Elgin Walkabout 2011

Elgin Theater Scene On The Street - Daily Herald story

2011-07-14T18:01:00.000-05:00

Here's a nice piece from the Daily Herald. Will be in papers tomorrow, but here's a sneak peak.

Elgin theater scene out on the street

The Elgin Cultural Arts Commission will continue to defy standard theater conventions with its fourth annual Walkabout: Theater on Your Feet these next few weekends.

The event runs on Saturdays, July 16, 23 and 30, in downtown Elgin, where the audience will see one play take over various downtown locations and immerse Elgin in the story.

Sylvia Grady, Elgin Cultural Arts Commission liaison, said Walkabout was started years ago as an opportunity to showcase all Elgin arts had to offer.

“We were trying to do some things to bring all our arts departments together,” Grady said. “Since then, they have only grown in size, more and more people are involved, and each year they become more different and unique.”

Sean Hargadon, producer and creator of Walkabout, said to expect the unexpected with this year’s shows.

“Each year, we try to add a twist for the audience,” Hargadon said. The play has been broken into three acts with three different theater troupes advancing the story.

The show starts in the Elgin Public House Restaurant and Pub, 219 E. Chicago St.; from there, attendees visit other downtown locations, where theater is presented in nontraditional spaces.

It gives audience members a chance to discover downtown Elgin if they haven’t done so before, as well as experience an Elgin summer...

Read more at http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110714/news/707149902/

Walkabout Story in the Sun Times

2011-07-10T10:56:00.000-05:00

Here's a nice piece in the Sun Times. The only correction I have is that Nothing Special Productions will be the last act performing, coming right after the Guild Theater. Check it out.

Walkabout theater fest is back in Elgin

By Annie Alleman

For Sun-Times Media

Last Modified: Jul 7, 2011 11:28AM

Instead of three or four different plays at different venues, this year’s Walkabout: Theater on Your Feet will have the same play, performed by different actors in different venues.
The fourth annual event, presented by the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission, runs July 16, 23 and 30. The starting location is the Elgin Public House, 219 East Chicago St., Elgin.

This year’s theme is The ‘Art’ of Friendship, and will feature the Tony award-winning comedy “Art” by Yasmina Reza. Tickets cost $15 and are available by cash only at the door.

Beginning at 1 p.m. and with groups leaving about every 20 minutes until 2:20 p.m., tour guides will lead groups of people to three downtown Elgin locations: the Elgin Art Showcase, Ravenheart Café and Villa Verone. There they will see one play performed by three different theater companies: the Janus Theatre, Nothing Special Productions and Guild Theater.

The play is broken into three acts, with the first company taking the first act, until the play reaches its dramatic conclusion, said Walkabout creator Sean Hargadon. To read more, click on the lick:
http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/entertainment/6266518-421/walkabout-theater-fest-is-back-in-elgin.html

Walkabout Gets A New Idea

2011-07-05T06:05:00.001-05:00

Last week we had the opportunity to test out a new idea.

This year's Walkabout is different because we decided to take one play - "Art" by Yasmina Reza - break it up into three acts and then have three separate theater companies perform one act of the play at different downtown Elgin locations, like Villa Verone, Elgin Art Showcase and Ravenheart Cafe.

We'll still be starting at Elgin Public House (pictured) and finishing up at Al's Cafe for those classic malts.

But what's interesting about all of this would be that the actors would change from venue to venue, so while the characters would stay the same - Marc, Serge , Yvan - they would be played by different people. To further add interest, we decided to have the actors grow younger as the play progressed forward until its climatic comic conclusion.

If it appears like we're playing with time and space, like something out of the recent movies Start Trek or Inception, you'd be right. Honestly, that's a great part of the fun when producing an event like Walkabout - you can experiment and try out different things.

So far, the experiment seems to be working. But not like I expected. We had all three theater companies come in and perform their "acts" from the play. We conducted a rough run-through from front to back and the results were interesting and fun.
To be continued....

The 'Art' of Friendship - Walkabout is Back

2011-06-05T20:42:00.001-05:00

We're back. And we're a little early this year, but we want to be sure to get the word out, because this year we'll be adding something new to Walkabout.

This year's theme is The ‘Art’ of Friendship, and you'll be able to see one play performed by three different theater companies. The characters will stay the same, but the actors will change as the play reaches its climatic conclusion. There will be performances by the Guild Theater, Janus Theatre Company and Nothing Special Productions.

The play to be presented will be that perennial hit and Tony Award winner Art by Yasmina Reza that asks the question: What would you do if your best friend purchased a white painting for $200,000? Would you laugh? Would you cry? Or would you smack him in the mouth? Find out what happens as this comedy about friendship gets put to the test by a piece of art.

We also plan on having artwork on display at the venues by local artists Carl Brahms, Chuck Cassell, Craig Dresang, Natalie Shadel and Edward Zach.

And what kind of Walkabout would it be without those wonderful Al’s Café malts at the end of the tour.

There will be more updates as we get closer, but here is the basic information.
SHOW DATES: Saturdays, July 16, 23 and 30

STARTING AT: Elgin Public House, 219 East Chicago Street, Elgin

TIME: 1 pm with tours approximately every 20 minutes until 2:20 pm.

TICKETS: $15. Cash only at the door.

To make reservations, please call 847-841-1713.

More Points Of View

2010-08-08T18:19:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was another excellent day for Walkabout.

We had to add a tour to accommodate demand and the weather was perfect. We've also been receiving some interesting comments about the "Hidden Places, Found Spaces" theme with many people not realizing all the history they pass by on the tour.

On the flipside, some people find the new look a little rugged and a bit gritty. But isn't that the point? Pardon my editorial, but sometimes there's a certain rough perfection and beauty in things left to the elements and time. And that's what this year's Walkabout represents: finding lively moments in spaces that time has left behind.

On the other hand, yesterday's Walkabout success was dampened by the fact that downtown Elgin, at times, felt like an abandoned Hollywood back lot. Aside from the Walkabout tours, it was quiet. It was like we were playing on set built for a movie like "Hoffa" or "Road to Perdition". As exciting as that can be, it appears there is more work to be done to get more people downtown. On the positive side, many people participating yesterday were not from Elgin. In fact, a couple tours were made up solely of people not from Elgin. That's encouraging.

In any case, here's some more photos of more of the groups in action. Photos are by John Congram.

"The Snafu" presented by Nothing Special Productions

"One Crisp Spring Morning" presented by Janus Theatre Company

"A Play Starring No One" presented by Envision Theatre

From A Certian Point Of View

2010-08-05T18:34:00.001-05:00

The opening weekend of Walkabout was excellent. By far, it was the best opening we ever had with the most people in attendance for a first Saturday. I'm sure part of that was due to the wonderful Art & Soul show in DuPage Court.

It was overcast, but that was a good thing. Everything was nice and cool.

The route was smooth and fast, clocking in at less than 80 minutes. The spaces were very interesting. And the plays - from what I was told - were excellent. In fact, someone told me that this was the best overall Walkabout in terms of quality theater across the board. Gotta like that.

So here's some images from last Saturday. Take a look and see what you might be missing.
Photos are by John Congram.

"The Oracle" performed by the Great American Artistic Consortium

"One For The Books" performed by the Vex Theatre

Sights Unseen

2010-07-27T00:31:00.000-05:00

So we sat down and decided that we wanted to change things up this year.

Previous Walkabouts had various groups playing at different venues. But this year, we thought we would take the shows outside. Adding to that, we thought it would be cool to reveal some of Elgin's past on the tour, beyond the usual historically significant old building.

Even with all the construction that has taken place downtown, there is still a lot of old Elgin waiting to be discovered. The truth is, anywhere you walk downtown, there is usually a story lying right beneath your feet. With that in mind, the theme for this year became "Hidden Places, Found Spaces".

Take a look at the picture above. Does it look familiar? It's right next to a popular place in downtown Elgin where the wine always flows. When we scouted out sites, this place jumped out at us. It's like something out of French new wave black and white movie from the 60's. I don't want to give away too much, but this small sign is attached to an enormous old building that was once used as a place to repair old railroad engines.

And that's how it started. We deliberately sought out places that seemed to fall off the radar.

We'll feature more spaces in the coming days, but the real mind trip is when you take the walk. You see lots of things that feel like they're from another time. And our plan is to inject some new life, even if its only a brief encounter in a dusty place.

