Simply pour the alcoholic mixture into the top of the ice sculpture--bam!--a cold drink. Then sprinkle in a garnish like cranberries or a lemon and lime slice. It's a perfect party element that your guests will lust over.
I thoroughly enjoyed Cirque du Soleil’s "Love." But after seeing the latest “Banana Shpeel,” I have found that you must look at each as its own entity.
"Banana Shpeel," is a clowning frenzy of slapstick humor. I attended the premiere on Thursday night at the Chicago Theatre. Though excited I was to see a show that is part of a world-renowned company, and for free, it was a letdown.
The gist: two clowns yell and fake punch each other in between circus acts. The actual acts were pretty good—like the double-jointed man who held himself up on a light post and spun around and flipped himself backwards on the tip of the light, or the butterfly woman who stood on her head and spun squares of fabric around on her arms and legs, all at once.
The dance numbers were entertaining, despite some of the men being out of step. However, the clowns made me nervous and bored, which is an odd combination. And yet the jokes were meant for adult audiences, the comedy was so out-of-date that it felt childish.
I cannot cover the show, in good conscious, without mentioning the short, skinny creepy guy who had a mustache, long hair, high voice and was balding. Oh yeah, and just wore tight undies. In the most memorable (for the wrong reasons) scene, he—dressed as a she—gave birth to himself while the clowns broke plates over the he-she's head.
But I have to admit that the set design was pretty cool—in one act a gigantic lit heart appeared, with a door for a woman to pop her head out, a modern twist to the classic "Romeo & Juliet" scene set in Verona.
Though, I have to admit that the cleverest aspect of the performance was its title.
*Note: I work for a PR firm that represents this show.
*Note: I work for a PR firm that represents this show.
I worked the press desk at SOFA Chicago 2009, the Sculptural Objects & Functional Art Fair. Artists from all around the globe journeyed to Navy Pier's Festival Hall to display their diverse creations. The most, ah, interesting?
Art inspired by disease: tumor shaped jewelry and photos glamorizing ailments like jeweled, golden lips based on herpes (pictured)
Lauren Kalman
Lip Adornment, 2008
Represented by Sienna Gallery, Lenox, MA
Jewelry made to look like internal organs
Iris Eichenberg
Naked Necklace, 2009
Gold leafed snow blower, table saw (pictured) and chainsaw (framed and mounted on red velvet)
Jeff Forsythe
(mitrebox) We Don't Need Another Hero, 2008
Represented by Perimeter Gallery, Chicago, IL
Wheel chair with gun shaped armrests
Michael Cooper
Hoppalong Cassidy Meets
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
-Graffiti crack pipe sculpture
-Porcelain men and women from the 18th Century in compromising positions
*Note: I work for a PR firm that represents this show.
Art inspired by disease: tumor shaped jewelry and photos glamorizing ailments like jeweled, golden lips based on herpes (pictured)
Lauren Kalman
Lip Adornment, 2008
Represented by Sienna Gallery, Lenox, MA
Jewelry made to look like internal organs
Iris Eichenberg
Naked Necklace, 2009
Gold leafed snow blower, table saw (pictured) and chainsaw (framed and mounted on red velvet)
Jeff Forsythe
(mitrebox) We Don't Need Another Hero, 2008
Represented by Perimeter Gallery, Chicago, IL
Wheel chair with gun shaped armrests
Michael Cooper
Hoppalong Cassidy Meets
the Double Pussy with
the Checkered Past, 2007
William Zimmer Gallery, Mendocino, CA
the Checkered Past, 2007
William Zimmer Gallery, Mendocino, CA
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
-Portraits strictly made of whole crayons
-Clear glass purse with visible gun and bullet enclosed (great for traveling?)-Graffiti crack pipe sculpture
-Porcelain men and women from the 18th Century in compromising positions
*Note: I work for a PR firm that represents this show.
I crafted the story If the Choo Fits in the November issue of CS, on stands now and online. Check out this RADAR piece about the Jimmy Choo collection at H&M, out November 14. Enjoy!
I received an invitation from Grace PR to attend the e-boutique launch of local line ShortyClothing.com, planned by Gen Art. So last Thursday, I hopped into a cab after work and headed to super modern club Lumen to witness the virtual fashion show.
I wasn’t expecting more than a video of models parading down a runway. I couldn’t have been more wrong. As the camera pans to a website, a girl jumps out of the screen and virtually walks through different sites, such as Facebook. After a few pages, her hand sports a bottle of liquor and the walk turns into a stagger. Then there is a shot of an apartment: enter contemporary kitchen, hallway and sexy man under sheets. The girl jumps out of the computer and lands in the bedroom, after which she proceeds to pose in her home with different Shorty looks.
This promotion shows its viewers how the clothing fits in their lives, instead of telling them. The video comes full circle. Her photo is captured and the design team produces the final version and—kabam!—it’s up online.
*Illustrations courtesy of Sophie Lin.
I took a trip to Lincoln Square last weekend to the Apple Festival. What did I find? Less apple-inspired stuff than expected. Instead, I discovered veal brats, cider, pumpkin bread and free studio photos, music and a wine tasting. Despite the jello-like consistency of the brats, the fest was a success. The cider was sweet, pumpkin bread spicy and free stuff unexpectedly delightful.
The most charming of all the festivities were the free shots (photos that is). A beautifully decorated studio welcomed us to the space of Simply Jessie, to inform of its existence. We were excited to try on the available costumes. (Goofy photos pictured above.) It was the perfect Saturday afternoon for a soon-to-be fall day.
Next on the agenda? Lincoln Square’s Oktoberfest for the real brats.
*Photos courtesy of Jessie Stevens at simplyjessie.com.
New shows, like The Beautiful Life and Models of the Runway, have been popping up this fall centered on the fab life of modeling. We are intrigued to get a glimpse into the other life.
I got my own peek into the biz on Monday. YouKnowYouLoveFashion.com hosted a launch party for its blog, which critiques Gossip Girl fashion (sarcasm included). The Red Canary welcomed guests into its French-adorned restaurant.
The party began with the viewing of the season premier of Gossip Girl, followed by a runway show (put on by YouJustShop.com), accompanied by figs, cheese and wine. There were Akira looks for each main GG character (Blair, Serena, Jenny and Vanessa). (See my previous blog entry Sui Dreams for info about the characters’ styles). I got the pleasure of modeling both a Serena and Jenny-like ensemble. For Serena, I was clad in a sequin mini and scarf shirt and for Jenny, an asymmetrical zebra shirt-dress, studded leggings, yellow coat and silver chain necklace.
Though nervous I was to strike poses in front of seated strangers in garb not my own, it was unexpectedly entertaining and fun! The 50+ guests were excited and energetic. They cheered me on and snapped photos. So if you have the opportunity to model for the night, I would recommend the experience. After all, to discover what it's like, you must put yourself into someone else's stilettos.
*Photos courtesy of Jason Lewis at chicagophotoshop.com
*Photos courtesy of Jason Lewis at chicagophotoshop.com
