Play Locally-Kindie: Rolie Polie Guacamole at 11am & Ellis Paul today at 1pm

 photo credit:   Kenaz-Mara ChiILMama.com

Chi-rish Dog--Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade

Happy St. Paddy's Day, Chi-rish and friends.   It's gonna be a hot time in the old town tonight.   With a forcast of 86 degrees on our 5th day of record breaking temps for mid March, take time to catch some hot family friendly music before hitting the beach.   We've been giving away tickets and promoting Rolie Polie Guacamole at Family Grounds at 11am and Ellis Paul at SPACE at 1pm for weeks.   Now today's the day, and both bands are highly recommended outta towners on tour, so this may be your only chance to see them live for a while!!   Tickets for both are available at the door.

Here are ChiIL Mama's Saturday favs for families:

*click this link for our earlier coverage on both, including full show details, music videos and more.

Rolie Polie Guacamole at Family Grounds- 

KINDIE BAND ROLIE POLIE GUACAMOLE CELEBRATES RELEASE OF NEW ALBUM “HOUSES OF THE MOLY” AT FAMILY GROUNDS CAFÉ, CHICAGO, IL.

The family concert is at Family Grounds Cafe, 3652 North Lincoln Avenue , Chicago, IL at 11am. Tickets $8.    

Click here for Family Grounds' Schedule and more info

Rolie Polie Guacamole's 3rd Lp and first cover album features fan favorites including: Upside Down, Fire Truck, Dragon Hunt, Octopus's Garden, Coconut, This Land Is Your Land...

Ellis Paul at SPACE-

ELLIS PAUL - SPECIAL FAMILY SHOW!
SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 2012   1:00PM
EVANSTON, IL
S.P.A.C.E.
1245 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, IL 60202
phone: 847-492-8860
Price: $10.00

For more information, visit www.evanstonspace.com or call 847-492-8860.

***NOW AVAILABLE!***

"The Hero in You" is Ellis Paul's follow up to his debut family release, "The Dragonfly Races", which was named to National Public Radio's 'Top 10 List' as well as winning a "Parents Choice Award".

This new project features 14 inspiring songs about true American heroes such as Woody Guthrie, Thomas Edison, Jackie Robinson, Chief Joseph, Rosa Parks and more, and was written by Ellis for both parents and children to enjoy.   *ChiIL Mama will have a full CD review up soon, along with our original video interview with Ellis Paul.   The CD is fantastic and has been in heavy rotation in our car this month!


Have a great, weekend....whether you're rockin' the green beer, green beard, or just rockin' the littles.    Enjoy!

Kindie Land: Suzi Shelton-Video Interview & Live Tomboy in a Princess Dress

ChiIL Mama's original video interview 
with Suzi & her son, Sebastian 

First off, happy birthday to NY Kindie artist, Suzi Shelton, born March 7th.   My sister was March 4th, my son on the 11th, & my birthday is still coming March 31st, so you're in good company!   ChiIL Mama's birthday gift to Suzi is this sweet, original video interview and rockin' LIVE version of Tomboy in a Princess Dress, shot at Beat Kitchen Concerts for Kids in Chicago, with Little Miss Ann and their respective kids playing along, too.   Check 'em out!

ChiIL Mama's original video of Suzi, Miss Ann & their kids Tomboy in a Princess Dress 
LIVE at Beat Kitchen-Chicago

For Suzi's birthday, we also gave prezzies to one of our lucky readers!

This month, we just gave away over $60 in awesome kindie CDs & DVDs.   Congrats again to Melissa P. who won:

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!!

*Click here for our ongoing giveaways.   

Later this week we'll be posting our next ChiIL Kindie Collection that will be open through April 15th.   We'll be featuring give aways including books/MP3s and a brand new CD by Caspar Babypants, Laura Viers new CD and The Okee Dokee Brothers!

We'll also be posting our original video interviews with Laura Viers, The Okee Dokee Brothers, and Ellis Paul and a review of all of their CDs plus a new DVD by Gustafer Yellowgold.   So check back with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often, or better yet, follow us by e-mail or RSS feed (in the right side bar), and/or on Twitter and Facebook, so you don't miss something great.

