While most of the performers in the newly opened “Traces” have backgrounds that include time with Cirque du Soleil – Cirque this was not.
Traces felt like Cirque du Soleil had come to my corner of Wicker Park, selected seven local hipsters right off the street, and granted them superpowers. The show opens with a purely casual vibe, with seven friends dressed in comfortable street clothes just shooting the breeze in what can be imagined as some dank, gritty neighborhood.
While the primary focus is on circus and acrobatic feats, the show offers an array of performance arts - acoustic music, poetry slam, dance, piano playing…. even a humorous, skateboarding routine that reminded me of an old Hollywood scene.
Early on, the performers invite the audience to get to know them. They incorporate personal information into some acts, further lending to the feeling that we’re just hanging out on the corner with familiar friends (who are far more flexible than we are.) There was something about getting to know these performers as individuals, and seeing them in street clothes rather than sparkling, anonymizing costumes, that seemed to make everything they did even more daring.
Traces contains an unusual mix of darkness and humor. Adding to the vibe of the show is the uber-cool music; live imagery created for the stage by performers using a drawing board; and gritty, black and white live video feeds offering different angles of the performance.
While each act provided some unique sort of performance, the acrobatic prowess of these performers was the most amazing part of the show. Long-locked Florio, who looks like he just walked off the cover of a romance novel, did an entire solo act on a stack of chairs. I’ve seen performers balance single-handedly on top of a chair before, but typically they got to that position after first balancing on two hands and then removing one. Florio was on a stack of chairs, casually put his hand on top of the back of the chair, and then just launched himself up into the one-handed pose. Amazing.
The pole acrobatics were incredible. The performers leaped and flipped between 2 poles, threatening to land on their heads but always making their marks. And by the end of the show, with the performers flipping through small hoops at the top of a 6 foot stack, I was pretty convinced that they did indeed possess superhuman powers.
I recommend this for adults and for families with older kids. The performance is 90 minutes long with no intermission.
Playing October 26, 2010 - December 19, 2010 at the Broadway Playhouse, 175 E. Chestnut St., Chicago Illinois.
Family fun, events and activities for Chicago kids and moms from Sue Zeiler, founder of ChicagoKids.com
Showing posts with label Entertainment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Entertainment. Show all posts
Monday, November 15, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
Chicago International Children's Film Festival - Plan your screenings now!
The Chicago International Children’s Film Festival gets underway on October 22, bringing more than 250 kids’ movies to a local audience for this 10 day fest. This is the largest festival of films for children in North America, featuring over 200 films from 40 countries. In addition to films that include live action and animated features, shorts, TV series, documentaries, and even child-produced works, there are also interactive workshops that make this an experience that kids can immerse themselves in. Workshops include “Acting is FUN!”, “Animation All-Stars,” “FLIP IT – For Future Animators” and more. Visit the web site for a full schedule of films and workshops.
There are films for kids of all ages, and movies are categorized so you can find the right ones for your kids. Starting with “My First Movies” for ages 2-5, there are age groupings up to ages 13+.
Here's a sample of a few of the top films of interest.
Ages 2-5:
Bob the Builder: The Legend of the Golden Hammer - England 61 min
October 23, 9:30 am.
Center on Halsted’s Hoover-Leppen Theatre - 3656 N. Halsted, 3rd Floor
Watch the original Bob the Builder, direct from England, in a never-before-seen U.S. premiere. Everyone's favorite fix-it man sets out on an exciting building project in his new home of Fixham Harbor. But when scarecrow Spud and four-wheeler Scrambler hear of an amazing treasure, the pirate Brickbeard's Golden Hammer, they decide building can wait—first, they must find the hammer for their best pal Bob.
Mamma Moo & Crow - Sweden 77 min
October 24, 9:30 am.
University of Chicago’s DOC Films - Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 E. 59th St.
Meet Mamma Moo: an extraordinary cow who wants to go where no cow has gone before! Mamma Moo wants to ride a bike, climb a tree, and play on a swing, which her new friend Crow doesn't understand. But after sharing adventures with Mamma Moo, Crow realizes how fun trying new things can be.
Ages 5-8:
Rainbow Magic: Return to Rainspell Island - England 61 min
October 23, 11:00 am.
Center on Halsted’s Hoover-Leppen Theatre - 3656 N. Halsted, 3rd Floor
Six colorful fairies live in a rainbow world of peace, joy and song. But when mean girls, goblins, and Jack Frost himself threaten the happiness of their turf, will magic and friendship be enough? See what the end of the rainbow holds, in this fun-filled action-packed musical extravaganza where anything can happen - and does.
