Hot Summer Nights: The Chicago Cajun Aces
Thursday, June 25, 2009, 6 - 8pm
The Chicago Cajun Aces provide rockin' rhythms and a masterful display of foot-tapping, finger-snapping Cajun music. Get ready to move!
Miscellaneous Info: On Hot Summer Nights, unwind and learn a new move or two! Professional dance instructors will be on hand to provide visitors with easy-to-understand mini-lessons that will correspond with the genre of the evening., Shimmy up to refreshment tables to purchase light fare and beverages (including beer, wine, and margaritas) reflecting the evening's culture. On concert nights only, you may enjoy a picnic on the Esplanade.
Price: Free!
Jazzin' at the Shedd: Bill Porter Quintet
Thursday, June 25, 2009, 6 - 10pm
North Terrace: PETRA VAN NUIS, A featured vocalist on the Chicago jazz scene, Petra has performed at such prominent venues as the Chicago Cultural Center, the Green Mill, Pops for Champagne, the Pump Room, Katerina's and Andy's Jazz Club, and with such renowned musicians as Judy Roberts, Art Davis, Russ Phillips, Kim Cusack, Bob Ojeda and George Fludas. Inspired by such jazz vocal greats as Peggy Lee, Chris Connor, Chet Baker, Billie Holiday and Julie London, Petra opts for a straightforward swinging delivery with an emphasis on feeling., Rotunda- ALEJANDRO URZAGASTE, Alejandro Urzagaste is working on a new recording due out in November. The recording features Dennis Carroll, George Fludas and Jodie Christian. Alejandro currently teaches at Geoff Benge's Guitar Shop and through the Thelonious Monk Institute. He plays a Hofner Jazzica guitar.
Price: $12; Members, Free!
Celebrate Experimental Station
Thursday, June 25, 2009, 6 - 10pm
The evening will feature small plate fare by some of Chicago's most exciting chefs (from Blackbird, Publican, Parrot Cage, Sikia, Vie, Lula Cafe), music by Baby Alright, a performance by Echoes of Southern Africa, Chicago Public Radio host Steve Edwards in conversation with historian and author Timuel Black, and more . . . You may also purchase a private wine tasting with Damien Casten of Candid Wines, or a private beer tasting with meister brewers from Goose Island Beer Company.
Door: $250
Advance: $200
Music Without Borders: Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlan
Thursday, June 25, 2009, 6:30 - 8pm
Millennium Park welcomes Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlan as they kick off their US tour in Chicago. One of Mexico's most celebrated mariachi groups, the company will perform a night of traditional mariachi music. Catch them in the Park on June 24 for a different musical program when they collaborate with the Grant Park Orchestra.
Price: Free!
Chicago African Diaspora Film Festival: Cape Verde, My Love (Cabo Verde nha cretcheu)
Thursday, June 25, 2009, 6:30 - 8pm
Praïa, Cape verde. Laura, Flavia and Bela are childhood friends. Each leads her own life and they sometimes meet to dance, dine and have fun. But one day the calm rivers of their lives break their banks and become wild torrents: Ricardo, Flavia's husband, rapes his pupil Indira, Laura's 13-year old eldest daughter. A film that takes a critical look at the lives of women in Cape Verde and their abusive men. Directed by Ana Lucia Ramos Lisboa, Cape Verde, 2007, BetaSP, 77min. In Portuguese Creole with English subtitles.
Price: $9; Facet Members, Free!
Concerts In the Parks: Sax Preacher (AIH)
Thursday, June 25, 2009, 6:30 - 8:30pm
Darrell "Sax Preacher" Wilson, Sax Preacher has been in the music industry for the past 30 years. Having had managers to run out on him and his band with hard earned monies they turned over with a promise of bookings and studio time, Sax Preacher acquired a vast knowledge in Arts, Entertainment and Media Management at Columbia College. Sax Preacher took this opportunity to share this knowledge with his band members and then became the manager and booking agent for the band. Realizing that there were other struggling artists that were being lied to, he started a production company with the intent to teach struggling artist the business of music. Sax Preacher was then asked to record an album with the Super Bowl Champions Walter Payton and Refrigerator Perry entitled "TOGETHER". [more]
Price: Free!
