OPENING: Lifeline Theatre KidSeries Presents Lions in Illyria 1/10-2/15

Lions in Illyria

World Premiere Based on William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night Opens January 11 Plus Stories Come Alive! Hour Workshops Every Saturday and Sunday During the Run.

Here at ChiIL Mama we've been promoting this show for ages, we've given away a family 4 pack of tickets to one of our lucky readers, and we're excited to say that opening day is near! Got your tickets yet?

*(This production is recommended for children ages five and up (children under two not permitted), and runs one hour with no intermission.

Act Out Kids:  Chicago Theatre openings, closings, reviews, giveaways, ticket sale dates and more. 

Lifeline Theatre’s KidSeries presents Lions in Illyria, a world premiere based on William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, written by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Amanda Delheimer Dimond. Separated from her brother by a storm at sea, the young lioness Violet must brave an unknown country all alone. Disguised as a boy, she joins with a preposterous peacock on a quest to claim the attentions of the most graceful gazelle in town. But soon Violet is torn between multiple masters and her adventure takes a turn for the absurd when she becomes entangled in the clownish antics of a wacky warthog and his featherbrained dodo sidekick. Travel to the weird and wonderful land of Illyria in a magical comedy loaded with music, monkeys, and mayhem. 

Congrats again to ChiIL Mama's 4 ticket Lions in Illyria winner ($60 value) out of 135 entries, Lisa A!

Click here for our past photo filled coverage & details on our giveaway.

(including a sweet photo filled flashback 5 years to highlight our longstanding love for Lifeline Kids' Series!)

Then and now. ChiIL Mama's kids loving Lifeline KidSeries at 9 & 7.

Sage & Dugan at 11 & 13: Old enough for the adult shows like Lifeline's Jane Eyre, but never too big for Lifeline's lobby "BIG CHAIR"!

Lions In Illyria runs Saturday, Jan. 10–Sunday, Feb. 15 

at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. 

Regular performance times are Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. (Previews are Saturday, Jan.10 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; and Sunday, Jan. 11 at 11 a.m.) Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at the Lifeline Theatre Box Office, 773.761.4477, or by visiting www.lifelinetheatre.com.

(Back, L to R) Kate McDermott as Antonia the monkey pirate, Mykele Callicutt as Orsino the peacock nobleman; (Front, L to R) Bryan Bosque as Sebastian the lion, and Brandi Lee as Violet the lion. Photo by Suzanne Plunkett. 

PLUS: Join Lifeline Theatre every Saturday and Sunday at 12 p.m. during the run of Lions in Illyria (following the 11 a.m. show, or before the 1 p.m. show) for our Stories Come Alive! Hour. Children will enjoy an interactive storytelling session and on-your-feet theatre games. The cost is only $5 per child. Reservations are recommended, though not required. Contact Lifeline Theatre at 773-761-4477 for more information.

Lifeline Theatre also offers “Name Your Price” tickets a half-hour before the show (subject to availability), group rates and other discounts available upon request. A party room is available for full-service birthday and special event parties. Free parking is available at the designated lot west of the theatre (NE corner of Morse and Ravenswood) with free shuttle service before and after the show. Street parking is also available and Lifeline Theatre is handicapped and CTA accessible (Red Line Morse stop/busses).

(L to R) Brandi Lee as Violet the lion  and Mykele Callicutt as Orsino the peacock nobleman; in Lifeline Theatre’s production of “Lions in Illyria”. Photo by Suzanne Plunkett. 

LionsinIllyria_03

(Top) Kate McDermott as Antonia the monkey pirate and (Bottom) Bryan Bosque as Sebastian the lion; in Lifeline Theatre’s production of “Lions in Illyria,” by Robert Kauzlaric, directed by Amanda Delheimer Dimond, based on Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare; beginning Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, and running through Sunday, Feb. 15. Lifeline Theatre is located at 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. Chicago, IL 60626. For tickets call the box office at 773-761-4477 or visit www.lifelinetheatre.com. Photo by Suzanne Plunkett. 

The complete cast and production team for Lions in Illyria includes:

CAST: Guest artists Bryan Bosque (Sebastian, Andrew), Mykele Callicutt (Orsino, Toby), Brandi Lee (Violet, Maria), and Kate McDermott (Olivia, Antonia). With understudies Ryan Czerwonko, Jaci Entwisle, Ryan Stajmiger, and Alison Sweat.

