The convos go down at 6pm on March 26th and April 2nd, with Class Dismissed starting at 7:30. Click here to buy tickets.

Heads Up: The location for this Friday’s Pub Night has been changed from Clarke’s Bar and Grille to Lincoln Station Bar. Don’t stress out – it’s right across the street.

So, if you’re joining us for tomorrow’s performance of Living Green (and if you’re not already planning on it, you should), come devour some appetizers and a drink with us at Lincoln Station.

Pictured here is Arlene’s Kindergarten report card. She passed with flying colors when it came to waiting her turn, knowing her clothes, and being polite. She knew her left hand from her right, and she knew her birthday.But unlike many of her peers, Arlene did not know her telephone number. This is because her parents did not communicate via telephone, so Arlene did not have a number to know!

no checks here

Pretty interesting, right?Arlene is a super-fun lady with a whole lot of story-telling in her, so come share the love after Valentines Day and see What Does the Sun Sound like?

Purchase tickets online at http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?organ_val=22686&event_val=WDSS&schedule=listnd and have a great time!

Take a look at their MySpace page and tell me you don’t want to hang out there before the show.

Just get yourself a ticket for that evening’s show.

For those not in the know, VG’s Humanities Nights are an opportunity to hear Chicago-area scholars and activists share their knowledge and experiences that relate to our Mainstage shows. And, by the way, if you weren’t there on Thursday, you’ve got one more shot. Mr. Holt will be back again this Thursday for another discussion with Gloria Bond Clunie before the evening’s performance of Living Green.

Be there: Thursday, February 5th. Discussion starts at 6pm, show starts at 7:30. Just hop over here and get yourself a ticket for Thursday night’s show.

The end of 2008 was pretty sweet—a big giant high five/hug/plain ol’ thank you (whichever you’re most comfortable with) to everyone who came out to support The Snow Queen and Drinking & Writing. The final Drinking & Writing show was completely sold out to standing room only!! (and the beer was pretty good, too)

We don’t like to lay low for long at Victory Gardens, though. We’re kind of sick of eating our way through the winter and ready to move on to something new. Next on the VGT docket?

Living Green
a world premiere by Gloria Bond Clunie
directed by Andi Dymond

This is a fresh new work set around the time of the Million Man March and follows the trials and triumphs of an affluent Black family living in the North Shore suburb of Chicago. As their children Carol and Dempsey come of age, Angela  and Frank Freedman question whether they’ve done the right thing by choosing to bring them up in a privileged, predominantly white environment. Should they sell the home they’ve grown to love and relocate to a new fixer-upper in the far less glamorous Humboldt Park so they comfortably afford the cost of college? What motivates their hesitation to plunge back into the diversity they faught so adamantly for in their activist youth?

In the wake this recent Chicago Tribune article, the past year’s cuts in public transportation to areas of the city that are home to mostly minorities,  and the impending inauguration of our nation’s first Black president, this is a important new show with a powerhouse cast and tender familial moments that will resonate with anyone who’s ever been a member of a family (that’s you! and you! even you!).

Living Green begins previews on Friday, January 23rd, 2009 at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater.

You can check out the process before hand by attending our totally free open rehearsal on Thursday, January 15th at 6pm. Watch the actors and directors fine tune the show followed by a talkback and reception catered by Zig Zag Cafe. We’d love to have you, but keep in mind that space is limited. So if you’d like to come, please give us a little ring-a-ding or shoot us an email to say, “Hey! This looks cool! I want to come!” Direct these RSVPs to the great and wonderful Will Rogers at 773.549.5788 x2167 or wrogers@victorygardens.org

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I’ve had those bloody Snow Queen songs stuck in my head for weeks.  Not that I’m complaining.  They’re just so damn catchy.  Have a listen at your own risk. 

When my brain stops playing The Snow Queen soundtrack on repeat and I recover from the tumult that is the holidays, I can’t wait to tell you guys about Living Green.  It starts up January 23rd.  I truly can’t wait.  But for now, I will just have to settle for living dirty.

