ChiIL Out With ChiIL Mama at Do Division This Fri-Sun

We'll have our own tent in the Family Fun Fest all weekend, with ChiIL Mama's Rock Tots Photo Spot/Dress Up Area, so swing by and say hey.    ChiIL Mama and 11 year old, Du-Jay, will be there in person.

FAMILY FUN FEST

DO DIVISION FAMILY FUN FEST 2012-Saturday and Sunday June 2-3 2012

“The Shedd Aquarium comes to Division Street”, along with old favorites such as face painting, and rocking kids' music.

Do Division Street Fest & Sidewalk Sale, a neighborhood festival that attracted over 60,000 people in 2011, has partnered with Friends of Pritzker School and LaSalle II PTO to create Do Division Family Fun Fest. Do Division Family Fun Fest, Saturday June 2nd noon-6pm, and Sunday June 3rd noon-5pm, has quickly become one of the premier family-friendly festivals in the city. Just off the main drag of Division Street, where the main festival is being held, there will be activities for the kids including ChiIL Mama's Rock Tots Photo Spot/ Dress Up Area, drumming, pony rides and hallmark vendors like Psychobaby, who will be transforming kids’ hair into punk hairdo’s.

This year, we will continue to occupy a two-block stretch of Hoyne Avenue, from Division Street and the fest north to Potomac. New this year is our sponsor the Shedd Aquarium, who will bring several of their popular games such as the Penguin Plunge and the Polar Playzone as well as an opportunity to see some of their animals up close and personal throughout the weekend. We are also excited to have the Great Lakes Initiative, an organization that is focused on conservation and education about our most precious water source. We will continue with Fun Facts about the Great Lakes and a quiz that promises to be an adventure in the neighborhood.

We're bringing back many of the popular activities including The Easel Art Studio Craft Tent, punk rock hair styling by Psycho Baby, face painting, the Children's Learning Place Toddler Zone, a bounce house, dunk tank and pony rides. And you can win prizes from Building Blocks' famous Carnival Wheel.

 
Here are ChiIL Mama's kid friendly recommendations at the main stage!   See the full schedule below.
 
Main Family Fun Fest Stage Schedule


Saturday, June 2nd:

12:00-12:20 Shakespeare All-Stars

12:30-1:00 ARCC

1:15-1:55 Mary Macaroni

2:00-2:20 Gingarte Capoeira

2:30-3:00 Sunny Side Up

3:10-3:40 Istvan & His Imaginary Band--(Highly recommended kindie rockers.   Check em out.)

3:50-4:10 Trinity irish dancers--(These talented kids are excellent.   Highly recommended.)

4:25-5:05 Sarah Parker

5:10-5:30 Mad Science or Changs Martial Arts Demo

5:35-6:00 Gracie Lou


Sunday, June 3rd:

12:00-12:30 Kids Science Lab

12:45-1:20 Fiddle Billies

1:30-1:50 My Gym

2:00-2:40 Rock’ s Cool Pritzker student band

3:00-3:40 Awkward Cousins

3:50-4:20 Changs Martial Arts Demo

4:20-5:10 Mary Macaroni

 
Proceeds from Do Division Family Fun Fest go to Friends of Pritzker School and LaSalle II PTO, two public elementary schools in Wicker Park.
 
LaSalle II Magnet School, a world language academy opened in 2008/2009 and serves PreK through grade 7. Expanding to grade 8 next year. Funds raised to support after-school programs, classrooms, and numerous enrichment programs for our children. Located at 1148 N. Honore Street at Division Street. An exciting Chicago public school alternative for the East Village and Wicker Park communities. Visit www.lasalle2pto.com/.
 
A.N. Pritzker School, A.N. Pritzker School is a Fine and Performing Arts Magnet school with a Regional Gifted Center that serves PreK through grade 8. Located at 2009 W. Schiller Street. A creative, stimulating public school serving Wicker Park and East Ukrainian Village. Visit www.friendsofpritzker.org.

