Dedicate Your Ears to The Juliets

With all due respect to the two local bands that played before The Juliets in tonight's installment of Dedicated Ears, held in the basement of the Chopin Theatre, I am going to include a few photos of The Juliets because it was one of the best live shows I've ever attended. And it came via the Motor City.

As I am not a music writer, and because I've already heard feedback that pipeline readers don't care as much about the music scene as I do-- somebody asked me why I focused on a greasy haired serial killer looking dude who is not local to the hood in last week's issue-- I will refer to these two short video clips to speak for the band's talent, which was so immense and goose-bump inducing that it brought a room of 40 people to their feet, and ushered in an encore, Sunday Song, which I am going to buy for $1 as soon as I figure out how to do that. And then I'm going to listen to it again. And sleep. It's Sunday.

Happy Times on North Ave.

Never mind that she's black and he's Mexican, or that they just met an hour earlier for the first time at California and Division, this couple was having fun, and celebrating Puerto Rico today.

"We're representing," he said.

Smarter, Not Harder

In the coming weeks I am going to attempt to play around with the format of The Pipeline, as well as to refine its business plan and establish a reoccurring funding base to support its existence.

Initially the focus was to promote as many small, independently owned businesses as possible, as the newsletter was initially a member newsletter for the local chamber of commerce, whom I still hope will continue to be part of the newsletter for the purpose of promoting the neighborhood's merchant community and foster awareness and participation in the local economy. I was inspired by the support and encouragement from the local chamber and its members, and it was that desire to take fun pictures and cover news at local shops which was the impetus for my wanderings.

Each day my mom forwards me the latest job leads, where she keeps seeing jobs for writers similar to what I do, yet for other hyper local news start-ups. Though these jobs seem tempting I cannot give up on the pipeline. Too many people tell me that they read the pipeline every week, or consult it for events, or found out about a new store they wouldn't have otherwise known about, or saw a photo of a friend in it, that I feel like it is important to keep it going. I love working on it.

As to how to keep it going I guess that's my problem to solve. In the meanwhile, if anyone reading this can exercise patience in sending me their events and happenings, that would be great. For the time being, paying sponsors who support the newsletter's existence are top priority, followed by other events and happenings that we just think are cool beans and interesting regardless of sponsorship, stuff like Learnapalooza and Movies in the Park and unique sales and concerts. We'll do our best to try to include everything that is sent in, so please keep on letting us know of your events too.

Okay, now off to wandering...

WOODEN BOX THEATER at Gorilla Tango

Note: Apologies on just posting a press release; I'm linking to this in the next newsletter.

CLEO LAVAMP PRESENTS WOODEN BOX THEATER
in 'Usted es mi compañero de alma'
Sun June 27th at 9pm

Chicago, IL (June 27, 2010): Chicago performance artist and actress, Cleo LaVamp will present Wooden Box Theater in 'Usted es mi compañero de alma,' live on stage on Sunday, June 27, 2010 at 9pm at Gorilla Tango Theatre, 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago 60647. Tickets are $15; to purchase tickets call 773-598-4549 or visit www.gorillatango.com.

CLEO LAVAMP PRESENTS WOODEN BOX THEATER is the second part in a trilogy of live theatrical events, which began last month at Stage Left Theatre, and will conclude July 27th at the Viaduct Theatre in Chicago.

Wooden Box Theater has been performing and producing events in the DeKalb/Sycamore area of the Midwest since the spring of 1995. This is their first tour of Chicago, and will lead to many more. Each performance by the group is a different chapter in the character's lives, CLEO LAVAMP PRESENTS WOODEN BOX THEATER at Gorilla Tango Theatre will reveal a Latin themed storyline using elements of Reggaeton and Salsa music, and cliffhanger ending.

This chapter, called 'Usted es mi compañero de alma', will be co-hosted by musicians Daerielle Culver, and Demetra Dokos, both of DeKalb, IL. They will also be performing and in the case of Daerielle Culver, acting as well. The night will feature a fashion show by popular Chicago designer Devoid N Deveil, which will star Rose Noir and others. Live music will be provided by Bill Leighly, DNA, Demetra Dokos, Jayson Curran, and Daerielle Culver. All are regular performers with the group and accent the stage production. Another favorite in the Chicago art/performance scene, Miss Kay, will be signing copies of her latest book, as well as performing.

To add their poetic touch to the evening, Nyx and Anthony Michael Parks will perform between sets, with original poetry. Nyx has been featured in the Gothic Art Chicago magazine, Kilter. Sound mixing and presentation will be handled by long time group member, Jon Hadley, who will also be acting.

