Category Archives: Music

Songs for Syria Nov 20th

Songs for Syria
featuring
Bassel & The Supernaturals
Mariela Shaker
Omar Offendum

 

Saturday, Nov. 20,   3 p.m.

 

Three amazing Syrian artists – one unforgettable performance. Join us as we pay homage to the history and culture of Syria with multiple musical genres including classical violin, spoken word, neo-soul and funk with captivating lyrics about love, loss, and a war in Syria that has directly affected over 10,000,000 people.

 

For more information about the artists:
unhcr.org/en-us/mariela-shaker.html
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Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre October 9th

Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre was founded in 1999 by Joe Cerqua, composer and musician; Wilfredo Rivera, choreographer and dancer; and Matt Lamb, painter.

Through an intense focus on personal narratives, the combined talents of its diverse company and the multiple artistic languages with which the company communicates, Cerqua Rivera engages audiences in magnetic human stories at once new and deeply familiar.

In their art and their artists, they are proudly and visibly multicultural, exploring the intersection of heritage, culture, and identity.

https://www.cerquarivera.org

Saturday, Oct. 9       7:30 p.m.

 

Moraine Valley is following COVID-19 safety protocols for visitors on campus. See the latest information at morainevalley.edu/covid.

 

Moraine Valley Community College, Fine and Performing Arts Center | 9000 West College ParkwayPalos Hills, IL 60465
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Chicago Pride Fest October 1-3

Pride Fest, which usually happens  in June, will take place Oct 1-3rd  this year!

The festival features live music by headline artists and local favorites, 3 stages, food and drink, 100+ arts/crafts vendors, DJ’s and dancing, drag shows, pet parade, sponsored presence, games, giveaways and more.

A $15 suggested donation for entry helps pays performers and festival workers, and funds community programs. Generous public donations paid for the Chicago Pride Crosswalks; 14 rainbow paved intersections installed in 2019 that make up the longest installation of it’s kind in the world.

It’s a love-filled celebration of diversity, equality and the Chicago LGBTQ+ community on Halsted Street, America’s first recognized gay village.

The festival is easily accessible via the CTA Red Line Addison station at historic Wrigley Field as well as multiple bus lines and rideshare car/cab services with convenient access to downtown hotels and other lodging.

 

MORE  INFO  HERE

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Circuit Mom Pride Extravaganza June 19th

We hope you have been spending these last few weeks supporting your Black friends and family through protests, petitions, conversations with friends, family, and elected officials, and donations to various causes as we continue to fight for racial equity and equality in this nation. This fight is by no means over, but we have to remember this is a marathon and not a sprint, so it is important to take moments for ourselves.

As a way to facilitate a break (if it feels appropriate to you) we are bringing you a PRIDE edition of our long awaited virtual show celebrating the intersectionality of BIPOC and the LGBTQ+ community from 7-11pm Central Time on Friday June 19th, 2020. Which happens to be  the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth, the day Major General Gordon Granger landed in Galveston, Texas with the news that the slaves were free.

This virtual show is filled with some of Chicago’s best talent such as Black Girl Magic’s The Vixen, Dida Ritz, Lucy Stoole, Sasha Love, Bambi-Banks Coulee, and Miss Toto, Ballroom star the Legendary Myah Lanvin, rapper KC Ortiz, pole dancer Ang Hell, Sheeza Woman, Aunty Chan, Joffrey ballet dancer and heels choreographer Fernando Duarte, Trans Chicago’s Valeria Mendez, Ginger Valdez, and Andrea Magia Mendez, Catfight lead singer Molly Callinan, The Baton’s Joan Jullian and Jacky Ireta Couture, DJ Ale Maes, Grammy nominated DJ and Producer Ralphi Rosario, and of course the one and only CircuitMOM.

This online event will be streamed across Twitchcircuitmom.com, and Facebook Live, and in an effort to keep progress moving forward will benefit Black Lives Matter and Trans Chicago from the Puerto Rican Cultural Center.  Prepare to pull out your phones and tip these performers down. We appreciate anything and everything you are able to give.

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Chicago Gay PrideFest June 20-21

Chicago Pride Fest is  BACK ON for  June 20-21!

It was previously announced   that Pride Fest,  the Pride  Parade and  Market Days  were being canceled or rescheduled, due to the Covid 19 restrictions and limitations.

This morning it was announced  that plans  are underway to put together a  2 night virtual celebration of  Pride  Fest streaming for Free to Chicago and the world!

