Pictures from MUCCA PAZZA!

Enjoy!

The Art Institute's Modern Wing Makes Me Want to Rock Out - Opening This Weekend!

The eyes of the art world will be on Chicago this weekend, Saturday May 16th, as the Art Institute of Chicago opens its new Modern Wing. This $283 million addition will be featuring a modern European collection (including Picasso, Matisse, and Kandinsky), a contemporary collection (including Jackson Pollock, de Kooning, and Eva Hesse), and a new exhibition featuring Cy Twombly's "The Natural World, Selected Works 2001-2007," which is on view from May 16 – September 13, 2009.

In addition, on Saturday the Art Institute plans to shut down Monroe St. to bring in the entire city of Chicago with live music and family activities throughout the galleries. With a dedication at 9:00am with city officials and Renzo Piano, Modern Wing architect, and a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10:00am, the entertainment plans to begin at 11:00am and continue until 5:00. Bands performing include Swing Gitan, Maxwell Street Klezmer Band, Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and more.

Tom Pritzker, chairman of the board of trustees, said that the opening of the Modern Wing was a "historic moment for the Art Institute of Chicago. [It] signals to the world the cultural caliber of the city of Chicago and reaffirms its place as a leading cultural destination." Everyone throughout the city and the suburbs is excited for this event, and the Art Institute knows it. As a thank you to the city for its support and in celebration of the opening, admission to the museum will be free from opening day through Friday, May 22, 2009.

So! Get out to the Art Institute of Chicago (111 S. Michigan Ave.) starting Saturday, May 16th to see the new Modern Wing! For more information go to http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/exhibitions/modernwing !

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

Noyes Loves Palindromes

Looking for an awesome concert tonight? Got ten bucks? Love palindromes? Then you should check out Lamajamal, one of our favorite previous Starlight Concert Series performers, tonight at Martyr’s on North Lincoln Ave. They will be performing with Chicha Libre in a concert sponsored by Radio M.

Lamajamal’s sound is influenced by music from the Balkans, Turkey, North Africa, and the Middle East, as well as a touch of 60's "Surf Sound,” to give the hybrid term of “Gypsy Surf” (which also happens to be the title of their latest album.) Chicago Public Radio refers to them as a “band without borders.” If you’re looking for a change of pace to your typical concert night out, or if you just wanna get up and dance the night away, be sure to head down to Martyr’s at 9 PM tonight (April 30th) for a journey that you’ve never experienced before.

The Fine Print:

Radio M presents Lamajamal and Chicha Libre
Martyr’s
April 30th, 2009
3855 N. Lincoln, Chicago, IL9pm $10

This is Kristina signing out…

Get Your Art Fix This Weekend - Art Chicago and NEXT

Art invades the city this May 1st through 4th with Art Chicago 2009 and NEXT, the annual international fair of contemporary, modern, and emerging art. Enjoy the best of both art worlds with these two excellent events located at the beautiful Merchandise Mart. Art Chicago houses a unique variety of current and classical work in an array of mediums, with everything from modern installations to historic paintings. NEXT focuses on Chicago’s emerging art with “works from both commercial and non-commercial arts organizations--galleries, project spaces, art publications and key private contemporary collections from around the world.” Although the number of exhibitors is down this year, there is still plenty of excellent work to see. Browse through over 200 gallery mini exhibitions and enjoy all that Art Chicago and NEXT have to offer!

General Ticket Information

Tickets may be purchased onsite and will be available online.

Adults: $20 daily or $25 multi-day pass

Seniors, Students or Groups: $15 multi-day pass

Children 12 and under are free

The Merchandise Mart

222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, 12th Floor

Chicago, IL 60654

General Show Hours:

Friday, May 1, 11am - 7pm

Saturday, May 2, 11am - 7pm

Sunday, May 3, 11am - 6pm

Monday, May 4, 11am - 4pm

For more information visit http://www.artchicago.com/ .

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

Lollapalooza Souvenir Tickets Have Come and Gone

At little past 2:00pm yesterday, Lollapalooza released their infamous souvenir tickets. These 1000 discounted tickets sold out in nearly 10 min. at $60 a piece. Having sent out a message in their newsletter at the beginning of the week announcing the immanent release of the tickets, every Lolla fan was fervently waiting and constantly reloading their browsers. On the day of the sale however, many users were frustrated to find out that Lolla’s page did not work with their web browsers (mainly Firefox and Safari) and needed to switch to Internet Explorer in order to access the coveted tickets. For many, these slight moments were crucial and caused them to miss out due to the error. Didn’t snag the souvenir tickets, but still want to go to Lollapalooza? Try the next best thing: Early Bird Tickets go on sale March 31st.

