Centerstage Chicago; Theater Review; Once Upon a Time

Once Upon a Time (or the Secret Language of Birds)

Joe Meno injects Redmoon's aesthetic with his particular brand of unsentimental yet pathos-laden humor.

Tuesday Feb 13, 2007
by Gretchen Kalwinski

Redmoon Theater is known for its outlandish productions that employ puppets, carnival aesthetics, gymnastics and whimsical, otherworldly sets and costumers. But sometimes their performances can suffer from a lack of narrative arc—the fantastical, beautiful scenes are entertaining in their own right, but aren't always held together by a strong plot.

But for "Once Upon A Time," Redmoon hired a writer to piece together parts of their concept and form a cohesive script. Enter Joe Meno, acclaimed Chicago novelist and playwright, who also has a penchant for the whimsical. Meno promptly injected Redmoon's aesthetic with his particular brand of unsentimental yet pathos-laden humor, creating a modern fairy tale about Emily, a lonely and lost girl living in a tenement in the 1920s. After realizing she can speak to and understand the chirping of birds, her loneliness is eased.

The engaging plot that follows revolves around the theft of "all the world's birds" and the corresponding loss of human dreams. With some clues to guide them as to the whereabouts of the stolen birds, Emily and her friend Bruno (a retired wrestler and giant) embark on a dangerous quest to retrieve them.

The lovely and unusual set is comprised of a small puppet theater at center stage and a large screen above, which the puppet action gets projected onto. Narrator Lindsey Noel Whiting does double-duty providing voices for all the characters, while the puppets—made up of entertaining, disproportionate photos—are maneuvered by puppeteers via sticks. All this is set against local musician Kevin Donnell's haunting atmospheric music.

The puppet theater itself is an intricate masterpiece, which the audience crowded around when the play ended. Aside from the illustrations and little mini-sets built into it, the theater also employs a clever, wheel-driven mechanism (designed by jack-of-all trade artist Erik Newman) for moving panels of scenery back and forth on hemp-string. Others members of the stellar artistic team include director Frank Maugeri, Kass Copeland (puppet theater design), Seth Bockley (assistant director), Tracy Otwell (toy theater design), Angela Tillges (art director) and Jim Lasko (Redmoon founder).

The ticket price is a bit steep: $30 for adults and $15 for tots. But the haunting mood that Redmoon creates with its visual dynamism, along with the warm humanity of the tale, makes it a perfect wintertime family outing that's well worth the cost of admission.

"Once Upon a Time (or the Secret Language of Birds)" runs through April 8 at Redmoon Central, 1463 W. Hubbard Street, Chicago. Shows 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Sunday; 3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, $15-30; call (312) 850-8440.

Centerstagechicago.com; Theater review; Sonia Flew

Sonia Flew
Steppenwolf Theater

By: Gretchen Kalwinski

At age 15, Sonia, the main character in Sonia Flew, was an unwitting participant in "Operation Pedro Pan," a secret 1959 CIA disinformation program designed to overthrow Castro by scaring middle-class Cuban parents into shipping their children to the US amidst false promises of a prompt reunion.

Sonia never saw her parents again, but survived foster homes and the struggles of assimilating into American life to eventually marry a second generation Jewish doctor, (his father was a Polish Jew who fought in WWII), work for the public defender, and live a comfortable, middle-class life in Minneapolis with her husband and children. But, in the opening living-room scenes, Sonia's life is again thrown into the confusion, panic, and disarray of wartime-upheaval via a shocking announcement from a family member that thrusts her back into 1950's Cuba. Inevitably, Sonia is forced to grapple with issues of loss, memory, and familial betrayal all over again.

Written by Melinda Lopez and directed by Steppenwolf associate artist Jessica Thebus, Sonia Flew brilliantly illustrates the ways that immigrants must partially forget their pasts in order to start anew in their adopted country. It also sets up some clever parallels between the Castro regime, World War II, and the war in contemporary Iraq. The standout part of the play is the sharp, witty dialogue delivered by stand-out actors, coupled with the intelligent political and cultural references that weave together complementary time periods and political events in a thoughtful, deeply felt manner. Sonia's flackback monologues delivered on a darkened stage are especially powerful, as the audience is given access to the moments of her traumatic past that are informing her seemingly irrational reactions to present-day events.

Occasionally, the play hits you over the head with some of the paralells between the US conflicts with Cuba, Germany, and Iraq, providing conclusions that were a bit too "easy." For example, during one "flashback" scene, the metaphor to today's political climate and leaders was already perfectly evident, yet one character's dialogue unnecessarily spelled it out for the audience, amping down the effect of the scene. As a viewer who enjoys the opportunity to figure connections out for myself, I found it disappointing to have the answers handed to me.

Otherwise, Sonia Flew is a polished, professional performance that investigates issues of identity and memory, immigration and cross-cultural families with nuance and intelligence, both informing and provoking its viewers.

"Sonia Flew" runs through Feb 4 at the Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theater, 1650 N. Halsted Street, Chicago. Shows 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday; 3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday; $45-55; call (312) 335-1650.

CenterstageChicago; Review; A Christmas Carol

Centerstagechicago.com; Theater Review

A Very Chicago Christmas

Attending the Goodman Theater's annual production of "A Christmas Carol."

Monday Dec 04, 2006 by Gretchen Kalwinski

Pictured in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol adapted by Tom Creamer directed by William Brown are (l to r) Martin Yurek (Ghost of Jacob Marley) and Jonathan Weir (Ebenezer Scrooge).

photo: Michael Brosilow

I'll admit it: I'm one of those holiday-nerds who cues up my iTunes holiday playlist the day after Thanksgiving. Even so, I haven't attended the Goodman Theatre's long-running annual production of "A Christmas Carol" since I was a kid, carted in from Northwest Indiana on a class field trip. The reason is twofold: One, the crowds, and Two, the germy half-pints who tend to make up a large portion of the audience.

