Archives for September 2010

Episode 33

September 29, 2010 by

Nick Rosario – It has been thirteen years since I first stepped into the Nude Hippo world. Over that time I have had the pleasure to meet and interview some of Chicago’s finest. One show that sticks out particularly in my mind is Episode 33. This was a time when we were doing one live show a month. So naturally we tried to pack as much into them as possible. This show featured a who’s who of Chicago. We had Secretary of State Jesse White, tv anchorWarner Saunders,radio newsman Dave McBride, actor and comedian Harry Teinowitz, fitness expert Kara Schaad, and the very first tv appearance of Mr.Skin.

Before the show started we were in the hallway getting ready. All of a sudden a conversation breaks out between Mr.Skin, Harry Teinowitz, Warner Saunders, Jesse White, myself, and a few cast members. For people who aren’t aware, Mr. Skin is an expert on celebrity nudity. The conversation quickly turned to questions about where to find Jayne Mansfield and Sharon Stone naked. Mr. Skin provided the answers to those questions. The show itself was a total blast. After everyone had made their appearances; we had a workout routine that featured the entire cast and crew. Jesse White worked out in his tuxedo. Harry Teinowitz grabbed some cookies; ate them, and proceeded to shout out “I can feel the burn.” It was just a great example of Nude Hippo doing what it does best. Giving you the people, places, and events you want to see.

It is definitely moments like this that make our show stand out from others. I can tell you that this show will go down as one of the most entertaining ever in the history of Nude Hippo. It would also be the last one produced from the Cable Access Studios. After this run, we moved on to the Museum of Broadcast Communications. A fun side note to all of this is during our hallway conversation, we found out that Jesse and Warner used to play basketball together back in the day.

I don’t need no stinkin’ cemetery

September 27, 2010 by

I’m not a religious person, so to hell with buying me an expensive box to rot in….THIS is the way I want to go. (don’t forget step #6!).

Rock of Ages

September 26, 2010 by

Grab your Aqua Net, spandex and your wanna-be rockstar boyfriend and get to ROCK OF AGES. The 80s are brought back to life with the Broadway musical that will have you hair whipping , singing along and rocking out at the Bank of America Theatre. I loved this show, but if you are not a fan of the 80s, sex, drugs and rock n’roll you might be offended for it’s not your typical Broadway show. With that disclaimer; it was truly AWESOME, clever and witty! All of my favorite 80’s songs were incorporated to tell the tale of a love story. The short denim skirt wearing Sherrie; Rebecca Faulkenberry, ventures off to the Sunset strip to follow her dreams as an actress. While taking a job at a local bar she meets Drew; American Idol’s Constantine Maroulis, who wants to be the next big rock star. They soon realize they veered off course of their dreams, but perhaps they were meant to be together. It was comedic genius how popular 80’s music would tell a story with artists such as Journey, STYX, White Snake, Foreigner and Bon Jovi to name a few. Their rendition of the songs will pump through your blood like an incredible rock concert and make you wish you had ten of your friends to party with. Therefore, I’d suggest this show not only for a date but a large group. It’s a rad way to kick off your evening and they even have cocktail waitresses serving beer for the first act. With incredible voices, actors, nostalgic 80s costumes and provocative booty shaking you will forget it’s 2010. You have to move fast because this show is touring across the country. Rock of Ages closes in Chicago on October 3, 2010 and it’s next stop is Boston. I need to dig up my leg warmers and pop my collar because this is one show I’d consider becoming a groupie for.

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Click here to read Nick Rosario’s look at ROCK OF AGES

Chicago raids Madrid

September 25, 2010 by

Nearing the end of a 3 1/2 week stint of tooling around overseas, I was welcomed home two days before even arriving back in Chicago.

The flight to bring me back to the States was coming out of Madrid, and I was envisioning a couple of chill nights being spent there to wind the journey down, knowing that I’d be jumping right back into the madness of life upon getting home. Oh, but I was mistaken..

