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eta Literary Series: The Guilty Series, by Pat Simmons
Thursday, September 17, 2009, 6 - 8pm
Pat Simmons is the author of The Guilty Series, Christian fiction books that "bring ancestors to life." Her debut novel <Guilty of Love (September 2007) became a national best-seller. Book II: Not Guilty of Love was recently released in September. The recipient of the Katherine D. Jones Award for humility and grace, she is a Jesus baptized Believer and received the gift of Holy Ghost by the evidence of speaking in other tongues.
Price: Free!
Other Times To-Do It: Third Thursdays
Organic Groov: Phil Seed
Thursday, September 17, 2009, 7pm - 12am
Phil's tenacity gave him the opportunity to tour with Bernie Mac as a key member of Bernie's "Mac Men". Rarely satisfied with complacency, Phil went on to tour with Alfonzo Hunter and Dave Hollister while the lead guitarist for the band Detour JazFunk. Flexibility in all musical situations, Phil flows seamlessly through any genre of music, and that has lead to his performance with keyboard pioneers Stevie Wonder and George Duke; soulful R & B singers Chaka Khan and Will Downing; neo-soul artists Erykah Badu, Amel Larrieux and Lyfe Jennings; rappers Eric B., Rakim and Common.
Miscellaneous Info: Sets at 7pm, 8:30pm and 10pm.
Price: Free!
Other Times To-Do It: Wednesdays & Thursdays
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (Preview)
September 17 - October 18, 2009
Court Theatre returns to August Wilson's Century Cycle, with the 1920s entry--his only play to be set on the South Side of Chicago. A recording session for blues legend Ma Rainey and her band becomes a battle of wills in the first major Chicago production in over 10 years.
New Era In Jazz: Ray Silkman
Thursday, September 17, 2009, 8 - 9:30pm
He has been touted "the best saxman in the business", The Passion, The Energy, and of course the sound of Ray Silkman's soul being poured through his sax is hypnotic to say the least. Silkman has performed to standing room only concerts for his thousands of fans at Detroit Opera House, The Elkhart Jazz Festival, Grand Rapids Jazz and Blues Festival, Taste of Chicago, The Vic Theater Chicago, The Park West Theater Chicago, The United Center, Donald E Stephens Convention Center, Milwaukee's Marcus Amphitheater, Poplar Creek Amphitheater, Chicago's Field Museum, and countless private and public events throughout the country.
Price: Free!
Other Times To-Do It: Thursdays
Miguel Migs Get Salted Tour
Thursday, September 17, 2009, 9pm - 2am
Miguel Migs stands at the forefront of electronic music's soulful realm. Whether tackling his original productions or remixes, he achieves an organic-soulful sound by combining the best of both the electronic music world and live instrumentation. For many years, Miguel's productions have been included on countless compilations and his records have slid into the crates of top DJs across the globe. His music has also landed on numerous TV Shows, including Six Feet Under, Sex in the City, and MTV's Road Rules and Real World. Contrary to many of his club-centric DJ/producer peers, Miguel is not always concerned with the potential dance floor appeal of his soulful tracks. "It's music you can enjoy and listen to at home, in the club, or anywhere. Not necessarily just to rock the dance floor." explains the Northern California native, who grew up with a true love of reggae, soul, classic rock, jazz, hip-hop and just about everything else.
Price: $5, before midnight; $10, after midnight
World Music Festival
Friday, September 18 - Thursday, September 24, 2009
Soleil's Take: View the complete schedule!
Chicago showcases the best of international music at the 11th Annual World Music Festival. The multi-venue, one-week festival, which attracts an average of 45,000 visitors each year, showcases both traditional and contemporary music from diverse cultures across the world. The 2009 festival line-up will feature 55 events at 21 venues. Many events are family friendly. Events include live radio broadcasts and a mix of free and ticketed concerts presented in museums, parks, cultural centers, plazas, theaters, music stores, clubs and other venues throughout Chicago., For more information, call the World Music Festival: Chicago 2009 hotline at 312.742.1938.