CU2 Unplugged: Luciano Antonio
Thursday, June 25, 2009, 7pm - 12am
Brazilian guitarist, singer, composer, percussionist, Luciano was born into a musical family on January 3, 1969 in rural Iretama, Parana, Brazil's southern region. From this melodiously rich environment, he learned first how to sing with his mom, Luiza Maria. He further developed his vocal abilities through his maternal grandparents, who performed for local live radio shows and paternal grandparents, who harmonized beautifully. By age 14, he took the violão (acoustic guitar) as a self taught instrument, focusing his repertoire on Brazilian Folk and Bossa Nova (Brazilian Jazz). [more]
Price: Free!
New Era: Julia Huff
Thursday, June 25, 2009, 8 - 9:30pm
Julia has masterfully honed her vocal skills to extreme heights and has been compared to musical starlets like Sarah Vaughn, Nancy Wilson, Carmen McRae, and even Tina Turner and Gladys Knight. Her engaging interaction with the audience will make you feel like you are part of the performance, not just listening to it. Julia, along with her sizzling trio will leave wanting more long after the show is over.
Price: Free!
Chicago African Diaspora Film Festival: Paloma Delight (Delice Paloma)
Thursday, June 25, 2009, 9 - 11:30pm
In Algiers, Zineb is an institution. Under the name of Madame Aldjeria, she dishes favors of any kind: from securing building permits to finding female companionship for lonely men. However, when she sets her sights on a high-class score that will help leave her blemished past behind, she learns that ambition leads to a permanent chain of compromises. Directed by Nadir Mokneche, Algeria/France, 2006, 35mm, 134 mins. In Arabic and French with English subtitles.
Price: $9; Facet Members, Free!
Soul Music Festival
Friday, June 26, 2009 - Sunday, June 28
This Festival will provide Chicago residents and its visitors with high quality entertainment that features a concert series, upscale food vendors, artisans, fashion market, fashion shows, children's interactive area and much more. Chicago's notable West Loop is the ideal place to host the Chicago Soul Music Festival. Boasting a diverse population and an eclectic mix of shops, dining, and leisure activities, the West Loop is the place to be this June!
Price: $10, Friday; $20, Saturday & Sunday
SummerDance: Nabori
Friday, June 26, 2009, 6 - 9:30pm
The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance Series presents free Salsa dance lessons by Latin Rhythms and live music by Naborí, performing traditional salsa music., Nabori was formed in Milwaukee in 2005 by Wichy Ayala, Robert Figueroa and Tony Ayala to reignite the creative musical process and dedicate its vision to the execution of original material. All songs performed by Naborí are composed and arranged by local musicians or partnerships between Milwaukee and Chicago talent. Their music is deeply rooted in the genre of traditional salsa music referred to by many as Salsa Brava. This type of salsa holds true to form where the musical arrangements are structured with the dancer in mind. The songs are structured with aggressive percussion, upbeat tempos and vibrant brass and chord progressions as standards.
Price: Free!
Big Man Japan (Dai-Nipponjin)
Friday, June 26, 2009 - Wednesday, July 1, 2009
A middle-aged slacker living in a rundown, graffiti-ridden slum, Daisato's job involves being shocked by bolts of electricity that transform him into a stocky, stick-wielding giant several stories high who is entrusted with defending Japan from a host of bizarre monsters. But while his predecessors were national heroes, he is a pariah among the citizens he protects, who bitterly complain about the noise and destruction of property he causes. And Daisato has his own problems - an agent insistent on branding him with sponsor advertisements, an Alzheimer-afflicted grandfather who transforms into a giant in dirty underwear, and a family who is embarrassed by his often cowardly exploits. A wickedly deadpan spin on the giant Japanese superhero, Big Man Japan is an outrageous portrait of a pathetic but truly unique hero. Directed by Hitoshi Matsumoto, Japan, 2007, 35mm, 113 mins. In Japanese with English subtitles.