 

Take your punk kin, banger babies, & lil folk to hear some of your fav bands for the big kids (AKA:  grownups).   Check out the 2012 Line Up!
*ChiIL Live Show's particular favorites & must sees are in red

Damen Stage:
Programmed by Empty Bottle Presents
& Hosted by Comedian Peter O'Connell

Friday, June 1st
Black Belles 8:30 pm
BBU 7:15 pm
Moon Furies 6:00 pm
Hosted by Peter O'Connell [Wham City Comedy] 4:45 PM

Saturday, June 2nd
Peanut Butter Wolf 8:30 pm
Besnard Lakes 7:00 pm
Craig Finn 5:30 pm
Mannequin Men 4:00 pm
Peter O'Connell 3:50 / intro
In Tall Buildings 2:30 pm
Chris Connelly 1:00 pm

Sunday, June 3rd
The Antlers 8:30 pm
Pinebender 7:00 pm
Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons 5:30 pm
Teengirl Fantasy 4:00 pm
People's Temple 2:30 pm
Eiren Caffall 1:00 pm

Leavitt Stage:
Programmed by Subterranean and House Call Entertainment

Friday, June 1st
JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound @ 8:30 pm (just back from rockin' Summer Camp Music Festival)

Todd Hembrook & The Hemispheres @ 7:15 pm

The O’My’s @ 6:15 pm (check out our past photo filled coverage of the O'My's sold out show at Reggie's right here)

Saturday, June 2nd
Le Butcherettes @ 9:00 pm
O’ Death @ 7:45 pm
White Mystery @ 6:45 pm
Brown Bird @ 5:45 pm
The Blind Staggers @ 4:45 pm
Magic Milk @ 3:45 pm

Sunday, June 3rd
Murder By Death @ 8:00 pm
The Soft Pack @ 6:45 pm
Gypsyblood @ 6:00 pm
Mutts @ 5:00 pm (highly recommended!!)
Young Jesus @ 4:00 pm

Got Your Passport to Chicago Yet?

Support Purple Asparagus with Passport to Chicago

Check out everything Chicago has to offer with The Local Tourist and they will donate a portion of the cost to Purple Asparagus or your choice of sixteen diverse and worthy local charities!

Enjoy exclusive events and deals across the city at various restaurants, shops, museums, and more!

Purple Asparagus is a non-profit that educates children, families, and the community about eating that's good for the body and the planet.

ChiIL Mama's stoked to be one of your hosts for Passport to Chicago.   It's a pleasure to be writing for The Local Tourist in addition to my own blogs.   The passports are good for a whole year, but don't miss out on the big kick off fun this Sunday.    Passports are available for purchase right here.

Passports can be picked up at the NEW Bleeding Heart Bakery Sideshow
June 1, 5 to 7pm
June 2, 10am to 2pm

Land O’ Lakes Egg Prize Pack #Giveaway #MyBlogSpark

 

We hope you had a happy, long Memorial Day weekend.   Although it's technically still spring till June 21st, swimming pools are open and picnic season is officially here.

I just got back from an annual camp out with friends, covering Summer Camp Music Festival.   We all packed eggs and began the day with scrambled egg sandwiches with garlic salt and sharp cheddar.   They were so excellent that last year we began rating everything for the weekend on a scale of zero to egg sandwich!   The tradition continued this year.   Covering a 4 day music fest with bands from 11am till 5am the following morning is a marathon!!   And eggs were what we craved, what gave us good energy, and what got us up and out of the tents & hammocks to cover another day full of band interviews, live show shots and reviews.

Now we want to share the egg-cellence with you.   I was given a rockin' Land O Lakes Prize Pack and I have one for one luck ChiIL Mama reader, too!   From zero to egg sandwich, this give away's waaaay egg sandwich.   Enter at the bottom of this post for your chance to win!

• VIP coupon for Land O Lakes Eggs
• Egg Tray
• Mini Frying Pan
• Mini Muffin Tin

Land O’ Lakes also has some has easy egg recipes for those busy schedule days.   Check out their main site right here for loads of tasty treats.   Who wants to slave away in the kitchen when it's gorgeous out?!   Make some quicky deviled eggs and hit the park or beach for a picnic.   Or start your own summer rating scale of zero to breakfast biscuit bakes.

