Busman's Holiday -- Part III

More Camp Grown-Ups, in Three Oaks, MI...

Busman's Holiday

My pal from the north woods is coming to visit again this weekend.  Here's the list of possibilities I sent him:

Here are some things we haven't tried before:

http://www.medievaltimes.com/chicago.aspx  (Discount tix available here: http://www.goldstar.com/events/schaumburg-il/medieval-times-dinner-and-tournament)

http://www.renfair.com/bristol/ 

http://www.arlingtonpark.com/ 

http://starvedrockstatepark.org/ 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/sc-mov-0710-neil-young-journeys-20120712,0,2829469.column 

I'd still like to see "Brave" and/or "Moonrise Kingdom"  http://www.fandango.com/chicago_il_movietimes/ 

Also, I'd see "Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" again - http://www.pickwicktheatre.com/nowplaying.asp

Additionally, in random order:

http://www.goldstar.com/events/chicago-il/million-dollar-quartet

http://www.goldstar.com/events/chicago-il/lakefront-speedboat-tours

http://www.goldstar.com/events/chicago-il/freuds-last-session

http://www.goldstar.com/events/chicago-il/live-blues-music

http://www.goldstar.com/events/chicago-il/chicago-outfit-roller-derby

http://www.goldstar.com/events/chicago-il/audience-interactive-roaring-20s-musical-comedy-dinner-show

http://www.goldstar.com/events/chicago-il/superboobs-a-superhero-burlesque-adventure

http://www.goldstar.com/events/chicago-il/the-best-of-the-second-city-1

http://www.goldstar.com/events/schaumburg-il/weekend-improv-at-laugh-out-loud

http://www.goldstar.com/events/chicago-il/late-nite-catechism

http://www.goldstar.com/events/chicago-il/el-stories

http://www.goldstar.com/events/chicago-il/chicago-rock-stars-bus-tour

And we haven't been to Buddy Guy's in quite some time!

Also, there is this at Millennium Park:  http://explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/special_events/dca_tourism/Grant_Park_Music_Festival.html

And if you still don't find anything that trips your trigger, go here: http://chicago.metromix.com/events

Never let it be said I'm not as flexible as a rhythm gymnast when it comes to entertaining a guest!

Quick Stops

Holy crap!  NBC is gutting the male cast of Smash.  It'll be very, very interesting to see how they 'splain all this away.
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Reminder:  Kodak Gallery is closing.  They're shifting all photos stored there onto Shutterfly.com, but any projects you have in process will not be moved.  You must complete your project and order before noon tomorrow.
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If you're a home owner in Cook County, you'll want to read this to get a great idea of just what your taxes are going for this year.
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I'm off to Ravinia to see this guy:



Sure wish my pal from the Northwoods hadn't missed his flight!  He's going to miss a wonderful show.  (And we're going to miss his company.)

Drive-Bys

I'm all jazzed up because my favorite book of all time...

...has been made into a movie by Ang Lee, and will be released in November!

No trailer available yet, but the official website is gorgeous and this teaser looks awesome:



(Not sure I'm crazy about the casting of Tobey McGuire, though -- but that's just me.)
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Apparently there's an app for everything:

The cell phone came in handy again when they used an app that produces a strobe light to help rescue workers locate them.

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For those that despair of kids these days, here's some more good news:

If there's a Disney writer looking for a movie idea that'll make kids pump their fists with joy and leave parents teary-eyed, look no further than the real story of a San Clemente Little League team coached this year by kids. 

The team that couldn't find a coach, finally getting permission from the league to bring in two San Clemente High School freshmen to lead it, concluded an improbable season Saturday by winning the District 68 Tournament of Champions in improbable fashion. 

Coaches Chris Puckett, 15, and Cameron Shelley, 14, guided their crew of 12- to 14-year-olds to three straight victories in the tournament at Beebe Park in Mission Viejo, finishing with a 10-9 victory. 

This was a team that at the outset of the season drew smirks from some opponents because of its youthful coaches who look like they could be playing on the field. The team started with skeptical parents and an 0-2 record. But the players took the two teens' baseball tutelage to heart, improving to 6-4 by midseason before going on a 10-2 tear in the second half.

