Wednesday, February 15, 2012

CircEsteem Spring Classes & Summer Camp Registration Is Open Now


Are you inspired by Cirque du Soleil's Quidam and awesome local aerial arts like El Circo Cheapo at Aloft and Lost and Found at Actor's Gym?

Did you know CircEsteem now has toddler and adult classes too?! 


CircusTots

Parent-Tot Circus – MON: 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. $150 per session
Pre-requisite: None; Appropriate Age: 2-3 years old
**NEW** Parent-child bonding with a circus twist. Children and parents alike build strength, coordination, flexibility and memories that will last a lifetime.
Instructor: TBA

CircusTots – WED: 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. $150 per session
Pre-requisite: None; Appropriate Age: 3-5 years old
**NEW** An exciting way for children to increase motor skills while having fun and reinforcing good classroom behavior. Classes include fun games to encourage focus and strength as well as basic circus skills to work on coordination and balance.
Instructor: TBA
Classes will start on March 5 (and March 7), 2012. 

Adult aerial class (Mondays from 6 - 7:15) and adult wheel class (Wednesdays from 7:30 - 8:45)
 

CircEsteem's Spring Session of circus classes start March 5th. Register now to ensure a spot in Saturday Circus Classes.  The 9:00 a.m. Chinese Pole is already full.   All students participating in the Spring Session will perform in the 11th Annual Spring Circus on May 11-12 and 19-20th.  


We've been regulars at CircEsteem since fall of 2010 and the kids both LOVE it.   Highly recommended.  We'll have loads of CircEsteem photos and videos to share throughout 2012.   Check out our YouTube Channel for our past CircEsteem show clips.

CircEsteem's Summer Camp is now open for registration!   
 
Early Bird Discount: Pay no registration fee AND take off 10% when you
register and pay by March 1. 
 
Multi-Week Discount: Sign up for 2 or more weeks of camp and take 10% off per week. 
 
Refer-A-Friend: Register a friend who is new to CircEsteem and you receive a FREE CircEsteem t-shirt for each friend.   
   
                                                    
Early Bird Offer Expires March 1, 2012

Sign up for 1 week or all 7--
$260 per week with discounts and scholarships available!
  Each week concludes with a show for friends and family.  To download camp info and registration forms click here. 






Join the CircEsteem Family
!

Check out ChiIL Mama's own video interview with CircEsteem's Executive Director, Maribeth Joy.


About CircEsteem Inc.


CircEsteem is a non profit youth circus with a mission of uniting youth from diverse racial, cultural and economic backgrounds and building self-esteem and mutual respect through the practice of circus arts. 
 


To learn more about CircEsteem from the perspective of a graduate, watch a short video here.

Join the CircEsteem Family from Fig Media on Vimeo.

 
  
                                                                                             
CircEsteem Inc.
at Alternatives Inc.

4730 N. Sheridan Rd.
Chicago, Illinois 60640
312 
CircEsteem Website
731 HAHA
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Anna and the Cupcakes--Bari Koral's New Release Out Now (review) & Big Give Away Featuring Suzi Shelton, Little Miss Ann & Bari Koral

 
Photo Credit: Joyeuse Photography
 



The Bari Koral Family Rock Band Just Released Their Sophomore CD

“Anna And The Cupcakes”
 A Tasty Selection of Songs for Children and Families February 14
. 


ChiIL Mama was excited to hear Bari Koral's 2nd CD, is every bit as engaging as Rock and Roll Garden.   We especially enjoyed the timely Dragon Comes to Dinner, for the Chinese year of the Dragon.   Bari Koral's infectious charm and joy in childhood pleasures comes shining through every note of Anna and the Cupcakes.   It was a joy to hear her kidalicious, upbeat take on The Avett Brothers' Kick Drum Heart.   Love the Avett Brothers?   Check out our original photo pit shots of their set at Summer Camp Music Festival 2011 here. 

Sure, the usual kindie themes are represented here-with Train Song, Rocket Ship and Butterfly.   However, Koral embraces the sweet silliness of childhood through more unique themes too, including songs celebrating shoes and little cupcake thief's with big imaginations.  The album's namesake song follows the misadventures of Anna, a cupcake loving child with a host of hungry imaginary friends and a stack of disappearing treats.  This CD is a sweet treat that will last a bit longer than Anna's cupcakes and won't cause any tummy aches.  

The CD cover is a bit odd, with a cartoon monkey, an Alice in Wonderlandesque Koral sipping tea, and a tree stump full of cupcakes....but don't judge a disc by it's cover.   Preschoolers and early elementary agers are going to adore this one.


This continues ChiIL Mama's weird February of coincidences, as we've now reviewed the latest creative endeavors of both Bari Koral and Barrie Cole, reviewed 2 Houdini plays, interviewed Mark Messing 2 times, and saw 2 different plays he wrote the score for open within 2 days of each other.  

