Chicago Flower and Garden Show Brings on the Flowers and the Stars!

The Chicago Flower and Garden Show opened up this weekend with a wonderful preview party, "Evening In Bloom" that provided a first look at "Hort Couture," the theme for this years show at Navy Pier in Chicago.

The A List crowd of attendees mingled with the stars of the NBC long running daytime drama,'Days Of Our Lives' and the crowd sampled fine wines,delicious cupcakes,scrumptious  hors d'oeuvres and other sweets.I sampled the new line of  Fannie May candy,the "FM Artisan line by Norman Love" and must say I've never had a piece of candy that tasted like birthday cake! It's outstanding, as were all of the bakeries that had gorgeous cupcakes in all sizes to sample.
Models  strolled thru the show wearing new creations by local young designers from the Chicago Fashion Incubator.

Proceeds from the preview event benefited Chicago gateway Green and Friends of The Parks.

Upcoming events at the show which runs
runs thru March 18,2012
Please check the shows website for up to date info!
http://chicagoflower.com

The creative gardens at the show are beautiful and a must see. The "Teaching Garden' returns this year and other events include William Moss a master Gardener, horticulture educator, and media expert, as he shares tips and techniques for growing nutritious fruits and veggies for you and your family.  As a trusted authority in greening, gardening and urban agriculture, Moss connects with audiences to explain how to make healthier choices to improve their lives, their communities, and their environment.  William uses his landscape know-how and personality to engage, educate, and entertain audiences with relevant, informative content.His ability to bring complicated subject matter to life leaves audiences enthusiastic and charged.

Allen Rokach will be giving photography classes.

There is a first ever Green Roof Demo


Meet the "road crews" from our radio station partners and you may just win some great stuff too!  Listen to your favorite station for more details...
Rewind 100.3, Wednesday, March 14 11am - 1pm
The Mix 101.9, Thursday, March 15 11am - 1pm
The Drive 97.1, Friday, March 16 11am - 1pm


Meet the "road crews" from our radio station partners and you may just win some great stuff too!  Listen to your favorite station for more details...
Rewind 100.3, Wednesday, March 14 11am - 1pm
The Mix 101.9, Thursday, March 15 11am - 1pm
The Drive 97.1, Friday, March 16 11am - 1pm



Join us after work Friday, March 16, at our annual Mix & Mingle!
Pick up a cocktail, grab some grub, and take a walk around the Chicago Flower & Garden Show - All for only $12!  The event starts at 5:00PM and ends at 8:00PM when the Show closes.  Tickets for the Mix & Mingle are available at the Navy Pier Box Office.  Parking at Navy Pier after 5:00PM is only $10!
CARBA Cake Decorating Competition
See 10 top decorators from around the Chicago area compete for the annual prize.  Participants will have finished cakes on display all day, and create new pieces live on the Show floor to be scored by a panel of judges.
Decorating starts at 10 a.m. on Sunday, March 18.  Visit our Garden Gourmet page for more information.


Michael Gaffney will be leading a live demo on flower design.
and we have perfect weather for viewing and spending the day at Navy Pier.



for more info: http://www.chicagoflower.com/

Pictured above:

The cast of 'Days of Our Lives" and NVC-TV anchors Allison Rosati and Rob Stafford
Atmosphere-Chicago Flwoer & Garden show

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Creative Chicago Update

Expo Update

At Work Forum | Licensing Your Music | Monday, March 12 Next Week's Cultural Plan Neighborhood Conversations Creative Chicago Expo Update | March 23 & 24 ....> Featured Vendors ....> Featured Workshops .... ... > Engaging and Building Audiences Through the Web | Chris Elam, GoSeeDo .... ... > Build a Strong Online Presence | Jennifer Rapp Peterson, IndieMade .... ... > How to Succeed in the Art World | Paul Klein, Klein Artist Works .... ... > What to Charge: Pricing Your Work | Jane Hamill, Fashion Brain Academy .... > Expo Sponsors