Well done, gentlemen!
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Ear Worm of the Day:




(This has been firmly embedded in my noggin since about 8:00 last night, and there is no sign of shaking it any time soon!)

Weekend Rambles

When my pal the Norwegian from the North Woods comes for a visit, it's always a cultural whirlwind.

Yesterday:

• Long wander around the Chicago Botanic Garden, including a visit to the Model Railroad Garden (wonderful for kids big and small)
• Shokran, a fabulous Moroccan restaurant in the Old Irving Park neighborhood (If you go, be sure to order the Chicken Bastilla appetizer. Most yummy!)
• The Shadow of a Gunman at the Irish American Heritage Center
• Cocktails at Jimmy's -- a local Greek-owned restaurant

Today:

• Lunch at Jimmy's
• Drive into the city and park in the West Loop
• Walk from West Wacker Drive to East Wacker Drive and Michigan Avenue
• Walk down 3 flights of stairs to riverwalk level
• Attempt to take the Architectural Foundation 3 p.m. river tour
• Are informed that the next tickets available are for 9:30 a.m. tomorrow
• Walked back west along the river walk under the Michigan Avenue Bridge
• Stumble across the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum
• Develop buns of steel and thighs like Tina Turner by climbing to see all six levels of the bridgehouse museum, then climbing back down again
• Cool drinks and fruit plate at O'Brien's Riverwalk Cafe
• Up two flights of stairs to street level
• Back east, cross the bridge north and down two flights of stairs to the Wendella boat dock
• River and lakefront architectural tour
• More buns/thighs workout -- up two flights of stairs, through the middle of the Wrigley Building towards Trump Tower, back down three flights of stairs
• Take the Water Taxi to Chinatown (What a cool way to get there -- and cheap! $4/person to get from Michigan and the river to Chinatown. It would probably be close to $40 by taxi!)
• Dinner at Lao Shanghai (Try the most excellent... everything. There isn't a bad choice on the menu.)
• Red Line train to State & Lake
• Shorter than usual forced march to the parking lot
• Crazy GPS-directed trip home (if there was a long way to be found, it found it)

I love being a tourist in my own back yard-- especially with a good friend who is undaunted by my singular ability to drag him from pillar to post and back again.

Theatre District

I was at the Irish American Heritage Center over the last four days working box office for Seanachai's latest play, The Shadow of a Gunman, for previews Thursday and Friday and opening on Saturday. I finally got to see the show yesterday for the first (but not the last) time.

The first review is in, and I totally agree: "Director John Mossman manages both the tonal shifts and the pace of the play with ease, and elicits strong performances from the large cast led by a terrific Shane Kenyon as Donal. "

Yeah, yeah, yeah -- I admit my bias and I am on their board-- but the audience laughed through the first half and sat on the edge of their seats for the second. That's the best reaction we could have asked for.

I predict good things for this show. Have you got your ticket yet?

Tootin' The Horn

Just got the following fabulous news:

"Seanachaí just got nominated for 3 Equity Jeff Awards!!!

"Congratulations to Brad Armacost as Jack in The Weir, to Bob Groth and Jenniffer Thusing for scenic design in The Weir and to Ira Amyx as Noel in That Was Then."

I'm so proud to be associated with this wonderful group!
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P.S. -- Our 2011-2012 season starts September 15th. Subscriptions are available here.

Drive-Bys

All of a sudden Illinois Dems are acting like Republicans -- and they're leaving my head spinning. Behold:

Mayor Rahm Emanuel is proposing another round of ethics legislation — this time to try to “reign in the influence” of City Hall lobbyists and lift the veil on their influence-peddling activities.

During his first few hours in office, Emanuel signed a series of executive orders that, among other things, aimed to slam shut the “revolving door” that has allowed city employees and mayoral appointees to lobby City Hall. They are now banned from doing so for at least two years after leaving their jobs.