This year I decided to throw caution to the wind and see the Dickens classic on the weekend following Thanksgiving with my mom. We had some extra time before the show and could have checked out the Macy's Christmas windows kitty-corner from the theater (and with a Mary Poppins theme), but as Marshall Fields die-hards we turned up our noses at the opportunity and passed them by with nary a second glance.

Instead, we walked to Dearborn and Washington to take in the Chriskindlmarket (an outdoor holiday bazaar sponsored by the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest) at the Daley Center. Chriskindlmarket usually runs during the month before Christmas and shows off a big, lighted tree, craft and gift booths, and even Santa Claus.

Some of the crafts embrace the cheeze-factor, but there are also a good amount of delicate hand-carved and glass-blown ornaments, pretty lace tablecloths and artfully clever puppets and toys—and foodstuffs; among other delectable offerings were brats with kraut, apple cider, almond-apricot strudel and sweet-cheese fritters.

Satiated, we made our way to the Goodman, listened to the carolers in the lobby, and took our seats. A fun fact: "A Christmas Carol" has been running since 1978 but the company changes it up a little every year to keep things fresh. I found that the timeless play was even better than what I remembered as a kid: The authentic sets were spot-on, the flying and ghostly effects were clever, and Scrooge was a deliciously cranky (and funny) curmudgeon, backed up with a talented and believable cast.

Years of honing the production means that the look of the sets is authentically Dickensian and are neither amateurish or overdone. They even managed to find a Tiny Tim who was legitimately cute instead of cloying.

More than that, the whole experience felt communal in a really good way, and the layout and intimate size of the Goodman lends themselves to that vibe. Though I'd originally balked at the idea of hoards of kiddies, I didn't mind the ones I ran into; it was refreshing to attend this well-worn production with a gaggle of tots who were probably seeing their first play ever and it lent some extra jubilation to the event. The lessons in A Christmas Carol may seem to be "true meaning of Christmas" cliches, but hey, some tales bear repeating, and the morals are well-worn ones that aren't bad to be reminded of now and then, right?

After the production, we tried to go to Petterino's, the legendary bar and restaurant attached to the theater, but it was too busy, so we opted for the Atwood Cafe around the corner in the Hotel Burnam instead, and sipped on an overpriced spiked cider and Manhattan, watching the State Street passerby.

And that soft fuzzy buzz you feel? That's how you truly know that the holidaze have arrived.

Guidebook rating: It goes without saying that all holiday-nerds should attend the production at least once to kick-start their holiday season. But even if you're not a holiday nerd, and are made to attend in order to appease family members or out-of-towners, you're going to have a blast. Make the most of being downtown by checking out the Macy's windows and sucking down a cold-weather drink at Petterino's or Atwood Cafe.

Stats: A Christmas Carol runs two hours and five minutes including one 15-minute intermission. It generally runs the Sunday after Thanksgiving through Dec. 20.

Centerstagechicago.com; Theater review; Pantomime

Pantomime
Switching racial roles...with so-so results.

Tuesday Sep 19, 2006
By: Gretchen Kalwinski

This two-man play follows Harry Trewe (a British hotel owner in Tobago), his black employee Jackson Phillip, and the tale of what happens when Harry proposes that they put on a play satirizing the Robinson Crusoe story to entertain the hotel guests.

Nobel Prize-winning playwright Derek Walcott is known primarily for his poetry, but in this 1978 play, currently produced by Pegasus Players, he fleshes out the implications of what happens when racial roles get switched. Almost the entire first half of the play is sucked up by Harry trying to wheedle Jackson into a role reversal: Harry will play (black) Friday and Jackson will play (white) Crusoe. At first Jackson wants no part, but once he concedes he throws himself into his role with such gusto that Harry worries it could be perceived as offensive, not "something light" as he'd intended. He pulls rank on Jackson, telling him to scrap the plan and get back to work, which Jackson takes as typical imperialist behavior. By that point, the servant-master roles have been effectively flipped and they begin to lash out at one another.

Problem is, when their interaction starts to get melodramatic in the second act, the high emotion isn't believable. This isn't because 1978 was so different from now: The themes are still important. But here they come across as heavy-handed versions truisms. The mechanism of "sage person of color teaching uptight Caucasian how to truly live" is such a cliche at this point that it seems like vaudeville.

The conventional direction brought little innovation to the table; maybe several decades ago the literalness of the script translated differently, but this production never rises above surface level. Walcott's script is intelligent and insightful (if a bit drawn out and thunderous) and the set design is good, if not inventive. Andre Teamer and Kipp Moorman (as Jackson and Harry, respectively) work hard with what they've got, yet their characters never quite evoke the intended response, and the wink-nudge ending doesn't feel earned by the earlier parts of the play.

Pegasus Players is to be commended for taking on serious social issues here, not to mention its admirable goal of filling the theatrical needs of the Uptown neighborhood. But the group missed the mark in "Pantomime," despite good intentions. Some inventiveness, nuance and subtlety would go a long way in polishing their next production.

Playing at the Pegasus Players; 1145 W. Wilson Avenue, in the O'Rourke Center at Truman College; (773) 878-9761; $17-$25. Playing through October 22, 2006; 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday.

