ChiTAG 2019 is this weekend!

One of my favorite events of the year is nearly upon us-- The Chicago Toy and Game Fair .(CHITAG) where toy and game makers from around the world gather at Navy Pier to display their new wares and sell the hottest new games to consumers, just in time for the holidays.

The two day event is THIS WEEKEND at Navy Pier, and it promises to be a lot of fun!

Photo of past CHITAG-- provided by http://www.chitag.com 
(and if you haven't played Klask, you totally should.  It's great fun!)
BUY KLASK ON AMAZON.

One of the things I love about CHITAG is that each year they host kid game inventors to display their games, and the winner gets a deal to produce their game!  Of course, it's cool that happens, but even more cool is the amazing creativity and high degree of professionalism that some of the games have.  And you get to talk to the kids and see what drove them to do that.

Photo of past CHITAG-- provided by http://www.chitag.com

That's also true for adults.  CHITAG gives many fledgling game designers the chance to get out into the marketplace and see if their game is going to find a buyer/distributor/ or just players and fans.  I love chatting with the new game designers and seeing why they decided to risk a sizable portion of their savings (as well as time and energy) on a brand new venture.  It's exciting!

Photo of past CHITAG-- provided by http://www.chitag.com

And of course there's tons and tons of game playing and game booths and games to try out and toys to look at.  It's just a lot of fun!

A couple of years ago, we saw this amazing life-size dino at #chitag

Over 30,000 people are expected to walk through the doors this weekend.

Will one of them be you?

Check out CHITAG.COM for more details.
(or look below!)

View this post on Instagram

A Yoyo champion from Chitag in year's past (from my Instagram account)

Some of the Highlights of this year's CHITAG

A kid-designed game from past CHITAG

• The World’s Largest Kid-Powered Rocket (Kite and Rocket Research)

• The new Super Things line of collectible toys and receive free blind bag samples before the toys hit retail stores (Goliath)

• Get crafty and decorate a Fuzzikins to take home (PlayMonster)

• Test your putting skills at the Gator Golf Putting Station (Goliath)

• Take a spin on the My Buddy Wheels balance bikes and new Yvolution scooters (Yvolution)

• Young inventors ages six to 18 compete in the Young Inventor Challenge on Saturday, November 23

• Join Sven’s Frozen Adventure for the Frozen II Scavenger Hunt (JAKKS Pacific)

A local young man brought the X-cube to life from
CHITAG a couple of years ago.
BUY X-CUBE ON AMAZON

• Experience the first public showcasing of the adorable new D-O being introduced in Star Wars IX: The Rise of Skywalker (Hasbro)

• Enjoy a performance of WTTW’s The Big Idea Tour’s Traveling Lab on Saturday, November 23 

• Watch contestants from coast to coast compete in the Yo-Yo Championship

• Adults can stop by the Beer Garden for pints of cold suds and sit down to play some of the
industry’s best games for grown-ups, including the newest from the makers of Exploding Kittens (Let’s Play Games)

• Watch Princess Etch bring your favorite characters to life on her Etch-a-Sketch

• Enjoy Ben’s Giant Bubble Show and the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile

This was a fun game we discovered 3 years ago at CHITAG
Buy The Presidential Game on Amazon

• Snap a photo with your favorite Star Wars characters from the 501st Legion

• Meet toy and game inventors from around the world

• Take advantage of discounts on the hottest holiday toys

• Special needs families can come early both days for the Sensory Power Hour 

Visit http://www.Chitag.com for more details

Groupon also has limited amounts of CHITAG tickets on sale today!
Get them before they are gone!

Navy Pier's Winter Wonderfest 2018

PHOTO CAPTURED FROM WONDERFEST WEBSITE

It's been a family tradition since even before we moved to Chicago to come to Winter Wonderfest. Navy Pier's indoor carnival/celebration of winter.

 This is the 18nth one, and we've been to probably 8. (And our son is 10) Considering we've only lived in Chicago 4 years, that's pretty good!

