Grammys 2022 April 3. (Grap;hic courtesy of Grammy Awards Recording Academy)
7 p.m.CT on cbs
See the CBS list of nominsee
With 85 categories the Recording Academy’s 64th Annual Grammys Awards that kick off at 7 p.m. CT, April 3, may be a long night. But hey, if looking at the list of nominees it should be a night of top-notch recording artists. The best list of nominees is at CBS which is doing the broadcast. Visit THE GRAMMYs®️ News on CBS.
After its January spot and LA’s Cryp;to.com Arena was canceled due to COVID concerns, the ceremony will now be at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Nominations of eligible artists, recordings and compositions from Sept. 1, 2020 to Sept. 30, 2021 were announced on virtual livestream Nov. 23, 2021. and 30, 2022.
The 2021 Grammys host, comedian Trevor Noah, will host the 2022 ceremony. Expect him to have a lot to say about who received the most nominations. Jon Batiste led with eleven, followed by Doja Cat, H.E.R., and Justin Bieber each with eight each, then Billie eillish and Oivia Rodrigo, each received seven nominations.
Ellish who has another record of the year, song of the year and pop solo performance is among the night’s performers. But also listen for songs by the late Stephen Sondheim.
What to watch for: Tony Bennet at 95 who has taken home 19 Grammys may be recognized for his album with Lady Gaga, ” Love for Sale” or for their pop duo piece “I Get a Kick out of You.”
Avec River North, a popular upscale restaurant, is participating in Chicago Restaurant Week. (Photo courtesy of Avec River North)
After surviving a winter of ordering out and shopping and seeing shows virtually, it’s nice to find a few fun, in-person options filling the April calendar.
Chicago Restaurant Week
Now through April 10, diners have a chance to try a new on the city’s food scene or popular but pricey upscale eatery at a more pocket-friendly level.
Menus are multi-course, prix fixe at $25 for lunch or brunch and $29 and/or $55 for dinner. Experience can be dine-in or takeout/delivery. (Price excludes beverages, tax, gratuity, and delivery fees). Find restaurants and menus at Chicago Restaurant Week Participating Restaurants | Choose Chicago
Rhino Fest returns in April 2022 (Photo courtesy of Pride Arts)
Pride Arts and Rhinofest
After missing 2021 due to COVID, Hint of Rhino: Rhinoceros Theater Festival 2022 , will be April 1 through May 7, 2022. Presented by The Curious Theatre Branch in association with the Pride Arts Center and Jimmy Beans Cabaret, Prop Thtr and Labyrinth Arts, shows will run Thursday through Sunday at Jimmy Beans Coffee (2553 W. Fullerton Ave, second floor) in Logan Square and at the Broadway Theater at Pride Arts Center (4139 N Broadway Ave) in Uptown.
Tickets to all events are $20 or pay-what-you-can. Proof of vaccination will be required at the door, and audience members and crew will remain masked inside venues. For ticket, show and other information visit rhinofest.com.
Maxwell Street Market
Known for its crafts, clothes, music, street food and family fun, the historic Maxwell Street Market reopens April 3. Hours are Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For directions and more information visit City of Chicago :: Maxwell Street Market.
Maxwell Street Market reopens. (Photo courtesy of City of Chicago)
Expo Chicago
Among the world’s leading art exhibition and programing, Expo Chicago will be at Navy Pier April 7 through April 10, 2022.
Coming in the second half of April, the Latino film Fest runs April 21 through May 1, 2022. For locations and more information visit CLFF – Chicago Latino Film Festival.
Ravinia Festival’s main entrance is seen from the train stop and West Parking Lot. (J Jacobs photo)
Ravinia Festival, the famed Highland Park summer concert-in-the-park venue, announced its sterling line-up for the 2022 season March 24.
Check it out now because even though tickets go on sale to the public May 4, donors get to reserve their tickets March 30. Visit Ravinia Festival/Official Site.
The Festival opens May 20 and21 with the Ruth Page Civic Ballet and ends Sept. 17 with Pianist Einav Yarde and Queen with Derrick Carter, Michael Serafini and Garrett David and Sept 18 with Fiesta Ravinia: Kumbia Kings and Dos Santos.
In between are more than 100 concerts ranging from classic, pop and folk to hip hop, rock and jazz. See Ravinia/Online Schedule/Calendar.