Centerstagechicago.com; Interview; Bookslut

Centerstage Chicago

Bookslut (Interview)
Monday May 22, 2006
By: Gretchen Kalwinski

Jessa Crispin is a literary lass extraordinaire, and her Bookslut readings are icing on the cake.

Basic stats: Features three or four fiction or non-fiction authors, in conjunction with the smart, irreverent tone of Bookslut.com
Incorporated: 2003
Website: http://www.bookslut.com
When: Once a month (exact dates and locations vary)
Fringe benefits: Free!
Up next: May 24, 2006 at Hopleaf: Michelle Tea, Elizabeth Merrick, Gary Amdahl.

Jessa Crispin is a literary lass extraordinaire. She is the editor and founder of Bookslut.com, a "monthly webzine dedicated to those who love to read" that's known for offering sharp, thoughtful and acerbic reviews of fiction and non-fiction, author interviews, commentary on publishing trends and literary news. It also contains the Bookslut blog, and Crispin's authoritative tone and occasionally-biting commentary have made for her reputation as a successful and devoted literary blogger (the Bookslut site boasts 7,000-8,000 daily readers).

Crispin began the Bookslut website while living in Austin, Texas, where Bookslut.com began to gain momentum. Crispin also runs the monthly Bookslut Reading Series, which has featured such authors as Marisha Pessl, Luis Alberto Urrea and Kirby Gann, and usually features readers who have already been reviewed by Bookslut.com. Last year, Crispin made Wired's list of the "10 Sexiest Geeks," and in 2003, Bookslut.com was awarded as one of Time Magazine's "50 Best Websites." Centerstage chatted with Crispin about the origins of Bookslut.com and how the Bookslut Reading Series ties in with the website.

What's the most memorable Bookslut reading thus far?
Our first reading was with Shalom Auslander, who wrote Beware of God, and since it was the first one I had no expectations, but she completely rocked it; she's just a very good performer. I didn't know how that night was going to work out actually; because we had Beth Lisick, a feminist writer named Paula Kamen who wrote All in My Head and a scholar named Peter Manseau who wrote Vows: The Story of a Priest, a Nun, and Their Son. Lisick was the first reader and she opened with a story about um, fisting. Peter was hilarious about it when it was his turn though. He got up there and was like, “how do I insert fisting into this?” I was worried, but it turned out fine.

What did you set out to do with the Bookslut website?
I just kinda started it to kill some time at my day job; I never would have imagined that it would have become what it has.

How does the site inform your choices for the reading series?
The readers kind of depend on who the publishers will send. It's gotten a little better now, but when we were starting and trying to get writers it was like pulling teeth.

Does this mean that by you use more authors at big publishing houses rather than smaller ones, because the bigger ones can cover traveling expenses?
Not really, with some of the writers we've taken up collections and helped pay travel costs that way. We actually get a lot of small press writers and it seems that bigger publishers are LESS likely to cover travel expenses. Also, we've had a longtime relationship working with small houses, as opposed to bigger ones who are like “who the hell are you, again?”

What book are you reading now?
Pearl by Mary Gordon, who we are trying to get for July. It's a novel about an American girl who chains herself to a flagpole in Dublin on a hunger strike but no one can figure out what she's protesting.

I heard that your parents are kind of reserved and don't say the name of the site out loud.
Right, they just call it “the site”. After we made Time Magazine's list of best websites, my father was at their church and they have this part of the service where you pray for people, and offer “concerns and congratulations.” My dad started to say, “Oh, my daughter got this award” and then he was like, “Oh wait,” and tried to work around the name of the site, but by then people were already starting to ask him all kinds of questions.

Who are some upcoming readers that you're excited about?
May's reading with Michelle Tea and Elizabeth Merrick will be great, and the June reading will be a good nepotism month because the readers have all written for Bookslut.

Centerstagechicago.com; Venue Review: Newberry Library

--published in: Centerstagechicago.com, April 2006

Review of: Newberry Library
60 W. Walton St., Chicago
Tel: (312) 255-3504

Just uttering the word "Newberry" inspires knowing looks, as this independent research library doubles as a revered Chicago cultural institution. Founded in 1887 by Walter L. Newberry, the Chicago businessman's ideal library was one that was free and open to the public. Admission is still free and open to the public...with a few caveats. Books cannot be checked out and readers must be over 16 and must be researching a topic that is covered in the library's collection. (However, one-day passes are given out to curious booklovers who want to peruse.)

The evolving collection focuses on the humanities, centered primarily on Western Europe and the Americas. Reference librarians offer in-depth research assistance; their services can also be garnered for genealogical research, one of the most frequently used Newberry resources. The extensive public programming includes author events, concerts and exhibits. A seminar schedule of classes designed for adults changes seasonally and includes courses in genealogy, jazz, Chicago history, Victorian culture and public art. But don't keep your nose buried in a book, as the building itself is a treat: Designed in 1893 by Henry Ives Cobb, the lobby and several of its rooms were restored to its original turn-of-the-century state in 2001. At the same time, the columns were redecorated and a grand chandelier was installed in the elegant Ruggles Hall, which is often rented out for events or weddings.

If you don't have a specific area of research in mind but want to check out the building, try the bookstore (just inside the Walton Street entrance) first. It's filled with books on everything from Chicago history and architecture to calligraphy to literary fiction, and is stocked with gift items for the bibliophiles on your list.

