Bring a picnic and a blanket or chair to sit on and hear the Grant Park Orchestra and chorus and vocal soloists perform Gershwin's Greatest Hits FREE at the Grant Park Music Festival at Pritzker Pavilion.
http://www.grantparkmusicfestival.com/schedule.shtml
http://www.gershwin.com/

Performer websites:
http://www.harolynblackwell.com/
http://www.marinmazzie.com/
http://www.jasondanieley.com/
http://www.kirillgerstein.com/

Show starts at 7:30. Meet outside Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., at 6:15 PM, we will depart for the concert grounds at 6:25.

Please call 773-818-1343 if you're running late, can't find us, or have questions.

NOTE: I decided to make the meeting point simpler to find, as several people indicated they weren't sure where the "main entrance" to the Pavilion is. We are now meeting outside the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St. at 6:15 PM, and we will depart for Pritzker Pavilion at 6:25. Hope to see you there!

And now for something completely different. See the documentary "Chicago 360 Vol. 3 Work" at the Chicago History Museum, free with admission. Movie starts at 1:30, museum opens at noon. Feel free to arrive at noon to check out the museum prior to the movie. If you come early to see the museum pick up a movie ticket when you buy your admission. No need to stand in line twice! We will meet at 1:00 in the lobby, take seats at 1:15. Movie should end around 3, museum closes at 5. We will get something to eat after museum closes if there is interest in order to enjoy the rest of the museum, my favorite place in Chicago.

I already saw this movie but it made such an impact that I wanted other people to have a chance to see it too, because it is just THAT GOOD. This is a series of 5 short documentaries about work in Chicago. Meet some of the people and places that make Chicago "work".

-Go inside the Tribune and the Sun-Times and learn how the papers are changing to meet the challenges of the 21st century and what happens when they don't.
-Meet a woman who started a promotional button company in her home and now sells buttons to the stars.
-Find out what it's like to sell peanuts on the street in cold and rain and snow and searing heat.
-See how musicians and other creative types are balancing work and parenthood (along with some adorable kids who steal the show).
-Hear postal employees talk about choices made and dreams deferred.

The whole thing is absolutely fascinating and enlightening and moving and funny and sad at the same time. Really worth seeing, and the Chicago History Museum venue is icing on the cake. This is the last showing, don't miss it. Please call 773-818-1343 if you are running late, can't find us, or have questions. Hope to see you there!

http://www.chicagohistory.org/planavisit/upcomingevents/film
trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kv5bOsda5O0
Online ticketing to save time and guarantee a seat?https://services.chicagohistory.org/auto_choose_ga.asp?area=80

Theatre Momentum announces the return of
The 15 Hour Project!

Theatre Momentum is remounting our signature event, The 15 Hour Project.
Join us for an entire day of improv theatre workshop, rehearsal, and performance, with some of Chicago's premier directors. We've run this event twice before, and it's been a complete blast. Check it out:

The 15 Hour Project consists of three parts:

A morning workshop (10 AM-2 PM), modeled after TM's Work(shop)-in-Progress, followed by an afternoon rehearsal period (3-6 PM) and an evening performance (9 PM).

The daytime sessions of The 15 Hour Project will take place at the Strawdog Theatre (3829 N. Broadway, 2nd floor) at 9:30 AM on Saturday, June 28th. Performances will be at Mullens at 9 PM.

Schedule is as follows:

9:30 AM - Check in

10 AM-2 PM - Work(shop)-in-Progress with Don Hall
Don Hall, WiP's director, will run a 4 hour improv theatre workshop to generate three brand new show formats. The structure of this will be slightly different than the traditional WiP format, and will use input from all workshop participants to create some truly unique shows. These shows will be performed a few times, polished a bit, and prepped for rehearsal. At the end of the WiP session, the participants will break into three groups, to work on one singular format.

2-3 PM - Lunch break

3-6 PM - Rehearsal
After lunch, the three longforms are handed off to our three directors, Jamie Buell, Joe Janes, and Angie McMahon. Workshoppers will rehearse the formats they created that morning, tweaking, polishing, and preparing them for performance.
The shows being prepared will aim for a 30-35 minute show length.

8 PM - Doors Open
Doors open at Mullens (upstairs lounge), which will be our stage for the night. Tickets will be sold at the door for $10. As a participant, you get in free, of course.

