. . . so-LAZE around or choose a To-Do!
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Greetings, Sophisticate!
 It seems that the page on 2010 just turned yesterday and here we are on the cusp of Black History Month already! Each February I find myself deliberating about the best way to handle Black History Month. The truth is that everyday at Soleil's To-Dos is a celebration of culture, diversity and African-American history. So, there's no separate calendar, no small listing, just a wealth of To-Dos. Every. Single. Day.
Keep scrolling down and you'll find a nice slection of To-Dos coming up over the next week. But, you'll also find a broad range of ongoing To-Dos. Theater is hopping right now! I just saw Trinity River Plays last night (excellent production), but there are at least a half dozen diverse performance taking place at large and small theaters. Art and photography exhibits are also abundant, but I'm particularly excited about the opening this Friday of Lee Bey's first photo exhibit - Chicago Then and Now: A Story by Lee Bey, showing at the City Gallery in the Historic Water Tower! The former Sun Times architecture critic rests his pen and picks up his lens to share comparisons of Chicago's past and its present. Congratulations, Mr. Bey!
I hope you take advantage of the work we do in compiling these listings and if you value what we do, please share our website with your friends, family and colleagues. And when you attend an event that you heard about through us (shoot, even if you heard about from someone else (okay, just jokin'!)), tell 'em you heard about it from Soleil's (so-LAZE) To-Dos!
Whatever you decide To-Do, make it a fabulous week and an enlightening month!
Stephanie!
Soleil@so-LAZE.com
www.so-LAZE.com
  
Recent Sun Spots:
Welcome Winter and Goodbye, Winter Whiners!
I am so tired of people whining about winter! Everybody knows a few Winter Whiners. They're the ones who can hardly make it to the first official day of winter without complaining: "It's cold!" Wah, wah, wah. "I can't wait 'til spring." Wah, wah, wah. If that sounds like you, what you need is a fresh perspective on the joys of the season from a relocated So Cal Gal, so I'ma bring it to ya! The most important thing is to not focus on the absence of sun and outdoor warmth. Winter brings its own set of unique opportunities - here are a few of them! Read the rest of this post . . .
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| FEATURED TO-DO: In Darfur | |
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| TO-DOS! | | Looking for more To-Do?
Visit www.so-LAZE.com for details about a ton of upcoming To-Dos (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, January 27, 2011
Black Creativity: Energy (Opening Week)
 The theme for Black Creativity this year is Energy, inspired by our newest permanent exhibition, Science Storms. In Science Storms, guests explore the chemistry and physics at work in nature's most powerful phenomena, including lightning, tsunamis, avalanches and tornadoes. Black Creativity 2011 will invite the community to observe, wonder, investigate, and discover how to empower themselves and their community through science.
Black Creativity 2011 initiatives consist of presenting a year-long program series, with a focus on small programs that have big impact, developing an 40th anniversary commemorative gallery experience for guests and enhancing the program's online resources. To complement the 2011 initiatives, the Black Creativity program schedule includes a gala event, a juried art show, and an exciting series of lectures, demonstrations and learning labs.
Price: $9-15
Other Times To-Do It: Through March 20, 2011
Other Things To-Do:
The Monster Under The Bed
Customer Appreciation Night w/ Citizen X
Kick Off the New Year w/ the Alliance of Women In Media
Chicago Defender Men of Excellence 2011
World Kitchen: Kitchen Confidence
The Trinity River Plays (Opening Week)
Ghosts of Atwood (Opening Weekend)
Friday, January 28, 2011
Chicago Then and Now: A Story by Lee Bey (Opening)
 Architecture critic, photographer and blogger Lee Bey has been considering Chicago and its built environment for years. In this exhibit, Bey pairs historic and contemporary images of life in the city's neighborhoods to illustrate threads of living history and social change across the city. Every three months sections of the exhibit will change, introducing a new neighborhood or theme.
Soleil's Take: During his time as architecture critic for the Sun Times, Lee Bey
Miscellaneous Info: On the third Tuesdays of the month, February 15 - December 20, 2011 at 12:15pm: Gallery Talks with Lee Bey.
Price: Free!
Other Times To-Do It: Through January 9, 2012
Other Things To-Do:
Sno Gophers: 45th Anniversary Trip
Snow Days Chicago
The Access to Opportunity Movement Mayoral Candidate's Forum
Mayoral Candidates Forum: Raising The Voice Of Parents, Teachers, Students and The Community
Yo-Yo Ma Salutes Maestro Paul Freeman
Live Jazz at Starbucks f/ TBD
Pilobolus
Cynthia Jernigan Band
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Pilobolus
Celebrating 40 years of defying gravity, Pilobolus is visionary troupe of gymnastic dance experimentalists renowned for their imaginative and athletic expression of modern dance. Compared to Cirque du Soleil, this company of acrobats and athletes will dazzle you with their superhuman flexibility and fascinating forms that challenge the limits of the human body.
Soleil's Take: Pilobolus is . . . EXCITING!!! I saw them a few years ago - I had to after posting one of their Chicago dates and checking out their videos! Click herefor a sneak peak of Pilobolus performing in their new show Shadowland.
Price: $20-55
Other Times To-Do It: January 28 and 29, 2011
Other Things To-Do:
Preparation for Condo Success
Vision Board Workshop Experience
World Kitchen: That Takes The Cake
Snow Days Chicago
Ama & The Magic Toy Box
Can You Answer The Tough Questions?
