If you've seen the Walking With Dinosaurs commercial and think you already know what this is, let me stop you right there. Because I too watched it and I was like, "Oh, giant animatronic dinosaurs doing Jurassic Park in an arena."

Nope. Not even close.

Walking With Dinosaurs is a theatrical show that is very much in the theme of a Discover Channel type program (well, duh BBC produces it) scientifically based, but not without its own drama.

Hosted by Paleontologist Narrator "Huxley" (played by Jack Stone), we're taken back millions of years and through different stages of dinosaurs and the Earth. The story is really about the Dinosaurs, and the production allows the focus to be on these spectacularly portrayed beasts. 17 dinosaurs in all during the show, completely life sized and 'alive". Several times during the show you will have to remind yourself, "no, these are not real dinosaurs."

What makes this production work, beyond the incredible technology that brings these giant lizards to life is the sound and soundtrack of the show. Brilliant roars, storms, suspenseful music...all of it together with some pretty inventive supporting props and lighting are what makes this better than just some kind of puppet show. It draws you in to the whole experience  and make you a part of the action.

If you do decide to bring kids to the show, my advice is to sit back a bit if they're under 10. While there isn't any overt violence in the show, the sound combined with giant roaring dinosaurs will freak out little kids if they're so close. As the dinosaurs lumber and sway across the stage, tails swing close to the crowd, and the lifelike eyes staring at you make you feel like lunch. So if you're bringing little ones, upper deck might be the way to go.

But it is still a great way to entertain the entire family. All ages and interests will find something to be in awe of during the 96 minute show. It holds your attention the entire time. Not once will you check your watch or wonder when it's going to be over.

The show itself as a cohesive piece did well to establish a beginning, middle and climactic ending to a story we pretty much already know. Huxely is a great adventurer type guide to the story, but doesn't try to compete with the real stars of the show, the dinosaurs.

Definitely a must-see for the remaining shows before it leaves town. Walking With Dinosaurs is playing at the Allstate Arena until August 1st.

 

It always surprises me how many people don't know about the Marriott Theatre way up north in the frozen tundra known as Lincolnshire. Because it truly is a gem of local entertainment.

What's great about shows at the Marriott is that they don't settle for whatever category people might want to lump them into, such as "resort entertainment" or "community theater." Every production has amazing quality and attention to detail. Even with the Children's Theater the quality isn't brought down because they're performing in front of a bunch of kids.

Pinocchio is this season's children's theater piece, and it would definitely hold it's own with the 'big boys' out in Chicago's big theater scene, as well as New York. It takes a little bit of magic to make little kids stay engaged and sit still for an hour, and this production and cast did amazingly well. Guest critic, 3 year old Emma Sale was very impressed, and she screamed through 40 minutes of Shrek. So that should tell you something.

This production was more traditional and less Disney, which can be hard to pull off sometimes, especially if you're telling a story the Mouse has already covered. But this rendition of the classic fairy tale had great acting, especially good choreography, and characters that would hold their own with any popular sidekick. The grasshopper "Hopper" was expertly written and performed. Jiminy Who? Hopper was way better.

Great modern day twists, especially the hip hop turn the Pleasure Island boys took. Especially engaging and fun. And as always with any kids show, there has to be a little something hidden in the writing for the kids and all of it delivered.

Stage management also makes this show work. Lighting was expertly done, and it's always amazing to me how they make such a small circular stage so visually cohesive with the story line. Music and sound were phenomenal too.

My only real criticsm of the show is the song choice. The room would get a little antsy during the slow tempo solo pieces, and the Blue Fairy had such a sharp operatic sporano that I'm not sure it clicked with the younger audience. Not because of quality, but because I don't think they could follow and understand the lyrics. And the songs might have been a bit too long. But that's really just me being a nitpicking theater geek.

Especially great was the Q&A hosted by Hopper with the actors after the show. It really gave the kids a great education on the Theater and nice to see them take the time and engage their audience and answer some fun questions.

Pinocchio is definitely a treat. Fast paced, quick witted, and very exciting multi-directional use of the stage, will keep you entertained. I was actually a bit disappointed that it was only a smidge under an hour. Definitely one to see before the run is over August 29th.

*Pictured above is Jameson Cooper and Cory Goodrich (photo by Peter Coombs)

There is something to be said in this era of huge concert productions, for a musician to fill a venue, show up with a band, and play. No huge frills, pyrotechnics, or costume changes, just two sets of solid material.

