Music

Fat Tuesday: the last day to indulge in richer, heartier foods before the fasting of Lent begins. Or, for some, it’s an excuse to throw your diet out the window and eat whatever you want only to then give up “the bad things” for 40 days and nights(ish) – no judgment. New Orleans is known for their Mardi Gras celebration: masks, drinking, parades, music, drinking, parties, drinking…you get the point. In Chicago – and other areas with large Polish communities – Fat Tuesday is also referred to as Pączki Day.

Hi, this is Terrence Chappell. I'm the event chair for the Joffrey Auxiliary Board, and I'm writing to tell you about the Joffrey Auxiliary Board's Pointe of Departure art exhibition benefit. Art begets style and American legends as the Joffrey Auxiliary Board hosts their 3rd annual Pointe of Departure benefit on Thursday, Feb. 7. Located at 108 N. State St., and just overlooking the Joffrey Tower, Block 37’s raw, loft penthouse space will welcome the city’s jet set of budding philanthropists, tastemakers and artists for an evening of commissioned art themed after American legends and inspired by the movement of dance, custom cocktails, heavy hors d'oeuvres, exclusive silent auction gifts, and above all a celebration of the Joffrey Ballet.

Hi, this is Rasa Gierstikas from the planet Earth and I'm here to tell you about The Shit Show comedy showcase. The Shit Show is “Chicago’s Premiere FREE Monthly Comedy Showcase” that is held the LAST Friday of every month at 8pm at The Shambles! Local comic Ever Mainard and I host/ produce a comedy variety show the last Friday of every month that includes emerging local comics to seasoned performers who have appeared on David Letterman, B.E.T., etc. Prizes are given to audience members, as well as, performers with the night’s “Best Joke!” by The Shit Show’s very own Hotdog Man (Keith Paesel) -winners determined by the audience.

It’s a pretty well known fact that Red Bull events NEVER disappoint. What’s their secret? I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s as simple as “thinking outside of the box.” Red Bull is always a hop, skip and a jump ahead of the curve, hosting events that aren’t even on the rest of the world’s radar. So, I wasn’t surprised to learn that Red Bull Thre3Style is, yet again, like nothing else out there.

Note to reader: Do not pack lunch the week of January 21-25. Leave your salads and half eaten left overs at home…it’s chili time, ladies and gents.

Wednesday, January 23rd at 8pm, world-renowned musician Jose Feliciano will be performing with special guest DJ Sound Culture at City Winery. Even if you don’t recognize his name, you are probably familiar with some of Feliciano’s work, including the holiday staple “Feliz Navidad.”

Dear Chicago, Live music! Free Cookies! Boobs! Ok, TOTALLY kidding about the boobs. But I have your attention now, right? This Friday, my band will playing a big all ages show at Mayne Stage to promote the release of my new single, “Santa Monica”, and it would be amazing to see you there. All of you! All five of you who didn’t run for the hills when I said, “live music”.

The CEO of Rockit Ranch Productions, Billy Dec, is currently looking for Spring interns! We are looking for outgoing, fun, energetic people who love Chicago, believe in our brand, want to work hard, learn a tremendous amount and have a strong grasp on the current and up and coming social media platforms and trends.

Early New year prediction: I pull my numb face off a mirror, peel my withered tendril of a former feather boa off the sticky club floor and grope about in the dark For my shades….it’s a brand new year, is that howling I hear outside?..is it the year of the diamond dogs? No-not quite, however I do know that I, Chris Connelly, am fulfilling a secret dream of mine to step into the shiny black brogues of the THIN WHITE DUKE and be him for a night, and not just ANY night, January 11th, just 3 days after his 66th birthday! And where? Oh-the METRO, my favorite venue ! and why? Apart from why NOT!? Because it’s for the Pablove foundation, an amazing organization established to provide relief for the patients and families of pediatric cancer.

What happens when you combine leaders in the world of Chicago arts, culture & entertainment? An incredible musical that takes its audience on a journey of reflection and self-discovery through song, dance, fashion and design. Sita Ram began in 2002 when Krithika Rajagopalan of Natya Dance Company commissioned founding ensemble member of the Lookingglass Theatre Company, David Kresnar, and Grammy-nominated composer, Jai Uttal, to create a world musical that encompassed Chicago’s rich diversity and culture. The first show premiered in 2006 and was a great success. The Hindu epic, Ramayana, is the basis for Sita Ram as it fuses together the past, present & future – all themes that are as relevant today as they were 3,000 years ago when Ramayana was first written.