Friday, February 27, 2009

Mee-Ow meets The Beatles this weekend!

Mee-Ow just keeps coming up with more and more witty titles and themes for their shows, and the theme of their Winter mainstage is no different. "Dr. Pepper's Homely Joke Brigade," referring to the Beatles' infamous album, is a variety show consisting of quick improvisations, a brief sketch comedy, and "rock and roll" musical numbers. The audience plays a key role in their show by coming up with the most ridiculous topics to start their improv from.


As North by Northwestern best puts it, Mee-Ow is "Northwestern's only short-form improvisational troupe, and is a group of eight undergrads who are talented enough to meet the group's triple-threat standards." It's no wonder that they've turned Northwestern grads into famous comedians like Kirsten Schaal (from Flight of the Conchords).

If you're up for a fun night of British accents and awkward dancing, you should check out Mee-Ow in Dr. Pepper's Homely Joke Brigade this weekend in Norris' Louis Room.

February 27th: 8 pm and 11 pm
February 28th: 8 pm and 11 pm
*Could not find ticket prices
Have a great weekend, and stay out of rain puddles!
This is Kristina signing out...

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Franz Lehár's “The Merry Widow” Opening at Northwestern

Northwestern’s first opera with new director Jay Lesenger, “The Merry Widow,” is bound to be a great success. Lesenger has brought about a new, exciting era of opera to Northwestern with precise direction and a light-hearted attitude. “I just love Jay Lesenger. He is such a wonderful director,” said Drew Selcke, a sophomore Vocal Performance major and member of the “Merry Widow” chorus.

The opera, about a wealthy widow from Petrovenia who lives in 1900s Paris, will be performed in an English translation by renowned American lyricist, composer, and Northwestern alumnus Sheldon Harnick. Filled with can-can girls, champagne, waltzing, and some very exciting man-tights, this opera is sure to be fun and entertaining for everyone. Held at Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson Street, on the University’s Evanston campus the production runs through Sunday. Times are as follows:

Thursday, Feb. 26: 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 27: 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 28: 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 1: 3 p.m.

Tickets are $18 for the general public; $15 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $8 for students with valid IDs.

For more information, call the Pick-Staiger Concert Office at (847) 491-5441 or visit the Pick-Staiger Web site at http://www.pickstaiger.org/. To order tickets by phone, call the Pick-Staiger ticket office at (847) 467-4000.

-L.A.U.R.E.N.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Cool Info on Fire Station #5 Renovation!

Here is a brief history and some information about the renovation of Fire Station #5 provided by Division Chief Thomas Janetske. It's quite fascinating! Tours of the renovated fire station will be held at the grand opening on Feburary 27 from 3pm to 5pm.

Built more than 50 years ago, Old Fire Station 5 on Central Street housed multiple firefighters and equipment over the years. The physical space as well as electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems was no longer efficient and reliable. The space itself proved unable to support a modern and diverse workforce. Lastly, only two of the Department’s fire engines were able to "fit" into the low profile apparatus doors.

Fire Station #5 was a total renovation of a 1950’s era one‐story fire station building consisting of the demolition and removal of the existing structure and subsequent reconstruction ofa new 14,260 square foot facility on the same site. The fully sprinklered, updated station design provides three new apparatus bays including one drive‐thru bay. There is a two‐story living area with dorms, kitchen, a work‐out area, office space and a basement for utilities. The new station is compatible with modern requirements and today’s technology and is the City’s first LEEDs (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building which is a green building rating system. As a result of the LEEDs certification, the City of Evanston received a $100,000 grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Grant Program.

The architect for the building was Muller and Muller Architects, Chicago, Illinois. CATH Associates Inc. (an Evanston firm) acted as the owner representative, working closely with the City of Evanston’s Facilities Manager and the Fire Department staff during the construction of this fcility. The general contractor for the project was Central Lakes Construction out of Prospect Heights.

Groundbreaking for Nw Fire Station 5 took place in 2007. Built at a cost of $4.7 million andalmost 2 ½ times the size of the facility it replaces, the new station opened for service on January 12, 2009. Fire Station 5 is staffed around the clock with 3 firefighter/paramedics. The staffed advanced life support engine company supports the City’s responses to more than 9,000 calls for service annually.