*Click here to enter ChiIL Mama's Holidaze 12 Days of Giveaways. They are all open and ongoing till midnight 12/15. Check back for great new freebies daily! Open nationwide. Enter any or all of the giveaways. Multiple wins are possible. Enter like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often. 1. Diary of a Wimpy Kid (your choice of any hardback book from the series including brand new release The Third Wheel) 2. $100 Gift Certificate to Psychobaby (on line or in store/Bucktown, Chicago) 3. Go! Go! Sports Girls award winning doll (your choice of 13 sports)
Apologies to our readers. YouTube's recent upgrades are having some internal issue and flipped all of my 195 original embedded videos to my most recent channel upload! I've spent the whole morning looking for a hidden setting or a way to contact their help department, to no avail. Hopefully they will fix it on their end soon. It shows a flicker of the video that is supposed to accompany a post for a few seconds then flips. If there are any techies who know how I can fix this on my end, please please comment below. In the mean time, I know it's a PITA, but you'll need to click on "Playlist Uploaded Videos" below the video and scan through the thumbnails for the right one. Click this link for an example. Thanks for your patience while I'm spitting unicorns n rainbows over here, trying to figure out what YouTube did and where they hid the fix setting.
Opening: We can not wait for opening night tonight! What says the holidays like the story of The Grinch?! I've adored the books and the animated TV special since my own childhood, and my children have grown up loving the story as well. Now tonight we'll get to see The Grinch Broadway style in a full blown, live, musical extravaganza! We'll have a full review for you soon. Get your tickets today, for this limited run. Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical Theatre : Cadillac Palace Theatre, Chicago Illinois Dates : December 5 - December 16, 2012 Tickets: http://ticketsus.at/BIC2000?LID=21&DURL=www.ticketmaster.co
Carol Rosegg photo credit ChiIL Mama and the kids got in on the opening night action at Potted Potter and we all loved it! I honestly can't remember the last time an audience full of adults and kids all laughed so hard. This low tech, old school show is brilliant sketch comedy, and supreme silliness coupled with over the top talent. Dan and Jeff are two funny guys. This show has been extended by popular demand so you have until January 6th to see these brilliantly beguiling Brits before they leave Chi-town.
HARRY POTTER FANS REJOICE - EXTENDED BY POPULAR DEMAND! KIDS COME FREE!Click HERE and use code FAMILY when ordering for performances through December 23* or GET THE BEST SEATS FOR ADDED PERFORMANCESLimited Time Presale Offer for Dec 26-Jan 6 Performances Click HERE and use code HARRIS when ordering** A
Critic's Pick by the New York Times, New York Magazine and Time Out
London, Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience — A Parody by
Dan and Jeff, won the prestigious 2012 Olivier Award nomination for Best
Entertainment & Family Show; playing to sold-out houses worldwide.
Written and performed by former BBC Television hosts Daniel Clarkson and
Jefferson Turner, the play takes on the ultimate challenge of
condensing, or "potting", all seven Harry Potter books into 70 madcap
minutes, aided only by multiple costume changes, brilliant songs,
ridiculous props and a generous helping of Hogwarts magic. The show also
invites audiences to engage with a real life game of Quidditch, but
according to Clarkson and Turner's unique set of rules.
Whether
you camped outside a bookstore for three days awaiting the release of
the Deathly Hallows or you don't know the difference between a horcrux
and a Hufflepuff, the comedy, magic and mayhem of POTTED POTTER makes
for an entertaining and hilarious visit to the theatre. The fast-paced
show, which has made audiences aged six to Dumbledore (who is very old
indeed) roar with laughter all over the world, is perfect for the entire
family.