Chicago Pride Fest Goes Virtual

Chicago Pride Fest will mark its 20th year with a virtual festival format. On June 20-21, the Northalsted Business Alliance brings Boystown to the world with a streaming Chicago Pride Fest celebrating the love, life and diversity of Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community. Running from 7 pm to 9 pm both nights, the streaming Twitch event will feature a full line-up with entertainment, activism, greetings and more.

Virtual gate donations will benefit Boystown community programming, the Center on Halsted and Howard Brown Health.

Northalsted President Ramesh Ariyanayakam acknowledges how different things will look this year. “Right now our focus is all about planning a Pride celebration for the digital ages. We know this virtual festival will bring much needed connection and hope to our community and beyond and are thrilled to produce this event.”

More details at pridefestchicago   . A full programming line-up will be available in June .

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BEST Mariachi Band Comes to Chicagoland Feb 8th

Award-winning Mariachi ensemble to perform at Moraine Valley

Mariachi Herencia De México will perform its award-winning traditional Mexican music on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 7:30 p.m. in the Dorothy Menker Theater at Moraine Valley Community College, 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills.

Tickets are $30, $25 for seniors, and free for children and students with ID. Those who qualify for free admission must acquire a ticket to reserve a seat.

This ensemble of students from Chicago’s immigrant barrios started in 2014 as a music education program for Chicago Public school students. The group has earned a Latin Grammy nomination in the Best Ranchero/Mariachi Album category, and its latest album, “Herencia de la Tierra Mia,” debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Latin Album sales chart.

Mariachi Herencia de México has performed alongside major artists, Lila Downs, Aida Cuevas, Los Lobos, Pedro Fernández, as well as some of the most respected mariachi groups from both sides of the border, including Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan, Los Camperos, Sol de Mexico, Cobre, and the all-female group Reyna de Los Angeles.

 

For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Fine and Performing Arts Center Box Office at (708) 974-5500 or visit morainevalley.edu/fpac.

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Honorary Ralphi Rosario Blvd on Halsted Street

Ralphi Rosario is a pioneering house music DJ, a Grammy Award-nominated producer and soon he’ll be a Chicago landmark.

This  past Saturday  the City of Chicago dedicated a portion of North Halsted Street in Boystown (By Hydrate nightclub)  in honor of Ralphi “The Razz” Rosario, according to Go Pride. Rosario was instrumental in spreading the house music sound as the youngest member of the Hot Mix 5, and later was nominated for a Grammy for Best Remix with Abel Aguilera for their remix of the Rihanna hit “Only Girl (In The World).”

“I’ve never really been a person to hype anything that I’ve done,” Ralphi told 5 Mag in a 2012 cover story. “I’ve always believed that the music and remixes should speak for themselves. I personally do not like getting in people’s faces about WHY my stuff isn’t played or WHY I’m not getting recognized or WHY I didn’t get the remix work, etc.

“I didn’t begin in the business on the intent of winning anything; I did it because music is a very strong trait for me. But this does mean the world to me – to know that not only my peers but all the fans and listeners are thanking me in this gracious way… They’re listening! [laughs]”

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The BEST Parties for Chicago Market Days

This Market Days CircuitMOM will once again bring you a weekend of massive dance parties! Two nights, back to back, at the amazing Aragon Ballroom!

The dynamic duo DJs Rosabel are going to start us off right with “Comic Book Hero” on Saturday, August 10, 2019 at the historic Aragon Ballroom. This year we have updated spaces for all our guests, expanded restrooms, balcony access, location markers on the dance floor (to help find your friends), and a ton of other surprises ready to go! Plus, this may be our last year for the “SuperHERO’ theme, so get those capes out and show them off!

We had such an amazing response to the first “DRAMA” party for Market Days Sunday 2018 that we decided we’d bring back DRAMA and add even more sass and space with “DRAMA at the Disco” on Sunday, August 11, 2019. Not only will superstar DJ/Producer Hector Fonseca be returning, but we’ve also invited DJ Suri (Spain) to come make his Chicago debut this Market Days. These two megastar DJ’s will be bringing you all the discotheque DRAMA, so be ready! We will be working overnight to transform the room from Saturday night’s “Comic Book Hero” main event into an entirely different space for our disco closing party on Sunday. There will be more lights, lasers, and platform shoes than you can shake a polyester shirt at, we promise.