Ravinia Festival goers spread out near the Pavilion for a summer musical evening. (J Jacobs photo)
Still the summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra with Chief Conductor Marin Alsop, the schedule has 17 CSO concerts including the First Annual “Breaking Barriers Festival.” Curated by Alsop, it celebrates women conductors.
Some of the highlights: Sting, Emmylou Harris, Béla Fleck, Common, Jackson Browne, Gipsy Kings, Sheryl Crow, John Fogerty, Stevie Nicks and Esperanza Spalding.
About 50 artists will make their Ravinia debut including Pitbull, Erykah Badu, Grace Potter, Dispatch, The Black Crowes and Ziggy Marley.
Performer venue
Performances will mainly be on the main-stage Pavilion, the indoor Martin Theatre and Bennett Gordon Hall. Plus, after its successful inaugural year in 2021, the outdoor Carousel stage will have casual concerts and opening acts on the North Lawn that will be announced.
Most Ravinia Festival restaurants and the Market include a patio.(Photo courtesy of Ravinia Festival)
Dining
Bring a picnic basket or take advantage of the Ravinia Market and its mobile carts. Or dine (reservations strongly suggested) at Ravinia’s Park View, Tree Top and Lawn Bar in the Dining Pavilion.
Special Feature
The Ravinia Music Box. Free to park patrons, it features an immersive 4D experience called Bernstei ‘s Answer. That celebrates Leonard Bernstein’s legacy.
Best is to take advantage of bus shuttles where you park at the Highland Park Metra train station or take the train directly to the Ravinia train stop. Union Pacific North line ill honor Ravinia tickets in lieu of train fares on date and time of concert.
Masks needed on trains and buses if the mask mandate is extended beyond April 18, 2022.
The main West Parking Lot is on Green Bay Road north of Lake Cook Road at 201 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park, IL
Oscars(R) night March 27. (Photo courtesy of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences)
It’s Oscar® time.
Sunday March 27, 2022, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will be handing out their awards for everything related to movies from acting and costuming to productions and special effects. But did you get out to a movie or did you stream a few? Do you know who and what films have been nominated?
No question that COVID worries changed our theater-going habits. Adding to pandemic concerns are questions about the Academy’s award process over the years, particularly regarding diversity and gender bias.
And what the Academy wonders is will you be watching the ceremony. The 94th Oscars will air live on ABC at 8 p.m. ET.
To up the audience rating and get some excitement going for the Academy Awards 2022, show producers Will Packer and Shayla Cowan have been announcing in the weeks leading up to the event who will host, who will present, and lastly and maybe most importantly, who has now confirmed they will perform.
Performers of nominated songs
“Be Alive” from “King Richard” – Performed by Beyoncé, music and lyric by DIXSON and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter.
“Dos Oruguitas” from “Encanto” – Performed by Sebastián Yatra, music and lyric by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
“No Time To Die” from “No Time to Die” – Performed by Billie Eilish and FINNEAS, music and lyric by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell.
“Somehow You Do” from “Four Good Days” – Performed by Reba McEntire, music and lyric by Diane Warren.
“Down To Joy” from “Belfast,” music and lyric by Van Morrison. (Van Morrison was invited to perform his nominated song but will not attend the Oscars due to his tour schedule. Therefore “Down To Joy” from “Belfast” will not be performed on the broadcast.
Who will present
The star-studded list of presenters who have confirmed cover range from past to present and from Ruth E. Carter and Lady Gaga to Anthony Hopkins and Bill Murray.
The list, so far, includes Halle Bailey, Stephanie Beatriz, Ruth E. Carter, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Kevin Costner, Jamie Lee Curtis, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Garner, H.E.R., Tiffany Haddish, Woody Harrelson, Tony Hawk, Anthony Hopkins, Samuel L. Jackson, Lily James, Daniel Kaluuya, Zoë Kravitz, DJ Khaled, Mila Kunis, John Leguizamo, Simu Liu, Rami Malek, Shawn Mendes, Bill Murray, Lupita Nyong’o, Elliot Page, Rosie Perez, Tyler Perry, Chris Rock, Tracee Ellis Ross, Naomi Scott, Kelly Slater, Wesley Snipes, Uma Thurman, John Travolta, Shaun White, and Yuh-Jung Youn. * (Last minute presenters added)
Who will host
After not having any host last year, the producers have called on three first timers: Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes.
