Now Open: Naveen's Cuisine

Naveen's Cuisine, 2325 W. North, opened for business this past Tues. Aug 24.

The establishment is owned by Naveen Sachar, who was born and raised in New Dehli and came to the United States in 1992. The West Buckowner will be offering Indian and Thai cooking classes, catering, parties, and take-home family style meals.

Though Naveen's first business as an official chef, the married stay-at-home father of two twin boys is no stranger to cooking. After being laid off in 2001, he hosted cooking parties for friends and family while looking for a new job, which he found nine months later. He continued to cook for friends after going back to work as an electrical engineer at a software company. After another layoff in 2008, he decided to make a go of being a full-time father and chef, beginning with making his son's baby foods.

"When you pick up a jar of baby food, it says peas and water, bur you don't know how much is water and how much is peas," Naveen explained. "With me, it's all peas. I don't put something in the jar to give it shelf life."

Coming in Naveen's 'pipeline' are cooking class demo nights, which will offer participants a chance to create fusion by mixing Indian spices into Italian pasta, or rubbing salmon-- not an Indian fish--with Indian spices, and serving it over rice accented by tumeric and roasted cumin. Recipes for creating simple and popular Indian street foods will also be shared, along with a possible baby food class for parents of infants, or parents-to-be.

Costs for classes and parties are about $60/person. A see through cooler allows for BYO, and the state-of-the-art appliances are all LEED-certified. More so than the cooking, Naveen, who is very hospitable and played the role of host graciously (even when The Pipeline accidentally knocked our beverage over and onto the floor mid-sentence, prompting a swift mop!), envisions the gatherings to be, "like culinary entertainment, a night out, a place to interact with others and to do something we all have to do, which is eat."

Leased since this past January, the space was remodeled and designed as a commercial grade restaurant by architect Matt Nardella of moss. Long ago the corner storefront at Claremont and North housed a furrier. The original doors to the vault, where the furs were kept in a moisture controlled environment with concrete floors and a cork ceiling, remain intact.

For more images, from Naveen's web site, click here.

Silhouettes @ Bullfrogs and Butterflies: Sat. Sept. 18

Renowned Silhouette Artist Karl Johnson will be creating hand cut original silhouettes at Bullfrogs & Butterflies! He has been featured in over 30 national publications including O magazine, People, Martha Stewart, In Style, and many others. Please call the store to make your appointment today, 773-661-1632. Original silhouettes are only $25, and appointments take less than 10 minutes. Tell your friends, this is one keepsake to always treasure.

The fun begins Sat. September 18th at 11AM.

Ilene on Eric Nye

Ilene's favorite artist from the Bucktown Arts Fest was Eric Nye.

Pam on Alison's Stained Glass

Pam's favorite artist from the Bucktown Arts Fest was Alison's Stained Glass of Naperville, IL.

Images from the Bucktown Arts Fest Kickoff Party at Jackson Junge

A fun time was reportedly had by all at the 25th Annual Bucktown Arts Fest Kickoff Party, held this past Thursday evening at Jackson Junge, 1389 N. Milw.

Note: Due to being under the weather, we were not able to attend. All images are courtesy of Sarah of the Bucktown Arts Fest.

images to be maybe i.d. in next pipeline

Ilene and Pam Visit the Bucktown Arts Fest

It's day 2.5 of penicillin. Though I'm no longer contagious, being out and about in the community with a 'communicable' thing like strep is not the best idea.

So, I called in my mom, and her friend, Pam, to cover the 25th Anniversary Bucktown Arts Fest.

I told the cub reporters they can feel free to dictate their experiences to me post fest, but Pam took the reins with the steno notebook, and said that she will try to write something. I gave her one of my favorite pens, so I hope she goes to town with it. My mom is toting around my camera.