More exciting news this week--Big congrats to Suzi, whose official music video for Tomboy in a Princess Dress just kicked booty on Wednesday on a Saturday Morning Cereal Bowl match up vs. The Bazillions, gaining 80% of the vote!   Check it out right here.   This is one of our fav Suzi tunes over at ChiIL Mama.   Princesses for the new millennium unite!

Like what you hear?    Check out Suzi Shelton's main site here and follow her on FB and Twitter for show updates, new release info and more.

Winners Announcements & Ongoing Giveaways#

Big congrats to this week's ticket winners.   We are still taking entries through midnight for 4 tickets to Human Tim + Robot Tim at Beat Kitchen.  We have winners to announce for Ellis Paul at SPACE, Rolie Polie Guacamole at Family Grounds, our Kindie CD/DVD Collection (worth over $60), and theatre tickets to Taming of the Shrew at the award winning Chicago Shakespeare Theatre!!   Did you win?    We've still got great giveaways open for entries.    *Click here for details on all of the above shows for this weekend and ongoing giveaways.

Winners:

• Ellis Paul Family Show 4 Tixs--Teresa O.

• Rolie Polie Guacamole 4 Tixs--Christy H.

• $60+ Kindie Collection CDs/DVDs by Suzi Shelton, Bari Koral and Little Miss Ann--Melissa P.

• Taming of The Shrew-Short Shakespeare 4 Tixs--John H.

Come ChiIL Out with ChiIL Mama.  And remember to check back in like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often for great new, original videos, photo filled features, nationwide give aways and Chi, IL tickets!

Play Locally-Logan Theatre Grand Reopening This Saturday

 

The Logan Theatre is celebrating it's grand reopening this Saturday 3/17/12 with an eclectic mix of movie favs and dollar deals on flicks, drinks, & that ubiquitous show staple, popcorn.    Check out shows, times and details above.

Rumor has it, they ditched the lumpy, old chairs & the moldy smell and will be showing more art films in addition to new releases that have been out a short while already.   Hope you don't raise the admission price too much for the new fancy schmancyness.   We dig that you offered $3.00 shows all the time.   Welcome back Logan.   We've missed you.    

American Girl Doll McKenna set & 2 Signed Book Sets Extended & #Give Away Round Up

Author, Mary Casanova and ChiIL Mama's real American girl gymnast, Sagezilla

book signing, American Girl Doll Place, Water Tower-Chicago 

ChiIL Mama's got some exciting news.  We're extending our McKenna, American Girl Doll of the Year give away and our American Girl SIGNED books give aways till March 31st.  We rarely extend give aways, but we have a fabulous, photo filled author feature, and some very special American Girl highlights and we need a little extra time to do them justice.  We've been bursting at the seams with so many awesome events.

This is great news for our readers as you're welcome to enter like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.   These two contests absolutely will end at midnight on March 30th, with our winner announced the 31st!   

**Click on our side bar pixs or links below for entry forms and your chance to win!**

Current Give Away Round Up Nationwide:

• Kindie CD give away (enter through midnight tonight 1/14)

  Enter 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!!

  +44 entries

  1 day left

  *CLICK HERE TO ENTER THROUGH MIDNIGHT

   

  

  • American Girl Doll *SIGNED McKenna Books Give Away (1 signed McKenna Book & Take The Challenge Book/ 1 signed McKenna book)  *autographed by author, Mary Casanova

    +51 entries

    17 days left

    *CLICK HERE TO ENTER THROUGH MIDNIGHT 3/30/2012

     

  • American Girl Doll McKenna Doll/Book Set ($105 value) Give Away

    +416 entries

    17 days left

  *CLICK HERE TO ENTER THROUGH MIDNIGHT 3/30/2012

   

  Current Give Away Round Up Chicago Family Friendly Music and Theatre Tickets:   

  
  

