Playful Chicago Welcomes KaBOOM! Play Together Tour Powered by Disney Parks

                                                                                                                       

 

Playful Chicago Welcomes KaBOOM! Play Together Tour Powered by Disney Parks

 

 Chicago stands out as a continuing advocate for play as it hosts the KaBOOM! Play Together Tour powered by Disney Parks

. The city, which was honored as a 2014 Playful City USA Community, is one of the six stops for the Play Together Tour on its journey across America for fun-filled family play events that inspire meaningful connections between children and the influential adults in their lives.

 

The free event will take place Saturday, August 30, and Sunday, August 31, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. Located in Lincoln Park, Grove 2 near Lincoln Park Zoo, the weekend will feature a play course with activities for families to enjoy together. Families will design their team flags and make their way through various games and team-building stations to build tunnels, solve puzzles, and play together. Once they have finished, they can enjoy the imagination play zone and explore family volunteering opportunities.

 

Chicago, also host of the 2014 Playful City USA Leaders Summit

this coming October 23 and 24, was a natural choice as one of the six Play Together Tour stops. Chicago’s Mayor Rahm Emanuel has made great strides in play with his launch of the Chicago Plays! initiative, which strives to create a place to play within a 10-minute walk of every city resident in Chicago. The initiative honors and partners with the KaBOOM! ultimate vision for a place to play within walking distance of every child in America.

 

“We are thrilled to work with Disney once again and provide another creative way in which families can spend meaningful and playful bonding time together. The city of Chicago is an impressive leader in playability, and we are eager to collaborate with them for this tour,” said KaBOOM! CEO and Founder Darell Hammond. “At KaBOOM!, we advocate for the balanced and active play kids need to thrive, and are excited to present this unique opportunity for families.”

 

While there is no doubt to the importance of quality family time, research supported by Disney Parks and completed by the Search Institute and Center for Childhood Creativity has underscored the powerful influence that spending meaningful time together has on a child’s success in school and involvement in their community.

 

"For nearly 60 years, we’ve made our mark creating places where families can connect and spend meaningful time together,” said Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs. "Through our work with KaBOOM!, we are able to bring that expertise to communities around the country to help nurture, inspire, and empower kids and families."

 

To reserve a time slot, families can visit kaboom.org/playtogether

or register on site the day of the event.

See family stories, highlights, and surprises from this summer’s KaBOOM! Play Together Tour by following KaBOOM! on Facebook

and Twitter and join the conversation using #playfulfamily. Read more about the research complied by the Search Institute and Center for Childhood Creativity at DisneyDiscoverTogether.com.

 

About KaBOOM!

KaBOOM! is the national non-profit dedicated to the bold new goal of ensuring that all children, particularly the 16 million American children living in poverty, get the balanced and active play they need to thrive. KaBOOM! has been a powerful champion for play since its founding in 1996, working with partners to build, improve and open more than 15,000 playgrounds, engage more than 1,000,000 volunteers and serve more than 6,600,000 children. KaBOOM! creates and catalyzes great places to play, inspires, empowers and leads play advocates, and educates and elevates the societal conversation about the importance of play in children’s lives. For more information, visit kaboom.org/act

or follow the conversation on why #playmatters at twitter.com/kaboom or facebook.com/kaboom.

About Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Citizenship

We are committed to nurturing, inspiring, and empowering kids and families to join us in making lasting and positive change in the world. We accomplish this through our work to strengthen communities, conserve nature, promote healthy living, and encourage kids and families to think creatively. Together, we’re creating a better tomorrow.

 

REDESIGNED OAKBROOK CENTER INVITES YOU TO SEE WHAT’S BREWING (Oakbrook,IL)

  

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                     

REDESIGNED OAKBROOK CENTER INVITES YOU TO SEE WHAT’S BREWING

Argo Tea Brings Unique, All-natural Tea and specialTEA foods to the Oakbrook CommuniTEA

 

  Guests can enjoy the enhanced surroundings of Oakbrook Center with a fresh, all natural experience starting August 23 with the opening of Argo Tea. Providing innovative tea experiences and signature beverages in the Center’s new glass pavilion, Argo Tea will serve up QualiTEA in a contemporary café.

