Focusing on Fashion: An Immaculate Collection

Everyone knows Chicago will be focusing on fashion this week because it’s…oh yeah Fashion Focus Chicago.  And while I want to hit up every event this week has to offer, there are some events that are a little unique.

Take Maison De LaCour’s fashion show. Like any good show, “The Immaculate One” will have some choice hosts.  Corri McFadden from Edrop-Off, April Francis founder of Dose Market and KISS FM host Angi Taylor will all be there.

So I said it’s not your average runway show. This is why its not: it’s going to be choreographed.  Ok, let me break this down better.  The show will be in two parts.  First, you can check out the ready-to-wear line, MDLC. To Queen’s classic “Bohemian Rhapsody.” (Am I just curious about what they’re going to wear when Freddie Mercury starts singing “Galileo?”) The intermission will be a modern ballet performance choreographed by Yana German.  Then, the models return to show the 2013 Spring collection.

That’s just the fashion show part of the evening.  There’s a cocktail reception with performances.  And it’s black tie.  So wear your best while seeing the best of Maison De LaCour.  All proceeds go to American Cancer Society.  Wanna get tix? Click here!

-Grace Sweeney

Tags: American Cancer Society, angi taylor, April Francis, ballet, Corri McFadden, Dose, E-Drop Off, fashion, Fashion Focus Chicago, House of Consignment, kiss fm, LUX MGT, Maison De LaCour, Monika Dixon Public Relations, Murphy Auditorium, Spring 2013

Paris Opera Ballet To Make Its Chicago Debut

I’ve always LOVED Paris and all things French.  My grandmother lived in France briefly as a young girl, my great-uncle taught French in Australia for over 20 years, my mother’s family lived in Belgium for 9 years (where they speak French) and I took French in middle school and high school.  Sadly, from lack of practice my knowledge of the French language has dwindled, but my love of the country and culture remains strong.  I was fortunate enough to go to Paris for Christmas 3 years ago with my mom and I fell more in love with it all.  One of the most impressive things I saw on my trip was the Palais Garnier, home of the Paris Opéra Ballet, one of the most well known ballets in the world and the oldest (the company was started during the reign of Louis XIV).  While I didn’t get to see them perform – they were touring at the time – I was able to see the beautiful theatre where their performances take place and it was awe-inspiring.

Now, the world-famous Paris Opéra Ballet is set to make its Chicago debut on June 26^th.  The company of 190 dancers will take the stage at the Harris Theater for 2 different shows, led by Company Director Brigitte Lefèvre.  They open their tour with Giselle, a beloved piece that the Paris Opéra Ballet first performed 170 years ago.  Then starting on Friday, June 29^th through the end of their stay, the company will perform three timeless masterpieces in a show aptly named Epic French Masterpieces.  The three masterpieces include Suite en Blanc, L’Arlésienne & Boléro.  The opening night of the performance will also host a gala benefit that will include cocktails & hors d’oeuvres before the 6pm debut of Giselle with a dinner in Millennium Park directly following the show.

There are still plenty of tickets available for each night so be sure and get yours now before it’s too late!  Au revoir mes amis, I shall see you at the Harris Theater!

-Alex Chwastek

Tags: ballet, Boléro, Brigitte Lefèvre, chicago, France, Giselle, Harris Theater, Louis XIV, L’Arlésienne, millennium park, Palais Garnier, paris, Paris Opéra Ballet

Chicago/Paris Ballet & Mime Connection!

I know it is hard for some to believe for some reason, but I love the ballet… and I’m especially excited to share news that because 2010 marks the 90th anniversary of a famous Paris-born surrealist ballet, Le Boeuf sur le Toit (English translation: The Ox on the Roof: The Nothing-Doing Bar), T. Daniel Productions, NFP, (the Chicago Mime Company), has coordinated 2 special performances in it’s honor- one for us Chicagoans, and one in Paris on the original stage of the ballet!  

The show is particularly important to T. Daniel and Laurie Willets, artistic directors and internationally-renowned Mime Artists, because they studied the art of Mime under Marcel Marceau and Etienne Decroux, two of masters of the modern art!  Also, pretty cool that even though Paris is the “spiritual Home” of Mime, T. Daniel and Laurie Willets made Chicago their home base, and Marceau brought his official Paris school to Chicago, the only other city to host his school! 

For all who are interested, the basic plot of the ballet is a Frenchman’s view of what an American bar would be like during Prohibition.  It’s shown through a sequence of scenes based on music inspired by Brazil, a country in which the composer spent two years during World War I. The stage set is that of a bar frequented by a number of characters: a bookmaker, a dwarf, a boxer, a woman dressed in man’s clothing, a policeman, many more. If you want to check out this historical performance, head out to the Music Institute of Chicago in Evanston on November 12th or check out http://www.tdanielproductions.org for more info!

Tags: ballet, etienne decroux, le boeuf sur le toit, marcel marceau, mime, paris, t. daniel productions