Simple ideas for delicious dishes on bite-sized meals:

• Bacon Topped Deviled Eggs – Bacon adds a flavorful twist to traditional deviled eggs
• Breakfast Biscuit Bakes – Turn scrambled eggs into a fun and tasty meal the kids will love
• Mini Mexi Bites – The hot pepper cheese adds a subtle spicy flavor to these mini-quiches

And hard boiled eggs aren't just for Easter.   They're an easy, portable, tasty treat, perfect for picnics.   Our family adores hard boiled eggs, omelets, deviled eggs and just about any way you can cook 'em...scrambled, over hard, spiced up with Tabasco, or poached with Hollandaise and spinach.   No matter how we cook them, I do always make a point to buy all natural eggs.   It's worth it for my family's health.   They taste great and they're better for my kids.  

LAND O LAKES All-Natural Farm Fresh Eggs

• The hens’ vegetarian diet consists primarily of whole ground corn and soybean meal, with no added hormones, antibiotics, animal fats or animal by-products
• Eggs are gathered at the peak of the hens’ egg-laying cycles, which can make the eggs more delicious and nutritious

*Disclosure:  Thanks to Land O'Lakes and My Blog Spark.   Gift packs for me and my winner and the above information have been provided by Land O'Lakes through MyBlogSpark.

 

Enter here for your chance to win through midnight 6/4!

• VIP coupon for Land O Lakes Eggs
• Egg Tray
• Mini Frying Pan
• Mini Muffin Tin

 

*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).  Winning rocks!  

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hurricane Harbor Water Park at Six Flags Great America to open for the 2012 season this Memorial Day Weekend

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor opens for another season Saturday, May 26th, 2012 at 11AM

Park offers a day of no waiting for U.S. military personnel with new water park virtual queuing system
 
Get ready to splash, slide and surf at the Best Water Park in the Nation. Six Flags Hurricane Harbor water park at Six Flags Great America opens for the 2012 season this Memorial Day weekend. The 20 acre water park is free with admission to Six Flags Great America and boasts more slides and attractions than any other water park in the state.
 
New for the 2012 Season is The Flash Pass, a revolutionary new virtual queuing wristband for Hurricane Harbor. Guests wear a lightweight, waterproof RFID wristband that allows visitors to make ride reservations for their favorite slides. Using kiosks located throughout the water park, guests use simple touch screens to choose their next ride and then scan their wristband. The Flash Pass wristband shows the time they have to wait and counts down until they can ride, eliminating the need to physically stand in line. The Flash Pass wristband is available for rental inside Six Flags Hurricane Harbor.
 
United States military personnel are invited to try The Flash Pass for free this Memorial Day Weekend by presenting a valid military ID at The Flash Pass sales center. “We are extremely excited to offer The Flash Pass to our nation’s troops this weekend at Hurricane Harbor as a thank you for their dedication and service to our country,” said Hank Salemi, Park President of Six Flags Great America and Hurricane Harbor.
 
Hurricane Harbor opened in 2005 and features nearly 30 slides, a lazy river, wave pool, wave rider and several interactive water play areas, including the all new Riptide Bay.

Be sure to check out ChiIL Mama's Original Video and interviews from the launch of X-Flight right here.  X-Flight is Six Flags Great America's exciting, exhilarating coaster.  Be one of the first to ride the first wing coaster in the nation!
 
About Six Flags Great America and Hurricane Harbor
Two great parks, One low price. Located between Chicago and Milwaukee, Six Flags Great America offers endless adventures for the entire family with 14 heart-pounding roller coasters, a FREE 20- acre water park, spectacular shows, a nighttime illuminated parade and three children’s areas. Get ready to take flight! New in 2012, Six Flags Great America welcomes X Flight, a ground-breaking wing coaster with no track above or below. Click here to learn more about X Flight.
 