Their assignment is to just have fun, and to select a few artists that they enjoyed, and why. They are under instructions to not take portrait pictures without permission and to wait until an artist is free to chat and not while they could be in the process of selling something, which would be awesome because I hope that all of the artists sell a lot of art... speaking of which, in the background of this video is a mixed media photo painting by an artist named Ralph Jumbeck that I purchased at the Bucktown Arts Fest in 2006. (Also pictured behind them is a piece by Gary Marr, another local artist and founder of the Sapere Gallery in the Flat Iron Building)

Anyhoo, that's all the news for now, but I am looking forward to including Ilene and Pam's take on the Bucktown Arts fest in the next Pipeline. There will be lots of other local news too, like a new cooking school, a popular bodega that just changed ownership after a 30-year-run, some exciting times in the lagoon at Humboldt Park, a few new spaces, up close with a fashion designer who is on board with the event that doesn't totally exist yet, and a few off-the-beaten path places to catch some cool treats to beat the late summer heat. And oh yeah, a packed event listings calendar and links to other blogs and stories. Corrections will get its own section again this week.

The doctor asked if I had been 'run down.' After pulling an all-nighter to put out the Aug. 24 issue, only with the aid of Pat's editing to which I'm indebted, and then working at the caffe that night on no sleep (even the tarot regulars said I seemed off), and then covering stuff on Thursday before falling ill on Friday, I think the answer is "yes."

Thus, it's been a great few days of respite and I'm ready to hit the streets again soon, but not too soon. And this time I'll try to slow down too.

Boredom is a Function of Not Knowing What to Do: Here's a Few Weekend Picks

With a fever and sore throat keeping me from 'walking the streets,' as I'm usually doing around this time of day on Friday, mining content for the next Pipeline weekly e-newsletter, perhaps there's no better time to turn off Anger Management--is it just me, or is it a really sucky movie and tough to see an actor of Jack Nicholson's caliber make fart jokes?--and abandon the comfort of couch and blankie for a computer screen, definitely second fiddle to the great outdoors.

Moving on, the following are just a few events that I am aware of taking place this fine weekend. Full disclosure: A few of these happenings are sponsors of my weekly e-newsletter. Anything which is sponsored will have a "PS" at the end of it, for Pipeline Sponsor.

1) For those who love the Weather Channel app, or see the beauty in a bolt of lightening, or sun breaking through clouds, there will be an opening reception tonight for Storm Chaser: Drama in the High Skies, from 6-9PM at the Jackson Junge Gallery, 1389 N. Milw. Photographer David Mayhew is the 'storm chaser,' and his work is pretty darn cool... In fact, I own a Mayhew photo purchased from an art fair in Evanston back in 2006. Pictured is "Rain Dance" by Mayhew. (PS)

2) Did you miss the St. Hedwig Church Carnival and the Pipeline issue where we chatted up carnies from Midway Amusements? There's still a chance to meet carnies as well as ride the ferris wheel in the Sixth Annual St. Helen's Carnival, which kicks off tonight at 6:30PM on Augusta Blvd. between Western and Oakley and closes Sunday at 9PM. Circus juggling, ragtime guitar, Polish dancing, Eastern European, Latin, and American music are all on tap, along with concessions and a beer garden. Pictured is the ferris wheel from last year's carnival and, yes, we were there!

3) Covered in this past week's Pipeline, the 25th Annual Bucktown Arts Festival will take place Saturday and Sunday (Noon to 7PM both days) in Senior Citizen's Park, just north of the Holstein Park Fieldhouse and swimming pool. 300 artists submitted applications to the juried festival, and 180 were invited to exhibit. The all volunteer staffed festival will also include theater, dance, and live music. Pictured is this year's festival poster, by artist Jill Lanza, and a feline collage that I spotted (and lusted after) at the 2009 BAF. Apologies to the collage artist whose name I forgot to jot down. Last year we covered the fest in our Aug. 31, 2009 Pipeline, and featured photographer Mary Economidy with a photo snapped inside the long closed White Castle at Armitage and Western. (PS)

4) In the mood to shop? There are lots of end-of-season clearance deals to be found inside area shops, thus the impetus for the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce's Annual 'Last Call' Summer Sidewalk Sale. Click here to see which stores are participating in the two day weekend sale (Sat. from Noon to 6PM, and Sun. from Noon to 5PM.) Pictured is Jana of Mulberry & Me with a polk-a-dot top that we included in this week's Pipeline.

