No peace on earth: Holiday films go to battle Holiday movie preview: Viggo Mortensen isn't roasting chestnuts but trying to keep from getting roasted in the cannibal-crazy "The Road."
Earthlings aren't exactly welcome when they visit Smurf-colored aliens
in James Cameron's "Avatar." Even Daniel Day-Lewis can't find any peace
in "Nine." Hopefully for Hollywood all this strife will result in what they
really want under their collective Christmas trees: A big box of envelopes that say: "And the nominees are ..."
Friday, November 20, 2009
Choral society to perform 'Messiah'
"Downers Grove Choral Society will celebrate its 50th Anniversary Concert with a production of George Frideric Handel's "Messiah" at 3 p.m. Nov. 22 at Downers Grove North High School, 4436 Main St.
Five things to know
Two Way Street Coffee House: Joe Filisko and Eric Noden, Nov. 20. An open mike night for students is offered at 7 p.m. the last Thursday of every month. No cover. Bluegrass Jam at 2 p.m. the fourth Saturday of each month. Singarounds are offered at 2 p.m. the first and third Saturdays. At 1047 Curtiss St., Downers Grove. Call 630-969-9720 or visit www.twowaystreet.org.
Tivoli Theatre hosts holiday film fest
The Tivoli Theatre, located at 5021 Highland in downtown Downers Grove,
will present a diverse Holiday Film Festival Dec. 11 to Dec. 17. The
annual fest offers movie lovers a rare opportunity to see five of their
all-time holiday favorites on a big screen with great sound in a
beautifully restored 1928 movie palace.
Country meets opera in 'Divabilly' fundraiser
Country musician Suzy Bogguss is happy to help out for a good cause, and expose Fox Valley residents to a unique style of music she's dubbed "Divabilly." For the second year, she and her niece, opera singer Rebecca Davis, will perform at Hope For the Holidays, a concert benefiting the National Alliance for Mental Illness (at Naperville's North Central College.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Getting satire right: Site is a daily show of humor
From Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck to Bill Maher's targets in the 2008 comedic documentary "Religulous," those on the right of the spectrum often wind up as subjects of late-night zingers and scorching sendups. They are less often the originators of those sendups -- standouts such as Dennis Miller and his less comedically accomplished conservative compatriot Rush Limbaugh notwithstanding -- especially when it comes to taking conservative comrades to task.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Streamwood clown joins 'the greatest show'
Earlier this month, 27-year-old Kyle Barker started to live out his dream in earnest, joining
the cast of clowns in Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's Circus
at Allstate Arena in Rosemont.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Midwest Ballet to perform 'The Nutcracker'
Midwest Ballet Theatre's highly acclaimed annual production of Tchaikovsky's holiday classic, "The Nutcracker" will be presented at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 14, 15, 21 and 22 at the Tivoli Theatre, 5021 Highland Ave. in downtown Downers Grove.
Five things to know
Graue Mill and Museum: Christmas At The Mill Fine Artisan Boutique, Nov. 20, 21 and 22. Friday features wine and cheese 6:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. Open mid April to Mid November, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays to Sundays. Closed Mondays, except Holidays. At 3800 York Road, Oak Brook. Call 630-655-2090 or visit www.grauemill.org.
Grove Players perform 'Man of LaMancha'
The Grove Players will present the first production of their 74th season, the musical "Man of LaMancha" by Dale Wasserman, at 8 p.m. Nov. 13, 14, 20, 21 and 2 p.m. Nov. 8, 15, and 22 at the Lincoln Center, 935 Maple Ave., Downers Grove.
Keeping it fresh
Grammy Award-winning artist Bruce Hornsby brings some of his most popular songs and crowd favorites to the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd. in Glen Ellyn, during a 7 p.m. performance Nov. 15.
Not so 'Good' with details Paige Wiser: It's one of the hazards of TV viewing: Police watch cop shows and complain that they're not accurate. Critics pick apart reality shows for not being real. And Chicagoans watch "The Good Wife" to look for Midwestern mistakes. Co-creator Michelle King says our city was chosen as the setting for CBS' Tuesday night hit because it made sense for Julianna Margulies' character -- not because any of the producers had personal experience here.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Laughing in the face of recession
Give people good value for their money, and chances are, they'll buy whatever you're selling -- even in this economy.
Five things to know
Schoenherr Art Gallery: Artist Pieter Favier exhibit, "Two Roads: Of What I Think and What I Think About," to Nov. 13. Multiple media, including paper, crayon, chalk and acrylic. More at http://finearts.northcentralcollege.edu/x48813.xml. At Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Call 630-637-5300 or visit www.northcentralcollege.edu/events.
Five things to know
Schoenherr Art Gallery: Artist Pieter Favier exhibit, Two Roads: Of What I Think and What I Think About, to Nov. 13. Multiple media, including paper, crayon, chalk and acrylic. More at finearts.northcentralcollege.edu/x48813.xml. The exhibit will be open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays and Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays, and one hour before most performances in the Fine Arts Center. At Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Call 630-637-5300 or visit www.northcentralcollege.edu/events.
Jay-Z, Alicia Keys perform at World Series Game 1
The New York Yankees have been blasting Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind”
during their playoff run. Now, the team is having the rap king perform
the song live to kick off Game 1 of the World Series. Jay-Z and fellow New Yorker Alicia Keys are set to perform the hit on
Wednesday, as the Yankees take on defending World Series champs, the
Philadelphia Phillies.
