Displaying items by tag: Chip Brooks
Hey There! Hey Nonny is here!
Arlington Heights has a new music venue, Hey Nonny, and it is located at 10 S. Vail right in the heart of a hopping downtown area that has been bustling with excitement over the past few years. Unlike difficult parking scenarios that you might find at Chicago venues, a parking garage is conveniently located about a half block down from the front door. Last week the new music club held their grand opening with only club members and press attending. An impressive venue with all the bells and whistles would be an understatement.
Club owner, Chip Brooks, was making the rounds introducing himself to everyone. The entire staff was helpful and friendly, and the place had a good vibe to it. A nice buffet was offered to the guests, which I believe were all essentially samples of what will appear on the menu. And having said that, the food was delicious, the chef also making his way out to make sure everything was going well and that his culinary creations were being enjoyed.
The night’s entertainment was Eric Lindell and his band, which proved to be the perfect choice for the club’s opening night. Sitting in on guitar was Anson Funderburgh who is currently in town playing shows at Fitzgerald’s and SPACE. Lindell and friends put forth a solid straight-ahead blend of roots influences. They took a little blues, some rock and country and rolled it into one fun-filled performance. At times they reminded me of the early 70’s version of the Grateful Dead. Fender guitars sautéed in reverb was the flavor of the night.
All in all, it was a great introduction to a new venue. I looked at the upcoming line up and it sure looked good. You can check out the upcoming performers by clicking here. The ambiance, stage, sound and kitchen all receive high praise. No doubt about it - Hey Nonny is going to be a fantastic place to see some great music. If I had to nitpick about anything at all I would request that they consider easier return access from the restrooms. To use the washroom, one leaves the suite that the club is in and returns to a locked door. Meaning, I had to go back outside and re-enter through the front door. There might need to be a better system involved at some point. A bit inconvenient, but not at all a deal breaker. The venue is top-notch and the owner really put a lot of thought into the place to provide a unique concert and dining experience.
Hey Nonny is in a great location, the food is excellent, and the music line up looks promising. I thought the acoustics in the room was very good, which is a must for any venue that offers live music. And the sound wasn’t overpowering, so friends could talk to each other while the music was playing without shouting back and forth, which is nice. Live club sound engineers have a tendency to peel the paint off the walls, which is unpleasant at times. Not the case here.
If you are in the area and looking for a night out with some good music and yummy food, keep an eye on the music schedule at Hey Nonny.
Moving, Engaging 'Every Brilliant Thing' Shines at Writers Theatre
14 November 2024 in Theatre in Review“Every Brilliant Thing,” places unusual demands on its lead character, Narrator. Jessie Fisher delivers a carefully calibrated performance from a…
Northlight to produce world premiere adaptation of Little Women
13 November 2024 in Upcoming TheatreNorthlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, continues its 2024–2025 season with Louisa May Alcott's…
Music Theater Works Announces its LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL Cast and Creative Teams, Dec. 19 - Jan. 19
13 November 2024 in Upcoming TheatreMusic Theater Works is proud to announce the cast and creative team for the final production of its 2024 season, Legally Blonde:…
Lookingglass Announces Cast and Creative Team for the World Premiere of CIRCUS QUIXOTE, Jan. 30 - March 30, 2025
13 November 2024 in Upcoming TheatreAfter pausing its operations last year to reorganize and create a new business model, Chicago's Tony-Award winning Lookingglass Theatre Company, in association…
BrightSide Theatre to present JEKYLL AND HYDE IN CONCERT January 17-26, 2025. Full cast announced!