Emanuel also swore off campaign contributions from city lobbyists and insulated city employees from pressure they had felt to give gifts or make political contributions to the mayor, department heads or city supervisors.

More recently, the mayor also posted an unprecedented amount of information about city lobbyists on the internet.Now, he is prepared to go further. At Wednesday’s City Council meeting, the mayor will introduce an ordinance limiting — to $50 per gift and $100 per calendar year — the value of gifts lobbyists can give to city employees.

And good ol' Governor Giveaway is finally reining it in, too:

Gov. Pat Quinn said Tuesday he was prepared to go to court against the unions to defend his decision to cancel pay raises for nearly 30,000 state workers and he repeatedly blamed lawmakers for leaving him no choice by not setting aside the money.

“It’s very clear that the money wasn’t available for the raises and therefore there’s really nothing I could do to clear it up,” Quinn said after a Chicago press conference where he touted a $10 million program to give teens and young people internships and jobs in state parks, park districts and nature centers.

Quinn made the surprise announcement Friday that workers wouldn’t be getting the 2 percent increase they were expecting that day. The state’s largest employee union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, said it had no idea Quinn was considering such action.

The raises will save the state about $75 million as it copes with a budget crisis.

And finally Governor Giveaway shocked me with this stunner:

The names of licensed gun owners in Illinois will remain private under a measure Gov. Pat Quinn signed into law today.

The governor approved legislation to prevent Illinois State Police from releasing the names of those who hold or have applied for a Firearm Owner’s Identification card.

Apparently they're listening to the tax paying public here in Illinois. Who knew?
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Quote of the Day #1:

"President Sparklefarts is seriously deranged." -- Second City Cop

(Yes, it made me giggle, although the subject matter did not.)
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Is buying organic produce really better? Apparently that's a yes and a no. Go here to check out which fruits and veggies contain higher levels of pesticides and which ones don't.
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Is it rude to text in at the movies, during a live concert or during a live theater performance?

Those little LED screens can break the spell in a darkened theater, and it doesn't matter that you're not making a sound. "Anything intrusive is a noise, and the light is intrusive," said Charles Coleman, who is the programmer at Facets Multimedia. "Using a phone in a darkened... theater is like lighting a road flare."

In a word -- YES. Turn 'em off, folks.
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Smoke belching from Asia's rapidly growing economies is largely responsible for a halt in global warming in the decade after 1998 because of sulphur's cooling effect, even though greenhouse gas emissions soared, a U.S. study said on Monday.

So we really don't have to go green? All we have to do is encourage Asia to pollute more and that'll stop global warming? Or we could simply burn more coal here in order to save the planet?

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahaha!!!
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Has anyone else out there gotten a bazillion emails of posts to Google+ from friends who are beta testing the site?

Jeepers Creepers! It's like having Facebook invade your email. Ugh.

If anyone knows how to opt out of receiving every brilliant thought that crosses someone's mind out of my gmail, please, please, please let me know.

(No. I will not be signing up for this one.)
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Quote of the Day #2:

"I'm really not a 'What Would Jesus Do?' kind of guy. I'm more of a 'Why Would Jesus Do That?' kind of person." -- My Baby Bro, 7/4/11

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Holy crap. I almost forgot that ADWD lands six days from now... or so they promise. Seems I'm not the only skeptic.

(Fingers crossed.)

Drive-Bys

What's the sweetest item not on the menu at Sweets & Savories?

A peek-a-boo playing Mr. Monkey Toes, of course! (Our brunch there was fantastic, by the way -- great food, lovely ambiance, very good value.)

Mr. Monkey Toes and Mommy play with Ziggy the skunk and Dot the ladybug. Yes, I've started him out early on theatre, and he loved every second of it. Chicago Children's Theatre is terrific fun for kids of all ages.
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Why don't I try online dating?

Within minutes of filling out my profile, e-mails with comments such as "Hey cutie!" or "What-up?" flooded my inbox. One man even said "Send me some body pics babe! Wanna see if you're hot from the waist down too!"

As Hairboy would say, "Yeef!"

You'd think these does and don'ts would go without saying...

