Immense Tent's Ready for Tomorrow Night's Press Opening of Odysseo by Cavalia

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

ChiIL Mama and the teens will be ChiILin' in downtown Chi, IL tomorrow night, for the press opening of Odysseo by Cavalia. We can't wait! Check back soon for our full review.

ODYSSEO BY CAVALIA 

RAISES ITS COLOSSAL WHITE BIG TOP AT  SOLDIER FIELD SOUTH LOT

THE WORLD’S LARGEST TOURING PRODUCTION

MAKES FIRST VISIT TO THE MIDWEST; 

OPENS IN CHICAGO APRIL 1

The most impressive and immense big top on the planet – part of the largest touring production ever created - has been raised at Soldier Field South Lot in Chicago, in preparation for the much anticipated Midwest debut of Odysseo, the latest theatrical adventure by Cavalia. Following the Montreal company’s original and eponymous production Cavalia, which enjoyed a very successful run in Chicago in 2009, the new $30 million theatrical production imagined by Normand Latourelle will begin its run April 1 with matinee and evening performances through April 23. Odysseo is a veritable revolution in live entertainment that marries the equestrian arts, stage performances, and high-tech theatrical effects in never-before-seen ways. Tickets are now on sale at www.cavalia.com or by calling 1-866-999-8111.



Standing 125 feet tall and covering a surface area of 58,397 square feet - the size of the adjacent Chicago Bears’ football field - Odysseo’s exceptional White Big Top is twice the size of the one that housed Cavalia. The giant tent is a mix of art, technology and advanced engineering. In order to break through the limitations of standard big top tents, allow for more flexibility in the performance area, and to give the horses the space they need to express themselves in all their beauty, Normand Latourelle, Cavalia’s artistic director and founder, partnered with specialized companies in Europe and Canada to create this high-tech structure. By removing the usual supporting masts from the stage and shifting the weight of the structure from the masts to three arches above the tent, this specially designed White Big Top is the best environment for the horses and acrobats to perform breathtaking numbers and for the creative team to design immense staging.

This unprecedented ‘traveling theatre’ is also composed of several exceptional features including its grandiose stage – larger than the United Center ice rink – that enables large-scale, cutting-edge creative performances. Surrounded by bleachers with 2,074 seats, the 17,500-square-foot stage requires 10,000 tons of stone, earth and sand to create so that it offers a vast space of freedom where 65 horses and 48 artists can display their intimate collaboration.

To help immerse the audience in the magical world of Odysseo, images of the most beautiful landscapes from around the world are projected throughout the show onto an 8,400-square-foot screen. Its technical grid, worthy of the largest permanent installations in Las Vegas, New York or London, can support 80 tons of equipment for the stage needs of the show, including a majestic life-sized merry-go-round.

Never afraid of using unparalleled technical, visual, and sound infrastructure, the Odysseo creative team has invented a feast for the eyes, a multi-dimensional spectacle with staggering effects created by state-of-the-art scenery. During the breathtaking finale, a vertiginous virtual waterfall overhangs a lake made possible by an underground drain system that releases 40,000 gallons of recycled water onto the stage, in which horses, riders, and artists join to frolic, leaving behind them the traces of their splashes—and an astonished audience.

The White Big Top is just one part of a larger community; the Odysseo village will take shape over the next few weeks and consists of five tents: the White Big Top, the stable tent, the Rendez-Vous VIP tent, the warm-up & artistic tent, and the kitchen tent serving the 200 employees. In total, 110 semi-trailer trucks will be required to transport the world’s largest touring production to Chicago.

TICKETS – Adult tickets are priced from $34.50 to $144.50 (no service charge). Special pricing and packages also available for groups, children (2-12), juniors (13-17) and seniors (65+). For an extra special outing, the Rendez-Vous VIP package offers the best seats in the house, full meal buffet dining before the show, open bar, desserts during intermission and an exclusive visit to the stables after the show. This unique VIP experience takes place in a tent alongside the White Big Top. The Rendez-Vous VIP package prices range from $144.50 to $269.50 (no service charge).

ABOUT CAVALIA INC. - Cavalia Inc. is an entertainment company that specializes in the creation, production and touring of innovative shows. Founded by Normand Latourelle, the company reimagines the equestrian and theatrical arts. With its headquarters in Montreal, Cavalia Inc. is an integral part of Canada’s cultural heritage, and the largest Canadian-owned cultural enterprise. Its expertise in high technology, multimedia and special effects creates magical, unique, never-before-seen experiences. Its first show, Cavalia, has been seen by more than 4 million people across North America, Europe, Australia, the Middle East and Asia since its 2003 debut. Odysseo, the company’s second show, has toured to rave reviews and public acclaim since its 2011 premiere. 

