JESSIE ARLEN, award winning jazz vocalist, performs at Evanston SPACE, Jan.12

Award winning Jazz Vocalist Jessie Arlen perform Jan. 12

Breakout jazz vocalist Jessie Arlen launches her debut CD with a special concert at Evanston SPACE next Tuesday, Jan. 12!

A 22 year-old New York-based vocalist and Downbeat Student Music Award winner in the category of Best Jazz Vocalist, releases her debut recording “Certain Surprise”  next Tuesday. 

Described as a crossover artist with roots in jazz, Arlen is a classification-defying singer who embraces songs in a way that belies her relative youth.   Her interpretations both honor the composer’s style and intent and adds a very personal and contemporary relevance. 

Evanston Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., Tuesday, Jan. 12 @ 8 p.m. Tickets range in price from $10 – 20 and can be obtained through the Evanston SPACE website, evanstonspace.com.

Listen to CD sampling at http://www.myspace.com/jessiearlen. The debut recording can be purchased beginning Tuesday, Jan. 12 on Jessiearlen.com.

Ballet Master Homer Bryant’s Story Premieres on WTTW Ch. 11 TONIGHT at 10 p.m.

Homer Bryant teaches ballet students of all ages at the Chicago Multi-Cultural Dance Center

Executive Produced by Melissa Sage Fadim and Produced and Directed by Emmy Award-winning producer Terry Spencer Hesser, “Raising the Barre: The Homer Bryant Story” is a 30-minute documentary film that follows Chicago ballet master Homer Hans Bryant’s career with a special focus on the school he built and has operated since 1990, the Chicago Multi-Cultural Dance Center (CMDC). 

The premiere public airing of the film will be on WTTW-TV Channel 11 TONIGHT Thursday, December 17 at 10 p.m.

Happy Holidays from GetOutChicago!

Happy Holidays!

The crew who brings you GetOutChicago! wanted to share our favorite ways to “Get Out” in Chicago this holiday season. We’d love to hear from you! Comment on our blog with your favorite Chicago holiday traditions!

Niki Morrison: After years of mourning the loss of Marshall Field’s, my family and I will “Get Out” by visiting Macy’s windows and then warm up with lunch beneath the gigantic Christmas tree in the Walnut Room. Who could deny their 2-year-old daughter such memories?

Eileen Chambers: It’s beautiful at any time of year, but I “Get Out” to the Chicago Botanic Garden around the holidays as it always helps me feel connected to winter as a beautiful season. There are plenty of twinkling lights and bright red poinsettias to feel festive, but their stunning, frosted, outdoor landscapes make me feel refreshed and restored amidst the bustle of holiday time. I love that!

Nick Harkin: I’ll “Get Out” some traditional holiday carols this year as I perform at the “Christmas at DePaul Concert” with a 250-member chorus and a 50-piece orchestra. Although the event is free, donations are being accepted to support the operation of the St. Vincent de Paul Parish Food Pantry.

Ann Fink: Driving north on Lakeshore Dr. past Oak St. to catch sight of the Xmas lights is one of my favorite ways to “Get Out” in Chicago. The perfect cap to the season? Listening to the New Year’s Eve “Politics Takes a Holiday” broadcast by The Capitol Steps on WBEZ. It helps put the old year in perspective and starts you off in the new with a smile on your face.

Madeline Long: Enjoying a delicious Parisian dinner (with a side of mussels and mousse au chocolat dessert) at Bistro Margot in Old Town, followed a hilarious performance of “A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Pageant” at A Red Orchid Theatre just down the street are my favorite ways to “Get Out” in Chicago during the holidays.

Amber Rae Bernhardt: To get in the holiday spirit, I love to “Get Out” to the ice rink in Millennium Park with my fella. The lights, the music, the snow and the crisp winter air always say “holiday season,” to me. I think Chicago is beautiful and peaceful in the winter. Unless I’m waiting for a bus. Then it’s just cold.

Catherine Alvriva: My fav way to “Get Out” in Chicago during the Holidays? Climbing 141 steps of the Gross Pointe Lighthouse with the Object of My Affection, and peering out at the winter waters of Lake Michigan just before twilight.

Linsey Bailys: I “Get Out” to celebrate the holidays in Chicago by shopping in Lakeview and Lincoln Park (especially at Art Effect), drinking lots of hot chocolate, baking cookies with friends, and watching lots of holiday movies (It’s a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Story are personal favs).

Sarah Nelson: During the holiday season, I love to get a Grande Apple Cider from Starbucks. Then “Get Out” with cider in hand to stroll down State St. and enjoy all the holiday lights and decorations and peruse the fabulous window displays at Macy’s.