 

“As a result of the recent renovation project, Oakbrook Center continues to elevate the shopping experience with even more exclusive offerings,” said Suzanne Beres, senior marketing manager for Oakbrook Center. “Argo Tea allows Oakbrook Center guests to relax and socialize while sipping delicious drinks.”

 

From one of two new glass pavilions, Argo Tea customers can appreciate the lush landscaping and modern gardens of the redesigned outdoor shopping center. The new café will feature a visually compelling, streamlined design that creates a seamless transition between the indoor and outdoor areas – reflecting Argo Tea’s commitment to conservation and all-natural ingredients.

 

Argo Tea promotes a healthy lifestyle which makes the new café a great fit for Oakbrook Center customers looking for great tasting drinks and diverse dietary options. Beyond tea, customers can enjoy fresh baked, hand-made SpecialTEA foods created in the café daily. Argo signature drinks and foods are inspired by passionate chefs, creative mixologists and intelligent nutritionists, and everything is made with all natural, real ingredients.

 

Through its commitment to excellent customer service, Argo Tea goes beyond the café to play a positive role in the community. As part of its ChariTEA program, Argo Tea plans to work with west suburban non-for-profits to donate 10 percent of proceeds from seasonal Signature Drinks.

 

“Argo cafes are changing the way the world experiences tea. We welcome everyone to participate in the Argo Tea story with a journey through tea sampling tables, an interactive tea wall and our spotlight on the mixologist baristas,” said Christine Gretchko, vice president of marketing for Argo Tea. “We are excited to be a part of Oakbrook Center and contribute to the local communiTEA.”

 

To celebrate the opening at Oakbrook Center, Argo Tea plans to host a parTEA, featuring several health, arts and entertainment events. More details will soon be available.

 

For more information about Argo Tea, visit www.argotea.com

. Additional information about Oakbrook Center is available at www.oakbrookcenter.com.

 

 

 

About Argo Tea

Argo Tea, Inc. is a Chicago-based food and beverage company responsible for creating innovative tea experiences. We are passionate about bringing teas directly from growers around the world, and blending them into unique and delicious signature beverages and teas. We are committed to being a sustainable business by working with the best local and global tea, coffee, and food artisans, and by contributing back to our communities to promote a healthy lifestyle and the conservation of natural resources. We are dedicated to delivering consistent quality, combining all-natural, real ingredients and sharing a genuine customer experience "one customer and one cup at a time," and to providing the "Argo experience" through our innovative approach of rediscovering the diversity and tradition of teas. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, we now have retail partners across the world, and coming soon to a location near you. Our products are available for distribution in more than 17,000 premier retailers, including foodservice, retail, and hospitality companies in the U.S. and internationally. Learn more at www.argotea.com.

About Oakbrook Center

Oakbrook Center is owned and managed by General Growth Properties, Inc., a fully integrated, self-managed and self-administered real estate investment trust focused on owning, managing, leasing, and redeveloping regional malls throughout the United States. GGP currently owns, or has an interest in, 120 regional shopping malls comprising approximately 125 million square feet of gross leasable area. GGP is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois and publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol GGP.  For further information please visit GGP.com

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We Heart a Great fit at Nordstrom to Benefit Young Survival Coalition

We Heart a Great fit at Nordstrom to Benefit Young Survival Coalition

 

Here is a  great event coming up later this fall at Nordstrom stores. The We Heart a Great Fit event is an awesome opportunity  to get fitted for a new bra and give back to a great cause!