Soleil's Take: Okay - I'm sold on this little oddity! Check out the trailer!
Price: $9; Facet Members, Free!
Friday Evening "Sit & Sip"
Friday, June 26, 2009, 7 - 10pm
Start your weekend by meeting up with friends at WineStyles. Enjoy wine, beer, board games, and more. And don't forget, we're B.Y.O.F. (that's Bring Your Own Food). Live music by Vo starts at 8pm, We're your cheap date night.
Price: Free!
Audley Reid
Friday, June 26, 2009 and Saturday, June 27, 2009
Audley L. Reid a.k.a. "Reid" began his musical career 25 years ago. His passionate approach to Smooth Jazz magically takes listeners to an island of musical paradise, a direct result of his Jamaican/Cuban heritage. Although Jamaica proclaims Reid as a native countryman, the Windy City has been home throughout his musical career. Proficient on all saxophones, with a preference to the Alto sax, Reid has been described as a cross between David Sanborn and the late sax genius Art Porter, but with his own distinct style. He has performed with several entertainment greats including Buddy Guy, Phil Perry, Michael White, Kim Fields, Ray Fuller, Mike Mason, Nick Colionne Howard Hewett, A.J. Brown, Joe Williams, Melvin Miller, and Norman Connors. [more]
Price: $5
Millennium Park Morning Fitness
Saturday, June 27, 2009, 7 - 11am
WEEKLY TAI CHI 7am, Start your day with this ancient Chinese martial art that has brought peace and discipline to its adherents for centuries.
YOGA 8 a.m., Start your day with Yoga in the Park, a class that helps to improve strength, balance, mental focus and flexibility through guided poses, mental imagery and breath work.
PILATES 9 a.m., Strengthen the core muscles with Pilates in the Park and improve your posture, muscular imbalances and flexibility through a series of ground-based exercises.
DANCE 10 a.m., Dance to the beat with a workout led by members of one of Chicago's outstanding area dance companies. June: Body Combat™/Body Attack™/BodyJam™ with Les Mills Trainers: Take a fiercely energetic class inspired by martial arts, drawn from a wide array of disciplines including Karate, boxing, Taekwondo, Tai Chi and Muay Thai.
Price: Free!
Bronzeville Community Market - The Art of Food & Life
Saturday, June 27, 2009, 8am - 1pm
The Bronzeville Community Market, the first of its kind in the City of Chicago, will offer locally grown products as well as tropical produce, prepared foods, and a vibrant array of entertainment and community activities. This farmers' market is a joint project between Quad Communities Development Corporation (QCDC), a local non-profit organization, and the Mayor's Office of Special Events (MOSE). The market will feature a wide variety of fresh and organic fruits and vegetables; a selection of meats, cooking oils, honey, and wine; a range of baked goods and prepared foods; vendors selling plants, beauty products and other non-food items, and a variety of fair trade vendors in cooperation with the Chicago Fair Trade Association. Market goers can also visit a wellness area that will feature a chiropractor and health screenings provided by a local medical facility.
Price: Free!
61st Street Farmers Market
Saturday, June 27, 2009, 9am - 2pm
From now until Halloween, the 2nd year of the 61st Street Farmer's Market will be bringing fresh and healthy foods to this community. Shoppers can purchase local sustainable fruits, vegetables, dairy products, eggs, meats, baked goods, flowers, and plants. There are lots of useful demonstrations as well. This market is run by the Experimental Station, a non-profit organization that is committed to building an independent cultural infrastructure on Chicago's South Side.
Price: Free!
SummerDance: Swing Nouveau
Saturday, June 27, 2009, 6 - 9:30pm
The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance Series presents free East Coast Swing dance lessons by Margot McGraw-Toppen & Riley Wimes, Jr. and live music by Swing Nouveau, performing high energy '30s, '40s and '50s Jump Swing. Formed in 1997, Swing Nouveau is Milwaukee's premiere big band that plays danceable, high-energy, jump and swing tunes of the 30s, 40s, 50s, and 90s. Solid rhythms combined with an awesome horn section in this 15-piece "big band" is what helps draw enthusiastic "standing room only" crowds at the top clubs throughout the Milwaukee area. With the band swinging, dancers jumping, and the audience decked out in vintage wear, the scene is hot, cool, and fun.
