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Conversation with Chicago Composer, Author, Poet Regina Harris Baiocchi

Conversation with Chicago Composer, Author, Poet Regina Harris Baiocchi

Regina Harris Baiocchi is a celebrated African-American female composer and poet born, raised and currently living in Chicago. This discussion with Executive Producer and podcast host Reno Lovison sheds light on her journey as an artistic creative force and how she has been shaped by 

Garage Bands Rock Chicago

Garage Bands Rock Chicago

New Colony Six, Spanky and Our Gang, The Buckinghams, The Ides of March, The Shadows of Night, The Cryan’ Shames, Chicago (CTA). This is a very interesting and entertaining video, produced for WTTW, that those who are interested in vintage Rock n’ Roll might enjoy. 

I AM NOT YOUR PERFECT MEXICAN DAUGHTER | Podcast Theater Review | Chicago

I AM NOT YOUR PERFECT MEXICAN DAUGHTER | Podcast Theater Review | Chicago

Note: Here is a link to our podcast theater review of the world premiere presentation of I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter which was the last play we attended before the pandemic closed everything down in 2020. Now the play will soon be released as a major motion picture directed by America Ferrera for Netflix.

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A world premiere of  I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter adapted for the stage by Isaac Gomez, directed by Sandra Marquez is based on the award-winning novel by Erika L. Sanchez.

Julia played by Karen Rodriguez is a Chicago teenager and aspiring writer struggling to come to terms with the sudden death of her only sister and sets out to understand some of the circumstances occurring around the time of her demise.

This well written and superbly performed play has a serious message about life, relationships, sacrifice and what it means to be a mature adult tempered with a good deal of snarky humor.

This is billed as a “Steppenwolf for Young Adults” production which I hope does not limit audiences who might think this is only for young people.

“I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter” is at the Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted Street through April 5, 2020. For tickets and information visit Steppenwolf.org or call (312)335-1650.

Chicago musician talks about online piano lessons

Chicago musician talks about online piano lessons

Julie Lovison director of The Lake Shore Music Studio in Chicago talks about teaching online piano lessons and coping with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chicago’s Original Polar Bear Club and other video images of the past

Chicago’s Original Polar Bear Club and other video images of the past

Here are a series of video found on the web provided by “Reel Life.”   The film clip below shows a 1930 member of the original Polar Bear Swim Club, Chicago, Illinois.   Polar bear swim clubs exist all over the world today, here is 

Teen Improv Group | Documentary Film Review

Teen Improv Group | Documentary Film Review

Podcast review of 2019 documentary film SOMETHING OUT OF NOTHING by Josh da Silva about Chicago northside neighborhood teens using Improv to enhance communication skills and explore racism as well as other topics that impact their lives.

You can watch the film online at Tubi. https://tubitv.com/movies/469126/something_out_of_nothing

Connie C. Wilson Interviews Spike O’Dell

Connie C. Wilson Interviews Spike O’Dell

Whatever happened to WGN radio personality Spike O’Dell? Connie Wilson interviews one of the station’s most popular broadcasters from his current retirement home in Nashville where he paints and otherwise is “doing whatever he wants to do.” Connie and Spike both born in E. Moline, 

Something About You | Music Video | Chicago

Something About You | Music Video | Chicago

Tony Aiken and Future is back with “Something About You,” another reggae music video this time rockin’ a mainstream crossover vibe distributed by Radial by The Orchard. The recording kicks off with a guitar solo lick by Stann Champion on guitar before launching into the 

A Dark Tale of a White Whale Podcast Theater Review

A Dark Tale of a White Whale Podcast Theater Review

This ninety minute version of the icon fish tale Moby Dick produced by Chicago based Theatre in the Dark captures the essence of Herman Melville’s classic seafaring novel including vivid descriptions of the elusive and menacing great white whale itself.

No need to keep your eyes peeled, Chicago based Theatre in the Dark  specializes in telling stories through sound, so this production can be more accurately described as a live radio drama broadcast via the Internet on Zoom.

It’s a pay as you please ticket so why not power off Hulu or your favorite reruns of Chopped make a tuna sandwich and give this local theater some support while you enjoy a bit of alternative entertainment.

A Film Noir with a Chicago Connection | Nightmare Alley

A Film Noir with a Chicago Connection | Nightmare Alley

If you are a lover of classic film noir don’t miss Nightmare Alley a 1947 film starring Tyrone Power and Joan Blondell,  with Colleen Gray as Molly directed by Edmund Goulding. You can watch it right here and now. A talented circus con man reaches 

“Sweet Home” Celebs Support Illinois Arts

“Sweet Home” Celebs Support Illinois Arts

Dozens of local singers, dancers, and musicians join a star studded group of celebrities to record the Blues Brothers classic “Sweet Home Chicago” in support of the Arts for Illinois Relief Fund.

Remembering Chicago 1920s through 1950s | WTTW

Remembering Chicago 1920s through 1950s | WTTW

WTTW Chicago’s PBS station produced a series of roughly hour long videos under the banner “Remembering Chicago.” The first video covered the 1920s -30s and 40s. In 2004 the year the first of the series was produced many of the people featured like Studs Terkel, Irv Kupcinet, and Johnny Frigo  where getting on in age and have indeed passed on since then.

What I personally like about Chicago history is looking at the businesses, buildings and structures that are still around and think about how they have served and contributed to the millions of people who have lived out their lives or traveled through this geographic locations that is sometimes referred to as “the most American city.”

Places like the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Art Institute,  Museum of Science & Industry, Cultural Center, Navy Pier and the Opera House as well as many movie palaces, ballrooms, clubs, restaurants,  and bars still bring joy to countless patrons as they have over several generations.

Sure the horses are gone, street cars and trolleys have given way to buses and cars but the old water tower still stands guard over Michigan Avenue and Marshall Field’s clock at the corner of Randolph and State still displays the time even if the store itself has been re-branded. Numerous bridges periodically raise and lower themselves back into place as if by magic over the lazy river that gave birth to this city dividing it in more ways then one.  Elevated trains still rumble overhead and the subway grumbles beneath our feet while the waters of Lake Michigan endlessly lap the shore, doing so presumably as long as there is a sunrise on the horizon to mark the days and a glimmering moon reflected on the waves to mark the passing of the seasons.

This is a city of transportation and commerce fabricated entirely by immigrants who came to trade, using the paths of native peoples to guide them through the prairies, who through brute strength and quick wits fed the world, built towers into the sky and raised generations of children who look back with pride and fondness on the city we love.

*Note: My Boomer friends from South Shore who attended Myra Bradwell Elementary School may recognize Veronica O’Shea one of our crossing guards who saw to it that we made our way safely to school.

The following episode presents Chicago in the 1940s and 1950s including memories of WWII, the beginning of the post war years and the rise of Mayor J. Daley.

Note: My friends from St. Pauls UCC might enjoy seeing retired pastor Thomas Henry.

Keywords: Michigan Avenue, State Street, Riverview, Lakefront, downtown, streetcars, restaurants, Ice Cream, racetracks,  Century of Progress, ballrooms, dancing, Aragon, Trianon, radio, Edgewater Beach Hotel, WWII, Daley, Wrigley Field, Cubs, Sox, Cardinals, Bears, stockyards, high school, public schools, yo-yo, hula hoop, train, clothes, real estate, cars, subway, elevated, polio, drive-in, television, TV, wrestling, baseball, football, beaches, movie theaters, Skyway, victory gardens,