Follow Cavalia’s latest developments at www.twitter.com/cavalia or www.facebook.com/cavalia. #OdysseoCHI

Photo Recap: The Living Room Tour Fundraiser For The Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival

Every two years something truly spectacular emerges from it's cocoon of paper mache, strings, and big ideas... The Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival. We covered the inaugural fest and plan to do extensive pre, post and present news, reviews and interviews related to the fest. Our 2017 puppet fest adventures began in November with The Living Room Tour, an intimate and excellent fundraising series that took place in 3 unique locals. 

ChiIL Mama ChiILin' in Chi, IL with the creations of Canadian puppeteer extraordinaire, 

Magali Chouinard 

Check out our full set of shots 

from the evening in the slide show here. 

More favorites are embedded below.

I was invited to the first event in Logan Square, hosted by Rick Stoneham, theatre aficionado and puppet fest board member, who sponsored the fabulous catered Indonesian dinner (via The Rice Table) and Dorothy Zalewski and Dan Engh, who graciously opened their gorgeous home. 


Dorothy, Blair Thomas, & Dan





fabulous feast catered by The Rice Table

It was quite a memorable event with a salon vibe and the unique opportunity to chat with art and theatre lovers and catch 2 puppet shows, both with a black and white aesthetic, yet quite different styles and themes. 

Many of the evening's guests enjoyed picking the brains of Blair Thomas, one of the masterminds behind the fest, and brilliant puppeteer, Magali Chouinard. It was my great pleasure to interview both of them and record Blair Thomas and company's show, Edward Gorey's "The Gashlycrumb Tinies", exclusive to the 2016 Living Room Tour! This delightfully dark abecedarian tale is a long time fav of mine, and was indeed told in rhyming couplets. The terrific trio brought this macabre tale of premature deaths to life as a scrolling table top puppet show replete with screams, narration, sound effects and copious amounts of laughter from the crowd.

Blair Thomas and Co. Present Edward Gorey's "The Gashlycrumb Tinies":

Behind the scenes notes for Edward Gorey's "The Gashlycrumb Tinies

Festival artist, Magali Chouinard came in from Canada, for her first visit to Chicago, and we were blown away by the excerpt of "The White Woman" she performed for us. Magali has been touring large venues all over Europe with her show and said she's never performed in a space as intimate as The Living Room Tour. Chouinard is a mistress of manipulation, imbuing her puppets with curiosity and personality and artfully becoming at once a character and simultaneously a hauntingly blank eyed puppet master. She'll be bringing the full piece back in January. Highly recommended.

In The White Woman, Montreal's Magali Chouinard takes a tender look at how solitude can be a special place, a place where we discover and rediscover ourselves. By daring to be silent, to move slowly and deliberately, and by steering away from a linear narrative, Chouinard invites audiences to invest themselves in an otherworldly visual poem.

Magali Chouinard is a multidisciplinary artist. The female body, movement, presence and interiority lie at the heart of her poetic and visual research. Thirty years of exploration - drawing, sculpture, installation art, performance and writing - have been converging since 2008 towards the art of puppetry and its ability to bring movement to her visual landscape. Her theatre of images is both unique and striking. magalichouinard.com  Video

Check back early and often with ChiILMama.com (family friendly) & ChiILLiveShows.com (adult). We'll have loads of news about all the puppet happenings and more coming out shortly! Get your advanced tickets and full scheduling updates HERE. More show times may be added throughout the fest as shows sell out, so do check back.

ChiIL Mama's Living Room Tour Photo Favs:

Puppeteer, Magali Chouinard (rt) visits with guests at the Living Room Tour Fundraiser

Photo Recap: Grand Opening Aerial Dance Chicago #OriginalPhotos #Video

It was our great pleasure to check out the grand opening of Aerial 

Dance Chicago's gorgeous new space near Pulaski and Irving Park Rd. on Chicago's north west side.  They're running kids and adults classes in aerial arts.  

They may have it marked better now, but the entrance is a bit confusing.   You have to enter through the back and the address is east of where it seems it should be for 4028 (not in sequence).   Keep heading east and look for signage then head upstairs to loft A.