Critter Capers - 73 min
October 24, 11:00 am.
Facets Cinema – 1517 W. Fullerton Ave.
Calling all adventurers! These little creatures are not afraid to try something new. A group of dancing hens jump and jive with bandleader Kevin Bacon. Weighing friendship in the balance is on the mind of one very determined cow. Courageous Mouse faces all creatures great and small in this award-winning film version of the beloved book, The Gruffalo. Challenge yourself and come out on top with these brave beasties.
Ages 7-11:
Ricky Rapper and the Bicycle Thief - Finland 77 min
October 24, 11:00 am.
University of Chicago’s DOC Films - Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 E. 59th St.
When Serna Rapper and Lennart Lindberg go on a vacation, they leave Fanny Freezer in charge of Ricky Rapper and Nelly Noodlehead. All is well, until Ricky's fancy new bike mysteriously disappears! Who are the culprits? Could it be Beril and Robert Rosenbeogel? Or the odd doctors in the new hospital? Join Ricky and his pals as they work together to solve the mystery — with fun music every step of the way.
Magic Silver - Norway 84 min.
October 24, 3:00 pm.
University of Chicago’s DOC Films - Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 E. 59th St.
Deep within the Norwegian mountains, princess gnome Bluerose leads a small but powerful tribe. The Blue Gnomes are keepers of the silver for The Magic Hour, the enchanted twilight time between day and night. But when the silver is stolen from the gnomes, their bright and beautiful world suddenly transforms into eternal dark. Brave Princess Bluerose must set out on a remarkable quest to bring back the daylight, turning rival gnomes into new friends and finding the courage within herself along the way.
TICKETS GO FAST!
Tickets are available at the door 30 minutes prior to screening, and tickets for weekend screenings only may also be purchased online at www.facets.org/kids. For weekend screenings, get your tickets ahead of time to make sure you don’t miss out.
And here are a few more important things to note:
• Tickets are $6.00 for children (2-16) and $9.00 for adults.
• Individual tickets for weekend screenings can be purchased at the box office 30 minutes prior to a screening or via the CICFF website through Ticketweb (additional fees will apply when purchasing through Ticketweb.)
• The ONLY way to guarantee seating is to pre-purchase through Ticketweb. Weekend programs are in high demand and seating can be very limited.
• All seating is general admission.
• Facets Patron Circle members receive FREE admission when they present membership card at Box Office.
There are films for kids of all ages, and movies are categorized so you can find the right ones for your kids. Starting with “My First Movies” for ages 2-5, there are age groupings up to ages 13+.
Here's a sample of a few of the top films of interest.
Ages 2-5:
Bob the Builder: The Legend of the Golden Hammer - England 61 min
October 23, 9:30 am.
Center on Halsted’s Hoover-Leppen Theatre - 3656 N. Halsted, 3rd Floor
Watch the original Bob the Builder, direct from England, in a never-before-seen U.S. premiere. Everyone's favorite fix-it man sets out on an exciting building project in his new home of Fixham Harbor. But when scarecrow Spud and four-wheeler Scrambler hear of an amazing treasure, the pirate Brickbeard's Golden Hammer, they decide building can wait—first, they must find the hammer for their best pal Bob.
Mamma Moo & Crow - Sweden 77 min
October 24, 9:30 am.
University of Chicago’s DOC Films - Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 E. 59th St.
Meet Mamma Moo: an extraordinary cow who wants to go where no cow has gone before! Mamma Moo wants to ride a bike, climb a tree, and play on a swing, which her new friend Crow doesn't understand. But after sharing adventures with Mamma Moo, Crow realizes how fun trying new things can be.
Ages 5-8:
Rainbow Magic: Return to Rainspell Island - England 61 min
October 23, 11:00 am.
Center on Halsted’s Hoover-Leppen Theatre - 3656 N. Halsted, 3rd Floor
Six colorful fairies live in a rainbow world of peace, joy and song. But when mean girls, goblins, and Jack Frost himself threaten the happiness of their turf, will magic and friendship be enough? See what the end of the rainbow holds, in this fun-filled action-packed musical extravaganza where anything can happen - and does.
Critter Capers - 73 min
October 24, 11:00 am.
Facets Cinema – 1517 W. Fullerton Ave.
Calling all adventurers! These little creatures are not afraid to try something new. A group of dancing hens jump and jive with bandleader Kevin Bacon. Weighing friendship in the balance is on the mind of one very determined cow. Courageous Mouse faces all creatures great and small in this award-winning film version of the beloved book, The Gruffalo. Challenge yourself and come out on top with these brave beasties.
