Get kooky & go crazy at the new Blue Man Group show! Bigger than EVER

Blue Man Group cannot be explained; it can only be experienced.

Blue Man Group is the interactive show that is continuously mesmerizing audiences. It’s a full sensory experience of performance art, music, comedy and multimedia theatrics. The men in blue are making a splash, literally.

Best known for its award-winning theatrical productions which critics have described as “ground-breaking,” “hilarious,” “visually stunning” and “musically powerful.” These performances feature three enigmatic bald and blue characters who take the audience through a multi-sensory experience that combines theatre, percussive music, art, science and vaudeville into a form of entertainment that is like nothing else. Blue Man Group is a unique performance piece incorporating many different ideas, such as science, technology, noise, liquid, innocence and plumbing.

The poncho section is the first four or five rows closest to the stage. Patrons in this area are given ponchos to wear, because sometimes materials splash the audience. These substances are washable, but we suggest that you do not wear anything that needs dry cleaning.

Now Playing at the Briar Street Theatre Located at 3133 North Halsted Chicago. Blue Man Group appeals to all ages, but children under five (5) years of age are not permitted. Click here for more information.

Symmetry/Asymmetry: African Textiles, Dress, and Adornment at the High Museum of Art

Symmetry/Asymmetry draws attention to African textiles as abstract works of art to highlight their aesthetic dimension. At the same time the exhibition suggests a synaesthetic experience as these once kinetic works engaged multiple senses.

Over 40 works of African textiles, dress, and adornment – including objects from throughout the continent, from South Africa to the Sahara – are presented. A broad spectrum of objects spanning more than 7,000 years of artistic innovation, from a Neolithic stone bracelet to twentieth and twenty-first century commemorative cloths emblazoned with the faces of Kwame Nkrumah, Nelson Mandela, and President Obama, are included. A magnificent selection of indigo cloths from West Africa and Kuba textiles from Central Africa are also presented. The exhibition provides a surprisingly diverse range of symmetric and asymmetric designs.

The exhibit runs through August 25, 2013. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday. Click here for more information.

Check Out Vintage LA At The Getty: In Focus: Ed Ruscha

In Focus: Ed Ruscha

Ed Ruscha’s art is characterized by graphic simplicity, playful humor, and a keen interest in the vernacular as it applies to both language and architecture. This exhibition explores his photography, including well-known photo-based book projects, and it runs through September 29, 2013.

Ruscha moved to Los Angeles in 1956 to study design at Chouinard Art Institute. Throughout a career of more than fifty years, he has produced paintings, photographs, prints, drawings, and films that often reflect on the city’s vernacular architecture, urban landscape, and car culture. Photography has always been central to his artistic practice, most notably for the slender, pocket-sized volumes that he began publishing in 1963 and his extensive documentation of Los Angeles streets, beginning with Sunset Boulevard in 1965. Several of the photographs that appeared in these publications became source material for works of art that he would realize in other media, either at the same time or years later—for example, the photograph of Standard Station, Amarillo, Texas, published in Twentysix Gasoline Stations and later abstracted in a well-known painting now in the Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth College.

The works in this show are drawn from recent acquisitions of vintage prints by the Getty Museum and of Ruscha’s Streets of Los Angeles Archive by the Getty Research Institute. Click here for more information.

Bub City- the most fun BBQ, country music and whiskey in Chicago!

Country Music and BBQ at Bub City…Paradise for BBQ fans!

Bub City brings in rising stars from Nashville, Austin, and other places, to play on the stage, in Chicago. You might see someone you could only see in Nashville.

It’s a casual atmosphere, where you can stop in for a beer, and some bar-b-que, and listen to some fine country music. Bub City is open late every night. On Tuesday they have Country Karaoke. You wont find a more lively, fun place in Chicago’s River North neighborhood. Click here for more information.

Rock your socks off at the smash hit musical MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET!

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is the new smash-hit musical inspired by the famed recording session that brought together rock ‘n’ roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for the first and only time.

On December 4, 1956, these four young musicians gathered at Sun Records in
Memphis for what would be one of the greatest jam sessions ever. MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET brings that legendary night to life, featuring a score of rock hits including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “That’s All Right,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Walk the Line,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Who Do You Love?,” “Matchbox,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Hound Dog” and more.

This thrilling musical brings you inside the recording studio with four major talents who came together as a red-hot rock ‘n’ roll band for one unforgettable night. Don’t miss your chance to be a fly on the wall of fame… at MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET! Click here for more information.