PLEASE NOTE:  I received free admission to this event in hopes that I would write about it.  My opinion of the event has nothing to do with the freeness of the tickets.  

I take my integrity seriously, and so should you.

Click to make schedule larger

This year's event runs through January 6, and features a lot of what we've come to expect from the event. Throughout the giant convention space of Navy Pier (they say 170,000 square feet, and I believe it) there are indoor rides (including holiday themed classics like a Tilt-A-Whirl, Bumper Cars, a superman flying and a kiddie train), winter themed slides galore, a bouncy house inside an inflatable snowman,elaborately decorated christmas trees and holiday bushes, a rock-climbing area, and a full sized ice skating rink.  It's beautiful on the inside.

We went with a family of 9, cousins and grandparents included.  My son loves the ice skating rink and we even bring our own skates!  (There are skates for rent if you don't want to bring your own)

Here's a video pastiche of some of my photos from the event:

There's also a Santa station, as well as a Wonderfest village that occasionally houses some improv performers that interact with kids and adults.   There are also places to get your picture taken for an additional cost, including a giant rocking horse and a giant chair.

There are also some snack areas, and places to buy a quick bite, or some cotton candy, or candied nuts,  And what would be a wonderfest without a cookie decorating station?


 In the past there had been a full lineup of musical and variety performances, but that seems to have gone away over the last few years. (I do note in the press release they sent me that there are some brief aerial performances  by a group I've never heard of: Aerial Ataraxia , scheduled on Tuesdays and Sundays, but we went on a Friday night, and they weren't there) UPDATE:  I asked around, and Aerial Ataraxia are Chicago based aerialists  Dayleen Marrero-Taylor, Julie Marshall, & Zoë Sheppard.  (Pictured below)  They don't have a website as far as I can tell.

Aerial artists Dayleen Marrero-Taylor, Julie Marshall, & Zoë Sheppard perform at Winterfest.  Photo by  James Richard IV.. 

We have a good time every year we go, and it's a fun event.  However-- you do need to know that the security details have changed this year and that the prices have changed


SECURITY CHANGE:
In terms of security, because of construction at Navy Pier, you can no longer walk from the parking all the way upstairs into the center.  This year, you have to take a long walk (probably 10-15 minutes from the front of the building) through the parking lots of Navy Pier.  You go outside several times, so don't leave your coat in the car.  (I did, and was pretty frozen by the end of the long walk.)  You then go through a pretty extensive security checkpoint, including a bag check and a wand check before you can get inside.  There has been a security check for the last few years, but I would say this is the most thorough one I've been through at Navy Pier.

PRICE CHANGE:
Prices and the pricing structure have changed over the last few years.  A couple of years ago it was free to enter, but if you wanted to ride on anything you had to pay (or buy a bracelet for all you can ride)  That was great for adults, as you only had to pay for kids.  Apparently that was not satisfactory, so for the last couple of years everyone has to pay.


This year, prices for adults range from $20-$28 depending on the day, and Seniors and Juniors (those under 42" tall) are $12.00 each. Children under 36" are free with a paid adult. Military discount is available to US active duty service members. Present ID at box office.


BUY TICKETS ONLINE.  There is also a groupon available, that lowers those prices slightly.

Please note that the prices above are online prices.  If you just buy them at the box office they are even more expensive.  While I was there, I saw several people walk up, thinking they would just wander around for a few hours, and then turn away when they heard the price.  I'd like to see them have a "Guardian" band at around $10, that allows people to enter, but not go on rides.

 I should also note that every ticket is good for one admission/ride on the Centennial wheel as well.  That offer is good through March 2019.

Parking has also gone up a little bit.  Total cost is $30 to park at Navy Pier. (It used to be in the 20's)

All in all, it's not cheap to go to Winter Wonderfest, but it is totally a lot of fun, and it's a great thing to do to build memories with your family!