If you were lucky enough to score a pair of tickets, you are in for a great line up. Rumors have been circulating about Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Killers, but the Chicago Tribute confirmed last week that Depeche Mode, Beastie Boys, and Jane's Addiction will all be headlining this year. Lollapalooza plans to release the full line up sometime in April.

Find out more about Lollapalooza at their website: http://www.lollapalooza.com/.

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

MORE Holiday Art Shows This Weekend!

Make sure to check out these other great Holiday Art Shows going on in Evanston and the Chicagoland area this weekend!


Bucktown Holiday Art Show (Holstein Park Fieldhouse) – This annual juried sale features over a 100 artists exhibiting paintings, photography, ceramics, jewelry, textiles, and more. Plus, this art show is featuring a Silent Auction where you can find some great deals!

McGraw YMCA Holiday Ceramic Sale (1000 Grove St, Evanston) – This show features 12 Chicagoland Ceramists and a wide variety of artwork, at a variety of prices. 20% of all proceeds will go in support of the McGaw YMCA and its many programs areas. Come to support the Y and the local artists!

The Midwest Clay Guild 37th Annual Show and Sale (1236 Sherman Ave, Evanston) – The 10 members of the Guild will be exhibiting their ceramic art which runs the gamut of all possible clay objects, with everything from cups and bowls to figurative sculpture to conceptual work.

Mitchell Museum Holiday Bazaar (3001 Central St, Evanston) – Twenty-one Native American exhibitors from throughout the Chicago area and beyond will be offering authentic, handmade, traditional and contemporary art and craft items. Native artists will be selling works ranging from paintings and decorated gourds to inlaid silver jewelry, feather work, and more!

One of a Kind Show and Sale Chicago (The Merchandise Mart) – Immerse yourself in this unique shopping experience! With 500 of North America’s best artists and craftspeople with thousands of matchless items, it’s hard not to find something for everyone on your list this holiday season!

Happy Holiday Shopping!

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

Weekend of Holiday Sales! - Open Studio, Renegade, and MORE!

While naturally all Noyes wants for Christmas is you, the rest of the world cannot be so lucky. Thankfully, Evanston’s Open Studio Project will be having a Holiday Show this weekend to provide a variety of unique gifts for all.

A non-profit arts and social service organization, Open Studio Project provides stimulating and powerful programming combining visual arts and writing, with a special emphasis on using the creative arts to inspire personal growth, interpersonal understanding, and social change.

This Saturday December 6th from 10am-5pm, Open Studio Project will be having a celebration of the creative spirit! Their holiday show includes handmade gifts, crafts, artwork, objects, food & drink, music & art making for all. Located at 903 Sherman Ave, this event is sure to be a one stop shop for Christmas gifts and Holiday fun!

Other Holiday Events in Chicago this weekend:

Lincoln Square Christkindl Market (Leland & Western Avenue) – Stroll through beautiful Lincoln Square and experience a German Christmas. Enjoy some bratwurst and glogg (warm spiced wine) as you listen to traditional Christmas Carols. With dozens of charming vendors and boutiques with a wide range of unique German products, you are sure to find some great gifts. Plus, there is a Kids Korner that the whole family can enjoy!

DEPART-ment Holiday Show (2000 W. Fulton) – A collection of handmade items made from over 125 local and national vendors, DEPART-ment is a prefect place to find unique gifts. All things are handcrafted with no brand-names, no foreign assembly, and no questionable ethics. It’s a great way to support local artists!

Renegade Craft Fair Holiday Sale (Pulaski Park Fieldhouse) – With over 150 booths in 5 rooms and Goodie Bags available for the first 100 shoppers each day, this Holiday Sale is sure to be a blast. Eat some tasty treats by Tipsycake + Treat as you watch a performance by Mucca Pazza. One of the biggest, best and the most well-known of all the DIY craft fairs in the US, this is one holiday event you won’t want to miss!

Enjoy all the Holiday fun!

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