It began when my good friend at Delilah’s on Lincoln enthusiastically put me in touch with his “boy Francisco in Madrid”. Turns out Francisco is a well-connected music industry guy who is in tune with anything you’d ever need in Madrid. Sure, he knows which direction to point you in for famous sites, but I’m talking about real tangible stuff: where to go drinking, where the best rock clubs/bars are, where the good record stores are, where to eat, where the red light district is, and even hooked me with a cheap price on a place to stay. Upon arriving and meeting Francisco, he informs me that he’s involved with a music festival happening the very two nights that I’d be in town…um, yeah..could I have even scripted this any better?

The real kicker was the moment I was shown the band lineup, and there I found Chicago’s own JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound. Honing their blend of indie rock and classic Chicago soul for three years now, there really isn’t anyone else in town (Chicago, that is) doing what they’re doing.

Amongst a two-night bill full of rock acts, these guys brought the hip shaking. It took a few songs for the Spaniards to warm up to them and their style (I’m not aware of any soul/rock/R&B groups in Madrid), but by the end of the band’s set the crowd was all-in and nobody was standing still. I think they successfully left their mark, and I hope that the remaining shows that they’re playing in Spain over the next week are as much of a hit.

Once they return home, you’ll have a chance to catch them on Oct. 28th at Otto’s in Dekalb if you’re reading from the far west burbs, and then in the city at an event called “Spooktacular” on Oct. 30th at Impala Studios.

But my Chicago connection for the night wasn’t yet over.

Not only was I put in touch with my new friend Francisco in Madrid, but Mike from Delilah’s also implored me to check out his favorite bar in that city. Now, if a film director whose work you love told you about a film that he/she enjoys, you’d rush right out to see it, wouldn’t you? Similarly, when the owner of Chicago’s finest bar (and globally ranked whiskey bar) tells me to check out a place called Templo Del Gato, you can bet I’ll be there.

Upon walking in, I immediately knew why Mike loves it so much. Like Delilah’s, music is top priority and it looked and felt like a ‘sister bar’ to Delilah’s. The dj was killing it with old school 60’s garage like the Kinks and Easybeats, plus post punk like Joy Division and The Cure. And it was on the little window of the dj booth where I found the sticker in the photo that you see here. Righteous.

The clientele was fun and friendly, and the bartender–who could barely speak English but understood that I was sent there from the Chicago bar on the sticker–was happy that I was there and my second round of cerveza was on the house.

All in all, it was a nice little buffer to return home from a long trip by practically feeling like I was already back in Chicago 48 hours before arriving!

Rock Of Ages Rules

September 23, 2010 by

Have you ever had an experience that just knocked you right off your feet? I had the good fortune to have that happen to me. I went to see Rock of Ages at the Bank of America Theatre. The only word that comes to mind is WOW!!!! I have seen many musicals, but none of them had me reminiscing like this one. For anyone who grew up in the eighties this musical is for you. From the opening number I was transported back in time. It’s as if I was living my teenage years all over again. Every number had a special place in my heart. It took me back to a time where things were much simpler. A time where my biggest concern was where to spend my White Castle paycheck. It took me back to riding in my buddies jeep, where we would blast Bon Jovi. To the times I made out with my girlfriend to Poison. All great memories; relived through two and a half hours of non-stop fun. Even if you are not a theater goer, I believe you would enjoy the music and energy with which the cast performs. The songs stand the test of time. All your 80’s favorites are here. “We’re not gonna take it“, “Cum on feel the noize“, “Anyway you want it“, “Hit me with your best shot“, and “Don’t stop believing” just to name a few. Rock of Ages does what any good musical should do. Take you on a ride and leave you wanting more. That’s what it did for me. So if you have the time go and see Rock of Ages. You owe to yourself. ROCK ON!!!!

Click here to read Ashley Lobo’s look at ROCK OF AGES .