REVIEW: VideoGame Comes Alive - Just Dance Live comes to Chicago March 15-18

I got an invitation to check out a cool new quasi-theatrical experience last night.  It's Just Dance Live, a two-hour-plus dance party that's half stage show, half audience wish-fulfillment.  It's basically a Family Friendly Dance Rave.  It's playing at the Aon Ballroom in Chicago for the next couple of nights, before going on tour to a few other US cities.

I was going to take my son, but he got a sleepover invitation that he preferred over the show.  He and his friend were going to play video games for most of the night (as far as I know, not Just Dance, but it would be sort of poetic justice if it was.  I'll have to ask!)

DISCLOSURE:  I received complimentary tickets to this show with the hopes that I would write about it.  The free-ness of the tickets does not affect what I write about the show.  I respect my integrity, and so should you.

The show is aimed at the Just Dance crowd, which seems to be (based on my non-scientific estimates of roughly 150-200 people in the audience) a wide swath of the population. There were people there all ages, all shapes, all colors.  The one thing they all seemed to have in common was a love to dance.  I'd say that the average age in the room was 17, partially because a lot of people came with their parents, who sat politely in the corner.  The average age of the dancers was probably 12 or 13, but I saw a few people who might easily have been grandparents also shaking their tailfeathers.

What does the Fox Say?  Or better yet, how does he/she dance?

The whole show starts with the "Just Get Ready For It Experience."  There were face painters, obligatory merch salesmen, selfie opportunities, costumed characters and garishly wigged dancers aplenty, and a live trivia show about the Ubisoft video game hosted by reality tv star Nia Sioux (Dance Moms). She seemed personable enough, and her crowd was filled with people who knew some arcane trivia about Just Dance.

After about an hour of pre-show, the doors opened downstairs, and into the vast Aon Ballroom we went.   Three stages were set up in the audience, (as well as the traditional ballroom stage), fog filled the room, and the party began with a dance warmup.  It was clear that many people had played the game before because they seemed to know all the moves.

The air was full of confetti snow.

From there, the show was pretty fast-paced, as action cut from one stage to another, with very little gaps in between.  In addition to liberal uses of the fog machine, there were plenty of laser lights, video projections, and crazy over the top wigs and costumes.  The video projections were great and very dramatic, sometimes verging on vertigo-inducing.  There were piles and piles of confetti snow, which I tracked back to my house later as it got all over my clothes and hair.

I ended up tracking "snow" home with me.

There was also at least one great effect, in which the scene was transformed from the icy steppes of Siberia (or maybe it was Elsa's Frozen castle?) to more tropical climes, as some cast members pulled a giant blue sheet over the entire audience, tenting us in blue for a moment.  By the time the cloth had passed over the entire audience, a set of costumed fruit was ready to start dancing to Calypso music.  It was a nice transition.

The show was directed by Kim Gavin, who is a well-known theatrical and spectacle director from England (he directed the closing ceremonies of the 2012 Olympics in London) .

I spoke to one of the actors doing the pre-show, who told me the whole show was rehearsed in London before coming over here.    This is the pilot tour, they are performing in four cities, seeing how it goes, and if it is successful, they will probably try to bring it to more cities upcoming.

The sets and effects were designed by a firm named Stufish, which has designed and produced 3 or 4 shows for Cirque du Soleil, as well as a number of rock concerts for huge names (Rolling Stones, Lady Gaga, and others) as well as the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics in 2008.  The design team clearly knew what they were doing, although I wouldn't say there was anything ground shattering about the work. It was competent and professional and engaging. Likewise with the performers. I didn't notice any virtuosic dancers or any standout performers. They were all young and energetic and interchangeable.  They had a juggler who was competent (juggled three balls, walked on a rolling globe) but he was not a top end juggler.  He was merely a juggler.

But to me this makes perfect sense-this fits in perfectly with the aesthetic of Let's Dance.  The fun of dancing trumps the skill, and anyone can have a good time by giving themselves over to the beat.