Anna and the Cupcakes
Bari Koral's 10-song collection of indelible melodies that range stylistically from sprightly roots pop-rockers to infectious blues to country-tinged kickers is the follow up to the group’s first full-length CD, Rock and Roll Garden, which became a hit on the family-music scene, won critical acclaim, and became an award winner, including the Nappa Gold and Parent’s Choice silver.
    In the past, ChiIL Mama gave away Rock and Roll Garden to some of our lucky readers, and this year we have FOUR copies of Anna and the Cupcakes to give away right here.   We also have 3 of Little Miss Ann's latest and more Suzi Shelton, too, but we'll start with one of each.  You can earn extra entries by spreading the word, so FB, Tweet and tell your friends.   Then check in with ChiIL Mama and enter like we vote in Chi, IL....early and often.   Entries accepted nationwide!

Enter at the bottom of this post for your chance to win ChiIL Mama's ChiIL Kindie Collection featuring Suzi Shelton, Bari Koral, & Little Miss Ann!!    This amazing set of 4 CDs and a DVD, includes 3 of the best women rockin' out for little kids today.   One lucky reader will be sent:
  • Anna and the Cupcakes-Bari Koral's brand new CD-just released 2/14/12
  • Walk With Me-Little Miss Ann's new CD-released 1-15-12
  • Suzi Shelton's:  No Ordinary Day, Music for Kids, and DVD Suzi Shelton LIVE at Southpaw!!
(Check out ChiIL Mama's live show footage from Little Miss Ann's CD release party and our CD info and video interview with the band right here)

Waltzing Matilda-Miss Ann & Suzi Shelton-LIVE

Walk With Me-LIVE

Put Out Your Hand-LIVE

All month we'll be featuring original video interviews, original live show clips, and reviews of all 3 women's work, culminating in our big give away March 15th.   First up, we're featuring Bari Koral's greatly anticipated 2nd CD.   Then we'll have our original video interview with Suzi Shelton and her son and a bunch more of ChiIL Mama's live show clips from Suzi Shelton & Little Miss Ann performing live, together with their children, at Beat Kitchen in Chicago.


More About Anna and the Cupcakes 
The Bari Koral Family Rock Band, the New York-based band who have emerged as one of today’s top children’s musical performers just released their sophomore album, Anna and the Cupcakes.

The band is led by Bari Koral, an acoustic guitarist, and singer/songwriter who has firmly established herself in the rich tradition of children’s music, while uniquely exhibiting a deep emotional and fun-loving connection with her audience thanks to infectious songs, entertaining themes and driving upbeats. 

Koral and the band have hit the road to perform the Anna and the Cupcakes songs, as well as such old favorites from Rock and Roll Garden like “Backpack” and “Hey Ducky.”

Tour Itinerary Is As Follows:
 

Feb 12  Caspary Auditorium at Rockefeller University, New York, NY

                   
Feb  20 The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda,  MD-Discover Strathmore Free Open House:  Duke Ellington (Celebrating American Composers)
                   
Feb  21-22  Long Island Children’s Museum, Garden City, NY
         


March 4  92Y Tribeca, New York, NY
                   
March 10  World Café Live @the Queen, Wilmington, DE

****Bari Koral will also be in the Chicago area at
Wonder USA
250 South Waukegan Rd., Deerfield, IL, 224-330-6400
(date and details TBA)

More dates to be announced.
 


On Anna and the Cupcakes, Koral serves up a tasty selection of songs, including title track about disappearing cupcakes, a scampering gingerbread man, (“Gingerbread Man”), a cocoon turning into a butterfly, (“Butterfly”), a zooming rocket ship (“Rocket Ship”), a speeding train (“Train Song”), and the poppy/happy cover of the folk-rock band the Avett Brothers’ “Kick Drum Heart,” among others.
 
In addition to Koral, the Bari Koral Family Rock Band features support from jazz keyboardist Dred Scott who plays bass, piano and keyboards and also produced the album, guitarist John Bertsche and acclaimed pop and Broadway drummer Eric Halvorson. The album was mixed by Grammy-nominated producer Dan Myers (Brady Rymer, Laurie Berkner). 
 



For More Information about the Bari Koral Family Rock Band Please Visit her main web site.  Or check her out on Facebook. Anna and the Cupcakes is available now on CD Baby and Amazon.com.

Enter Here for your chance to win ChiIL Mama's ChiIL Kindie Collection--$62 value (enter through midnight 3/14)

*Wait for Rafflecopter to load up right here (if you've gone through RSS feed or are scrolling down the blog and don't see it, click on the actual page title and it should pop right up).   Entries are easy.   Winning rocks!  



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Led Zeppelin 2 at House of Blues Chicago 1-14-12 (live show photos)



Here's a full set of ChiIL Live Shows' pit photos from Saturday's sold out Led Zeppelin 2 show at House of Blues Chicago 1-14-12.   Double click the slideshow for SmugMug and more settings, including easy share options.   We'll be putting up a "best of" much smaller set from this show as well, but these guys were so much fun to shoot and we got so many sweet shots, we didn't want to decimate it down to just a few pictures.   Enjoy!



Here's a video from their recent Ft. Lauderdale, Florida shows and Stairway to Heaven below, so you can get a taste of their live shows.   Check out their Zep2 YouTube Channel for more.