Talking About The Walkabout

2010-07-13T20:09:00.001-05:00

Had a chance to sit down with the fine folks at Creative Voice to talk about this year's Walkabout.

Good thing we had a small technical issue, because I was able to do the interview a second time. By then the coffee had kicked in and I found myself remembering how this whole thing got started a few years ago.

Take a listen and see what you think. And if you know someone who's curious about about the concept, this will add some clarity to the event.

Three Times A Charm...Walkabout Returns

2010-07-09T01:23:00.001-05:00

It's hot. It's July. And that means Walkabout: Theater on your Feet in downtown Elgin.

This year's Walk will be a departure from previous years. We're getting away from our comfort zone. We pulling back the curtain.

So what's different you might be asking. Well, this year we decided to show parts of downtown Elgin that you don't normally see. Our unofficial theme for the event (even though walking to see theater in odd locations is kind of its own theme) is "Hidden Places, Found Spaces".

We'll be taking you on a tour of Elgin's back alleys, loading docks, forgotten corridors and the like.

This year we're back to five theater groups performing five short plays in five very different places making up one memorable experience. We still plan on having Elgin Public House as our starting point. And Al's Cafe will be our ending point. And yes, they will be offering free malts again this year.

There are some other changes, but we'll tell you more about those in the coming days. Until then, keep checking back and don't forget to make a reservation if you want to attend. Slots fill up fast. And this year we'll be giving away free t-shirts and water to those who register first. The last two years we ran out of shirts and water, so be sure to call the box office at 847-841-1713. More information is on the right of the page.

Playing Catch Up

2010-04-25T16:55:00.004-05:00

Okay. A lot has been happening lately. I will try to catch up this week.

First, things look a little bit different around here. Originally, this blog was set up to help promote Walkabout: Theater on your Feet in 2008. It served that purpose well and will continue to do so.

But after two years of writing stories about that annual event, it seemed like a waste to only use this site three months out of the year.

So now the focus has changed to promote arts events in downtown Elgin. This might be theater, music, art, and other news pertaining to arts and culture in downtown Elgin.

So far this blog is a one-person show, so we'll see how often we can post news. Stay tuned.

Coming Soon to the Elgin Art Showcase

2010-04-24T16:13:00.000-05:00

New writing team emerges at Walkabout

2009-08-14T07:31:00.002-05:00

Local playwright/acting duo team up for fractured fairy tale
By Jack Helbig, Daily Herald Correspondent

What happens when a standard fairy tale ending (happily ever after) turns out to be more "ever after" than happy? That question is at the center of the new short comedy "Forever and Never: Walt Stubs his Toe" by playwright/actors Debbi Dennison and Marc Jolley.

"We wanted to show Prince Charming and his princess about 15 years after their fairy tale wedding, long after the honeymoon is over. It's a very fractured fairy tale," Dennison says of the show, running as Vex Theatre's entry in the Walkabout festival in Elgin.

Dennison and Jolley were commissioned to write the show by the folks at Vex Theater. "They knew they wanted to do a comedy with a middle-aged prince and princess," Dennison says.

The powers that be at the Palatine-based Vex contacted Dennison and Jolley because they are becoming a writing and performing team of note in the suburbs.

"Mark Jolley and I work together a lot," Dennison says. "We are part of the same improv troupe, the Time Travelers; we perform monthly in Schaumburg. Plus, I work for EGTV Channel 6 in Elk Grove Village, where we do 'The New Ralph the Robot Show.'"

'The New Ralph the Robot Show' is an occasional low-budget children's show Dennison, Jolley and a host of others put together for Channel 6. "Mark is the voice of Ralph the Robot," Dennison says.

"We have a blast with Ralph the Robot," Jolley says, "It is pretty cheesy but it is fun - like we are in Pee Wee Herman's universe."

Jolley, a native of Romeoville, had done a little theater in high school. But it wasn't until he was in the U.S. Navy that he started to take theater seriously. When he was at Great Lakes Naval Base, he took classes in acting and improv at Second City.

"I started taking theater classes because I was kind of morbidly shy," Jolley says.

Later, Jolley was stationed at the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay. "I was director of the theater group there," Jolley says, adding that theater was one of the things people did on the base for recreation.

When he left the Navy, it was natural for Jolley to continue his work in theater. Currently, he works for the Schaumburg Park District where, among other things, he is responsible for classes in improv and heads The Time Travelers.

It was through The Time Travelers that Jolley met Dennison. Dennison, a graduate of Schaumburg High School, continued her education after getting her degree in communications from Northern Illinois University by studying improvisation at Second City. She joined The Time Travelers five years ago. The two hit it off, and they began working together on other projects at EGTV and the Vex Theatre.

"We work together so much its like we are married," Dennison says. So it comes as no surprise that in "Forever and Never" Jolley plays the aging prince and Dennison plays the fading princess.

"Every character in the show is heightened," Jolley says, "We made everyone in the play crazy except the Evil Queen."

"We ask 'Is the Evil Queen really evil?'" Dennison says, "Or is she just realistic?"

• "Forever and Never" is part of Elgin's Walkabout: Theatre on Your Feet, running Saturdays, Aug. 15 and 22, starting at 1 p.m. (tours every 20 minutes until 2:20 p.m.). Admission is $14. The starting location is the Elgin Public House, 219 East Chicago St., Elgin. Tickets can be purchased by paying cash at the door, but reservations are essential. Call (847) 841-1713.

An Interview to Remember

2009-08-12T21:02:00.000-05:00

For anyone who thinks they've gone through the worst job interview ever, you ain't seen nothin' yet. "The Questionnaire," a new play by Neil Shaw presented by Nothing Special Productions at this year's Walkabout, puts audiences in the middle of a job interview that goes horribly and hilariously awry. From the moment the audience steps off the elevator and into the Elgin Art Showcase, they are thrust into the scene of a job interview that no one has prepared for.

Nothing Special Productions, a resident Elgin theatre company, excels at edgy works and "The Questionnaire" does not disappoint. Be sure to experience their specialty at this year's Walkabout. Or catch NSP's mainstage show "True Accounts of Maddening Fiction" at the Elgin Art Showcase through August 16th. For more information, visit www.nothingspecialproductions.com

Anaphora Ensemble, Live at Walkabout

2009-08-10T15:35:00.004-05:00

Anaphora Ensemble, the hippest new classical music group around, is playing a FREE concert this Saturday afternoon as part of Walkabout. Look for them as they play their unique classical/contemporary/jazz fusion in DuPage Court, right near the Alley of Art.

Check out the video above from their recent concert at the Green Mill in Chicago. And for more information, videos, and music from Anaphora Ensemble, visit their website: www.anaphoraensemble.com

Local Artist Brings Color to Elgin

2009-08-05T21:52:00.003-05:00

"Painting is everything for me," says Agnes Pociecha, an artist who works on canvases both large (murals) and small (portraits). She studied art in her native Poland, including the Royal Academy of Art in Krakow, before relocating to the USA twelve years ago. "I chose the beautiful City of Elgin, with its unique atmosphere, as home town for my atelier," Agnes explains." Her atelier is now located in the Professional Building at 164 Division Street in Elgin. "I do not like to comment my paintings and drawings - expressing myself with colors and shapes is my way of communicating with the world."

You can meet Agnes and view some of her amazing work at the Alley of Art this Saturday, August 8th. For more information, visit her website at www.bestmurals.com

Neither Rain, Nor Wind, Nor Downtown Construction...

2009-08-03T16:55:00.008-05:00

It was a day of rain spitting, wind blowing, and construction saw horses providing a series of obstacles that threatened to stall the first day of the second-annual Walkabout.

But fortunately, the show, or rather shows, did go on to nice size crowds on a Saturday in August that felt like a day in October.

The Elgin Courier News sent photographer David Ham out to catch some live action shots of the plays in progress. See a few below.

PHOTO: Scott and Jocelyn Mills, from Envision Theatre, share a tender moment in the production of "The Loveliest Afternoon of the Year."

PHOTO: Matt Kerrigan shows Robert Quinlan his true self in "The Questionnaire," from Nothing Special Productions.

PHOTO: Leah Rae, from A Tower of Strength Players takes a drag off of a cigarette to simulate smoking during a production of "Smoke Scenes" at Elgin Books.