CREW: Lifeline Theatre ensemble members Robert Kauzlaric (Adaptor) and Amanda Delheimer Dimond (Director); with guest artists Benjamin W. Dawson (Production Manager), Mikhail Fiksel (Original Music & Sound Designer), Izumi Inaba (Costume Designer), Jordan Kardasz (Lighting Designer), John Kelly (Master Electrician), Liz Rice (Assistant Director), Clare Roche (Stage Manager), and Joe Schermoly (Scenic & Properties Designer, Technical Director).

Now in its 32nd season, Lifeline Theatre is driven by a passion for story. Our ensemble process supports writers in the development of literary adaptations and new work, and our theatrical and educational programs foster a lifelong engagement with literature and the arts. A cultural anchor of Rogers Park, we are committed to deepening our connection to an ever-growing family of artists and audiences, both near and far. Lifeline Theatre – Big Stories, Up Close.

Lifeline Theatre’s programs are partially supported by Alphawood Foundation; The Arts Work Fund; Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation; CityArts grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events; The Common Cup; Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation; FGMK LLC; Flex Print , Inc. ; Lloyd A. Fry Foundation; The Grover Hermann Foundation; Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at Prince; Netrix LLC; The Polk Bros. Foundation; The Shubert Foundation; and the annual support of businesses and individuals.

PHOTO RECAP: End Summer With A Splash at Deep River Waterpark #review #ad

Enjoy every last bit of summer with weekends at Deep River Waterpark through Labor Day. We just went on the 8th and the whole family had a blast! We were pleasantly surprised at how affordable the food and amenities were. And the slides were awesome! Highly recommended family friendly fun.





Disclosure:  Thanks to Deep River Waterpark for providing us with tickets & food vouchers for review purposes and for our giveaway.  As always, all opinions are our own.

We live on Chicago's northwest side and still got to Deep River in just a little over an hour. Click here for our past coverage, and the full scoop on the park and check out our photo filled review below.

**Congrats again to Sarah P.--our 4 ticket/food voucher winner out of 330 entries!**

ChiIL Tips:
1. We love that the park allows outside food and drinks!
At first, your kids may not be thrilled you packed sandwiches at home instead of buying them tacos, nachos, or other tasty treats from the Deep River Waterpark restaurants...
  


...till you tell them they can buy ice cream and snacks with the money you saved!!

You may be tempted by the Dippin Dots, frozen bananas and other treats, but we highly recommend you hold out for #22 Milo's Ice Cream Shop behind the Rip Tide Wave Pool. Three words for you... Funnel Cake Sundaes!

There are plenty of tables, lounge chairs and grassy areas where you can eat. 





2.  My tween & teen adored the slides and went on just about everything but the ginormous Dragon Speed Slides. They enjoyed #4 The Storm Tube Ride quite a bit and rode all 3. But their ultimate favorite was the #23 Double Dueling CannonBowl. Also note, if the Lazy River is more your speed, there are TWO of them and the one by #23 is MUCH warmer.



3. The "boys"--my husband and son--bought Big Squirts at the Surf Shop and had a ton of fun with them. Back in the day they were called Water Wienies... No matter what you call 'em, they're sure to make you smile!

Whether your idea of an ideal day is relaxing in the sun with a great book or packing in as many thrill rides as possible, or a bit of both, Deep River's got you covered.

Disclosure:  Once again, thanks to Deep River Waterpark for providing us with tickets & food vouchers for review purposes and for our giveaway.  As always, all opinions are our own.

$25 Gift Card Winner Announced & July 4th Weekend Deals At Fresh Thyme #July4th #Coupons #sponsored

Fresh Thyme Deerfield Means Two Thymes The Fresh

Congrats to Nicole F! You've won a $25 gift card from Fresh Thyme and ChiIL Mama out of 170 entries. 

Let the holiday weekend begin... Gather with friends and family for BBQs, fireworks and fun! Come by Fresh Thyme to pick up your healthy and fresh holiday essentials and SAVE! Have a happy and safe 4th of July, friends!

Disclosure: ChiIL Mama is elated to partner up with Fresh Thyme and thank them for providing a gift card for our giveaway. We have been paid to share the grand opening info with our readers.  As always, all opinions are our own.

It's Thyme to Celebrate a new, healthy market! 