Reviewed By: Gretchen Kalwinski

Centerstagechicago.com; Venue Review; Corbett vs. Dempsey

Venue review published in March 2006, Centerstagechicago.com

Corbett vs. Dempsey
(Art Gallery)
1120 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago
Tel: (773) 278-1664

Corbett vs. Dempsey focuses on a niche that has somehow gone virtually untapped by other galleries: Chicago artists. Emphasizing Chicago painting and works on paper from 1940-1970, the gallery has a specific interest in "great regional art, and art that maybe hasn't had its day." The quiet subplot of each CvD show is that Chicago is and has been a major city for world class art, and the success of CvD's exhibitions back up this conviction. Since owners John Corbett and Jim Dempsey enjoy scavenging and storytelling, the exhibitions often emphasize the artist's back story. For example, Corbett and Dempsey once traveled to a warehouse in Florida to track down a lead on WPA artist Eve Garrison. This trip led to the discovery of a huge body of Garrison's work and a successful CvD show, and the detective work involved in tracking down the paintings became an integral part of the way that Garrison's work was explained to gallery visitors. It has also exhibited the work of Chicago Imagist Philip Hanson, the paintings of Robert Amft and the feminist nudes and figures of Linda Kramer.

Longtime friends and collaborators who initially collaborated on a Sun Ra project, Corbett and Dempsey have different and complementary curatorial styles at openings. Corbett springs around like an energetic cat, making introductions and talking excitedly about the work, while Dempsey's quiet friendliness put everyone at ease. The airy gallery space above Dusty Groove records affords an expansive view of Wicker Park's East Village, and is smattered with varied architectural salvages and art finds, further evidence of the gallery's emphasis in uncovering overlooked artifacts.

Reviewed By: Gretchen Kalwinski

Centerstagechicago.com; Venue Review: Vive La Crepe

Published on Centerstagechicago.com, February 2006

Vive La Crepe

Chicago needs more restaurants that offer crepes, a perfect foodie option that can incorporate almost any ingredient and made either sweet or savory. For the practical, it's also worth noting that the crepe is easily transported, much like the beloved burrito and hot dog. Evanston's Vive La Crepe (right next to famed jazz venue Pete Miller's Steakhouse) gets points for consistency; its thin crepes are light, but sturdy enough to soak up the juices. You'll find spinach-ricotta and varied seafood options, but the chicken marsala ($9.25) and the New York strip mushroom ($11.25) crepes are the best of the savory bunch.

For dessert, the old standby Nutella crepe is nicely topped off with vanilla ice cream and hazelnuts for $5.95. Other sweet tooth favorites are the strawberry with sour cream and apple-cinnamon crepes (both $6.25). Seating about 40, the sunny decor's French bistro touches include a striped awning and vintage posters, along with vibrant paintings and black lacquered chairs. Crepes can be ordered to-go, and the menu includes beer and wine; skillets with eggs, potatoes, and meat; and a smattering of sandwiches and salads for those odd folks who can't find a crepe variety here to get excited about.

Reviewed By: Gretchen Kalwinski

Centerstagechicago.com; Venue Review: Unique So Chique

Published on Centerstagechicago.com, February 2006

Unique So Chique Tea & Chocolate Room

This Uptown tearoom offers its take on a formal British tea, boosted by a wonderful atmosphere that takes the experience beyond just tea-sipping. Tea drinkers first pass through the charming clothing, jewelry and gift boutique to reach this small tearoom, which seats 22 in a plant-filled space artfully decorated with vintage English undertones. In addition to the more than 35 standard varieties of earl grey, green, fruit, peppermint and decaf brews, Unique goes the extra mile by offering a variety of organic teas and a yerba mate blend (a plant known for its gentle energy boosting quality).

Tea, available from 3-5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, takes on a pleasant mix-and-quality here. Unlike most tea services, you have the option of a cream tea service (just scones and tea) for $6.95; light tea, which adds sweets, for $8.95; full tea traditional for a well priced $11.95; and the $15.95 full tea exotic service, which steps up the traditional sandwiches with varieties like chicken with apricot and walnut. Reservations recommended. In addition to afternoon tea, Unique So Chique serves soups, sandwiches and more than 10 varieties of quiche on Tuesday-Friday, as well as weekend brunch. Those without the time to settle in with a cup should take their tea to go, sided by a a lemon bar or jumbo "muffin cookie." Afternoon tea is served from 3-5 p.m. Choose from cream, light and full tea, which include a range of of scones, sweets and finger sandwiches, and cost between $6.95 and $11.95 per person. Call for reservations.

Reviewed By: Gretchen Kalwinski

Centerstagechicago.com; Venue Review; South Shore Cultural Center

Venue review published in Jan 2006, Centerstagechicago.com

South Shore Cultural Center
7059 S. Shore Dr., Chicago
Tel: (773)256-0149

Originally built in 1906 to house the uber-exclusive South Shore Country Club, the South Shore Cultural Center was rescued from demolition by ardent community members in the early 1970s and bought by the Chicago Park District in 1975. Since then, the SSCC has been restored and was made an official Chicago Landmark in 2004. In the mid-'80s, an advisory council was formed to make recommendations to the Park District and develop recreational and cultural activities at the Center, which, to this day, maintains its presence as a "people's palace for arts and arts partnerships."

It is easy to see why the community fought so hard to preserve SSCC. The buildings are visually spectacular, utilizing both the glamorous "resort" architectural style common in Florida and California and the Classical Revival and Adamesque style, heavy with stucco and plaster ornamentation, which restoration crews were instructed to maintain. These grandiose rooms and buildings, along with the unique location on a lakefront beach, make the SSCC a true gem of Chicago's far South Side. Diverse programming ranges from gospel aerobics, stepping classes and ballet to ceramics, documentary film screenings, culinary arts (through the Washburne Culinary Institute) and extensive music courses.