A New Perspective on Downtown Elgin

2009-07-31T19:30:00.001-05:00

Thanks to the Daily Herald for today's great article on Walkabout!

Theater walk provides new perspective on downtown Elgin
By Emily Jurlina, Daily Herald Staff Writer

The Elgin Cultural Arts Commission invites you to get up, lace up your shoes, head outside - and take in some theater.

This weekend is the kickoff for the second annual "Walkabout: Theater on Your Feet" theater walk that will take audience members on a tour through downtown Elgin.

The first Walkabout tour begins at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1 and every Saturday thereafter until Aug. 22. The tour starts at the Elgin Public House at 219 E. Chicago St. Tours start every 20 minutes until 2:20 p.m. Reservations are essential and can be made by calling (847) 841-1713.

According to Elgin Cultural Arts Commissioner Sean Hargadon, last year's Walkabout was so popular a few more shows were added but people still had to be turned away as demand surpassed show capacity.

For the $14 admission fee audience members get the chance to see seven different short plays, each lasting anywhere from seven to 10 minutes. Many of the production companies are performing shows written just for the Walkabout, tailored to complement their performance venue.

Hargadon estimates that each tour will last about 90 minutes, give or take. The tours will take audience members to all sorts of venues, from Villa Verone restaurant on Douglas Avenue to the Elgin Art Showcase on Division Street.

"Downtown Elgin is like its own set ... with all the wonderful architecture. All its characteristics are interesting in their own way," Hargadon said.

Hargadon, an Elgin native himself, started the Walkabout last year. The theater production group he works with, the Janus Theatre, will be performing there again this year.

Hargadon hopes the Walkabout will be an engaging experience for the audience, and also show them a side of downtown Elgin many have probably never taken the time to stop and see.

"Elgin is a very urban town for a suburb and we can take advantage of that. There are so many nooks and crannies to it and people will see different parts of Elgin that they've never seen before or things that have changed," he said.

"The best thing is that the plays are short and the audience will get a nice mix and variety of performances throughout the afternoon. It's a very engaging experience, instead of sitting passively on your feet you get to be active and involved."

The tours will conclude at DuPage Court and Spring Street at the Alley of Art Show, which will also include live music.

Besides Janus Theatre, Nothing Special Productions of Elgin, Vex Theatre Company of Palatine, Tower of Strength Players of South Elgin, GreenRoom Productions of Elgin, Envision Theatre of Carol Stream and Independent Players of Elgin will be performing at the Walkabout.

When Your Co-Star Goes Home With You At Night

2009-07-30T22:47:00.008-05:00

Putting on a play can take a lot of work. You have to pick the play, cast it, rehearse it, learn the lines, and then hope the audience likes it.

What’s more challenging is finding chemistry on stage with your scene partner. But what if that partner is your wife, or your husband? Well Janus Theatre Company is presenting “The DMV One” by Nick Zagone, which chronicles one man’s encounter with a government worker. It’s a comedy. Really.

The show is directed by the husband and wife team, Joe and Tara Schuman and featured in the play are newlyweds Chris Agos and Patricia True-Agos. Also starring in the play is Elgin’s own Katie Robnett.

The play is being performed at the Elgin Public House (EPH) in their new upstairs space – Pub 217. And according to Tara and Joe things have been going great. “The production is coming along well so far and we are very happy to be taking part in “Walkabout” again this year,” says Tara.

But we wanted to see how the newlyweds were getting along. The last time they worked together was in a play in 2002. Since then, Chris has made a name for himself acting in voice-overs, commercials and industrial films. And Trish has performed with many Chicago-area theaters and is a company member with Janus Theatre.

We caught up with Trish and Chris to see how things were going.

How does it feel performing in the Nick Zagone play?

TRISH: It's a cute piece. Everyone can relate to at least some part of it. Not ALL of it of course.

CHRIS: Feels good to be acting in front of a live audience again. Cameras and microphones generally don't clap.

Have you ever had a bad experience at the DMV or any other government service agency? Care to elaborate?

TRISH: Last time I was at the DMV, it was to get my new license and registration for my Jeep. After waiting for-e-v-e-r I was sent to a lady who could really care less about me. I wanted it to go smoothly, so I complimented her ring and by the end I think we were best friends. Otherwise, for all my government related DMV items, I go to our local branch in my home town of Mt. Vernon. With a lobby of 5 chairs and a woman that probably knew me as a child, it's MUCH easier.
CHRIS: Let's just say our various government agencies seem to be very efficient producers of long lines.

What is it like to perform together again after so many years?

TRISH: Pretty cool. Little did I know that between then and now we would fall in love and the next time we would perform together he would be my hubby! Everything happens for a reason.
CHRIS: I'm reminded that this is how we met. Glad I'm into acting and not something else. Like, say, Civil War reenactments. I never would have met Trish in battle.

What do you think about doing a play at Elgin Public House in the loft?

TRISH: I like performing in places that are off the beaten path. It's one of the things that drew me into Janus Theatre in the first place. Theater doesn't have to be contained to the stereotypical "stage". Theater is anywhere you have an audience.
CHRIS: Are there any perks, like free beer?

What can the audience expect from your performance?

TRISH: I hope the audience can expect to laugh. I mean the audience WILL laugh. (Or we’ll lock the doors and they can't get out.)
CHRIS: I guarantee that no actual DMV employees were harmed in the production of this play.

And no members of the audience will be harmed either. This play will be first-up in this year’s Walkabout.

Art & Soul Talks Up Walkabout

2009-07-29T19:54:00.003-05:00

We have to extend a big thank you to Sandy Kaptain from Art for All for mentioning Walkabout in today’s article in the Daily Herald.

Art And Soul To Feature 60 Artists
By David Teeghman Daily Herald Staff Writer

July 29, 2009

For the 50th year, a fine arts show will take place in Elgin.

But this weekend's Art and Soul on the Fox will be presented by a group that has never put on the show, Art for All. "Our group's goal is to get artists out into the public's attention, so this show is another great way to do it, in addition to the year-round centers we already have around town to show off their work," said Sandy Kaptain, the chairwoman of Art for All.

The art show will include work from over 60 juried artists with all types of art, including painting, sculpting, photography, woodcarving and more.

Those 60 artists were selected from a group of 90 artists who applied from around the Midwest.
"Because of gas prices, the range this year isn't as large as it has been in recent years, but we do have one guy coming from Arizona," Kaptain said.

The art show will be in downtown Elgin, with some pieces at Dupage Court, but the bulk of the pieces will be on South Grove Avenue, which will be closed for the weekend.

Not limited to tangible art, Art for All coordinated with the Walkabout Theatre, which will perform [starting at 1p.m. Saturday at the Elgin Public House], and the Elgin Symphony Orchestra will play Sunday at 5:30 p.m.

For more details, you can call Art for All at (847) 741-7375 or go to the group's Web site at artforall-elgin.com.

Mud, Sweat, & Fire

2009-07-28T11:47:00.004-05:00

The performing arts and the visual arts often go hand in hand. Tom Hill is a visual and performance artist with a background in both Art and Theater from Monmouth College. Though he describes himself as a "Potter, Sculptor, Photographer, Painter, Stunts & Escape performing artist," his current artistic avenue of choice is pottery. Hill refers to ceramics as "a catalyst for not only a means of personal expression and functional beauty, but also a medium for education and healing." Locally, he has worked with behaviorally challenged high school students, as well as with Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired. He commented that the experience "taught me the importance of touch as a potter.”

Currently Tom is teaching and creating a new body work at The Forum for Creative Study in Blue Island, as well as teaching at The Center, Community Center Foundation in Palos Park. Tom Hill's pottery is sold in Chicago-area galleries and throughout the U.S.

You can catch Tom at Walkabout's very own Alley of Art in Du Page Court on August 8. For more information, visit www.artisttomhill.com

A Classical Youth Movement

2009-07-27T17:56:00.003-05:00

Think classical music is dull and stuffy? Think again! Anaphora is a local group that "exists to bring musical classics into this age, to fuse the fresh with the familiar and to convey one coherent statement about the music of our time." In other words, this is not your grandfather's classical music.