At Work Forum | Licensing Your Music | Monday, March 12 Photo by Paul Natkin 6 pm | Chicago Cultural Center, 5th Floor This month's Musicians At Work Forum presents an in-depth conversation on licensing music for commercials, film, and television. The panel of Chicago's foremost experts includes: Bonny Dolan (Comma Music), Gabe McDonough (Leo Burnett), and Dan Kuypers (Music Dealers). More

Next Week's Cultural Plan Neighborhood Conversations The second phase of the City of Chicago's new initiative to develop the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan   is a series of 19 cultural conversations taking place in neighborhoods all over Chicago, running through April 4. Next week's conversations are: Tuesday, March 13 Douglas Park Field House 1401 S. Sacramento Dr. 5:30 - 7:30 pm Wednesday, March 14 DePaul University - Lincoln Park Student Center LPSC Room 120 B2250 N. Shefield Ave. 4 - 5 pm Students 6 - 8 pm General Community Thursday, March 15 Austin Town Hall Park 5610 W. Lake St. 5:30 - 7:30 pm See the Complete Conversation Schedule here   . Join in the conversation and invite your neighbors along!

Creative Chicago Expo Update | March 23 & 24 Expo Workshops will make you smile. Get ready! The 9th annual Creative Chicago Expo connects artists, creative businesses, and organizations working in all creative fields—music, film, fashion, theater, dance, literary, visual arts, design, technology, and new media—with top local and national resources, vendors and workshops. Friday, March 23 targets organizations and creative businesses. Saturday, March 24 targets independent artists and start-up creatives. Admission is free. Hours are 10 - 4 pm. Learn more   .

....> Featured Vendors Meet some of the 2012 Expo Vendors: Arte y Vida Chicago   | Chicago Women's Caucus for Art   | Community Media Workshop   | Kartemquin Films   | League of Chicago Theatres   | Little Black Pearl Workshop   | Local First Chicago   | Oak Park Art League   | Peter McDowell Arts Consulting   | Society of Midland Authors   | Urban Art Retreat   | Artspace Projects   | Creative Capital   ... View the complete list here   .

....> Featured Workshops Choose from 32 workshops and panels   at the Creative Chicago Expo. Friday workshops are geared toward the needs of organizations and established creative businesses, and Saturday's target the needs of individual creatives and start-ups. Check out some featured workshops....

.... ... > Engaging and Building Audiences Through the Web | Chris Elam, GoSeeDo   Chris Elam, GoSeeDo Learn how to engage your base of support, build new audiences, and boost earned revenue potential using the new web-based platform GoSeeDo   , a social and creative service that enables artists and arts organizations across genres to engage their fans directly in the booking process . Presented by Chris Elam, Artistic Director & CEO of Misnomer Dance Theater and founder of GoSeeDo. 3/23, 1:30 pm | 4th Floor Conference Room

.... ... > Build a Strong Online Presence | Jennifer Rapp Peterson, IndieMade Jennifer Rapp Peterson, IndieMade Ever wonder how to create a website? Or what to put on your website? This session discusses learning about your audience, creating a brand, and supporting all if it with the right content and social media communication. Presented by Jennifer Rapp Peterson of IndieMade   , a company that enables creatives to have a multimedia portfolio, store, blog, calendar, and social media integration on their own websites easily and affordably. 3/24, 12 noon | 4th Floor Conference Room

.... ... > How to Succeed in the Art World | Paul Klein, Klein Artist Works Paul Klein, Klein Artist Works This session is a jam-packed, highly informative overview of how all visual artists can succeed in the art world on their terms. It's presented by Paul Klein, creator of Klein Artist Works   , a program that helps demystify the art world and assists artists in navigating their own path. For the past seven years, Klein has championed local art by writing and distributing ArtLetter, an online examination of art in Chicago that is also published in the Huffington Post. 3/24, 3 pm | Claudia Cassidy Theater