(ADDED NOTE:  It turns out the juggler was also my friend Joe Dieffenbacher! Joe played the master of ceremonies in the show, as well as the Juggler.  I didn't realize he was touring with these guys, and   I didn't recognize him, and he thought he recognized me in the crowd, but he thought I still lived in NY!  It's a small world!)


I recommend this show for anyone who likes the Just Dance video game, or likes crazy dance parties that don't involve altered states.






Regular ticket prices start at $ 45. A limited number of specially priced family four packs are available for each performance — early birds can receive four tickets for the price of three (a 25% savings)! A limited amount of VIP packages ($95-$99) are also available and include priority entry to the show, exclusive merchandise (Glow Up Glasses, Exclusive Draw String Bag, and VIP Glow Laminate), a JUST DANCE in-game reward and a VIP meet & greet with the cast after the show.

Tickets are available for purchase at JustDanceLive.com and group tickets can be purchased by calling group sales at 1-866-468-3399.

Next tour dates include Houston March 22-25 and Los Angeles March 29-31.

Ride The Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier for Free!

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day it's true, but it's also National Ferris Wheel Day!

To celebrate, Navy Pier, Chicago’s mission-driven cultural district, is offering ‘wheel fun’ for everyone – couples and singles alike – including complimentary Centennial Wheel rides.

You can take your Valentine for a romantic ride aboard the city’s most famous wheel, which was recently rebuilt and features enclosed and heated gondolas and picturesque views of the skyline and lake from over 200 feet in the air.  You can also bring your kids!

Those interested in taking advantage of the #WheelWednesday free ride offer must RSVP online in advance   (DO IT TODAY!)  Free tickets are limited on a first come first serve basis.
UPDATE:  The free Centennial Wheel rides are now apparently sold out.  Put it on your calendar for next year! 
There are still tickets for Men Seeking Women for the event listed below.

Even if you don't have a Valentine, you can still participate!

In addition to the event above, there will be an evening singles speed-dating event on the wheel, called Spinning With Singles, which is followed by a singles mixer aboard a private yacht. That event includes food, open bar, and music by the appropriately named DJ LoveBug.  Registration is still open for men (which I guess means that the female registration is sold out.)
As you can imagine, it costs money to do this single mixer. REGISTER HERE.

And sorry, ladies, I won't be attending!  I already have a Valentine!  (I know you are disappointed!)

The free rides are all part of the Pier’s #WheelWednesday series, an initiative to make the attraction available and accessible to all by offering the community complimentary rides on select Wednesdays periodically throughout the year. ·For more information, visit www.navypier.org. 

WHEN: Wednesday, February 14

• Complimentary Centennial Wheel rides for pre-registered guests take place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. · SOLD OUT
  
• Spinning with Singles – group speed dating on the iconic Centennial Wheel – begins at 6:30 p.m TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE FOR MEN

.

WHERE: Navy Pier, 600 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, Ill. 60611

REVIEW: Romeo and Juliet at Chicago Shakespeare

Through March 25, there's a classic (and abridged) version of Romeo and Juliet appearing onstage at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre on Navy Pier, and its full of love, intrigue, feuds, forgotten letters, sword fights, and a real life bird.

"For never was a story of more woe
Than this of Juliet and her Romeo."

Well, I can't vouch for the bird at your performance, but at the performance I saw, a real life bird was flying around the theatre,  and seemed to be making its cues on time.  I'm not sure if the bird is an Equity member or not, but it deserves some kudos.  It made the following exchange between Romeo and Juliet particularly apt:

JULIET 

Wilt thou be gone? It is not yet near day. 

It was the nightingale, and not the lark, 

That pierced the fearful hollow of thine ear. 

Nightly she sings on yon pomegranate tree. 

Believe me, love, it was the nightingale. 

ROMEO 

It was the lark, the herald of the morn, No nightingale. 

