Annoyance Theatre Suggests Gift Cards For Graduates

Graduation is an accomplishment that merits hoopla and gifts. While many proud parents, friends, and relatives might think “tech,” “cash,” or some other reward, Chicago’s Annoyance Theatre has another suggestion -- one they’re certain graduates will truly prize: a gift card towards improvisation classes.

Jennifer Estlin, executive producer, says “Improv classes benefit the graduate in a variety of ways. Along with providing a truly fun and energizing experience, improv can help prepare him or her for the world of work.”

Estlin said people who have trained at the Annoyance report “better working relationships because of the listening, support, and teamwork skills they learned in classes.”

The Annoyance Gift Card can be purchased in denominations of $20 to $250 and can be applied toward classes, or tickets for Annoyance shows, but it can’t be used at the bar or for merchandise.

A new session of the Ultimate Beginner classes, taught by Sean Cusick, starts June 7. The eight-week class meets on Thursdays, 6:30-9:00 p.m.  For more information about other classes, fees, and current shows, go to www.annoyanceproductions.com, or call 773-561-4665. The Annoyance Theatre is located at 4830 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL. 60640.

FLAMENCO WEDDINGS OFFERS FREE MINI CLASS FOR COUPLES’ FIRST DANCE SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 3:00 AND 4:00 P.M.

Engaged couples who want to bring more passion and excitement to their wedding, can get a taste of what a flamenco-themed first dance would look like, by taking advantage of a free offer from Flamenco Weddings, a Chicago-based company at 2914 W. Belmont on the city’s northwest side.

On Sunday afternoon, April 15, at 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. Rosetta Magdalen, flamenco dance teacher and choreographer, will teach easy steps for the all-important first dance to future brides, grooms, and their wedding parties. “Even if someone has never danced before, it’s all in the attitude,” Magdalen said. “We think the sensuous dance of Spain brings the fire of flamenco to the dance floor, and more importantly, sets the tone for a wedding reception long talked about and remembered.”

The Flamenco First Dance free mini classes will be part of Flamenco Chicago’s Spring Open House, which will run from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. on April 15. Visitors to the Open House can also learn about the school’s six-week Fundamentals class, which offers new students an opportunity to experience body alignment and movement, turns, and heel work set to traditional and contemporary flamenco music.

Beginning, intermediate, advanced, and private lessons are also offered at Flamenco Chicago, and Magdalen will be on hand at the Spring Open House to explain all of the these options.

Complementary wine and cheese, and the music of a flamenco guitarist, will add to the April 15 festivities. For more information about Flamenco Weddings, call (773) 680-0039, or go to the website, www.flamencochicago.com

 

Flamenco Weddings Adds Zest to Once-in-a-Lifetime Celebrations

Soon-to-be-married couples, who seek to make their wedding receptions memorable, are turning to Flamenco Weddings, a professional Chicago-based troupe of vibrantly costumed dancers, an instrumental flamenco guitarist, and an impassioned singer.

This fresh entry into captivating wedding entertainment is offered by Rosetta Magdalen (photo), a flamenco dancer, teacher and choreographer, who is the founder and artistic director of Flamenco Chicago located at 2914 W. Belmont on the city's northwest side. Magdalen said Flamenco Weddings is now gearing up for the June wedding season and is reaching out to those in the planning stages.

Magdalen says previous performances typically elicit comments like, "Your show made my wedding!” While those responses are delightful and welcome, what the artist really enjoys “is seeing the reaction of guests as they watch our show and then join in on some easy steps. Rarely does anyone remain at their table once the music and dancing start."

Trained as a classical pianist and dancer, with a background in ballet, tap, and folkloric dance, Magdalen settled on flamenco "because it is a percussive dance form, in which the sounds made by the feet become a musical instrument themselves. So, the rhythms and reverberations of the heel work move through your entire body. I really enjoyed the feeling of this."

Along with Flamenco Weddings, Magdalen teaches students of all ages and abilities in 13 classes offered each week. Additionally, the studio presents showcases twice a year, "where everyone is invited to participate," she says, "not just a talented few."

