Yesterday, in the middle of the blizzard, the awesome rental guys at Calumet Photo set me up with a Canon 7D for the weekend, so I can do Bluegrass and Blues Festjustice at Auditorium Theatretonight. We'll be shooting tonight and again next Saturday at Congress Theatre.
I can't tell you how stoked I am to check out this camera in action. I've been shooting for 30+ years for fun and then for work, and shooting shows steadily for 2. And I've been ogling this sweet camera for years!
We'll have a photo filled CBB Fest feature up soon and a camera review as well. Wish I would have had it for Led Zeppelin 2 at House of Blues last Saturday, when I shot over 8 gigs of stills. We'll have those edited & posted in the very near future.
Calumet has two Chi-Town locations and I've been impressed with them every time I've come in. I bought my most recent Canon lens there and the staff is knowledgeable and helpful. Their tag line "Calumet, It's Where The Pros Go" is true. My husband has worked in location sound, in the TV/film industry, for 25+ years, and the local cameramen and visiting crews shooting here all frequent Calumet. I'd love to write more, but we've got a show to shoot.
From Calumet's Site:
About Calumet Photographic
Calumet Photographic is the top drawer in the photographer's toolbox. Whether you enjoy the slosh and spill of chemicals in the traditional darkroom or prefer the immediacy of the digital darkroom, Calumet has what you need from cameras and cables to studio lighting and computers. Photographers around the world have been depending on Calumet Photographic for over 70 years because they know where to go for the equipment they need and expert advice they can't get anywhere else. Our sales associates know the photo industry inside and out; we're here to answer questions and offer advice so you can make informed buying decisions. Whether you shoot digital, video or traditional, it's our commitment to help you get exactly what you need when you need it. History
In 1939, Kenneth Becker formed Calumet Manufacturing Company in Chicago. Originally, he sold sporting goods and just a few cameras through the store. Eventually, Calumet began to manufacture stainless steel developing trays and other darkroom equipment.
In 1955, Kodak decided to get out of the view camera business, selling Calumet the rights to its Master View 4x5 camera. It set the course for other photographic innovations by Calumet in the 1960s, such as the Caltar large format lens line, the C-2 roll film holder and the nitrogen burst film and print processors.
In 1980, after 40 years of manufacturing and selling its mostly large-format proprietary product lines, Calumet became a full-line supplier of professional photographic products. The result was the first photo supply catalog. Calumet sells high-quality products. We never sell "gray market" products, products that are not kept within the manufacturer-to-distributor-to-dealer network. For example, we sell only fresh film and paper. "Calumet makes purchasing equipment and supplies, as well as equipment rental, extremely easy. Since it is a nationwide network, I usually pick up supplies for a shoot when I arrive if the location is near a Calumet retail outlet. Otherwise, I have Calumet FedEx whatever I need to wherever I am," said Daniel Peebles, a Calumet U.S. customer.
With the uniting of Calumet Photographic in the United States and Keith, Johnson and Pelling, a retail chain in the United Kingdom; Netherlands, Belgium and Germany locations followed. The company developed a global focus. This global focus expanded further in 1998, when Calumet launched its website and moved the company into the digital age. With more than 70 years in the business, Calumet continues to grow, adding products and services to our stores and warehouses every day. Currently, we have more than 25 retail stores across the world.
Chicago
1111 N. Cherry Avenue
Chicago, IL 60642
312.440.4920
Oak Brook
1600 W. 16th Street
Oak Brook, IL 60523
630.860.7458
*Calumet Photo loaned me a 7D for review purposes.
Big congrats to our concert ticket winners. Sorry about the final hour notice. We got a bit stuck in traffic in this crazy blizzard for over two hours. Here are our winners:
Saturday School of Rock/Doors 4pm--4 pack is Lori Morrison-Contreras
Sunday School of Rock/Doors 4pm--4 pack is Melissa Stoker
Monday at 8pm Clip Art pair of tickets--Jen Laubacher
You can look back at the original Rafflecopter forms for winners entry #s and data if you wishAll the show times, and details are here. All 3 shows are at Schubas.
