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September 2, 2010
In This Issue
FEATURED TO-DO: BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY
NEW TO-DOS
ONGOING TO-DOS!
PARTY PAGE
Greetings Sophisticate!

Stephanie - just havin' fun!
You sure won't need to Labor to find stuff To-Do this Labor Day Weekend! 

Tons To-Do this weekend!!!  Festivals?  How 'bout African Festival of the Arts, Jazz Fest, North Shore Music Festival, Bash on Wabash and Underground Fest (details for this one will be posted shortly)!  We've got a number of party options for you, along with the usual full range of culturally-diverse To-Dos!!  I won't beLabor the point, 'cuz lawdy-lawd knows I've got plenty To-Do myself!  So, get to browsing the listings, use the calendar features to share information with your friends and get your weekend (loosely) organized. 

Yes, summer is running out, so make sure you take advantage of these final opportunities to end it with a bang!  Whatever you decide To-Do, make it a fabulous weekend!

 Stephanie!
 Soleil@so-LAZE.com

 Check out Sun Spots on our WordPress, Twitter and FaceBook Pages!
 
*  Tuesdays On the Terrace
 
Our listings will continuously be updated as schedule information is made available!  Instead of going to multiple sites trying to find information about summer events, you can find all the To-Dos in one spot!  And, instead of being pissed because you forgot all about the House Music Reunion Picnic or Pearl Fest, you can take advantage of our stellar calendar technology and schedule text or e-mail reminders for the To-Dos you want to attend.  And, instead of being clueless about what To-Do with your out-of-town visitors, you can check off the boxes next to the To-Dos that might interest your guests and plan your time the easy way!
FEATURED TO-DO:  Blues for an Alabama Sky
 

Blues for an Alabama Sky 

NEW TO-DOS! 

Looking for Something To-Do?

Click on any headline link for details about the To-Do (e.g., location, ticket and artist links, discount codes) and to use advanced calendar features, such as e-mail or text reminders and to add To-Dos to your personal calendar!  To-Dos are added daily, so be sure to visit www.so-LAZE.com for the most current listings!

 

Thursday, September 2, 2010

 

Made In Chicago: Big Band Birthday Bash - Ahmad Jamal's 80th

 

To-Do!: With the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, What better place to feature a pioneer of musical rhythm and space than in Millennium Park's Jay Pritzker Pavilion? A seminal pianist with strong Chicago ties; Ahmad Jamal's impact on jazz spans a good portion of his eighty years. Jeff Lindberg's Chicago Jazz Orchestra renews its engagement with Jamal and his trio for a big band birthday bash in the Park, Ahmad Jamal American jazz pianist, composer, arranger, teacher, and jazz theoretician. According to Stanley Crouch, Jamal is second in importance in the development of jazz after 1945 only to Charlie Parker. For five decades, he has been one of the most successful small-group leaders in jazz. Since the 1980s Jamal has been regularly touring the major clubs of the United States and the large European jazz festivals. Founded in 1978 by Jeff Lindberg and the late Steve Jensen, the Jazz Members Big Band (now the Chicago Jazz Orchestra) was selected to be the opening band for the First Annual Chicago Jazz Festival in 1979.

 

Soleil's Take: Get Soleil's Take on the Millennium Park experience at Sun Spots!

Price: Free!

 

More To-Dos!

Chicago Jazz Festival

Cirque Shanghai Cloud 9 (Closing Week)

Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child

Hot Summer Nights: Alma de Tango

Sarah Marie Young

Black World Cinema: SUS, Arrested On Suspicion

Black Harvest IFF: Night Catches Us (Closing Night Reception)

Eric Schneider, Willie Pickens and George Fludas

Jazz Club Tour: Avreeayl Ra, Michael Zerang, Harrison Bankhead, Ed Wilkerson and Alex Duval

 

Friday, September 3, 2010

 

Just a Taste of Reggie Rays

 

To-Do!: You are welcome to come out and enjoy a night of fabulous food and smooth music in a relaxed environment with Chef Regg and his best clients for a night of networking and fellowship. Join us as we highlight all of the professional services offered by our experienced staff. From professional event planning, to personal chef services - we can meet all of your needs. Our most capable staff will be on hand and willing to help with any and all of your requests. Artist and designer, Dr. Yemonja Smalls, will be gracing the walls with her vibrant original artworks. Several guests will win one of her raffled signed limited editions prints.