Anaphora was formed by Aurelien Pederzoli (Violin) and Cory Tiffin (Clarinet) who met at DePaul University in 2004. Just a year old, their group is already taking the local music scene by storm, even garnering rave reviews from the Chicago Tribune for having "a palpable enthusiasm that’s contagious."

Specializing in fresh takes on the classic classical pieces, as well as pop-classical fusion, Anaphora thrives in small, alternative venues...places you might not expect to see classical music. Don't miss them at Walkabout on August 15 from 2-5pm at Du Page Court.

For more information, visit: http://www.anaphoraensemble.com/

Art For All

2009-07-26T11:22:00.004-05:00

As mentioned yesterday, along with FoxFireFest and Walkabout: Theater on your Feet, Elgin’s very own Art for All will be presenting Art & Soul on the Fox on August 1-2 in downtown Elgin.

And unlike previous years, this year’s show will not reside next to Festival Park, but will mix and mingle under the awnings, brick and mortar of Elgin’s old buildings at Du Page Court and South Avenue.

According to Sandy Kaptain, coordinator of the show, this is a new direction for an art show that has become a yearly tradition in Elgin.

“Art & Soul on the Fox is a continuation of the Elgin Area American Association for University Women’s Art Showcase,” she says. “This is the 50th year that a fine arts show has been produced in Elgin, but is the first time the show has been presented by Art for All.”

The event will include work from over 60 juried artist and artisans with a variety of media from oil painting, sculpture, artistic textiles, acrylic and airbrush work, digital imaging, unusual jewelry, woven pieces, photography, woodcarving, ceramics and more.

“We also plan on having A Starvin’ Artist space at the Art for All information tent that will allow festival goers to purchase marked-down art pieces,” says Kaptain.

In addition, there will be a silent auction at 1 p.m. on August 2, for the Rain Barrels on Parade.

Rain Barrels on Parade kicked off Earth Week at Gail Borden Library this year, and neighborhood and community organizations have decorated 46 of the barrels. You can learn more about the Rain Barrels at http://www.gailborden.info/.

For more information and to see some of the artwork that will be available at Art & Soul on the Fox, go to http://www.artforall-elgin.com/.

Feel The Heat

2009-07-25T09:33:00.005-05:00

In one week Walkabout: Theater on your Feet will start its second year.

But it won’t be alone.

Another event – of a much larger scale – will be lighting up as well: FoxFireFest.

This will be the third year of FoxFireFest in downtown Elgin. It takes place in the newly created Festival Park and features live music, activities for kids, food, and one of the most exciting pyrotechnic shows on the river you’ll ever see.

Walkabout teamed up with the City of Elgin to provide some theatrical excitement during Saturday afternoon. Another engaging event will be the Art & Soul on the Fox (but more on that tomorrow).

The festival runs all day and night on Saturday and Sunday, August 1 and 2. You can learn more by going to www.cityofelgin.org/foxfirefest

Coffee with a Conscience

2009-07-24T15:45:00.003-05:00

If you love coffee and the environment (and who doesn't?), Ravenheart Cafe at 176 East Chicago Street is the place to sip lattes in Elgin. It is also a stop on Walkabout for the second year straight.

In addition to being smooth and delicious, Ravenheart coffee is sustainable shade grown coffee. Owner Jerri McCue explains, "Shade grown coffee means the coffee is grown under the natural canopy of the forest as opposed to sun grown coffee where the forests are cut down to grow the coffee. The benefit of top shade grown coffee is the protection of the natural habitat for migratory birds."

You'll often find friends, families, clubs, co-workers, and college students relaxing in the comfortable, modern cafe. And for four Saturdays this August, you can enjoy live theatre there, too! Be sure to add this unique Elgin experience to your list of favorite places, whether you are a caffeine connoisseur or just a person who loves a great neighborhood hang-out.

Happily Never After?

2009-07-23T16:16:00.006-05:00

Vex Theatre Company is so pleased to be back at Walkabout for a second year that they decided to write their own show! "Forever and Never," penned by Vex actors Debbi Dennison and Marc Jolley, catches up with Prince Charming and his Princess many years after their fairy tale wedding. A reporter named Walt has been invited to their castle by the Wicked Stepmother to write a story. Will he find a glass slipper or just alot of poisoned apples?

Says Vex co-founder Cathleen Ann, "We wanted a comedy with a little bite to it...characters people recognize in a story they wouldn't expect. Our authors, Marc and Debbi, both come from an improv background, so this show definitely captures the wild and crazy creativity people expect from improv." You can also catch Marc and Debbi acting in the show, along with Cheryl Rice and Geoffrey Maher.

PHOTO: (Left to right) Debbi Dennison, Marc Jolley.

Don't miss the World Premiere of this fractured fairy tale at the Villa Verone stop of this year's Walkabout. And if you like what you see, the folks at Vex hope you will come back to see their next full-length show, "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," opening in September at the Elgin Art Showcase. Visit www.vextheatre.org for details!

Why The Long Face?

2009-07-22T09:23:00.005-05:00

Man’s best friend just got a makeover. And according to its creator, artist Kate Hoyer, it’s all about seeing old things in a new way.

“My particular style of painting started by playing with color schemes back in the early 1980’s,” she says. “Initially, I would create abstract drawings with stripes but then I had an epiphany – I wanted to combine the design of stripes with a recognizable subject – hence giving something ordinary a unique presence.”

This painting and others will be on display at the Alley of Art show, next to Al’s Café on August 15.

You can learn more about Kate Hoyer’s work by going to her website at http://www.katehoyer.com/

New Stop on the Walkabout Has Italian Flair

2009-07-21T04:51:00.005-05:00

Villa Verone, one of Elgin's newest and finest restaurants, is proud to be a new stop on this year's Walkabout. Located at 13 Douglas Avenue, this authentic Ristorante Italiano is a friend to the arts and the people who love them. You have only to stop in to Villa Verone on the night of a big show or concert at the Hemmens or Elgin Art Showcase to see hordes of happy audience members, eager to enjoy a great dinner before dashing off for curtain. On weekends, the restaurant becomes a place to enjoy the arts while you drink and dine via their Jazz Room, which features the best local musicians.

Owner Pietro, who can often be found at his restaurant greeting the guests, contributes to the friendly atmosphere. "There's nothing artificial about our place. The friendliness of my staff...their knowledge. It's not just about food...it's a total package. When you get out of here, you say, wow, we had a great meal, but we also had a great time."

After the Walkabout, be sure to return to Villa Verone for a lovely night out. You might just run into some of the actors doing the same!

The Sweet Sounds Of Summer

2009-07-20T07:24:00.004-05:00

One of the highlights of last year’s Walkabout was hearing the music, which played during the Alley of Art show and after people finished the theater tour.

In a laid back, almost bohemian atmosphere, musical groups ranging from folk to jazz to classical, played under a canopy of trees in Du Page Court, surrounded by artists as people mingled and mixed throughout the crowd.

This year’s lineup will feature new acts, and starting us off on August 8, will be the Done Deal Jazz Quintet http://www.donedealjazz.com/. They'll be playing in Du Page Court from 2-5 pm.

Done Deal has been performing throughout the Chicago area in such venues as
Dolphin Street, Philanders, Finley’s Grill Room, The Brookfield Jazz Society, Pete Miller’s, Salt Creek Wine Bar, Cab’s Wine Bar, Morgans Charhouse, The United Center, Lonnie Walker’s Underground Wonderbar and Michael’s Jazz Bistro, to name a few.

Expect to hear an afternoon of jazz, swing, funky grooves and Latin music.

New Theater Group Debuts at Walkabout

2009-07-19T09:59:00.014-05:00

Walkabout: Theater on Your Feet is all about bringing fresh and new art to the community. And few things are as fresh and new as A Tower of Strength Players, the western suburbs’ newest theater company, who are making their official debut at Walkabout. Formed by the South Elgin husband and wife duo of Artistic Director, Jeni Dees, and Executive Director, Ish Rios (both local theatre veterans), the group promises “the unexpected.” Says Dees, "I really want to start out focusing on bringing a new twist on old classics.”

The piece they selected for Walkabout, "Smoke Scenes" by Nick Zagone, is anything but classic, but it is certainly has a twist! “I like it because although it is a scripted piece, it plays like an improv piece," says Dees, "It is 51 scenes in 10 minutes using the word smoke. It is very fast paced and witty.” Joining her on stage is her husband Ish as well as cast members Leah Rae and Dave Amato. They will perform at Elgin Books, 209 E. Chicago Street.

