We're coming into the final days of Cirque Shanghai. If you haven't seen it yet or want to squeeze in one more show, then go now. The show must close September 3rd. **Check out our show review and photo filled feature from opening day right here** For the price and the frequency of shows, Cirque Shanghai is hard to beat. They play Navy Pier all summer, making this an easy, entertaining option for visiting friends and relatives.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE AND TICKET INFORMATION
“Cirque Shanghai: Year of the Dragon”will perform May 24 – Sept. 3, with regular run performances as follows:
Wednesday at 2, 6 and 8 p.m. Thursday at 2 and 8 p.m. Friday at 2, 7 and 9 p.m. Saturday at 2, 6 and 8 p.m.
Sunday at 2 and 4 p.m.
There will be additional performances Tuesday, July 3 at 2 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 2 at 8 p.m. and Monday, Sept. 3 (Labor Day) at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Tickets are $15.50 - $29.50 and are available by calling 800-745-3000 or visiting Ticket Master here. Discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more are available by calling GroupTix at 773.327.3778 or visiting GroupTixs website here.
We're so lucky to share our city with the warped and brilliant creative minds behind Redmoon. We've been digging their artistic vision for decades. Be there.
Friday: 5:00pm to 9:00pm | Saturday & Sunday: 11:00am to 9:00pm
Location:
3600 to 3828 W Armitage, from Central Park Ave to Avers St., Chicago
Beneficiary:
Block Federation Club
For foodies and non-foodies alike, Latin American cuisine can be
both exotic, yet sometimes hard to discover in a city like Chicago
which, unknown to many, is home to consulates from 17 Latin American
countries! That's about to change at the inaugural Taste of Latin
America food, wine and art festival supported by 26th Ward Alderman
Roberto Maldonado.
This new culinary happening will be held in the west Logan Square
neighborhood that's fast-becoming a buzzing urban hot spot. Visitors
will be treated to flavorful delights ranging from the islands of Cuba
and Puerto Rico to South America's Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela and,
of course, Mexico. In addition to food, wines and arts & crafts, the
fest will feature a "Taste of Latin America Culinary Stage presented by
Sysco Chicago" as well as an entertainment stage.
*In addition to the above, Carnivale (Brazilian, 702 W. Fulton Market) and Garifuna Flava Caribbean Restaurant (Belize, 2518 W. 63rd Street) will take part in Culinary Stage events.
Just Desserts!
The below vendors will be providing the sweet treats at this year's event!
El Campeon
Triangulo de Sol
Churros Factory
Taste of Latin America Culinary Stage (presented by Sysco Chicago)
Cooking Demonstrations Chefs from these restaurants will share personal cooking tips and secrets as they prepare their favorite dishes. Saturday
Noon - Carnivale (Brazilian)
1:00 p.m. - Aripos (Venezuelan)
2:00 p.m. - Garifuna Flava (Belize)
3:00 p.m. - El Veneno de Nayarit (Mexico)
4:00 p.m. - Sabor Latino (Puerto Rico)
Chef Competitions Chefs from these restaurants will create signature dishes. They will
then be judged by Taste of Latin America culinary panelists who will
crown one the tastiest of the "competition." Sunday
Noon - 90 Miles Cuban Café (Cuban)
1:00 p.m. - Las Tablas Colombian Steakhouse/ Macondo (Colombian)
2:00 p.m. - Texas de Brazil (Brazilian)
3:00 p.m. - Zapatista Restaurant (Mexico)
Main Stage Music Entertainment
Friday
5:00pm - Orquesta La Unidad (salsa, Cuban)
7:00pm - Mannix Martinez Tribute to the Legends (salsa)
Saturday
Noon - Yabba Griffith (reggae)
2:00pm - Samuel del Real Quartet (Latin jazz)
4:00pm - Chicago Samba & Dancers (Brazilian)
6:00pm - Mikey O Comedy Show
7:30pm - The Business (R&B/dance/salsa)
Sunday
Noon - Bomba Con Buya (Bomba music, dancing, Puerto Rico)
1:30pm - Mariachi Tequila (Mariachi music, Mexico)
3:00pm - Carpacho y su Super Combo (salsa, Colombia)
5:00pm - Juvenato (Vallenato music, Colombia)
7:00pm - Elizardi Castro (comedian)
7:30pm - R Gang (R&B/dance)
Over the last several years, the Full Moon Jams have seen a significant increase in the amount of audience members. While we are thrilled to share the fire and music with so many people, unfortunately, there’s also been a noticeable escalation in open consumption of alcohol and marijuana during the jams, both of which are illegal activities on Chicago park district land and have resulted in people being ticketed or arrested.
