How About Chicago

The New Music Station to Hold Open House

admin — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 08:06:13 +0000

Mike Vanier and Ivan Martirena , Berklee College of Music graduates, will hold an Open House at their new music school, concert venue and outreach program facility, The Music Station 1808 W. 103rd St. Chicago 60643 on Sunday, January 10 from 12:00 noon until 6:00P.M. The Music Station will have refreshments, musical acts and a puppet show courtesy of Jeannie McQueenie starting at 1:00P. Vanier and Martirena have brought together a professionally trained staff and are pleased to offer a comprehensive training program based on Berklee College of Music programs for musicians of all ages.

The Music Station at 1808 W. 103rd Street

A sampling of new instructors will be on hand to meet and greet perspective students and their families. The music Station has 11 newly decorated studios that will be open for viewing. Classes are forming daily in Song/Lyric Writing, Ear Training, Rock Band, Acoustic Classic rock Guitar, Piano, Bass Drums, Violin, Flute, Trumpet, Voice and many more. The Music Station will also offer professional instrument and amplifiers repairs, everything from re-strings and setups to re-frets, electronics and custom hand-carved instruments.

Mike and Ivan are both active performers in the Chicago scene in many different groups and ensembles. Mike performs with several Blue-Grass and alternative/rock ensembles while Ivan leads his own South-american Jazz Trio and Quartet with some of the best jazz musicians in town.

Beverly resident, Lisa M. Martirena, a board certified music therapist with a degree in Music Therapy from Berklee College of Music , and a Masters degree in Counseling will head up the Lullaby Station. She will explore children’s sense of melody, and rhythm, crucial elements for early music learning, while incorporating developmentally appropriate early childhood education aspects in a socially appealing manner. This musical experience is shared in an open, friendly environment where parents, grandparents, or guardians are invited to attend with their children ages infant to toddler. Lisa is a graduate of Mother McAuley High School where she performed many leading roles in the school plays and the Beverly Theatre Community. She is a soloist at Nativity of Our Lord Church and a professional vocalist.

The Kids Station will be lead by Jean Vanier, a graduate of Clarke College in Dubuque Iowa with a double major in Theatre and Education and a Masters degree in Theatre from The University of Illinois, Chicago. The Kids Station is an educational music outreach program geared to students aged pre-school to 8th grade available at The Music Station’s 125 seat auditorium.. Programs will be offered on The History of Illinois through Abraham Lincoln’s eyes, Opera Appreciation, Women’s History, Black History, Irish Music, Cinco de Mayo, Song Writing, African Drumming, Music and Story Telling, Puppet Shows and many more.

Open Mics will be available as well. There will be two Acoustic open mics a month were musicians will be invited to test their skills on a stage with their friends and family to support them. Admission is free and open to the public. Check the website for further details or call to be added to the mailing list.

Please call 773 840-3005 for more details. Registration is open and ongoing for music lessons. Winter Session starts January 4th, so hurry up, stop by and sign up!

Polo Cafe & Catering Announces New Year’s Extravaganza

admin — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:22:34 +0000

On New Year’s Eve 2009-2010, Polo Cafe & Catering, Bridgeport, at 3322 S. Morgan in Chicago, is pleased to present a celebration destined to be remembered as the most fun, swingin’ New Year’s Eve bash of the season. Admission includes full buffet by Chef David Samber, and a complete evening of top musical entertainment provided by Firepoint Music Company. Tickets are $50 in advance until December 25th, $75 thereafter and at the door. Reservations may be made by calling 773.927.POLO(7656). Guests may also take advantage of free parking.

Celebrity guests and special offers are in the offing. Already on the guest list, DJ Al Greer of WKKC 89.3 FM will be on hand to join revelers in ringing in the second decade of this century. The first 10 ladies and gentleman to arrive before 9pm will receive complimentary gift bags sponsored by Halsik Cosmeceutical and including gift certificates for subsequent visits to Polo Cafe & Catering in Bridgeport. The first 20 people who visit FirePointMusicCompany.com and sign up for the ChillZoneVIP mailing list, will receive one complimentary drink.