Ages 7-11:
Ricky Rapper and the Bicycle Thief - Finland 77 min
October 24, 11:00 am.
University of Chicago’s DOC Films - Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 E. 59th St.
When Serna Rapper and Lennart Lindberg go on a vacation, they leave Fanny Freezer in charge of Ricky Rapper and Nelly Noodlehead. All is well, until Ricky's fancy new bike mysteriously disappears! Who are the culprits? Could it be Beril and Robert Rosenbeogel? Or the odd doctors in the new hospital? Join Ricky and his pals as they work together to solve the mystery — with fun music every step of the way.
Magic Silver - Norway 84 min.
October 24, 3:00 pm.
University of Chicago’s DOC Films - Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 E. 59th St.
Deep within the Norwegian mountains, princess gnome Bluerose leads a small but powerful tribe. The Blue Gnomes are keepers of the silver for The Magic Hour, the enchanted twilight time between day and night. But when the silver is stolen from the gnomes, their bright and beautiful world suddenly transforms into eternal dark. Brave Princess Bluerose must set out on a remarkable quest to bring back the daylight, turning rival gnomes into new friends and finding the courage within herself along the way.
TICKETS GO FAST!
Tickets are available at the door 30 minutes prior to screening, and tickets for weekend screenings only may also be purchased online at www.facets.org/kids. For weekend screenings, get your tickets ahead of time to make sure you don’t miss out.
And here are a few more important things to note:
• Tickets are $6.00 for children (2-16) and $9.00 for adults.
• Individual tickets for weekend screenings can be purchased at the box office 30 minutes prior to a screening or via the CICFF website through Ticketweb (additional fees will apply when purchasing through Ticketweb.)
• The ONLY way to guarantee seating is to pre-purchase through Ticketweb. Weekend programs are in high demand and seating can be very limited.
• All seating is general admission.
• Facets Patron Circle members receive FREE admission when they present membership card at Box Office.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
The Lion King Opens in Chicago
Ok, now I get it. I REALLY get it. I finally understand what all the fuss was about when The Lion King first came onto the scene and everyone raved about Julie Taymor’s costume design. I couldn’t have possibly imagined the magnificence of this production without seeing it firsthand.
I have always tended to literally get the chills when a live production starts out on just the right note, and that’s exactly how things started off for me last night. With a call of ““Nants ingonyama! Bagithi baba!” (the loud chant you’ve probably heard in the commercials - and yes, I did need to look up the spelling), a procession of actor/puppets/animals begins parading down the aisles of the theater, converging on the stage for a spectacular opening number. From the start, there’s an immediate sense of the brilliant puppetry, costume design and mechanisms that bring this production to life.
Tall, lanky giraffes are played by actors using stilts on their legs and arms; an enormous elephant rambles down the aisle with a puppeteer in each leg; a cheetah’s back legs belong to an actor/puppeteer, and his front legs are being moved by a mechanism that he controls. Every animal is fascinating, and I found myself as interested in the mechanics of how things worked as I was in the music and dance. And here's where I insert a visual aid, to best explain what I can't really convey through words:
Julie Taymor was the original director and costume designer for The Lion King, which opened on Broadway in 1997. Rather than hide the actors in masks while they played the roles of animals, it was her idea to instead have the actors wear the masks on their heads, leaving their faces visible. And it was her vision to represent the animals using enormous, complex puppets, which are a big part of what makes this production so memorable.
Obviously I was blown away by the costume design and mechanics, but I can’t really review a musical without mentioning the music, right? The music and dance were fantastic. The African rhythms and dance were pervasive, and were infused with modern dance, ballet and contemporary music.
The story itself is about a lion cub named Simba, whose father Mufasa is king and whose evil uncle Scar decides that he wants the throne for himself. Scar plots with some hyenas and kills Mufasa, and when Mufasa gets into a tight spot during a stampede, Scar kills him off. Scar convinces Simba that it’s his fault his father died, and tells Simba to go away and never come back. Simba stays away, grows up spending time with the comedic duo of Timon and Pumbaa (a meerkat and a warthog), and he eventually comes back to settle the score. (It’s far more complicated than that, but that’s the gist.)
I must say, I was fascinated by the hyenas. There are three main hyenas, and they are creepy as hell and utterly fascinating to watch. The actors/puppeteers in these roles must walk around in a hunched position, while alternately using their arms to work the hyena legs and the hyena heads that are suspended out in front of their bodies. Their costumes are designed so that there’s an arch of fur reaching from their backs, into the air, and onto these suspended heads, pulling it all together and giving them the shape of a hyena. It’s amazing to watch them, and many of the other “animals,” realizing that these actors are doing the ultimate multi-tasking: singing, speaking, moving, and operating their “costumes” all at the same time.