“This year’s show is all about uniting movie lovers. It’s apropos that we’ve lined up three of the most dynamic, hilarious women with very different comedic styles,” said Packer. “I know the fun Regina, Amy and Wanda will be having will translate to our audience as well. Many surprises in store! Expect the unexpected!”
Special musical performers
An All-Star Band featuring the show’s music director, Adam Blackstone, blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, percussionist and singer Sheila E. and genre-spanning pianist Robert Glasper, as well as DJ D-Nice who held virtual Club Quarantine parties and The Samples, a vocal group led by Jason White.
*More presenters added March 23: Josh Brolin, Jacob Elordi, Jake Gyllenhaal, Jason Momoa, Jill Scott, J.K. Simmons, Serena Williams, Venus Williams and Rachel Zegler.
There have been numerous takes on who wrote the plays and other works attributed to William Shakespeare.
None that I’ve seen have attributed them to a woman until Deena Lindstedt recently published her book, Lady of the Play.
Although listed as a “Historical Fiction Novel,” and not annotated with scholarly references, Lindstedt makes an interesting case that a well-educated, well-born, highly imaginative woman wrote “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
The seed for this striking deviation from standard thinking came when Lindstedt who had retired from a long-time career in workers’ compensation claims administration to develop writing and research skills at Marylhurst University, wrote a senior paper titled “Shakespeare, Perhaps a Woman.”
Lindstedt delivered the paper at the Shakespeare Authorship Symposium at Concordia University in Portland, OR in 2011. Extensive research of the era eventually led to Lady of the Play, published by Wings ePress Books, October 2021.
In Lady of the Play, readers are introduced to Elizabeth Trentham who become a maid of honor in the court of Queen Elizabeth I and married Edward deVere, the seventeenth Earl of Oxford.
The book reveals how the couple may have merged two words to come up with the name Shakespeare as a pseudonym for the works they may have authored.
Interesting as the story of Elizabeth Trentham is, it is just half the tale developed by Lindstedt. She melds the Elizabethan time with the problems besetting current characters as they attempt to prove what may be an earthshattering discovery.
Together, the old and new tales are well-meshed into a fascinating, enjoyable read.
Note: Deena Lindstedt also wrote Deception Cove in 2010 and is working on Betrayal Bay as the second book in her Meredith Maxwell mystery series. For more information visit www.deenalindstedt.com. (Lady of the Play can be found on Amazon and Barnes and Noble).
Jason Richards and Ginger Minj in Music Theater Works La Cage (Photo by Brett Beiner)
Four Stars
Prepare for great music, lots of Laughs and gorgeous costumes as Music Theater Works takes you to the swanky nightclub of La Cage Aux Folles in St. Tropez.
Winner of six Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book, La Cage brings an outstanding night of musical theatre to the Performing Arts Center in Skokie with a few surprises throw in!
Based on the hit French farce that also inspired Hollywood’s “The Birdcage,” this Broadway smash features a hilarious book by Harvey Fierstein and a score by the king of show tunes, Jerry Herman (Hello, Dolly! and Mame).
From the moment you enter the theatre, you’ll be immediately transported to La Cage’s elegant St Tropez nightclub, complete with “women” in cages welcoming you, an onstage bar and tables surrounding the stage.
Opening on Broadway in 1983, La Cage broke barriers by becoming the first hit Broadway musical centered on a gay relationship.
Society has come very far from the times when this play opened. Today, gender roles have never been a more contemporary issue.
The plot centers around Georges, the owner of “La Cage,” and his long-time lover, “Zaza.” When their son, Jean- Michel, announces his engagement to Anne, the trouble begins, especially when they find out her father is a very conservative government official, running for office.
Ginger Minj as Zaza in Music Theater Works La Cage. (Photo by Brett Beiner)
With plenty of audience interaction, the musical is filled with not one, but two show-stopping hits you’ll be humming as you leave the show.
“I Am What I Am” is the perfect anthem for everyone – live your own life and do not make excuses for being true to yourself. The cast belts it out loud and clear. “The Best of Times” is another powerful ballad that will leave you breathless.