Historic Bronzeville Art District Third Friday Trolley Tour
Friday, September 18, 2009, 6 - 9pm
Bronzeville is conveniently located on the near south side of Chicago and in recent years, has experienced an explosion in residential and commercial development. Urban professionals are leading the resurgence of the area by renovating historic homes along King Drive and surrounding streets. The renewed interest in this community has had a contagious effect and has given rise to four new art galleries within the last two years along with the South Side Community Art Center. Forming a partnership and working hard to make Chicago a major center of African American art and art of color again, the five Bronzeville art galleries developed the Bronzeville Art District Third Friday Trolley Tour. [more]
Price: Free!
Other Times To-Do It: Third Fridays through October
Close-Up 2: Phat Kats Band
Friday, September 18, 2009, 8pm - 1am
Sets at 8pm, 10pm & 12am
Saturday, September 19, 2009, 10pm - 2am
Sets at 10pm, 11:30pm & 1am
Price: $5
Venue Info: Close Up (CU2) is a smooth jazz club which features live smooth jazz, in an environment with an ethnically diverse, professional clientele. In addition to the music, customers are drawn by the hospitality of the owner, Frank Goss, who is always a welcoming and gracious host. The intimacy of the club and the consistency of the music makes CU2 is a wonderful place that is frequented by "regulars" who enjoy a nice spot to relax after a stressful day, listen to great smooth jazz, network or participate in stimulating conversation. Street parking is allowed after 6pm and a self parking lot is available on a first-come first-served basis at the end of the block.
26th Annual Walk for Education
Saturday, September 19, 2009, 7am - 2pm
The 26th Annual Walk-Fun Run-Bike-Skate-a-thon will take place on Saturday, September 19, 2009 on 31st Street Beach, 31st Street and Lake Shore Drive. Registration for the event starts at 7:00 am and festivities begin promptly at 8:00 am with sponsor and award presentations, guest speakers, aerobic exercises and the start of the Walk immediately following. The fun continues all through the day with food and entertainment. This year's Walk-Fun Run-Bike-Skate-a-thon promises to be our most successful as we strive to reach our goal of raising $300,000! (Children under the age of 14 must be supervised by an adult.) There are many ways you can participate: Create a team and register for the event; register yourself, friends and family for the event; become a sponsor or make a donation to the event. Event Agenda:, 7:00 am CST - Onsite registration opens 8:00 am CST - Pre-event festivities begin promptly with sponsor presentations, guest speakers, aerobic exercises, and the kick-off immediately following. 9:00 am CST - Race begins
Garfield Park Conservatory 9th Annual County Fair
Saturday, September 19, 2009, 11am - 4pm
Join us for Chicago's original urban hoedown and experience the excitement of a county fair in the middle of the city! Visitors to the fair will experience urban gardening at its best, agricultural traditions rarely found in the city today, and activities for children and adults alike. County Fair will be chock-full of family fun this year, including:, ˇ Hands-On Kids' Activities ˇ Petting Zoo ˇ Pony Rides ˇ Farmers' Market, ˇ Food Preservation Demonstrations, ˇ Garden Harvest Showcase, Live Music, ˇBeekeeping Demonstrations, ˇ Composting Demonstrations, ˇ Garden Tool Sharpening, ˇ Recipe Swap, ˇ Food Vendors
Price: Free!
Tuesdays on the Terrace: World Music Festival - Polish jazz duo Mikrokolektyw
Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 5:30 - 8pm
Mikrokolektyw is a new project of drummer Kuba Suchar and trumpeter Artur Majewski, known mostly from their former band Robotobibok, as well as other projects - Slug Duo and Foton Quartet. The duo's inspiration comes from nature, technology, masters, families, African rhythms, European rhythms, no rhythm, colors, bicycles, motorbikes, eating vegetarian food, eating meat, being a dad, fishing, walking the dog, designing things.
Price: Free!
Wine 101: It's All About Reds
Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 6 - 8pm
Led by our own Sommelier Sara Kay, this is a beginner's guide to red wines loaded with plenty of facts you need to know about red wine. Upon completion of this course you will have some basic wine knowledge that will change the way you perceive, taste and purchase wine. Limit 12 per class. Class package rate available that includes upcoming classes, "Food & Wine 101", "Love of Cheese & Chocolate". Call today to reserve your spot.