And like last year, kids under 12 are free to the Congress Shows on the 28th with a paying adult! This weekend at Auditorium Theatre all ages are admitted (but not free).
Here's the lineup for this Saturday:
Artist: CBB Fest: “Big Mon Jam” feat. Del McCoury Band & David Grisman, “The Bluegrass Ball” feat. The Travelin’ McCourys, Jeff Austin of YMSB, Bill Nershi of SCI… plus full sets by Del McCoury Band, David Grisman Quintet, Joe Purdy, The Giving Tree Band, Henhouse Prowlers.
Date: Saturday, January 21st, 2012 Time: 2:00pm till late Venue: Auditorium Theatre Address: 50 E Congress Pkwy Venue phone: (312) 922-2110 Admission: $39.50-$59.50 Age restrictions: All Ages
Loads of our favorites are playing. The bands in red are the ones we've featured or shot live show stills or video of. We also have a video interview with The Great Divide that you can check out RIGHT HERE. See more band interviews, still and footage on either blog ChiIL Live Shows or ChiIL Mama and our YouTube Channel here.
Opening:Here at ChiIL Mama/ChiIL Live Shows, we can't wait for Houdini and Houdini Box! Houdini Box is family friendly fun at Chicago Children's Theatre and Houdini is playing simultaneously at The House for the PG13 crowd (*As always, use your best judgement. You know your own kids better than suggested age guides.) We'll be at opening night of both, very different shows next week. There are so many fantastic offerings this year. We'll continue to run ACT OUT theatre features often, with more family friendly and adult shows. Here's a hand full of stand outs. *FF signifies family friendly.
Mama Mia Broadway in Chicago Oriental Theatre 1 week only! Opens 1/24-29th FF
MAMMA MIA! is the ultimate feel-good show that has audiences coming back again and again to relive the thrill. Now the Broadway sensation is coming to Chicago’s Oriental Theatre and it’s your turn to have the time of your life at this smash-hit musical that combines ABBA’s greatest hits, including “Dancing Queen,” “S.O.S.,” “Super Trouper,” “Take A Chance on Me” and “The Winner Takes It All,” with an enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship. Whether it’s your first visit or your fourteenth, see the show that has the whole world coming back for more, because every time feels like the first time at MAMMA MIA!.
Ticket prices are $18 to $85.
Groups of 15 or more now on sale!
Call 312-977-1710
That’s right. It’s happening. Theater Oobleck is doing its first opera. “Cerebral, comic, and just plain weird,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 2002)
Mickle Maher‘s The Hunchback Variations (2001) has been one of the most successful productions in Oobleck’s 23-year history—presented to critical acclaim over the last decade in Chicago, St. Louis, Washington D.C., and Hamburg, Germany.
The Hunchback Variations takes the form of a panel discussion between Quasimodo, hunchback of Notre Dame, and Ludwig van Beethoven, composer, on their attempt to create a mysterious sound effect called for in Anton Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard. Playing out over 11 scenes, or “variations,” the story details the duo’s collaboration—one doomed by their mutual deafness, their unpleasant working conditions, and the fact that Beethoven has not yet finished reading the The Cherry Orchard.
A deft deconstruction of the creative process, and a fearless investigation of artistic collaboration, Hunchback is driven by questions about the nature of music and sound and performance. So, what could be more natural than to throw it fully – collaboratively!—into the embrace of music and sound and performance by giving it over to the wildly innovative mind of composer Mark Messing, the genius behind the scores of numerous Redmoon productions, and co-founder of the mad, brilliant marching band, Mucca Pazza?
With George Andrew Wolff (tenor) as Beethoven, Larry Adams (bass) as Quasimodo, Tim Lenihan on piano, and Paul Ghica on cello.