Price: Free!
Morris Day & The Time, w/ Slave Revue Featuring Drac
Saturday, June 27, 2009, 7 - 11pm
WHAT TIME IS IT?, The Time were a funk and dance-pop ensemble of the early- and mid-1980s. They were prominent protogees of Prince. The band was assembled under a clause in Prince's contract with Warner Bros. that allowed him to recruit and produce other artists for the label. Inspired by the 1980 film The Idolmaker, about the life of music promoter and producer Bob Marucci - the svengali figure behind such 50s/early-60s teen idols as Fabian and Frankie Avalon - Prince decided to put together a poppy funk group that would serve as a pet project and an outlet for further hits and material in the vein of his own early albums - while he himself went on to explore other genres and styles in his own career. By 1981, he had built The Time out of an existing Minneapolis funk unit, "Flyte Tyme" (from the Donald Byrd song), which featured Jellybean Johnson on drums, Jimmy Jam and Monte Moir on keyboards, and Terry Lewis on bass. To this base were added Jesse Johnson on guitar and a lead singer named Morris Day, drawn from another local band, Enterprise. Prince had used an Enterprise song, "Partyup", on Dirty Mind, and his selection of Day was essentially a reward; he had originally tapped Alexander O'Neal - yet another player in the Minneapolis Uptown funk scene - for the vocalist slot, but O'Neal wanted too much money. [more]
Miscellaneous Info: Reserved Section B $75, A,C,D $65, E-F $55, Gen Admission $20 - $45; VIP Tower $150
An Evening with Diana Krall
Saturday, June 27, 2009, 7:30 - 10:30pm
Some music is intended to paint a romantic scene - a candlelit dinner, a walk along a moonlit beach. Quiet Nights - Diana Krall's twelfth album - ain't about that. Using Brazil as a musical point of reference, the award-winning pianist and singer is not suggesting a night out; she means to stay in., "It's not coy. It's not 'peel me a grape,' little girl stuff. I feel this album's very womanly - like you're lying next to your lover in bed whispering this in their ear." She's not kidding. From Krall's refreshing version of "Where or When," to an utterly soul-stilling rendition of "You're My Thrill," the ten songs on Quiet Nights are disarming in their intimacy. Even those already familiar with the breathy vocals and rhythmic lilt in Krall's music - and now there are millions - will be taken aback by just how far the music pushes, unabashedly, into the realm of sweet surrender. "It's a sensual, downright erotic record and it's intended to be that way."
Price: $90, Reserved; $27, Advance, $32, Gate (Lawn)
SummerDance: Picorelli's Pa' La Rumba
Sunday, June 28, 2009, 4 - 7pm
The 13th annual Chicago SummerDance Series presents free Salsa and Tropical Rhythms dance lessons by Lisa "La Boriqua" and live music by Picorelli's Pa' La Rumba, performing old school salsa and mambo., Juan L. Picorelli was born in San Juan in 1983. Guided by his father and uncles he learned to play bongos, congas, and then timbal accordingly. In 2003 Picorelli became part of the Phillarmonic Orchestra of Puerto Rico, then played with artists such as Victor Manuelle, Michael Stuart, Cano Estremera, Lalo Rodriguez, and more. Picorelli currently lives in Chicago where he performs with Aretha Franklin, Luisito Carrion, Eddie Santiago, Tony Vega, Johnny Rivera, the Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble, and more. His most recent project is Pa' la Rumba, a great new salsa band with an old school sound. This event is part of Chicago Salsa Festival, June 23-28, 2009. For more info, visit www.chicagosalsafestival.com.
Price: Free!
