With the Inauguration on our heels, this year’s Black History Month has a lot to celebrate. Evanston has come prepare with these exciting events:
"Sapphire and Crystals: Beyond Race and Gender” (Noyes Art Gallery) - Now through March 12.
- Celebrate Black History Month with this intriguing art exhibition "Sapphire and Crystals: Beyond Race and Gender." This exhibition showcases the work of 20 African-American women artists, addresses issues central to the election of America's new President and Vice President. Through their work, the artists explore the current state of race and gender in the United States as well as their expectations and hopes for the future. Bright and vibrant, this exhibit fills both floors of the gallery. Co-sponsored by the Fleetwood-Jourdain Art Guild, the art exhibition will remain on display through March 12. The Noyes Art Gallery is at 927 Noyes St., Evanston; admission is always free. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. The building is accessible and group tours are available. For more information, call 847-448-8260.
Levy Center Presents Films on African American History of Evanston (Levy Center) - February 19th, 27th, and 29th.
- In celebration of Black History Month, the Levy Center will present two films that discuss African American history of Evanston.
Evanston Connection: Coming Home Celebration
Friday, February 27 9:30 am
Evanston Living History
Thursday, February 19 10:00 am
Thursday, February 19 1:30 pm
Thursday, February 26 7:00 pm
All screenings will all take place at the Levy Center, 300 Dodge Ave. and are free of charge. All are welcome.
Have fun celebrating!
-L.A.U.R.E.N.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Black History Month Events Going on in Evanston!
Want To Be a Part of the Noyes Family? Well Space Is Opening Soon!
-L.A.U.R.E.N.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Evanston Hears a Who! - Seussical Opens Tonight at Northwestern
The more I hear people discuss Seussical, the more I start to think that there is quite a stigma associated with the show. With a reputation like no other, Seussical is famous for having flopped on Broadway and for being picked up and loved by high school theatre departments every where. A combination of Dr. Seuss books (including Horton Hears a Who!, The Cat in the Hat, and many more), Seussical has become one of the most popular musical to be performed off of Broadway.
However, this is no Seussical you have ever seen of or heard of before. Character driven and immensely imaginative, this production focuses on the fun and creative aspects of the show. The costumes are modern and bright, the set is simple and clean, and the lights dazzle and brighten up this interpretative world of Seuss.
Director Madeline Scheffler said that she chose the show for many reasons. “As someone invested in theatre for young audiences, I wanted to do a show that was appropriate for all ages,” said Scheffler, her vision highly focused on imagination. She wanted both kids and adults to feel that they themselves could create this world on their own with everyday household items turned into magical Seuss objects. Primarily consisting of ladders, trunks, and a slew of props, the set for the show is unlike any Seussical set before. “Seussical itself is just such a fun show. It makes me want to smile, think, and question, and I wanted to be able to share that with others,” Scheffler said with excitement, and I think that goal has been more than accomplished.
Interactive, bright, and just plain fun, Seussical is a show that you will not want to miss. So come out to the Northwestern Norris University Center, Louis Room to see Seussical this Valentines’ Day weekend!
Thursday – 8:00pm
Friday – 8:00pm and 11:00pm
Saturday – 2:00pm and 9:00pm
Reserve tickets at http://www.jewsonstage.com/ or at the Norris Box Office. Pre-sale tickets are SOLD OUT for Friday at 8:00, so buy or reserve your tickets soon!
-L.A.U.R.E.N.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Mayor's Award for the Arts Winners Honored Feb 13, Tickets $20
Margherita Andreotti and Shorefront have won the 2008 Mayor's Award for the Arts. Both will be honored at the State of the City Luncheon to be held Friday, February 13, from 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hotel Orrington, 1710 Orrington Ave., in the Grand Ballroom.
Annually, the Mayor's Award is given to one Evanston artist and one Evanston arts organization for their contributions to the community through excellence in the arts. Recipients are selected from nominations from the public at large.A former member of the Public Art Committee, Ms. Andreotti is being honored for her devoted efforts to document and bring attention to the status of historic art in Evanston schools. She completed a lengthy report of public art in school buildings within Districts 65 and 202. Some of the objects date back to the Works Progress Administration of the 1930s. It is hoped the report will be a springboard for efforts to preserve and protect this art legacy.
Spearheaded by Morris E. (Dino) Robinson, Jr., Shorefront is a historical society whose goal is to provide surrounding communities with information, publications and exhibits of African American history. Shorefront preserves and collects artifacts and stores them so that they can be exhibited. It has presented traveling exhibits throughout the North Shore, including at Family Focus and the Civic Center.
The State of the City Luncheon is sponsored each year by the Evanston Chamber of Commerce. For ticket information, call 847-328-1500.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Happy Weekend!
The upcoming weekend of warm weather should be encouragement enough to check out all of these fantastic fine arts events happening right on Northwestern’s Evanston campus.
The Block Museum is currently exhibiting Robert Mapplethorpe’s Polaroids. Although some photos should not be seen by all audiences, this display of one of the most celebrated and controversial artists of our time is surely one you don’t want to miss out on!
Check it out: Exhibit Tour!
Saturday, February 7th, 2009
2:00-3:00 PM (the museum is open from 12-5 PM on weekends)
Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art 40 Arts Circle Drive
Another exhibit that will actually be ending this Sunday (Feb. 8th) is Silent Longing by Petra Kralickova at Northwestern’s Dittmar Gallery. This is a truly unique exhibit of the artist’s perceptions of the physical body through basic forms, textures and colors.