The amounts of trash and detritus left behind after each jam has also grown, despite repeated requests to respect the Leave No Trace principle (take back everything you bring to the park with you, including any and all trash). These behaviors are antithetical to the spirit of the jams and put both the well-being of the jam community and our ability to continue jams at risk.
The organizers have made multiple attempts to mitigate these problems at every jam, through education, countless reminders and additional volunteers. Unfortunately, there has been a continual and frustrating disregard for the jam principles, including disrespectful treatment of the Rangers and jam volunteers when they request that attendees please put away their alcohol or pick up trash.
Given the frequency of these issues, the steady increase in jam attendance numbers and the fact that many of the core organizers and Ranger volunteers will be in the desert for the Big Burn, we are deeply concerned about our ability to operate the August 30th jam safely and responsibly for everyone. Therefore, the organizers regret to announce that we have decided to CANCEL the August 30th Full Moon Jam.
We ask that you please respect this decision, the integrity of the jams and each other’s safety, by not gathering at the jam site, regardless of the August 30th jam’s cancellation. A few jam organizers will be at the jam site to spread the word of the jam’s cancellation as well. The police are aware the jam has been cancelled and will be at the park asking people to disperse at the jam site.
We would like to stress that this choice has come solely from the FMJ organizers and not from any pressure or statements made by the Chicago Police, the 48th Ward or the Chicago Park District. All of these entities have given the event countless hours of support over the years and we would not have come this far without their support and guidance. This is not a decision the FMJ organizers made lightly. Our first and foremost responsibility is to maintain the safety of ALL who attend the jams, as well as the integrity of the jams and the community they’ve created. We would rather cancel or discontinue the jams than allow them to continue in a manner that puts this community at risk.
We recognize that many of you have respected the jams over the years, and we are eternally grateful for your support. At its core, the Full Moon Jam is about building community bonds, and ultimately this decision is meant to protect this community. The FMJ’s greatest strength is the love and care of the people who come to the jams, so we now appeal to you, the FMJ community, for help. Please spread the word and share with others the need for everyone to remember and abide by the jam principles: Leave No Trace, no drinking or illegal substances, and protecting the community.
This is a volunteer-run event that has been kept free for everyone to participate in and attend, so please respect the hard work and devotion the jam organizers, Rangers and other volunteers give to the jams by lending them your support and speaking up to remind others of the jam principles. If you are interested in lending a helping hand to the jams, please contact us at info@fullmoonjam.org.
We need everyone - whether you are a long-time attendee or still new to the jams - to step up and take responsibility for how the jams are treated because this is YOUR community, too.
The FMJ organizers will continue to do our best to maintain the jams as a safe, fun and respectful environment for everyone, but we can’t do this alone. We hope that with your help, the jams can continue with vitality and grace. Updates regarding the jams will continue to be published at www.fullmoonjam.org, to this list and on the Facebook Chicago Full Moon Jam group page.
Would you be interested in volunteering with the Rangers or joining the organizers? Would you like to contribute your time, talents and energy to the jams but aren’t sure how? Please email us at info@fullmoonjam.org. Your willingness to help us continue the jams is greatly appreciated.
We all look forward to seeing everyone on September 30th.