The cast of CLEO LAVAMP PRESENTS WOODEN BOX THEATER includes a wide array of talent from both DeKalb and Chicago and includes: Lady Lupe, Cleo LaVamp, Kate Zadell, Daerielle Culver, Rebecca Steer, Caitey Ouding, Roberta Sprague, Melissa Shearer, Rachel Payne, Ami Amaya, Jon Hadley and Liza Hardin.

Directed by Daniel Sherrill, Cleo LaVamp and Lady Lupe, 'Usted es mi compañero de alma' tells the story of a fateful trip to Spain for two soul mates on their way to finally meeting. In the previous installment of CLEO LAVAMP PRESENTS WOODEN BOX THEATER, the character of 'Dan' witnessed Cleo's tarot reading on stage, only to have it dictate what he was feeling in his heart. She sensed it as well, and has followed him, heart in hand, from Chicago to Spain, to confront him with her feelings. However, when they both receive anonymous envelopes with the names of their fated soul mates, each wants nothing more than to see the others name when opened.

For more information or to schedule a review, please contact Daniel Sherrill, Event coordinator/Director. dansherrill2003@yahoo.com, 815-901-6422. For more information on Gorilla Tango Theatre, contact Kelly Williams, kelly@gorillatango.com.
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Gorilla Tango Theatre (GTT) is a year-round theatrical venue where audiences of all ages can consistently go to see a wide variety of talented artists. GTT exists to provide artists with an opportunity to produce their work in professional environment. GTT was created by Second City- and IO-Chicago-trained Dan Abbate and boasts an 88-seat performance space. GTT 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 Blue Line stop and the #49 Western, #73 Armitage and #56 Milwaukee buses. Street parking is readily available. With shows for both children and adults, all GTT performances are on a rating system, similar to the one used in movie theatres. GTT offers a variety of affordable beer and wine for purchase. Consult the website for rating information, tickets, and details.

www.gorillatango.com
1919 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60647 – 773.598.4549

-END-

Images, to be I.D.ed in Pipeline

Ayy, where does the time go? For now I am hosting these pictures here and linking to them from the pipeline with an explanation of WWWW? It doesn't help I just had a harrowing delay from a really stupid yet crazy and perhaps Larry David-esque comically embarrassing thing that could maybe only happen to someone like me-- and just as I was sure I had no stories to tell for the next Grown Folks Stories at The Silver Room!

Images from a Social at Louie's Pub

(To prevent scroll fatigue in tomorrow's pipeline, I am posting these photos and a recap in its entirety here)

Though I was only there the first hour or so, yesterday's first Wicker Park Social at Louie's Pub, 1659 W. North, proved at least one thing: its organizer Michelle can certainly find and bring out the local menfolk!

Michelle, in blue, works as a census crew leader and has a background in accounting. She was laid off from a full-time auditing gig and told me that the impetus for the event was that she wanted to meet neighbors and create a social network in her neighborhood of Bucktown.

I was impressed by Michelle's initiative to put the grassroots event together with no advertising, using social media (I'd heard of the event on Facebook) as well as secure a bar host and food sponsors.

Guests at the free gathering dined on wings from Wing Stop and pizza from Pie Eyed, and played Wii as I snacked on popcorn and chatted up Pipeline sponsor, Al of Spenadel Tax & Accounting Services, for his next Al-ism, naturally related to the Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup. Also of note, I finally met Joe Lake in the flesh after over a year of being exposed to his writings and commentaries.

All of the said folks are featured in these accompanying pics along with Louie's Pub bartender Melissa, a bouncer whose name escapes me, DJ Robert Sepulveda, and a few other local men. Perhaps the female centric free tarot night at caffe De Luca, 1721 N. Damen, should collide with one of Michelle's events?

UPDATE: This was a comment from Michelle on the Facebook page, I was just kidding about all the men, but after I left many women came too. "PS we had a couple big crews of girls come in after u left that really made it a lot more fun!"- michelle

Split Lip Rayfield at Metronome

The rain may have kept people away from the 2nd Annual Metronome Celebration in Logan Square this past Saturday, which is too bad given that the headliner band, Split Lip Rayfield, is one of those bands like Gogol Bordello which have a play-your-heart out energy that is best witnessed live.

After seeing Split Lip Rayfield at Empty Bottle a couple years ago I was determined to go out on Saturday, and was impatiently waiting for the rain to stop before meeting up with some friends. The $5 entry fee to Metronome was nice too. Shows like this will be my equivalent to festivals like Pitchfork and palooza which aren't in the cards this summer.

I don't know what the critics say about SLR, but I'd describe listening to them like being back in the Appalachian foothills of southeast Ohio hearing banjos on Friday night while studying at the Front Room, along with the energy of a punk band. Though there are three people in the band, I was clearly fixated on one-string bass/gastank player Jeff Eaton.