"A fabulously funny parody...will tickle the funny bone of every age group." - The Daily Telegraph "Breathless and...HILARIOUS! -The New York Times "...a zany hoot!"-The New York Post "...an AWESOME show!" - Time Magazine for Kids
Tony®
Award nominee Cathy Rigby takes flight in an all new production of
PETER PAN! Discover the magic all over again of this two time Emmy award
winning and two time Tony® Award nominated production. The New York
Times says "Rigby still carries off the flights, fights and acrobatics
that make Peter Pan audiences mesmerized." PETER PAN is filled with
timeless magical moments and a captivating hook. The legend you thought
you know, is now the adventure you never dreamed possible...Cathy Rigby
is PETER PAN!
Due to personal reasons Little Miss Ann is unable to perform this weekend at Beat Kitchen. We will miss her and the band and look forward to bringing them back in the near future. Sarah Jayne Lane has agreed to pinch-hit this Sunday. If you don't know Sarah Jayne, you're in for a treat. Check her out online atwww.sarahjaynelane.com. We hope to see you at Beat Kitchen this Sunday, December 9th at noon. ChiIL Mama still has 4 free tickets for one of our lucky readers. Enter here for your chance to win tickets to see Sarah Jayne Lane 12/9 and/or Mr. Dave the following Sunday at noon. All prior entries for Little Miss Ann will still be counted, unless you note otherwise in the comments section below.
ChiIL Mama's Holidaze 12 Days of Giveaways: #2 TUESDAY 12/4--$100 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO PSYCHOBABY
*Disclosure: Thanks to Psychobaby for providing the gift certificate for ChiIL Mama's Holidaze Giveaway.
Video Above: Psychobaby-The Boogers LIVE at Beat Kitchen 12-2-12 Extractum Victoris CD release party. Footage by Bonnie Kenaz-Mara for ChiIL Mama.
The band gave a shout out to Chicago's own funky, fun kids' shop, Psychobaby, and dedicated this song to them. (to the tune of The Ramones Psychotherapy)
ChiIL Mama's got a free $100 chance for you to check Psychobaby out. Enter right here. If you're not in town, you can still win and use your $100 on line! *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 or "a Rafflecopter giveaway link" and it should pop right up). Enter like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often. a Rafflecopter giveaway You don't have to have a baby to find rockin' toys, games, and some of the hippest outfits in town at Psychobaby, but you'd have to be a bit psycho NOT to check 'em out. Though my "babies" are now 9 & 11, we still shop at Psychobaby for collectibles, learning toys and truly unique gifts. Of course, there are few sights cuter than a baby or toddler sporting punk and metal band tees! I used to DIY a whole punk kin and rock tot wardrobe for mine back in the day, because black toddler wear was super scarce and barely existed. Now Psychobaby carries an extensive line for your cool kids! If you can't find your favs...they'll custom make you one. We're all about supporting local families and their small businesses, and Psychobaby's owned by two Chicago moms, not a cold, mega corporation. They have so many super cute little fashion favs for metal minis, pop divas, and snarky punks, that I can't even browse their cool on line collection without thinking about adopting! They have rockin' specials like mustache Mondays and One Piece Wednesdays. Check out the rockin' Boogers Tee's that Psychobaby gave out free to the first 50 kids at the CD release on Sunday. ChiIL Mama has 3 copies of Extractum Victoris to give away to our lucky readers and their punk kin, along with a full review and loads more great live footage from their CD release show, coming up soon.
Has this year flown, or what?! Lets get this Hipster Holiday season underway and kick off our Thirsty Thursdays! Shop at our brick & mortar for 30% off while you sip on some free adult beverages. Yes, we said a third off and booze (think Prosecco, spiked hot chocolate, and beer), it's a Christmas miracle! Enjoy Thirsty Thursdays from 5pm - 8pm every Thursday, until the week before Christmas, December 20. Get sauced and save 30% TONIGHT!
Starting next Tuesday, and continuing every Tuesday through December, we will have $10 personalized tees in the Psychobaby Custom Shop. This deal is exclusive to our brick & mortar, so swing by and grab a cute kids' t-shirt as a stocking stuffer for your favorite Psychobaby!
As if that weren't enough fun, beginning today, any purchase over $75 includes a free personalized stocking. Psychobaby will get your name on the fast track to Santa's nice list with lively libations, personalized tees, and super sales! Have a Hipster Holiday!