Natalie Merchant came back to Chicago after taking a seven year break, and took the stage as if that hiatus never even happened. Returning to the music scene with the amazing "Leave Your Sleep" 2 cd album, she still gave the same vibe she's so adept at, and that's making you feel like you're in the middle of an after dinner jam session in her living room. There was dancing, fun stories, joking with the crowd (even swiping a cell phone and taking her own pictures!) and all of those things that have you leaving the show with a smile on your face.

We even got a PowerPoint poetry lesson! Slides and Merchant's obvious knowledge and love of poetry prompted her to ask us, "Who says poetry isn't fun?".

Well, I still don't think it is. But it would be if Natalie Merchant became an English professor!

The music however, was the reason we were all there, and as usual, didn't disappoint. Backed by a folk/orchestral band of rotating musicians, Merchant stuck mostly to the "Leave Your Sleep" material, but we did get the favorites intertwined within the two sets. Some of the concertgoers were a little put off by so much focus being on "Leave Your Sleep", and I too would have liked to hear a bit more from "Ophelia" and "Motherland" but the journey the new music takes you on with it's ranging tempos and conceptual lyrics was better than listening to the songs we've known for years.

We did get songs like "Carnival" but reworked to have a fun Flamenco vibe to dress it up and make it shiny and new again. And "Eat For Two" was so haunting and beautiful in the way it was stripped down.

Merchant's voice is as great as it always has been, taking the tempo and genre changes of each song and bringing us right into the journey. Pitch perfect, haunting, and emotional it's no wonder that her music and fan base has remained solid even after a seven year absence.

You definitely came away from this show with a smile and bounce in your step, not even realizing an entire night just went by. Great show, and an amazing performance.

July's feature is local artist, Lisa Koziol-Ellis aka The Foxy Goat. Don't worry, you'll find out what a Foxy Goat is in a minute. You might have seen some of her art showcased at local galleries all over the city. Her paintings and illustrations are visually moving, thought provoking, and probably like nothing you've seen before. Lisa's jewelery line is also that mix she brings to her art. Bold, hardcore, yet with a softness that doesn't make the controversial ideas scary. She's very self deprecating and jokingly calls her work, 'smut', but it is definitely something you should take a look at.

1. Ok right out of the gate we have to address your name. Because it takes people aback for a second because at first you wonder if this is a bestiality thing or something very bizarre. What is a Foxy Goat, and why do you call yourself that?

TFG: Well, due to my higher levels of perversion, I don’t blame anyone for thinking that. With all seriousness though, it’s roughly what my name means in Polish. ‘lis’ means fox & ‘koziol’ means goat. That is the true origin.

 

2. Give us the 411 on your art and jewelery. What is your message in your pieces, and what inspires you to explore this genre?

TFG: I find inspiration in the world. It’s tendency to malfunction and its unexpected beauty set my mood to just pour out what I feel . Even the lovely characters I meet! I just want to capture my adoration for them in a portrait! Jewelry-wise, I love to made necklaces that are vibrant & unique. Those that have bought a piece from me always say that they feel as if it were made for them. The satisfaction I feel is so rad!

3. What is the biggest judgment and misconception people have about your art? What do you want them to know?

TFG: Some individuals think I’m just creating something bizarre just for shock value. I dabble a lot in symbolism , so those art pieces actually have meaning behind them. Sometimes, they are so raw, I feel vulnerable exposing them!

4. Work of Art, that new reality TV show on Bravo is a huge hit, and people are seeing sides of artists and the art world that they haven't before. Would you do a show like this? Why or why not?

TFG: I‘d love to on that, like flies on a hot turd!There’s more to art than the common flowers, meadow & still life . To be given the opportunity to challenge yourself to such extremes is orgasmic!!

 

5. So what is the big "Foxy Goat" dream? Your own gallery? An Andy Warhol type popularity amongst celebrities? When do you sit back and say, "Yep. I made it."

TFG: It’s when my name is significant enough, where I can use it to gain recognition for charities that are hardcore important to me!

 

6. _______, buys a piece of your art, and you are so star struck you just might die. Why?

TFG: Pants down…I mean, hands down...Larry Flynt! He is the smut God! If he buys what I created, I’ll take it that I have his blessing to spread my kind of perversion like a pair of legs….

7. What could someone ask you to do as an artist that you would consider "selling out".

TFG: Asking me to tone down my risqué style of art, to be more appealing to the mainstream.

 

8. Have you found it hard to break into the Chicago Art community? Which galleries have been the most accommodating?

TFG: I adore The Nineteen Hundred & One Gallery in Chicago. Not only are they very welcoming, but they’re diverse ! They promote & host artists in every medium- from performing arts to visual arts. They do so much to promote those who are outside the ‘mainstream’ & offering a place for them to express themselves. It’s always a pleasure to hang my smutty art on their walls.

