Play Locally: CircEsteem, 6 Corners BBQ Fest, Roller Derby, Arts of Life, And More

All Weekend This looks to be a newbie but goodie in Chi town's fest  laden season.   Check out their web site, Twitter or FB  for the rockin', sauce lickin' details. First Annual Six Corners BBQ Fest The Six Corners Association is proud to announce the first annual  6 Corners BBQ Fest! The event will take place June 18th and 19th and will be held in Six Corners  on Milwaukee Avenue and will be more than a block long. The 6 Corners  BBQ Fest will feature great food, entertainment stages with bands and  presentations the whole family can enjoy. You can also browse through  several vendors, relax in the beer garden (21+ only with ID), among many  other features the 6 Corners BBQ Fest will offer. SATURDAY Alternatives and CircEsteem, will celebrate 10 years  of partnership and creative work with Chicago's young  people and their families.  From 1 to 4 p.m., there will be fun filled activities starting  with a screening of films created by youth in the Wicked Truth  program.  At 1:30, CircEsteem youth will give a short performance  followed by an interactive circus workshop for children of all ages. At 2:30 p.m., Alternatives and CircEsteem will share brief  stories from their decade of partnership, and Alternatives' youth  development program will announce the 2011 Youth Leader of  the Year Award, presented to one dedicated participant.  A breakdancing and DJing showcase will close out the event starting  at 3:30. Both Alternatives and CircEsteem value the concept and practice  of partnership between like-minded organizations. Since 2001,  the organizations have worked together to create unique  opportunities and offer safe spaces for kids to cooperate,  grow and put on great shows in Alternatives' Uptown Youth Center. Please come celebrate with us and learn more  about the great work Alternatives has done for the last 40 years! The event takes place  at 4730 N. Sheridan Rd. in Chicago.  Click  here for more info. About Alternatives Inc. POSITIVE PROGRAMS DEFINED, DEVELOPED, AND LED BY YOUTH

Arts of Life Summer Carnival and Fundraiser Event

On June 18^th, The Arts of Life will host a classic carnival and fundraiser in celebration of a community of people in the Chicago area, with and without disabilities, who create an artistic culture where they can realize their full potential.

This carnival is the perfect event for arts-supporters of all ages to take chances in the dunk tank, at the bucket toss, and as contestants at the premier of The Arts of Life game show,Art or No Art.  The face-painting booth will transform carnival-goers into living works-of-art painted by The Arts of Life artists.   Plus, raffle-prize winners will have a chance to take home an original artwork, created by an Arts of Life artist, as well as other fabulous prizes.

All your concession-stand favorites will be on hand featuring hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, Gatorade, and ice-cold Pabst Blue Ribbon.

The event will take place at The Arts of Life North Shore Studio located at 1963 Johns Drive, Glenview, IL 60025 on June 18^th from 4-8 PM.  Cost: $30 adults with advance tickets from http://www.artsoflife.org/events before June 11, 2011, or $40 for adults at the door.  Kids under 12 are FREE.

Adult guests will receive 15 carnival tickets and kids will receive 7 tickets with admission to the event.  Tickets can be applied toward games, food, and drinks.  Raffle tickets will be accommodated separately. 

The event is open to the public, and is made possible through the support of sponsors ofThe Arts of Life including Gatorade, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Ice Cream Team, Red Rabbit Catering, Quaker Oats and CityArts Grants.

For more information, contact artsoflife@gmail.com, or visit:

http://www.artsoflife.org

http://www.facebook.com/artsoflife

http://summercarnival.eventbrite.com

The Arts of Life is people, with and without disabilities, creating an artistic culture to realize their full potential.  Opened in 2000, The Arts of Life was the first program in Chicago to provide employment in the arts for adults with developmental disabilities. The studio serves as both an alternative day program and creative epicenter for its artists. Funded partly by the Department of Human Services, The Arts of Life also greatly depends on fundraising efforts and grants to sustain its program.

Articles on The Arts of Life have appeared in the Chicago Reader, Time Out Chicago, Chicago Social, and the Chicago Tribune.  The organization has also been featured on ABC, WCIU, CAN-TV, and Metromix TV. Artist's work can be viewed at 14 Starbucks locations throughout Chicago as well as many other generous businesses and cafes.

Theatre Notice:

WORLD PREMIERE OF “CIRQUE SHANGHAI EXTREME” AT NAVY PIER® POSTPONED

Chicago’s Rainy, Windy Weather Forces Delays in Roof Repairs to Pepsi Skyline Stage, 
Prompting One Week Postponement of Show.

New Opening date: June 29, 2011; Ticket Exchanges or Refunds Offered

Navy Pier, in conjunction with International Special Attractions, Ltd (ISA) has issued the following statement announcing a one-week postponement of the world premiere of“Cirque Shanghai Extreme”:

The exclusive U.S. engagement of this latest death-defying production from the popular Chinese acrobatic troupe is now scheduled to begin Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at 2 p.m. The high number of inclement weather days in Chicago since mid-April has forced delays in roof repairs to the Navy PierPepsi Skyline Stage, the 1,500-seat, canopied, open-air theater, prompting the show’s postponement from its original June 23 opening date.

“We regret and apologize for any inconvenience caused by this delay, but the safety of our roof and stage workers, the Cirque performers, and our guests is most important,” said Marilynn Gardner, Navy Pier General Manager. “We expect better weather after this upcoming weekend will allow us to complete work that will enable the troupe to prepare Pepsi Skyline Stage for what promises to be the most spectacular Cirque Shanghai show that Chicago has ever seen.”

Tickets remain on sale for all performances from June 29 through Monday, September 5, 2011 (Labor Day). Customers who have purchased “Cirque Shanghai Extreme” tickets for performances from June 23 through June 28, will be able to exchange their tickets for another performance or receive a full refund. Refunds and exchanges will be handled at the point of purchase.

Please contact Delores Robinson, Navy Pier, 312-595-5031 for any inquiries regarding this delay.