.... ... > What to Charge: Pricing Your Work | Jane Hamill, Fashion Brain Academy Jane Hamill, Fashion Brain Academy This workshop will cover the simple five-step process for pricing any work, how to have the confidence to look someone in the eye and name the price, and the one thing every creative person needs to know before they start selling anything. Whether it’s a painting, sculpture, or garment, knowing what to charge and the ability to ask for the sale can make the difference between being solvent and going broke. Presented by Jane Hamill, founder of Fashion Brain Academy   . 3/24, 3 pm | 5th Floor Garland Room

.... > Expo Sponsors Featured Sponsor: Paczolt Insurance Agency of Illinois   Sponsors: Adler School of Professional Psychology   CAN-TV   Chicago Loop Alliance   Clarion New Media   The Convergence Project, Inc.   Corky's Catering Services   LISC   School of the Art Institute Continuing Studies   WBEZ 91.5

"Like" CAR on Facebook   | Follow us on Twitter   | Take our Survey   | Contact us Chicago Artists Resource and CAR eNews are programs of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), in partnership with the Chicago Cultural Center Foundation, and the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture   . We acknowledge generous support for Chicago Artists Resource and CAR eNews from: The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation   , The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation   , Leveraging Investments in Creativity (LINC)   , The Ford Foundation   , and the Illinois Arts Council   , a state agency.

DCASE SEEKS MANAGER FOR JUMPING JACK PROGRAM

 

DCASE SEEKS MANAGER FOR JUMPING JACK PROGRAM

RFP Now Available for Company to Provide and

Run Community Building Program

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is issuing a Request for Proposal seeking qualified amusement firms to manage the scheduling and delivery of its recreational inflatable program, also known as the Jumping Jack program. This RFP is available in the DCASE City Hall office, Room 806, or one can be sent by calling 312.744.3316; final proposals are due by 4 p.m. on April 5.

In an effort to create and strengthen community relationships, the Jumping Jack program provides inflatables as a free activity for children at neighborhood block parties during the summer months. The inflatables will be available in four hour blocks on Saturdays and Sundays, beginning May 26 through September 2.

“Children in communities throughout the city look forward to playing in jumping jacks at block parties, and we are not going to disappoint them,” said DCASE Commissioner Michelle T. Boone. “By hiring a third-party vendor to manage the program, we can provide children with more time to enjoy the jumping jacks while also reducing our costs.”

In addition to being managed by a private partner, the program will focus on block parties, instead of a variety of events.  This will allow jumping jacks to stay at events for four hours, instead of just one hour.  DCASE officials anticipate serving 1,000 block parties with 4,000 hours of service, as opposed to 2,000 events with just 2,000 hours of service in 2012.

The partner will be responsible for managing the schedule, delivering, erecting and dismantling the inflatables.  Applications for the program will be available on line beginning March 12, and still be accepted, reviewed and approved by DCASE officials.  Valid applications will be filled on a first-come-first-served basis, beginning April 2.    

For more information on the Jumping Jack Inflatable Program, visit www.cityofchicago.org/dcase

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Piven Theatre Performance Project Opens Monday!