Check back with ChiIL Mama early and often for great give aways every day for TWELVE DAYS. All remain open till midnight 12/15. ChiIL Mama's current give aways & entry dates (through midnight Chicago time). Click our side bar buttons to enter:
*Milk Unleashed Shelf Safe Milk Prize Pack 12/4
*4 tickets to Baby Loves Disco on Dec 8th at noon at Beauty Bar this Saturday 12/8 at noon ($60 value) Enter through midnight 12/6. *4 tickets to Little Miss Ann at Beat Kitchen Sunday 12/9 at noon. Enter through midnight 12/6. *4 tickets to Mr. Dave at Beat Kitchen Sunday 12/16 at noon. Enter through midnight 12/13. *ChiIL Mama's Holidaze 12 Days of Giveaways (check back daily for great new prizes) through 12/15
Woo Hoo...It's here. Every year we get to play santa and give away a sleigh load of great gifts to our readers! For 2012 we've expanded our holidaze giving yet again and we're offering 12 Days of Giveaways starting.....NOW. All are open nationwide, and we'll throw in a few great goodies from Chi-Town favs like Psychobaby and Multilingual Chicago for the locals. There's an eclectic assortment of awesome goodies for a mix of tastes and ages, all hand picked by us for you. No matter what you celebrate...we celebrate YOU.So check out our ChiILpicks and win some funky, fun freebies for your family & friends!! Ready to play? We'll keep updating this master list as each day's give away/feature goes live, so you can do a 1 button click in the side bar and quickly and easily see what's new. Just click on each title below for the full feature and entry form. Enter any or all. Share the word via social media for more entries. Enter like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.All entries stay open until midnight 12/15 and all of our winners will be picked by random.org and announced the 16th. Click on the titles below for each entry form.
ChiIL Mama interviews Wimpy Kid author, Jeff Kinney
1. MONDAY 12/3--YOUR CHOICE OF 1 HARDBACK COPY OF ANY OF THE DIARY OF A WIMPY KID BOOKS We just caught up with author, Jeff Kinney, on his recent giant tour for brand new release, The Third Wheel. **Click here for our photo filled feature.** Thanks to publisher Abrams for our review copy and for offering our readers their choice of any of the Wimpy Kid books.
Enter below for your chance to win, then come back tomorrow to enter to win a $100 Psychobaby Gift Certificate!
*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 or "a Rafflecopter giveaway link" and it should pop right up). Enter like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often. a Rafflecopter giveaway
Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street, Chicago November 29 – January 13, 2012 Schedule: Wed & Thurs: 7:30 p.m. Friday: 8:00 p.m. Saturday: 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Sunday: 3:00 p.m. Location: Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street. Valet parking is available.
Ticket prices: $55 on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturday matinees; and $65 on Fridays, Saturday evenings, and Sunday matinees. A 10% discount is available for students, seniors, and groups. Preview tickets are $45.00 Box Office: Buy online at www.ticketmaster.com or call (773) 769-4451
CHI, IL Live Shows on Our Radar Today: Boogers at Beat Kitchen--noon
Boogers CD release show at Beat Kitchen's Concerts for Kids(**Starting tomorrow-check in with ChiIL Mama/ChiIL Live Shows for our ChiILPicks Holidaze 12 Days of Giveaways--where you can fill your gift list with hundreds of dollars worth of great gift picks for FREE. We'll be including the brand new Boogers CD and a bunch of kindie favs, video games, books, toys, classes and more!)
Down for the Count:
It's cold & flu season, ya know. Apologies to our readers, but sometimes the Mama hat has to come before the ChiIL hat. Click the links below for our past coverage. We still gave you the heads up, but had to cancel our in person coverage of the following:
We're postponing our video interview with The Boogers, but I'll be out solo to shoot their CD release show at Beat Kitchen at noon today (Sunday) and we will still be reviewing the opening of The Other Cinderella this afternoon at Black Ensemble Theatre.