Providing entertainment for the evening, FirePoint Music Company is pleased to present an evening of top Chicago musical performers including, Aperture, voted “Best Band” in 2009 at St. Helen’s Festival, acclaimed local Jazz great Peter Lerner, whose latest album charted to #25 on the national Jazz charts, and the Tony Alvarez Band.

This event will be held at the Polo Cafe & Catering, Bridgeport Chicago, in the elegant Old Eagle Ballroom, a former theatre which, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, “has some of the best acoustics in the City,” in addition to finely appointed décor including dark Mahogany wood floors, a custom Chandelier, and a marble top bar. The Buffet will be planned and prepared by renowned area chef and restaurateur David Samber, sure to include a delicious and eclectic mix of home style cooking and sophisticated cuisine that Polo Cafe and Catering is known for.

To claim a complimentary drink for yourself, visit FirePointMusicCompany.com. To confirm your reservations, call 773.972.POLO(7656). Space is limited so call today.

New Music Store Comes to Beverly

admin — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:18:13 +0000

The Music Station is pleased to announce their arrival in Beverly at the location of the former World Music Company, 1808 W. 103rd Street, just steps away from the 103rd Street Metra station. The new music school and store is a joint venture of Mike Vanier and Ivan Martirena. Both partners are Berklee School of Music graduates holding degrees in guitar performance, with roots in the Beverly neighborhood. Vanier was born and raised here, while Martirena currently resides in west Beverly. Mike Vanier has worked as a music teacher and active performer for nearly ten years. Martirena, also an active performer, additionally owns and manages the successful Dr. Fretgood Music Store on the North side in Bucktown.

The new management aims to make this transition as smooth and easy for students and staff as possible. The Music Station will retain many of the staff of the now defunct World Music Company, and continue classes and lessons of WMC students. While there are plans for many improvements, private guitar, piano, and drum lessons will still be offered, most with the same teachers and schedules. The popular Infant and Toddler classes and Little Folkies classes will still be available to the community.

The concert space will continue to be active, though with some differences. Jeannie McQueenie Productions will be handling the performance space, offering arts outreach programs, childrens entertainment, and reading enrichment. Run by Beverly resident Jean Vanier, former director of Childrens theatre at the Beverly Arts Center, Vanier plans to bring to the community and local schools, a wider array of arts oriented programming and educational opportunities. Also on the drawing board, will be classes and workshops in musical theatre, improv, and other dramatic arts disciplines. “Beverly is a family community, and I will work to continue the perception that this is a great place to raise a family and offer growing children a well-rounded education and quality, constructive activities.” More information about Jeannie McQueenie Productions can be found online at http://www.JeannieMcQueenie.com/, and they will be presenting one of their programs on December 11th at the Blue Moon CoffeeHouse. The performance space will also be available for rentals by musicians, entertainers, and planners of special events, meetings, and private parties.

The Music Station has slated their grand opening for January 8th, 2010. Featured will be music, spirits and lots of food. The community is invited to participate in a sampling of the variety of different instructors and their specialty instruments.

FREE FALL FESTIVAL 10/24 AT 99TH AND WALDEN PARKWAY IN CHICAGO

admin — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 20:43:00 +0000

Beginning at 10:00 am on Saturday, October 24th, the Beverly Area Merchants of 99th and Walden Parkway will roll out the welcome mats and close off the street to traffic for a free family harvest festival featuring food, entertainment, and bargains!

Beginning at 11:00 am, Calabria Imports of 1905 W. 103rd Street offers Hot Dogs and fresh hot chips until 2pm. Loads of activities for kids and families will be available. There will be free face painting from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, cookie decorating at Cakewalk Chicago, 1741 W. 99th Street, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, a children’s musical variety show from 12:30 to 1:30 pm at Bluemoon Coffeehouse, 1742 W. 99th Street, a Puppet Show called Buddy the Bus at 1:45 pm, and Taffy Apples available all day long, courtesy of My Sister’s Knits, 9907 S. Walden Pkwy. For $1.00, there will be pumpkin painting from 10:30 – 1:00 pm, and you may have your picture taken inside the Great Pumpkin for $5.00 all day long.

For moms and dads, the merchants of 99th and Walden area will have their doors open and their newest fall and holiday stock available. The Blossom Boys, European Floral Designers at 9911 S. Walden Pkwy will offer 20% on all Halloween Merchandise and Gifts. Next door, boutiques Ms. Priss and My Sister’s Knits will offer 15% and 20% off sales all day. Cakewalk Chicago and Bluemoon Coffeehouse will both offer discounts and sales on their culinary offerings.