• Rolie Polie Guacamole at Family Grounds

  +10 entries

  1 day left

  (enter through midnight tonight 1/14)

   

• Ellis Paul at SPACE in Evanston

  1 day left

  (enter through midnight tonight 1/14)

   **CLICK HERE FOR ENTRIES TO BOTH ELLIS PAUL AND ROLIE POLIE GUACAMOLE

   

• Human Tim-Beat Kitchen Concerts for Kids

  +3 entries

  2 days left

  **CLICK HERE TO ENTER FOR ALL MARCH BEAT KITCHEN CONCERTS FOR KIDS

  
  

• Laura Doherty-Schubas

  +0 entries

  8 days left

  *CLICK HERE TO ENTER 

   

• Intonation Rock-N-Pop Circus

  +0 entries

  8 days left

  *CLICK HERE TO ENTER 

   

• Little Miss Ann-Beat Kitchen Concerts for Kids

  +12 entries

  9 days left

   

• The Giver at Adventure Stage Theatre

  +21 entries

  21 days left

  **CLICK HERE FOR THE GIVER TICKET ENTRY FORM

Happy 100th Birthday Today, Girl Scouts & Happy 11th to My Son!

2012 is a momentous year.   Today, March 12th, The Girl Scouts turn 100, and my oldest son turns 11!   

Happy happy birthday Du-Jay!!

Earlier this month, on my little sister's 40th birthday, March 4th, Chicago turned 175!   We'll have loads of Girl Scout features throughout the spring at ChiIL Mama, including an exclusive video interview with our Girl Scout chapter CEO, and the director at Journey World.   We'll also have cookie updates, photo filled recaps of scout events including the Wolves Hockey Game, Snoozeum at MSI, Ice Skating at Skatium in Skokie and so much more!   So check back like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.


Tonight--100th Anniversary Promise Circles all over the world!


Here's the info on our closest.   For all locations and details click here or check 'em out on facebook and twitter.

Wish Field, DePaul University

900 W Belden Ave., Chicago

Monday March 12, 2012

6:45 – 8:12 pm

On March 12, 2012 at 7:12 p.m. (19:12 in military time) join your fellow Girl Scouts as we, together, participate in a Promise Circle celebrating the 100th birthday of Girl Scouts.

Bring

1) Family & friends! The more the merrier.
2) Each girl should have a flashlight for use during the celebration.
3) We would also like everyone in attendance to bring a written "wish for Girl Scouts future" to deposit in our time capsule as they leave.

Time

The ceremony will start PROMPTLY at 7:00 p.m. so be sure to arrive by
6:45 p.m.  The festivities will be over at 8:12 p.m. when we count
down to the 20:12 military time for our 100th year.

Cost

Free!  Bring the whole family!
Extra buttons ($1) and flashlights ($3) available for purchase at the event.

This event is an ALL WEATHER EVENT and will be OUTSIDE so please dress accordingly.  Parking is available for $6 in the Sheffield Parking Garage located at 2331 N. Sheffield or the Clifton Parking Deck located at 2330 N. Clifton. It is also easily accessible via CTA: just one block south of the Fullerton Red/Brown/Purple Line stop.

 

Ticket Winner, Free Tixs to Ellis Paul, Rolie Polie Guacamole & Human Tim + Robot Tim and Two More Great #Give Aways including Disney Live! at Rosemont

Congrats to Lori M. who will be going to Beat Kitchen to see Super Stolie this Sunday at noon.   She's our family 4 pack ticket winner this week.    ChiIL Mama will be at there shooting stills for the early part of Super Stolie's show.   Stop by and say hi before the show if you're there.    ChiIL Mama has FREE holographic buttons for you and Sagezilla is selling Girl Scout cookies for her Brownie troop-$4 a box.   

Check back with ChiIL Mama for free tickets to the hottest Chi, IL kids' shows, original show videos, band interviews, and photo filled features.    Enter our give aways like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.

Be sure to enter to win our Chi-Town Kindie Land ticket give aways.   ChiIL Mama has fabulous 4 packs right now for 3 live kindie concerts next weekend AND Disney Live! at Rosemont Theater.