Kinky Boots

From Grammy® Award-winning pop icon CYNDI LAUPER and four-time Tony Award® winner HARVEY FIERSTEIN comes the exhilarating new musical KINKY BOOTS, directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner JERRY MITCHELL.

Charlie Price, played by Tony nominee Stark Sands, has suddenly inherited his father’s shoe factory, which is on the verge of bankruptcy. Trying to live up to his father’s legacy and save his family business, Charlie finds inspiration in the form of Lola, portrayed by Billy Porter. A fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos, Lola turns out to be the one person who can help Charlie become the man he’s meant to be. As they work to turn the factory around, this unlikely pair finds that they have more in common than they ever dreamed possible and discovers that when you change your mind about someone, you can change your whole world.

Featuring a sensational new score, knockout dancing and a spectacularly uplifting story, KINKY BOOTS is the must-see new musical that proves that sometimes, the best way to fit in is to stand out!

See it at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre. Visit kinkybootsthemusical.com for more information.

Check Out The Comedy At The Stand!

The Stand Restaurant and Comedy Club in the Gramercy section of New York City, is bringing you the best comedians working today with delectable dishes and unique cocktails to match. New Yorkers can now enjoy great comedy seven nights a week paired with our critically acclaimed chef, Seth Levine. Our bi-level venue provides patrons with the option of having dinner and drinks before and after a show guaranteeing comedy fans an experience like no other.

Bold, beer hall fun found all night long at Houston Hall!

Come on down to Houston Hall to hang out with friends and have a beer or two. The huge room, formerly a FDNY storage facility, has rows of tables and benches, and a very lengthy bar, which on a busy night can be five people deep. The hall resembles a downtown version of a German Beer Hall. It’s self-serve seating. The bar has a strong menu of unusual brews made by Greenpoint Beer Works in Brooklyn. Visit houstonhallny.com for more information.

Learn Floral Design At Ovando!

Floral design is not just an art, it’s an experience.

Under the instruction of Ovando’s designers, participants will get to take an inside peek into the incredible world of floral design. Each of our single-session classes will discuss varying themes and design principles, as well as some of the modern design philosophies which define Ovando’s signature style.

Ovando is not just classes, it has a beautiful array of flowers and floral arrangements and fragrances for any occasion, for home to corporate events.

Sandra de Ovando has become an influential force in New York’s design milieu. Sandra discovered exotic flowers, plants and fruits that she began incorporating into her designs – there the signature style was born that today defines Ovando’s dynamic compositions and custom installations.

In 2003, Sandra opened Ovando’s West Village luxury boutique. The space was accredited for its distinctive décor and brilliantly crafted window installations, and Sandra’s dramatic compositions, recognized for their love of color and natural sophistication, became the favorite of New York’s elite, including celebrities, high-end restaurants, fashion houses and luxury hotels.

Today, after sizable expansion, including the opening of a 2,500 square foot production studio, a second boutique on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, and the launch of a dedicated event production wing, Ovando has blossomed into one of New York’s most sought after design & event production firms. Under Sandra’s direction and impeccable eye, the company has won international acclaim for its work with prestigious clients to the likes of Hermes, The US Open Tennis Association, Donna Karan, Four Seasons, Saks Fifth Avenue, and The MOMA, to name only a few. From stunning floral installations, custom props & moody lighting, and the full-scale construction of breathtaking displays and environments, Ovando is a dazzling celebration of form, function, and flowers. Vist ovandony.com for more information. Visit the Madison Ave Location at 19 East 65th Street New York, NY 10065
or the West Village Location at 337 Bleecker Street New York, NY 10014

Duane Park For Hot Live Burlesque And Jazz

Duane Park is the city’s spot for hot live jazz and even hotter live burlesque. Duane Park has opened in a beautiful, new location downtown at 308 Bowery. The club is open from Tuesday through Saturday. The food is delicious and the shows are amazing.

Check out the schedule of shows on the website at duaneparknyc.com .

Fire ’em up at Iwan Ries, the most cigars, pipes & tobacco in Chicago!

Since 1857, Chicago has been home to Iwan Ries & Co., the oldest family-owned tobacconists in the country. Now in our 5th generation of hard work and commitment to service, we are striving to ensure that we continue in the tradition of making customers our #1 priority!