People of any colour, size, body type, gender, gender expression(s), and sexual orientation are welcome. Bigotry will not be tolerated. Must be 21+ to attend.

GA Weekend Pass: $150 (no additional fees)

No additional fees, however, you must pick up paper tickets in Chicago during the following times:

  • Hotel Chicago on Friday, August 9th from 2pm – 8pm
  • Our official Market Days street festival booth located in front of Men’s Room Chicago on Saturday and Sunday August 10th & 11th from 11am – 7pm
Ticket pick up will not be available at Aragon will call
BUY ON CIRCUITMOM WEBSITE

NOT TO BE MISSED! WATCH!

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Pride in the Park in Chicago June 29 2019

Tickets  $50-$100

GA Tickets All Ages

VIP Tickets 21+ only

Held the day before Chicago’s annual LGBTQ Pride Parade, this ALL-NEW FEST at the Petrillo Bandshell will celebrate June’s Pride Month and will feature top national and local performers.

It will also feature an eclectic mix of food and arts & crafts vendors.

“We hope to build Pride in the Park into something people travel to Chicago for yearly, and something that will add to the already amazing Chicago Pride experience”

A portion of tickets processed will benefit the Center On Halsted. Center On Halsted is the Midwest’s most comprehensive community center dedicated to advancing community and securing the health and well-being of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) people of Chicagoland. More than 1,000 community members visit the Center every day, located in the heart of Chicago’s Lakeview Neighborhood.

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2 Big Dance Parties by Circuit Mom For Market Days

THE BIGGEST  DANCE  PARTIES  OF  THE SUMMER!

Market Days  Weekend  August  10 & 11th  at Aragon Ballroom!

CircuitMOM returns with a weekend of massive dance parties starting with “Comic Book Hero” on Saturday, August 10, 2019 at the historic Aragon Ballroom with the dynamic DJ duo ROSABEL returning for their second year. Major venue improvements, more space for our guests, new bathrooms, location markers on the dance floor so you can find your friends and a ton of surprises are ready to go for 2019. Plus, this may be our last year for the “SuperHERO’ theme, so get those capes out and show them off!

With the amazing response we received in 2018 for the first “DRAMA” party on Market Days Sunday, we decided that we would keep the theme, but add more sass and more space for 2019.

We are very excited to bring you “DRAMA at the Disco” on Sunday, August 11, 2019. Not only are we bringing back superstar DJ/Producer Hector Fonseca, but we have invited DJ Suri (Spain) to come make his Chicago debut during Market Days. These two mega star DJ’s will be bringing you all the discoteque DRAMA, so be ready! More lights, lasers, and platform shoes than you can shake a polyester shirt at, we promise.

Last year, the DRAMA party sold out in record time and many out of town guests could not attend, so this year we are moving the Sunday night party to The Aragon Ballroom. We will be working overnight to transform the room from Saturday nights “Comic Book Hero” main event into a whole different space for our disco closing party on Sunday. The Aragon has more than tripled their bathroom spaces and added balcony seating and a whole new VIP entrance. We are adding balcony space for non-VIP guests this year in response to people’s requests for more room and a place to sit and recharge. Sunday night will look completely different.
Must be 21+

Get Your Weekend Pass Today!
Men’s Room Chicago.  3420 N Halsted
GA Weekend Pass: $150 (no additional fees)

No additional fees, however, purchases must be made in the store. No purchases can be made by phone. Cash or credit accepted. Tickets issued at time of purchase

Ticketmaster.com
Limited Quantities Available:

GA Weekend Pass: $121 ($146.29 including Ticketmaster fees)
VIP Weekend Pass: $201 ($233.99 including Ticketmaster fees)

Tickets issued at time of purchase

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Chicago Pridefest 2019 Leann Rimes

The 19th annual Chicago Pride Fest®, June 22-23, 2019, is a legendary two-day street festival held the weekend leading up to the Chicago Pride Parade, celebrating LGBTQ+ life, culture and community.

This year marks a milestone as we honor the 50th anniversary of Stonewall and the birth of the Pride movement.

This year features multi-platinum Grammy winner Leann Rimes, Brazilian sensation Pabllo Vittar & Broadway newcomer Alex Newell, and more artists to be announced soon!

Also featuring local favorites: Sixteen Candles – Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press – Boy Band Review – Catfight – Don’t Speak – Hello Weekend – Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus – Chicago Spirit Brigade – Miss Foozie’s Pride Pet Parade.