Get your tickets today for Spinning Tales    Celebrating 40 years of Performance Project & the Junior Company   We are quickly approaching the spring premiere of Piven Theatre's 2012 Performance Project! Performance Project is an advanced youth ensemble composed of long-time Piven students.  These dedicated junior high and high school students use their improvisation and theatre games training to create and adapt compelling stories for the stage.         See this talented youth company present some of Piven's favorite stories: "Rumpelstiltskin," "Briar Rose," and "Bad Characters" by Jean Stafford.  Showtimes: Monday, March 12th - 7:30PM* Tuesday, March 13th - 5:00PM Thursday, March 15th - 5:00PM Friday, March 16th -  7:30PM*  Saturday, March 17th - 9:30AM & 12:30PM  *Tickets for Monday and Friday shows are $15; all other performances are a suggested donation of $15.       Contact our box office today to reserve your seats!  Call 847.866.8049 for more information, or visit our website   .  We look forward to seeing you here! Join us for Shira Piven's film premiere   on March 10th   Piven Theatre Workshop is proud to announce a screening of Piven alumna, teacher and director Shira Piven's film, Fully Loaded. Fully Loaded will premiere at The Talking Pictures Film Festival at Next Theatre in the Noyes Cultural Arts Center in Evanston on Saturday, March 10 at 7:15pm. Immediately following, Piven is pleased to host a reception in honor of Shira in our theater, room 102.  For more information on purchasing tickets, visit the festival's website   . Enroll in our upcoming   Advanced High School Class!   Adv. HS Improvisation & Adaptation   with Joanne Underwood Saturdays, 9am -12pm - March 17th - May 19th    Learn more about this and other youth classes online   or give us a call at 847.866.6597.  Last Chance to Register for Adult Spring Classes!     We have two exciting classes beginning next week: Artistic Director Jen Green's Master Class in Story Theatre & Adaptation  Wednesdays, 7-10pm - March 14th - May 2nd   Games, Story, and Scene with Tom Herman & Joanne Underwood  Thursdays, 7-10pm - March 15th-May 3rd    Take a look at our brochure   today for more details and the full schedule!  Call at 847-866-6597 to register.  Summer Registration is Now Open for Youth and Adult Classes! Don't miss the summer fun! We have availability in youth classes and weekly intensives and new adult class offerings. Register by April 2nd and mention "early-bird discount" when you register to receive $50 off. See the full schedule here   !   Piven Theatre Workshop - www.piventheatre.org   - 847.866.8049

Life Force Arts Center Weekend events!

 