Chicago Botanic Garden Carillon Concerts
Monday, June 29, 2009, 5:30 - 8pm
Enjoy an enchanting 45-minute musical performance of carillon bells on a warm summer evening and watch lights illuminate Evening Island., Through a regularly scheduled series of concerts each summer, carillonneurs from around the world delight Garden visitors with the captivating music of the 48-bell Theodore C. Butz Memorial Carillon. Meet the performers and enjoy a free carillon tour and demonstration before the concert - you can even try your hand at ringing the bells. Visitors can purchase snacks and a bottle of wine from the Garden Café, or grilled selections from the Garden Grille including burgers, hot dogs and barbeque. You may also bring a picnic dinner to enjoy on the lawn by McGinley Pavilion. Since 1986, the carillon has remained both a noted landmark and a source of remarkable music at the Garden. Crafted in Holland, the tower's bronze bells and playing device with a range of four octaves constitutes one of the few hand-played carillons in the nation.
Price: Free!; parking, $20 per car
The A la Carte: "Shish Kabob Edition"
Monday, June 29, 2009, 6:30 - 8:30pm
The summer is coming and we're calling all former and new Circuiteers to join us for our GAME NIGHT & FAMILY REUNION! We've been going strong for the past year and we're excited to bring everyone back at our very own FIRST ANNUAL FAMILY REUNION! The night will be filled with grilling, eating, drinking, and playing as we reminiscence of our old acting days with theater games (like you've never played them before)! You don't want to miss one of the HOTTEST events of the summer! And get your freeze poses ready for the largest display of RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT, STOP you've ever seen!
Price: $3, suggested donation
Poetry on Perry
Monday, June 29, 2009, 7:30 - 11pm
This event delivers a fresh approach to a popular idea. Complete with a mood-setting DJ, this weekly open-mic adds old school flavor to south-side smothered soul. Come for the dynamic poetry workshop and advance your literary work with writing exercises facilitated by established local teaching artists. Stay for the open mic reading featuring well-known performers citywide, up and coming writers and you. All one has to pay is $5 and respect to the mic. Poetry on Perry is a safe space for all artists to cultivate their craft and build an artistic community of like minds and interests. The first rule is there are no rules . . . anything goes. This open-mic is open to poets, authors, songwriters and performers.
Price: $10; $5, on the mic
Tuesdays on the Terrace: Robert "Baabe" Irving III
Tuesday, June 30, 2009, 5:30 - 8pm
There is a distinguished lineage of post-bop pianists who collaborated with the legendary Miles Davis: Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea and Joe Zawinul. Add to that list of superb artists Robert Irving III, who served as Miles' last pianist/keyboardist and who proved to be his longest collaborator and musical director. After nearly twenty years since his last outing as a leader, Irving returns with his remarkable new recording, New Momentum, a largely acoustic piano trio CD that is the premiere album for the new label Sonic Portraits., Irving's career as a musician began as a brass player at the age of 10. His first instrument was the bugle, followed by a range of brass instruments including coronet, French horn and valve and slide trombone. While he was a brass player, Irving also studied piano to further his knowledge of musical theory, mentored by his high school jazz band teacher., He came to the Miles Davis collaboration as a musical storyteller. Through Miles' mentoring-beginning in 1979 and lasting until his death in 1991-Irving became an accomplished acoustic jazz pianist through the application and interpretation of conceptual lessons he learned from the iconic jazz great. Eventually, Irving incorporated it all into an evolved acoustic piano technique that is on display on New Momentum, which features drummer Yussef Ernie Adams and bassists Buster Williams (on five of the eight tracks) and Marlene Rosenberg (on the three other cuts).
Price: Free!
Music on the Esplanade: BMR4 with Nicole Kestler
Tuesday, June 30, 2009, 6 - 8pm
The BMR4 is a Chicago jazz quartet that features some of the best players in the city, including members of the Buddy Guy, Lonnie Brooks, and Patrica Barber bands.