About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the world’s largest regional theme park company with approximately $1.0 billion in revenue and 19 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. For more than 50 years, Six Flags has entertained millions of families with world-class coasters, themed rides, thrilling water parks and unique attractions including up-close animal encounters, Fright Fest and Holiday in the Park. 

For more information visit SIX FLAGS MAIN SITE HERE.
Follow them at twitter.com/SFGreat_America    
Like them at facebook.com/SFGreatAmerica

The Local Tourist is Ten and You Get the Gifts!

Save the date and buy your ticket today...

THE LOCAL TOURIST CELEBRATES TEN YEARS WITH PASSPORT TO CHICAGO 


Each Passport comes complete with a CTA day pass and one free ride from Uber, the new car service that’s taken Chicago by storm. Those who purchase their passports in advance will also get an “I’m A Local Tourist” sling bag for free.

Passport To Chicago also provides exclusive access to the Official After Party. Chicago hot spot Public House is hosting the event with a complimentary premium cocktail and offering their late night menu at half-price. Attendees will mix and mingle with TLT’s host committee, a collection of some of Chicago’s most influential people, including ChiIL Mama.

The celebration doesn’t end there.  This all-inclusive package is just $35. For more information on TLTen and Passport To Chicago, including beneficiary charities and businesses, visit http://passporttochicago.com.

Over the last ten years The Local Tourist has grown from a business directory of River North into a comprehensive resource that covers the neighborhoods of Chicago and beyond. Millions have visited the site to figure out places to go and things to do. Robust content is added daily by the TLTeam of contributors, by businesses posting information about what they offer, and by locals and tourists sharing their valuable opinions, comments, and photos.

To celebrate a decade online, The Local Tourist is inviting visitors and residents to tour Chicago like a Local Tourist with “Passport To Chicago”. On June 3 they’ll enjoy exclusive events and deals at destinations all over Chicago, getting their pages stamped at each place they visit.

There are so many places to go and things to do that there's no way to do them all in one day. That's why the Passport To Chicago is good for a whole year! From June 4, 2012 to May 31, 2013, these businesses are offering even more special discounts.
 
All of this exploring is also for a good cause. The Local Tourist is donating a portion of every Passport to participating local charities!
What:  A Roving Celebration of all things Chicago! Each “Local Tourist” will receive a Passport To Chicago and will travel the city, getting pages stamped at each place they visit.

When:  June 3, 2012 “Destinations” all over Chicago!
The day culminates with an awesome after party at Public House
Beginning June 4 attendees will bring their Passport To Chicago to participating locations for special discounts or privileges!

Each passport comes with a fold-out map of participating venues, a description of each venue’s offer, and a CTA day pass. Uber will also provide each attendee with a ride in their car service.

Each Passport purchased online receives a free “I’m A Local Tourist” sling bag.
A portion of every passport is being donated to local charities that have been featured on Charity Chat!

Participating Businesses: 
Absolutely Segway Berghoff's Bleeding Heart Bakery Sideshow Blue Frog's Local 22 Bobby's Bike Hike Brasserie By LM Cafe Con Leche Candyality Casey Moran's Chicago Architecture Foundation Chicago Children's Museum Chicago Elevated Chicago Pizza Tours D'Noche Dank Haus Deuces & The Diamond Fitness Formula Club Frill Hot Tix Jokes & Notes Landshark Beer Garden Laugh Factory M Burger Mad River Bar & Grille Mars Gallery Pizzeria Via Stato Redhead Piano Bar Riva Rockit Bar & Grill Rockit Burger Bar Simply Thalia Sunda Thalia Spice Tour Through A Lens Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar
 
Beneficiary Charities:
Advocates for Adolescent Mothers Aparecio Foundation Aspire of Illinois Bear Necessities Chicago Photography Center Connections for Abused Women & Their Children GiGi's Playhouse Girls In The Game Global Alliance of Artists Imerman Angels Kartemquin Films One Brick
PAVE Promoting Awareness Victim Empowerment Purple Asparagus The Red Pump Project

X-Flight Wing Coaster Xtreme Xcitement at 6 Flags Great America

Check out X-Flight--the innovative wing coaster, new for 2012, right here at 6 Flags Great America.  ChiIL Mama was invited to the ribbon cutting and had the opportunity to interview Hank Salemi, Six Flags Great America Park President, Park V.P., a professional Air Show Wing Walker and one of the first wave of riders who also writes for TLT.   Check out our 4 exclusive interviews along with original footage of the opening ceremony/ribbon cutting and X-Flight in action above.