More info on 2019 Performers.

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CHER in Milwaukee May 12th

CHER will be back in Milwaukee  May 12th!

With her HERE WE GO AGAIN  tour!  This time,  she will perform at the new  Fiserv Arena  at 111 Vel R. Phillips Ave.

The DRESSED TO KILL  tour was the last time Cher was in MKE  in  2014.

This new tour will support her recent 26th album, DANCING QUEEN! A reimagining of classic  ABBA  songs!

GET TICKETS!

NILE ROGERS & CHIC are expected to open! An amazing night of  dancing music!

 

 

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CHER Feb 8th in Chicago

Just about 4 weeks away!   Cher  will bring her  HERE  WE GO AGAIN  tour to the United  Center with NILE  RODGERS AND  CHIC!

This is Cher’s  first tour in five years. She will be hitting the road starting January 17 in Fort Myers, FL and will be crossing the U.S. with stops in Atlanta, Chicago, Brooklyn, and more before wrapping up in St. Paul, MN May 18th.

Cher never disappoints! And  we are very lucky in Chicago  to have  Nile Rodgers and Chic  playing the same night! Nile just recently  released his first album in 26 years, It’s About Time.  

The Rodgers/Chic sound  has evolved in those 26 years. It’s a fun, solid return that brings funk and disco to modern pop, despite sounding like it’s reaching a bit too hard for modern relevancy.

Tickets are still available!

 

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New Years Day Never Afters Party 7am

If you are like me,  I hate the crowds, the lines  and  the high prices  on  New  Years Eve!

We like to go out early, have some drinks  with friends and be in bed by 11! I know,  we’re old! But we have already  done  New Years  Eve  many many MANY times!

So this party  sounds  amazing!  It starts  at  7am  New  Years  Day!  So  whether you stay up all night  or  want to take a  break in between,  the  amazing  folks  at  Neverland are presenting this  Never Afters  Party!

TUESDAY January 1st from 7:00am-1:00pm or later: Regarded by industry vets as one of the best afterhours dance parties in circulation right now, Happily Never Afters has taken the Chicago scene by storm.

This is a NO FRILLS event: No dancers, no hosts, no drama, no attitude, no one bothering you, and no fucks given. Party starts at 7:00am on New Year’s Day, so either stay up all night New Year’s Eve, or take a puppy nap. If you’re trying to look fresh for the party, don’t bother: it’ll be too dark and foggy for anyone to see clearly. Plus, Happily Never Afters isn’t about getting all dolled up. It’s about letting loose in a safe space and having the time of your life, all while ringing in the New Year.

MUSIC by DJ Serving Ovahness (Los Angeles) and DJ Alex Cabot (Neverland Resident)

Presale tickets  NOW  for  just  $20!

FYI – The best resource  for  New Years Eve  parties  in  the gay community  can be found at GRAB  MAGAZINE.

 

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Barney The Elf Will Make You Laugh

Pride Films and Plays to produce fourth annual production of BARNEY THE ELF

Michael D. Graham’s new production of LGBTQ-focused holiday musical satire opened this past weekend!

( PHOTO-Back row L-R: Joseph Beal, Maggie Ward

Front row L-R: Brooke Emmerich, Thomas Tong, Danika Bone’t, Maggie Cain. Foreground: Roy Samra as Barney.)

 

Queer holiday cheer filled  with laughs and fun music, this holiday show put’s a smile on your face! It’s a bit  naughty and bawdy – it’s not  for  kids!  This a grown up show, a  contemporary urban fairy tale, loosely based on the 2003 Will Ferrell film “Elf,”   that provides a stocking stuffed with equal parts laughs and earnest “accept yourself” messages.

The musical of an elf who must leave the North Pole to find a new home after Santa Claus retires has itself found a new home for its fourth annual incarnation. BARNEY THE ELF, Bryan Renaud and Emily Schmidt’s LGBTQ-themed musical inspired by the ELF feature film,  will be staged in the Broadway theatre of the Pride Arts Center  through Sunday, January 6. Michael D. Graham will direct the production.

 

Musical numbers galore in  Renaud and Schmidt’s musical satire. They incorporate parody lyrics to popular songs, The musical parodies are great and the lyric  changes will make you laugh! You will recognize  I Will Survive, Streisand’s  Don’t Rain On My Parade and All By Myself,  among  others. 