MusicallYours - 1 Yr Anniversary Benefit Concert
Black Creativity Gala: 40 Years of Black Creativity
Live Jazz at Starbucks f/ TBD
Cynthia Jernigan Band
Sno Gophers: 45th Anniversary Trip
Snow Days Chicago
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Classical Tapestry Series: Anthony McGill, Yo-Yo Ma and Emanuel Ax
 Yo-Yo Ma invites longtime collaborator and friend Emanuel Ax and Metropolitan Opera Orchestra co-principal clarinetist Anthony McGill for a special performance of Brahms' sublime Clarinet Trio. The program will also showcase Chicago-based "citizen musicians," whose work in the community demonstrates how the extraordinary power of music can connect people of all backgrounds.
Yo-Yo Ma is a world-famous Chinese-American cellist. He is considered one of the best cellists in the world and has made over 50 albums.
Soleil's Take: Take advantage and the preconcert reception and post-concert meet & greet and get to know fellow music lovers! Enjoy appetizers, cocktails and a discussion led by Richard Steele!
Miscellaneous Info: Classical Tapestry series celebrates the musical talent of today's leading African American artists through three unique and diverse concert experiences. Each concert in the series includes a preconcert discussion, led by Chicago radio personality Richard Steele and Symphony Center Presents Director of Programming Jim Fahey, and a post-concert meet-and-greet with featured guest artists.
Price: $64-124
Other Things To-Do:
Vegas Nights
BIN School: There's More To The West Coast Than Napa Valley
Monday, January 31, 2011
Women of Color, Cancer and the Price of Survival
 A Marge Markin Theater Awareness Lecture
Join us as our panel of oncologists, community activists and policy analysts examine some of the factors that contribute to the disparities in cancer treatment, research and resources among women of color. This free discussion is presented by Goodman Theatre; the University of Illinois at Chicago's Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy; University of Chicago's Urban Health Initiative and Center for the Study of Race, Politics and Culture; and Chicago Foundation for Women.
Price: Free!
Other Things To-Do:
Got Talent? Music Industry/Record Label Talent Search
Lecture with Frank Mugisha: LGBTQ Activism in Uganda
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Godmother: A Tribute To Honor Human Rights
 Chicago, Atlanta, and New York City are each hosting a special tribute to the Civil Rights Movement and the great freedom struggles of the twentieth century that brought citizenship rights to the world's majority. Each tribute will feature music and dance performed by the world's top artists, both legends and newcomers. The aim of these tributes is to bring people together from all walks of life and cultures to affirm our shared interest in a safe, stable, and secure planet. The aim is also to educate and empower the younger generation and inspire them to be civically engaged.
Featuring:
B. B. King
Taj Mahal
Mary Mary
Nicole Cabell
Chicago Children's Choir
Deeply Rooted Dance Theater
Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre
Soleil's Take: This one is full of all sorts of heavy hitters and should be a great start to Black history month!
Price: $52-152
Other Things To-Do:
Jazz, Blues & Beyond: Vino Louden
Black Paris with Kiratiana Freelon
Business Spotlight Networking
Register Your Business
M Lounge Live Music - TBD
The Gap Community Organization Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
World Music Wednesdays: Muntu Dance Theatre
 A colorful and invigorating professional company, Muntu Dance Theatre has brought its audiences into the aisles with its unique synthesis of dance, rhythm, and song. Since its founding in 1972, Muntu has grown to be one of the most artistically-accomplished and stable dance companies in Chicago that strives continuously to increase the level of knowledge, awareness of, and appreciation for African culture in the context of professional performing arts.
Miscellaneous Info: World Music Wednesdays is a free community series that explores the rich diversity that exists in the Chicago community and runs year round (47 Wednesdays). World Music Wednesdays will present music, dance and culture of Africa, Europe, Asia, The Middle East and The Americas. Tickets are free, but reservations are strongly recommended. Call us at (773) 728-6000 to secure your seats!
Price: $5, Suggested Donation
Other Things To-Do:
Joan Collaso in a Tribute to Billie Holiday
Mini BIN - Everybody's Talking About Oak
Amazing Jazz Duets: TBD
Jazz On the South Side: TBD
M Lounge Live Music - TBD
Organic Groov: TBD
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| ONGOING TO-DOS! | | Need even more To-Do?
The following To-Dos (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!
 | | Tearing Down the Walls @ eta |
The Beats - through February 5, 2011
Tearing Down The Walls - through February 13, 2010
Eclipsed - through February 20, 2011
Ghosts of Atwood - through February 27, 2011
The Rink at Wrigley - through February 28, 2011
The Monster Under The Bed - through March 1, 2011
Guy Tillim: Avenue Patrice Lumumba - through March 6, 2011
Let Your Motto Be Resistance: African American Portraits - through March 6, 2011
In Darfur - through March 20, 2011
Black Creativity: Energy - through March 20, 2011
Chicago and the Diana: Toy Camera Images by Dan Zamudio - March 27, 2011
Midway Plaisance Park Ice Skating - through March 31, 2011
Off the Beaten Path: Violence, Women and Art - through April 13, 2011
History Coming Home - through April 15, 2011
Ama & The Magic Toy Box - through May 28, 2011
Carrie Mae Weems: The Kitchen Table Series - through June 5, 2011
Chicago Then and Now: A Story by Lee Bey - through January 9, 2012
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To-DosLetter Sponsor:
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10 North Dearborn Street
Suite 600
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Voice: 312-357-6300
Fax: 312-357-6320
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Advertise with Soleil's To-Dos!
Whether you seek cultural diversity or target the urban, African-American, Chicago market, by advertising with Soleil's To-Dos, your organization will reach Sophisticates who are active socially and professionally. Whether your organization sponsors events, engages in sales or services, we have a marketing option that will suit your needs. Visit our Advertising Page for information on website and e-mail marketing options! Contact Advertising@so-LAZE.com to discuss a package catered to your needs. |
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