The production stars RuPaul’s Drag Race headliner, Ginger Minj, as Albin, and he/she is beyond fabulous. She sings, acts and creates a great performance with a touch of whimsy. And oh, those exquisite wigs designed by David Ian Grant!
Jason Richards makes his Music Theater Works debut as Georges. He’s got a great voice and excellent stage presence as both the emcee of his club and his role as husband to Zaza. He demonstrates a sense of vulnerability, afraid to hurt his lover.
Standouts also include Dane Strange as Jacob who keeps the audience in stitches with his antics and Caron Buinis, with her strong operatic voice.
(Top row, L to R) Daniel Hurst, Brian Selcik, Jordan Taylor and Gabe Kohlbeck (Photo by Brett Beiner)
Kudos to project runway designer Justin LeBlanc for his costumes that are over-the-top sparkly, flashy and gorgeous. And to choreographer, Christopher Carter, whose dance moves especially for male bodies, is fabulous. Artistic director Kyle Dougan directs the show with passion and purpose.
As with many shows of this type, the dancers are so graceful it’s hard to believe their gender.
This is the first show of the season for Music Theater Works. The rest of the season includes “The Little Mermaid (March 10 – April 3) Zorro (August 11 -21), Camelot (October 20 – November 13) and White Christmas (December 15 – January 1.)
DETAILS: “La Cage” is playing at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie through April 3, 2022. Runtime: 2 hours and 40 minutes with intermission. For Tickets, go to musictheaterworks.com/la-cage-aux-folles/.
Important Notice: All guests will be required to wear face masks regardless of vaccination status and show their vaccination cards.
Chicago River turns Green to celebrate Saint Patrick. (Photo courtesy of City of Chicago)
Wear something green on March 17, the date Saint Patrick died in the fifth century. But if you want to watch a parade in his honor or see the Chicago River turn green you’ll want to start celebrating St. Patrick’s Day the weekend before the anniversary date.
Chicago River Dyed Green
On Saturday, March 12, 2022, start your celebration near Chicago’s Mag Mile at the Michigan Avenue Bridge, Wacker Drive on the south bank or the Riverwalk on the north bank.
That is where the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130 work their secret formula magic each year between Columbus Drive and Wabash Avenue, Saturday morning before Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Typically using two motor boats and usually starting about 10 a.m., union members pour and disperse gallons of an orange-colored environmentally-safe vegetable powder into the water.
The process takes about 45 minutes and draws a big crowd so if you go you’ll want to get to the area early for a good vantage point.
Originally started in 1962 using a fluorescent dye that made the water green for a few weeks, the dying process was changed to an eco-friendly powder that turned the river green for a few hours.
Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Next, head to Columbus Drive for the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade. It begins at 12:15 p.m. at Balbo Drive and continues north to Monroe Drive.
Expect to see floats, Irish dancers, bagpipers and bands including the Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band which has been leading the parade since 1956. Then, you will hear lots of applause as representatives of the 2022 theme, Chicagoland’s Essential Workers, march into view. Of course there will be city, state and US politicians. For more info visit St. P:atrick’s Day Parade org.
Irish American Heritage Center Fest
Wind up at the St. Patrick Festival at Irish American Heritage Center for good food, beer and entertainment from 1 to 11:30 p.m. While there absorb Irish culture in its museum. Find tickets and more information at Irish American Heritage Center (irish-american.org) (Children welcome and ages 11 and under have free admission.
South Side Irish Parade
The St. Patrick salutes continue on Sunday, March 13 with the popular South Side Irish Parade in the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago at noon.
A family-friendly parade, it began as a really small, kids only parade by a couple of neighbors in 1979. However, it grew and grew to become so popular across the Chicago area attendance disrupted its Beverly neighborhood until restrictions on parking and drinking were put in place.
So go but observe neighborhood requests. The parade is on Western Avenue from 103rd Street to 115th Street. For more information visit Home – South Side Irish Parade
Northwest Side Irish
If Northwest is more your location, consider the Northwest Side Irish Parade March 13 that also beings at noon. It goes from Neola Avenue to Northwest Highway.
A fun, community event, the parade winds through Chicago’s Norwood Park neighborhood. It begins at the William J. Onahan School, goes south on Neola venue to Northwest Highway and then heads north to Harlem Avenue. There is an after parade party at Zia’s Social. Visit Northwest Side Irish Parade.