Overall, I absolutely loved the show and it’s now on my short list of all time favorites.
The show is recommended for ages 5 and up, and this sounds about right since some of the subject matter could be a bit heavy for younger kids. There’s some violence, the hyenas are just plain creepy, and of course the death of Simba’s father could be a bit much for some kids. Kids will love the costumes and puppetry, the storyline will have them engaged, and the antics of the Timon and Pumbaa (including Pumbaa's gas issues) will have them laughing.
Playing at the Cadillac Palace Theatre through November 27.
I have always tended to literally get the chills when a live production starts out on just the right note, and that’s exactly how things started off for me last night. With a call of ““Nants ingonyama! Bagithi baba!” (the loud chant you’ve probably heard in the commercials - and yes, I did need to look up the spelling), a procession of actor/puppets/animals begins parading down the aisles of the theater, converging on the stage for a spectacular opening number. From the start, there’s an immediate sense of the brilliant puppetry, costume design and mechanisms that bring this production to life.
Tall, lanky giraffes are played by actors using stilts on their legs and arms; an enormous elephant rambles down the aisle with a puppeteer in each leg; a cheetah’s back legs belong to an actor/puppeteer, and his front legs are being moved by a mechanism that he controls. Every animal is fascinating, and I found myself as interested in the mechanics of how things worked as I was in the music and dance. And here's where I insert a visual aid, to best explain what I can't really convey through words:
Julie Taymor was the original director and costume designer for The Lion King, which opened on Broadway in 1997. Rather than hide the actors in masks while they played the roles of animals, it was her idea to instead have the actors wear the masks on their heads, leaving their faces visible. And it was her vision to represent the animals using enormous, complex puppets, which are a big part of what makes this production so memorable.
Obviously I was blown away by the costume design and mechanics, but I can’t really review a musical without mentioning the music, right? The music and dance were fantastic. The African rhythms and dance were pervasive, and were infused with modern dance, ballet and contemporary music.
The story itself is about a lion cub named Simba, whose father Mufasa is king and whose evil uncle Scar decides that he wants the throne for himself. Scar plots with some hyenas and kills Mufasa, and when Mufasa gets into a tight spot during a stampede, Scar kills him off. Scar convinces Simba that it’s his fault his father died, and tells Simba to go away and never come back. Simba stays away, grows up spending time with the comedic duo of Timon and Pumbaa (a meerkat and a warthog), and he eventually comes back to settle the score. (It’s far more complicated than that, but that’s the gist.)
I must say, I was fascinated by the hyenas. There are three main hyenas, and they are creepy as hell and utterly fascinating to watch. The actors/puppeteers in these roles must walk around in a hunched position, while alternately using their arms to work the hyena legs and the hyena heads that are suspended out in front of their bodies. Their costumes are designed so that there’s an arch of fur reaching from their backs, into the air, and onto these suspended heads, pulling it all together and giving them the shape of a hyena. It’s amazing to watch them, and many of the other “animals,” realizing that these actors are doing the ultimate multi-tasking: singing, speaking, moving, and operating their “costumes” all at the same time.
Overall, I absolutely loved the show and it’s now on my short list of all time favorites.
The show is recommended for ages 5 and up, and this sounds about right since some of the subject matter could be a bit heavy for younger kids. There’s some violence, the hyenas are just plain creepy, and of course the death of Simba’s father could be a bit much for some kids. Kids will love the costumes and puppetry, the storyline will have them engaged, and the antics of the Timon and Pumbaa (including Pumbaa's gas issues) will have them laughing.
Playing at the Cadillac Palace Theatre through November 27.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
ChicagoKids.com Fall Guide to Free Family Fun
It certainly seems odd to release a guide to Fall Fun on a day when the temperature will be nearing 90, but it's officially Fall and we're ready for it!
I've just finished up the ChicagoKids.com Fall Guide to Free Family Fun, a downloadable, printable booklet of free activities that your family can enjoy. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but a sampling of fun ideas that are FREE. You can find more events and activities by visiting ChicagoKids.com.
The list includes ideas for pumpkin patches, story hours, nature centers, farms, indoor fun and even some great free fall festivals that are taking place.
You can download the guide at ChicagoKids.com/guide.
I've just finished up the ChicagoKids.com Fall Guide to Free Family Fun, a downloadable, printable booklet of free activities that your family can enjoy. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but a sampling of fun ideas that are FREE. You can find more events and activities by visiting ChicagoKids.com.The list includes ideas for pumpkin patches, story hours, nature centers, farms, indoor fun and even some great free fall festivals that are taking place.