Girl Scouts invites the public to Cookie Classic 5K and day-long festivities
We dig brownies and cookies, and Brownies who sell cookies, and Girl Scouts who sell Thin Mints..... I digress. If all those irresistible boxes of Thin Mints have you a little thicker around the waist, then join the Girl Scouts at The Cookie Classic, a 5K Run, Walk & Celebration!
Best news is, you don't have to buy a beanie and a green dress and hope you'll pass. EVERYONE is welcome to attend the biggest birthday bash for the largest council in the country, featuring The Buckinghams and pop group Savvy.
To celebrate its 100th anniversary, Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana will host its inaugural Girl Scout Cookie Classic 5K Run, Walk & Celebration in Grant Park on Saturday, Sept. 8.
Participants can choose to run or walk the 5K USATF certified course. After the race, the celebration continues with festivities, entertainment and interactive activities for the whole family throughout the day. Registration for the race or walk includes admission to all activities, plus live entertainment from The Buckinghams, Savvy, singer/songwriter Melinda Caroll and The Dreammakers. Activities will include science and cooking demonstrations, sing-alongs, dancing, fitness activities and many more family-friendly activities for all ages. For information and to register, visit www.gscookieclassic.org.
“The Girl Scout Cookie Classic race and celebration is a 100th birthday bash with a mission,” said Maria Wynne, CEO of Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana. “Every person who joins us to walk is joining us to raise dollars to give a girl opportunities to succeed and become all she can be. With every step, we invest in girls and their futures.”
Pop group Savvy, whose members are stars on the hit TV show "The Wannabes" and who are known for their high-energy concerts with positive, empowering messages, will perform and hold a meet-and-greet following their show.
To date, Girl Scout Cookie Classic sponsors include BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois, Dean Foods, Little Brownie Bakers, Ashdon Farms/QSP, The Mash, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Parent Magazine, and The Palmer House Hilton.
Girls aren’t just attending the event – they have many opportunities to be part of the program as well.
·From now until August 22, any Girl Scout who enjoys singing, dancing or has another talent is invited to submit an electronic video clip of her performance. A panel of judges will select the top 10-20 acts to perform live on stage during the Cookie Classic.
·Melinda Caroll (singer/songwriter/composer/record producer/recording artist and lifetime member of Girl Scouts) is looking for the first 100 girls who have a sincere love of singing to be in her Girl Scout Choir, to perform during the event.
·Girl Scouts are invited to join Melinda Caroll for a special pre-event workshop, where girls can learn to write their own songs. Girls must have strong interest in songwriting, singing and the performing arts to take part. Space is limited to the first 25 girls registered; registration is $10 per girl. Two workshop times available at the Downtown Gathering Place (20 S. Clark St., Chicago).
Those not interested in running or walking can sign up for the celebration only. All paid admissions include an inaugural CookieClassic T-shirt. All who cross the finish line receive a box of Girl Scout cookies. Children under 4 are free.
Event Details:
The Cookie Classic will be held in Butler Field at Grant Park at Columbus and Monroe (by the Petrillo Music Shell). Parking around and near Grant Park is abundant. Public transportation is convenient and highly recommended.
My daughter's been a Brownie for two years and is now a new Girl Scout Junior. I was a Brownie and Girl Scout back in the day, too, and it's fun to revisit the classic songs, ceremonies, patches and pins that haven't changed much in 30+ years. And it's amazing to see how much the Girl Scouts have evolved. There are stellar opportunities for Girl Scouts these days, from traditional camping activities, to computer programming, Journey World classes on myriad topics, and so many cool opportunities for empowering our girls and grooming them for leadership roles.
Background:
Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls with 3.4 million girl and adult members worldwide. Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana impacts the lives of nearly 87,000 girls and 24,000 adult members in 245 communities in six Illinois counties (Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kankakee, Lake, and Will) and four Indiana counties (Jasper, Lake, Newton, and Porter). For more information, visit www.girlscoutsgcnwi.org.