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Tuesday, February 14, 2012

WINDY CITY CIRCUS CANCELS FEBRUARY ENGAGEMENT AT NAVY PIER



Tickets Will Be Refunded At Point Of Purchase

CHICAGO (February 14, 2012) - Windy City Circus has announced it will be cancelling its 10-day engagement at Navy Pier previously scheduled for Feb. 17 - 26, 2012. Founder David Maas has released the following statement:

"We are incredibly saddened to report that in this economy as a new non-profit organization, we have fallen short of our projected sponsorship and funding goals," said Maas. "We want to ensure that Chicago receives a high-quality production that befits our incredible hometown and will be a successful fundraiser for our charitable partners. We are looking forward to mounting Windy City Circus at a future date, and will continue to strive toward that goal."

All tickets will be refunded at the point of purchase. Refunds for tickets purchased at windycitycircus.org will be automatically refunded prior to date of performance purchased.
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4 Free Tickets & Discount Codes For Houdini Box at Chicago Children's Theatre


Our Valentine's Day gift for you:


Based on the book by Brian Selznick, Directed by Blair Thomas, book and lyrics by Hannah Kohl, music by Mark Messing.

Now through March 4: ONLY 3 WEEKS LEFT!
Mercury Theater Chicago
3745 N. Southport Avenue

Check back with ChiIL Mama early and often.   We're putting the finishing touches on our original video interviews with Brian Selznick, Blair Thomas, Hannah Kohl, and Mark Messing!
 
Save $10 on tickets today only with code LOVE.
If you miss it, don't fret, code HUGS will get you $5 off tomorrow.




Valid for shows at The Mercury Theater only

The Houdini Box "merits a trip to The Mercury Theater with someone one loves" -Chicago Tribune

Ideal for ages 5 and up

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.



 Save now on
early-bird Tickets!

"A Brown Bear, A Moon, and A Caterpillar: Treasured Stories by Eric Carle"

LIMITED ENGAGEMENT!
ONLY HERE FOR ONE MONTH

By the company the brought you the sold out run of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,“ "A Brown Bear, A Caterpillar And A Moon: Treasured Stories By Eric Carle" will bring together old favorites and new friends.

Featuring evocative music, stunning visual effects and innovative puppetry, the triple-bill highlights three of Eric Carle’s most beloved tales. "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" is joined by a whimsical cast of adventurous animals drawn from the pages of "Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?", and the poignant story of a young girl’s unusual quest, "Papa Please Get The Moon For Me", for an hour-long performance, which both entertains and educates.

May 2 - 27
Victory Gardens Biograph Theatre
2433 N. Lincoln Avenue

Save 20% until March 1st, 15% until April 1st
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Monday, February 13, 2012

ALL Of Our 13 #Give Aways Currently Goin' On and Winners Announced for Morton Safe-T-Pet Ice Melt Prize Pack

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Kindie Land: More New Shows--4 Free Tixs For Little Miss Ann at Township in Logan Square #Give Away


ChiIL Mama has some exciting new news.    Township-formerly Panchos-in Logan Square is starting a monthly kindie music series!   And we've got 4 free tickets for their kick off concert with Little Miss Ann.    Enter at the bottom of this post for your chance to win.
 
Little Miss Ann--Full Band Show:
February 25th at 3pm at Township (formerly known as Pancho's) 2200 N. California in Logan Square
Township will also be serving brunch right before the concert and featuring adult bands in the evenings.


Enter here for free Little Miss Ann tickets and be one of the first to check out this cool, revamped addition to the neighborhood!   

Want to hear Little Miss Ann?   Check out ChiIL Mama's video interview with Miss Ann & live Cherries song on our Vimeo Channel and loads of great LIVE Miss Ann show footage from her new CD release party on our YouTube Channel.

*Wait for Rafflecopter to load up right here (if you've gone through RSS feed or are scrolling down the blog and don't see it, click on the actual page title and it should pop right up).   Entries are easy.   Winning rocks!   
Spread the word for more entries and enter like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.    Check back with ChiIL Mama frequently, too.   We add new shows and fun give aways all the time!
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Kindie Land: More New Shows--4 Free Tixs For Laura Doherty at Schubas #Give Away

 

Schubas Family Series continues with one of our local folk favs, Laura Doherty


Enter below for your chance to win 4 free tickets.   Check out our YouTube Channel for ChiIL Mama's video interview with Laura and loads of fun, live show clips.

Laura Doherty acoustically rocks your kid’s world with breezy folk-pop tunes from her new CD, Shining Like a Star, which celebrates the many ways children express themselves and celebrate their uniqueness. Songs such as "I'm a Tree" and "Vegetable Party" share the wonders of nature, along with dance tunes such as "Hula Hoop", and "Rocket Ship". Other songs include hits from Laura's award-winning CD, Kids in the City, which pays tribute to her kind of town - Chicago! Laura is a long-time teaching artist in the Old Town School of Folk Music Wiggleworms program.

*Wait for Rafflecopter to load up right here (if you've gone through RSS feed or are scrolling down the blog and don't see it, click on the actual page title and it should pop right up).   Entries are easy.   Winning rocks!   



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