July 10, 2008

In This Issue

LAUREN'S LAUDARE! Superior Donuts

SPONSOR TO-DO: FaiÉ African Art Grand Opening

SOLEIL'S PICK: Dobet Gnahoré

TO-DOS!

Another Fantastic Chicago Weekend!

There's a whole lotta information below for you - but that's just Thursday through Sunday!  To get you through the hump next week, we've got Steely Dan at the Chicago Theatre on Tuesday; the Chicago Outdoor Film Festival also begins its summer run on Tuesday with All About Eve, so pack your picnic baskets!  Don't miss Julia Huff at M Lounge, the Jose Valdez Trio at Green Dolphin Street, the 3rd Annual Summer Breeze Jazz Concert Series, featuring Rick Parma at Red Kiva; and/or (!) the World Music Series, featuring Lamajamal and Erika Ochoa at the Old Town School of Folk Music!

For the true Chicagoan, the CVS Reunion is coming up on Saturday for the Classes of '71-77.  The Alumni Committee presents "At the Harbor" (behind the Museum of Science & Industry).  They put some serious planning into it and for only $10 in advance, $15 at the door, you can wax nostalgic with those who know!  Contact DPryor@awm-law.com for tickets.

 And "this just in" from the Jazz Institute of Chicago:

 * * *

 Corey Wilkes Quintet at the Jazz Showcase,

 Thursday July 10th through Sunday July 13th

 
Jazz Institute of Chicago board member Corey Wilkes will make a historic run at the Jazz Showcase this weekend. This will mark the first time the Jazz Showcase has booked a local act such as Corey as the headliner for their club.

Corey Wilkes and his Quintet, featuring Robert "Baabe" Irving III, will play at 8 and 10 PM Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and will play a matinee at 4 PM on Sunday in addition to sets that night at 8 and 10 PM.

Please come out and support Corey Wilkes and the Jazz Showcase this weekend!

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But there's so much more To-Do!!  Lauren and I saw Superior Donuts last week and she shares her thoughts with you below in Lauren's Laudare.  FaiÉ African Art invites you to their Opening Reception on July 17th and the Chicago Folk & Roots Festival is coming up this weekend - there'll be fun for the whole family!

Soooooooo . . . Make it a fabulous weekend and forward this e-mail to a friend!
 

Stephanie!
Soleil@so-LAZE.com
www.so-LAZE.com

(Okay - so, I'm testing some links in the section to see if I can get you directly to the specific To-Do.  Bear with me as I try to get it right . . .)

LAUREN'S LAUDARE! Superior Donuts 

Superior Donuts - It's a Baker's Dozen!!! 
Pulitzer Prize winner, Tony Award winner and Steppenwolf Theatre ensemble member Tracy Letts succeeds once again in "Superior Donuts."  On the surface, the play explores the unlikely relationship between an ageing Polish American, Vietnam War dodging hippie and donut shop owner and his sole employee, a hip hop Gen X, insightful, intelligent African American man.  Dig down a few layers and it examines fundamental, existential themes - action vs. paralysis; struggle vs. defeat; past vs. future; loss vs. gain. 
 
When the play begins, donut shop owner Arthur is in a fog - he doesn't even know what day it is.  He operates on auto pilot having essentially checked out of his life.  He simply goes through the motions as he observes life going on around him.  In a world of Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts, Arthur's donut shop is an anachronistic vestige of the past generally and particularly, the past of Chicago immigrants. New employee Franco, with his boundless energy, pragmatic optimism and ideas for rejuvenating the donut shop represents hope and promise and is a foil to the passive, inert Arthur.  Franco inspires Arthur to check back into life, to let go of the past and move into the unknown future.  In the journey from the pull of the past to the lure of the future, Arthur and Franco are joined by a cast of colorful characters who embody the tensions and aspirations of the racially and ethnically diverse people of Chicago's Uptown neighborhood. 

 This play is poignant and moving without being heavy.  You will enjoy yourself! The play is hilarious with strong writing and great comic timing and delivery.  The play is delivered in a tight, sparse style rather than the big, bold and in your face approach for which live, dramatic theatre is known.  Those who are not big theatre goers, or who could take or leave a live performance, will enjoy this very accessible play.  While it is accessible, it is subtle and touching.  The soft touch of the play delivers a lot more than one thinks at first glance.  

Ultimately, "Superior Donuts" is about the power of human relationships to inspire and the resiliency of the human spirit.  The uplifting story of "Superior Donuts" is well worth your time.

-Lauren
Comments?  E-mail me at: Lauren@so-LAZE.com  

© 2008 - Unauthorized use is prohibited.
 
Superior Donuts runs through August 24th.  Twenty $20 tickets are available at Audience Services beginning at 11:00 a.m. on the day of each performance (1:00 p.m. for Sunday performances). Half-price rush tickets are available one hour before each show.

SPONSOR TO-DO:  FaiÉ African Art Grand Opening -

African Art Comes Home to Bronzeville

African Art Comes Home to Bronzeville

DATE: Thursday, July 17, 2008

 TIME: Press Preview: 4-6, Reception: 6-8

LOCATION: 4317 S. Cottage Grove, Chicago, IL

Unveiling of Spectacular Collector Pieces including:
Great Nimba Headdress
10' Baga Snake
Antique Chowke Drum
Kwifebe Mask
Sande Society Mask
Live Music
African Cuisine

RSVP: 773.268.2889 or info@faieafricanart.com

www.FaiEAfricanArt.com  

SOLEIL'S PICK:  Dobet Gnahoré

Chicago Folk & Roots Fest, July 12th & 13th

The Chicago Folk & Roots Festival is a two-day cultural festival held in the heart of Lincoln Square, one of Chicago's most diverse neighborhoods. The artistic vision of the Festival is to showcase local and internationally known artists in various music and dance idioms in celebration of the diversity of folk and world culture.

The Main Stage line-up for the 2008 Festival includes KINKY (Sunday), from Monterrey, Mexico, DOBET GNAHORÉ (Sunday) from the Ivory Coast, the MOTHER TRUCKERS (Saturday) from Austin, Texas, SLAVIC SOUL PARTY (Saturday) from New York City, and many more.

In addition to the live back-to-back Main Stage performances, visitors can shake their hips in the DANCE TENT at workshops offering styles from Cajun to West African; bring the young ones to the KIDS TENT to sample popular classes such as "Wiggleworms" and a "Live Band Karaoke for Kids"; enjoy sets by the talented faculty at the Old Town School STAFF STAGE; and even join in open jams and sing-a-longs at the GAZEBO. Lincoln Avenue will also be lined with a diverse sampling of Chicago's finest food vendors offering a vast array of tasty multi-cultural delights.