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Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, but if you want to avoid looking like you only care about your sweetheart on one day of the year, might I suggest taking him/her out for a romantic evening of music BEFORE the big day!? How (pleasantly) surprised your honey will be when you whisk her/him off to see the awe-inspiring Avalon String Quartet present Viennese Song aided by the vocal talents of Julia Bentley!
The show is next Thursday, February 10 at 7.30 pm at the Gottlieb Hall of the Merit School of Music, 38 S. Peoria Street, and there are still tickets available!
The Avalon String Quartet
I will openly admit that the first time I saw the Avalon String Quartet, I was skeptical. I had never seen them play and had also never been to the tiny Gottlieb Hall of the Merit School of Music to see any performances, by anyone. The venue was rather small and I thought for sure that the quartet would produce a tiny sound to go along with the tiny venue.
I was very, very wrong.
Instead, this dynamic quartet knocked the socks off of everyone and produced one of the most moving musical performances I have ever seen. Their passion and excitement for the music they handpick is evident in every bow stroke.
According to the programme I received, the performance will open with Anton Webern’s Langsamer Satz, “a late Romantic work with soaring melodies and rich harmonies”, and will continue with Alban Berg’s “Lyric Suite”, and Franz Schubert’s Death and the Maiden, where Bentley will join the quartet singing the part of the Maiden, “pleading with Death to pass her by, while Death in response sings his own song of imploring for the Maiden to not fear his embrace”.
Certainly, nothing will get your lovebug to hold onto you tighter as they contemplate your ultimate demise. Not even Saw IV will get someone to nuzzle closer!!
The Viennese Song programme will close with Schubert’s String Quartet in D Minor, “a work that ranges from light and lyrical to dark and compelling, ending with a dramatic tarantella”.
When I think of Valentine’s Day, I think of love, which makes me think of music. Surprise your darling with great music, and well, you might have this holiday in the bag!
Dev xx
It’s the event I have been waiting for! The Joffrey Ballet’s presentation of Cinderella starts tomorrow, Wednesday 17 February, and I could not be more excited. (You can watch a video on the Joffrey site, here!)
Cinderella featuring Megan Quiroz, photo by Herbert Migdoll
If you have never been to the ballet before, or if you have never seen the Joffrey, then this is the perfect introduction to both. You all know the fairytale but you may have never seen it come to life right before your eyes with truly hideous stepsisters, handcrafted outfits, a ethereal score performed by the Chicago Sinfonietta and graceful dancing. Perfect for out-of-town visitors looking to make their trip to Chicago extra magical, a sweet date or family event, Cinderella will not disappoint!
I used to think that the best thing about Valentine’s Day was that boxes of Godiva chocolates would go 1/2 price the day after. That was until I moved to Chicago.
The Windy City and its diverse inhabitants are great at making special days into special weekends and having something available for everyone.
This is what I am doing for V-day weekend:
FRIDAY:
8 pm, “Schtick With Us: A Vaudeville Burlesque” at Skokie Theatre
Photo by Peter leGrand
Question: What is sexier than celebrating a weekend of love by watching a burlesque show?
Answer: Absolutely. nothing. :o)
Chicago-hot-dog-vendor-turned-burlesque-force-of-nature, Red Hot Annie leads an all-burlesque-star cast in this Vaudeville-inspired burlesque show. You can watch boys and girls shake their tail feathers while laughing along with the titillating performance!
Bonus points: Take your sweetie to Duffy’s Cocktail Lounge (aka Skokie’s oldest bar!) for drinks before the show.