With the Old Town School of Folk Music, the SSCC presents events such as Afro Folk Live!, an initiative to expose Chicagoans to African culture through educational programming. The reinvigoration of the grounds and buildings has not gone unnoticed by the community, and groups and individuals are increasingly renting out the Solarium, Paul Robeson Theater and Oak Room for events. The elegant plot of land that houses the SSCC buildings includes a club building, gatehouse and stable, in addition to a nine-hole golf course, tennis courts and bird-friendly nature sanctuary on the small peninsula behind the buildings.

Reviewed By: Gretchen Kalwinski

Centerstagechicago.com; Guide; High Tea

Published on centerstagechicago.com, January 2006

Take Your Afternoon Tea
High tea puts an end to the mid-afternoon slump

By: Gretchen Kalwinski

In 1840 England, the 7th Duchess of Bedford realized that she got a bit groggy in the late afternoon hours (in those days, lunch was served at noon, dinner at 8 p.m.). To combat the fatigue, she began telling servants to bring tea, pastries with cream, finger sandwiches and scones to her room between 3 and 4 p.m. As this became a regular practice, the Duchess began inviting friends to her daily soiree. By the late 1800s, the idea had taken off, and afternoon tea became a widespread ritual for the wealthy. These days, the tradition is carried on in tearooms and upper-echelon hotels across the world...and in Chicago.

Drink to Old World charm at Russian Tea Time
Started Klara Muchnik and her son, Vadim, Russian Tea Time is a nook-ish spot located within a two-block radius of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Jewelry Row and the Art Institute, making this a wise choice for an afternoon breather. The mahogany mirrors and candelabras on the wall evoke a true sense of the gothic Old World, and the sweets (sesame crunch and walnut cookies and mini crepes) are fantastic. Tea service, available from 2:30-4:30 daily, costs $19 per person and also includes scones with cream and lemon curd and a savory course of tea sandwiches. Since it is small, reservations are recommended, but the selection of 30 teas is worth it, with the blood orange and passion fruit varieties as standouts.

Sip on the North Side at Unique So Chique Tea & Chocolate Room
Tea drinkers first pass through a charming clothing, jewelry and gift boutique to reach this small tearoom, which seats 22 in a plant-filled space artfully decorated with vintage English undertones. In addition to the more than 35 standard varieties of earl grey, green, fruit, peppermint and decaf brews, Unique goes the extra mile by offering a variety of organic teas and a yerba mate blend (a plant known for its gentle energy boosting quality). Tea, available from 3-5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, takes on a pleasant mix-and-quality here. Options range from the cream tea service (just scones and tea) for $6.95 to the $15.95 full tea exotic service, which steps up the traditional sandwiches with varieties like chicken with apricot and walnut.

Go the mom and pop route at Urban Tea Lounge
A true mom and pop joint, owners Cece and Hank Anderson offer a homemade cafe menu stocked with family recipes and an afternoon tea service served any time of day. Though the couch- and easy chair-filled atmosphere is a casual one, the afternoon tea options are anything but skimpy, with 70 varieties of black, green, white, oolong and chai teas. At $15 per person (two-person minimum), you can choose between Tier 1, tea and subtly sweet scones with preserves; Tier 2, creative and tasty finger sandwiches and spreads (cucumber, mint butter, nutella and apple); and Tier 3, a dizzying array of cakes and pastries. The atmosphere is almost like that of a European cafe: customer play checkers and chess, spontaneously start conversations with strangers at the next table, then go back to doing their own thing.

Take a break from shopping at The Drake Hotel
Located on the Magnificent Mile, the Drake's afternoon tea provides a haven for overworked shoppers. Standout teas include the chamomile, mint, and Irish Breakfast, and the delicate sandwiches (roast beef and tomato, egg salad, ham and asparagus) are light and hit the spot. In addition to the formal (and pricey, at $28.95) afternoon tea service, an unobtrusive harpist plays classical tunes and jazz standards; champagne is available for an extra $7 per person. Tea is taken daily from 1:30-5 p.m. in the elegant Palm Court room, which has a fountain in its center and a mixture of Eastern and British decor like folding screens with painted birds, antique furnishings and an elegant mahogany bar.

Ladies who lunch should do tea at the Walnut Room
There's no mistaking the ladies-who-lunch glamour of Marshall Field's seventh-floor room. The afternoon tea service, available seven days a week from 2:30-5 p.m. (but call to verify), costs $19.95 and offers a champagne option. The Walnut Room pours sturdy teas (green, black, oolong and herbal) from the Whittard of Chelsea line that come sided with the requisite light savories, imported Devonshire cream, cakes and raisin scones. But the real story is the Old-World crowd that turns out for this event. Field's has always been a haven for well-manicured European ladies (rich and poor) who both work and shop there, and one hopes that their no-nonsense and elegant presence won't be lost with the upcoming change of ownership.

Try the grandiose option at The Peninsula Chicago
The Peninsula hotel offers similar ambience (cellist, pianist) and menu (extensive green, black and herbal teas and finger sandwiches) as other afternoon teas, but the location in the majestic Lobby room gives the Peninsula an advantage over smaller or more humble locales. The enormous room's sipping setting comes complete with pillars, tall windows, high ceilings, golden draperies and attentive servers. The divine lemon tarragon scones are a perfect match with the gunpowder Chinese green tea. Order this combo, daintily sip and tea, and enjoy the indulgence. The $26 tea service offered 3-5:30 p.m. weekdays, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday and 4-6 p.m. Sunday; champagne costs an additional $9 to $11.