You can download the guide at ChicagoKids.com/guide.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Spectacle 2010: The Astronaut's Birthday
If you didn’t already know about Redmoon’s totally fantastical productions and performances, we tried to bring you up to speed with our posts about their recent J.O.E. (Joyous Outdoor Event.) And now, the far out fun continues with Spectacle 2010: The Astronaut’s Birthday, created in partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Art.
The Astronaut’s Birthday is a bigger-than-life storybook adventure that you’ll view on the 5-story high façade of the MCA. The outer walls of the MCA have been transformed into a stage for this story, which Redmoon describes as a “collision of science fiction, comic book spectacle performance, wild shadow, silhouette performers and berserk music.” (I couldn’t possibly say it better!)
The actually storyline is about a single astronaut on a mission to save the Earth, and it’s a story delivered like none you’ve ever seen before. The performances take place at 7:30pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays through September 26. Tickets are $15 Thursdays and $20 for Friday and Sunday; $10 for kids under 10 and free for kids under 3.
Get tickets HERE, or call the Redmoon Box Office at 312-850-8440 ×111.
The Astronaut’s Birthday is a bigger-than-life storybook adventure that you’ll view on the 5-story high façade of the MCA. The outer walls of the MCA have been transformed into a stage for this story, which Redmoon describes as a “collision of science fiction, comic book spectacle performance, wild shadow, silhouette performers and berserk music.” (I couldn’t possibly say it better!)The actually storyline is about a single astronaut on a mission to save the Earth, and it’s a story delivered like none you’ve ever seen before. The performances take place at 7:30pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays through September 26. Tickets are $15 Thursdays and $20 for Friday and Sunday; $10 for kids under 10 and free for kids under 3.
Get tickets HERE, or call the Redmoon Box Office at 312-850-8440 ×111.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Beat Kitchen's Concerts for Kids Block Party, sponsored by ChicagoKids.com
Beat Kitchen's Concerts for Kids!
Kick-off Block Party this Saturday, September 11
ChicagoKids.com is excited to sponsor this family concert series!
In a past life, I was a huge local live music fan who couldn’t wait to flip through each new issue of The Reader to find out where my favorite bands were playing that weekend. Flash forward to my current life, where I’m still a huge live music fan but my most preferred genre has certainly changed. Never would I have imagined the last time I was at the Beat Kitchen that I could get as excited as I currently am about their upcoming schedule of acts, which will be attracting audiences in the 36-48” height range!
That’s what happens when we grow up and have kids. Beat Kitchen owner Robert Gomez has 2 kids of his own now, and the idea for hosting kids concerts came to him after attending a Wiggleworms class with his then 2-year-old daughter. Beat Kitchen’s Roscoe Village neighborhood is teeming with families and small kids, so it seemed like a logical idea – and something that lots of little budding rockers will love!
The first concerts started at Beat Kitchen and then began to include some shows at Gomez’s other venue, Subterranean, in Wicker Park. This year, the schedule is full, with a show every weekend from September 19 all the way through Memorial Day (with some breaks for holidays.)
Kick Off Block Party
The series kicks off with a rockin’ block party this Saturday, September 11, from 11:30am – 5pm at Beat Kitchen. Family activities include maraca building with Easel Art Studio, punk rock hair styling by Psycho Baby, drum building with Bucktown Music, The Children's Learning Place Tot Zone and fun Penguin decorating crafts with yours truly, ChicagoKids.com! Admission is $7 and the event will be held indoors in case of rain.
Say Hello to ChicagoKids.com and ENTER TO WIN!
Stop by and say hello to me in the ChicagoKids.com area, where we’ll be doing fun Penguin decorating, and you can and enter to win a an adorable, oversized stuffed golden retriever donated by our friends at Building Blocks Toy Store! “Ruff Ruff” is 36” tall with lifelike details, ready to be a devoted companion to some lucky winner. We're also giving away passes to Fantasy Kingdom, one of our favorite indoor play places.