Barney the Elf finds he must leave his home at the North Pole after Santa’s retirement causes chaos among the community of elves. He makes his way to a nightclub in Chicago, where he is befriended by drag queen Zooey, and learns to embrace his “inner elf.”  The musical was developed by Renaud and Schmidt for The Other Theatre Company, with whom Renaud is an Artistic Associate, and was produced at the Greenhouse Theater Center for the past three holiday seasons.

This new production will be directed by Michael D. Graham, former Artistic Director of Piccolo Theatre, and will feature BARNEY THE ELF veterans Dixie Lynn Cartwright, who will alternate in the role of Zooey with Danika Bone’t, and Maggie Cain as Mrs. Claus and Roy Samra as Barney. Cartwright will perform on Thursday and Saturday evening s and Sunday matinees, with Bone’t taking the role on Wednesday and Friday evenings and Saturday matinees. Cartwright and Cain played their roles in all three prior productions of the musical. Samra first donned Barney’s tights for the 2017 production.

Also in the cast for this new production are Jaron Bellar,  reprising his 2017 role as Santa Jr., Alisha Fabbi (Cookie), Christopher Sylvie (Drew, Barney u/s), Joseph Beal (Buttons, Tour Guide), Maggie Ward (Pinecone, Kathy), Thomas Tong (Topper), Larry Trice (Twinkle, Bouncer), Brooke Emmerich (Chorus, Swing), Nico Joshua (Chorus, Swing), Claire Hart (Choreographer), Paul Sottnik (Music Director), Shawn Quinlan (Costumes), Hayley Wallenfeldt (Props), Becs Bartle (Lighting), Michael Starcher (Stage Manager), and Christopher Sylvie (Assistant Director).

 

BARNEY THE ELF will play weekends throughout the holidays, through Sunday January 6 in the 85-seat Broadway theatre at 4139 N. Broadway, Chicago.  Ticket prices are $30 (premium reserved seats), $20 (general admission seats),  $15 (student/senior/military)

and are on sale now at www.pridefilmsandplays.com or by phone at 1-866-811-4111.

 

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CHER Dancing Queen!

SEE THAT GIRL…

        WATCH THAT GIRL…

                SHE’S THE DANCING QUEEN!

She’s  back!   At  72 and going strong!

The one and only Cher will released Dancing Queen last week, a new album of all Abba hits  by Warner Bros. Records.

The Oscar, Emmy and Grammy Award winning icon was inspired to record the album following her stunning performance in the recently-released mega-hit film, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

 

Commented Cher: “I’ve always liked Abba and saw the original Mamma Mia musical on Broadway three times. After filming Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, I was reminded again of what great and timeless songs they wrote and started thinking ‘why not do an album of their music?’ The songs were harder to sing than I imagined but I’m so happy with how the music came out. I’m really excited for people to hear it. It’s a perfect time.”

Dancing Queen was recorded and produced in London and Los Angeles with Cher‘s longtime collaborator Mark Taylor, who previously produced Cher‘s global smash “Believe” which was number one in over 50 countries. And it does not disappoint!  I truly  love  the last song on CD  I think  the best, “One of Us”.                    

Cher is scheduled to be awarded a Kennedy Center Honor on December 2nd in Washington DC.

She is a co-producer of the The Cher Show, the upcoming Broadway musical opening on December 3rd  ( we saw it in Chicago and LOVED  IT!)

 

She is currently performing a residency at MGM Resorts. Get tickets HERE!

Cher will be in Chicago with the HERE WE GO AGAIN tour   February 8th. Get Tickets  NOW

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Chicago Market Days Entertainment

Northalsted Serves Up Summer’s Best Fest

Market Days Returns August 11-12

The Northalsted Business Alliance delivers a diverse and dance heavy line-up for this year’s Market Days set for August 11 and 12. The must-do Midwest fest returns to the heart of Boystown with non-stop entertainment from four stages, shopping, food and more.

Multi-faceted entertainer Todrick Hall graces the stage as part of his Forbidden tour on Saturday, while Betty Who brings the beat on Sunday with her power pop. MAX, of gold single “Lights Down Low” fame closes out the festival on Sunday night. Additional national and local acts round out the line-up.

Northalsted Business Alliance Executive Director Chad Honeycutt explains the popularity of Market Days. “For more than 30 years Northalsted Market Days has set the bar for Chicago festivals and this year is no exception. We can’t wait to welcome our neighbors and visitors alike to celebrate summer in Boystown.”

