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Gig of the Week: Porky’s Rib Fest

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:41:57 -0500

Summer is a glorious time for a live music fan. With plenty of outdoor concerts, the Southland is buzzing with offerings that bring back memories and can create new ones. Case in point is the inaugural Porky’s Rib Fest, which will take place from June 27-30 at Toyota Park in Bridgeview. The live music will be headlined on June 29 by Foghat, the British rock band known for hits like 1975’s “Slow Ride” and 1979’s “Third Time Lucky (First Time I Was a Fool)” “We are very excited to have Foghat performing at Porky’s Rib Fest,” said Nikki Mrkacek, vice …

Hot Picks: Fine Arts Fair, ‘Stuart Little’

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 02:16:39 -0500

Here is a look at top events you won’t want to miss. Suggestions include the Fine Arts Fair in Frankfort, M&R Rush in Oak Lawn and a screening of “Stuart Little” in New Lenox.

Cairns co-directs the Drama Group’s ‘God of Carnage’

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 02:20:46 -0500

Chuck Cairns and his wife, Deb, originally planned to audition to act in the Drama Group’s production of “God of Carnage.” But when the original director of the comedy-drama had to back out, the Cairns put in a bid to direct it and landed the job. “Both Deb and I really love the play,” Cairns, of Park Forest, said. “We auditioned it in March and had a nice, long, productive leisurely period of about 12 weeks. “It’s a four-character show. That gave us a lot of leeway to work with some very good actors.” The cast features Kyle Decker, of …

Gig of the Week: Main Street Nights

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 02:23:25 -0500

With warmer weather, there are many entertainment options for Southlanders. One that offers free events is Main Street Nights, which will run on Wednesdays from June 12-Aug. 7. “The community supports it,” said Chuck Sabey, who has coordinated the outdoor summer entertainment series for four years. “We have great entertainment, and organizations come out and either vend or share information about what they’re about. All of that just combines for a festive atmosphere. “The other great thing is we have children and seniors coming out, enjoying themselves, and just the setting itself: the downtown green.” Sabey, who is also the …

FYI on FMBA: Q87.7 Piqniq in Tinley Park

Thu, 30 May 2013 18:01:15 -0500

Q87.7 Piqniq will be at First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park in June. Find out more and watch videos by the reported acts on FYI on FMBA at blogs.southtownstar.com/fmba.

Summer festivals in the Southland 2013

Wed, 29 May 2013 22:54:04 -0500

Here is a look at the summer festivals set for the Southland from May to September. Updates posted on 5/29 include the Starry Nights concert series presented by the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District.

FYI on FMBA: Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley in Tinley Park

Thu, 30 May 2013 16:37:54 -0500

The Locked & Reloaded Tour featuring Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley with Brett Eldredge and the Cadillac III will be at First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park in September. Find out more including when tickets go on sale on FYI on FMBA at blogs.southtownstar.com/fmba.

Follow @JessiVirtusio on Twitter

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:14:06 -0500

Are you looking for daily suggestions of what to do in the Southland? Then follow @JessiVirtusio on Twitter. Jessi Virtusio, the SouthtownStar’s arts and entertainment editor, tweets links to the Get Up and Go! feature, which runs Mondays-Fridays. She also shares links to the Weekend magazine’s online content, some of which features photo galleries and video content. Virtusio’s Twitter feed is also where you can keep up with the latest topics on the Elaborating on Entertainment blog about music, movies and much more as well as the FYI on FMBA blog about First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park. …

FYI on FMBA: Rascal Flatts in Tinley Park

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 07:54:35 -0500

Farmers Insurance will present the Live and Loud Tour featuring Rascal Flatts with the Band Perry and Cassadee Pope from “The Voice” at First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park in August. Find out more including when tickets go on sale on FYI on FMBA at blogs.southtownstar.com/fmba.