PHOTO: (Left to right) Leah Rae, Jeni Dees, Dave Amato, Ish Rios.

The company says rehearsals are going great. "It was very fun boiling down Edward Albee, Sam Shepard and David Mamet to a few specific choices to convey the scene," reports Dees. "We are looking forward to the challenge of performing over the top humor in a small playing area."

Are You Ready To Take A Walk?

2009-07-18T17:27:00.004-05:00

It’s been a busy couple months, but in two weeks, Elgin’s downtown will be hosting the second annual Walkabout: Theater on your Feet.

This year we’re looking forward to seeing more people pound the pavement as they witness live theater in unconventional places.

Last year, we played in a pub, a book store, two cafes and a specialty shop. This year, we’ve added a park, a ballroom an Italian restaurant and two more stops.

We also plan on having some original plays commissioned for Walkabout, along with some musical groups and street musicians to help add a soundtrack to the whole event.

And let’s not forget the artists. Last year, we had 35 artists, ranging from photographers, painters and sculptures. This year, we hope to eclipse that number.

There is much to be excited about it. And in the coming days, we plan on writing about as much of it as we can, so keep checking back to this site for more information.

We're Back!

2009-05-06T22:49:00.002-05:00

That's right. The Elgin Cultural Arts Commission will once again sponsor Walkabout: Theater On Your Feet. This will be the second year for this event, which electrified downtown in 2008.

This year we'll have some new sites, new theater groups, new short plays, new music, and more artists. So stayed tuned to this site for information.

Sean Hargadon
Project Coordinator - Elgin Cultural Arts Commission
Walkabout: Theater On Your Feet

Speak Out Elgin!

2008-08-26T20:05:00.003-05:00

A couple of days a go, I mentioned a story that staff writer Harry Hitzeman wrote in the Daily Herald. In it, he asked readers to stop criticizing Elgin. He was so adamant in his story, he told people to complain to him if they had something to say.

Well, he got his wish. As of this blog post, 26 comments have been posted to his story, many intense and all passionate. Some were actually removed because they violated the paper's rules for civilized discussion. Needless to say, Hitzeman struck a nerve.

The comments at the Daily Herald have subsided. And fortunately, it appears they've ended on a positive note. The one below is from someone with the user name Mencken. It says:

"I would like to thank the Daily Herald for sending a reporter to cover the "Walkabout: Theatre on Your Feet" event that Elgin hosted. This event is a very positive thing for Elgin, and for all the people who participated in it, even those from neighboring communities who may have spent money in Elgin stores. Through events like these communities grow, and when the people become active, communities flourish. It is a step in the right direction, and Elgin should do more like this. The best way to fight crime is for the people to develop a sense of place and ownership of their community, and be on the streets living and working, creating no dark corners for crime to thrive.

Illinois has a poorly designed sales tax where the city that collects it keeps it, thus pitting town vs town in sales tax wars. Thus strip malls everywhere. The Walkabout brings people from other towns into Elgin, they spend and the sales tax goes into the city coffers. With enough events, enough spending, more businesses opening, etc, the city might actually improve.
Thanks again to the Herald for covering this good news."

So what are your thoughts? Do we need more events like Walkabout to help downtown Elgin improve its image? Do events like these help to create safer neighborhoods?

Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad

2008-08-24T12:48:00.006-05:00

Well, we said a prayer and avoided the rain yesterday, which was a great thing, because Walkabout grew by almost 50% in one week.

That’s right. We were sold-out on our first Saturday (8/16), and we felt that the second Saturday would have more people, which meant we needed to accommodate the demand for new audiences, so we added a 2:15 pm tour and expanded our capacity to 20 per group instead of the normal 15.

We were right to make the changes, because we had over 100 people attend Walkabout yesterday, and that didn’t include people that came out to see the Alley of Art show and hear the Elgin Symphony Orchestra Quartet.

PHOTO: This tour group of 20 makes its way into Lily Falls for a Walkabout performance.

It was a wonderful. Perhaps a little too muggy, but still, we were able to get all the tours in, despite some small drops from some rain clouds above.

The day also had some backstage drama when the Independent Players production of “The Morning Report” was cancelled because the actor performing the piece broke his arm. Fortunately, he’s going to be alright.

As well as Walkabout has gone, last week there was a follow-up story in the Daily Herald (8/17) by Harry Hitzeman that praised the event. Unfortunately, some people responded to the paper’s website with some snarky comments.

Today, Hitzeman addressed those comments along with others directed toward Elgin in general.

In a story entitled “Readers Need to Stop Criticizing City of Elgin,” Hitzeman said:

“One of the buzzwords for newspapers these days is ‘interactivity’. You can see it on the Daily Herald website…and you can experience it and voice your opinions by commenting on stories. Some comments…are really moving and refreshing. But other comments are often so mean spirited they make me want to puke. Like last Saturday [8/16] for the “Walkabout” live theater event in downtown Elgin.”

Hitzeman goes on to say how people have no problem teeing off on what Elgin does as a city. And he admits that there are good things about Elgin and things that need improvement. However, he says, people should take care and be mindful when they make comments. At the end of the story, he challenges readers to send negative comments to him in the future.

What can I say to all of this? To quote a famous phrase from the past, “Give ‘em Hell, Harry!”

Sure, there are things in Elgin that need to be better. However, what’s important is that things are happening in Elgin. We’ve come a long way in the last few years.

PHOTO: Josh Raddie and Patricia True perform for Janus Theatre al fresco at Al's Cafe. Next week they will be back inside.

Recently, I was talking to Pat Jamin at Al’s Café and she said this year has been unique, because she’s seeing so many new faces walking downtown and checking out her restaurant.

And one thing I’ve noticed is all the people attending Walkabout that don’t reside in Elgin. Many people are hearing about the event and coming in from Chicago, Algonquin, Northbrook, etc.

If you couple this with the loyal Elgin audience that is already making its way downtown, you begin to see how things are taking a turn for the better. Again, it’s all about getting people to hit the streets and take a walk – anywhere.

All of us at Walkabout are looking forward to this weekend, which will be our last performance of Walkabout and the Alley of Art. Maybe we’ll be able to generate some more positive feedback, avoid any injuries, and keep the rain away.

The Daily Herald Day After Story

2008-08-19T20:28:00.003-05:00

We were fortunate to have the Daily Herald come out last Saturday and check out Walkabout. Here's what Harry Hitzeman at the Herald had to say.

Live Theater Comes To Elgin
by Harry Hitzeman Daily Herald Staff Writer

Published: 8/17/2008

The Elgin Cultural Arts Commission served up a smorgasbord of the live theater that the city has to offer Saturday - and made plenty of folks hungry for more.

The first day of "Walkabout: Theatre On Your Feet," was a hit Saturday, with organizers selling out all five tours.
The first-time program, which continues Aug. 23 and Aug. 30, takes participants on a one-hour tour of downtown to five locations for five short plays by five different theater companies.

PHOTO: Janus Theatre mixes it up with Playwriting 101: The Rooftop Lesson by Rich Orloff at Al's Cafe.

"I liked having the opportunity of being able to sample the different theater companies in town," said South Elgin resident Jude Cavallaro, who went with her husband Dennis Matheson.

Sean Hargadon, producing director of the Elgin-based Janus Theatre, said all five tours completely sold out. He said organizers tried to limit each group to 12 to 15 people, but they expanded it to 20 so no one would be turned away.

The tour ends at Al's Cafe and Creamery, 43 DuPage Court, emptying groups onto an "Alley of Art" that included live music and artists' displays set up along the brick sidewalk.

"The next two Saturdays, there's going to be more artists out here," Hargadon said. "This is great. We're getting a lot of positive feedback."

The performers also enjoyed the change of pace.

"It's a very different feel from what I'm normally used to. But it gets us actors closer to the audience," said Adam Krause, who played Vincent van Gogh in a two-person play with fellow Vex Theatre member Debbie Dennison at Ravenheart Cafe, 126 E. Chicago St. "You can interact more. It really enhanced the experience for myself and the audience as well."

Elgin resident Mike Cain and his wife, Laurie, both enjoyed the activity.

"It was really interesting, a lot of fun," he said. "It's good on a lot of levels. It gets people downtown, (the plays are) the right length."