Local artisans Dan McCabe, pottery, Lulu Bell, jewelry, Laura Hubka, millinery, and Christine Funk, photography, will also be on hand.

The Bluemoon Coffeehouse will be unveiling their new website, by ChicagoCreativeDesign.com, at the event. Chicago Creative specializes in making enterprise level web solutions and marketing accessible to small businesses and has also developed TheBlossomBoys.com among many others.

The Puppet Show, Buddy the Bus, is based on a children’s book by Chicagoan Brian Jones, and the stage adaptation will be presented by Jeannie McQueenie Production’s Jean Vanier, an area reading enrichment and outreach presenter.

The Fall Festival at 99th and Walden offers the community a chance to enjoy an afternoon of family fun, get to know these unique merchants, enjoy the fall weather, and begin your holiday shopping. The Festival will be held from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm, Saturday, October 24th, at corner of 99th Street and Walden Parkway in Chicago.

Cara Dillon to Debut New Album in Chicago

admin — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:15:30 +0000

Irish Singer Cara Dillon has, so far, released four albums to critical acclaim. Her newest album, “Hill of Thieves” is due for release on Tuesday, September 15th. On the 18th, Dillon and band come to Chicago at World Music Company, 1808 W. 103rd Street, to present a full length concert and kick off Chicago’s World Music Festival 2009. This concert will be a rare opportunity for stateside audiences to hear the live debut of the music from “Hill of Thieves” in an intimate concert setting.

Preview the music of Cara Dillon including the song “The Hill of Thieves”:

Cara Dillon’s “Hill of Thieves” has been released and well received in the UK. This Friday’s concert will be the first time US audiences will be able to hear material from the new album live. It will also be the opening feature of Chicago’s World Music Festival. In the UK publication The Guardian, journalist Robin Denselow reviews the album as “a cool, relaxed treatment of almost exclusively traditional songs on which Dillon’s singing is as fine as ever”. Writing for the Belfast Telegraph, Nigel Gould says of Dillon and the album, “Blessed with the voice of an angel, Dillon gently eases the listener through a series of deliciously uplifting tunes.”

The World Music Company offers lessons, classes, family activities, a Jazz series, and the annual Concert Series. The Concert Series aims to bring a wide and varied array of entertainers and musical performances to Chicago’s south side. It is the only venue like this in the immediate area. World Music Company is located at 1808 W. 103rd Street. Their website can be found at http://www.WorldMusicCompany.org/.

World Music Festival Chicago 2009 Starts With Cara Dillon at World Music Company

admin — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 05:12:55 +0000

Cara Dillon at World Music Company

This year’s World Music Festival brings to Chicago fifty seven artists, fifty five events, 21 venues, with the music of thirty two countries represented. Kicking off the fest, The World Music Company, 1808 W. 103rd Street, is pleased to present Cara Dillon in concert at 8pm on Friday, September 18th.

Dillon hails from Northern Ireland, and has been singing and performing since a very young age. She won the All Ireland Singing Trophy at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, at age 14. She has since gone on to sing and play with a number of the UK’s biggest folk bands. She met her now husband and collaborator Sam Lakeman in the band Equation in the mid-nineties. The pair formed a strong musical bond with Lakeman as Guitarist/Pianist/Producer, and Dillon as vocalist. Their original music combines traditional Celtic influences with modern sensibilities, and blends well with the Celtic traditional and standards that are a part of their performing repertoire. Dillon’s albums have been well received and have prompted comparison to another great UK vocalist, Kate Bush, along with many other critical accolades.

The World Music Company is a Not-For-Profit school of music located in Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood. In addition to music classes and activities for children and adults, World Music Company presents a concert series every year from September through May. This year’s concert series is funded in part by a City Arts grant, and features Cara Dillon on September 18th in cooperation with the World Music Festival Chicago. All performances take place in the World Music Company Concert Hall, a comfortable, intimate space. Dillon and band will perform a full evening of original and traditional music from 8-10:30. More information on Dillon, including video clips, is available at www.WorldMusicCompany.org. Tickets are only $15 and may be purchased online or by calling 773.779.7059.