9. Favorite Quote/Motto: 

TFG: Blam!

10. Best thing about being an artist is....

TFG: Having the ability to create your vision & feeling that release!

 

Be sure to check out Lisa's website www.foxygoat.com for more information on her art, jewelery and upcoming events.

Certain things in life just go together, like Peanut Butter and Jelly, Arm and Hammer, Tequila and Jail…but Heavy Metal and Burlesque? Yep. That’s not a typo, Hot and Heavy Burlesque is like nothing you’ve seen before. Some of the most iconic heavy metal moments combined with the art of burlesque dancing. A friend of mine sent me a video of Hot and Heavy Burlesque’s tribute to The Wall. At first I was like, “Train wreck! How could Pink Floyd and nudey dancing NOT be a train wreck?”

I know, I’m so open minded. Not a snap judgment maker at all…

Well slap my face and call me Zsa Zsa while serving me up some hot steaming crow… because turns out I was wrong, and this was genius. Gritty, artistic, different and most of all FUN. This was actually better than the movie, and intrigued me to learn more about Hot and Heavy Burlesque. So I caught up with its creator Viva La Muerte (of course she doesn’t have a boring name like Jane Parker!) to get the scoop on this unique experience.

1. So first off, give us your definition of “burlesque” because people think it’s just stripping, or it’s something like the Pussycat Dolls. What is it really? Dance? Smut? Art?

VLM: True burlesque to me is anything but a regular strip like you might see in a strip club, and definitely not anything like what you see the pussycat dolls doing. A regular strip at a club or a pussy cat dolls thing in my opinion do very little to involve the KEY element of burlesque which is the art of the  TEASE, that type stuff just sort of "puts it all out there at once" for you to see. It's very wham-bam all the sexual goodies in your face, but no mystery, no build up, and not a lot of artistic merit beyond the very blatant sexual appeal. When we are talking burlesque, we are talking about girls who spend hours rehearsing and costuming so that when they are on stage they are giving a full on performance that may be a parody on something, or involve a storyline or character. Throughout the performance the audience is teased and titillated little by little as items of clothing come off, and the audience is yearning for that little peek at the end when the 'big reveal' happens. You give the audience that little taste they want, but always leave them wanting and dreaming of more.


2. Your tribute shows are pretty neat. I saw video of “The Wall” and it was pretty spot on. You recently put on Spinal Tap, and Dio is coming up. How do you decide on a body of work? What does it need to have to incorporate it into a burlesque show?

VLM: Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoy our shows! From the start I wanted Hot & Heavy burlesque to go beyond the standard burlesque revue and have a theme and purpose for which we are well known which is Hard Rock/Heavy Metal and Horror Movie inspired shows. Metal and Horror are two of my biggest influences and inspirations in life, and Hot & Heavy burlesque is the brainchild which I use to express my passion for metal music and horror films. To make it a burlesque show is pretty easy, because we take what the old concept of burlesque was which is a variety style show and modernize it. We usually offer more than just stripping, and shows have had anything from singing to hooping to fire and live music weaved in with the burlesque acts. A well rounded show is very important to the Hot & Heavy mission!

3. What is the ultimate dream and goal for Hot And Heavy Burlesque. Headlining Vegas? Headlining National tour? What are you looking to break into?

VLM: I would LOVE to do a national tour, we are actually working now on taking our Pink Floyd or Spinal Tap show out of state this summer, it's really exciting! It's my hope that we can gain more national attention for our shows, and have people that want to bring us to their town. Vegas is definitely on the list too! I also love working with live bands, and in the future I'd also like to perform with some bigger acts at their shows. The sky is definitely the limit!

4. Ok, fantasize with me… the big break. Everyone in Hollywood wants to be in HAHB. Do you have guest stars? Why or why not? Is that “selling out" to go Hollywood?

VLM: If any big names want to come share the stage with us, that's fine by me as long as they have the moves! I don't think it would be selling out to involve a big, well known name in one of our shows. Or if someone "Hollywood" wanted to fund a project for us, I certainly wouldn't turn it away. To me the most important thing would be to remain true to our show style and the level of performance I require from people that work with my show. We have had local guest stars, but no one big and national yet. I'm sure that's on the horizon for us though.

5. Who would be the dream celebrity to have as a guest? You can’t say Dita Von Teese, because it’s a gimme. Who would be amazing in your show that you may not think of as “burlesque?” Who needs a set of tassels?

VLM: I'd put tassels on everyone if I could! haha  Funny thing is speaking of Dita, I think she would be too classic for one of our shows, so I may pass on her. Shocker, I know! It would be fun to have someone famous who seems more quiet and sophisticated do one of our shows, maybe Natalie Portman? I bet she would totally rock it! Or Grace Jones, that would be rad!