13 November 2024 in Upcoming TheatreBrightSide Theatre has announced that it will perform the long-running hit Broadway musical JEKYLL AND HYDE in a concert presentation…
Hell in a Handbag's Rudolph THE RED-HOSED REINDEER Returns December 13, 2024 – January 5, 2025 at Center on Halsted
12 November 2024 in Upcoming TheatreHell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to open its 2024/25 Season with the 25th anniversary edition of Artistic Director David Cerda's* holiday classic Rudolph…
A Humorous Homage to History: The Marriage of Figaro Dazzles at The Lyric Opera
11 November 2024 in Theatre in ReviewSometimes history has a way of repeating itself and it’s not always for the better. Try as we might to…
Do You Want To See Some Magic: Frozen The Broadway Musical at Paramount
09 November 2024 in Theatre in ReviewThroughout our busy lives we often seek out the new. It is easy to see the allure. Beginnings offer a…
Irving Berlin's Magnificent White Christmas at Marriott Theatre: A Joyous and Heartfelt Celebration for Everyone
08 November 2024 in Theatre in ReviewI've always had a deep fondness for the two timeless films Holiday Inn and White Christmas. These movies feature outstanding…
Sixth performance added! Steppenwolf Theatre Celebrates the Holidays with Jane Lynch's A Swingin' Little Christmas
08 November 2024 in Upcoming TheatreDue to popular demand, Steppenwolf Theatre is pleased to announce Jane Lynch's A SWINGIN' LITTLE CHRISTMAS has added a sixth and final performance to its nearly sold-out…
THE JOFFREY BALLET CELEBRATES THE HOLIDAYS WITH RETURN OF CHRISTOPHER WHEELDON'S CHICAGO-SET THE NUTCRACKER
07 November 2024 in Upcoming DanceThe Joffrey Ballet's critically acclaimed reimagined classic, The Nutcracker by two-time Tony Award®-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, returns to the Lyric Opera House, 20 North…
Lifeline Theatre presents “Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol” for the holiday season, Nov 29 – Dec 22
07 November 2024 in Upcoming TheatreLifeline Theatre brings their first MainStage production of the 2024-25 season to the stage with Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol. Tom Mula's holiday tale…
Shucked coming to CIBC Theatre in January
07 November 2024 in Upcoming TheatreIndividual tickets for SHUCKED, the Tony Award® winning musical comedy The Wall Street Journal calls "flat out hilarious," will go on sale on…
Blood and Brilliance: Invictus Theatre’s ‘Macbeth’ Stands Tall in Chicago Theatre
07 November 2024 in Theatre in ReviewInvictus Theatre Company’s latest production of The Tragedy of Macbeth, adapted and directed by Sarafina Vecchio, delivers a potent, intense…
A Spell-Binding Reinvention: "Leroy and Lucy" at Steppenwolf
05 November 2024 in Theatre in ReviewNgozi Anyanwu’s Leroy and Lucy, in its electrifying world premiere at Steppenwolf Theatre, takes the legendary tale of Robert Johnson’s…
The Babes with Blades are a DREAM! A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
30 October 2024 in Theatre in ReviewI’ve delighted in Babes with Blades since they began in 1997, and they are never more delightful than when slashing…
Chicago Tap Allstars' Holiday Performance WINTER WONDERLAND Returns for One Performance Only - Saturday, Dec. 14
30 October 2024 in Upcoming DanceChicago Tap Allstars, a collective of Tap dance artists and organizations brought together by M.A.D.D. Rhythms and Chicago Tap Theatre, is proud to…
Steppenwolf Theatre's LEROY AND LUCY - October 24 – December 15, 2024 - World Premiere!
30 October 2024 in Upcoming TheatreSteppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation's premier ensemble theater company, is pleased to continue its 49th season with the world premiere of Ngozi…
'Into the Woods' an Exciting Musical Fairytale Mashup at Chopin Theater
29 October 2024 in Theatre in ReviewI’ll admit it: I knew little about “Into the Woods” before seeing the new production at Chicago’s Chopin Theatre. I’m…
Botanical Bedlam: Music Theatre Works' Little Shop of Horrors Thrills with Campy Delight!
29 October 2024 in Theatre in ReviewMusic Theatre Works’ Little Shop of Horrors, featuring music by Howard Ashman and a book and lyrics by Alan Menken,…
Review: Giordano Dance's 'Soaring' at Harris Theater - Recommended!