Matt Miller: My favorite holiday “Get Out” activity is going shopping the day after Christmas, when there are such fantastic prices on clothes and accessories. Favorite places to hit up are at Oak Brook Mall: Nordstrom’s, Lord & Taylor, Ruehl 925 (sadly, closing in January), Urban Outfitters, American Apparel and the Apple Store. After the mayhem, I enjoy lunching at Antico Posto.

Amanda Meyer: My favorite way to “Get Out” during the holidays is visiting the Chriskindlmarket and fun family traditions like Snowflake Night and caroling.

Joe Hallissey: I love to “Get Out” for holiday shopping by strolling from store-to-store at the beautiful Oakbrook Center Mall. The best part of the day is taking a break and warming up at the roasted nuts stand in the concourse with a paper bag of hot cinnamon-covered almonds!

Jenny Topolosky: I love to “Get Out” to leisurely window shop down the beautifully lit Michigan Avenue just as its getting dark, and warm up at the top of the mag mile with a sinfully sweet cup of Ghirardelli’s mint hot chocolate.

Robin Clement: My favorite way to “Get Out” during the holidays in Chicago is to grab the girls (friends since Brownies) for a Downtown holiday retreat—complete with a stay at Hotel InterContinental, a dip in the mosaic tiled pool and shopping down the Mag Mile. Two spots never missed are Ralph Lauren’s lavish space and a mondo cupcake at Hersey’s Chocolate Shoppe.

Carol Fox: I like to “Get Out” for the holidays by staying in and having a dinner party with close friends. This year we are planning on Mastering the Art of French Cooking a la Julia Child complete with Champagne, Boeuf Bourguignon, Frisee Salad and Chocolate Mousse. Bon Appetit!

Wishing you a warm and safe holiday season and a happy new year!

~Carol Fox & Associates

Tickets Are On Sale Today for Walking With Dinosaurs

Walking With Dinosaurs Comes to the Allstate Arena July 28 - Aug. 1

Tickets are on sale today for WALKING WITH DINOSAURS – The Arena Spectacular, based on the award-winning BBC Television Series. Tickets can be purchased by calling 800-745-3000, on-line at Ticketmaster.com  or in person at the Allstate Arena box office.  For discounts on groups of 15 or more, please call GroupTix at 877-447-7849.

Start your summer planning now!

WALKING WITH DINOSAURS – The Arena Spectacular will perform 8 performances at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL, Wednesday, July 28 – Sunday, Aug. 1.

The production originated in Australia, where after years of planning, WALKING WITH DINOSAURS came to life at Sydney’s Acer Arena in January 2007.   The show proved to be such a sensation that this North American tour was fast-tracked.  It began a short three months after completing its sold-out engagements in Australia. Since that time, the show’s two companies have played to 4.4 million people worldwide and generated over $210 million dollars in overall ticket sales.

For more information, visit www.dinosaurlive.com.

Tickets on sale now for “Storytime Live” at Rosemont Theatre!

Nickelodeon's "Storytime Live" comes to Chicagoland

It’s a child’s dream come true!

Nickelodeon’s latest musical adventure,  “STORYTIME LIVE,” brings four of the top-rated preschool shows together for an exciting musical adventure at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Rd., March 12-14. Hosted by Nickelodeon characters Moose and Zee, the show features “The Backyardigans,” “Wonder Pets!,” “Ni Hao, Kai-lan” and “Dora the Explorer.”

Tickets just went on sale and are currently available online at http://www.ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000. Tickets are also available for purchase at the Rosemont Theatre box office and at all Ticketmaster outlets.  For groups of 15 or more please call GroupTix at 1-877-447-7849.

—————————————————————————-

Rosemont Theatre
5400 N. River Rd., Rosemont, IL 60018 Map | More Info…

Bid on Fabulous Items at the SeeChicagoDance Online Auction!

Hosted by MakeItBetter.net

It’s the perfect gift giving opportunity!

Support SeeChicagoDance.com and find the perfect gift for that special someone on your list.

Bid on gorgeous prints by some of Chicago’s most respected dance photographers including William Frederking, Kristie Kahns, Johnny Knight, Cheryl Mann, Todd Rosenberg and Sandro.

Auction items also include tickets to “Billy Elliot The Musical”, Blue Man Group, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, dinner packages, a night’s stay at the Fairmont Hotel in downtown Chicago and so much more!

Click here to bid on items from Audience Architects.

On the Eighth Day of Hanukkah My True Love Gave to Me: The Klezmatics!

Centre East presents the Grammy Award-winning group, The Klezmatics, in “Woody Guthrie’s Happy Joyous Hanukkah!”   the last day of the Jewish holiday Saturday, Dec. 19 at 8 p.m. at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie. The show intermingles Klezmer music with American folk and bluegrass and is perfect for all ages.