Super Intern Ali, here.  Just wanted to let you all know about the fun you’ve been missing at Victory Gardens while you’ve been busy with your kids, Christmas shopping, drug addiction, what-have-you.

Last night we were lucky enough to have a bunch of stellar musicians from the Old Town School of Folk Music come to our Lincoln Park Neighbors Night to teach us all a thing or two about the instruments featured in The Snow Queen.  For those unfamiliar with what Lincoln Park Neighbors Night is, it’s a swingin’ party we hold on the first Wednesday of each mainstage show.  Local businesses come and offer their unique expertise during our pre-show activities.

So last night we learned how to play the guitar, strum the banjo, and run horse hair over the strings of a violin.   Shannon, Pilar, Sam and I learned how to play the Chuck Berry song from Pulp Fiction.  Then we learned how to play the banjo.  Here’s a little video from our jam session.

Fiesta Mexicana provided the food.  So with our bellies full, and our fingers freshly calloused, we enjoyed The Snow Queen.  Rock on.

Check out The Old Town School’s website for info on classes, concerts, and other things to keep your toes a tappin’.

Gluttony Weekend 2008 wouldn’t be complete without the first snow of the season and, I gotta say, it’s not too shabby. Enjoy it while it’s still fun. ‘Tis the season for getting up fifteen minutes earlier to warm up the car and scrape ice of the windows.

We actually ordered that snow. Yep. Victory Gardens actually finagled a deal with Mayor Daley to have flakes fall on Chicago just in time for opening night of The Snow Queen. I know, I know. Sounds totally bogus, right?

The Snow Queen opens it’s third year on the Victory Gardens Biograph stage tonight. Gerda and Kai are back (with VG newcomer Patrick Andrews playing Kai) with puppets and music bigger and better than ever! Come join us now through December 28th. This is a perfect opportunity for an original family activity this holiday season. If you come this week, we have several interactive evenings planned to make your Snow Queen experience even more magical!

Monday, December 1st – 7:30pm show

OPENING NIGHT GALA

-join us as we toast the opening of our 3rd year at a post-show reception in the Biograph lobby.

Wednesday, December 3rd – 6pm reception, 7:30pm show

LINCOLN PARK NEIGHBORS NIGHT

-Old Town School of Folk Music‘s Different Strummer Music Store will give free lessons on the instruments in The Snow Queen during a pre-show reception catered by Fiesta Mexicana.

Thursday, December 4th – 6pm backstage tour, 7:30 show

HUMANITIES NIGHT

-cast members host guided tours behind the scenes of The Snow Queen! Check out the set, the puppets, and meet the actors. This is a personal, hands-on experience not to be missed!

Saturday, December 6th at 3pm

FAMILY SATURDAY

-The Snow Queen is for children 8 and up, but what about younger kids? No worries…bring your whole family on Family Saturday! Parents and older kids can watch the show, while we keep kids 4 and up entertained in our rehearsal room with theater games, crafts, and storytelling.

**CLICK HERE TO SEE THE OFFICIAL SNOW QUEEN TRAILER**

but if i had to pick one thing that i am most thankful for, i would have to say Drinking & Writing IV: The 12 Steps of XMas. I mean, come on. who doesn’t like drinking? and writing? and don’t we ALL take the world in steps? so as you pick at that leftover turkey and green beans on Friday wondering what in the hell do do with your night, come to the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater and be thankful with us. Steve and Phil will make you laugh while we all share a Rock Bottom beer or two or three. There will even be pizza, and i promise that it won’t have any turkey or green beans on it.

mention the secret word BEER when you buy your ticket and get $5 off. then, take THAT $5 and add it to another $5, because for $10 you can take home your very own Victory Gardens pilsner glass that will be refilled with free brew all night!

mark it down. this friday, november 28th. 10:30pm. Biograph Theater Lobby.

bring your friends.

be there or be square.