It was so much fun to be one of the first to check out X-Flight, shoot the coaster, and hear everyone's take on the best spot to sit on the ride. Join us for an exhilarating sneak peek, then go ride the ride this summer. X-Flight is xtreme fun.

Revolutionary Wing Coaster officially open to the public at Six Flags Great America

Get ready to take flight! Six Flags Great America has added a state-of-the-art roller coaster for the 2012 season. X-Flight is a ground-breaking wing coaster featuring cutting-edge technology. The Gurnee theme park has the first wing coaster in the U.S. 

X-Flight takes riders on a flight that defies gravity, with no track above or below them. Riders sit in pairs, suspended on either side of the track with their feet dangling, as they begin their climb up a 12-story plunge launching them into speeds of 55mph through 3,000 feet of intense drops and five inversions, including a barrel roll and zero-g roll. One of the most adrenaline-pumping moments on the ride is an extreme fly-through where the coaster speeds straight toward a structure, before making a last-minute vertical flip to fit through a keyhole cut-out.

“Six Flags Great America has a long history of introducing legendary rides and first-of-its-kind roller coasters,” said Hank Salemi, Six Flags Great America Park President. “What makes X-Flight so unique is soaring through 3,000 feet of high-speed drops, loops and turns, with nothing above or below you. The coaster’s train actually looks like a plane with seats suspended on either side of the track. It’s like nothing you have ever experienced before. We are thrilled to bring this revolutionary wing coaster to our guests for the 2012 season.”

X-Flight is designed by acclaimed Swiss manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard, who also designed Six Flags Great America favorites: Raging Bull, SUPERMAN: Ultimate Flight and BATMAN: The Ride. The wing coaster will make its home in the County Fair section of the park.

Six Flags Great America is located between Chicago and Milwaukee and offers fun for the entire family with 14 heart-pounding roller coasters, a free 20-acre water park, spectacular shows, a nighttime illuminated parade and three children’s themed areas. Soar on X-Flight all season long with a 2012 Season Pass, now on sale for $64.99 for four or more. Buy now and get a 2012 Season Parking Pass free. Sale ends October 30, 2011. For more information including video of X-Flight and all the upcoming 2012 Six Flags attractions, visit www.sixflags.com/2012news.

# # #

About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the world’s largest regional theme park company with 2010 revenue of nearly $1.0 billion and 19 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Six Flags Over Texas, the company’s flagship location, just celebrated its 50th anniversary season in 2011.

Pitchfork Music Fest New Additions, Free Kids Under 10 and More

ChiIL Live Shows/ChiIL Mama has been rockin' Pitchfork bands all year.  We've been sharing their tours, forwarding their free downloads and posting their new videos all year long.   We've also been shooting their live shows in Chi-Town and shooting original band video interviews.   Now it's just about time again for summer festival season, so get your Pitchfork tickets and come get your groove on and rock Union Park.   

Last year, my son Du-Jay who was 10, had the opportunity to go behind the scenes and interview a number of the musicians at Pitchfork himself!   He came with a class full of kids from 826CHI, one of our fav non profits for free creative writing classes.  Pitchfork's known for hosting awesome info booths for most of our city favorites like Girls Rock Chicago, 826CHI, and roller derby!   They have an excellent, eclectic assortment of crafts, collectable posters, vinyl and more.   And the food booths are a multicultural bonanza of tasty treats.


**The best news for families is kids under 10 are FREE with a paying adult!!   Put those little tax deductions to work saving you even more green and come rock out with the punk kin.**

We've gone AND taken the kids just about every year and they have a blast!!