Lighting design by Chris Wooten. Stage Management by Melinda Evans. !nea-logo-color.jpg 300w! This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts *Quick ticket explanation: You can get your “more if you’ve got it, free if you’re broke” tickets (as per Theater Oobleck tradition) by calling the box office 773-871-3000. For on-line tickets, click on the link above, then click on the day you want. Then in the next screen you indicate how many tickets you want. Then in the NEXT screen you are given the option of a “Regular Price” (that would be $20), a $10, or a $1 ticket. The Hunchback Variations is “a moving meditation on collaboration and the creative process.” –Jack Helbig, Chicago Reader, on the play’s 2001 debut
“This is not the stuff of standard theater, much less standard opera. It is the stuff of an absurdist masterpiece.” —Chicago Stage Review’s Venus Zarris, on a 2011 workshop production of The Hunchback Variations Opera
Houdini Box Chicago Children's Theatre Mercury Theatre 3745 N. Southport Avenue, Chicago opens 1/24 FF *Music by Mark Messing (interviewed here by ChiIL Mama)
January 24-March 4, 2012 Recommended for ages 5 and up
Directed by Blair Thomas. Book and Lyrics by Hannah Kohl, Music by Mark Messing. Based on the book THE HOUDINI BOX written and illustrated by Brian Selznick, and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Brought to life right before your eyes by actors, musicians, and puppets, sure to thrill and surprise. As famed escape artist Harry Houdini circles the globe performing one incredible stunt after another, Victor, a young devotee goes through his own rigorous magician’s training – locking himself in closets, holding his breath under water and walking into walls. After a chance encounter with his hero, Victor receives a special box that just might contain the secrets of Houdini’s great success. CHICAGO TRIBUNE: “The Houdini Box” is Top 10 show to see in early 2012
-Chris Jones
“The Houdini Box,” Chicago Children’s Theatre. Brian Selznick wrote the children’s book “The Invention of Hugo Cabret,” the source for “Hugo,” one of the more prominent holiday movies this year. That has propelled Selznick and his work to a new level of awareness. “The Houdini Box,” which will be directed at Chicago Children’s Theatre by the formidable visual storyteller Blair Thomas, is a brand-new musical based on Selznick’s first book, the story of a boy who receives a mysterious box that may unlock the secrets of Harry Houdini.
Download “The Houdini Box” Study Guide and get info about the Entrants to The Houdini Box Who's Your Hero? illustrated essay contest must be 15 years or younger as of Feb. 17, 2012.
Limit one entry per person. Comprehensive show study guides including complete contest information and rules are already being sent to schools, libraries, book stores and children's retailers throughout Chicagoland. Or, download a show study guide via The Houdini Box show page on Chicago Children's Theatre's website, http://chicagochildrenstheatre.org/shows/the-houdini-box.
Come one, come all to see the Great Harry Houdini escape the clutches of Death! Before your very eyes, The House's very own Dennis Watkins takes your breath away, chained and submerged in Houdini's dreaded Water Torture Cell.
Death-defying performances begin this weekend... with FREE PIZZA! Tickets are just $25 to witness this unforgettable performance through March 11. DON'T DELAY - performances are already selling out!
Saturday 1/21 at 8pm SOLD OUT
Sunday 1/22 at 7pm Limited Availability
Thursday 1/26 at 8pm Good Availability
Friday 1/27 at 8pm SOLD OUT
Saturday at 1/28 SOLD OUT $5 off each ticket with code MAGIC5good for shows through 1/28
Quidam Cirque Du Soleil Hoffman Estates Sears Centre Arena Opens 2/8 FF 1 week run only-must close 2/12
*ChiIL Mama has an exclusive video interview
with members of Quidam's cast coming soon.
Cirque Du Soleil will be coming to a suburban Whole Foods Market Near You! A Cirque Du Soleil bus will be coming to Whole Foods Market Chicagoland locations to bring their show on the road. Customers will be able to participate in many fun activities including:
• Watch Quidam sizzle reels and behind the scenes videos
• Souvenir photos with a Quidam theme using green screen technology
• Opportunity to win Quidam show tickets and prizes
• Receive Quidam branded popcorn bags and postcards
For more information, call your participating store.