Do It Yourself
Though high teas have a reputation as fancy affairs, it's easy to host one. Gather a selection of black and herbal teas, spread some cream cheese, dill and cucumber on white or wheat bread with the crusts cut off, and make or buy tea biscuits to serve alongside some fresh fruit. Scones from a bakery are optional; serve with an assortment of jams and preserves. Sugar cubes provide another nice touch, and soymilk with honey is surprisingly good in almost any variety of black tea. Arrange a buffet table along with some flowers, plants and reeds, for a decadent feeling. Serve around 3 p.m. to stay within tradition.

Centerstagechicago.com; Venue Review; Parrot Cage

Venue review published on Centerstagechicago.com, January 2006.

Parrot Cage
7059 S. South Shore Dr., Chicago
Tel: (773) 602-5333

Located inside the South Shore Cultural Center, the Parrot Cage takes its name from the displaced parrots residing in nearby Hyde Park. The restaurant is an offshoot of the Washburne Culinary Institute (also housed within the SSCC), where advanced students gain real-world experience by working as kitchen and wait staff.

Swiftly gaining a reputation as a romantic restaurant, the elegant architecture of the SSCC helps to illustrate the point. The building that houses the intimate dining room was built in the Mediterranean Revival architectural style, and is laden with elegant black and white mosaics. In the winter months, the large, arched windows look onto the snowy grounds, and during the summer there is a view of the lakefront and expansive nature walk. As for the menu, only locally grown, fresh ingredients are used. Chef Brian Jupiter takes inspiration from global dishes, treating them with a classic American flair. The selection is extensive, with seven starters, seven entrees and a handful of desserts. Standouts include the chicken and Serrano ham croquettes with haricot vert salad ($6), the goat cheese gnocchi with spinach, sweet potatoes and shallot thyme cream ($15), and the pan-roasted salmon with braised cabbage, bacon, apples and mustard sauce ($17). The pear bread pudding ($6) and pineapple sorbet are light and deliciously sweet.

Since Washburne is a culinary institute in practice and learning actually takes place in the kitchen, a high standard for quality is evident in the precise and deliberate dishes. The educational aspect of the restaurant is nearly invisible, and the small, instructional moments are subtle: Never fear, you're among a gang of pros, here. Reservations are recommended.

Reviewed By: Gretchen Kalwinski

Centerstagechicago.com; Venue Review: La Amistad

Published on Centerstagechicago.com, December 2005

La Amistad

Sometimes, you just want some reliable Mexican grub. The residents of the Ravenswood neighborhood get their fix at the trusty mom-and-pop La Amistad: a taqueria that bills itself as "Mexican and American food" and delivers a menu made up of the basics. Taco-stand afficianados will appreciate that La Amistad has consistently non-gristly meat, and that the basics like chicken burritos, steak tacos, chiles rellenos and cheese quesadillas are solid and flavorful. The efficient service translates to a lot of carry-out business, and when I lived in Ravenswood, there was always a trail of people, myself included, who exited the train and walked directly into La Amistad to place their dinner order, and sip a horchata while waiting.

The "American" portion of the menu includes burgers, fruit shakes and pancakes, all priced between $2 and $5. The restaurant services a large breakfast crowd, and locals will wait in line for not only the eggs prepared Mexican-style with salsa, peppers and tortillas, but also for the pancakes, bacon and hash browns. The inside is small but clean, and filled with healthy plants and glittery fabric flowers. There is a large table in front, 10 spots at the counter, and five booths with velvet paintings of wolves and eagles hanging above. Families usually occupy a booth or two in daytime hours, and late nights and mornings are taken over by folks who may have had a beer too many, and need a hearty antidote.

Reviewed By: Gretchen Kalwinski

Centerstagechicago.com; Guide; Autumn Desserts

Published on CenterstageChicago.com, November 2005

Autumn Desserts
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
Gretchen Kalwinski

What's not to love about the fall? It beckons us with the productive "back to school" feeling, no matter how old we are. It provides lovely foliage. It harkens the bustling holiday season. It has the brisk, crisp pace and temperature that allows for lots of running around and socializing before the deadeningly slow, shut-in and lethargic five months of winter-death kick in. (Don't try to deny it; Chicago's cold weather season is actually FIVE MONTHS long). As fall weather gears up in Chicago, most of us start craving the hearty fruits of the season; squash soup, pumpkin pie and that feathered bird. Oh, and those sumptuous desserts with lovely seasonal ingredients like walnut, fig, pears and apple...Here are the best of the comforting bunch.

Alliance Bakery and Cafe

File under: Drinkable desserts
Alliance Bakery has been pleasing sweet tooths for more than 80 years, and when I was a kid, my family used to drive in from Indiana for its Sekacz, a lightly sweetened layer cake with Polish and German roots. With the gentrification of Wicker Park, the Sekacz is no more, but Alliance still carries plenty of Eastern European treats like packzi and rye bread, and stocks several seasonal desserts like pumpkin cupcakes and walnut cranberry bars along with its espresso drinks and sandwiches. Its best autumnal fix, especially if you're on the go, is the pumpkin spice latte ($3.50), which tastes like pumpkin pie and whipped cream melted down into frothy goodness.

Caffe Gelato
File under: For when yer all sweaty
Caffe Gelato offers a more frigid sweet for the times when you're feeling sweaty inside that hat, scarf and woolen coat. Its hazelnut gelato is delightfully thick and creamy...so it's only appropriate that the treat takes on the consistency of extremely thick whipped cream. For god's sake, though, only order one scoop of this stuff ($2.50); I can't even imagine the butterfat content, and the gelato is rich enough to satisfy your sweet tooth for days.