Here's what Pitchfork has to say:

In its seventh year, the Pitchfork Music Festival continues to be one of the most well regarded and exceptional festivals in the country.  Consistently praised for its discerning lineup, inviting and laid back environment, reasonable prices, wide array of activities, and much more, there is very good reason why people across the world return year after year! This year’s event, happening Friday, July 13 – Sunday, July 15 at Chicago’s Union Park, is now less than two months away. A limited number of single day tickets for each day of the fest are still available for $45 at www.ticketweb.com. As previously noted, prices have stayed the same this year!

We are thrilled to be adding two more bands to this year’s fest -- Japandroids will be playing Friday, and Chromatics will perform on Saturday! As previously announced, this year’s excellent lineup introduces a creative range of emerging bands while honoring already beloved and internationally renowned acts, including A$AP Rocky, The Atlas Moth, Beach House, Big K.R.I.T., Chavez,  Dirty Projectors, Feist, The Field, Flying Lotus, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Hot Chip, Iceage, Nicolas Jaar, Kendrick Lamar, Lotus Plaza, The Men, Olivia Tremor Control, Oneohtrix Point Never, Purity Ring, Ty Segall, Schoolboy Q, Sleigh Bells, Vampire Weekend, Wild Flag, and so many more. See the full lineup below.

In addition to its musical offerings, the fest also features a wide array of other activities, including 50 individual vendors, plus specialty fairs, for attendees to enjoy. News regarding these festival elements will be announced in the coming weeks.

This year, we are excited to introduce “The PMF Upgrade Challenge.”  For one hour, once a week, Chicago radio station and festival partner WXRT 93.1 will present “The PMF Upgrade Challenge” for festival ticketholders. 2012 attendees are invited to participate for a chance for them and a friend to be upgraded to VIP for the entire festival weekend. Even if you just have a single day pass, you and a friend will be upgraded for the entire weekend! To participate, keep an eye on WXRT and the Pitchfork Music Festival Facebook pages where contests will be presented in the forms of questions and other challenges.  Winners will be chosen based on their responses to these contests. This will be happening at one random hour each week, and each week, two pair of tickets will be upgraded to VIP for the entire weekend.

Visit www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com for more information on the 2012 festival, and to purchase tickets. Stay up on festival related news via the ChiIL Live Shows Facebook page and Twitter & Pitchfork Music Festival Facebook page and Twitter.
 
 
FRIDAY JULY 13, 2012 LINEUP - GATES OPEN AT 3PM
  
Feist
Dirty Projectors
Big K.R.I.T.
The Olivia Tremor Control
A$AP Rocky
Clams Casino
Tim Hecker
Purity Ring
Japandroids**
Lower Dens
Willis Earl Beal
Outer Minds

 
SATURDAY JULY 14, 2012 LINEUP - GATES OPEN AT 12PM

Godspeed You! Black Emperor
Hot Chip
Sleigh Bells
Wild Flag
Flying Lotus
Cults
Atlas Sound
Grimes
Nicolas Jaar
Chromatics**
Danny Brown
Youth Lagoon
Schoolboy Q
Liturgy
Cloud Nothings
Lotus Plaza
The Atlas Moth
The Psychic Paramount


SUNDAY JULY 15,  2012 LINEUP - GATES OPEN AT 12PM

Vampire Weekend
Beach House
Chavez
AraabMUZIK
King Krule
Real Estate
Ty Segall
Thee Oh Sees
Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Kendrick Lamar
The Men
The Field
Iceage
Dirty Beaches
Milk Music
Oneohtronix Point Never
A Lull

 
 **Just Announced
 
 For more information, please visit: www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com

CircEsteem Spring Show Web/Lyra: World's Fair Scene #HD Video

This is how Sage and Eve spent their birthdays this year--as little turn of the century girls in the world's fair Ferris Wheel scene in CircEsteem's Spring Show!    Friday, May 11th, Eve turned 7 (big orange bow) and Sage turned 9 (2 hair buns).  Both girls are on the farther lyra.