Saturday's Schedule
12:00: Mr. Singer and the Sharp Cookies
1:30: Human Tim + Robot Tim
2:30: Bucktown Music Kindermusik Family Fun Time
3:30: Little Miss Ann Band
This Season’s Schedule
Sept 19: Mary Macaroni - Beat Kitchen
Sept 26: Human- Tim + Robot-Tim - Beat Kitchen
Oct 3: Shana Sings! - Beat Kitchen
Oct 9: Laura Doherty - Subterranean
Oct 10: Super Stolie & the Rockstars! - Beat Kitchen
Oct 17: Jeanie B! - Beat Kitchen
Oct 23: Poochamungas - Subterranean
Oct 24: Mr. Singer & the Sharp Cookies - Beat Kitchen
Oct 30: Little Miss Ann Band's Halloween Party - Subterranean
Nov 6: Jeanie B! and the Jelly Beans - Subterranean
Nov 7: Little Miss Ann Band - Beat Kitchen
Nov 13: AmeriKid Idol hosted by Andy Moy - Subterranean
Nov 14: Karen 4 Kids! - Beat Kitchen
Nov 21: Kara Kesselring & Sugarcreek Road @ 4PM - Beat Kitchen
Nov 21: Suzi Shelton and Little Miss Ann Band
Upstairs at SubT, show at 11am - Subterranean
Dec 5: The Dreamtree Shakers - Beat Kitchen
Dec 11: The Boogers - Subterranean
Dec 12: Mary Macaroni - Beat Kitchen
Jan 9: The Okee Dokee Brothers - Beat Kitchen
Get more details at chicagokids.com.
Kick-off Block Party this Saturday, September 11
ChicagoKids.com is excited to sponsor this family concert series!
In a past life, I was a huge local live music fan who couldn’t wait to flip through each new issue of The Reader to find out where my favorite bands were playing that weekend. Flash forward to my current life, where I’m still a huge live music fan but my most preferred genre has certainly changed. Never would I have imagined the last time I was at the Beat Kitchen that I could get as excited as I currently am about their upcoming schedule of acts, which will be attracting audiences in the 36-48” height range!That’s what happens when we grow up and have kids. Beat Kitchen owner Robert Gomez has 2 kids of his own now, and the idea for hosting kids concerts came to him after attending a Wiggleworms class with his then 2-year-old daughter. Beat Kitchen’s Roscoe Village neighborhood is teeming with families and small kids, so it seemed like a logical idea – and something that lots of little budding rockers will love!
The first concerts started at Beat Kitchen and then began to include some shows at Gomez’s other venue, Subterranean, in Wicker Park. This year, the schedule is full, with a show every weekend from September 19 all the way through Memorial Day (with some breaks for holidays.)
Kick Off Block Party
The series kicks off with a rockin’ block party this Saturday, September 11, from 11:30am – 5pm at Beat Kitchen. Family activities include maraca building with Easel Art Studio, punk rock hair styling by Psycho Baby, drum building with Bucktown Music, The Children's Learning Place Tot Zone and fun Penguin decorating crafts with yours truly, ChicagoKids.com! Admission is $7 and the event will be held indoors in case of rain.
Say Hello to ChicagoKids.com and ENTER TO WIN!
Stop by and say hello to me in the ChicagoKids.com area, where we’ll be doing fun Penguin decorating, and you can and enter to win a an adorable, oversized stuffed golden retriever donated by our friends at Building Blocks Toy Store! “Ruff Ruff” is 36” tall with lifelike details, ready to be a devoted companion to some lucky winner. We're also giving away passes to Fantasy Kingdom, one of our favorite indoor play places.
Saturday's Schedule
12:00: Mr. Singer and the Sharp Cookies
1:30: Human Tim + Robot Tim
2:30: Bucktown Music Kindermusik Family Fun Time
3:30: Little Miss Ann Band
This Season’s Schedule
Sept 19: Mary Macaroni - Beat Kitchen
Sept 26: Human- Tim + Robot-Tim - Beat Kitchen
Oct 3: Shana Sings! - Beat Kitchen
Oct 9: Laura Doherty - Subterranean
Oct 10: Super Stolie & the Rockstars! - Beat Kitchen
Oct 17: Jeanie B! - Beat Kitchen
Oct 23: Poochamungas - Subterranean
Oct 24: Mr. Singer & the Sharp Cookies - Beat Kitchen
Oct 30: Little Miss Ann Band's Halloween Party - Subterranean
Nov 6: Jeanie B! and the Jelly Beans - Subterranean
Nov 7: Little Miss Ann Band - Beat Kitchen
Nov 13: AmeriKid Idol hosted by Andy Moy - Subterranean
Nov 14: Karen 4 Kids! - Beat Kitchen
Nov 21: Kara Kesselring & Sugarcreek Road @ 4PM - Beat Kitchen
Nov 21: Suzi Shelton and Little Miss Ann Band
Upstairs at SubT, show at 11am - Subterranean
Dec 5: The Dreamtree Shakers - Beat Kitchen
Dec 11: The Boogers - Subterranean
Dec 12: Mary Macaroni - Beat Kitchen
Jan 9: The Okee Dokee Brothers - Beat Kitchen
Get more details at chicagokids.com.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Circus in the Parks featuring Midnight Circus
Step right up! The circus is in town, and it's coming right to five northside Chicago parks. Circus in the Parks, featuring the Midnight Circus, is a whimsical assortment of acrobats, aerialists, clowns and contortionists. Kids can get up close to watch daring feats while helping raise money for the parks. Circus in the Parks raises funds that will be equally split between all participating parks.