 

Miscellaneous Info: Some services to be featured include: Live Demonstrations, Live Music and Entertainment, Nutritional Facts Made to Order, Tasting Stations, Professional Event Planning, and many, many more.  Live Demonstrations by Special Guest Celebrity "Chef Eric Paul" Enjoy healthy appetizers.

Price: $25-45

 

More To-Dos!

Chicago Jazz Festival

African Festival of the Arts f/ Julie Dexter

501(c)(3) & Grant Workshop

Cirque Shanghai Cloud 9 (Closing Week)

North Coast Music Festival

MCA's First Fridays

The Temptations Review f/ Dennis Edwards, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes & The Intruders

"Date Night" Cooking Classes

Public Works Speaker Series

Buddy Fambro Band

Eric Schneider, Willie Pickens and George Fludas

Under America (Opening Weekend)

Jazz Club Tour: Francis Wong, Tatsu Aoki, Henry Grimes and Chad Taylor

First Fridays Chicago "The Fallout"

 

Saturday, September 4, 2010

 

Brazilian Independence Day Celebration

 

To-Do!: The Old Town School of Folk Music, in partnership with Marcos Oliveira and Swing Brasileiro, presents another night of Brazilian music and dance in recognition of Brazilian Independence. Artists will include renowned faculty at the Old Town School and special guest artists celebrating the enormous diversity of music and culture in Brazil.

 

Miscellaneous Info: The Independence Day of Brazil was officially announced on 7th September 1822 from the hands of the Portuguese. Since then the country proudly celebrates the Independence Day of Brazil with lots of fanfare and excitement.

Price: $15; Members, $13; Seniors & Children, $11

 

More To-Dos!

African Festival of the Arts f/ Angelique Kidjo

501(c)(3) & Grant Workshop

Bash on Wabash

Chicago Jazz Festival

North Coast Music Festival

Cirque Shanghai Cloud 9 (Closing Week)

International Summer Screenings Program: Castle under Fiery Skies

Buddy Fambro Band

Eric Schneider, Willie Pickens and George Fludas

Post Jazz Fest Jam: Kidd Jordan, Mars Williams, Harrison Bankhead, Henry Grimes, Avreeayl Ra

Sippin On Sunday f/ Christopher Williams and Al B. Sure

Chicago Fringe Festival: Bridges

Official North Coast Music Fest Afterparty Hosted by Pharoahe Monch

 

Sunday, September 5, 2010

 

Portoluz 3rd Annual Rooftop Gala Jazz Soiree

 

To-Do!:  Cocktails! Delicious food! Dancing! & jazz under the stars

Won't you celebrate our 3rd anniversary by joining us on the hippest roof in town! Our annual rooftop jazz soiree is a must attend event. Gorgeous views, great people, happening music, cold drinks, hot food, and VIP seats at the Chicago Jazz Festival. Plus it's all for a great cause- the proceeds help fund portoluz!

 

Miscellaneous Info: Tickets limited to the first 100 guests

Price: $50

 

More To-Dos!

African Festival of the Arts f/ Avant

Bash on Wabash

Chicago Jazz Festival

North Coast Music Festival

Cirque Shanghai Cloud 9 (Closing Week)

Under America (Opening Weekend)

Eric Schneider, Willie Pickens and George Fludas

Chicago Fringe Festival: Bridges

Skinny Williams Band

Sunday Jazz, f/ Henry Johnson Quartet

Post Fest Jam: Kidd Jordan, Ed Wilkerson, Harrison Bankhead, Henry Grimes, Isaiah Spencer

It's A Special Labor Day Edition @ Lounge 52

 

Monday, September 6, 2010

 

African Festival of the Arts f/ Chaka Khan

 

