Jonny Stax Presents INAUGURAL 5th STAR EXPO

Jonny Stax presents the inaugural 5th STAR EXPO, a lively adventure with Chicago's current pioneers in arts, entertainment and culture. Through attendance at unconventional events and participation in symposia, salons and online discussions, the public is invited to explore Chicago's cultural frontier and share in a festive search for the fifth star of the Chicago flag. Rediscover rebellion and celebrate the extraordinary trends and revolutions taking place in the city.

Jonny Stax Presents will coordinate attendance at a variety of events throughout the Chicago area from late September through December and will facilitate ongoing conversations between participants at salons and on Facebook and Twitter (@JStaxPresents).. A calendar of featured events and corresponding Chicago map is available at jonnystax.com.

Through the 5th STAR EXPO, Jonny Stax Presents is exploring what defines "innovation" in today's arts and culture, who is devising innovative work and the impact that work has on Chicago. In Spring 2012, Jonny Stax Presents will launch a regular showcase for pioneering Chicago artists and cultural leaders as well as partner in the establishment of a Chicago new works laboratory and urban retreat.

Jonny Stax Presents has selected events that have the potential to invigorate the participants' senses, provoke critical thought and conversation and offer a new voice or fresh perspective.

5TH STAR ATTENDANCE EVENTS

Sunday, September 25, 2011 6-9pm, 5th STAR EXPO Launch Party; pay-what-you-want. Visit the brand new Stage 773 and kick off the 5th STAR EXPO with hosts Scooty & JoJo, "innovatious" entertainments, and full-service cash-bar. No reservations required. Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL

September 29th - 7:30pm, Chalk and Saltwater: The Ladder Project; free with potluck dish. Broadway's biggest flop in history is investigated for clues into the concept of failure in a show that changes nightly. The Neofuturists, The Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland Avenue October 7th - 5pm-7pm, Out of Site: Pretty Dirty; free. As part of this original month-long performance series, Pretty Dirty features local artists creating fashion on the spot with refuse and garbage found along neighborhood streets. Starts at Damen Blue Line Station at 5pm; ends at Polish Triangle at 7pm

October 15th - 2pm-3am, DECOMPRESSION 2011: The Voyage Home; $15-$25. This is an all-day celebration and arts event that showcases the creative expression, social tenets, and inventive spirit of Chicago's growing Burning Man community. The Bridgeport Arts Center, 1200 W. 35th Street - 5th Floor

October 22 - 12pm-12am, Midwestern Experimental Electronics Conference and Showcase; free. Chicago's Roth Mobot hosts a symposium that highlights this year's innovations in musical instrument design, performance, circuit bending, data hacking, and video art. Lizard's Liquid Lounge, 3058 W Irving Park Road

October 23 - 2:30-3:30pm, The Computational Artist: Jason Salavon; $5. Local visual artist who transforms software and existing media to create new work displays and discusses his work. Kent Chemical Laboratory, 1020 East 58th Street

October 28 - 9pm doors, Alien Queen: The Concert/Battlestar Fantastica, $16-$30. The Scooty & JoJo Show fuses iconic music and motion picture symbols to create transformative works of live entertainment. The Scooty & JoJo Show at Metro, 3730 N Clark Street

November 3 - 7:30pm, Reeling Film Festival: THE WISE KIDS, $12-$40. Chicago-based filmmaker Stephen Cone brings a fresh, unbiased voice to his new feature, examining the uncomfortable choices we face when trying to balance faith, friendship and sexuality. Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave.

November 6 - 7:30pm, Lucky Plush Productions: The Better Half; $10-$28. A collaborative work inspired by the classic noir Gaslight teams Lucky Plush choreographer Julia Rhoads with 500 Clown director Leslie Buxbaum Danzig and an ensemble derived from both companies.Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 67:30pm, Lucky Plush Productions: The Better Half; $10-$28.

November 11 - 7pm, Opening reception at Park Schreck Gallery - SHE FELL IN LOVE WITH A POINT: New Work by Ray Becoskie, free. Park Schreck Gallery finds talented emerging artists and connects them with buyers who are looking for original works of art. This will be the gallery's first solo show. 1747 W. North Ave

November 19 - 3pm, Weird Chicago: Weird & Haunted Tour, $30. Chicago's most intriguing tour takes you through the "Most Unique, Unusual & Most Haunted Places that the City Has to Offer!' This is truly a Chicago original and allows you into the venues as well. Takes 3 hours, departs from 600 NortH Clark Street

November 28 - 8pm, Barrel of Monkeys: That's Weird, Grandma, $5-$10; As a model for education through applied creativity, the youth programming developed here is groundbreaking still. Experiencing the youths' stories as told by this inspired ensemble is the yummy dessert for the rest of us. With a post-show conversation with the creators. The Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland

December 3 - 3pm, The Paper Machete, free. This weekly "live magazine" hosted by Christopher Piatt brings together a variety of journalists, comedians, and unique storytellers to discuss current events and culture. The lineup of guests and topics vary widely but the conversations are consistently compelling. The Horseshoe at 4115 N. Lincoln Ave

December 10 - 9pm doors, Alien Queen: The Concert/Battlestar Fantastica, $16-$30. Battlestar Fantastica is a sci-fi burlesque hour curated by one of Chicago's most clever choreographers Jyl Fehrenkamp, co-hosted by rising comic Cameron Esposito, and features surprising, exciting performance art and dance . The Scooty & JoJo Show at Metro, 3730 N Clark St.

About the company Jonny Stax Presents is a Chicago-based company of artistic entrepreneurs that produces creative ventures and manages creative services and consultancy. Jonny Stax Presents the acclaimed work of The Scooty & JoJo Show, including their current hit, Alien Queen, returning to Metro this fall. In addition to supporting creators and nurturing creative production, the company balances financial stability and revenue stream with social responsibility and community enrichment. It is the company's mission to provide deliberately liberating experiences for artists and the communities they serve.

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