Circus in the Parks schedule:
Gompers Park - 4222 W. Foster - 773-685-3270
September 11th - 2pm & 5pm
September 12th - 1pm & 4pm
Welles Park - 2333 W. Sunnyside - 312-742-7511
September 18th 2pm & 5pm
September 19th 1pm & 4pm
Holstein Park - 2200 N. Oakley - 312-742-7554
September 25th - 2pm & 5pm
September 26th - 1pm & 4pm
Portage Park - 4100 N. Long - 773-685-7235
October 9th - 2pm & 5pm
October 10th - 1pm & 4pm
Chase Park - 4701 N. Ashland - 312-742-7518
October 16th - 2pm & 5pm
October 17th - 1pm & 4pm
Tickets are $15 per person, and children under 2 years old are free. In case of rain, the Circus will move into the Park Field House. Space is limited if the performance needs to be moved inside, so consider buying your tickets in advace!
To purchase tickets online, visit http://www.circusintheparks.com/.
Circus in the Parks schedule:
Gompers Park - 4222 W. Foster - 773-685-3270
September 11th - 2pm & 5pm
September 12th - 1pm & 4pm
Welles Park - 2333 W. Sunnyside - 312-742-7511
September 18th 2pm & 5pm
September 19th 1pm & 4pm
Holstein Park - 2200 N. Oakley - 312-742-7554
September 25th - 2pm & 5pm
September 26th - 1pm & 4pm
Portage Park - 4100 N. Long - 773-685-7235
October 9th - 2pm & 5pm
October 10th - 1pm & 4pm
Chase Park - 4701 N. Ashland - 312-742-7518
October 16th - 2pm & 5pm
October 17th - 1pm & 4pm
Tickets are $15 per person, and children under 2 years old are free. In case of rain, the Circus will move into the Park Field House. Space is limited if the performance needs to be moved inside, so consider buying your tickets in advace!
To purchase tickets online, visit http://www.circusintheparks.com/.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Last chance summer events
It's September (*sigh*) and kids are back in school, but you still have a few days left to enjoy some of the best things that took place around Chicago this summer. Act fast though, these fun activities are truly just about over!
- Family Fun Festival with daily Wiggleworms performances and more
Millennium Park, Chicago
Ends September 3 - Cirque Shanghai
Navy Pier Pepsi Skyline Stage, Chicago
Special offer: Save $5 on Gold Circle Tickets
Ends September 6 - Shrek the Musical
Cadillac Palace Theatre, Chicago
Special offer: Buy 1 tickets, get up to 4 more at 50% off
Ends September 5 - Watch Us Grow: Monarch Butterflies
Kohl Children's Museum of Greater Chicago, Glenview
Ends September 5 - Sue's 10th Anniversary Summer Celebration
The Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago
Ends September 5
If you miss out on these events, don't fret - there's always something fun around the corner!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Redmoon's Joyous Outdoor Event - (Festival J.O.E.)
Redmoon is one of Chicago's performance art treasures, with uniquely styled theatrical performances pulling from contemporary art forms and ancient theatrical forms, with pageantry, gadgetry, acrobatics and ephemera. (I plagiarized most of that past sentence directly from Redmoon’s web site, because I couldn’t quite put that into words quite as well as they do. Suffice it to say, they're known for being FANTASTIC.)
In just a few days, Redmoon is launching its first festival of quality family entertainment, public art installation, quirky small scale performances and live music acts, right at Chicago’s lakefront. Four fantastic days of children’s entertainment will include storytelling, clowns, music roaming performers, and a “living room” where your family can picnic right on the Lake Michigan Shore. Families can also enjoy activities throughout the festival including hula hoops, ring toss, lawn bowling, tug of war, and 3-legged races.
There’s one feature to this festival that will be a truly unique - and nearly out of this world - experience: the Luminarium. It’s a sensory experience presented within a walk-in piece of art. It’s an inflatable maze made of translucent pvc, and as you can see from the video below, it’s like walking into another world. Indulge your senses and be surrounded by iridescent color and light, and feel like you’re being transported away to another time and place. You may even find a storytellers and musician performing inside!
The event takes place at South Belmont Harbor on Thursday and Friday evenings beginning at 6pm, and Saturday through Monday starting at 1pm. Tickets are $25. Visit http://joyousoutdoorevent.org for more details.