 

 

We Heart a Great Fit

October 24-25 in Nordstrom Stores, September 27-October 31 at nordstrom.com

Try out sexy new fall styles and get professionally fitted for the perfect bra – all with the help of our in-store expert bra fit stylists. Prefer shopping online? Check out our online fit video at nordstrom.com for tips to get the perfect fit at home. For every bra purchased from a participating brand at our in-store event on the 24^th and 25^th or online throughout the month of October, we’ll donate $2 to the Young Survival Coalition, a nonprofit that supports young women with breast cancer.

 

"BEAUTIFUL - THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL" Comes to Chicago

 

BROADWAY’S NEWEST SMASH HIT  “ B E A U T I F U L   –  T H E   C A R O L E   K I N G   M U S I C A L ” 12-WEEK LIMITED ENGAGEMENT FOR CHICAGO DECEMBER 1, 2015 THROUGH FEBRUARY 21, 2016 CHICAGO (August 19, 2014) – Broadway In Chicago and producers Paul Blake and Sony/ATV Music Publishing are thrilled to announce that the Tony Award-winning hit BEAUTIFUL—The Carole King Musical, about the early life and career of the legendary and groundbreaking singer/songwriter, will play Chicago’s Oriental Theatre (24 West Randolph) for an extended 12-week limited engagement December 1, 2015 through February 21, 2016.   With a book by Tony® and Academy® Award-nominee Douglas McGrath, direction by Marc Bruni and choreography by Josh Prince, BEAUTIFUL features a stunning array of beloved songs written by Gerry Goffin/Carole King and Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil.  BEAUTIFUL opened on Broadway in January 2014 at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre (124 West 43 Street), where it has broken every box office record. The Original Broadway Cast Recording of BEAUTIFUL – The Carole King Musical (Ghostlight Records) is available on CD, digitally, and on vinyl and can be purchased at http://www.sh-k-boom.com/, iTunes, Amazon, or wherever CDs are sold. Casting and other information will be announced at a later date. Long before she was Carole King, chart-topping music legend, she was Carol Klein, Brooklyn girl with passion and chutzpah.  She fought her way into the record business as a teenager and, by the time she reached her twenties, had the husband of her dreams and a flourishing career writing hits for the biggest acts in rock ‘n’ roll.  But it wasn’t until her personal life began to crack that she finally managed to find her true voice.  BEAUTIFUL tells the inspiring true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history.  Along the way, she made more than beautiful music, she wrote the soundtrack to a generation. The creative team includes Derek McLane (Set Design), Alejo Vietti (Costume Design), Peter Kaczorowski (Lighting Design), Brian Ronan (Sound Design), Charles G. LaPointe (Wig and Hair Design), Steve Sidwell (Orchestrations and Music Arrangements), Jason Howland(Music Supervision) and John Miller (Music Coordination). BEAUTIFUL – The Carole King Musical is produced on Broadway by Paul Blake, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Jeffrey A. Sine, Richard A. Smith, Mike Bosner, Harriet N. Leve/Elaine Krauss, Terry Schnuck, Orin Wolf, Patty Baker/Good Productions, Roger Faxon, Larry Magid, Kit Seidel, Lawrence S. Toppall, Fakston Productions/Mary Solomon, William Court Cohen, John Gore, BarLor Productions, Matthew C. Blank, Tim Hogue, Joel Hyatt, Marianne Mills, Michael J. Moritz, Jr., StylesFour Productions, Brunish/Trinchero, and Jeremiah J. Harris. For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com and www.BeautifulonBroadway.com. Ticket Information BEAUTIFUL will be part of the Broadway In Chicago series, on sale to new subscribers September 7.  Current subscribers can renew now.  Group tickets for 10 or more are now on sale by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710.  Individual tickets for BEAUTIFUL will go on sale at a later date.  For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.   Copyright © 2014 Margie Korshak Inc, All rights reserved.

TONY BENNETT & LADY GAGA: CHEEK TO CHEEK ALBUM NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER!

