APT stage as evening falls. Photo Pete Olsen

Hillary Clemens, Matt Schwader, Tiffany Scott, "As You Like It." Photo by Carissa Dixon.

Nestled amid the bucolic hills of Wisconsin that inspired Frank Lloyd Wright is a specular gem of a theater that for more than three decades has produced classic works garnering  incredible acclaim from the Wall Street Journal and the Chicago Tribune, among others… American Players Theatre. Folks from Chicago and the great state of Illinois have played a significant role in helping APT to thrive and so APT and Spring Green are happy to extend a special “thank you”   with two Chicago Open House Weekends, Friday-Sunday, Aug. 20 – 22 and Sept. 10 – 12. Illinoisans taking advantage of these weekends will have eight plays to choose from for receive exclusive ticket discounts ranging from 20%-25% off regular single ticket prices. Other benefits include free admission to APT’s Bard Talks discussion series, the chance to attend a welcome event with APT artists and a special Passport card good for discounts at area establishments, including House on the Rock and Taliesin. A mere 3 1/2 hours from Chicago, these Chicago Open House Weekends make for a great late summer getaway! For reservations and more information visit AmericanPlayers.org.

The critically acclaimed Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago (GJDC) premieres three new works in its fall engagement at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Dr. in Chicago’s Millennium Park Friday, Oct. 22 and Saturday, Oct. 23, 8 p.m. This engagement kicks off GJDC’s 2010-2011 LiveLifeDANCE! season.

The new works include:
• A new full company piece choreographed by Karen Mareck Grundy, artistic director of Missouri Contemporary Ballet and former artistic director of Cedar Lake II, to original music composed and performed by Chicago area-based singer/songwriter Kevin Mileski;
• The world premiere of “Yes…and” by Autumn Eckman, the newly appointed GJDC artistic associate and director of Giordano II. The debut of this percussive jazz dance piece will mark the first time all GJDC Company dancers and all members of Giordano II have performed together on stage;
• A new light-hearted jazz dance duet choreographed by Eckman.

The program will also include selections from GJDC’s critically acclaimed repertoire “I Want You,” a major work created in 2009 for GJDC by hip-hop master Rennie Harris; “Prey” (2003), choreographed by former Hubbard Street Dance Chicago member and “Movin’ Out” alum Ron DeJesus; and a re-staging by Brock Clawson of his “Give and Take” (2009).

Single tickets are $15-$60 and go on sale Aug. 9. For single tickets call the Harris Theater box office at 312.334.7777 or visit harristheaterchicago.org.

Tickets are on sale now for Theatre Y’s  production of  András Visky’s “Juliet,”  coming to the Royal George Theatre Center’s  Gallery 1641 N. Halsted St., Sept. 10 to Oct. 3.

Theatre Y’s Melissa Hawkins stars in Visky’s biographically-based tour de force, directed by Karin Coonrod, who staged the critically acclaimed production of Visky’s “I Killed My Mother” earlier this year.  This riveting 90-minute solo work subtitled “A Dialogue About Love,” is the story of how a woman’s enduring love is tested while she is imprisoned with her children and no chance of survival. Plays International Magazine says “Without a gram of sentimentality, ‘Juliet’ reminds us that crocuses still bloom– even in the snow.”

Performances are Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m.;  Saturdays at 5 and 8 p.m.;  and Sundays at 3 p.m. (Press opening is Saturday, Sept. 11, 8 p.m.)

Tickets are $25; $15 for students with ID. For tickets and more info.,  call  Royal George Box Office, 312.988.9000 or visit  visit theroyalgeorgetheatre.com or Ticketmaster.com (service charges apply).

"The Merchants of Bollywood" will make its North American premiere at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University Oct. 1 and 2, 2010

Raved as “slick and sexy” by The London Metro and “high-octane pleasure” by The Times, London…

 Tickets go on sale for the North American premiere of the international smash hit, “The Merchants of Bollywood” Friday, July 30 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased by calling 800-982-2787 or online at http://www.ticketmaster.com/.