In just a few days, Redmoon is launching its first festival of quality family entertainment, public art installation, quirky small scale performances and live music acts, right at Chicago’s lakefront. Four fantastic days of children’s entertainment will include storytelling, clowns, music roaming performers, and a “living room” where your family can picnic right on the Lake Michigan Shore. Families can also enjoy activities throughout the festival including hula hoops, ring toss, lawn bowling, tug of war, and 3-legged races.
There’s one feature to this festival that will be a truly unique - and nearly out of this world - experience: the Luminarium. It’s a sensory experience presented within a walk-in piece of art. It’s an inflatable maze made of translucent pvc, and as you can see from the video below, it’s like walking into another world. Indulge your senses and be surrounded by iridescent color and light, and feel like you’re being transported away to another time and place. You may even find a storytellers and musician performing inside!
The event takes place at South Belmont Harbor on Thursday and Friday evenings beginning at 6pm, and Saturday through Monday starting at 1pm. Tickets are $25. Visit http://joyousoutdoorevent.org for more details.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Cirque Shanghai Dazzles and Amazes!
My daughter Mia just turned 2 in April, so we're starting to try out more activities that require an actual attention span. And I'm not quite sure she's ready - her attention span currently seems to be about that of a flea's - but we're going to keep trying. Today, I tested her out at Cirque Shanghai, playing at Navy Pier's Skyline Stage.
First, let me say that this is a really great, intimate venue. It's not too large, it's laid out so that you can get a good view of the stage from any angle, and it's covered, which is obviously great in case of rain.
I admit I was quite concerned from the start with keeping Mia interested in the show. When things got started, with performers in beautiful, colorful costumes running down the aisles to the stage and getting right into the show, Mia was elated. The first 10 minutes for her was great - she was laughing out loud, pointing at the stage, and having a seemingly wonderful time. At the 10 minute mark, she said "I want to go home," and that was the end of her attention span (perhaps because there were no elephants at this circus, as my husband had mistakenly promised her earlier in the day.) So my husband took her outside of the stage area where she played with iPhone apps for the remainder of the show, while I stayed behind to watch with my mother-in-law.
The show has changed from a few years ago, losing the hokey narration and gimmicks between acts, which I didn't miss at all. This year, it was just act after act of daring feats, amazing acrobatics, stunning, colorful costumes and displays of superhuman strength. We saw plate spinning, tumbling through hoops, trapeze and rope acrobatics, contortions, human pyramids (and other shapes), and a balancing act that had me holding my breath as a tiny woman climbed nearly 50 feet in the air on top of a stack of chairs - that she was helping to stack.
As far as I could see, Mia was the only kid in the place whose attention span gave out so early. There were plenty of young kids at the show who were completely enthralled, and I'd say that this would be most appropriate for kids at least 3 years old.
Ticket prices are quite affordable, at $14.50 for adults and $12.50 for kids 3-12. Parking is another issue, but it's worthwhile if you can plan to make a day of it.
First, let me say that this is a really great, intimate venue. It's not too large, it's laid out so that you can get a good view of the stage from any angle, and it's covered, which is obviously great in case of rain.
I admit I was quite concerned from the start with keeping Mia interested in the show. When things got started, with performers in beautiful, colorful costumes running down the aisles to the stage and getting right into the show, Mia was elated. The first 10 minutes for her was great - she was laughing out loud, pointing at the stage, and having a seemingly wonderful time. At the 10 minute mark, she said "I want to go home," and that was the end of her attention span (perhaps because there were no elephants at this circus, as my husband had mistakenly promised her earlier in the day.) So my husband took her outside of the stage area where she played with iPhone apps for the remainder of the show, while I stayed behind to watch with my mother-in-law.
The show has changed from a few years ago, losing the hokey narration and gimmicks between acts, which I didn't miss at all. This year, it was just act after act of daring feats, amazing acrobatics, stunning, colorful costumes and displays of superhuman strength. We saw plate spinning, tumbling through hoops, trapeze and rope acrobatics, contortions, human pyramids (and other shapes), and a balancing act that had me holding my breath as a tiny woman climbed nearly 50 feet in the air on top of a stack of chairs - that she was helping to stack.
As far as I could see, Mia was the only kid in the place whose attention span gave out so early. There were plenty of young kids at the show who were completely enthralled, and I'd say that this would be most appropriate for kids at least 3 years old.
Ticket prices are quite affordable, at $14.50 for adults and $12.50 for kids 3-12. Parking is another issue, but it's worthwhile if you can plan to make a day of it.
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