Mark Kelly News

Americano! – a musical production based on the life of a DREAMer – has reached out to the incoming Biden Administration via a letter sent December 2, 2020 to propose a special performance at The White House. It would help celebrate President-Elect Joe Biden’s pending reversal of President Donald Trump’s policies.

An all-star line-up of Chicago natives and stars who got their start in the Windy City have come together for a new music video, performing the Blues anthem a?oeSweet Home Chicago.a?? 

Music has always had a sweet home in Chicago. It's where Louis Armstrong cut his first big records in the 1920s. It's where Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf made the blues electric, building the foundation of rock & roll. And it's where genres are invented; from gospel, house, and footwork to whatever comes next, Chicago's influence can be felt around the world.

The Auditorium Theatre has released this week's schedule of streaming programming! Check it out below!

On Wednesday, April 22 @ 6PM, the Auditorium Theatre brings you a new episode of the #AudTalk video podcast featuring Lin Brehmer, the legendary WXRT DJ, as he recalls some of his favorite Auditorium Theatre memories. 

The Auditorium Theatre, a National Historic Landmark, commemorates its 130th birthday on Monday, December 9, 2019, by opening its doors to all with free daytime tours and a free Open House in the evening.

Moderator Whoopi Goldberg and co-hosts Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Meghan McCain and Abby Huntsman returned to the Hot Topics table to get the conversation started when “The View” kicked off a brand-new season today, TUESDAY, SEPT. 3 (11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC. From politics to pop culture, celebrities to newsmakers, ABC's award-winning talk show will continue to tackle the issues the way only it can with provocative conversations, news-making discussions and heartfelt opinions. Political commentator Ana Navarro will continue to appear as a guest co-host making regular appearances on Fridays.

BWW Review: DISASTER! at Cockpit in Court Summer Theatre at Essex Community College is a HOOT

Cinema/Chicago today announced its annual free Summer Screenings Program with a selection of 17 feature films and one short film from around the world exploring the theme of adventure. All screenings are free and open to the public and take place on Wednesdays at 6:30pm from May 29 through October 2, 2019 at the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington Street, 2nd Floor) in the Claudia Cassidy Theater. Summer Screenings is presented by Cinema/Chicago in partnership with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and 17 consulates and cultural institutions from around the city. The full 2019 schedule can be found at https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/summer-screenings/.

As Porchlight Music Theatre is set to launch its 25th Anniversary Season as Chicago's center for music theatre, it celebrated 24 years and announced its 25th Anniversary co-chairs at the 2019 ICONS Gala Sunday, March 31 at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago, 160 E. Pearson. The 2019 ICONS GALA set a new attendance record with 300 guests in attendance and raised more funds that directly benefit Porchlight's artistic and educational programs than previous events. The elegant Gala Brunch, chaired by Tamara Sims, included performances from Chicago's leading talents celebrating the legendary career of Jerome Robbins, the presentation of The Luminary Award to Jean Klingenstein, introduced the 25th Anniversary chairs: RIck and Deann Bayless and Bill Kurtis and Donna La Pietra and silent and live auctions.

See Chicago Dance (SCD), the dance industry's nonprofit marketing and advocacy organization, hosted its fourth Annual Gala September 25 at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph Street. With nearly 250 people in attendance, the event celebrated Chicago's thriving dance community and honored two individuals who have been important to its success: Shirley Mordine, founder and artistic director of Mordine & Co. Dance Theater, and Angelique Power, president of the Field Foundation of Illinois.  

See Chicago Dance (SCD), the dance industry's nonprofit marketing and advocacy organization, hosts its fourth Annual Gala, taking place September 25 from 6 to 10 p.m. at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph Street. The event celebrates Chicago's thriving dance community and honors two individuals who have been important to its success: Shirley Mordine, founder and artistic director of Mordine & Co. Dance Theater, receives the Legacy Award recognizing her artistic leadership, and Angelique Power, president of the Field Foundation of Illinois, receives the Distinguished Service to the Dance Field Award.

See Chicago Dance (SCD), the dance industry's nonprofit marketing and advocacy organization, hosts its fourth Annual Gala, taking place September 25 from 6 to 10 p.m. at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph Street. The event celebrates Chicago's thriving dance community and honors two individuals who have been important to its success: Shirley Mordine, founder and artistic director of Mordine & Co. Dance Theater, receives the Legacy Award recognizing her artistic leadership, and Angelique Power, president of the Field Foundation of Illinois, receives the Distinguished Service to the Dance Field Award.

Mayor Emanuel and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) will honor 35 outstanding young artists selected for the city's 2018 Rising Star Honor Roll at a private reception tonight, August 8, at the Chicago Cultural Center. Recognized for their creative leadership and exceptional artistic talents, the young artists were nominated directly by their mentors from arts organizations, school arts programs and community organizations in the following areas: music, theatre, dance, visual arts, media arts, literary arts and culinary arts. The full list of 2018 Rising Star honorees and nominating organizations follows.

The Harris Theater has launched a new jazz concert series, extending its diverse music offerings into the summer months and expanding opportunities for audiences to experience the performing arts in non-traditional formats at an accessible price point.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company's world-renowned ensemble was joined by more than 675 civic, cultural and business leaders for the 2018 Gala on Saturday, May 12, 2018, raising over $1.3 million for Steppenwolf's artistic, educational and community programming. The major fundraising event, which had record-breaking attendance, was held at a new location not far from the theatre, 1340 N Cherry Avenue, and was designed and produced by Jeffrey Foster for Frost Chicago. Attendees celebrated 42 seasons of groundbreaking ensemble theatre with an evening of festivity emceed by actor Rainn Wilson, well-known for his role as "Dwight Schrute" on NBC's award-winning comedy, The Office and currently starring in The Doppelganger (an international farce) at Steppenwolf. Comedian, actor, director and producer Chris Rock, who starred in the world premiere Broadway production of The Motherf**ker with the Hat directed by Steppenwolf Artistic Director Anna D. Shapiro, joined as the guest auctioneer alongside Christie's Robbie Gordy.

The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is pleased to announce the 40th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival will be hosted from August 24–September 2 in Millennium Park, the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington St.) and at venues throughout the city. Among many featured headline guests, on September 1 Chicago native Ramsey Lewis will perform his last live performance in Chicago before his retirement. For the complete lineup of performers in Millennium Park and the Chicago Cultural Center, visit chicagojazzfestival.us.

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events is pleased to announce the lineup for the Chicago House Music Festival in Millennium Park on Saturday, May 26, from 1 to 9 p.m. The expanded festival now features three stages of national and local DJs and live performers, including headliners Louie Vega and Elements of Life band, Joe Smooth, Chez Damier, Ron Trent and DJ Sabine among others. Admission to the event is free. For complete details, visit ChicagoHouseMusicFestival.us.

On Tuesday, March 27, See Chicago Dance (SCD), the dance industry's nonprofit service organization founded as Audience Architects, kicked off Chicago Dance Month with a celebration at the Chicago Cultural Center, with performances and a reception featuring important news announcements.

See Girl Be Heard performing at last weekend's March for Our Lives in Washington D.C..