Sample music and buy tickets.

The Chicago Air and Water Show in Pictures

admin — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 18:08:57 +0000

The Chicago Air & Water Show takes place on August 15 and August 16, from 10 am – 4 pm, at North Avenue Beach. Get complete schedule and information here.

Chicago Air and Water Show

Formation fliers

Airplane Trails

The Air Show at Night

Formation Fliers over Lake Michigan

Parachute Stunts

Formation Flier Trails over Chicago

Chicago Air and Water Show – Schedule

admin — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:52:48 +0000

The Chicago Air & Water Show is the largest spectator event in the United States and the longest ongoing show of its kind in North America. This year’s event will take place on August 15 and August 16, from 10 am – 4 pm, at North Avenue Beach. The Air & Water portions are now combined into one continuous show. View a slideshow!

Chicago Air and Water Show

2009 Performers

Air Show Headliners

• U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds

• U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights

• U.S. Navy Parachute Team Leap Frogs

Civilian Aircraft

• Aeroshell Aerobatic Team

• Sean D. Tucker & Team Oracle

• Lime Lima Flight Team

• Chicago Fire Department Air/Sea Rescue

• Lima Lima Flight Crew

• Sean D. Tucker & Team Oracle

• The Firebirds Delta Team

• Ed Hamill – Air Force Reserve Bi-Plane

• Red Bull Mig

• Red Bull Helicopter

Pilot – Chuck Aaron

• P-51 Mustang

• Chicago Fire Department Air/Sea Rescue

Military

• C-130

• F-15

• F-16

• A-10 Demo

• B-1B

• Apache Helicopter

• Black Hawk Helicopter

• KC-135

• KC-10

• C-17

• U.S. Coast Guard Air/Sea Recsue

Announcer

• Herb Hunter

Late Chicago Blackhawks Legend Reggie Fleming Praises the People of Chicago

admin — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 03:04:22 +0000

In his final days, late Chicago Blackhawk legend Reggie Fleming shares his memories of Chicago and the people. Fleming was on the Stanley Cup winning Blackhawks team of 1961. He passed away on July 11, 2009, after two years in rehab and recovery.

Reggie Fleming played on the Stanley Cup Champion 1961 Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Country Music Fest 2009 to feature Miranda Lambert

admin — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 02:34:41 +0000

Miranda Lambert Comes to Chicago Country Music Fest

The Chicago Country Music Fest, one of the City’s newest fests, is pleased to announce that this year, 2009, one of Country Music’s highest flying young starts, Miranda Lambert, will headline.

Chicago Mayor Daley is a country music fan and rallied for a Chicago Country Music Festival in the city. Chicago is home to a vast number of country singers/songwriters and bands here.

the inaugural Chicago Country Music Festival was held in 1991. It was a two-day event, held on city streets, near Sheffield and Weed Street. Over 40,000 country music fans turned out in 99 degree heat to watch an extensive talent line-up, featuring everything from clog dancers and square dancers to the singing group The Texas Tornadoes, Rodney Crowell and Pam Tillis. Music critics gave it a thumbs up for the variety of country music offered. Because of the big crowds, it was decided to move the event the following year to Grant Park to accommodate the crowds.

For 16 years, the Chicago Country Music Festival took place on the first weekend of Taste of Chicago, the city’s premier culinary event. It was considered a festival within a festival. Country music was featured on two music stages and performers over the years have included Emmylou Harris, Dwight Yoakam, Faith Hill, Keith Urban, George Jones, Waylon Jennings, Wynonna, Yonder Mountain String Band, Randy Travis, Loretta Lynn and the father of bluegrass music, Bill Monroe.

In 2008, the Chicago Country Music Festival moved out from the Taste of Chicago to a new location and a new date. The festival moved to Soldier Field Parkland. Large crowds turned out for Gretchen Wilson, Lady Antebellum and Taylor Swift, among others. The Best Buy Honky Tonk Stage and the Americana Stage rounded out the talent lineup. Also added was a Kids Corral and Dance Tent.

The festival is moving again – to Oct. 3 & 4, 2009 in Grant Park. Headlining this year’s fest is Miranda Lambert.