In the world of e-commerce it seems that selection is often void of service. At Iwan Ries & Co. we offer both. A practice that was started with tobacconist Edward Hoffman, and passed on from generation to generation. While browsing our site, please keep in mind that this is a only a fraction of what we have to offer.

We have over 15,000 pipes in stock, the largest selection of pipe tobaccos available, hundreds of cigars, and countless accessories. Please call us if you don’t see what you’re looking for. Chances are we have it. If not, and its available, we’ll get it for you. Thanks for visiting and smoke in peace. Visit iwanries.com for more information.

Luxury Garage Sale: costume jewelery & the coolest vintage finds!

Luxury Garage Sale is co-founded by partners Brielle Buchberg and Lindsay Segal. Childhood friends, Brielle and Lindsay always had a love of collecting; beginning with stickers and erasers, evolving to shoes and handbags. However, over the years their assorted collections soon overwhelmed their available storage space. Utilizing their backgrounds in fashion and sales, Brielle and Lindsay began selling their unwanted items. After realizing that their friends had the same predicament as well, a light flashed and voila… Luxury Garage Sale was born!

Luxury Garage Sale is an upscale consignment service that specializes in selling new and gently used contemporary, designer and vintage clothing and accessories. Visit luxurygaragesale.com for more information.

Stand in the sky! Unforgettable Chicago views at The Willis Tower!

Where can you stand on top of $150 million dollars at 1,353 feet in the air, while overlooking four other states and swaying back and forth by six inches? Answer: The Willis Tower Skydeck .

The Willis Tower and its new and improved observatory atop it all has been taken in with loving arms. The Skydeck’s new addition is called The Ledge and that pretty much says it all. The Ledge consists of all glass and stands over the city of Chicago for those who dare step into its case. From there it extends 4.3 feet from the Skydeck leaving guests on top of the world. Click theskydeck.com/ for more information.

Insider Tip: The Willis Tower, as it has always been, is a major hotspot for visitors in Chicago- and the long line reflects that. Skip the hours wait by paying 30 bucks for the express ticket and go straight to the elevators and up, up, up. Trust us, it’s money well spent.

Dive right in! Penguins, otters, whales & more at the Shedd Aquarium!

The John G. Shedd Aquarium, a not-for-profit institution dedicated to public education and conservation, cares for more than 32,500 animals representing nearly 1,500 species from around the world. Beautifully situated on the shores of Lake Michigan, Shedd Aquarium welcomes more than 2 million guests annually.

Animals connect you to the living world, inspiring you to make a difference. From whales to snails, tarantulas to turtles, you’ll meet creatures from aquatic habitats around the world. Explore Shedd’s Abbott Oceanarium, where you can get face to face with beluga whales, dolphins, sea otters, sea lions and penguins. Polar Play Zone is a permanent exhibit where kids and their families can play, pretend and discover through hands-on activities. See the aquatic show, starring the dolphins, belugas and more, and don’t miss the “Jellies” special exhibit. Then meet some of Shedd’s critters up close during live animal encounters in the Waters of the World galleries, talk to a diver in the 90,000-gallon Caribbean Reef, take a walk through a flooded forest in Amazon Rising and watch sharks overhead in Wild Reef. And visit Granddad, the oldest fish in any aquarium or zoo! Two million annual visitors can’t be wrong: Shedd Aquarium is the “must-sea” destination in Chicago! Click sheddaquarium.org for more information.

Check Out Nature’s Wonders At The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Food The Nature of Eating
Harvested from the minds of our spectacular design team, our newest self-curated exhibit Food: The Nature of Eating goes beyond your plate to bring you a farm-fresh perspective on how food connects us to family, friends and ultimately back to the people who produce it.

Join us on this interactive journey from the 19th century to the present day as we show you how our relationship with food has impacted the land, the environment and our society. Along the way, you’ll discover how food travels the world before it reaches your home and learn how millions of acres of fertile Illinois prairie were changed to farmland in less than a century by a tiny technological marvel called the plow.

Judy Istock Butterfly Haven
Get up close to more than 75 species of exotic butterflies and stunning bird species from the Southern hemisphere in a 2,700 square-foot greenhouse filled with pools of water, flowers, tropical trees and 1,000 butterflies, including those never-before-seen in our region.

Click naturemuseum.org for more information.

“Legends, Myths, And Truths,” At The Millennium Park Boeing Gallery

As a pioneer in the field of monumental ceramic sculpture, Jun Kaneko has played with scale and proportion. Visitors to Millennium Park will be able to see his work displayed in the Boeing Galleries, beginning April 12 through November 3.

