielded

post-metal classics including Beg To Differ and Cleansing. It exceeds

it.

"I hate nostalgia," says mainstay, vocalist and guitarist Tommy Victor

whose musical and personal outlook belies his current Los Angeles

environs. "But this record literally has every strand of Prong's DNA

spliced together in a way that feels more exciting than it has in some

time."

Produced and mixed by Steve Evetts (Dillinger Escape Plan, Suicide

Silence), Carved Into Stone picks up where Prong's classic albums left

off. Opener "Eternal Heat" sets things off at a blistering pace fueled

by drummer Alexei Rodriguez and bassist Tony Campos' formidable rhythm

section. Meanwhile, the likes of "Revenge…Best Served Cold" is absolute,

classic Prong: a huge riff slaked with bitter sentiments.

Tommy Victor admits that Carved Into Stone is the first time Prong has

taken direction from a producer in the studio. "It's also the hardest

I've ever worked on a record," he says of working with Evetts. "I'm

happier with the way it came out more than almost anything I've ever

done but there were points during it I wanted to kill myself and

everyone around me."

Prong emerged from the New York City underground of the late 80's,

quickly setting themselves apart from the conformist culture of the

city's hardcore and metal scenes. They were recognized internationally

for their first two independent releases: Primitive Origins and Force

Fed. When Prong's dalliance with the outer limits of the mainstream

acceptance came via Epic Records, it proved more successful than the

underground-bred trio ever expected. The band's "Snap Your Fingers Snap

Your Neck" from Cleansing became Prong's calling card.

"It felt like the world had finally caught up with us," says Tommy.

Prong's influence was being felt in the scene around them. Bands from

the likes of Pantera to White Zombie to Korn were taking notice of

Prong's purposeful, creative riffing and making that the template for

platinum selling success. "I wasn't jealous," Tommy recalls. "But I

could take a royalty check or two."

At the beginning of the 2000's, Tommy put Prong aside for a time to

play with Danzig and Ministry. It was a much-needed time for Victor to

refocus his energies. When Prong finally twisted itself back into form,

they toured exhaustively both headlining and supporting the likes of

Soulfly and Fear Factory. Slowly but surely, the songs and ideas that

would become Carved Into Stone began to take form. "The songs I was

writing felt more like Prong than anything I had written since Raven was

in the band," says Tommy, recalling the era when the recently deceased

ex-Killing Joke bassist Paul Raven was one of his co-conspirators.

Prong's Long Branch Records/SPV debut Carved Into Stone isn't merely

another chapter in the band's many-storied career or the much clichéd

"return to form". It's the sound of Tommy Victor and Company stating

exactly who Prong is. Like it or not, they aren't about to go away any

time soon.  

 

Like Tommy said in our interview, they're busy gorging on Beg To Differ on those long stretches in the van, so they'll be ready to bust it out in May for their European Tour.  

Check out Prong's main site here.  

Happy World Theatre Day!

ChiIL Live Shows/ChiIL Mama celebrate Chicago's amazing, world class theatre scene year round, with original video interviews, photo filled features, show reviews and ticket give aways.    We cover adult shows and family friendly offerings and a range from elaborate Broadway in Chicago touring productions to free, quirky store front offerings.   So check in with ChiIL Live Shows/ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often. Here's what ChiIL Live Shows has coming soon   Original Video Interviews:  Adventure Stage Theatre--The Giver:  Video footage and a photo filled feature on opening day of The Giver with author Lois Lowry.     *Also check out our video interview with Tom Arvetis of Adventure Stage right here.   
   

We have an exclusive interview with Tom Arvetis, Adventure Stage's Producing Artistic Director, and his infant daughter, Vivian.   Check out our video above for insights into balancing creative work and parenting, life after birth with 3 girls under 6, Walk Two Moons, and The Giver.   Walk Two Moons was adapted by Tom, who also expounds on "adapting" to fatherhood & life in theatre.   We continue our series on "How Creatives Parents and How Parents Create". 

The House Theatre--Death and Harry Houdini--Original Video Interview with Dennis Watkins, star of Death and Harry Houdini and Magic Parlour.

Also click the links to check out our recent Houdini Box video interviews at Chicago Children's Theatre with:

• Brian Selznick, author (Houdini Box and Hugo Cabret) & Mark Messing, composer  

• Blair Thomas, director & Hannah Kohl, script

Reviews on:

• Chicago Shakespeare Theatre's Midsummer Night's Dream 

& Taming of the Shrew

• Lifeline Theatre-Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed (K)

• Collaboraction's Me Tube
•  Goodman Theatre's Camino Real
• Step Up Productions-The Sweetest Swing in Baseball
• Adventure Stage-The Giver (K)
• Polarity-Tom Jones
• UrbanTheater Company-F***KING A

 *K= kid friendly


For today's World Theatre day events in Chicago, click here.