6. Three words that describe the Hot And Heavy Burlesque experience

VLM: Rock Opera Madness

7. What do you think of shows like So You Think You can Dance, and America’s Got Talent. Burlesque dancers have been featured in the past, would this be a vehicle for your troupe? Why or why not?

VLM: I've not really watched a lot of either show, but I do appreciate when burlesque performers have a chance to shine on a big national stage being on TV. It always make me proud when I see another performer do something big like that. As for our troupe ever breaking into a mainstream TV type dance show, it would be fun to do, but somehow I don't think the mainstream american TV audience is ready for our kind of heavy metal type show.

8. The one thing off limits in a burlesque show is _____.

VLM: I like to give my performers as much creative freedom as they need in my shows. As long as they stick to our heavy metal theme and song choices, I love to let them go free. As far as off limits, I never like to allow anything that is to overtly sexual or pornographic. There always needs to be tease and mystery to H&H performances. Not just some girl grinding and touching herself, or bringing out a box of dildos to toss around and do a regular strip club style dance, and definitely nothing crazy like penetration on stage (I know this happens at some shows in other parts of the country). That won't fly, it needs to be creative and tasteful so that our audience feels comfortable watching the show.

9. What kind of training do you guys do? Is there like a Burlesque Boot Camp, like the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders?

VLM: I would love a burlesque boot camp, that sounds fun! But there isn't anything like that out there at the moment. There are a few instructors in town that teach burlesque, and many newer performers take advantage of these fun classes. For more established performers like me I stick to a pretty rigorous rehearsal schedule that includes nearly daily practices of my acts, and watching a lot of footage online to learn from and going to as many shows as I can to keep up on what other performers are doing. There are even some instructional DVD's available that are pretty helpful for technique. It's a lot of rehearsal and studying your craft and history. Many people also take regular dance lessons like ballet or jazz to keep a good repertoire of dance moves.

10. If _____ showed up at one of your shows, you would freak out with star struck-ness.

VLM: Roger Waters, if you are reading this there is a front row seat for you when we do our tribute to The Wall when it starts again in January! I also wouldn't mind if the Red Hot Chili Peppers rolled up, John Frusciante may also have a front row seat! :)

Check out Hot and Heavy’s website for more info on upcoming shows
www.myspace.com/hotandheavyburlesque

Hot and Heavy Burlesque’s Tribute to Spinal Tap
June 4-6
Viaduct Theatre
3111 N. Webster
Chicago, Il
viaducttheater.com
Vivalamuerte.us
(for more info)

After a pretty big media sweep in the days leading up to the show, Nelson jogged people’s memories about who they were, are, and want to be in their music. Taking the stage last night at Tailgaters, fans were given the past present and future in a high energy, and fun show.

These smaller venues suit Nelson more than the early stadium rock days, because they seem to be at a level in their careers where making a connection to their fans is more important to them and the music than being part of a huge marketing machine.

It was kind of fun to see the video montages before Matthew and Gunnar took the stage, because things look totally different after twenty years. (Like bright red thigh high leather boots on a dude isn‘t exactly cool…I‘m talking to you, Gunnar. But when I was 12, they were hot and made him a Golden God.)

Yep, you read that right, twenty years since the release of "After The Rain." Thanks to Matthew for bringing that up and making me face the denial that is my thirties. But they had a great sense of humor about it, asking the crowd for a show of hands if they saw Nelson the last time they came through Chicago…then keep them raised if you were 6...

I was 13... do the math… yikes.

And at Friday’s show, all nostalgia aside, there on spotlight, was the songwriting and musicianship that had been glossed over during the whirlwind first part of their career.  Nelson came out and delivered the hits, as well as some new stuff to look forward to.  Despite some audio issues (I thought Matthew was going to whip his monitor at the sound board guy there for a sec), they had a solid sound with great collaborating band mates,  and gave studio quality the whole show. This is not the manufactured teeny bop pop band they were cookie cuttered into 20 years ago. These guys know their way around music, and shouldn’t be overlooked.

I will say, that after catching some of their acoustic shows, that is a genre that fits them like a glove. While the show was great, an acoustic set would’ve been a treat.

So, great show, check out Buzz’s interview with Matthew Nelson , for more info on Nelson’s journey over the last fifteen years.

Set List:

Fill You Up

More Than Ever

A Girl Like That

Love and Affection

Just Once More

Ghost Dance

Evermore

Only Time Will Tell

I'm Alright

After The Rain

Won't Walk Away

Invisible Man

It's All About You

Everywhere I Go