5) It's always time for ice cream, especially when the ice cream is from longtime neighborhood staple, Margie's Candies. The Wicker Park Committee is hosting an ice cream social this Saturday August 28 from 2-5pm at the Cloisters Courtyard (2114 W. North Avenue). There will also be music by Marsha's Music, and games for children.

6) Also on Saturday, the 2nd Annual Mo'Rockin Fashion Fest is slated for 11AM to 10PM at 1824 W. Division, in the gated parking lot alongside Moonshine.

Okay, well that is all I know about at the moment, and it's likely for every five things mentioned, I missed five more, thus apologies on stuff I missed.

In other news, with the help of Brad Flora and a guy named Ben, I just established a blog on Windy Citizen. I've been a user and fan of Windy Citizen for about a year now. It's a great site for sharing and commenting on local news stories as well as hob nobbing with other news junkies.

At this nascent stage, the plan for the blog on WC is to create more interaction between readers and The Pipeline, as well as spread all the good neighborhood news happening here to other parts of the city.
It will also be easier to share videos, links, and photos.

Okay, time to gargle salt water...

Business Scam Alert

The following is cut and pasted in its entirety from 14th District.

Area Five Detective Division
Alert #650-10-028
August 18, 2010

BUSINESS ALERT
14th District
Deceptive Practice


About the Crime:

Please be aware of a current deceptive practice in which suspects pose as Health Department employees attempting to schedule inspections of local businesses. The suspects then tell victims they will receive text messages to their personal cell phones with a "code" to relate to inspectors when they arrive for inspection and to enter into an email. The Department of Health does not have such a procedure. It is unknown at this time if any fraudulent activity has occurred as a result these attempts.

What To Know:

• Dept of Health DOES NOT utilize text messaging or websites to schedule inspections.
• Dept of Health DOES NOT issue a "code" or confirmation number for inspections.
• Dept of Health encourages businesses to ask for employee identification, along with
badges.

What You Can Do:

• Do not give out personal information, such as email address or cell phone number.
• Call the Department of Health at (312) 747-9884 to verify.
• Contact CAPS office at (312) 744-1261
• Make other businesses in your area aware of this scam
• Contact 9-1-1 for an emergency

September Listings at Gorilla Tango

As usual, apologies on just hosting the listings sent in by Kelly of Gorilla Tango, which are pasted below. We had a blast at the Edd Fairman show, check out the Aug. 10th Pipeline to read our take on the 'wizard of sorts.'

September 2010 Calendar Listings:
Edd Fairman, Wizard of Sorts: Magic, Comedy, Mayhem (Continuing)

Edd Fairman, the Wizard of Sorts, is hitting the Gorilla Tango Stage for five nights of magic, comedy and mayhem! A nationally touring magician and an illusionist since the ripe old age of 6, Edd has brought his act home to Chicago and has planned an hour of interactive trickery, mindblowing mischief and new spins on classic illusions that could only come from the man the Chicago Wizard's Club named "Magician of the Year." You might not believe that a show this big can fit into Edd's single, trademark briefcase, but you will. You might even get a chance to peek inside it yourself! And be warned; this show is for audiences 13 and up due to moderate amounts of highly professional immaturity. To find out more about Edd and his magic, visit www.WizardofSorts.com.

Produced by Edd Fairman.

Thursdays at 8pm, August 5 – September 2, 2010. Tickets are $10.


