Homer Bryant teaches ballet students of all ages at the Chicago Multi-Cultural Dance Center

Executive Produced by Melissa Sage Fadim and Produced and Directed by Emmy Award-winning producer Terry Spencer Hesser, “Raising the Barre: The Homer Bryant Story” is a 30-minute documentary film that follows Chicago ballet master Homer Hans Bryant’s career with a special focus on the school he built and has operated since 1990, the Chicago Multi-Cultural Dance Center (CMDC). 

The premiere public airing of the film will be on WTTW-TV Channel 11 TONIGHT Thursday, December 17 at 10 p.m. Read the rest of this entry »

SOFA - Jeff Forsythe

SOFA CHICAGO presents: A Superior Stroll

You’re invited to an Exclusive Preview Night to benefit River North Chicago Dance Company. Tuesday, October 6, 6 – 8 p.m.

Preview Amazing Sculpture, Objects and Functional Art at Ann Nathan Gallery, Ken Saunders Gallery and Perimeter Gallery on River North’s Superior Street in Chicago. Enjoy Wine and Appetizers with your Sneak-peek of Artworks to be Presented by 68 International Galleries at the 16th SOFA CHICAGO Art Fair, Nov. 6 – 8th on Navy Pier. Plus Meet Perimeter Artist Jeff Forsythe and River North Chicago Dance Company Artistic Director Frank Chaves!

Tuesday, Oct. 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Ken Saunders Gallery (230 W. Superior Street), Perimeter Gallery (210 W. Superior Street) and Ann Nathan Gallery (212 W. Superior Street).

Tickets are $25 in advance, available by ordering online at rivernorthchicago.com or by calling (312) 944-2888, or $30 at the door of any of the three participating galleries.

River North Chicago Dance Company

Each ticket includes access to all three galleries. Proceeds from the evening benefit River North Chicago Dance Company.

Only one more day until the wonderful Windy City Wine Festival!

Don’t miss the two day celebration of wine and food in the beautiful Daley Bicentennial Plaza in Grant Park (just east of Millennium Park), Sept. 11 & 12. There will be more than 250 wine varieties, 40 vendors, gourmet food, live music and cooking/wine demonstrations by the pros – The Hearty Boys, Master Sommelier Serafin Alvarado, Scott Walden of Markethouse Restaurant and more!

Ticket info

In fact, Jessica Bell, founder of the Midwest Wine School will be at the wine festival to give us all a little wine education (who doesn’t love a little education with their wine?).

Jessica Bell, founder of the Midwest Wine School

For those of you who want a sneak peak at what she has in store we have a special Get Out Chicago interview with Jessica for your reading pleasure…aren’t you lucky!

GetOutChicago: When choosing a wine, what should we be looking for?  What are some key vocabulary that would help us in a wine store or restaurant?

JessicaBell: The two keys will be finding a wine that fits your budget and pleases the palate.  It just takes a little practice in identifying what kinds of wines you prefer.  The good news is the practice requires drinking more.  Once you identify your preferences, you can ask your server to help you find a wine low or high in acid, sweet or dry, low or high in tannin, and fruity, earthy or spicy, for example.

GOC: Do you have any important tips for paring wine with food?

JB: a. your wine should be at least as sweet as your food (i.e. pair sweet wines with dessert) b.  your wine should be at least as acidic as your food (i.e. pair high acid wines like Sauvignon Blanc with high acidity foods like salads) and c.  avoid tannins with overly oily and salty foods.

GOC: What are some of the growing trends in the industry, e.g. any changes in consumers’ tastes, popularity of certain wines, etc.?

JB: Wine trends come and go.  Big whites were big in the 80s, then big reds with high alcohol, a full body and high tannin. Now we are seeing the pendulum swing toward more delicate wines, both white and red.  Think Riesling and Pinot Noir.

GOC: Any other thoughts you would like to share with our readers?

JB: Drink what you like.  Our palates are complex puzzles made up of unique experiences over many years.

Cirque Shanghai Bright Spirit

Don’t miss Cirque Shanghai Bright Spirit now playing at the Pepsi® Skyline Stage® on Navy Pier through September 7. This jaw dropping, eye popping, heart stopping and breathtakingly beautiful show is fun for all ages.

This dazzling showcase of strength, agility and grace is meticulously choreographed to a specially produced musical score and performed with ingenious stagecraft, offering audiences a full-scale theatrical experience. Full of energy, color, raw power and fluid beauty, Cirque Shanghai Bright Spirit is a soaring celebration of life appearing only in Chicago and only at Navy Pier for this limited summer engagement.

Special Get Out Chicago contest– enter to win ten tickets to a Cirque Shanghai performance. Enter here to win tickets by answering the following question: Name one act in Cirque Shanghai (Hint: Go to www.cirqueshanghai.com for the answer!) put your answer in the notes field. We will randomly draw a winner Monday morning.

Get 10% off on tables of 6 or more to Megon McDonough’s cabaret show, “An Evening with Megon McDonough” July 18 at 8 p.m. at the Auditorium Theatre (50 E. Congress Parkway).  To redeem this special group discount, call (312) 922-2110 ext. 300 and be sure to mention that you saw the offer on Get Out Chicago! Read the rest of this entry »