That's music to the ears of Sylvia Grady, city liaison to the Cultural Arts Commission, who said organizers hope to make the Walkabout an annual event.

She also noted the downtown streetscape improvements in the Walkabout area should be done next year, allowing for more artists and making it easier for people to get around.

One Down, Two To Go

2008-08-18T20:53:00.005-05:00

What a weekend! Sorry about this belated post, but Sunday was a day of needed rest with the family.

But I'm happy to report that the first weekend of Walkabout: Theater on your Feet and the Alley of Art in downtown Elgin was a huge success. Yes, we had some minor issues when we arrived at Du Page Court. The court was a mess due to the previous night's festivities generated by the Pub Crawl. And we also had no power for The Rory Miller Band. But thanks to the help of Elgin Cultural Arts Commission liaison Sylvia Grady, the stones were swept and the lights were turned on.

Much thanks also goes out to our wonderful volunteers. They helped us set up the whole event and they also made their way through a downtown that's still under construction. Actually, we had to adjust our route because the sidewalk at the corner of Chicago Street and Dundee Avenue was out of commission and not even one person could pass, let alone a group of people.

Needless to say, it was an eventful day - where the weather was fine, the people were excited, the actors performed, the musicians played, the artists displayed, and the malts flowed - at Al's Cafe.

PHOTO: Lynn Wirth can't contain herself during her Walkabout performance.

Oh, did I also mention that we filled up all the tours? That's right. All five theater walking tours were packed with people ready for anything.

I will be posting more this week, featuring stories about people's perceptions of Walkabout. In the meantime, take a look at the picture above. It's actor Lynn Wirth, who performs in Face-T-Face's "Mrs. Sorken." At this moment in the play she has a revelation and is elated. (Actually, I didn't quite get the shot right because she was coming right at me.) Regardless, that photo captures the excitement of the day.

Theatre In The Round, All Around Elgin

2008-08-14T22:02:00.003-05:00

It's been a busy week getting Walkabout up to speed, so here's another story - this time from the Pioneer Press - about taking in some theater on your feet.

Experience theater on walk around Elgin

August 14, 2008

By LILLI KUZMA Contributor

Shakespeare wrote, "All the world's a stage," and he would've been pleased and impressed with "Walkabout: Theater On Your Feet."

An idea developed by Sean Hargadon, "Walkabout" presents a variety of artistic entertainment, including five short one-act plays, music and mixed media art. The event will entail groups being led by guides to various venues in and around the revitalized downtown Elgin area. Like a progressive dinner party, the audience will partake of artistic offerings at one venue, then move on to another at regular intervals. The event will be held on three Saturdays, Aug. 16, 23 and 30.

PHOTO: A downtown map of Elgin where Walkabout will be performed.

Inspiration in Paris
"The seed was planted along these lines when I was on a trip to Paris with my wife a few years ago," said Hargadon, who is the producing director for Janus Theatre and a member of the Elgin Arts Commission.

"There was this Festival of Music going on in Paris, and everywhere, on streets, sidewalks, cafes, there was music of all types, even Rage Against the Machine," he said. "It was hip without trying to be hip, and I thought why not do something like this in downtown Elgin. We have lots of history, and it is being revitalized, changing before our eyes."

"I pitched the idea to the Elgin Arts Commission and, with their blessing, started putting this together," he said.

Starting out
The theater walk begins at the Elgin Art Showcase, then proceeds to Lily Falls, Ravenheart Coffee, Elgin Books, Elgin Public House and Al's Cafe. The local theater groups involved in the event are Face-T-Face, Vex Theatre, Independent Players, Nothing Special Productions and Janus Theatre. The theater group with the best show will receive $500.

Live music will be provided by The Rory Miller Band (folk) on August 16; the Elgin Symphony Orchestra Quartet (classical) on August 12; and the Ain't No Nothin' Jazz Band (traditional, pop) on August 30. Thirty-two artists are involved in the Alley of Art showcase area at DuPage Court, with about 10 displaying each week.

One of the plays, "Netherlands," presented by Palatine-based Vex Theatre, concerns the tragic final days of Vincent Van Gogh, as his mental illness progresses to his (implied in the play) suicide. Van Gogh (played by Adam Krause) meets up with a mysterious "Dutch girl" in a park, played by Debbi Dennison, of Schaumburg.

Audience intervention
"Van Gogh is obsessed with his painting, and my character is obsessed with everything Dutch, but the underlying thing is they're trying to connect, and play a kind of tug of war game for attention," said Dennison. "How it ends is left up to the audience. She may not be real, just a figment of his imagination."

Hargadon added: "The audience is your extra character in a play, and has an integral part of the performance. Some of the pieces talk directly to the audience."

Cathleen Ann, co-founder of Vex Theatre, commented on the unusual event: "We like that the audiences will be exposed to many different theatre groups with different styles in one afternoon. It will be a novel experience for most theatre-goers."

Hargadon noted an incentive for early advanced registration will be goodie bags with items like coupons and cover programs. Some of the businesses also will be offering samples for visitors. There will also be a limited number of T-shirts available.

"When they're gone, they're gone," he said.

The Daily Herald Starts The Press

2008-08-12T19:40:00.007-05:00

It has begun. The Daily Herald ran a story last Friday by Contributing Theatre Critic, Jack Helbig. (And much to my surprise and excitement, they also ran stories on Sunday and Tuesday. That is a very rare thing in the newspaper business, but appreciated from all of us here at Walkabout.)

Helbig is all about fringe theater. Historically, he's been a proponent of what theatre director Peter Brook likes to call the "Rough Theatre." This is the type that is "down to earth and direct."
As Hebig said to me in our phone interview, "I like theatre that has a little chaos in it." And I'm sure Helbig likes to take a leisurely walk. In any case, he had some nice things to say about Walkabout: Theater on your Feet.

Elgin Walkabout Showcases Local Theater
By Jack Helbig Daily Herald Contributing Theatre Critic

August 6, 2008

Downtown Elgin hosts a mini-theater festival of sorts, "Walkabout," Aug 16, 23 and 30. Five theaters will participate in the event in which participants walk around downtown Elgin, and step in to see short performances by participating theaters.

The Walkabout was the brainchild of Sean Hargadon, a member of the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission. There are a lot of independent businesses in downtown Elgin," Hargadon says. "This was a way to showcase both local theaters and local businesses."

Hargadon has an interest in showcasing both. He is not only a commission member, he is also a founding member of the Janus Theatre Company, one of the more successful and long-lived theaters in the western suburbs. Janus was founded in 1999 and has performed in various spaces across the suburbs(from Arlington Heights to Elgin) and Chicago.

Hargadon got the inspiration for the Walkabout during a trip several years ago to Europe. "My wife and I went to Paris in 2005," Hargadon says. "We were there during a street music festival. There were bands playing on all the sidewalks. And you could hear any kind of music you wanted. One group was playing jazz. Someone was playing the accordion. One group was playing "Rage Against the Machine." "It was very cool," Hargadon says, "and I thought, wouldn't something like this be great in Elgin."

Hargadon pitched the festival to the Elgin commission. "Originally I was going to pitch the idea of an Elgin fringe theater festival," Hargadon says, "but that was too much to bite off at this point." So he scaled it back to five theaters, each performing a short play in a venue in downtown Elgin.

Hargadon sent out invitations to all of the theaters he could think of, asking for proposals for shows. He ended up with a cross section of suburban Chicago's smaller, scrappier theaters: Janus Theatre Company, Vex Theatre Company, Nothing Special Productions, the Independent Players. Each theater has been given a performance space and a spot on an ongoing tour of downtown Elgin.

The Walkabout begins at the Professional Building at 164 Division St. Tour guides will lead patrons to spaces where different local theaters are performing. "We have a show in a pub. We have a show in a cafe," Hargadon says. "We have a show in a store. We have a show in a bookstore."

"The Walkabout will then end at the Alley of Art," Hargadon says, "at DuPage Court next to Al's Cafe where we will have art and live music. The Walkabout runs Saturdays Aug. 16, 23 and 30 starting at 1 p.m. with tours every 15 minutes until 2 p.m. The starting location is the Professional Building, 164 Division St. Elgin. Reservations are essential: (847) 841-1713.