Price: Free! Parking, $20 per car
Artistically Linked
Tuesday, June 30, 2009, 6 - 9pm
ARTistcally LinKed is a FREE monthly networking event catered to all ARTists: visual artists, fashion & jewelry designers, photographers, models, musicians, vocalists, dj's, graphic designers, poets, videographers, actors, writers and comedians throughout the Chicago land area. It is unique because it brings all these artistically creative individuals together at one event on a consistent basis., Hosted by Comedian C-Sharp, Featured Artists:, Nakia Child- Make Up Artist, Yaw-Vocalist, Tracy Ann Simmonds- Photographer, Jamal "Jaytoo" Jeffries" Multimedia Artist/DJ, Corey Holiday- Comedian, Free food and beverages provided!!!, VENDOR SPACE AVAILABLE!!!! Contact us for more information @ artists@artisticallylinked.com
Price: Free!
BARCC Meeting: Condominium Education & Training
Tuesday, June 30, 2009, 6:30 - 8pm
Guest Speakers: Panel of Experts, Lawyers, Condo Leaders, Advisors
Topic: What All Condo Owners Must Know at All Times - Protecting Your Investment!
Letter Writing Campaign on Safety & Security. Join Us to Sign Letters!
Miscellaneous Info: The Bronzeville Area Residents' & Commerce Council (BARCC) is a non-profit organization serving the homeowners, condominium owners, renters and commerce enterprises of Chicago's historic Bronzeville neighborhood. We work to create and maintain a safe, clean, enjoyable neighborhood for families to live and businesses to thrive.
Rajah Quartet
Tuesday, June 30, 2009, 7 - 10pm
This To-Do will be updated as information becomes available. Under "Event Actions," select "Notify Me of Changes" to automatically receive an update from Soleil's To-Dos!
Miscellaneous Info: Two drink minimum. During performances, parties of 1 will be seated at the bar.
Price: Free!
Summer Breeze: Cherisse Scott
Wednesday, July 1, 2009, 6 - 10pm
Cherisse possesses a sultry tone that is reflected in her style of music, which is a fusion of soul, jazz, and gospel. Cherisse is a vocalist, songwriter, actress and poet. She has been entertaining in genres spanning from R&B to Gospel to Opera fusing all of her creative skills to produce the sultry soul style that is conveyed in her warm, rich alto tone. Her first independent project entitled "Moans" continues to sell successfully nationally and internationally and has also received airplay in some of the countries large radio markets along with her second CD Soul Journey, released August 2008. She has been nominated for Best Songwriter with the Chicago Music Awards for 2003. Cherisse is the new voice of soul like we remember it.
Price: Free!
Femi Kuti & The Positive Force; King Sunny Ade & His African Beats
Wednesday, July 1, 2009, 7:30 - 10:30pm
Copying note for note his Father's music has never been Femi's goal. If he accompanied Fela's musicians during his youth, he decided as early as 1986 to free himself up and create his own band. Whilst always respecting his musical heritage, Femi has refined over more than twenty years, an afrobeat with soul-jazz nuances that is entirely his own. The route taken has always been original, from his signing with Motown in the early 90's until his ground-breaking album in 2001 "Fight To Win", for example, when he joined with rappers Mos Def and Common and funkmaster James Poyser, amongst other American luminaries. These rich experiences only served to re-enforce his ultimate conviction; his music has never been as intense as when brewed in a Nigerian cauldron and matured in the hot-house atmosphere of the Shrine - his Lagos nightclub.
Price: $40, Reserved; $16, Advance, $21, Gate (Lawn)
World Music Wednesdays: Trovadores
Wednesday, July 1, 2009, 8:30 - 11pm
with Miguel Medina and Juan Carlos Del Rio, Miguel Medina and Juan Carlos del Rio are Trovadores from Jayuya, Puerto Rico who specialize in the inspirational style of singing and music that comes from the Puerto Rican countryside or Jíbaro tradition. The music is accompanied by the Cuatro, Puerto Rico's national instrument. Join us for this uniquely Puerto Rican experience produced in partnership with the Puerto Rican Parade Committee of Chicago and PRPC President Edwin Cardona.