Hot Picks: Award show, BACinema screens ‘Quartet’

Thu, 23 May 2013 15:35:19 -0500

Here is a look at top events you won’t want to miss. Suggestions include the Celebration of Chicago Artists Award Show in University Park and the BACinema screening of “Quartet” in Chicago.

First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre’s 2013 concert season

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 06:10:02 -0500

The 2013 summer concert season is a live music fan’s dream. A ton of great gigs are on the way, and many of them will be at First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, 19100 S. Ridgeland Ave., Tinley Park. “It’s a busy summer and there’s just a lot of great artists on the road and great shows coming through,” said Jon Reens, senior director of marketing/Midwest for Live Nation, which operates FMBA. “They run the gamut on style and they run the gamut on format. It’s an extremely wide-ranging summer season.” The outdoor venue is boasting the most amount of country concerts …

Elaborating on Entertainment: Beverly Theatre Guild’s 50th anniversary

Sun, 19 May 2013 11:50:32 -0500

The Beverly Theatre Guild is the oldest community theater group in Chicago and marking that milestore with “Fabulous @ Fifty.” More about the theater troupe can be found on Elaborating on Entertainment at blogs.southtownstar.com/entertainment.

FYI on FMBA: Lil Wayne in Tinley Park

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:18:30 -0500

Lil Wayne will bring his America’s Most Wanted Music Festival to First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park in August. Support acts include Tip “T.I.” Harris and 2 Chainz. Find out more including when tickets go on sale on FYI on FMBA at blogs.southtownstar.com/fmba.

Beverly Theatre Guild celebrates with ‘Fabulous @ Fifty’

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 07:05:54 -0500

Southland theater fans are spoiled — in a good way. Not only can they travel to downtown Chicago for a number of Broadway shows, but they also have a bevy of close-by community theater. Case in point is the Beverly Theatre Guild, which is billed as the oldest community theater group in Chicago. “We truly love the theater in every aspect and we want to support our mission to constantly put up quality productions and embrace the community,” said Barbara Moore, a Tinley Park resident who is the guild’s publicity director. “There’s a love of the theater. There’s just something …

FYI on FMBA: Black Sabbath in Tinley Park

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:40:57 -0500

Black Sabbath will be at First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park in August. Find out more including when tickets go on sale on FYI on FMBA at blogs.southtownstar.com/fmba.

McMahon puts spin on Drama Group’s ‘The Wiz’

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 06:06:51 -0500

The theater bug bit Tyler McMahon at age 9 and he’s spent his 17 years since then involved both on and off the stage. McMahon, of Kankakee, is directing the Drama Group’s “The Wiz,” which will run May 3-5 in Chicago Heights. “It’s been my absolute all-time favorite musical for years,” he said while on the way to show rehearsal. “The movie is what I first was introduced to and I really liked it. As I got older, I got introduced to the stage version and loved that even more. “That show has always been my No. 1. I’m thrilled …

FYI on FMBA: Wiz Khalifa, A$AP Rocky tour

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:06:17 -0500

The Under the Influence of Music Tour featuring Wiz Khalifa, A$AP Rocky and several other performers will be at First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park in July. Find out more including when tickets go on sale on FYI on FMBA at blogs.southtownstar.com/fmba.

Hot Picks: Brian ‘Head’ Welch, ‘Lore’ at BACinema

Sun, 19 May 2013 07:34:08 -0500

Here is a look at top events you won’t want to miss. Suggestions include Brian “Head” Welch, former guitarist and co-founder of the metal band Korn, speaking at Calvary Church in Orland Park and BACinema’s screening of “Lore” at the Beverly Arts Center in Chicago. Brian ‘Head’ Welch The former guitarist and co-founder of the metal band Korn will be at Calvary Church, 16100 S. 104th Ave., Orland Park, at the 5 and 7 p.m. April 20 and 9:30 and 11 a.m. April 21 services. He will talk about overcoming an everyday meth habit and a life of self-destruction and …