Don't have screen names like "Mommywarnedyou" or "HotstuffMike." "Write a profile name that will make someone smile, not that will scare someone off," says Gandhi.

Don't take pictures of yourself with no shirt on in your bedroom. Shirtless photos are already sketchy, but if you want to show off your physique, be doing something, like swimming or fishing or rock climbing. You sitting in your desk chair with no shirt on just brings out all sorts of bad images that you don't want anyone to have in a first impression.

Don't use acronyms in your profile description that might offend, such as WTF or BS.

Do use spell-check when writing your profile. "You are wooing someone with your words so the first impression matters," says Gandhi. "And use punctuation. In this cyber-world, people think they can type the way they would text, and that can come off as lazy."

Don't reach out to people half your age. I got asked out by an 87-year-old man. I'm not against older men — but I will not be dating someone who could be my great-grandfather.

Don't "wink" at people. This is quite possibly more annoying than a million "pokes" on Facebook. If you like someone, send them a note.

Do write them an e-mail. "Take the time to write a good e-mail based on something the target has written," says Gandhi. "It doesn't have to be long — just enough to make them smile. And use the subject line in your e-mail to stand out. Ninety-five percent of people will say 'Hi'. Say something that responds to a comment in their profile. It shows you've actually read what they put out there rather than just looked at the pictures."

Don't be sarcastic. When I was struggling to write my profile, I decided to ask my 5-year-old son to describe me. I thought it was hilarious. But Gandhi warned, "Sarcasm doesn't translate in writing as well. They need to get to know you first, and that may be off-putting."

Unfortunately some men really do need to be whapped upside the head with the stupid stick. (For what it's worth, there are a lot of ridiculously dense women who should learn a lesson or two as well.)

Life as a satisfied singleton life suits me better every day.
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WTF? of the Day:

A new Harvard University study finds that July 4th parades energize only Republicans, turn kids into Republicans, and help to boost the GOP turnout of adults on Election Day.

I don't know what they're smoking in that ivy-covered corner of Cambridge, but it's apparently got some very strange side effects.
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Roughly 530 colleges across the country will soon have to submit special reports to Uncle Sam, explaining why their tuition and student fees have recently surged.

All I have to say is WHAT TOOK SO LONG???
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Obama really should be taking tips from Chicago's new mayor:

Eager to avoid job cuts but more determined to solve a budget crisis, Mayor Rahm Emanuel posed a painful choice for organized labor: face 625 layoffs or sign off on $20 million in work-rule changes by midnight Thursday.

Emanuel said he has identified the 625 employees “as a precautionary measure,” but he refused to identify them, nor would he reveal what city services might be reduced, eliminated or privatized.

The mayor stressed that he does not want to pull the trigger on the layoffs. He insisted that job cuts will not be necessary if organized labor will “be my partner” on $20 million in work rule changes outlined for labor leaders this week that, Emanuel claimed, are already in place in union shops in the private sector.

But the new mayor said he is prepared to balance the city budget, without furlough days that have undermined employee morale and with or without union help.

He's doing a great job of keeping his promises so far.
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Ear Worm of the Day:



I've never been a fan of Rod Stewart... but... I've gotta admit I love the way he does the old standards!

Drive-Bys

I have another political crush -- Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford. I don't suppose we can cajole him into running in the next gubernatorial race, can we?
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Before I head out to see Gavin Coyle at the Irish American Heritage Center this Saturday evening, I'm going to spend the day at the Printer's Row Lit Fest. The line-up of workshops, authors and speakers looks fantastic.
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Knee-Slapper of the Day:

"[S]he’s a very natural girl."

Sorry. That should have come with a spit-take warning.
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Have you bought your ticket to come help Seanachai Theatre Company party with Frazier's dad yet?

No?

What are you waiting for? June 13th is right around the corner and it's not every day you get to hoist a pint with a celebrity!
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Theatre District

I'm pleased to share the news that Seanachai Theatre Company is throwing a special benefit on Monday, June 13th from 7-10 p.m. at the Irish American Heritage Center in Chicago.