9 PM - First of The 15 Hour Project shows begins
Performances will run about 30-35 minutes apiece, with one intermission.

Cost: Only $25!

That's right. This entire day of workshop, rehearsal, and performance will cost $25, to cover the expenses of the day. Theatre Momentum is not about making a huge profit- it's about providing opportunities.

And there's more?
Given that there is no better promotion than word-of-mouth, and given that Theatre Momentum would love to make this event as inexpensive as possible, Theatre Momentum will pay you. That's the word. When audience members purchase a ticket for the shows of The 15 Hour Project, we'll ask them how they heard about the show. For every audience member that mentions your name, you will receive $5 cash at the end of the night. Simple. We want you to have an audience, and we want to give back.

For more information, or to register for The 15 Hour Project, please send an email to info@TheatreMomentum.com.

PLEASE NOTE:
The 15 Hour Project is only open to participants who have a minimum of 6 months improv/acting experience. Due to the nature of this event, it's simply easier to work it this way.
Also, RSVP'ing on this site does NOT constitute signing up for the event, as space is limited and we have to reserve slots on a first-paid, first-served basis.

That's the story on The 15 Hour Project. Many participants will pay the day of the workshop, but it is first-come, first-served, and we are capping it at 30 people.

Thanks very much, and if you have any questions whatsoever, please feel free to drop us a line!

Full details of the workshop, Theatre Momentum, and everything else can be found on our website:
www.theatremomentum.com

__________________________________________________________

Comments from previous 15 Hour Projects:

"I had a great time working with you for the 15 Hour Project, the whole day was awesome."
-Megan P.

"I never got to say 'thanks' for putting together The 15 Hour Project- it was awesome and just a blast and the most fun I've had doing improv in a long time."
-Rebecca N.

"You and Don did an awesome job with 'The 15 Hour Project' I can't imagine how anyone could have done any better."
-Mike M.

"Thanks so much for a GREAT experience on Saturday! I had a ton of fun! You are all amazing!"
-Colleen O.

See Andy Kindler, Marc Maron, and Eugene Mirman at the Lakeshore Theater for the Stand Uppity tour. These are 3 of my favorite comedians, so it should be an awesome show. Show starts at 9 PM, meet outside the entrance under the marquee at 8:30 and we will take seats at 8:45. Please already have your ticket when you meet at 8:30--if you are buying at the door you can purchase at the box office then meet us outside. Tickets are $15 at the box office or $19.75 online. This may sell out, as the Lakeshore Theater only has 330 seats. Advance ticket purchase strongly recommended. See event description and link to tickets here: http://www.lakeshoretheater.com/ShowDetail.aspx?showID=124

If you are currently a maybe and you buy tickets in advance, then presumably you are planning to attend so if you can also change your RSVP to yes that would be appreciated.

Take 36 or 77 bus to Belmont and Broadway, or walk from Belmont station. Please call 781-308-5725 if you can't find us, are running late, or have questions. Hope to see you there!

Just added!
We will meet at 7:30 for drinks and/or food at Wilde Restaurant across the street, 3130 N. Broadway (optional). http://www.wildechicago.com/
Meet outside the entrance, no need to RSVP for the restaurant. We will still meet at 8:30 at the theatre, so feel free to join us at 7:30 at Wilde or 8:30 at the theatre.

cross-posting this for a buddy...

Tired of partying in the bars and think it costs too much? Michael has decided to have another House Party this time it will be a REAL house party and not start off as a movie night.

Let's start the house party at 8 PM. This House party will be bring your own drinks (alcoholic or not) and bring some food to share! Let's hope the weather stays nice and Michael's apartment has a courtyard that we have not been able to enjoy due to the cold.

Address is 443 W Belmont Ave, Apt B62 (Garden).

Michael is 4.5 blocks east from red line (towards the lake) at the Belmont stop.
South side of the street, in between the side streets Pine Grove Avenue and North Hudson Ave. It's an apartment building with a courtyard, and 443 is the first door on the left as you enter the courtyard. There is always the Sheridan or Belmont bus. Parking sucks, but is a parking garage at Sheridan and Belmont. And anyone can crash here.

We will put a meetup sign or maybe a balloon outside Michael's home to help you find your way.

From Michael:
"Wanna see the fun last time I had a meetup at my place?"
Flickr photos