While Magdalen is pleased with the continuing growth of her studio -- it opened in 2003 -- and her expanding wedding business -- what especially satisfies her are the changes she witnesses in students. "It's so exciting to see them develop and grow in their confidence level,” she said, “which they tell me carries over into other areas of their lives. It's obvious the medium of flamenco can be a catalyst for people to get deeply in touch with their own spirt through movement."

As to Flamenco Weddings, Magdalen adds, "What better way to start married life then to give the gift of music, emotion, and fun to those who witness a momentous beginning."

For more information about Flamenco Weddings or Flamenco Chicago, visit the website, http://flamencochicago.com, or call 773-680-0039.

(The photographer for the portrait shown above is Marisela Guerra.)

Fiction and fact converge at The Book Cellar Feb. 16, 7 p.m.

The Book Cellar, an independently owned, community-oriented bookstore located in the heart of Chicago’s Lincoln Square, will play host to two authors who focus their writing on the works of Jane Austen.

Karen Doornebos and her debut novel, “Definitely Not Mr. Darcy” will join English professor Mona Scheuermann, and her most recent nonfiction work, “Reading Jane Austen,” Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012, 7 p.m., 4736-38 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL. 60625, 773-294-2665.


“Definitely Not Mr. Darcy” tells the story of Chloe Parker who auditions for a Jane Austen-inspired public television documentary set in Derbyshire, England. Important to this 39-year-old divorced mother with a struggling business, there's a $100,000 prize to be awarded to the contestant who can successfully answer trivia questions about Austen's “Pride and Prejudice.” But the documentary turns out to be a reality dating show set in 1812 and eight women are competing to snare Mr. Wrightman, the heir to a gorgeous estate, along with the $100,000 prize.

Published in September of this year by Berkley, Penguin Group, “Definitely Not Mr. Darcy” has garnered rave reviews. “Publishers Weekly” in its starred review said “Doornebos gives the historical romance novel a hilarious update in this delightful debut.” And “RT Book Reviews” added, "this tale combines a fun plot with witty dialogue, charming characters and a strong-willed heroine. It will leave you laughing in delight and reluctant to put it down until the last page is read."

Mona Scheuermann is professor of English at Oakton Community College. She has been guest professor at universities around the world, including the universities of Hamburg and the Free University of Berlin, Germany, the University of Berne, Switzerland, and the University of Melbourne, Australia.


Her books deal with social and historical aspects of eighteenth-century English fiction, particularly in terms of women's experience. Of her new book, Eighteenth-Century Life said, “Austen’s period was arguably the most socially and politically tumultuous in England’s history, and by placing the novels in this remarkable era, Scheuermann sharply defines Austen’s view of the social contract.”

“Reading Jane Austen” was just republished in January as a paperback.

For more information about the reading and signing, call The Book Cellar at 773-294-2665, or go to its website, thebookcellar.com. And, to learn more about Karen Doornebos, visit www.karendoornebos.com

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Novelist Karen Doornebos to appear at Women and Children First Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012, 4:00 pm

“Definitely Not Mr. Darcy” to be featured at Andersonville’s revered independent book store.

Acclaimed for being one of the country’s longest running and important independent bookstores, Women and Children First, 5233 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL. will journey from the Regency world of Jane Austen to contemporary television reality shows when the store hosts a reading and signing for author Karen Doornebos and her debut novel, “Definitely Not Mr. Darcy,” Sun., Jan. 8, 2012, 4 pm.


Doornebos’ novel tells the story of Chloe Parker who auditions for a Jane Austen-inspired public television documentary set in Derbyshire, England. Important to this 39-year-old divorced mother with a struggling business, there's a $100,000 prize to be awarded to the contestant who can successfully answer trivia questions about Austen's “Pride and Prejudice.”

But the documentary is a sham, and the filming is actually a reality dating show set in 1812 where eight competitors vie to win the money and the heart of Mr. Wrightman, the heir to a fabulous estate. To further distress Chloe, contestants must dress and behave as if they were in the Regency year depicted in Austen's book -- with no cell phones, indoor plumbing, or deodorant. It’s time for Chloe to tighten her corset and flash some ankle to beat out women younger, more cutthroat, and less clumsy than herself.