What's so special about it? John Mahoney has agreed to do a dramatic poetry reading, and a meet and greet immediately following!

In addition, there will be dramatic readings by guest actors Brad Armacost and Steve Pickering (who will be featured in Seanachai's second play of the new season A Moon for the Misbegotten), as well as by members of the Seanachai Ensemble and live music.

Also, we will be saying good-bye to Martin Rouine, Chicago's Irish Consul General and Seanachai board member.

Tickets are $50 in advance/$60 at the door (subject to availability), which includes free parking, hors d'oeuvres and entertainment. Cash Bar.

To reserve your tickets, call 773-878-3727.

I hope to see you there!

Drive-Bys

Giggle of the Day:

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Here's a great review of the candidates for RNC Chairman. Read up, then follow the links and go visit their sites.
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Joanie asks and I deliver. Go read this, and then offer up a prayer or two if you're of the prayerful persuasion.
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Chicago restaurant owners apparently have their knickers in a knot over the fact that we're finally about to get food trucks that allow cooking on the premises.

“If these things really work by social media, they could just go to food deserts. There are plenty of neighborhoods in the city that have a shortage of restaurants and grocery stores or late-night places to eat,” said the association’s president, Sheila O’Grady, Mayor Daley’s longest-serving chief of staff.

“The thing that appeals to people is they think some fabulous chef will be producing some amazing street food. They use Twitter to say, ‘I’m gonna be at this corner at this time. Come meet me.’ If that’s really how it works, people will follow you regardless of where or who you are.”

First of all, I can assure the owners throwing the biggest tantrums that someone who would choose to dine from a food truck on any given day probably didn't even consider a bricks & mortar fine dining restaurant as an alternative. Second of all, food trucks have been successfully integrated into the food scene in such cities as Los Angeles and New York with no harm at all to the B&MRs.

Suck it up, fellas. Offer a great product at a reasonable price and you've got nothing to worry about!
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Some people apparently don't know when to quit. Personally, I think the Spider Man musical is doomed to failure. When the Fates send you a message, you really ought to pay attention.

Drive-Bys

One of the benefits of being on the board of an Irish theater company is that you stumble across some interesting things on the sets. Me? I want this whole Feckin set.

(P.S. -- This weekend is your last chance to see The Weir. Go see it! You'll thank me.)
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Giggle of the Day:


see more Lolcats and funny pictures
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Actually, you could probably say this about any of the women President Tin-Ear chose to take to Washington, D.C.:

"You kind of have to drop the standard for the [insert name here], right?" the official explained late Thursday. "I mean, she's pretty well liked and probably doesn't know what she's doing."

No, we don't have to drop that standard (unless of course, she's a New Black Panther, and that's a whole 'nuther kettle of fish).

She's supposed to lead by example and follow the law like every other citizen of this fair land.

I'm with J. Christian Adams:

Is this the worst thing to afflict an election? Of course not. Armed New Black Panthers were obviously much worse. In the larger scheme of things, Michelle Obama’s lawbreaking is authentic “small potatoes.” But someone in her position has a higher obligation to the institutions our nation treasures, like the rule of law.

The stand-up response from the first lady, and the White House press shop, would be to admit a mistake, affirm they believe in respect of the rules that protect election integrity. But this isn’t a stand-up administration. Like the stonewall that followed the New Black Panther dismissal, we have learned that this is an administration incapable of admitting they screwed up.

But they're only allowed to find fault with others -- never with themselves.
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As the National Football League investigates whether quarterback Brett Favre sent lewd photos of himself to a female employee of the New York Jets in 2008, many women -- and men -- are asking the question: Why would any grown man send photos like that in the first place?

I have my own theories about that, including that for a lot of men, sex is affection and he's showing you just how much he likes you. In fact, he's probably showing you who he thinks he is.

But since I'm not a guy, I'm throwing this out to my male readers. I'm not saying you would do this, but help a girl out and give me the hows and whys of some guys thinking this is a good idea.
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Okay, it's not just me -- the number of suicides in this area has been much higher than normal:

[T]he number of people who have taken their own lives so far this year already is approaching or has overtaken 2009's overall tally.