New track “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” Available Now Digitally

 

     Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga: Cheek To Cheek is available for pre-order beginning today.  The second track to be released from the album, the jazz standard “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love,” written by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields, is available now on iTunes (iTunes.com/CheekToCheek

), HSN.com (http://smarturl.it/CheekToCheekHSN), Amazon ((Amazon MP3 Deluxe): http://smarturl.it/CheekToCheekAmz, Amazon MP3 (Standard): http://smarturl.it/CheekToCheekAmzSd, Amazon CD (Deluxe): http://smarturl.it/CheekToCheekCD, Amazon CD (Standard): http://smarturl.it/CheekToCheekCDsd), and other retailers.   Also just revealed are the standard and deluxe album covers for Cheek To Cheek, shot by fashion photographer Steven Klein. The standard version of Cheek To Cheek features 11 tracks, and the deluxe version features 15 tracks. A 180-gram vinyl edition of Cheek To Cheek will also be available for pre-order at Amazon and select retail outlets. A new studio video for “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love.” will be premiered on VEVO later this week.  The debut song from Cheek To Cheek, Cole Porter’s “Anything Goes,” released at the end of July, debuted at  #1 on Billboard’s Digital Jazz charts becoming their second duet track to hit the top spot on the jazz charts, having done the same with “The Lady Is A Tramp,” from Duets II.

 

Listen to “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” on VEVO here: http://vevo.ly/txQsX

 

Click here to view album cover art for the standard and deluxe versions of Cheek To Cheek:

Standard: http://smarturl.it/TBLGArtSd

Deluxe: http://smarturl.it/TBLGArtDlx

 

     Cheek To Cheek features classic jazz standards sung by Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett in a combination of vocal duets and solo performances.  From the title track to “But Beautiful” to “I Won’t Dance,” the record’s duets showcase the chemistry between the two artists, who span 60 years in age.  As Bennett says, “What I really love about being a jazz singer is that jazz artists are very creative, very honest, from phrase to phrase” and Lady Gaga adds, “We wanted to make something that sounded perfect because of the quality of the emotion…the honesty.”   Cheek To Cheek also features the Lady Gaga solo, “Lush Life,” accompanied by Tony Bennett’s solo of  “Sophisticated Lady.” The two songs complement each other, as Lady Gaga explains, “I loved making ‘Lush Life,’ Tony mentored me emotionally through the process,” and Tony Bennett adds, “I sang ‘Sophisticated Lady’ to answer her on ‘Lush Life,’ and because Duke Ellington wrote it, who collaborated with Billy Strayhorn, the writer of ‘Lush Life.’” Recorded in New York City, Cheek To Cheek took over a year to complete and features jazz musicians associated with both artists including members of Bennett’s quartet, Mike Renzi, Gray Sargent, Harold Jones and Marshall Wood as well pianist Tom Ranier. Jazz trumpeter Brian Newman, a long-time friend and colleague of Lady Gaga appears on the album as well with his NYC based jazz quintet. Jazz soloists on selected tracks include tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano, trumpeter George Rabbai and flutist Paul Horn, who passed away in July.

     On Saturday, September 13 at 11 PM (EST) leading entertainment and lifestyle retailer HSN will broadcast Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga: Cheek To Cheek.  This one-hour, HSN Live music special will offer fans an exclusive look behind-the-scenes at the making of their new album, while featuring never-before-seen footage of the two artists collaborating in the recording studio.  Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga: Cheek To Cheek takes the audience on a journey from how the two legendary performers first met to how they selected and performed songs for the album.  It showcases their tremendous talent and rich knowledge of the Great American Songbook and their love of jazz music.    Throughout the special, fans will be able to pre-order an HSN exclusive deluxe version of Cheek To Cheek that includes two bonus tracks – “The Lady Is A Tramp” (from Tony Bennett’s Duets II) and “Lady’s In Love With You” (Tony Bennett Solo, Live from Jazz at Lincoln Center).  There will be an encore airing of the broadcast on Sunday, September 14 at 7 AM (EST) and fans can pre-order the HSN exclusive deluxe version of Cheek To Cheek now at HSN.com

. 

