Chevelle and Janus set for Epic Homecoming Show

Erik Sorensen, NBC5 Street Team

Those looking to satisfy their hard rock cravings will have an opportunity to do just that when the Riviera Theatre welcomes home two of Chicago’s hard-hitting acts: Chevelle (Epic Records) and Janus (REALID Records.) The bands join Australia natives, Sick Puppies, for what promises to be one ear-crushing event you won’t want to miss.

Chevelle

WHERE ·Riviera Theatre
WHEN ·Saturday, February 20 @ 7:30 PM
AGE ·All Ages
PRICE ·$25.00

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Society of Illustrators Traveling Exhibition

Erik Sorensen, NBC5 Street Team

Artists and non-artists alike looking for Thursday plans and who aren’t still recovering from St. Patrick’s Day should look no further…

Beginning  March 19th – April 24th, The American Academy of Art will be hosting the Society of Illustrators traveling exhibition. The prestigious organization has chosen the Academy, which happens to be my Alma Mater, as the exclusive host for the Chicago-area.

“We’re proud to host this exhibit at the Academy, given our long history of producing accomplished illustrators,”  – Academy President Richard Otto.

Look to see a high quality show that boasts some of the best illustration talent around. The show consists of 40 original works and will be held in the Bill L. Parks Gallery, 332 South Michigan Avenue.

“Since its founding in 1923, the American Academy of Art has trained and educated some of the nation’s most notable and prolific fine artists and illustrators, including: Haddon Sundblom, illustrator of the original Coca-Cola Santa Claus; Gil Elvgren, famed for pin-up art during WWII; T. Allan Lawson, fine-arts painter commissioned to paint the White House holiday card in 2008; and noted comic book and graphic novel artist Alex Ross, among dozens of other greats.”

The exhibit is free and open to the public Monday – Thursday, from 11a.m. to 4p.m., or by appointment. A special media and student preview will be hosted from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 19.

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Silents Ready To Raise The Volume

Erik Sorensen, NBC5 Street Team

Things haven’t been so quiet for The Silents lately, and that’s a good thing.

Set to release their debut album “Sleep Walker” on Sept 9th, the band has generated an early buzz that’s more like a swarm. The praise has been met with especially open arms considering nobody knew whether or not the album would even be completed. Now all the hours spent working with Andy Gerber at Million Yen Studios (Local H, Smoking Popes,Cheap Trick,The Tossers) are beginning to pay off.

“The album was recorded over the course of two crazy years in our lives,” says Velten (Vocals, Guitar). “We didn’t have any money, so we never knew when or if the album would be finished. One day, we woke up and it was there.” Now with the wheels in motion, the Chicago-based rock quartet aims to unleash their brand of grunge-infused art rock upon the masses.

I previewed, er, “pre-listened” to the album over the weekend and grew more interested as the songs spun on. Each track takes you through a range of dynamics that lures you in gradually, and pays off big in the end – like the salad before a steak. Or for you health nuts – the rice cake before the salmon filet. Whatever the case, “Sleep Walker” provides you with a well balanced diet of rock that leaves you wanting desert.

Fresh off a performance at Chicago’s Metro, the band sets out for a string of out of state shows starting September 19th until the 22nd. Those that are able to, should catch them while they can.

Things like this never stay quiet for long.

For more info on the release and show info visit: TheSilents.net or Myspace.com/TheSilents

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Beat Kitchen Serves Up Four-Star LP

Erik Sorensen, NBC5 Street Team

While the streets State and Madison have stood at the heart of Chicago’s grid system for over a century, “State and Madison,” the band, is anything but stationary. In fact, change might be this act’s most distinctive characteristic. Those attending The Beat Kitchen (Chicago) on Saturday will get an early ear full of what I’m talking about.

In what might be their most musically mature album yet, the 4 piece Indie-Rock band is set to release their new material; and with a music scene that’s plagued with 2 dimensional bands and label hungry copycats, S&M’s “Become The Not Found” LP is a strong dose of originality – and exactly what the doctor ordered.

Photo Credit: Laura Meehan

The forthcoming LP will be released first as a limited edition vinyl (250 copies) equipped with B-Sides and a drop-card for digital versions of the songs.

“The songs on this record are so different from one another,” says singer Nickolas Blazina. “They shouldn’t make sense together, but somehow as a record, it works. It’s some of the heaviest stuff we’ve done, but also some of the more delicate. I think the B-Sides on the vinyl will highlight that best.”