The installation Kaneko has created for Millennium Park’s Boeing Galleries is representative of his past and present artistic practices. Works presented in the South Boeing Galleries feature Kaneko’s signature Dangos (meaning “rounded form” or “dumpling” in Japanese). These ceramic steles, covered in a variety of vibrant shapes and patterns, allow viewers to examine their environment and focus on a sense of scale and place.

The Dango form links Kaneko’s work to minimalist sculptors who played with simple and large forms, while at the same time, the pattern overlays show formal aspects – in repeating geometric shapes – similar to those of minimalist painters.

The North Boeing Gallery features a new body of work by Kaneko, drawing upon the myths and legends of the Tanuki figure. From ancient times, the Japanese have expressed the Tanuki in a variety of ways, for it is considered to be a trickster who causes trouble and mayhem in both the human and supernatural worlds. In our modern era, however, the figure is most commonly portrayed as a large, stout badger. The Tanuki is not only a creature found in mythology, but a small, nocturnal mammal native to East Asia. Click here for more information.

Exciting Exhibits Now At The Field Museum!

Remember capturing fireflies on a warm summer evening? Its light seemed rare and magical, and yet there are thousands of other living things that blink, glow, flash, and flicker. Creatures of Light delves into the mysterious world of bioluminescence – from the glowworms dangling from the ceiling of New Zealand’s famous Waitomo Caves, to the deep-sea fishes that illuminate the perpetually dark depths of the oceans. Discover the variety of ways in which light is used to attract a mate, lure unsuspecting prey, or defend against a predator, and see how scientists study this amazing ability to glow. Immerse yourself in these magical environments and revel in the beauty of this remarkable natural phenomenon, only at The Field Museum.

Discovered by chance in 1940 by four teenagers, the Lascaux caves in southern France have inspired and awed anthropologists, pre-historians, scientists, and artists ever since. Beautifully subtle paintings and engravings of animals line the deep cave walls – sophisticated artwork created at the hands of our early ancestors nearly 20,000 years ago. In an effort to preserve their fragile existence, the caves have remained closed indefinitely, denying us even a glimpse of their shadowed majesty.

But now, during its North American debut, you can experience your own thrill of discovery in the new exhibition, Scenes from the Stone Age: The Cave Paintings of Lascaux. Walk through exact cave replicas by flickering light, marveling at full-size copies of the paintings—including some never before seen by the public—and see them through the eyes of ancient artists. Deconstruct the paintings’ many layers of complexities, meet a lifelike Stone Age family, and discover why the true meaning and purpose of the caves remain a mystery even today. For a limited time, uncover the birthplace of artistic creativity, only at The Field Museum.

Check out fieldmuseum.org for more information.

Timeless dresses, alluring belts & everlasting style at Atelier Azza!

Emerging luxury womenswear label Atelier Azza strives for timeless yet modern opulence with its signature Swarovski laden hand-embellishments and voluminous cuts.

Launched by designer Azeeza Khan in 2012, Azza swiftly established a recognizable aesthetic with distinct motif hand embroideries on vivid pure silk fabrics.

The Azza Ready-to-Wear and Couture showroom is located in the heart of Chicago’s luxury shopping mile at 520 N. Michigan Avenue. The nearly 1,000 square foot boutique is located on Level 3, adjacent to the women’s department of Nordstrom Michigan Avenue.

This retail effort brings mainstream access to Azza’s statement garments that have garnered a cult following amongst Chicago’s fashion set and continues to attract attention globally. Click here for more information.

Blowtique: VOGUE approved Chicago salon will blow you away!

Blowtique is Chicago’s PREMIER blow-out-only salon as featured in VOGUE’s Best Dressed Issue!

Catering to the locks that make Chicago fabulous, Blowtique introduces patrons to the idea that a blow-out can be as convenient and as accessible as a polish change.

From “the Sunset” to “the 5th Avenue” (and every stylish street in between), Blowtique tames the manes of women everywhere. Blowtique allows every woman the opportunity to show off the locks they love. From blow-outs for downtown darlings, to “up-styles” for uptown A-listers, Blowtique is the secret behind that fabulous flip or that perfectly polished ‘do.

Blowtique is conveniently open 7 days are week at the following times:

Sunday 10am – 6pm; Monday 9am – 6pm; Tuesday – Saturday 9am – 9pm. Click here for more information.

Archive for May, 2013