“Definitely Not Mr. Darcy” was published in September of this year by Berkley, Penguin Group, and is garnering rave reviews from across the country. “Publishers Weekly” in its starred review, said, “Doornebos gives the historical romance novel a hilarious update in this delightful debut.” And “RT Book Reviews” added, "...this tale combines a fun plot with witty dialogue, charming characters and a strong-willed heroine. It will leave you laughing in delight and reluctant to put it down until the last page is read."


Doornebos, of Riverside, IL., said she hopes the event will attract not only Austen fans, “but readers who are curious about Austen’s enduring popularity.” For her part, Doornebos points to fast-paced action, humor, overcoming odds, a powerful heroine, and an escape from daily life as reasons Austen’s works have gathered hundreds of thousands of fans around the world and on Facebook.

For more information about the reading and signing, call Women and Children First at 773-769-9299, or go to its website, www.womenandchildrenfirst.com. And, to learn more about Karen Doornebos, visit www.karendoornebos.com

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New Year's Resolutions: Learn your rights, Appreciate Jane Austen, Take an improv class, and Join a chorus.

While you're resolving to lose 10 pounds, learn Spanish, or spend less in the new year -- oh wait, that's me -- I'd like to encourage something different. Here are four ideas that should stir your interest:


Learn your rights
Nearly every issue debated in daily headlines is related to the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. Are you really clear on what is guaranteed us in these documents and what is smoke and mirrors proffered by someone trying to win an argument?

While our Founding Fathers' guidelines can be an intimidating or even sluggish read, you can take a fun, crash course by checking out, OurConstitutionalRights.com. Created by Pat Shiplett, of Evanston, the hip, fun, accessible, and interactive site is ideal for older teens, newcomers to this country, frustrated teachers, and others who want to learn more but were too embarrassed to ask. To make it easier, tune into Bill Moller's WGN radio show Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, noon, when Pat will be Bill's guest.


Appreciate Jane Austen
Wondering what the fuss is all about for an author who was born more than 200 years ago, and has hundreds of thousands of fans around the world and on Facebook? Do you wish you could dip your toe into Austen’s world with a guide who can introduce you to timeless characters and Regency gentility, but with a contemporary twist?

Consider Karen Doornebos’ debut novel, “Definitely Not Mr. Darcy.” Doornebos will be interviewed by Rick Kogan, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012, 7 a.m., on his WGN-AM "Sunday Papers" radio show. Then at 4 pm. on the same day, Doornebos appears at Women and Children First Bookstore in Andersonville. "Definitely Not Mr. Darcy" is a fun, romantic romp that Austen would have likely approved.


Take an improv class
Are you envious watching Chicago-bred actors on "Saturday Night Live" or other comedy stages? Or, do you simply want to lose your shyness and be quicker on your feet?

Perhaps you’re in business and realize improv lessons could improve sales and presentation skills. Maybe you just want more fun in your life. No matter the reason, you might find what you’re looking for at Chicago’s Annoyance Theatre. On Thursday, January 12, 2012, 3:30 pm, Beginner Improv classes start at their satellite site, the Charnel House, 3421 W. Fullerton Ave. in Logan Square. Check out Annoyance's class list and current shows at www.TheAnnoyance.com. 2012 could be the year you’re finally going to fulfill this resolution.


Join a chorus
Ready to move your vocalizing out of the shower and onto a stage shared by other music lovers? Community choruses are the perfect pick-me-up for winter blues and building self esteem. In some cases, like the 80-member Sing To Live® Community Chorus, where every singer is either a breast cancer survivor, or has a friend or relative with the illness, the gatherings also form an unspoken support group.

Melinda Pollack-Harris, a breast cancer survivor who created Sing To Live, suggests you check out their website, www.singtolive.org, and mark your calendars for their March 3 & 4, 2012 concerts, "Sing For The Cure™ A Proclamation of Hope."