Check it out: Saturday, February 7th - Sunday, February 8th, 2009
10 AM-10 PM every day
Norris University Center, Dittmar Gallery, 1999 Campus Drive
On the theatrical side of things, Wallis Works-in-Progress: Twice Told will be presenting twice this Saturday! This adaptation of three stories by the great American writer, Nathaniel Hawthorne, will certainly entertain the whole family.
Check it out: Saturday, February 7th, 2009
2 PM and 8 PM
Hal and Martha Hyer Wallis Theater 1949 Campus Drive
Another enticing theatrical production is The Sins of Sor Juana, which is ending this Sunday. The Sins of Sor Juana by Karen ZacarÃas is a historic fantasy of self-determination and self-expression exploring the real life of the 17th-century poet and her quest for artistic freedom and social equality. Don’t worry; there are two more shows left!
Check it out: Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 7th and 8th, 2009
8 PM on Sat, 2 PM on Sun
Josephine Louis Theater
Last but surely not least, the Northwestern University Chamber Orchestra will be performing the following selection of pieces on Saturday, February 7th.
Alberto Ginastera, Variaciones ConcertantesAlberto Ginastera, Harp ConcertoRobert Schumann, Symphony No. 2 in C Major
Check it out: Saturday, February 7th, 2009
7:30 PM
Pick-Staiger Hall, 50 Arts Circle Drive
I hope you find some time for fine arts this weekend, because you only have to look right in your backyard to find these wonderful happenings!
This is Kristina signing out…
Monday, February 2, 2009
Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Theatre Auditions
Be apart of Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Theatre's 30th Anniversary Season!
AUDITIONS & SCRIPT SUBMISSIONS
Evanston residents: We need YOU! Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre is YOUR theatre.
Auditions
Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre is seeking talented actors, dancers, and strong singers age 15-40 for their summer production of "Once on This Island." Go to the "Playing Soon" tab at left for information about the production.
Auditions will be held on:
Thurs., Feb. 5 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 6 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 7 from noon – 4:00 p.m.
at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes St., Evanston
Please prepare an a capella song of your choice and a one-minute monologue.
Performances will be June 13-July 26; rehearsals begin March 1. To RSVP or for more info., please call 847-448-8260, ext. 2519 or send an e-mail to ejoy@cityofevanston.org.
Script Submission Process
Please send a hard copy of your script (with cover sheet, synopsis, two title pages with contact information and a self-addressed postcard) to:
Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre
Noyes Cultural Arts Center
927 Noyes St., Evanston, IL 60201
Scripts will not be returned. Please allow eight weeks for a response.
For more information regarding our submission process, please call (847) 448-8260.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
“We’re Off to See the Dolphin Show!” – Wizard of Oz Opens Tomorrow!
Feeling a little gray under this cold and windy weather? Feeling like you’re not in Chicago anymore (but rather the Arctic)? Why not warm up this weekend with a fun trip to Oz with the Northwestern Dolphin Show production of The Wizard of Oz!
Now in its 67th year, the Northwestern Dolphin show is the largest entirely student-produced musical in the country. This year the tireless group has taken on the timeless classic, The Wizard of Oz.
"We are thrilled to bring Oz to life on stage for a whole new generation to experience and appreciate. This production is certain to continue The Dolphin Show's tradition of celebrating the arts and entertaining both the Northwestern and Chicagoland communities," said executive producer and president Zachary Baer.
Director Katie Spelman feels that “The Wizard of Oz has been a part of every American childhood [and] seventy years later, Oz's message of love and the importance of family and friends is incredibly relevant. It has been an honor to translate the story we all know and love to the stage, telling it from a modern perspective."
The show opens tonight in Cahn Auditorium (600 Emerson St.)! The performance schedule is as follows:
Friday. January 23rd (8:00pm)
Saturday, January 24th (8:00pm)
Sunday, January 25th (2:00pm)
Friday, January 30th (8:00pm)
Saturday, January 31st (8:00pm)
$25 for the general public
$20 for seniors
$10 for children/students
For more information on ticketing, click here, call the box office at (847) 467-4000, or visit the box office at Pick-Staiger on Northwestern's Evanston campus. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.
Don’t miss this great event!
-L.A.U.R.E.N.
Long Live the Polaroids: Mapplethorpe at Block Museum
Born and raised Roman Catholic, Robert Mapplethorpe couldn’t have deviated more from the social norms of his age. Breaking down traditional barriers left and right, Mapplethorpe’s erotic and provoking photographs amazed the art world. Picking up a Polaroid camera in the early 1970s to take his first photographs, Mapplethorpe focused on the themes and subjects of portraiture, sexuality, and the human form. He eventually expanded to a medium-format camera and began taking pictures of friends, artists, composers, and socialites, introducing more statuesque male and female nudes and delicate flower still life compositions. Dying in early 1989 of complications due to AIDS, Mapplethorpe ended his life and career as one of the most influential and controversial artists of our time. The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation, founded by Mapplethorpe a year before his death, now preserves his creative vision and artwork and helps to raise money and awareness for the AIDS/HIV cause.
A collection of Mapplethorpe’s Polaroids from 1970 to 1975 will be showing at the Block Museum (40 Arts Circle Dr., Evanston, Illinois 60208) as a Gift of the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. More information can be found at the Block Museum Website.
-L.A.U.R.E.N.