Midlife Joyride (Continuing)

Don’t call it a Midlife Crisis. Crisis? What Crisis?! "Midlife Joyride" takes a skewed, hilarious look at the crap that arises when men and women move into the second half of life: bald spots, hot flashes, daydream stares, big guts, fast cars, sex drives on life support and “cougar” attacks. This part sketch show, part stand-up performance doesn’t take itself seriously. Instead it embraces the changes and puts a funny, whacked-out spin on what really should be called Adolescence the Sequel.

Produced by Eric Cowgill.

Saturdays at 7:30pm, August 28 – September 18, 2010. Tickets are $15


Bingo!
Directed by Mallory Primm
Written by Ian Kennedy

There is nothing fiercer than a game of Bingo. Tensions are high and competition FIERCE. In Mr. Kennedy’s new play BINGO!, amidst the competition, gossip flourishes and secrets are revealed. Who knew a Bingo game could contain hidden sexualities, illicit affairs, matching heart-shaped tattoos, AND good luck dollies? Interactive, Fun, Exciting!

Produced by Mallory Primm.
Wednesdays at 8pm, September 1 – 22, 2010. Tickets are $12.


True Twilight: A Glee Club Musical
Vamps! Wolves! Gleeks!

Suckie Stickhouse just moved to Wiccan Park and is already torn between two men: Ted, the undead man of her dreams, and Shirts on the Ground, the shape changing hottie. And how will Rachel Sharpey feel when Suckie auditions for the new musical? I'm sure coach Su will have an opinion. An over the top musical parody you don't want your children to see that will leave you singing "Don't Stop Bleeding!"...

Produced by Andrew Kraft.
Wednesdays at 9:30pm, September 1 – 22, 2010. Tickets are $12. Rated R.


Improv(e) Humanity

Have you ever had $12 and thought to yourself, "I could either donate this $12 to the American Cancer Society OR I could go see a comedy show..." What a dilemma! Now you can do both! Join us for an evening full of genius by Ken Barnard, high-energy improv from Fart City, music by Courageous Rue, and all hosted by the lovely and always quirky Cameron Esposito.

Take part in our raffle for your chance to win original art work by animation artists collective, Ridiculously Sophisticated Concept Artists!

A portion of proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society (http://www.cancer.org).
Produced by Cassie Soliday.

Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 9:30pm. Tickets are $12.


Smut! An Improvised Porno

Drawing from a collection of audience suggestions [something clever] Productions will present a series vignettes all related to the various categories/fetishes you would find in the porno section at your local video store. Complete with vintage porno music and a few other surprises along the way! So if spending an evening with some MILFS, BBW, lesbians, barely legal teens, and hot steamy men sounds like fun to you, then this is the show for you! You may even learn a few new things along the way.

Directed by Brian Gore.

Produced by [Something Clever] Productions.

Friday September 3, 2010 at 8pm and Friday, September 17, 2010 at 11:30pm. Tickets are $10.


Charlie Bit Me

Ouch, that was funny! Charlie Bit Me is a two-man romp through a spontaneously created world of hilarious characters. Wear socks, so they can be knocked off.

Produced by Thomas Weishan

Friday, September 3, 2010 at 9:30pm and Saturday, September 4, 2010 at 6pm. Tickets are $10.


Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead

When CB's dog dies from rabies, CB begins to question the existence of an afterlife. But a chance meeting with a classmate who plays piano, the target of this group's bullying, offers CB a peace of mind and sets in motion a friendship that will push teen angst to the very limits. Drug use, suicide, eating disorders, teen violence, rebellion, and sexual identity collide and careen toward a haunting and hopeful conclusion.

Produced by Jonathen Wikholm.

Fridays and Saturdays at 9:30pm, September 4 – 18, 2010. Tickets are $12.


CHUG CHICAGO: Rise of the Wrigleyvillians

Take a look inside the adrenaline-fueled, exciting world of Wrigleyville with this brand new interactive show/party experience that centers around drinking and the Chicago Cubs!

Written and directed by Amy Whittenberger.

Saturdays at 11:30pm, September 4 – 25, 2010. Tickets are $12.