ChiIL Mama's full set of shots:

(our favorites are embedded below)

My circus arts lovin' tweens jumped right in on the mini-workshops in tissue (silks), lyra (the round hoop), trapeze, and harness.   We're hoping they add more intermediate kids' classes and summer camps.   Sadly, the times/dates didn't work for us this first session.   With a competitive gymnast in team practice 12 hours a week, we can't do everything.   Still, my kids really enjoyed the Aerial Dance Chicago instructors and their sweet new space during the open house.

They have high ceilings and huge windows in this light, airy space and even cool copper pipe!

**WORLDS COLLIDE ALERT**  We got to see performers from Aerial Dance Chicago in the Chicago Contemporary Circus Festival at The Athenaeum Theatre the weekend before last.

ChiIL Mama's video of the aerial dance demo at the open house:

Aerial Dance Chicago

4028 W. Irving Park Rd.

(773) 463-4402 

aerialdancechicago.org

ACT OUT CLOSING: Cirque Shanghai: Dragon’s Thunder Photo Filled Feature & Discount Tickets #originalshowshots #circus #review

Haven't caught Cirque Shanghai:  Dragon's Thunder yet?   Go already.   The circus is leaving town after Labor Day!

**ChiIL Mama's Readers can ChiIL Out with $10.00 off adult Emperor’s Court tickets to Cirque Shanghai: Dragon’s Thunder at Navy Pier with the code below!**

We caught them opening night and had a blast!   Cirque Shanghai is

an annual circus spectacle we look forward to every summer and a heart pounding, breathtaking display of circus arts that's fun for all ages.   You can't beat Dragon's Thunder for the price.   Cirque Shanghai is light on the wallet and heavy on the thrills.   Bring some multicultural magic to your summer.



Check out ChiIL Mama's original Dragon's Thunder photos above

ChiIL Tips:   Go on a Wednesday or Saturday night and catch a free Navy Pier fireworks show every week!   We also recommend buying the glossy, photo filled program.   The performers will sign it after the show and it'll be a fun keepsake for the kids to reminisce over.

As many times as we've seen the motorcycles and the globe of doom, my kids still love it and my daughter is always jazzed to see the girl among them.   She's an inspiration and a great role model of rockin' grrrrl power, and the spark for my child's enduring obsession with motorcycles. 

  

The high-flying acrobats of Cirque Shanghai are back with the all-new “Dragon’s Thunder,” happening all summer long at the Pepsi® Skyline Stage® at Navy Pier. Featuring the sounds of traditional Chinese “Dragon Drums,” this year’s show is bigger, better and more fun than ever. 

Dragon’s Thunder” at Chicago’s Navy Pier^® Pepsi^® Skyline Stage, 600 E. Grand Ave. Hailed by the Chicago Sun-Times as “….a circus everyone can feel good about,” 

Cirque Shanghai: Dragon’s Thunder must close on September 2, 2013 (Labor Day).

“Cirque Shanghai” has regular performances as follows:

• Wednesday at 2, 6 and 8 p.m. 
• Thursday at 2 and 8 p.m.
• Friday at 2, 7 and 9 p.m.
• Saturday at 2, 6 and 8 p.m.
• Sunday at 2 and 4 p.m.

 Final performances will be Monday, September 2 (Labor Day) at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Click here to purchase tickets and use offer code BLOG for $10.00 off adult Emperor’s Court tickets. Offer good through September 2, 2013. Kids tickets just $15.50 all summer long!

Check out The magic of “Cirque Shanghai: Dragon’s Thunder!"

Praising Cirque Shanghai: Dragon’s Thunder, Chicago Parent proclaims “… this year’s show ramps up the entertainment and thrills from previous years.”

Cirque Shanghai: Dragon’s Thunder will run through September 2, 2013 (Labor Day) rain or shine, at the Navy Pier® Pepsi® Skyline Stage, the 1,500-seat, canopied, open-air theater on Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave. Tickets are $15.50 - $29.50 and are available via Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com/shanghai.

“Cirque Shanghai: Dragon’s Thunder” is a spectacle for audiences of all ages, featuring performers direct from China who are leaders in their craft of tumbling, juggling, balancing and more. With a total of 36 troupe members, “Dragon’s Thunder” is the largest Cirque Shanghai cast to ever visit the U.S.

This year’s production features an incredible line up of awe-inspiring acts, including “The Chinese Flex Bar,” the heart stopping “Gravity Swings,” and the awesome sounds of the traditional Chinese “Dragon Drums.” For the first time in Cirque Shanghai’s North American engagement, the traditional Chinese drums will be an integral part of the production.