To celebrate back-to-school, Disney Store, in partnership with The Walt Disney Company, will donate 25,000 school supply kits to children at Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA). Full of classroom essentials , the Disney Princess and Cars themed supply kits include a folder, notebook, pencil case, pencils, ruler, eraser, sharpener, glue stick and a pair of scissors. Cast members from Disney Store locations across the country will deliver the supply kits to their local BGCA chapters. Through this donation, Disney hopes to add a little magic to the back-to-school experience as kids nationwide prepare to return to the classroom this fall.
“Disney Store is proud to support Boys & Girls Clubs of America and admires the work the organization does to enhance the development of children across the nation,” said Paul Gainer, executive vice president of Disney Store. “Through our donation, we hope to support children in our local communities by providing them with learning essentials for the upcoming school year.”
Parents can find a wide assortment of back-to-school fashions, accessories, supplies and more at Disney Store. With the hottest styles of backpacks and lunch totes, supply kits and apparel, Disney Store is a one-stop shop for back-to-school gear. Girls will love the classic Disney Princess styles, new Brave backpacks featuring Merida and other adorable styles available for 2012. Boys will be ready for action sporting a Where’s My Water?, Spider-Man or Cars backpack.
Disney Store’s school supply kit donation is made in collaboration with Disney Friends for Change, an initiative that inspires kids and their families to make a lasting, positive change by helping people, communities, and the planet. Disney has a long history with BGCA that spans more than 50 years. Through financial and in-kind contributions, and through the time and talent of its Disney VoluntEARS, Disney supports the BGCA’s mission of helping young people reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens.
Guests can learn more about Disney Store’s school supply kit donation to by visiting www.greatfutures.org/backtoschool. The Tools for Back-to-School Supply Drive is a fun, pop-quiz style game sponsored by longtime partner, Disney.
About Disney Store The Disney Store retail chain, which debuted in 1987, is owned and operated by Disney in North America, Europe, and Japan. Disney Store is the retail merchandising arm of Disney Consumer Products, the business segment of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) and its affiliates that extends the Disney brand to merchandise. Disney Store carries high-quality products, including exclusive product lines that support and promote Disney's key entertainment initiatives and characters. Disney Store opened its first store in Glendale, California and, in doing so, originated the themed retail business model. There are currently more than 200 Disney Store locations in North America; more than 40 Disney Store locations in Japan; and more than 100 Disney Store locations in Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom , plus online stores www.DisneyStore.com, www.disneystore.co.uk, www.disneystore.fr and www.disneystore.de. Each Disney Store location offers a magical shopping experience that can only be delivered by Disney, one of the world's largest and most successful entertainment companies. For more information, please visitwww.disneyconsumerproducts.com/press/us/disneystore or follow us at www.facebook.com/DisneyStore and www.twitter.com/DisneyStore.
About The Boys and Girls Club of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, some 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs serve nearly 4 million children and teens through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native American lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. Clubs provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at bgca.org/facebook and bgca.org/twitter.
Real life 9 year old American Girls, Jaedyn (http://www.missloriscampus.com/) and Sage (http://www.chiilmama.com/) have a reading play day at Chicago's Ping Tom Park in Chinatown with 9 year old American Girl Dolls, Marie-Grace and Cecile.
We've been rockin' the reading all summer long and thoroughly enjoyed reading up on Marie-Grace and Cecile, American Girl's historical figures from 1850's New Orleans.Recently, we met up with fellow blogger and mom extraordinaire, Miss Lori and her daughter, Jaedyn. Our girls are the same age (and coincidentally the same ages as Marie-Grace and Cecile). The girls became engrossed in the adventures of the best friends from the past, and had a blast climbing trees, jumping from rocks, and laughing together.
We adore Marie-Grace and Cecile--close friends and the first historical American Girl Dolls to be released as a duo. New Orleans is steeped in colorful history and one of our favorite places to visit. American Girl's attention to detail, research, accuracy and quality make their historical books come alive in a way parents can trust and girls can't put down. The duo were released in fall of 2011. In their six-book series set the new characters—one African American and one Caucasian—show the power of friendship and community as they reach across the boundaries of race and class to help their families, friends, and city during a time of great need. We're fortunate to be raising savvy, urban kids in a major city, so multiculturalism and an appreciation for diversity comes naturally. Our children are growing up color blind, where friends are friends, and skin color is as irrelevant as different colors of eyes or hair. Still, it's fascinating and vital for our girls to read about the past history, the deep south and the costs and rewards of friendship between two other young girls from our country's past. These stories are compelling, compassionate, and girl centered. Much of this history is being skipped in schools and the personal twist the characters bring, makes learning about the past fun.