Milk and Honey Cafe
File under: The poverty option
Don't get me wrong: I think mothers are wonderful. Everyone should have one. But as rosy-cheeked maternal types pushing ginormous strollers continue to pack all the tables at the tasty, gourmet-ish Milk and Honey Cafe, I now tend to order carry out. While waiting at the counter, I discovered wonderful pumpkin spice doughnuts for 85 cents. There's no excuse for not checking the doughnut basket to see if any are in stock. They're of the variety that I haven't had since childhood: handmade and covered in crystallized sugar, like my Girl Scout leader used to meticulously deep-fry and serve to us warm. Mmm. These treats taste strongly of nutmeg and brown sugar and hit the spot when paired with a nice cappuccino.

Sweet Mandy B's
File under: Traditional treats
Once I discovered that Lakeview's Sweet Mandy B's made its cupcakes with icing like my grandma used to whip up, I've been a loyal customer. This old fashioned dessert spot delivers traditional Americana desserts, putting autumn on a plate with its wonderful, classic pumpkin pie, spiced ginger cookies with icing and a berry and apple cobbler (Sweet Mandy B's will serve it warm if you ask) that are spectacular. All desserts can be taken away or eaten in the cheerful yellow and white store, and all run $2-$4.

BomBon
File under: A caramel apple a day...
BomBon is a sweet Mexican bakery with equally sweet staff in the Pilsen neighborhood, right across from the famed cafe Jumping Bean. Alongside its gourmet pastries and tarts, BomBon serves up gigantic Granny Smith caramel apples that are crispy and fresh. And don't even say that you can get them closer to home: These are so much better than your average supermarket pre-made caramel apple, and well worth the $2.75 per sticked delight. This is the real deal, folks.

Lula Cafe
File under: Catch this pastry chef here before she goes somewhere you can't afford
Logan Square's Lula Cafe, the go-to spot for seasonal fare with an upscale twist, recently brought on Jane Roberts (formerly of Blackbird) as its pastry chef. She, in turn, has whipped up deliciously subtle options, all around $6-$8, and all in keeping with Lula's theme of organic and in-season fare. Particularly delectable choices are the butter cake with fig and lavender sauce, the poached pears with pear sorbet and the incredibly moist bittersweet chocolate bread pudding, served with a creamy scoop of caramel ice cream that melts in the mouth. The ingredients taste like they've been carefully hand picked, portions are just right and the presentation is true art-on-a-plate. 'Tis nectar of the gods.

Scooter's Frozen Custard
File under: The frozen custard option
Scooter's bills itself as the "only frozen custard in Chicago always made fresh every day from scratch," and it smartly offers an autumn flavor as we move out of berry weather. Though Scooters isn't much to look at with its concrete floors and lime green walls, it has a few tables and some window seating for watching the passersby while licking your custard (or sundae), a treat that's best compared to silky soft-serve ice cream. Scooters' pumpkin custard ($2.50) is particularly scrumptious; not too creamy and with a strong pumpkin and nutmeg flavor.

Berghoff
File under: The traditional option
This legendary downtown German restaurant, popular for workaday lunches, has had years to hone its apple strudel, and the $6 dish is simplicity and perfection at its best. It has a light, flaky crust with ripe fruit and just enough (slightly tart) filling. There are no extraneous spices or garnishes to get in the way, just uncomplicated ingredients completely in balance.

Your neighborhood food mart
File under: The lazy option
If you're feeling lazy or couch-bound, you can go to your neighborhood supermarket or food mart and pick up a pint of the delectable Ben & Jerry's Oatmeal Cookie Chunk Ice Cream (about $3). Cinnamon ice cream says autumn through and through, and this is one of the few easy-to-track-down desserts based around it. Also in the mix are chunks of chocolate and chewy bits of oatmeal raisin cookies. Perfection in cardboard.

Do-It-Yourself
File under: The DIY option
For the homebodies and home-cooks, I recommend this pumpkin custard recipe (compiled from various sources). It takes about 10 minutes to make, requires few ingredients (you should have most of them if you keep a decent pantry), and lets you stay indoors if the weather is nasty. Preheat oven to 350. Combine in mixing bowl: one-and-one-half cups strained pumpkin, two-thirds cup brown sugar, three beaten eggs, one-and-one-half cups scalded milk, one tablespoon cornstarch, one teaspoon each ginger and vanilla, and one-quarter teaspoon each ground cloves and nutmeg. Pour into a buttered baking dish and bake for 45 minutes. Let cool for about 45 minutes. Sprinkle cinnamon to garnish if desired.

Centerstagechicago.com; Venue Review: Darwin's

Published on Centerstagechicago.com, October 2005.

Darwin's

So, in case you didn't get it from the giant fish on the Darwin's sign, the theme here is evolution. That concept plays out bar-food-with-a-twist, and recurs throughout the menu headings ("In the Beginning") and ambience. The two-room exposed-brick bar and grill also contains an old-school Nintendo machine, a jukebox, several booths and a bar TV that played the Sox game on low volume when I visited. This comfy, neighborhood spot reopened in September 2005 after a seven-month hiatus, and is equally comfortable for an informal dinner or an evening drink with friends.

The service is attentive and prompt and the food is surprisingly diverse for a bar & grill menu, with some tasty seasonal touches and an eclectic beer menu. Standard bar fare like nachos and cheese ($5.95) are accompanied by white beans, a spinach tortilla and creme fraiche, and the "primordial soup" ($2.95) is a delicious and subtle blend of pumpkin and jalapeno. The wedge of fried brie ($7.95) is by far the best appetizer, served with a small salad and bits of bread. It is vegetarian-friendly, with a veggie burger ($8.50) and penne primavera ($10.95) offered alongside a bacon and brie burger ($9.95) and "cow pie" (homemade meatloaf) for ($9.95). One odd note: Instead of ringing a bell when a meal is ready, the kitchen staff sounds a contraption that sounds alarmingly like a honking duck (or a person with a head cold). If that kind of thing shakes you up, I'd advise a seat in the well-lit front room instead.