Price: $35
M Lounge Live Music - Sarah Marie Young
Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 7 - 10pm
Sarah Marie Young is a versatile Chicago Vocalist who specializes in performing Jazz, R&B, and Pop music. She can be found performing all over Chicago with different bands, and with her own groups at jazz clubs, restaurants, hotels, corporate events, wedding receptions, and concert style theater shows. Whether this top-notch Chicago Vocalist is performing Jazz, R&B, or Pop, it is always a treat to hear her perfectly smooth tone, and listen to her interpret the classics. Looking for a Chicago Soloist? Want something more than a Solo Pianist? Sarah Marie Young is quickly becoming known as one of the finest Chicago Soloists around. Sarah Marie can accompany her beautiful singing with a brilliant piano performance that will have everyone in the room tapping their toes, and singing along to familiar favorites from the Great American Songbook. Sarah Marie's solo act is always a crowd pleaser!
Price: Free!
Other Times To-Do It: Live Music Tuesdays & Wednesdays
Jazz Wednesdays: Evan Coleman
Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 7 - 9pm
Born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago , Evan Coleman grew up around music and started on the tenor-sax when he was 11. He attended Berklee, graduated from Columbia College, was a member of the 14-piece funk band Uptighty, recorded with Tortoise, and played live with Wilco. While he has worked in many different musical situations and sometimes functioned as an associate producer for recordings, The Hard Way Out is his debut jazz recording and quite an impressive start to what will certainly be a significant career.
Price: Free!
Other Times To-Do It: Wednesdays
M Lounge Live Music - Delivery Point
Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 7 - 10pm
No additional information available.
Miscellaneous Info: Two drink minimum. During performances, parties of 1 will be seated at the bar.
Doors Open: 5pm
Price: Free!
Other Times To-Do It: Live Music Tuesdays & Wednesdays
Organic Groov: Koku Gonza
Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 7pm - 12am
Koku Gonza is the definition of Natural talent. She is a singer who specializes in song writing and her music can be categorized in different genres, nu soul, rhythm and blues, electro soul, etc. When it comes to Koku's process in making music, her self discipline and focus has can be described by collaborators as that of a perfectionist. When you follow Koku's background it begins in the Church in which she was raised, where she sang in the Church choir and wrote songs for her church. She is a natural, and at young age Koku learned how to play and piano. While attending college, Koku Gonza studied music production and song writing at Indiana University Bloomington before deciding with true faith to pursue a career in the music industry. Koku Gonza's voice is unique, but has been compared to that of Sia from Zero 7, artist Chrisette Michelle, and Grammy Award winner Corrine Bailey Rae. Her love for the guitar has resulted in mandatory accompaniment with most of her songs, but she works with different instruments to create her unique sound. Koku currently resides in Chicago, IL and is working on her debut album with plans to release in the late summer. Although she resides in Chicago she performs all over the country.
Miscellaneous Info: Sets at 7pm, 8:30pm and 10pm.
Price: Free!
Other Times To-Do It: Wednesdays & Thursdays
World Music Wednesdays: Rhythm of Rajasthan
Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 8:30 - 11pm
The Old Town School of Folk Music and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs present this concert as part of this year's Chicago World Music Festival. From the windswept Great Thar Desert in Rajasthan ("The Land of Kings") in northwestern India comes Rhythm of Rajasthan with its mesmerizing music and dance. Composed of musicians from Langa ("Song Giver") and Manghaniyar hereditary groups of itinerant entertainers, the ensemble performs a program of vibrant and joyous folk music, encompassing driving percussion, ecstatic Sufi songs and hypnotic sarangi (bowed lute) and algoza (double flute.) Joining the musicians is the famed Sua Devi, a dancer in the film Latcho Drom, who performs the sensuous Kalbeliya Sapera snake-charming dance and the spectacular Bhavai folk dance.
The artists will offer a workshop in our Thursday Workshop Series
Price: $5, Suggested Donation
Ongoing through October 9, 2009
Ongoing through December 30, 2009
Nightly
Mondays, 7:30 - 11pm 
Saturdays through September 19, 2009 
Saturdays through October 31 
Saturdays through October 25 