Boy, I hope we can get our arms around recognition and prevention very soon.

If you know something, speak out. Don't think someone's kidding if they talk about ending it all.

A 2010 study by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that adults ages 18 to 25 were far more likely to have seriously considered suicide in the last year than those ages 26 to 49, and nearly three times more likely than those 50 or older.

If they're talking about it at all, find help fast.
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Who knew the Reb Smuley was this smart and open minded?

Homosexuality is a religious, not a moral, sin. A moral sin involves injury to an innocent party. Who is harmed when two unattached, consenting adults are in a relationship? Homosexuality is akin to the prohibition against lighting fire on the Sabbath or eating bread during Passover; there is nothing immoral about it, but it violates the divine will.

I am in favor of gay civil unions rather than marriage because I am against redefining marriage. But gay marriage doesn't represent the end of Western civilization. The real killer is the tsunami of divorce and the untold disruption to children who become yo-yos going from house to house on weekends.

Just so.

(A tip of the cap to the Advice Goddess.)
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I'm off to an architectural pub crawl in Bridgeport tonight -- four Irish pubs! Thus, my Ear Worm of the Day is distinctly Irish:


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P.S. -- Jihad Gene says, "It's Friday! Let's Dance!"

I'll be doing a jig. How about you?

Pub Crawl

So what are the critics saying about Seanachai Theatre Company's production of The Weir?

"The Weir" always owes part of its success to a set designer's vision. The atmospheric touches have to be just right to move the audience into the total picture. Here the worn pub set by Robert Groth and Jenniffer J. Thusing is perfect in every detail, from the massive bar to the family pictures on the wall and the iron stove around which the storytellers gather.

Director Miller found the perfect actor in Armacost, who gives a standout performance as the likable Jack, a man who has never married and claims he has no regrets. But as his tale unfolds, he clearly does have problems with his solitary life.

Theis is suitably manic as always as Finbar, a man whose mission is to succeed above everyone else. And Wellington carefully etches a woman filled with pain and loss who is trying her best to recover some semblance of happiness.

-- Mary Houlihan, Chicago Sun-Times

Perhaps you saw the play at the Steppenwolf about 10 years ago. I thought that version was quite good, but the current effort from Seanachai Theatre Company is far more effective in capturing a type of campfire intimacy, and director Matt Miller uses the small-ish confines of Seanachai's space to the show's advantage (even if the theater's air conditioning isn't quite up to the task). The set from Robert Groth and Jenniffer J. Thusing, with its dark wood tones and old photos on the wall, is evocative enough that you may want to climb in there for a drink yourself....

What is a belief in the supernatural, after all, if not an explanation for things that go bump in the night? McPherson's script takes it a step further, to include all the things that go bump in our minds. Certainly those assembled in the pub have plenty of baggage to go around, and Miller's cast embodies a believable, lived-in chemistry as longtime neighbors who have forged friendships out of circumstance — their nightly pub stops a brief reprieve from self-imposed isolation.

-- Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune

Jeff Christian's mama's-boy handyman aches with incipient loss and confusion.

-- Kerry Reid, Chicago Reader

Under the direction of Matt Miller and dialect coaching of Barbara Zahora, THE WEIR ensemble is authentic in pub talk, walk and gawk. To impress the feminine stranger, the conversations between Brad Armacost (Jack) and Kevin Theis (Finnbar) is a healthy pour of boast with a shot of swagger. Armacost is outstanding as the charismatic Irish drunk that hold courts with his nightly tavern rehashing of the past. Theis is hilarious as he competes with Jack's overshadowing presence. By bragging, he continually sets himself up as the arse of Jack's joke. Meanwhile, the gawkers, Brad Smith (Brendan) and Jeff Christian (Jim) are delightful as the awkwardly entranced barflies with the lady company. Smith's bashful bartender, debating over joining in a libation, is understated charming. Christian is a perfect social misfit that bumbles into the limelight with a graveyard remembrance. The chemistry between the guys is like good Irish whiskey. It goes down smooth with a bit of a bite and lingering giddy affects. Holding her own with the tavern buddies, Sarah Wellington (Valerie) is equal parts frivolous and poignant. She flirts with tease expertise and then halts the playful banter with a haunting narrative.