Participating Whole Foods Market Locations and Schedules:
151 Rice Lake Square, Wheaton IL 630-588-1500 Monday January 23rd from 3-5pm
2607 West 75th St., Naperville IL 630-579-7700 Wednesday January 25th from 11am-1pm
1331 North Rand Rd. Palatine, IL 847-776-8080 Thursday January 26th from 3-5pm
750 Martingale Rd. Schaumburg, IL 847-585-5800 Sunday January 29th from 11am-2pm
American Idiot Broadway in Chicago Oriental Theatre Opens 2/7-2/19
Direct from Broadway, the smash-hit musical AMERICAN IDIOT tells the story of three lifelong friends, forced to choose between their dreams and the safety of suburbia. Based on Green Day’s GRAMMY® Award-winning multiplatinum album and featuring the hits “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” “21 Guns,” “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” “Holiday” and the blockbuster title track, AMERICAN IDIOT boldly takes the American musical where its never gone before. With direction by Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening), choreography by Steven Hoggett (Black Watch) and orchestrations and arrangements Tom Kitt (Next to Normal), the result is an experience Charles Isherwood of The New York Times declares “thrilling, emotionally charged, and as moving as any Broadway musical I’ve seen this year!”
Ticket prices are $27 to $95.
Groups of 15 or more now on sale!
Call 312-977-1710
We're huge fans of Atalee Judy's work and we've already posted loads of YouTube video clips that became this show, but nothing compares to seeing it in person. Come check them out!
Closing:
Come Fly Away Broadway in Chicago Bank of America Theatre
*highly recommended
closes 1/22
We had the great pleasure of seeing the show on opening night. We were blown away by the choreography, and the excellent orchestra, prominently featured on stage instead of tucked away in the orchestra pit. With booming, seductive vocals by Frank Sinatra himself, overlaid with the live, big band, I kept catching myself looking for the singer, even though I knew better! Come Fly Away is flying from Chi-town the 22nd, so don't miss your chance. The dancing was exquisite, moving and the perfect balance between classic and contemporary. We particularly loved the "drunken dancers" reminiscent of drunken masteresque kung fu movie choreography. That takes talent to pull off! The emotions shone through, whether the dances were angry, playfully flirtatious, bumbling, sorrowful or sexy and provided a perfect compliment to Sinatra's classics. If a picture's worth a thousand words, this wordless wonder just might provide a picture perfect evening of enjoyment.
COME FLY AWAY is the new Broadway musical that brings together the legendary music of FRANK SINATRA and the creative vision of Tony Award-winner TWYLA THARP (Movin’ Out).This one-of-a-kind experience combines the seductive vocals of “Ol’ Blue Eyes” with the sizzling sound of a live on-stage big band and the visceral thrill of Tharp’s choreography. As 15 of the world’s best dancers tell the story of four couples falling in and out of love, you will experience the exhilaration of a first kiss, the excitement of a first dance, and the bittersweet moments of a first good-bye in a world of sparkling romance and astonishing beauty.
COME FLY AWAY features a score of beloved Sinatra classics including “Fly Me to the Moon,” “My Way,” “New York, New York” and “Witchcraft.” Ticket prices are $32 to $95. GROUPS OF 15 OR MORE ON SALE NOW! CALL (312) 977-1710
Directed by Anthony MoseleyJan. 12 - Feb. 26, 2012 Collaboraction at the Flat Iron Arts Building, 1575 N. Milwaukee Ave
Dark play or stories for boysfollows a teenage boy’s foray into the virtual world. His fictional internet identity begins as a harmless game, but the game takes on a frightening reality when real emotion overtakes his online relationship. When Nick’s virtual world collides with the real world, his fantasies of love, intimacy, obsession and betrayal spiral into consequences that lead him to the brink of death. dark play or stories for boys was first produced as part the Humana Festival at Actor's Theatre of Louisville. Murrillo is the winner of National Latino Playwriting Award (2006) and the Otis Guernsey New Voices in American Playwriting Award at the 28th annual William Inge Theatre Festival. Murillo currently serves as the Head of Playwrighting Program at The Theatre School at DePaul University.