After its triumph in Asia and Europe, including 16 sold-out performances in London, the international smash hit, “The Merchants of Bollywood” is set to mesmerize North America with its premiere performances at Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University (50 E Congress Pkwy) this October, for two performances only Friday, Oct. 1 and Saturday, Oct. 2 at 8 p.m.

An international musical dance spectacular, “The Merchants of Bollywood” charts the enchanting history of the world’s largest and most prolific film industry and a dynasty of stars that have lit the industry’s path over generations. Written and directed by Toby Gough, “The Merchants of Bollywood” is loosely based on the real-life story of the Merchant family dynasty, whose members have been prominent choreographers and filmmakers since the beginning of the Hindi film industry in the 1920s. This original production was developed in Mumbai, India, with 50 performers, 500 lavish costumes and 3,000 pieces of glittering jewelry.

For more information visit www.bollywoodtickets.us/chicago.

If you missed Floating World Gallery’s  May 22 FREE seminar, “The Great Wave: An Introduction to Japanese Woodblock Prints”  don’t miss this encore presentation this coming Saturday from 1-3 p.m. at 1925 N. Halsted St. FWG’s Director of Exhibitions, Elias Martin, gives a fascinating presentation including info about the production process, some of the key artists and the role the art form has played throughout the history of Japan. Plus you’ll get to see some stunning museum quality works up close. A brief reception with light refreshments will follow the presentation. Admission free but reservations are recommended. To RSVP email classes@floatingworld.com or call 312-587-7800.

Guests perusing items at the Market Festival

Get out your walking shoes and shopping bags, it’s time to shop. And not just shop in that boring, ol’ traditional way indoors but outside in a gorgeous European-style market complete with delicious food, drinks (including beer, wine and cocktails for the adults) and music! Timeless treasures and fresh indie designs will spill out of colorful, eclectic booths for maximum shopping stimulation and fun.

The first-ever Highwood Street Market Festival graces the serene North Shore of Chicago this weekend, June 26-27. The Festival will fill the streets of downtown Highwood on Green Bay Road (from Highwood Avenue north to North Avenue), and Highwood Avenue (from Green Bay Road west to Everts Park).

The Market is open Saturdays from 12noon to dusk and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Admission is $10 and good for both days, and is free to Highwood residents with ID.  Students get in for $5 and kids under 12 are free. Advanced discount tickets can be purchased for $8 online at www.highwoodstreetmarket.com. 10% of net proceeds will be donated to A Safe Place for Help.

Check out this article about the Highwood Street Market Festival and founder Sally Schwartz.

Randolph Street Market Festival in full swing

Get that great gift for Dad this weekend at the Randolph Street Market Festival!

More than 250 vendors will continue to offer timeless treasures at this seasons 2nd Market. Also, vendors will have Father-themed items ranging from trendy vintage cufflinks to antique sports collectibles to military memorabilia.

Tickets are only $9 when purchased in advance online at randolphstreetmarket.com. $12 when purchased at the gate. $5 for students with ID. Children 12 and under are FREE.

Join us Saturday from 10am-5pm or Sunday from 10am-4pm at the 1350 block of W. Randolph Street for a day of shopping, antiquing, music, food, drinks (including wine, beer and mixed drinks) and fun.

*Free and ample street parking is available. Valet Parking is also available. Free Trolley service from Water Tower Place, 835 N. Michigan Ave., at the top of each hour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and depart the Market for Water Tower at regular 30 minute intervals from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Co. kicks off the 2010 Summer Season with the official opening of the seasonal Park Shop location in Millennium Park Thurs., May 27 at 11:30 a.m.  The first 250 people in attendance will be given a free All–Day Hop-On-Hop-Off Signature Tour ticket.  Free treats will be available, including Garrett’s popcorn, Hershey’s chocolate and a trolley-shaped Eli’s Cheesecake.  Attendees will also have a chance to “Spin to Win” prizes from Blue Man Group, Cirque Shanghai: Cloud 9, Park Grill, the Museum of Science and Industry and more.  No RSVP required.  Tickets, treats and prizes will be available as supplies last.

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