The Chicago-based band is known for delivering pop-infused Indie-Rock with a signature punch, an always infectious live show, and consistently giving back to their loyal fans

Of course, if you’re the type who doesn’t believe everything they read, listen for yourself, and then head over to The Beat Kitchen on Sat. August 9th to hear what it sounds like when State and Madison intersects with Belmont and Hoyne.

State and Madison (CD Release)
The Beat Kitchen
2100 W. Belmont
Chicago, IL 60618
Doors @ 5:30 pm | Show @ 6:00 pm
Tickets: $8.00 Adv. / $10.00 Dos. | All Ages

www.StateandMadison.net
www.Myspace.com/StateandMadison

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Ready or Not, Here Comes Ribfest

Erik Sorensen (Video)

Hey Chicagoans, get your bibs, wet naps and appetite ready, ‘cuz here comes “Ribfest“!

The festival started off as a community block party in ’99 and has grown into the highly anticipated, finger-licking phenom that it is today. It may not be “The Taste”, but for true rib lovers, this is just as good. Enjoy the Saturday and Sunday sun while perusing table after table of ribs and vote on which restaurant will take home the “Fest Fave” award. Every mouth counts.

Ribfest also provides you with plenty of entertainment for adults and kids alike. “In true Ribfest tradition, we’re bringing you some of the best music you’ll hear all summer-and won’t hear at other festivals! Bring the kids! Our famous Kids Square provides hours of entertainment for kids of all ages … allowing children to slide, climb, run, complete, jump, ride, sing and dance all weekend long.”

Musical guests include:
Boho Paisley
Rafter
Company of Thieves
Skybox
Treaty of Paris
Inchworm
Republic Tigers
Ha Ha Tonka
and more…
Click here for the complete schedule

Tall or small-Ribfest has something for every sized person.
Just make sure your appetite is big.

Saturday, June 7 & Sunday, June 8
Noon – 10:00 p.m.
Damen, Lincoln, and Irving Park Intersection

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Looptopia: All About The Arts

Erik Sorensen (Video)

2008′s Looptopia is wet, but worth it; or at least to anyone who loves a night out in the city and doesn’t mind a few surprises along the way.

Earlier I dropped in for a live acoustic performance in Urban Outfitters by Chicago’s own, Company of Thieves. The atmosphere for a show like this is something you don’t want to miss. Unorthodox performances are almost always memorable, and that’s exactly what you’ll get while you sit along the trendy clothing store’s winding staircase for either a below, level or aerial view while enjoying the atmosphere of tonight’s unusual musical endeavors.

For those looking to explore their artsy side, Blick Art Supplies on State St. is just the place. Not only do you witness live painting by professionals, get your face painted and temporary tattooed – you’re able to take matters into your own hands by picking up a brush, some clay, or whatever else you need to express those emotions. Just make sure not to get too much emotion on the floor.

Along your journeys you’ll find a bunch of street performers and other knick knacks that might excite, entertain, make you laugh or confuse you. One of the performers I passed must’ve stolen a page out of Martha Stewart’s Hobo Handbook. She carefully demonstrated how you can create a pair of underwear out of a used t-shirt. …Something tells me it might be awhile before this hits stores.

Outside Depaul’s Student Center on State and Jackson, a ginormous video display was set up to showcase their student’s films. Other short features were screened inside, on the lower level and were the combined works of people from various schools and backrounds. The best part – no sticky floors or “Saw” 17 previews. You gotta love Chicago’s skyline as a big screen back-drop, too.

Along the path of adventure you might also notice some things I’ll just go ahead and call “street art”. I’m not exactly sure what this is, but it’s bright, shiny and kept a lot of people’s attention.

The Federal Plaza’s spacious stage will see lots of action tonight as acts from around Chicago perform, including “White Hot Knife”. In between sets the crowd can’t help but continue splashing around and dancing until the next act takes the stage. Try as the weather might; nothing’s raining on this parade.

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Thieves In A Giving Mood

Erik Sorensen (Video)

Company of Thieves hit the ground running in 2007 and haven’t stopped since. And while few things in 2008 can be predicted with certainty, this act’s success is a safe bet.

I caught up with the guys (and girl) after their most recent performance, and it seems the weather isn’t the only thing that’s changed since the last time you saw them. Brad Sawicki (bass) and Jim Ratke (drums) are the newest additions to the lineup, and former Wax On Radio member, Scott Heatherly has assumed permanent keyboard duty, as opposed to select appearances from Ryan Gray. Fresh off a group of East Coast performances, including the Yahoo! Billboard Live! showcase in New York City, the band returned to Chicago for it’s biggest hometown gig to date with the new lineup, which served an even larger purpose.