Taking A Walk On The Dramatic Side

2008-08-10T18:00:00.004-05:00

Yesterday we had the Tour Guides and House Managers out for walk around downtown Elgin. We were getting a lay-of-the-land and seeing how everything would flow when we had an actual audience.

I have to say, I was pleased everything went so smoothly and we had some excellent suggestions.

However, one thing struck me throughout all this, and I talked about it briefly with Nancy Guthrie, who is one of our guides.

Just walking through the downtown is an adventure. Seeing the old buildings, new buildings, cracked sidewalks, new streets, empty and filled storefronts, reminds you of what is happening here. Or rather what happened and how it is trying to change – for the better. “It’s actually pretty cool,” Nancy said.

PHOTO: This is Du Page Court, where the Alley of Art will be along with live music. This is best viewed from on top of the hill by Dundee Avenue.

Upon entering the various venues where plays will be performed, our group received some curious looks. People kept saying: “What’s going on?” There seemed to be a little excitement generated by our collective presence.

Of course, there will be some challenges to our Walk, like the uneven pavement between sidewalks and storefront entrances, or the Chicago Street sidewalk, which currently is under construction. Oh, it can be navigated; you just have to walk single-file. I think Erin Conroy said we might “need a rope, so everyone could stay connected.”

That didn’t stop one person, who came out of Elgin Books proclaiming it to be “a great place with lots of atmosphere.”

“Did you pay him to say that, Sean,” someone said in our group. “I never saw him in my life,” I said.

That guy must be onto something, because all of this construction can be celebrated when you get to the top of the hill at Du Page Court and Dundee Avenue. From there, you look down and see where the Alley of Art will be, right next to Al’s Café. Last year, this area was ripped apart. But now, it’s very appealing with new streets, freshly planted trees, and wide sidewalks. It’s a nice site and hopefully everyone will appreciate it in when they get to that point of the Walk.

Later, after finishing the practice walk before the real walk next week, Vex Theatre began rehearsing their play “Netherlands” in Ravenheart Café. The Daily Herald showed up to take some photos. According to Cathleen Ann of Vex, people outside were stopped in their tracks, wondering what was going in the café. They were curious and excited, so Cathleen gave them some postcards.

And that’s the kind of reaction we want. From the guides to the walkers, to the pedestrians and the business owners, we want them all to be curious and excited. “We’re all very psyched about this,” Cathleen said. Well, so am I.

"All Art Leads To Light"

2008-08-07T22:51:00.008-05:00

Not all art is painting, sculpture, wood or glass. Some can be classified as installation. This doesn't mean the work is less appealing or interesting. It just provides a new way at seeing things.

And according to Christopher Durang's play "Mrs. Sorken" - soon to be presented by Face-T-Face Productions - "All art leads to light." The pictures below concur. They are titled Replication of System.

This work is by artist Ann Marie Cernoch, who uses multiple metal rings, thousands of wire of copper, and a variety of electronic elements to create her work.

"My work is an exploration into how technology is an extension of the human mind," Cernoch says. "Using our brains as inspiration, we are expanding technological systems and creating the impossible."

You can see her art installations on August 16 at the Alley of Art.

Meet Mrs. Sorken

2008-08-05T22:22:00.007-05:00

She’s looking forward to meeting you. And she wants to talk to you about theater. Now if she could only find her notes.

Say hello to Mrs. Sorken, a.k.a. Chicago actor Lynn Wirth.

Lynn has played some tough roles in her acting career, like Sally in “Talley’s Folly,” Beline in “The Imaginary Invalid,” and Sonia in “Life X 3.”

Photo: Lynn Wirth

She’s also worked with some veteran Chicago theatre companies, such as the Raven Theatre, Bailiwick Theatre and Cobalt Ensemble Theatre, to name a few.

But now award-winning playwright Christopher Durang has given here a whole new challenge with Mrs. Sorken. Durang is known for his outrageous and often absurd comedy that has a healthy does of satire in it.

“Mrs. Sorken” is no different. The set up is simple: a woman waits to greet a group of theatergoers, so she can talk to them about why people go to the theater. As it turns out, the question is harder answer than she thought.

I caught up Lynn to see how things are going with the show.

How does it feel playing Mrs. Sorken?

It’s a great joy any time you get the opportunity to play a role written by Christopher Durang. He’s a brilliant comic writer. This particular play reminds me of one of his well-known one-act plays called “Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You.” When Mrs. Sorken, like Sister Mary Ignatius, first starts talking to the audience, she appears to be a completely reasonable person. But as the play goes on, the discussion disintegrates into pure absurdity. After a while the audience has no idea what will come out of the character’s mouth next. As an actor, that is great fun!

What is Mrs. Sorken like?

Mrs. Sorken initially comes off as someone who the audience members might like to engage in a lively discussion over a few cocktails. She is friendly, enthusiastic and isn’t shy about expressing her views. But by the end of the play? Well, the audience might have a slightly different perspective of her!

What do you think about doing a play at Lily Falls?

I am excited about the opportunity to perform in the unique setting of Lily Falls. It is a lovely shop and I’ll be integrating the space into my performance.

What can the audience expect from your performance?

Unlike a traditional theatrical setting where the audience is passively watching, the audience for Mrs. Sorken will actually be a part of the play. I will be interacting with them and bringing them into the theatrical experience.

How do you feel about doing theatre without lights and sound?

If you think about it, this type of performance has been around since the beginning of theater. The ancient Greeks or the actors in Shakespeare’s time didn’t have lights and sound. They only had themselves—and what they could convey to the audience through their voice and actions. That’s exciting and terrifying at the same time because it’s totally up to me!

Well, there you have it. Another actor courageously prepares to face the audience in what Shakespeare would call the “undiscovered country.”

This short play will be presented by Face-T-Face Productions at Lily Falls off Douglas Street, across from Villa Verone.

It All Begins With The Sidewalks

2008-08-03T20:22:00.003-05:00

It’s been a few days since I posted something. Much of this is because I spent a lot of time at Fox Fire Fest at Festival Park in downtown Elgin.

I’m always excited to see crowds of people making their way around the downtown. In this case, they were all heading south to the park.

This got me thinking. One of the reasons to produce Walkabout: Theater on your Feet and the Alley of Art was to create more action in the downtown.

In essence, theater on your feet is all about getting people on the sidewalks; walking and talking, interacting and mingling, thereby creating a pulse that you can feel. This might sound romantic, but it sure beats the heat of empty concrete in the summer. What’s more, its fun to watch the various faces downtown. That’s why the French face all their café tables and chairs towards the street: the entertainment is right in front of you.

PHOTO: Where the sidewalk ends? No, that's where it all starts.

In recent months, downtown Elgin featured Rib Fest, the Festival Of Balloons and, Fox Fire Fest, just to name a few. While these events are exciting and important, they were all based in Festival Park.

Getting people to experience other places is also necessary. This means having events in local neighborhoods. Events like the 4th of July Parade off Douglas Avenue, The Amazing Race throughout downtown, and the Elgin Cycling Classic in Lord's Park, help to create foot traffic in different places.

This idea of people walking on sidewalks seems fundamental. But in some suburbs, you won’t find a sidewalk to save your life. In downtown Elgin, many of the sidewalks, and the plumbing underneath them, are being replaced in favor of newer construction.

To understand the benefits of people walking on the sidewalks, all you have to do is take a look at “The Death and Life of Great American Cities" by Jane Jacobs. Jacobs was considered one of the most outspoken critics of urban development in the 20th century. When reading her work, it sounds refreshing today. Here’s an excerpt:

"The sidewalk must have users on it fairly continuously, both to add to the number of effective eyes on the street and to induce the people in buildings along the street to watch the sidewalks in sufficient numbers. Nobody enjoys sitting on a stoop or looking out a window at an empty street. ... Large numbers of people entertain themselves, off and on, by watching street activity."

For me, that quote says it all. And hopefully Walkabout: Theater on your Feet and the Alley of Art will help to bring more “street activity” downtown.

"The Great Good Place"

2008-07-30T21:48:00.008-05:00

When I asked Greg Shannon, owner of the Elgin Public House, about participating in Walkabout: Theater on your Feet, he was quick with his answer: "Let's do it."

That type of attitude has made the Public House stand out since it opened in 2007.

This old style building with its exposed brick walls has quickly become a neighborhood hangout.