About the Northalsted Business Alliance (NBA)

Formed in 1980, NBA represents more than 100 businesses along the Halsted Street corridor. The organization hosts major events throughout the year including Chicago Pride Fest, Northalsted Market Days, the Halloween Parade and Frost Fest. For information about NBA visitwww.northalsted.com.

Northalsted Market Days

North Halsted (From Belmont to Addison)

August 11-12       11 am – 10 pm        $10 Suggestion Donation

 

Northalsted Market Days 2018/Saturday, Aug 11th

Addison North Stage

1:30P-3:30PM             Drag Show

2:30PM-3:30PM         Todrick Hall

3:30PM-4:15PM         Trenyce

5:00PM-6:30PM         Cat Fight

7:00PM-7:45PM         Kimberly Locke

7:50PM-8:35PM         Ultra Nate

8:40PM-9:25PM         Martha Wash

Roscoe Stage

1:15PM-2:30PM         Hello Weekend

3:15PM-4:30PM         Girl Power Night

5:00PM-5:45PM         DJ

5:45P-6:25PM             Crystal Waters

6:25PM-7:00PM         DJ

7:00PM-7:45PM         Ty Herndon

8:20-9:45PM               Hank & Cupcake

Aldine Jazz Stage

130PM-3:00PM          Sam Fazio Quartet

5:30PM-7:30PM         Feathered Beaus

NORTHALSTED MARKETDAYS 2018/Sunday, Aug 12th

Addison North Stage

1:00PM-2:00PM         DJ

2:00PM-2:45PM         Betty Who

3:30PM-4:30PM         Sushi Roll

4:45PM-6:15PM         DJ

6:15PM-7:00PM         Expose

7:00PM-9:00PM         DJ

9:00PM-9:55PM         MAX

Roscoe Stage

1:00PM-1:45PM         Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus

2:15PM-3:45PM         Boy Band

4:15PM-5:00PM         Kristine W

5:15PM-7:15PM         Rod Tuffcurls

7:45PM-9:45PM         16 Candles

Aldine Jazz Stage

1:30PM-3:00PM         BMR4

3:30PM-5:00PM         Joe Policastro Trio

5:30PM-7:30PM         The Flat Cats

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Lakeside Pride Jazzin at the Shedd June 27th

Take a sip of summer at Jazzin’ at the Shedd. Every Wednesday evening, move to the rhythms of Chicago’s top jazz musicians—and be moved by the pulsing rhythms of spotted jellies, the shimmering slow dance of false herrings and more in Shedd’s new special exhibit, Underwater Beauty. Combine a cocktail with great music, the city skyline, fireworks and beauty worth saving—only at Shedd.

June 27 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Event Navigation

Enjoy a rainbow of reef fishes and a night of Pride when Lakeside Pride Jazz Ensembles perform at Jazzin’ at the Shedd! Grab your Shedd Aquarium tickets now: https://www.sheddaquarium.org/jazzin/

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Artist Garek Chicago Show December 1st

GAREK is a New York based singer-songwriter-artist. Born and raised in Wisconsin, he made the transition to New York in 2010. Fusing Industrial Rock (a la Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson and Garbage) with haunting melodies and explosive choruses, GAREK creates a distinct sonic landscape. This Electro-Industrial hybrid, coupled with his artfully degenerate style, make him a force to be watched.

GAREK’s first single “Save The Queen” had tastemakers around the globe buzzing. London’s EQ Music has hailed him as “a deity of Industrial-Electro mastery” while Australia’s DNA Magazine says, “He’s ready to rule the world!” MTV’s LOGO (NewNowNext) says, “for all [his] influences, there’s something distinctive about what Garek is doing.”

In  2014, GAREK proved his influence extends beyond music as he made his UK runway debut for the Champagne-inspired jeweler ‘Wearing Memories’ at London Fashion Week. Guests of the sold-out show were treated to a spectacle blending GAREK’s Industrial stylings with ‘Wearing Memories’ classic appeal. Models strutted down the catwalk in black morph suits to GAREK’s “Save The Queen” before GAREK himself closed the show.

Now NYC-based artist, GAREK, brings his own brand of unique darkness to Chicago in his first public opening.

The exhibit opens Friday December 1st at 5 p.m. at Gallery Victor Armendariz. The show will feature artists from The Studio, a section of the gallery dedicated to accessibly priced art of exceptional beauty.