Look, love, what envious streaks 

Do lace the severing clouds in yonder east. 

Night’s candles are burnt out, and jocund day 

Stands tiptoe on the misty mountain tops. 

I must be gone and live, or stay and die.

Wildlife? Or perhaps a very clever animatronic?  It didn't really matter, because the important part of our delightful afternoon was what was on the stage, not flying over it.

The show is a wonderfully clear and insightful version of Romeo and Juliet.  It's been cut down to 90 minutes, and if you didn't already know the play, you probably won't miss it.  The show is designed for younger audiences (It's part of Chicago Shakes Short Shakespeare Series- they are doing school shows at the theatre during the week, have a public performance every Saturday for 4 weeks, and then embark on a 4 week bus and truck tour throughout the Midwest. )

The opening fight between Montagues and Capulets, with
Benvolio (Andrea San Miguel, center) intervening.
"Do you bite your thumb at me, sir?"
photo by Liz Lauren courtesy of Chicago Shakes

The show starts with a prologue, but not the prologue that Shakespeare wrote.  Rather it is an appeal from one of the actors to listen to the words of Shakespeare, and if you can't understand the words, listen to the tone.  You will figure out what is going on by what we are doing and how we sound, even if you can't get all the words.  It was a very nice opening for a young audience.

About 10 years ago, I toured in a school production of Much Ado About Nothing, also severely cut down (You can read my journal about that process in this open topic on the WELL:  Shakespeare In A Hurry ) We had a similar prologue, but it was not nearly as nicely said or as nicely couched.  We started doing it because we found the better prepared our students were to see the show, the better the show went.

Romeo (Nate Santana) beseeches Juliet (Emma Ladji)
in the famous balcony scene.
photo by Liz Lauren courtesy of Chicago Shakes

But back to R& J.  The acting is all well done.  They've done some gender neutral casting (the Prince is a woman, as is Benvolio. (The woman playing Benvolio is also the fight captain for the whole show!)  And Romeo and Juliet, although not 14 years old as is theorized by Shakespearean scholars, do a great job of showing their instant attraction for one another, and speaking the entirely too florid love poems to each other.  Tybolt and Mercutio are beautifully hotheaded, and the tension between Montagues and Capulets is seen from the beginning.  There's actually quite a lot of stage combat in this show, and that kept my 8 year old son and his 8 year old friend from flagging when the language got a little too much for them.  Chicago Shakes recommends 10+.

The show is of course a tragedy, but there's a lot of comedy in the play as well.  The nurse has some wonderfully comic lines and delivery, as does Mercutio.  The comedy lessens the tension, but also makes the tragedy sadder.  By the end, when [SPOILER ALERT]Romeo poisons himself because he thinks Juliet is dead (he didn't get the Friar's letter), and then Juliet wakes up, and stabs herself because Romeo is dead, I found myself crying.  And I already knew what was going to happen!

Mercutio (Brian Grey, right) has Tybalt (Sam Pearson) at point.
But that's not the way it ends.
photo by Liz Lauren courtesy of Chicago Shakes

I want to make a particular shout out the sound designer, Mikhail Fiksel, who did an amazing job of scoring the show with non-traditional music.  The fight between Mercutio and Tybalt, which has some twists and turns, is made particularly beautiful due to the music, which underscores the menace perfectly.  I really felt that the sound design was an extra and necessary character in the play, and I don't often say that.

At the end of each production, there will be a Q& A afterwards, followed by a "meet the cast" session in the lobby.

In short, I urge you to see it, even if you've had bad Shakespearean experiences previously.  This is a great production to cut your teeth (or bite your thumb) on.

MORE INFO & PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE:   https://www.chicagoshakes.com/plays_and_events/ssromeojuliet

Tickets: Adults $34, Student (18 & under) $22
Run Time: 75 minutes

Public Performances are Saturdays at 11 am through March 25, 2017 at Chicago Shakespeare at Navy Pier.