Klezmatics are globally renowned world music superstars and the only klezmer band to win a Grammy Award and you’ve probably seen and/or heard them on HBO’s “Sex and the City,” NPR’s “Prairie Home Companion” and a whole lot of other places. They include:

• Frank London who Paul Wieder/JUF Interactive hails as “Arguably the most important Jewish horn player since Joshua picked up a shofar;”
• Matt Darriau (clarinets, sax, kaval) who has recorded and performed with David Byrne, Marc Ribot, Roberto Rodriguez, Ben Folds Five and many others in the New York scene;
• Lisa Gutkin’s (fiddler/composer) who has appeared with The Roches, Shawn Colvin, Suzanne Vega to name a few;
• Paul Morrissett (bass, tsimbl) is a collector and player of Eastern European and Scandinavian folk instruments and records and performs on an impressive array of ethnic strings, winds and reeds;
• Lorin Sklamberg (lead vocals, accordion, guitar, piano) a founding member of The Klezmatics, has been heard on numerous recordings and live shows, solo and in collaboration with such artists as Itzhak Perlman, Paradox Trio, Hip Hop Hoodios Emmylou Harris, Tracy Grammer and Neil Sedaka;
• and Richie Barshay (drums), who has been a member of the Herbie Hancock Quartet since 2003 and was recently singled out as “a player to watch” by JazzTimes magazine.

So how did Woody Guthrie get inspired to write for Hanukkah?  In 1942, Woody Guthrie, through his mother-in-law, Yiddish poet Aliza Greenblatt, became involved with the Coney Island Jewish community and decided to write some songs about Hanukkah, Jewish history and spiritual life. After his death in 1967, the songs sat forgotten in archives for decades. But in 1998 the songs were discovered by Woody’s daughter, Nora Guthrie, and she asked the Klezmatics exclusively to write new music for the lyrics. The result, “Woody Guthrie’s Happy Joyous Hanukkah!,”

Tickets are $48.  Free parking available. For more info, call 847-673-6300 or visit northshorecenter.org.

——————————————————————-

North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie
9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, IL 60077 Map | More Info…

ABT’s “Soldier Spotlights” Continue for “It’s a Wonderful Life: Live at the Biograph!”

Pictured L-R: Andrew Carter (Harry and others), Ashley Bishop (Violet and others), Gary Houston (Uncle Billy and others), Kevin R. Kelley (George Bailey) and John Mohrlein (Mr. Potter/Clarence). Photo: The Stage Channel (2009).

American Blues Theatre continues with their “Soldier Spotlights” at performances of this year’s critically acclaimed staging of “It’s a Wonderful Life: Live at the Biograph!” The five servicemen spotlighted this week include:

Thursday, 12/10 8 p.m.: 1^st Lt. Milton Greenfield, Army.  Greenfield’s heroic efforts during World War II earned him nine medals including the Distinguished Service Medal and the Purple Heart. He saved the lives of three soldiers while under heavy fire and witnessed the loss of his entire crew during a single battle.

Saturday 12/12 5 p.m.: John “Fred” Sharpe, Sgt., 1^st class, Army.

Sgt. John Sharpe

As part of the 3275th Quartermaster Service Company, his first assignment was to set up and receive units in Normandy. He later went on to participate in the Battle of The Bulge. After the war, he became mentor to many troubled youth as a counselor at Sullivan House, coached Little League baseball and volunteered at Bryn Mawr Elementary School.

American Blues Theatre presents “It’s A Wonderful Life: Live at the Biograph!” now through Dec. 27.  All performances take place in the new Studio at Victory Gardens Theater at the Biograph, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago.  For tickets or more information call the Victory Gardens box office at 773-871-3000 or visit victorygardens.org.

Tune in to 950 AM tonight at 8:30 for Too Hot to Handel Interviews!

Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah at the Auditorium Theatre. Photo by Dan Rest.

Be sure to tune in to the Mike Jeffers Jazz Chicago Radio Show on 950 AM, tonight at 8:30 p.m., to hear live in-studio interviews with Too Hot to Handel soloists Rodrick Dixon, Alfreda Burke and Karen Marie Richardson plus Auditorium Theatre Executive Director Brett Batterson. 

What is Too Hot to Handel, you may ask?  Well, you can learn more tonight but basically it’s a joyful, exuberant, all-American version of George Frideric Handel’s beloved “Messiah” oratorio, that will be presented at the Auditorium Theatre Saturday, Jan. 16 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 17 at 3 p.m. in celebration of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.

A Nutcracker for Everyone!

The Civic Ballet's The Nutcracker

What better way to celebrate the holiday season with family and friends than with a festive performance of the treasured ballet classic, The Nutcracker!  Every little girl in your life will delight to see swirling snowflakes, waltzing flowers, giant mice and sugar plum fairies in these enchanting productions.  Getoutchicago has found Nutcrackers in every corner of the Chicago area at some great prices – “Get Out” and enjoy this perfect holiday treat!