To-Do!: This year's theme is "Creating and Keeping the Culture," The African Festival of the Arts is the flagship program of the African International House and is a series of festivals within a festival built around African culture, art, music, history and activities that appeal to all communities. Each year more than 250,000 attendees explore the festival grounds. The festival offers a virtual African village featuring pavilions that allow participants to enjoy interactive experiences with artists and artisans sharing their gifts and talents. Guests can also engage in community forums and village meetings to discuss social and cultural issues. The festival highlights a marketplace comprised of over 300 vendors selling their wares. Shoppers will discover amazing treasures including fine sculpture, beaded furniture, jewelry and gem stones, fashion, health and skin care products, hand woven fabrics and textiles, museum-quality African art, original fine art and more., Chris Gardner author of The Pursuit of Happyness and TV One Founder Kathy Hughes will reign over the 2010 African Festival of the Arts as Grand Baba and Grand Yeye., MAIN STAGE PERFORMERS : Friday Sept. 3rd - L' evated Pre Show, Saturday Sept. 4th - Angelique Kidjo & Tito Jackson, Sunday Sept. 5th - Javan Jackson featuring Les McCann, Monday Sept 6th - Chaka Khan

 

Soleil's Take: This is the last major festival of the year - get out there and revel in the sunshine!
Miscellaneous Info: Film Pavilion Fine Arts Pavilion, Author and Book Pavilion African Marketplace, Bank of the Nile Food Court, Beer and Wine Garden, Spirituality Pavilion, Cyberspace Pavilion, Quilting Pavilion, Over 300 artists and vendors, Food court cuisine from Diaspora, African Drum Village, Dr. Nurudeen Olowopopo Health and Wellness Village, Bernice Gardner Children's Pavilion, African Dance Lessons Arts and Craft, Youth Tennis Tournament
Price: $15; $30, weekend pass; $5, seniors and children under 12

 

Tuesday, Sep 7, 2010

 

One Book, One Chicago: A Mercy

 

To-Do!:  Be among the first 385 attendees and get a free copy of Toni Morrison's "A Mercy," this year's pick for One Book Chicago. Stick around for a talk by Dr. Dwight McBride Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Professor of African American Studies and Gender and Women's Studies, in a lecture on Toni Morrison's importance not just as a novelist, but as a leading American intellectual. And a brief performance from the opera Margaret Garner, by composer Richard Danielpour and for which Morrison wrote the libretto, presented with assistance from the Ryan Opera Center at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Miscellaneous Info:  Inaugurated in the fall of 2001, the One Book, One Chicago program is launched each spring and fall to cultivate a culture of reading and discussion in Chicago by bringing our diverse city together around one great book.

 

Reading great literature provokes us to think about ourselves, our environment and our relationships. Talking about great literature with friends, family and neighbors often adds richness and depth to the experience of reading.

Price: Free!

 

More To-Dos!

Tuesdays On the Terrace: Barry Winograd

Julia Huff & The Company Band

 

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

 

World Music Wednesdays: Tambours Sans Frontiers

 

To-Do!: Tambours Sans Frontiers is an internationally recognized traditional acoustic band from Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. Percussionist and dancer Teber Milandou-Sita, the band's leader and co-founder in Africa, relocated to Chicago in 2008 and quickly moved to establish the band in the Midwest. The new band features top African drummers and dancers from Chicago and Pline Mounzeo, also from Brazzaville. Tambours Sans Frontiers will present a highly energetic program that includes music from their CD Africa Bouge!

 

Price: $5, Suggested Donation

 

More To-Dos!

"Making Love Better Begins Within" Book Launch Celebration

International Summer Screenings: Trip to the Seaside

Amazing Jazz Duets: Peter Lerner and Larry Gray

Delivery Point

Organic Groov: TBD

Renee Baker's Project 6

 

  

 
ONGOING TO-DOS 
The following To-Dos occur over an extended period of time or on a regular basis. Click on any headline link for details about the To-Do (e.g., location, ticket and artist links, discount codes) and to use advanced calendar features, such as e-mail or text reminders and to add To-Dos to your personal calendar!
 