29 October 2024 in Dance in ReviewI’m actually not a dance critic. I don’t know enough about dance; I‘m not fluent in the language of dance;…
IDENTITY PERFORMING ARTS Presents Fall Concert “Embrace”
28 October 2024 in Upcoming DanceIDENTITY PERFORMING ARTS Presents Fall Concert “Embrace” World Premiere in Chicago for Two Performances Location: Ann Barzel Theater Visceral Dance Center,…
American Blues Theater to produce 23rd Annual It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!
28 October 2024 in Upcoming TheatreAmerican Blues Theater announces its 23rd Annual Production of It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! from Frank Capra's film and directed by Executive Artistic…
CHICAGO TAP THEATRE PROUDLY ANNOUNCES ITS 2024-2025 SEASON
28 October 2024 in Upcoming DanceChicago Tap Theatre (CTT) has recently returned from a successful European Tour and is pleased to announce its 2024-2025 season and…
Pericles: Royal Shakespeare Company refreshes an obscure tale at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
27 October 2024 in Theatre in ReviewThey do abuse the king that flatter him For flattery is the bellows that blows up sin These days, fireplace…
Teatro ZinZanni Presents: The LiV Warfield Xperience For One Night Only - Nov. 18
25 October 2024 in Upcoming TheatreTeatro ZinZanni, Chicago's wildly entertaining cabaret and cirque show, will open up their vintage circus tent, the Spiegeltent, to present The LiV…
Matinee added on December 9 for CHRISTMAS WITH THE KING: BRANDON BENNETT SINGS ELVIS PRESLEY
24 October 2024 in Upcoming TheatreMarriott Theatre has added a second matinee performance of the concert CHRISTMAS WITH THE KING: BRANDON BENNETT SINGS ELVIS PRESLEY…
Some Like It Hot sizzles at Cadillac Palace Theatre
24 October 2024 in Theatre in ReviewIn the midst of the bustle and busyness of several stunning song-and-dance routines in Some Like It Hot, beautifully directed…
Lifeline Theatre presents 28th Annual Fillet of Solo Festival two-week festival of storytelling performances November 8 - November 17, 2024
23 October 2024 in Upcoming TheatreLifeline Theatre presents the 28th Annual Fillet of Solo Festival, a vibrant celebration of Chicago's premiere storytelling and live lit scene. The…
Puppet shows for private audiences in living room settings: Chicago Puppet Fest's Fall Living Room Tour returns November 14-16
23 October 2024 in Upcoming TheatreThe Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival is pulling strings to raise funds this fall, offering three exclusive sneak peeks of…
Latest Articles
-
Moving, Engaging 'Every Brilliant Thing' Shines at Writers Theatre
Written by Bill Esler“Every Brilliant Thing,” places unusual demands on its lead character, Narrator. Jessie Fisher delivers a carefully calibrated performance from a comedic script that is deceivingly simple, but deeply emotional and upon reading it afterward, I saw that it is beautifully… -
Music Theater Works Announces its LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL Cast and Creative Teams, Dec. 19 - Jan. 19
Written by Buzz Center StageMusic Theater Works is proud to announce the cast and creative team for the final production of its 2024 season, Legally Blonde: The Musical, in the Center Theatre at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, December 19… -
Northlight to produce world premiere adaptation of Little Women
Written by Buzz Center StageNorthlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, continues its 2024–2025 season with Louisa May Alcott's Little Women adapted by Lauren Gunderson from the novel by Louisa May Alcott, directed by Associate Artistic Director Georgette Verdin. Due to early…
-
Lookingglass Announces Cast and Creative Team for the World Premiere of CIRCUS QUIXOTE, Jan. 30 - March 30, 2025
Written by Buzz Center StageAfter pausing its operations last year to reorganize and create a new business model, Chicago's Tony-Award winning Lookingglass Theatre Company, in association with The Actors Gymnasium, is proud to announce the cast and creative team for the world premiere of Circus Quixote, January 30 - March…
Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.