The cast of the Chicago premiere includes Clancy McCartney (Nick), Aaron Kirby (Adam), Olivia Dustman (Rachel/Molly), Jane deLaubenfels (Female Netizen) and Sorin Brouwers (Male Netizen). Lighting Design by Michael Reed, set design is by Joe Schermoly, sound design is by Stephen Ptacek and costume design is by Drew Hill.
Visiting Company Griffin Theatre
Punk Rock
By Simon Stephens
Directed by Jonathan Berry
Now playing through March 04, 2012
The American Premiere of Simon Stephens' powerful and critically acclaimed drama about a group of high school age students preparing for their final exams and nearing the end of their school lives. When the whole world opens up before you, there’s a danger it’ll swallow you up, there’s danger all around in this shattering new play that explores the volatility of adolescent life. *Contains
*Strong Adult Content
There is no late seating available for this production.
El Circo Cheapo Aloft ongoing-1st Saturdays of every month-next show 2/4 “The only thing cheap is the admission!”-Santa Fe Reporter
Like circus? Like awesome things that are crazy cheap? Then have we got just the thing for you. El Circo Cheapo Cabaret is an amazing circus show like nothing you have ever seen. An ever changing cast of some of the world’s most talented circus performers, as well as other performance artists, ensures no two shows are ever the same.
We're huge fans of The Chicago Park District and have taken numerous classes through them since the kids were born. There's a long overdue, more user friendly, Chicago Park District Siteup. And finally, family information will be saved in the system! Can't say I'll miss the writer's cramp from filling out a zillion emergency and registration forms...multiple times...for both kids...at numerous parks...every 10 weeks. Everyone needs to sign up again, even if you had an account on the old site, but once you're in, you're in!
February 6th, spring classes will be listed on the site. February 21st, on line registration with the new site opens at 9am.
In the mean time, check out their excellent events. Click the links for our photo filled, past coverage. We highly recommend:
Happening Right Now--Clip Art Residency Bands, Mondays at Schubas (18+)-pair of tickets available for the next 2 Mondays & School of Rock Tribute to The Doors-4 Packs of Free Tickets for this Sat & Sun 4pm (all ages).
Schubas-School of Rock
+11 entries
1 day left
Schubas-School of Rock
+8 entries
1 day left
Bluegrass & Blues Fest
+66 entries
5 days left
Clip Art Mondays at Schubas With Different Special Guests 1/9-1/30
+9 entries
5 days left
Winter Festival-Beat Kitchen Concerts for Kids
+19 entries
5 days left
American Girl Doll McKenna Books Give Away
+24 entries
24 days left
Safe-T-Pet Give Away
+16 entries
24 days left
American Girl Doll McKenna Doll/Book Set ($105 value) Give Away
+89 entries
56 days left
Check the links down the side of the blog for entry forms.
*This is our favorite entry in our WANTED contest! It came with this awesome explanation. My daughter and I worked on this Poster together, since she wanted it to be 'fancy on the computer'. She came up with the wording, and picked the Fonts, and I typed it in - hope that counts :)! Great job Stocker family. We'll send you one of Little Miss Ann's brand new CDs-Walk With Me, as a reward for your creative collaboration.
We have lots of winners to announce today! Big congrats to everyone.
First, our Boogers winner can't make it to the show and kindly released the tickets so we could draw another name. Our new winner for the Boogers tickets to Beat Kitchen this Sunday at noon is Kathy Escamilla-Zielinski.
Second-our winner of the $40 Hair Cuttery Gift Card is Amber.
Wanted: For his "entanglement" in various issues of questionable character. Do not fall victim to his good looks or quick wit. He is completely dangerous - to the heart.
Here's our original Paper Thick Walls show shots from Schubas last Monday.
They put on a pretty hot live show, that'll warm your frozen toes and have you back to dancing in no time. You can see them live at Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Fest at 6pm on January 28th, along with 30+ rockin' bands at The Congress. We are giving away a pair of passed to one lucky reader and there's still time to enter. Check out the link in the side bar to enter. *(all ages/kids under 12 admitted free with paying adult to The Congress Theater Shows!)
You can also still win a pair of tickets to the next two Monday nights at Schubas. (18+). So what are you waiting for?!