    

Exclusive bundles for Cheek To Cheek are available via Cheektocheek.ladygaga.com

and Cheektocheek.tonybennett.com.

 

 

 

 

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recently taped a television special, Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga: Cheek To Cheek LIVE! in New York City at the Frederick P. Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center.  The special will air on THIRTEEN’s Great Performances on PBS on October 24 at 9 pm ET (check local listings at http://www.pbs.org/tv_schedules/

)

 

 

TRACK CONFIGURATIONS FOR CHEEK TO CHEEK:                                                      

US Standard Version:

1.       Anything Goes

2.       Cheek To Cheek

3.       Nature Boy

4.       I Can’t Give You Anything But Love

5.       I Won’t Dance

6.       Firefly

7.       Lush Life (Lady Gaga solo)

8.       Sophisticated Lady (Tony Bennett solo)

9.       Let’s Face the Music and Dance

10.    But Beautiful

11.    It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)

 

US Deluxe Version:

1.       Anything Goes

2.       Cheek To Cheek

3.       Don’t Wait Too Long (Tony Bennett solo)

4.       I Cant’ Give You Anything But Love

5.       Nature Boy

6.       Goody Goody

7.       Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye (Lady Gaga Solo)

8.       Firefly

9.       I Won’t Dance

10.    They All Laughed

11.    Lush Life (Lady Gaga solo)

12.    Sophisticated Lady (Tony Bennett solo)

13.    Let’s Face The Music And Dance

14.    But Beautiful

15.    It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)

 

Global iTunes Bonus Track:

“Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) (Live from Jazz at Lincoln Center) (Lady Gaga solo)

 

US Target Deluxe Bonus Tracks:

On A Clear Day (You Can See Forever) (Tony Bennett solo)

Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered (Lady Gaga solo)

 

US HSN Deluxe Bonus Tracks:

The Lady’s In Love With You (Live from Jazz at Lincoln Center) (Tony Bennett solo)

The Lady Is A Tramp (from Tony Bennett’s Duets II)

                                       

 

Chicago International Film Festival Partners with DCASE for Two Special Events Commemorating 50 Year History

 