Joining Company of Thieves on the Metro bill were: Skybox, The Young Sea and Sars Flannery: All of them playing for Illinois based chairties. The Tolbert Refugee Assistance Foundation as well as the Dave Eggers 826CHI Organization (dedicated to supporting students ages 6 to 18 with their creative and expository writing skills) both benefited directly from the elaborate performance.

C.O.T. Vocalist Genevieve Schatz recently collaborated on a track with Kevin Prchal (The Young Sea), Adam Krier (Lucky Boys Confusion, American Taxi),Ryan O’Neil (Sleeping at Last), Mikey Russell (Wax on Radio), and Dan Monahan (Last Fast Action). The song can be purchased at www.myspace.com/theyoungsea. All proceeds go to the Bryan House charity.

A special thanks to Daniel Shaughnessy (dshaughnessy47@gmail.com) for filming/editing the event and interview.

For donations and information on the 826CHI and Bryan House charities, visit:
http://www.826chi.org/ andhttp://www.bryanhouse.org/

Info and showdates:
http://www.myspace.com/CompanyofThieves

Click here for a previous review on Company of Thieves.

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Midstates Audio/Visual Xplosion!

Erik Sorensen (Video)

Art and Music lovers should have no problem booking plans for the next 4 days. That’s because starting August 15th, Midstates will be hosting their Audio/Visual Xplosion Art and Music Festival.

After a 3 year hiatus, Midstates (Chicago’s premiere independent and underground music concern) and Art Director Tony Vega (supreme film & television director/producer) have teamed up to resurrect the original art and music explosion called “A/V Xplo“. And with 29 musical groups and over 100 visual artists, you’ll be cursing genetics for not giving you more eyes and ears.

Each day, from August 15th – 18th, an audio/visual art show will be held. The Empty Bottle (8/15), The Double Door (8/16), Subterranean (8/17) and The Abbey Pub (8/18) will be displaying some of the best music and visual art Chicago’s underground has to offer, including: Music, Paintings, Sculpture, Film, Video, Photography, Screen Prints, Mixed Media and all other things creative.

Discount tickets to The AV/XPLO, as well as a complete listing of all the Musicians and Visual Artists, can be found at www.AVxplo.com
Events start at 7pm each night and go until Midnight.

4 nights, 4 venues, …and 1 explosion!

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The Past’s Present

Erik Sorensen (Video)

Boy meets girl. Girl and boy fall in love. Boy and girl live happily ever after, right? Not quite. Or at least not in Michael Brownlee’s play The Past’s Present, anyway.

Produced by the Speaking Ring Theatre Company and Directed by Mercedes Rohlfs, The Past’s Present delivers an intoxicating rollercoaster ride chalked full of melancholy, blissful thinking and hopeless Romanticism (or lack thereof). Just as intimate as the production’s characters is the theatre itself. Once a “speakeasy” during alcohol prohibition, the venue provides a rich history of its own and provides a unique theatrical setting with its beautiful architecture.

The play centers around its main character, Nathan, a young playwright struggling to find happiness in his current relationship while escaping to imaginary “what if” scenarios involving an almost-lover from his past. Burdened by the guilt of past relationships (represented by a chorus of bitter ex-girlfriends) The Past’s Present bounces from act to act between the harsh reality of Nathan’s current state, the missed opportunities of his past and his increasingly ominous future. The production takes a unique approach to the timeless frustration of relationships and interweaves a multitude of characters in a way that keeps you thinking and just might hit closer to home than you would expect.

The Cast:
Joseph Adamczak, Emily Korff, Sean Leonard, Alicia Sherman, Hattie Davis, Liz Hoffman, Dehlia Miller, Rebecca Miller, Erin Elizabeth Orr, Jamie Orr, Erin Rooney, Sarafina Vecchio and Jehan Whitaker.

The Past’s Present
@ National Pastime Theatre
4139 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL

April 19th – May 12th
Thursday through Sunday
$18 General Admission
$12 for students/seniors (with ID)
Group Discounts Available for
groups of ten or more
Show starts at 8pm
Tickets available by calling
312.458.9374 & leaving a message
or emailing http://www.speakingringtheatre.org

http://www.SpeakingRingTheatre.org

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