**Winning rocks!   Click here for entry forms, show details and fun music videos.**

KIDS' SHOW TICKET GIVE AWAYS ENDING THIS WEEK:

• Rolie Polie Guacamole at Family Grounds-Saturday at 11am (enter through midnight Wed 3/14/12)

• Ellis Paul at SPACE-Saturday at 1pm (enter through midnight Wed 3/14/12)

 
 
 

• Human Tim + Robot Tim at Beat Kitchen-Sunday at noon (enter through midnight Thurs 3/15/12)

CHIIL MAMA'S NATIONWIDE KINDIE CD/DVD GIVE AWAY:

**ENTER RIGHT HERE FOR OUR $60+ CURRENT KINDIE CD GIVE AWAY INCLUDING SUZI SHELTON, LITTLE MISS ANN AND BARI KORAL!!   ONE WINNER TAKES ALL. **

Two Brand New 4 Pack Ticket Give Aways For YOU.   Click the links to enter to win:

• Disney Live Three Classic Fairy Tales-Friday or Saturday 3/16 or 17.  (*enter through midnight Sun 3/11/12)
•  

• "Rock-N-Pop Circus" With 10 Intonation Music Workshop Bands (all full of kid musicians ages 6-17!) 3/24 from 1-4pm.  (enter through midnight Wed 3/21/12)

Intonation's 2nd Annual Rock-N-Pop Circus Free 4 Ticket Give Away#

Young Rockers Join The Circus!!
Chicago’s Intonation Music Workshop presents “Rock-N-Pop Circus”, featuring 10 of its kid rock bands in one show!!

Here at ChiIL Mama, two of our favorite things are circus and rockin' kids in bands...so how could we not have free tickets for YOU?!   Enter at the bottom of this post for your chance to win. 



Intonation is doing fantastic work with Chi-Town kids in underserved areas all over the city.  Currently teaching nearly 400 students at 10 sites around the city, IMW provides a safe and positive environment for kids who have few other options.   We were just at Alhambra Palace for Go Red for Women, and it's a magnificently magical place that's a fitting showcase for these talented kids.

On Saturday, March 24th, The Intonation Music Workshop will present its annual Rock-N-Pop Circus, a Saturday afternoon showcase featuring 10 student bands at Alhambra Palace.
 
All the bands in the Rock-N-Pop Circus are comprised of students from IMW after school music programs around the city. This year’s event will include performances from Blue Swagg, Chi-Rockers, BluTube, Dangerous Rockstars, Flamin' Hotz, Neon Park, Pop Tots, Rex, RhymeSchool, and Scorps!  

*This show will also feature a special appearance from Chicago Rap Legend Psalm One and her students in Rhymeschool, a joint program with IMW focused on hip-hop!

The family-friendly musical extravaganza will also feature Rock Star Face Painting, Punk Rock Hair Styling, a musical petting zoo, and more!
 
Rock-N-Pop Circus
Saturday, March 24, 1:00-5:00 PM
Alhambra Palace
1240 W. Randolph St., Chicago IL
 
Tickets for adults are $5 in advance, $7 at the door.  Kids are $3 in advance, $5 at the door.  Children under 5 are free!

 
The students in the after-school Intonation Music Workshop program -- all between the ages of 6 and 17 -- learn the rudiments of the instruments in rock music, form bands, and begin to play shows for their communities and beyond.  Past Intonation bands have performed on stages at Lollapalooza, Millennium Park, and the Bud Biliken Parade, to name a few. 


“Arts programs are disappearing from schools at an alarming rate,” says Simons, “And organizations like ours are helping fill the gap. Our workshop exists not only to teach kids music, but also all the other things that playing music instills in us – confidence, teamwork, the satisfaction of setting a goal and achieving it.”
 Reserve your tickets by clicking here.
 
For more information, please visit www.intonationmusicworkshop.org.

Enter here through midnight 3/21/12 for your shot at 4 free tickets from ChiIL Mama and Intonation!

*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!