Price: $5, Suggested Donation
ongoing to-dos
HOPE VI
Ongoing through July 12, 2009
by Nambi E. Kelley,
Directed by Ilesa Duncan,
Hope VI tells the story of Hope Graves, 6, a high spirited and funny young girl who has become strangely quiet since her mother beat her in the head with a steel-toed boot. A scar covers the length of her face, but she escapes the pain of her dreary life into the world of TV. Hope VI is the journey of her dream and her family's struggle to survive after the wrecking ball hits the Robert Taylor homes on Chicago's Southside.
Price: Fri & Sat, $30; Thurs & Sun, $25
The Future is Now: A Calvin Coleman Retrospective
Through July 15, 2009
As we approach our fourth year, we are excited about the opportunity to highlight one of the artists that has been with Gallery Guichard from the start: Calvin Coleman. His universal themes of family, commitment, love and the female essence have spoken to Chicago audiences and Gallery Guichard has been proud to act as a portal for Coleman's work to continue to reinforce these themes. Here we have reunited pieces from his most recent body of work with those that have touched the hearts and minds of our Chicago collectors. With The Future is Now we give you the opportunity to reflect on the manner in which Coleman's past body of work inspires the brushstrokes that have yet to be made., Calvin, we not only appreciate the beauty that your work has brought to Gallery Guichard, but also the priceless friendship that you've blessed us with all these years., Sincerely - Gallery Guichard
Price: Free!
A Song For Coretta
Through July 26, 2009
Written by Pearl Cleage, A Midwest Premiere, Directed by ensemble member Sarah Moeller Inspired by the long line of mourners who came by Ebenezer Baptist Church to pay their respects to Mrs. Coretta Scott King, A Song for Coretta introduces fi ve fi ctional African-American women, aged 17 to 57, waiting in the rain to say their final good-byes. Cleage shows the impact that Mrs. King had on the lives of these women, and the connections that they build with one another through her memory and legacy. Eclipse is proud to present the Midwest Premiere of Ms. Cleage's latest work!
Price: $25
Pill Hill
Through August 9, 2009
Directed by Aaron Todd Douglas
Over a ten-year span, a group of men who were employed in a Chicago steel mill find the bonds of their friendship severely tested as they witness their love and camaraderie escape them as they vehemently pursue what they think is the American Dream.
Price: $30
Great Migration . . . And What They Brought With Them
M-F through December 2009
The Illinois Central Railroad, 12th Street Station was the portal for many African Americans. Thousands of Blacks came to Chicago continuously from 1890 through the 1950's due to racism in the South, lack of opportunity, and the desire for education and employment., The largest number of African Americans in Chicago settled between 18th Street on the North and 51st Street on the South - State Street on the West and Cottage Grove on the East during the Great Migration., The Chicago Defender Founded in 1905, communicated with more blacks than any other publication in the first half of the twentieth century. The newspaper encouraged the migration of black southerners to Northern cities with a circulation of over 200,000. Pullman Porters aided the nationwide distribution.
Price: Free!
Live Jazz at the Velvet Lounge
Nightly
The Velvet Lounge is the only place in the world where you can hear the Chicago sound seven days a week. The Sunday night jam sessions have been an effective way to promote younger members of the jazz community. Fred Anderson opened the Velvet Lounge in 1982 after his club The Birdhouse, on the near north side, closed due to city zoning ordinances.
Soleil's Take: Every (practically) night! Visit www.velvetlounge.net for tonight's line-up!
Price: $10, Wednesday - Thursday; $20, Friday & Saturday; $5, Sunday
HOPE VI
For those driving southward through the city of Chicago a few years ago, it was as easy to notice the demolition of the Robert Taylor homes as it was to forget about them within the moments it took for them to be out of eye sight. But just how many of us gave more than a thought to how the destruction of one's own home and therefore the dismantling of one's livelihood, much less an entire community, impacts those who resided within those walls. Through her screenplay of HOPE VI, Chicago Dramatists Resident Playwright Nambi E. Kelley forces her audience to not only take a close examination of the often ignored citizens of these communities, but she does so through one of the most honest and untainted perspectives - through the eyes of a child. 