-- Katy Walsh, The Fourth Walsh

This is a movingly powerful drama that is a tribute to the depth of the human spirit. Seanchai Theatre Company’s production i[s] filled with terrific performances led by the brilliant work from Brad Armacost. This is marvelous Irish storytelling.

--Tom Williams, Chicago Critic

The ensemble is on top of a tough script filled with demanding monologues. The actors goose the humor with nice, natural touches; Christian’s awkward pauses and over-long eye contact are genius. But the jewel of the evening is Armacost; his mundane tale of love and life squandered is heartbreaking; his pain is very much of this realm.

-- Lisa Buscani, New City Stage

I've seen it, and I can tell you it's a marvelous production. Do yourself a favor and buy yourself a Guinness or a Harp from Seanachai's concessions before you enter the theater, because it'll make you feel even more a part this lovely story.

One more thing -- yes, there are tales of faeries and ghosties and other chilling fair... but there's also a ton of humor in this play, too.

This only plays through October 3rd. What are you waiting for? Go buy a ticket!

(Photos by Eileen Molony.)
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Update: To prove it's not just me, I received this email from my friend Paul: "Saw it Sunday; it was fantastic."

Culture Club

It's been a cultural whirlwind for me in the last week, to go along with the craziness at work. Behold --

Friday night: Karaoke at the Blue Frog.

Saturday night: "Shush Patrol" declared a futile effort in the face of the enormous (and really noisy) fundraiser down the hall, so I actually got to see opening night of The Weir, instead.

Sunday afternoon/night: Worked concessions before and did set up and tended bar for the VIP reception after The Weir, followed by an evening at Grafton's with the ensemble.

Monday night: Sleep, and lots of it.

Tuesday night: Therapy Night with Walt (discussion covered books, theater, travel)

Wednesday night: Jazzin' at the Shedd and dinner at Ma & I (Can you say "Wasabi Shumai"? Faaaaaaaaabulous!)






Tonight I rest, because... tomorrow, I'm off to the Cubs/Mets game in the afternoon (hopefully with Beloved Baby Brother), and then going to The Art Institute of Chicago for the Henri Cartier-Bresson exhibit.

Whew! That's more culture in one week than I've experienced since back in the day when Culture Club was all the rage:

Theater District

Seanachai Theatre Company's production of The Weir opened to a sold out house last night! I'm hearing that it's a really a fabulous show, and can't wait to see it myself. (I'll be there tonight, but working "shush patrol" in the hallways. Tomorrow I'll actually get to see the show.)

Now homed at the Irish American Heritage Center, we're easy to find, and the parking is free, and the IAHC is also easily accessible via the Blue Line or bus.

Want more reasons to join us?

Stop by The Fifth Province, an authentic Irish Pub, located on the first floor of the IAHC, for all the best in Irish entertainment.

The pub is open every Friday and Saturday night and friends can gather to grab a pint and sit by the fireplace. Pub food, like fish and chips, onion rings, corned beef sandwiches and Irish sausage are available for those wishing to grab a bite to eat. The building is wheelchair accessible.

The pub is open to the public on Friday and Saturday nights and live music begins at 9pm. There's plenty of free parking and rarely a cover charge, making this one of Chicago's hidden gems.

Fifth Province hours are Friday, 4pm-1am and Saturday 5pm-1am and pub food is served from 6pm to 10pm.

Grab a bite to eat, see the play, go back down and indulge in a pint or two, a bit of craic and some wonderful music, too.

Who could ask for a better evening of entertainment?

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Update: Whoohoo! We're Jeff recommended! (The buzz was correct. Nice.)

They Say the Neon Lights are Bright...