Millennium Park Morning Workouts

Saturdays, Through September 11, 2010

Millennium Park and McDonald's invite Chicagoans and visitors to kick off their weekends with energizing workouts on the Great Lawn of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Workouts are open to people with all levels of experience, are 45 minutes long., Each week, instructors from will lead classes in Tai Chi at 7 a.m., Yoga sessions at 8 a.m., Pilates workouts at 9 a.m. and Dance Aerobics at 10 a.m. New this year will be live music during the yoga and Pilates classes, played over Millennium Park's state-of-the-art sound system.

Soleil's Take: This is such a cool way to start a Saturday morning! At 7am, the city is very still and peaceful - it's a very tranquil experience. Grab your mats and go!
Miscellaneous Info: Saturdays, June 5, 12, 19 7 AM: Stirling Tai Chi Society 8 AM: Moksha Yoga Center - Becky Raines, 9 AM: Flow Studio - Cindy Reid, 10 AM: Isla Pacifika (Learn the fast-paced basics of Tahitian dance), Music by DhakFu from 8-10 AM
Price: Free! 
 

Through September 15, 2010



To-Do!: Robert was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, began his artistic studies as a medical illustrator with the United States Air Force. His military service as a Medical Illustrator in Biloxi, Mississippi and at the USAF Hospital in Wiesbaden, Germany laid the groundwork for his studies in fine art in Germany, where he visited the various art museums throughout Europe; he became enraptured with what he saw. He enrolled in the Atelier of Herr Herzfield, a local German artist, where he learned to master the practical aspects of easel painting, from canvas preparation to color mixing and glazing. Robert's philosophy is: Artists are communicators of an array of ideas, emotions, opinions, facts and frauds. It is my intent to establish an unremitting dialog between the viewer and my work.

Price: Free!

Blues for an Alabama Sky

Ongoing through September 19, 2010

 

To-Do!: Set in the 1930's during Harlem Renaissance in the apartment of Guy Jacobs, a popular gay costume designer, and his friend Angel, a recently fired Cotton Club jazz singer, Blues For An Alabama Sky brings together a rich cast of characters who reflect the conflicting currents of the time through overlapping life stories and politics.

 

The cast also includes Sam, a hard-working, jazz-loving doctor at Harlem Hospital; Delia, an equally dedicated member of the staff at the Sanger Birth Control Clinic; and Leland, a recent transplant from Alabama, who sees in Angel a memory of a lost love. Harlem Renaissance artists Adam Clayton Powell, Josephine Baker, Langston Hughes are all unseen characters that also contribute to the rich story line.

 

Price: $25
Other Times To-Do It: August 26 - September 19, 2010

 

 

The African Presence in Mexico

Ongoing through November 14, 2010

To-Do!: The African Presence in Mexico, the most comprehensive project ever organized about African contributions to Mexican culture featuring three exhibitions: The African Presence in Mexico: From Yanga to the Present, Roots, Resistance and Recognition, and Common Goals, Common Struggles, and Common Ground. The project examines the missing chapter in Mexican history that highlights the African contributions to Mexican culture over the past nearly 500 years. These groundbreaking exhibitions also attempt to stimulate a better understanding of Mexican culture among Mexicans and non-Mexicans alike., Organized by The National Museum of Mexican Fine Arts

Price: Adults $3.00, Students & Seniors $2.00 and Children Ages 6 to 12 $1.00
Other Times To-Do It: August 13, 2010 - November 14, 2010 

  

Verses

Mondays, 6-9pm

Monday Night Open Mic & Jam Session First 15 Guests Free, Food & Beverages Served, The event may be recorded-entrance grants consent.

Miscellaneous Info: Young People are encouraged to attend. There will be no alcoholic beverages served.
Doors Open: 6pm
Show Starts: 7pm
Door: $5

 

Bronzeville Community Market - The Art of Food & Life

Saturdays, 8am - 1pm, Through October 30, 2010

 

The Bronzeville Community Market, the first of its kind in the City of Chicago and now in its third year, 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!
Other Times To-Do It: Saturdays

 

 

 
 
PARTY PAGE 
Get Your Labor Day Festivities On!
There's gonna be a lot of partying going on this weekend and we've got a few options for you to consider!  More parties will be added as information is received, so be sure to visit the Party Page for the most current offerings! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
View more from our Party Page!
 

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