THE CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL PARTNERS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS AND SPECIAL EVENTS FOR TWO SPECIAL EVENTS COMMEMORATING THE FESTIVAL’S ILLUSTRIOUS 50 YEAR HISTORY A Special Screening of “Strictly Ballroom” Lights Up Millennium Park and Retrospective Photography/Video Exhibit “Because Everybody Loves Movies” Opens September 4, 2014     Celebrating 50 years of making Chicago an international destination for acclaimed filmmakers, bold young directors and lovers of cinema, The Chicago International Film Festival, returning October 9 – 23, 2014, has teamed with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) to produce two special events leading up to the Festival. On September 4 at 6:30 p.m. at Millennium Park’s Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Chicagoans will be treated to a special screening of director Baz Luhrmann’s first film “Strictly Ballroom,” which won the Best First Feature Award at the Festival in 1993. That day will also see the opening of an exhibit of photography, video and posters looking back over the Festival’s 50 years. “Because Everybody Loves Movies,” will remain on display through October 30 at Expo 72 (72 E. Randolph St.). Both events are open to the public and free of charge.     About “Strictly Ballroom” “Strictly Ballroom,” along with “Romeo + Juliet” and “Moulin Rouge,” make up “The Red Curtain Trilogy," Luhrmann’s three successive films with theatre-related motifs. The film follows ballroom dancer Scott Hastings as he struggles to insert his personal dance style, which is not “strictly ballroom,” into his routines. After finding a new competition partner, Scott learns how important it is to dance from the heart, and not for the prize. Film buffs can enjoy the screening from the Jay Pritzker Pavilion’s 4,000 seats or lounge on the Great Lawn. About “Because Everybody Loves Movies” Sponsored by Dark Horse Wines, the Chicago International Film Festival will host a special exhibit, “Because Everybody Loves Movies,” an expansive display of posters, images and videos from its venerable five-decade history.  Upon entering, visitors will be greeted by the iconic “eyes” logo that has been the Festival’s logo since 1967.  Along one wall, guests will enjoy an assortment of four-foot by four-foot photographs by Victor Skrebneski highlighting the many film icons that have attended the Festival throughout the years, including Sigourney Weaver, François Truffaut, Orson Welles, Kathleen Turner, Robin Williams, Bette Davis, Colleen Moore, Oliver Stone, Dennis Hopper, Liv Ullmann and others.  Also included in the exhibit will be archival Festival trailers voiced by Ken Nordine, as well as interviews with celebrity honorees and Festival guests.  Rounding out the exhibit will be photos of past Festivals and a colorful mosaic comprised of posters from other international film festivals, speaking to cinema’s global reach. The exhibit will be on display from September 4 through October 30 at Expo 72, 72 E. Randolph St., and will be open to the public Monday – Thursday 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Fridays 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Sundays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. 2014 Festival Schedule and Ticket Information The 2014 Chicago International Film Festival will be presented October 9 – 23, 2014.  The complete schedule will be announced at a future date. Passes are now on sale. Moviegoer (10 regular admissions) and Passport (20 regular admissions) passes are available at www.chicagofilmfestival.com   at a discounted rate until August 31 by using promotional code 50PASS10.   # # # ABOUT DARK HORSE WINES At Dark Horse Wines their passion is crafting bold wine that deliver the unexpected.  They marshal the best agricultural and winemaking practices from around the world to guarantee the highest quality.  Their winemaker Beth Liston, believes winemaking is a treasure hunt.  She is constantly experimenting with different grape varietals and new winemaking techniques.  From bold Red Blend to smooth Chardonnay, her passion for creating exceptional wines that out perform their price is unsurpassed. ABOUT DCASE The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is dedicated to enriching Chicago’s artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy. This includes fostering the development of Chicago’s non-profit arts sector, independent working artists and for-profit arts businesses; providing a framework to guide the City’s future cultural and economic growth, via the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan; marketing the City’s cultural assets to a worldwide audience; and presenting high-quality, free and affordable cultural programs for residents and visitors. ABOUT CINEMA/CHICAGO Cinema/Chicago is a not-for-profit arts and education organization dedicated to encouraging better understanding between cultures and to making a positive contribution to the art form of the moving image. The Chicago International Film Festival is one of the year-round programs presented by Cinema/Chicago, which also include the Hugo Television Awards, CineYouth Festival, INTERCOM Competition, International Screenings Program, and Education Outreach.

The Auditorium Theatre's 125th Anniversary Gala Celebrates 125 Years of World Class Performance and Historic Memories, December 14, 2014 (Chicago)

 