Reviewed By: Gretchen Kalwinski

Centerstagechicago.com; Venue Review: Artis's Lounge

Published in centerstagechicago.com, Winter 2005

Artis’s Lounge
1249 E. 87th St.
Chicago, IL 60619
(773) 734-0491

All will jam

You want an authentic Chicago blues experience? Oh, OK. Well, how about cramming into a tiny South Side bar with a six-person band jamming two feet away from you, while they break out classics like Strokin’, “Members Only” and “While You Were Steppin Out, Someone Else is Steppin In”? Sound good? Artis’s Lounge on 87th Street has been in operation for nineteen years. Its walls are covered almost entirely in mirrors and windows, maybe to make it appear larger than it is, or maybe to showcase the blues bands that play, sans stage, in the front window. Most of the small venue is taken up by the circular bar in the middle, and customers cluster around it during performances. The bar offers the basics, so stick with beer and hard liquor: no wine snobs allowed. There’s a mighty fine jukebox with classic blues and soul albums, but most evenings live music is happening, and that’s the real reason to visit. On Thursdays, Artis’s showcases “Old-School House and Stepping Music,” Wednesday is karaoke night, and Sunday nights offer regular performances by Tre and the BlueKnights Blues Band.

Artis’s postcard advertising the BlueKnights reads, simply, “All will Jam,” and they’re not kidding. Tre Banks, (known for his ability to beautifully straddle the line between traditional blues and rock n’ roll), leads up the band and they are seasoned and tight. A word to the wise: if you’re not a native South-Sider, you’ll be in the minority here. There is a social contract while a guest at Artis’s: sit where the bartender directs you, tip well (hey, there’s usually no cover), and be attentive to the performers. Dignified behavior on your part will reap the rewards of a unique and musically exhilarating experience.

By: Gretchen Kalwinski

Centerstagechicago.com; Venue Review: Feed

Published on Centerstagechicago.com, August 2005
(Photo by Zinny Fandel)

Feed

This Humboldt Park joint identifies itself with a black and yellow sign depicting a silhouetted chicken at the slightly dilapidated intersection of Chicago and California. How appropriate. Stepping inside Feed is vaguely like crossing a country/city boundary, and the vintage pianos, lovingly framed photos of chickens, fresh sunflowers and baby-blue and red vinyl seats and walls all contribute to the simple, country decor. The specials are written on a chalkboard, and Gram Parsons and other country favorites dominate the sound system.

The cheerful and small interior seats about thirty, cared for by owners Donna Knezek and Liz Sharp. Knezek is formerly of the legendary Leo's Lunchroom, and at Feed she provides another option to those who need a quick, hearty meal and want to avoid chains or taco stands. One imagines that if Willie Nelson or Loretta Lynn was passing through Chicago, they'd stop here for a quick, between-shows meal. This is fast, stick-to-your-ribs food at its comforting best. Among the seven or so (exclusively carnivorous) entrees offered are the rotisserie chicken, chicken barbeque sandwich and beef burger, served cafeteria-style with Styrofoam atop a green plastic tray. The rotisserie chicken is the real story here: flavorful and tasty with a light skin.

The price on entrees ranges between $2.99 (for a quarter chicken with dark meat), and $9.99 (for a whole bird). The sides are plentiful, and at about a dollar apiece, you can fill up on mac-n-cheese, mashed potatoes, corn pudding, fried okra or collard greens. Desserts are baked fresh daily, and the homemade fruit pies are stellar with a light, flaky crust and fresh fruit. BYOB, and cash only.

Reviewed By: Gretchen Kalwinski

Centerstagechicago.com; Venue Review: Monique Meloche

Published on Centerstagechicago.com, August 2005

Monique Meloche Gallery

Since 2000, moniquemeloche gallery has been showcasing controversial and cutting-edge artists working in a variety of media. The gallery has had three locations thus far: the first was Meloche's home in Chicago, then a large West Loop location from 2001 to 2004, and in September of 2004, the doors were opened to the current location on Peoria. The former director of the Vedanta Gallery in Chicago, Meloche is known for her risk-taking curatorial style, and the stated mission of moniquemeloche is to "show challenging work both in Chicago and to a global audience."

In keeping with this idea, the gallery participates consistently in national and international art fairs that include Art Miami 2001, San Francisco International Art Expo 2002, LISTE 03 Basel and Art Chicago International Invitational. The artwork has a strong emphasis on the conceptual, with work focusing on themes ranging from home and domesticity to race, politics and gender. Featured artists have included Dzine, Cindy Loehr, Laura Letinsky, Scott Stack and Carla Arocha. A single show may incorporate an installation work, video projection, and, as with the current Rashid Johnson show, an embroidered jersey stating "white people love me," a hip-hop video installation and an opaque print of a hand giving the finger to the viewer, all at the same time.

The artwork is not always accessible (or, one imagines, terribly saleable), but that is quite the point. The well-lit space has high ceilings and windows, along with custom storage built by artists Rob Davis and Gabert Farrar. The front portion is used for installations and hanging art, while the back contains more wall space and a small alcove used for projections and video art. Its location is in the vicinity of other avant-garde galleries like Bucket Rider, Peter Miller and Rhona Hoffman, convenient for your Friday night art-walk.

Reviewed By: Gretchen Kalwinski