GAREK is a self-taught artist, who got his first break at Tazza Gallery NYC, in the Chelsea Gallery District. After showing the owner of Tazza examples of his work, he was signed on the spot to representation.

GAREK is known for his distinct charcoal works, focusing primarily on figurative subjects. His works hang in private collections in L.A., NYC, and London. Chris Gehringer, Madonna’s primary mix engineer, has 2 of his pieces hanging in his studio.

“Garek’s art cannot be ignored. 

His subjects are presented in a way that seems completely natural, not the product of design, as if their presence were something familiar, known and buried down deep in our subconscious. 

His skill is undoubted. This very young and multitalented artist is obviously going places; and it is great to see part of this journey through his art.”

                   -Denis Arguedas (Tazza Gallery

For more of GAREK’s art visit www.garek.tv/art or visit his Instagram @garek_art

Gallery Victor Armendariz

300 West Superior

Chicago, IL 60654

5-8 p.m. Friday, December 1st, 2017

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Broadway Cares Holiday CD

BROADWAY CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS RELEASES EFFERVESCENT NEW 2017 HOLIDAY ALBUM
The 19th volume in the “Broadway’s Carols for a Cure” collection is full of spirited holiday favorites sung by stars from Broadway’s leading musicals including 
Dear Evan Hansen, Come From Away, Hamilton, Waitress 
and A Bronx Tale. 

The Christmas season is in full show tune swing now that the 19th volume of Broadway’s Carols for a Cure has arrived.  The latest compilation from the beloved series continues Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS’ tradition of pairing the casts from award-winning Broadway musicals with seasonal songs that are both classic and new.  Once again, the result is pure magic and is sure to help make the 2017 holiday season shine brighter than ever before.

“These are all new, original recordings, creatively arranged and performed by the incredibly talented performers and musicians from the 2017 Broadway season,” explains producer Lynn Pinto who, once again, collaborates with engineer Andros Rodriguez on the album. Pinto allows each company a great deal of freedom in choosing the material and the style of the arrangement. She adds, “We record the musicians and singers in layers, utilizing isolation booths for a higher quality recording. It gives the album a unique sound from most cast albums and allows us to showcase some of the best voices and instrumentalists in the world.”

The first Broadway’s Carols for a Cure album debuted in 1999, making this year’s album the 19th in the annual series.  Fans of Broadway will be overjoyed  to hear recordings from Tony Award winning casts of Dear Evan HansenHamiltonCome From Away and many more:


ALADDIN O Come All Ye Faithful 
ANASTASIA All Those Christmas Cliches 
AVENUE Q The 12 Days of Christmas
BEAUTIFUL Love at Christmas Time
A BRONX TALE I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
CATS Joy to the World
CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY Do You Hear What I Hear?
CHICAGO This Is The Night 
COME FROM AWAY It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
DEAR EVAN HANSEN Down In Yon Forest
GROUNDHOG DAY Oh Little Town of Punx, PA
HAMILTON Chester
JERSEY BOYS (National)Let’s Have an Old Fashioned Jersey Christmas
KINKY BOOTS Hark! The Herald Angel Sing
THE LION KING Everyone’s a Kid at Christmas
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Old Fashioned Christmas
SCHOOL OF ROCK Yule of Rock
WAITRESS I Wonder What You Got For Me
WAR PAINT I Can’t Wait For Christmas

WICKED God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Highlights are copious but include Billy Porter and the cast of Kinky Boots singing an all-new, rockin’ version of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and the cast of A Bronx Tale performing “I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day” in a New Yawker-style that will have listeners humming for days.Additionally, Meghan Toohey (Sara Barielles’ long-time guitarist) serves up a lovely 1960s-style original song, “Wonder What You Got For Me,” featuring the talented Anastacia McCleskey and the rest of the company and band from Waitress; and Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, the composer/lyricist team behind Anastasia perform their original carol, “All Those Christmas Cliches,” along with their award-winning cast.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is a nonprofit organization that helps individuals with serious illnesses including AIDS receive the health care and support they need.  In addition, they provide financial support in the form of grants to AIDS and family service organizations throughout the country.

“The 19th volume of Broadway’s Carols for a Cure is the best yet,” promises Lynn Pinto.  “It exudes such warmth, like a cozy blanket on a snowy Winter’s day.”

 The 2-CD set is  in the web store at BroadwayCares.org or by calling Broadway Cares at 212-840-0770.

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