125 YEARS OF WORLD CLASS PERFORMANCES AND HISTORIC MEMORIES CELEBRATED AT THE AUDITORIUM THEATRE’S ANNIVERSARY GALA, “LIVING THE HISTORY – 125 YEARS OF THE AUDITORIUM THEATRE,” DECEMBER 9, 2014 The Past and Present Come Alive with Stars Patti LuPone, John Mahoney, Jim Peterik and friends, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The Joffrey Ballet, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and The Apollo Chorus First Lady, Mrs. Michelle Obama, to Serve as Honorary Chair, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Amy Rule to Serve as Honorary Co-Chairs for the Anniversary Season    Exactly 125 years from when the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University   opened its doors in 1889, the National Historic Landmark, led by Board Chairman Melvin L. Katten and Executive Director Brett Batterson, celebrates its milestone 125th Anniversary with a special performance, “Living the History – 125 Years of the Auditorium Theatre   ” on December 9, 2014. The celebratory evening, which begins with a star-studded program at the Auditorium Theatre (50 E Congress Pkwy), will include a tribute to the diverse entertainment that has been, and continues to be presented at the theatre including symphonic music, opera, Broadway musicals, rock music and dance. The performance will be immediately followed by a Gala Celebration Dinner at the Palmer House Hilton (17 E Monroe) to cap off the extraordinary night. “The Auditorium’s 125th Gala Celebration showcases the diversity and scope of talent that has graced the historic landmark stage since it opened in 1889. We estimate that over 20 million audience members have attended the theatre in its 125 year history and the memories created for those patrons have helped to make the Auditorium the iconic destination that it is for all Chicagoans,” said Auditorium Theatre Executive Director Brett Batterson. “The world was astounded when the Auditorium opened its doors on December 9, 1889; the grandeur of Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler’s pioneering design put Chicago on the world map and paved the way for the city to host the 1893 World’s Fair. We are honored to be able to celebrate this important landmark‘s 125th birthday and promise a celebration worthy of this grand theatre’s legacy.” Paying homage to the past, present and future of the Auditorium and its Chicago roots, the evening’s host, Chicago actor John Mahoney, will welcome friends old and new to the stage, helping to commemorate the original opening night of the theatre on December 9, 1889. Broadway legend Patti LuPone, whose great-grand aunt Adelina Patti sang on the very same stage at the original grand opening, will delight guests with show-stopping numbers. A performance by the Apollo Chorus, who also performed at the 1889 opening, will perform “Do You Hear the People Sing?” from the iconic musical “Les Misérables”, a Broadway masterpiece that has been performed numerous times at the Auditorium. Chicago’s premiere cultural institutions, including members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and singers Hlengiwe Mkhwanazi and Eric Owens from the Lyric Opera of Chicago, perform, paying tribute to the stage that was built as Chicago’s home for classical music. Also paying tribute to the world-renowned dance that has graced the stage in recent years, dancers from Joffrey Ballet—which has made its home at the Auditorium for the past 16 years—will perform, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will present a special performance by two Chicago area natives, Sarah Daley and Vernard Gilmore. Recognizing the astounding rock shows that filled and continues to fill the 3,875 seats of the Auditorium—and have launched the careers of some of the most acclaimed performers in history—the “All-Star Band” will have guests up on their feet and dancing in the aisles. Made up of legendary Chicago musicians including Jim Peterik (Ides of March and Survivor) on guitar and vocals, Barbara Unger-Wertico on keyboard, Richard Patterson (Miles Davis and Michael McDonald) on bass and Paul Wertico (Pat Metheny Group) on drums, the “All-Star” band will turn the Auditorium into a full-fledged rock concert.   As a special salute to the veterans who were accommodated at the Auditorium during World War II, the theatre is planning a salute to their service as part of the festivities. Currently, the Auditorium is seeking those living veterans and volunteer workers who were at the Auditorium during WWII in order to collect their memories for the salute. Please call (312) 341-2365 to be in touch with theatre personnel if you or someone you know was at the Auditorium Theatre during that time.   