Bad Seed

by David Greenberg

A mytho-political drama about the rising evil and constricting effect of corporate hegemony in contemporary American society.

Produced by Pawel Grajnert.

Tuesdays at 8pm, September 7 – 28, 2010. Tickets are $12.


Solo In Sanity

Have you ever felt completely SOLO in your sanity? Like everyone is crazy but YOU? Well, we can relate.

The world has gone crazy, and Solo In Sanity has proof. During this satirical, slice-of-life sketch comedy revue, you’ll visit places, people, and moments in time where the madness is just too much. Come to this hilarious, irreverent show with your other sane friends to poke fun at everything from high school bullies, to job interviews, to social “norms.” The cast of Jersey Shore might even stop by to incite the downfall of humanity!

Join your fellow sanity seekers before it’s too late…

Produced by Cora Vasseur.

Fridays at 8pm, September 10 – October 1, 2010. Tickets are $12.


Horrid! An Improvised Late Night Cult Film

Imagine if you mixed The Rocky Horror Picture Show, John Waters, zombies, slashers, B-Horror, exploitation films and 80's teen flicks all into one performance. Drawing from a collection of audience suggestions we will create an improvised show in the style of all these late night cult films seen in a series of vignettes. Sometimes the scenes will stand alone and sometimes story lines will connect in unexpected ways. This show is perfect for anyone who is a fan of cult films, someone looking for a break from your typical improv show or anyone who thought the 70's and 80's were the best times for movies.

Directed by Brian Gore

Produced by [Something Clever] Productions.

Friday, September 10, 2010 at 11:30pm and Friday, September 24, 2010 at 9:30pm. Tickets are $10.



$600 GTT Writer/Actor Thing

Do you crave original work? Do you love to vote for things? Then we've got the show for you! The $600 GTT Actor/Writer Thing pits 30 actors and 15 writers against each other as they put together the best original work they can in a single evening! Week one features 30 unique monologues, week two offers up 10 fantastic duets, and in the final week, watch in amazement as two teams put together a full one act play! Best of all, it's your vote that will decide the winners! At the end of three weeks, 6 people will walk away with cash, prizes courtesy of BigHotDog.com and their very own show which will premiere at Gorilla Tango Theatre!

Produced by Paul Cosca.

Saturdays at 5:30pm, September 11 – 25, 2010. Tickets are $10.


Shows You Would Never See If You Didn’t Know Someone In The Cast

The sell-out sketch comedy show is back and packed with new sketches.

The Best of Joe Janes's 365 Sketches.

This Fall, Feel the Bang. Get the Clap.

Produced by Scott Olson.

Sundays and Thursdays at 7:30pm, September 26 – October 7, 2010. Tickets are $10.



All performances take place at:

Gorilla Tango Theatre

1919 N. Milwaukee Avenue

Chicago, IL 60647

www.gorillatango.com

Visit www.gorillatango.com or call 773-598-4549 for tickets and more information.

Audience contact: 773-598-4549, info@gorillatango.com



Gorilla Tango Theatre Chicago is conveniently located at the intersection of Western and Milwaukee in Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood. Easily accessible by public transportation, GTT is steps away from the Western stop on the O’Hare Blue Line and the #49 Western, #73 Armitage and #56 Milwaukee buses. Street parking is readily available. GTT offers a variety of affordable ($3-$8) beer and wine for purchase.

Images, to be I.D'ed in Next Pipeline

Images from Greater Chicago Food Depository Prized Partner Awards

Yes, we are done with travel issues for the time being, but with that said, we did "travel" again out of the neighborhood. This past Thursday evening we landed somewhere on the far west side, at the Greater Chicago Food Depository's Prized Partner Awards.

More explanation on these images is on tap for the next Pipeline. The two humans in this blog post are Bob Dolgan, Director of Communications for the GCFD, at left, and Andy Christensen, Director of Promotions & Events, at Bob's right.