Ethnic Arts Festival Applications Due April 6th!

24th Annual
Evanston Ethnic Arts Festival
July 18th – 19th, 2009
12:00pm to 7:00pm

We invite you to apply for the Evanston Ethnic Arts Festival, the premier ethnic festival in the Midwest! A celebration of cultural diversity, this festival features art from every continent, continuous world music and dance, and a wide assortment of ethnic cuisine.

The festival is held the third weekend in July each year on Evanston’s beautiful lakefront in Dawes Park at Church Street and Sheridan Road. The festival is faithfully attended by over 25,000 people each year from Evanston and the Chicago area. Applications are due April 6th.

So, what are you waiting for??? Apply now online at www.cityofevanston.org/ethnic !

-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.

I'm JT, nice to meet you!

Hello, my name is Jennifer Thornton (nickname: JT), and I am the newest seasonal staff member at the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Evanston. I will be working on the Ethnic Arts Festival and the Lakeshore Arts Festival as the Program Coordinator. I have worked or volunteered for both festivals for several summers in a row, and I am in awe of the spirit of each event and the amazing, diverse talent and passion represented year after year. I think this season could be the best yet!

My life mostly revolves around the arts, and I am also a strong advocate for civil rights/equality and sustainable living issues. I grew up in Knoxville, TN and studied dance and musical theater throughout my childhood. I earned a BA with a major in Spanish and a minor in Dance from University of Tennessee, and then interned at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC before moving to Chicago. I then completed a Master of Arts Management at Columbia College Chicago, and have been working in the nonprofit arts in Chicago since 2002, at such organizations as The Field Museum, Chicago International Film Festival, Illinois Arts Alliance, and most recently at Links Hall, an innovative performing arts studio where I served as Managing Director for 2.5 years. I also sit on the Board of Split Pillow, a nonprofit Chicago-centric film production company, and I perform, produce, and create my own art as much as possible!

I love interacting with and supporting artists in all mediums, and I am thrilled by the festival environment, with its opportunities to share extraordinary art work and performance, meet new people, and celebrate the culture of Evanston, Chicago, and beyond! I hope that if you are participating in the festivals in any way or are one of our valued guests, that you will reach out to me about anything - I'm here this summer for you!

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...

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.

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.

Fire Station Number Fi-ii-ii-ii-ive: Public Art Dedication

Like Dracula and (more accurately) Aurora Borealis, the newest edition to Evanston's public art collection is visible ONLY IN DARKNESS! and via photos on the Internet...



Emitting Waves by Minneapolis artist Robert W. Smart is a series of six cell-cast acrylic panels carved with images depicting the flow of glorious, flame-extinguishing water. The images appear to float. They are lit internally by computer-programmed light-emitting diodes with colors and designs that evolve slowly over time.

Emitting Waves graces the front of Evanston's newly renovated Fire Station #5, located at 2830 Central Street.

The grand opening of Fire Station #5 and the dedication of Emitting Waves will take place on Friday February 27, from 3pm to 5pm. While Emitting Waves will not be visible at this time, I can assure you that Fire Station #5 will be visible.

The mayoral ribbon cutting ceremony will be at 3:15pm. The ceremony will be one of Mayor Lorraine H. Morton's last public appearances as Mayor. Afterwards, tours of the fire station and refreshments will be provided.

Stick around until sunset at 5:39pm and see the full glory of Emitting Waves unleashed.

Black History Month Events Going on in Evanston!

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.