On Sunday, the lovely Miss Nancy and I saw Kelsey Grammer in La Cage Aux Folles. Grammer was, as expected, fabulous. Tender, fatherly, loverly -- he was George, not Frasier. Douglas Hodge as Albin rocked the theater. The rest of the cast were equally as wonderful. If you're in or around New York City, drop by the little jewel box that is the Longacre Theater and see this wonderful gem of a production!

Theater District

Last night I got to see one of my absolute favorite actors in not one, but two incredible plays! Brian Dennehy was at the Goodman Theatre doing "Hughie" by Eugene O'Neill and "Krapp's Last Tape" by Samuel Beckett. He was excellent in the first and outstanding in the second. (Yeah, he may be aging... but he still blows my skirt up.)

If this particular one-two punch ever comes your way, run, don't walk, to get yourself tickets!

Sunday night, I'm off to the Irish American Heritage Center to see Seanachai Theatre Company's production of "Dancing at Lughnasa." If you've never seen a show by Seanachai, you're missing a real treat.

Finally, I just saw that Mandy Patinkin and Patti Lupone will be playing at the Cadillac Palace from the second through the seventh of March. I may just have to go see them, too.

You know, I had forgotten how much I love theater, and it's a crying shame, seeing that I work within walking distance of the Cadillac Palace, the Goodman, the Shubert, the Blackstone and the Chicago theaters.

I'm working on less talk and more action when it comes to buying tickets to coming attractions.

Drive-Bys

Great Reader is still on hiatus, so I'm declaring, "It's Friday! Let's Dance!" This little toe-tapper has been rattling around my brain box from the moment I got up this morning:



Want to join the dance party? Throw up a post at your site and add a link in the comments here.
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I think I found a girlfriend for Donald Mills:

grandma: You need to tell that brother of yours to get bigger pants. That boy’s drawers are like a cheap hotel-there’s no ballroom.

Well?
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I believe Adam and El Capitan must be meeting out there in dreamland:

"Butt cheeks ahoy! There she blows!"

"You can't be a pirate if you don't have a beard. I said so. MY boat, MY rules."

"We haven't got a plank. Just fucking jump."

Heh.
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I guess if you want to be more equal than others, you need to join a union:

Big Labor got some big love from President Obama and congressional Democrats yesterday after they agreed to exempt union workers from the whopping “Cadillac tax” on high-cost health-care plans until 2018.

The sweetheart deal, hammered out behind closed doors, will save union employees at least $60 billion over the years involved, while others won't be as lucky -- they'll have to cough up almost $90 billion.

The 40 percent excise tax on what have come to be called "Cadillac" health-care plans would exempt collective-bargaining contracts covering government employees and other union members until Jan. 1, 2018.

Would someone please explain to me just how this is constitutional?

And about that transparency thing? It's so not working for me.

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Daily Douche Bags:

Danny Glover is a douche bag. Rush Limbaugh is a cagey douche bag. Anyone who even has to ask the following question is a douche bag:

Perhaps the most important is whether the state should establish specialized nursing home wards or even separate facilities for the most dangerous residents -- those with violent backgrounds who pose a threat to others. Sullivan's group and many advocates say Illinois must stop mixing dangerous and vulnerable residents.

The issue "still perplexes us and is something for which we need additional discussion," Gelder said. "This is one of the central issues in the concerns about keeping people safe,"

Yes, indeedy -- Gelder is a douche bag.
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I don't know about you, but I'd rather bake a pie than a cake; thus, I found this tip very interesting:

Freezing your lard and butter ahead of time and using a box grater to shred it into the floured mixing bowl effortlessly ends in the sort of coarse, crumbly, flake-inducing dough that is generally considered the platonic ideal. Just grate, moisten, give a quick stir and a light knead, cover in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.

Cool!
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My favorite actor, Brian Dennehy, is in town for a run at the Goodman Theatre. Anybody interested in joining me? (It'd be worth it just to see me go all girly over just being in the same room with the fabulous Dennehy. He blows my skirt up. Trust me.)
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Add Jimmy Kimmel to the list of people whom I never thought I'd find myself respecting as a result of the Conan/Leno/NBC mess. But I do now.
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Happy weekend, all!