We've read both Marie-Grace and Cecile's introduction books and their mysteries this summer, which we could NOT put down. I was thrilled that my reluctant reader got super excited and engaged with the books and has been carrying them with her everywhere and devouring them. American Girl is committed to not only entertaining but educating girls and helping them grow intellectually, physically, and emotionally. Here's a sampler of our favorite recent American Girl releases and where you can buy them, too.
ADVICE: A Smart Girl's Guide to Liking Herself-even on the bad days
CONTEMPORARY FICTION: Innerstar University Series--"a book staring YOU with more than 20 endings" and an on line play component.
MYSTERIES: We thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend The Cameo Necklace, A Cecile Mystery, and The Hidden Gold, A Marie-Grace Mystery
Read-a-palooza provides girls with fun activities and incentives to inspire them to keep their reading skills sharp and encourage engagement in a variety of different literacy activities! In addition, Read-a-palooza will be contributing to Save the Children through a book purchase donation. Starting May 1 through September 3, $1 from every book purchased from American Girl will benefit Save's U.S. Literacy Program.
For more than 25 years, American Girl’s award-winning books have helped millions of girls discover the joy of reading and have earned the trust of parents and educators. This summer, to celebrate books and encourage girls to keep their reading skills sharp while school is out, American Girl is introducing Read-a-palooza, a summer reading program created for girls ages 8 to 12. Packed with fun activities and incentives that encourage literacy, Read-a-palooza will run from May 1 to September 3, 2012, and also will include a charitable partnership with Save the Children’s U.S. literacy program.
If you still haven't done so yet, click here to participate in Read-a-palooza before it's too late! Girls can download colorful bookmarks and free book-related content, such as tips and materials for starting a book club. They’ll also be able to do reading challenges and take fun, interactive quizzes. Starting in June, girls can participate in Read-a-palooza by visiting an American Girl retail store, where free reading events will be offered all summer long.
To further emphasize the importance of reading and to help a great cause during its Read-a-palooza campaign, American Girl is partnering with Save the Children’s U.S. literacy program. From May 1 through September 3, 2012, $1 of every book purchased through American Girl (up to a maximum of $100,000) will support Save the Children’s efforts to raise literacy rates in impoverished communities by providing basic education and equipping schools and teachers with reading materials. In addition, American Girl will make its third donation of books to Save the Children this fall, bringing the value of the company’s total book donation to nearly $1.5 million.
Remember to Check back in with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often. We'll be running photo filled American Girl features on An American Girl Cafe Birthday Party, Caroline from 1812-the newest historical character, due for release in September 2012, and more! We'll also have more American Girl book reviews, and exclusive author interviews coming soon.
We know you are passionate about rewarding and keeping great teachers in the classroom. But did you know Carrie Underwood, Josh Groban, Dierks Bentley and Garth Brooks are, too? They have teamed up to participate in TeachersRock, a concert to celebrate the teachers who inspired them to be better people.Watch the 2012 concert right here. Learn how you can recognize great teachers you know, right now: Nominate a great teacher for the Teachers Wall Of Fame and to win a $500 gift certificate. Great teachers are the key to providing the best education possible for America’s children. Recognizing, thanking and rewarding great teachers is essential to keeping them in the classroom. TeachersRock is offering lots of great ways for you to support teachers:
Nominate a teacher you know for the Teachers Wall Of Fame. A new teacher is recognized every day and wins $500.
Tweet about your favorite teacher using the hashtag #TeachersRock. Every day, 20 of the best tweets will be featured on screens in Times Square in NYC and at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles.