LFAC has FREE PARKING in Central Savings bank parking lot. Click here for directions.   Learn How To Meditate with Light Watkins Thursday, March 8, Free Intro Session 7-8:30 PM Friday March 9, 7 - 8:30 PM Saturday March 10, 8 - 9:30 AM & 6 - 7:30 PM Sunday March 11, 8 - 10 AM info at www.ChicagoMeditationCenter.   com     Pre-registration required. Please call (646) 450-3426 to register The course is offered for a sliding-scale contribution - Learn how to meditate in a way that feels deeply restful - Beginners with busy minds and hectic lives are welcome - Ancient but non-religious technique with straightforward instructions - Short practice times with NO uncomfortable seated positions - Gradual, step-by-step approach to learning and practicing - Get results: you will be self-sufficient after only four 90-minute sessions More information   Foundations of Shamanism: Sensing Spirit with Joan Forest Mage   Saturday March 10, 2012 9:30AM - 5:30PM $125 Pre-registration Required For registration: 773-327-7224 or info@LifeForceArts.org   Gain greater skill in entering meditative consciousness through learning time-proven methods of quieting your mind and body, observing your intuitive impressions so you can hear Spirit’s messages more clearly. We will utilize self-expressive arts – writing, drawing, singing, dancing – as meditational and energy work practices. Learn how to interpret the visions you see in your shamanic journeys and dreams through discovering your preferred perceptual mode (seeing, hearing or feeling) for accessing intuitive information. You will further deepen your relationship with your own group of spirit helpers. No pre-requisite. Please bring a drum or rattle if you have one, and a pen and notebook. Required reading: The Open Mind by Dawna Markova. Cost: $125.   This is one of three seminars in Foundations of Shamanism, the first Course in Joan Forest Mage's Shamanic Training Program, a contemporary form of shamanic practice. The three seminars in Foundations of Shamanism Course are: Energetic Protection, Shamanic Journeying and Sensing Spirit. You can start the Course with any of the three seminars. No prerequisites. More Information     Kat Kidwell & Brynn Mawr: Folk & Beyond  Saturday, March 10, 2012  9:00pm  Suggested donation: $10 advance/$15 door Life Force Arts Center is proud to present our monthly concert series "Folk & Beyond": mostly folk music, but sometimes World Music, blues, rock and blended genres. Kat Kidwell (L., photo: Susie Inverso) is a spirited, creative and relaxed individual who moved alone to Chicago in 2008 from woodsy New England.  Her voice and songwriting style were never heard in the '60's, but appreciated by those who lived it.  She sings about fantasies and inner journeys.  Making her fourth Folk & Beyond appearance, this folk-taught kid will rekindle her inner "rock spirit", playing an electric-acoustic show inspired by Sue Baugh's photo exhibit Ancient Voices of Stone   .  Website: http://www.KatKidwell.com   . Brynn Mawr is a 4’10 vocal powerhouse who fuses The Swell Season’s spirit with a bit of Adele’s soul, a pinch of Alison Krauss’s sincerity, and a hint of Tori Amos’s style to create a completely unique and inspired sound. She really is a unique gem among stones. Visit Brynn Mawr on Facebook   More Information     Intro to Bartenieff Fundamentals (TM) Movement Training with Joan Forest Mage Sunday March 11, 2012 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM $80 For more information, contact 773-327-7224 or info@LifeForceArts.org  (photo of Joan Forest Mage & Colin Costa by Kate Adams) Bartenieff Fundamentals (TM) is a somatic movement education system created by dancer and physical therapist Irmgard Bartenieff. It teaches ease and efficiency of movement through fine-tuning neural patterns and coordination. Bartenieff Fundamentals uses breath, relaxation, timing and special awareness to help each person find his or her most effective, powerful way of moving. Exercises are practiced on the floor, seated, and standing to balance both deep and superficial muscles, working in a relaxed way and moving in all spatial directions. Bartenieff reduces tension, stress and injury, and increases range of motion, strength, flexibility and the mind-body connection. Anyone interested in gaining greater health through efficient body movement can benefit from this class. Massage Therapists will learn how awareness of moving 3-dimensionally can help reduce stress and injuries that can occur during giving massage, and open new ways of approaching their work to make it more effective for clients. This class available for 4 NCBTMB continuing education hours. Joan Forest Mage has taught body movement since 1982, including dance, aerobics, somatics, yoga and her own form of shamanic dance and performance art. She became a Certified Movement Analyst through the Laban-Bartenieff Institute in New York. Joan is co-author of Healing With Art and Soul, a book about expressive arts therapy.  Life Force Arts Foundation, Inc. (Approved Provider Number 451592-11) is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a continuing education Approved Provider. More information   Next week Glimpses book signing with artist-author Vivian Gutierrez Tuesday, March 13, 2012 7 PM Free admission For info and registration: 773-327-7224 or info@LifeForceArts.org Child (c) Vivian Gutierrez Service   If one day I forget to serve you I have forgotten everything.   If one day my heart stops pouring love then I have become dry.    If one day the smile on my lips vanishes as I encounter you, and instead of embracing you in my arms I shut the doors of my soul, I have lost everything.   Servicio   Si algún día olvido servirte, lo he olvidado todo.   Si algún día mi corazón deja de verter amor, me he quedado seca.   Si algún día la sonrisa de mi boca al encontrarte se esfuma y en vez de acogerte en mis brazos se cierra la puerta de mi alma, lo he perdido todo. Artist-author Vivian Gutierrez presents a poetry reading and book signing from her stunning new book of art and poems. Equally talented as a poet and visual artist, Gutierrez's bilingual book presents each poem in both English and Spanish, accompanied by the author's exquisite artwork. Gutierrez's work reflects the beauty, the feminine side and the graciousness of women, but mostly the wealth of inner strength that women possess within. Visit artegutierrez.com   More information     For complete calendar of events, please click here.    follow on Twitter   | friend on Facebook   | forward to a friend     Copyright © 2012 Life Force Arts Center, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up on our sign-up sheet at LFAC or on our website. Our mailing address is: Life Force Arts Center 1609 W. Belmont Chicago, IL 60657