You might hear Céad mile fáite (A hundred thousand welcomes) n or Erin Go Bragh (Braugh) roughly meaning Ireland til the end of time, there or at the Irish Heritage Center.
In step with boycotts of anything Russian, the prevailing film festival sentiment including the Cannes and Venice Film Festivals is to not accept Russian filmmakers or films with ties to the Putin regime.
Festival de Cannes released a statement saying it would ban Russian delegations at its 75th edition in May. The statement read: As the world has been hit by a heavy crisis in which a part of Europe finds itself in a state of war, the Festival de Cannes wishes to extend all its support to the people of Ukraine and all those who are in its territory.” The statement continued with “However modest as it is, we join our voices with those who oppose this unacceptable situation and denounce the attitude of Russia and its leaders.”
To clarify, the statement added, “During this winter of 2022 the Festival de Cannes has entered its preparation phase. Unless the war of assault ends in conditions that will satisfy the Ukrainian people, it has been decided that we will not welcome official Russian delegations nor accept the presence of anyone linked to the Russian government.”
The Venice Biennale which oversees the Venice Film Festival also issued a statement that said it would ban Russian delegations and people connected to the government but added that it would not ban Russian artists who are independent and speak against the Vladmir Putin regime. Their statement said the festival would “therefore not accept the presence at any of its events any official delegations, institutions or persons tied in any capacity to the Russian government.”
Jewish Film Festival (Photo courtesy of JCC)
Jewish Film Festival in March
The JCC Film Festival will stream and hold in-person showings of 18 films from March 10 through March 27, 2022. The in-person showings will be at three successive Sundays, March 13, 20 and 27, but at four different theaters.
Marika Aubrey leads a group of female pilots in “Come from Away.” (Photo by Matthew Murphy.)
4 Stars
Based on true events, this Tony award-winning musical tells the story of 7,000 airline passengers from 38 planes that were stranded in the town of Gander, Newfoundland, Canada after Sept. 11, 2001.
The people of the small town stepped up to the plate to house, feed, clothe and care for these frightened international travelers who had no idea when they’d be going home.
Written by Tony® nominees Irene Sankoff and David Hein, and directed by Tony-winning Best Director, Christopher Ashley, this uplifting, high-energy musical goes straight to the heart. Many of the original Broadway cast have reprised their inspiring roles in Chicago.
The audience watches as cultures clash and uneasy alliances grow into lasting relationships. It is joyous in the face of tragedy.
Band performs front and center and behind the scenes in “Come from Away.” (Photo by Matthew Murphy.)
The cast members all play a number of roles, while a talented band of musicians rotate in and out throughout the play, led by members of the original show. Together, they create a powerful, commanding presence of storytelling.
Kudos to Marika Aubrey who plays American Airlines captain, Beverly, and others who have the best song in the play, “Me and the Sky.” She captivates the audience with her journey when there were no women in the cockpit through the ranks to piloting an airplane and then becoming a flight instructor. She is outstanding with strong vocals and believable character portrayals.
Stand outs also include Julie Johnson as Gander resident, Beulah, and Julie Knitel as Gander broadcaster Janice.
Scenic design by Tony Award Winner Beowulf Boritt navigates around seats in an airplane to seats at a table to create an innovative setting.
Even more heartwarming was the response of the passengers, who upon finally getting to leave, contributed thousands of dollars to the community. When returning home, the grateful passengers continued to send money, flowers, food and gifts.
In the story, the impact worked both ways as Newfoundlanders discovered how empty their lives felt after the passengers went home.
Cast of “Come from Away” celebrates 10 years later. (Photo by Matthew Murphy.) Band performs front and center and behind the scenes in “Come from Away.” Photo by Matthew Murphy.
Ten years later, the crew and passengers reunite in Gander to celebrate the lifelong friendships and strong connections they created in spite of the terrorist attacks. As Claude the mayor professes, “Tonight we honor what was lost, but we also commemorate what we found.”
On opening night, the entire audience was on their feet for a standing, well- deserved ovation.
DETAILS: “Come from Away” is playing at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph, Chicago through March 6, 2022/ Run time: 100 minutes without intermission. For tickets, go to broadwayinchicago.com.