ChiIL out with ChiIL Mama and Fresh Thyme

Fresh Thyme is now open in Deerfield, with many other stores popping up in the area throughout the year. Here at ChiIL Mama we're all about green living, eco-friendly choices, and eating healthy food, so we're more than happy to welcome another Fresh Thyme to the area!  

Fresh Thyme Farmers Market, a new specialty grocer featuring healthy and organic value-priced offerings, is excited to announce the grand opening for their second location in Deerfield on Wed. June 25, 2014.

“Fresh Thyme’s goal is to provide our local communities with fresh, natural products at a great value,” Sherrell said. “We also strive to build solid relationships within each community we call home and look forward to the opportunity to do so in Deerfield.”

It’s time to raise some RUCKUS that Fresh Thyme has finally arrived in Deerfield, IL! We think people are going to love this new store and what it has to offer. 

ABOUT FRESH THYME:

Fresh Thyme Farmers Market is a new full-service specialty retailer focusing on fresh, healthy, natural and organic offerings, all at amazing values. The stores’ signature offering is an extensive produce department with organic and local fruits and vegetables. In addition, Fresh Thyme’s full-service offerings include a natural meat department, healthy deli foods to go, bakery goods, 400 bulk food bins, natural and organic groceries, dairy and frozen, as well as vitamins and body care products. Fresh Thyme is offering a NEW shopping experience to the Midwest and is scheduled to open a total of 60 stores by 2019. 

You can learn more by visiting freshthyme.com, and be sure to keep in touch by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter.

Disclosure: Once again, ChiIL Mama is elated to partner up with Fresh Thyme and thank them for providing a gift card for our giveaway. We have been paid to share the grand opening info with our readers.  As always, all opinions are our own.

Comments left on our blog about Fresh Thyme can be used on Fresh Thyme promotional materials.

Fresh Thyme $50 Giftcard WINNER Announced & Fresh News For You #FreshThyme

What time is it? Fresh Thyme!! Have you checked out their new location in Mount Prospect yet?  

Click here for ChiIL Mama's prior feature about the grand opening and store details.

We're also thrilled to announce ChiIL Mama's $50 Fresh Thyme gift card winner out of 245 entries: Sarah P. Big congrats!

(Credit for all logos and photos goes to Fresh Thyme)

Here at ChiIL Mama we LOVE spicy names... I have an 11 year old named Sage, you know. Whether you're named Rosemary, Basil, or plain old Moe, Fresh Thyme will put some spice into your meal routines.

What to Watch For:

• They have more excitement in store, with LOTS more Fresh Thyme market to open this year!  Up next... DEERFIELD! Fresh Thyme will offer a NEW shopping experience to the Midwest, starting with the first store in Mount Prospect, Ill., opening April 23, 2014, followed by 59 additional stores by 2019. 

• DOUBLE AD DAY!
  
  Every Wednesday the previous week's ad and the current week's ad overlap for DOUBLE the AMOUNT of AMAZING DEALS throughout the store!

“Grocery shopping has become as much a sensory experience as a necessity of life,” said Mount Prospect Mayor, Arlene Juracek. “We are excited that Fresh Thyme Farmers Market has chosen Mount Prospect as the first site for this new locally-focused grocer.”  


HELP LOCALLY: 

**The numbers are in! We raised over $580 in donations from the Boar's Head hot dog cart during our grand opening week. Proceeds will go to the Mount Prospect Parks Foundation to plant trees. We give so our communities can grow!

As part of their commitment to the community, Fresh Thyme will make a financial donation to three different local charities. These charities have shown continual support to the Mount Prospect community, and Fresh Thyme would like to recognize and applaud their efforts and plan to be part of their continued good works in Mt. Prospect and the surrounding area. The local charities include: CEDA Northwest, Mount Prospect Lions Club and the Mount Prospect Parks Foundation. For more information, please visit freshthyme.com.

Thyme for Fresh Food & Great Exercise

(with a sweet, smoothie at the end of the ride, as a reward for your people powered efforts) 

Here's Fresh Thyme's Store Director Bruce riding the Vega Blender Bike, which makes smoothies as you pedal!  #Vega #FitnessThyme


What's in season right now in Illinois?

ABOUT FRESH THYME:
At Fresh Thyme Farmers Markets we believe you shouldn’t have to give away the farm to feed your body nutritious food. We’re on a mission to improve the way our communities eat by offering fresh and healthy food at amazing values -all in a vibrant and fun shopping environment, with smiling friendly faces.