The glamorous affair, directed by the acclaimed Rachel Rockwell, a “Chicago director whose career has flourished at such musical theaters as the Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace and the Paramount Theatre in Aurora” (“The Chicago Tribune”), and who most recently directed the new production of “Brigadoon” at the Goodman Theatre, begins at 6 p.m. Immediately following the performance, Gala Celebration guests will be shuttled to the Palmer House Hilton where they will be welcomed by Rich Daniels and The City Lights Orchestra, before being treated to an elegant dinner and more Anniversary surprises. In honor of the momentous anniversary, First Lady of the United States, Mrs. Michelle Obama, will serve as the Honorary Chair for this historic season-long celebration highlighted by the gala celebration; Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Amy Rule will serve as Honorary Co-Chairs. Co-Chairs for the 125th Anniversary Season include Norm and Virginia Bobins, Steve and Nancy Crown, Jorge and Catrina Ramirez, Mike and Beth Reese, Jim and Sandy Reynolds, Jack and Carole Sandner, Ed and Dia Weil and Jeff Tweedy and Sue Miller. Gala Dinner Co-Chairs are Joan Colmar, Phil Lumpkin and Helen Hall Melchior. The Gala Dinner Celebration is sponsored by the Pasquinelli Family Foundation.   "On behalf of all Chicagoans, we are thrilled to celebrate the Auditorium Theatre’s 125th birthday,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “This national historic landmark is representative of our rich history in the arts as well as the unique Chicago architecture styles that have influenced American building structures for generations. The Auditorium Theatre continues to make Chicago a leader in the arts and culture today, and I wish the theatre nothing but good fortunes in the coming years." About the Opening of the Auditorium Theatre Built in 1889 by the pioneering genius of Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan, along with their young draftsman Frank Lloyd Wright, the Auditorium Theatre, often referred to as “the eighth wonder of the world,” would catapult Chicago into the world’s eyes driving both culture and tourism to the Windy City.  At the time of its opening in 1889, the Auditorium Building was the epitome of modern design, the largest structure in the United States and the tallest in Chicago. The Auditorium Theatre played a key role in Chicago’s honor to host the 1893 Columbian Exposition, which, in turn, helped to make Chicago the city it is today.  Local civic leaders in Chicago were vying with those in St. Louis, New York City and Washington DC to host a fair that could reestablish Chicago as a solid destination for travel and commerce. The international sensation brought about by the opening of the Auditorium was seen by Congress as an indication that the people of Chicago possessed the vision, forethought, work ethic, and financing to successfully produce a world-renowned fair. These factors also led to the Auditorium Theatre becoming one of the finest venues in the world to present first-class entertainment and was the first home to some of the greatest performance institutions including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra—taking part in the special celebration—and the Chicago Grand Opera Company. Program Schedule and Ticket Information “Living the History – 125 Years of the Auditorium Theatre” Tuesday, December 9, 2014 | 6:00 p.m. Performance ONLY Tickets Tickets are $35 - $125 and are available online at ticketmaster.com/auditorium   , by calling (800) 982-ARTS (2787) or in-person at the Auditorium’s Box Office (50 E Congress Pkwy). Discounted tickets available to groups of 10 or more are available by calling (312) 341-2357.  Student rush tickets will be available for $12.50 with valid student ID. Gala Celebration Tickets (includes performance) Tables of ten are available at the $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000 levels; individual tickets start at $500. For tickets and information, please contact Amanda Martinez Byrne at (312) 341-3825 or abyrne@auditoriumtheatre.org. 125th Anniversary Season Sponsors The Auditorium Theatre would like to thank their 125th Anniversary Season Sponsors: Lead Corporate Sponsor Nicor Gas, Lead Foundation Sponsor Robert R. McCormick Foundation and David D. Hiller, International Dance Series Sponsor NIB Foundation, and “Made in Chicago” Dance Series sponsor The Boeing Company. Media sponsors include Chicago Magazine and WXRT, and the Pasquinelli Family Foundation is the Gala Dinner Celebration Sponsor. Student Matinee Series Sponsors for the 2014-15 Season include The Private Bank and The Robert Thomas Bobins Foundation. About the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, located at 50 E Congress Pkwy, is an Illinois, not-for-profit organization committed to presenting the finest in international, cultural, community and educational programming to Chicago, and to the continued restoration and preservation of the National Historic Landmark Auditorium Theatre. In August of 2014, the Auditorium Theatre was named as an inaugural Fifth Star Award Honoree by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.  The Auditorium Theatre is generously supported by the MacArthur Foundation, the Illinois Arts Council, the Sage Foundation, and the Palmer House Hilton. For more information about programming, volunteer and donor opportunities or theatre tours, call (312) 341-2310 or visit AuditoriumTheatre.org   .