The foundation of healthy eating is often based on incorporating more fresh fruits and vegetables in our diets. Therefore, at the core of our offerings is an abundant produce department, overflowing with fruits and vegetables, fresh from the farm, often locally grown and much of it organic. We’re so passionate about produce that we’ve made it the nucleus of the store, ensuring the bounty of fruits and vegetables is visible from all other departments.

Fresh Thyme Farmers Market is a new full-service specialty retailer focusing on fresh, healthy, natural and organic offerings, all at amazing values. The stores’ signature offering is an extensive produce department with organic and local fruits and vegetables. In addition, Fresh Thyme’s full-service offerings include a natural meat department, healthy deli foods to go, bakery goods, 400 bulk food bins, natural and organic groceries, dairy and frozen, as well as vitamins and body care products.

You can learn more by visiting freshthyme.com, and be sure to keep in touch by liking them on Facebook and following them on Twitter.

Note: Comments left on our blog about Fresh Thyme can be used on Fresh Thyme promotional materials.

FLASH GIVEAWAYS & MORE: Freebie Friday $25 Mrs. Greens Gift Card, Live Show Tickets & More #giveaway

**FLASH GIVEAWAY: First to comment below with your family's favorite instrument(s) WINS 4 FREE tickets to see Apples, Peaches, Lemonade this Sunday at noon!**

ChiIL Mama Presents:

(Check below for more family friendly Beat Kitchen's Kids Shows. New winners announced weekly.)

• WIN a FREE $25 Mrs. Green's Market gift card. CLICK HERE (*enter through midnight 4/5). 

Kindie Land:

• Family 4 Pack of Tickets to Beat Kitchen's Kids Series, presented by ChiIL Mama ($24 value, Sunday at noon, all ages). 

• **Check back soon to enter to win 4 tickets to our spring shows on 4/27, 5/4, 5/11 & 5/17** 

UPCOMING CONCERTS • $6

APPLES, PEACHES, LEMONADE! Apr 6 • 2 PM Get Tickets! ISTVAN & HIS IMAGINARY BAND Apr 27 • 12 PM Get Tickets!

Super Stolie MAY 4 • 12 PM CORRIENTES ENSEMBLE May 11 • 2 PM Get Tickets! LITTLE MISS ANN CD RELEASE PARTY! MAY 17 • 3 PM Get Tickets!

*Congrats to Teresa O.--ChiIL Mama's winner of 4 tickets ($100 value) to the opening performance of SPARK at Adventure Stage Theatre (& after party) 4pm next Saturday, 4/12.  Click here for our prior SPARK feature, past video interview with Tom Arvetis & more show info.

Rose and the Rime Winner Announced And More Giveaways

Big congrats to Kelli R.--our 4 ticket winner out of 150 entries.  Congrats and enjoy!

Click here for more details on the giveaway and our full show review.

Photo Credit:  Michael Brosilow


Current Giveaways:

Enter to Win 4 tickets to Beat Kitchen's Concerts for Kids every week!

2/23/2014 - Human Tim + Robot Tim

**Click here to WIN Human Tim + Robot Tim Tickets From ChiIL Mama**

3/2/2014 - The Boogers

**Click here to WIN Boogers Tickets From ChiIL Mama**

3/8/2014 **SATURDAY 2:00 pm** - Jeanie B & The Jelly Beans!

**Click here to Win Jeanie B! & The Jelly Beans Tickets From ChiIL Mama**

3/9/2014 - The Wannabees

**Click here to WIN Wannabees Tickets From ChiIL Mama**

3/16/2014 -Sarah Jayne Lane (with Band)

**Click here to WIN Sarah Jayne Lane Tickets From ChiIL Mama**

Tickets: $6 per person at the door or through http://www.beatkitchen.com
Visit http://www.facebook.com/concerts4kids for updates on the Concerts for Kids schedule at Beat Kitchen.Special thanks to media sponsor ChiIL Mama http://www.chiilmama.com.

About Concerts for Kids!
Concerts for Kids began when bar owner Robert Gomez heard from young families in the neighborhood that they needed more entertainment options for their kids. His daughter was taking classes at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Gomez got to know the incredibly talented instructors, learned that they wrote their own music and were looking for outlets to perform with their full bands. Beat Kitchen and the children's performers combined resources that resulted in Concerts for Kids! Now in its eigth year, Concerts for Kids is a popular series for Chicago’s parents with regular Sunday noon shows that attract talented children's music performers from across the U.S.