Its a place to get a drink, some food, watch a game, or listen to a band. I know of many Elgin theater companies that have had their casts stop by after a show for a drink. They may also get one of their famous mini-pub burgers, or both.

Usually, when you enter the Public House, you'll see Greg or Lou Gramm (she's his partner) greet you at the door. When they're not in, you can find Joe behind the bar, or any one of the servers greet you with a smile and a kind word.

This is what makes the Public House a welcoming "third-place." What's a "third place" you ask? According to author Ray Oldenburg, who wrote the book "The Great Good Place," it is a term used in the concept of community building.

In his book, Oldenburg calls one's "first place" the home and those that one lives with. The "second place" is the workplace — where people may actually spend most of their time. "Third places," then, are "anchors" of community life and facilitate and foster broader, more creative interaction.

Oldenburg continues by saying a true "third place" usually has inexpensive food and drink, is highly accessible, involves regulars and is welcoming and comfortable.

In a nutshell, that's the Public House: laid-back and comfortable - a place where people know your name. Does that sound familiar?

The Elgin Public House will be hosting Nothing Special Productions when it performs "The Surprise Party" for Walkabout. You can learn more about the Public House at http://www.elginpublichouse.com/

A Day At The Beach

2008-07-29T19:50:00.005-05:00

Here's something that goes with summer - the beach. But sometimes work can keep you away. The picture below is a constant reminder.

This piece of photography is by artist Liz Villacorta, who also does commercial and freelance work on the side.

You can see more of her work on August 30.

Barley And Hops Helps Group Write New Play

2008-07-28T19:01:00.006-05:00

They’re energetic. They’re tireless. And they’re writing a new play - for Walkabout.

Say hello to Nothing Special Productions (NSP) – an Elgin theater company that’s had a busy summer.

They were already knee-deep into rehearsals working on the Chicago-area premiere of “Eroica” – a Vietnam War drama by award-winning playwright David Alex – when I approached them for Walkabout.

Even with a limited schedule, they were very interested in being a part of Walkabout. So, when I met with co-founders Nick Cardiff, Mikey Laird and Brian Rohde, their enthusiasm for the project was palpable. “This is the kind of stuff we love,” said Brian Rohde. “This will be perfect for us.”

Mikey Laird, who's directing the show, is enjoying the challenge of developing and directing a new play in a found space. "This will be an excellent opportunity for us to be creative and try something different," he said.

Recently I caught up with them to see how their show – “The Surprise Party” – is shaping up. I talked with Nick Cardiff, who is the lead writer of the play.

So how's the play coming?

"The Surprise Party" is going very well. We've recently had our "Ah ha!" moment so we are well on our way. We are very excited to see how the rest of the process pans out, especially since this
is the first show we've written.

How's the writing process developing?

We’ve come up with the structure and the dialogue will come together this week as a result of a series of exercises, explorations and improvisations. We hope to have a fully cohesive show by the middle of this week.

What can we expect? Will the show be a comedy, drama, etc?

What can you expect!? It's a surprise - maybe a bit of column A, a bit of column B, and a dash of extra.

How's working at Elgin Public House going?

It's great. We get to drink while we work! The Public House has been fantastic. They let us come in and do our thing. It's been a very fun process to tailor a show to a space and write while we are actually in it.

Well, there you have it. At least we know the guys at NSP won’t be parched. And working on a full stomach certainly helps.

“The Surprise Party” is the fourth play scheduled on the walk. Their show will be presented at the Elgin Public House. You can learn more about Nothing Special Productions at their website: http://www.nothingspecialproductions.com/

Recycled Sun

2008-07-25T08:53:00.006-05:00

Here's something you see almost everyday except when it rains. It's the Sun from a different point of view.

This piece is the creation of Kristina Dziedzic-Wright, an Elgin artist who makes art out of doing assemblages and installations out of recycled food containers and wrappers.

She'll be showing her work on August 23.

Sweet Sounds On A Summer Afternoon

2008-07-24T11:04:00.009-05:00

One of the lesser-known aspects of the Alley of Art show, which will be presented in conjunction with Walkabout: Theater on your Feet, is the music.

Each weekend, there will be a musical group featured outside at Du Page Court under the natural canopy of trees that shades the court.

It's a perfect setting for live music.

Photo: Rory Miller performing at the Porcupine Mountains Music Festival in Michigan, 2007.

We wanted to do this to create a laid-back atmosphere as the artists make, display and sell their artwork to people finishing up the Theatre Walk.

August 16 features The Rory Miller Band - an alternative-country, folk, rock quartet - and a finalist in the FameCast competition last year.
August 23 features The Elgin Symphony Orchestra Quartet, playing an array a classical favorites.
August 30 the third and final Saturday features the Ain't No Nothin' Jazz Band, a seven piece group orginating from Judson Univerity playing traditional jazz.

We'll being doing more in depth features about these groups as we get closer to Walkabout.

In the meantime, you can check out the first group on deck for August 16 - the Rory Miller Band at http://www.rorymillerband.com/.

Going Green Before It Was Hip

2008-07-23T07:48:00.008-05:00

Going "green" seems to be the latest rage.

It appears everyone wants to be environmentally correct nowadays. Everywhere you go, people are recycling more, building better buildings, even doing away with plastic shopping bags. But what if you were doing this all along before everyone one else showed up at the party?

Well, meet Ravenheart Cafe - downtown Elgin's newest hangout at 176 East Chicago Street and winner of the William Strickland award from the Mayor's office for rehabbing an old building into a fresh, new green business.

Photo: The Ravenheart Cafe logo might remind you of Edgar Allen Poe, but you could also think of it as one of the migratory birds that are saved by using sustainable shade-grown coffee.

According to owner Jerri McCue, the green doesn't stop at the building. She also serves sustainable shade grown coffee. What's that? You might ask. McCue has an answer.

"Shade grown coffee means the coffee is grown under the natural canopy of the forest as opposed to sun grown coffee where the forest's are cut down to grow the coffee."

The benefit of top shade grown coffee is the protection of the natural habitat for migratory birds says McCue. "Shade grown coffee is also rated in the top 15% of the coffee grown in the world."

This makes McCue's coffee a tasty treat of the highest quality. Another benefit to all this is that the growers of the coffee are treated fairly. All in all, it's an excellent product that McCue is very proud of and happy to bring to downtown Elgin.

"We've been promoting sustainable shade grown coffee for 5 years even before it was hip to be green," McCue says. "We pay more for our coffee but don't pass that on to our customers."

In actuality, McCue says Ravenheart is priced below most chain coffee shops. This is no small feat, considering Ravenheart is a family owned and operated independent green business.

When approached about participating in Walkabout, McCue was open to the idea.

"Anything we can do to get more people down here is fine by me," she said. "This is a wonderful location and people are excited by us being here. Now we just need more of them."

Ravneheart Cafe will be hosting Vex Theatre when they present "Netherlands" as part of Walkabout: Theater on your Feet. You can learn more about Ravenheart at their website: http://www.ravenheartcoffee.net/

Being Inside The Mind Of Van Gogh

2008-07-22T08:44:00.006-05:00

You wouldn't expect to see Van Gogh in Elgin. Maybe in Batavia - that windmill town.

But for Walkabout, Vex Theatre will be presenting Don Nigro's short bolt of theatrical lightening -"Netherlands" - featuring Van Gogh and the Dutch girl, who lovingly badgers him about clabber and all things Dutch. It's a comedy - of sorts.

Cathleen Ann, Producer at Vex Theatre, says the play packs a punch.

“The playwright does a fine job capturing the essence of Van Gogh, offering a creative interpretation of what it might have been like, living in his head. This play is very funny and odd, but also oddly touching. Van Gogh was an incredibly complex man whose talent superseded the mental illness he faced. We can only imagine what it must have been like, during the last year of his life. He was incredibly ill, yet astoundingly productive with his painting.”

The show also features Adam Krause, playing Van Gogh and Debbi Dennison (both pictured) as the mysterious Dutch Gril he meets in the park - or in this case Ravenheart Cafe - a woman who may be a hallucination or a fellow mental patient. It’s for the audience to decide.

Rich Geiger directs the play. To bone up on Van Gogh, Geiger watched countless documentaries and movies in order to get a better handle on Van Gogh's life. After all, how many artists are famous for cutting off their ear?

Geiger thinks the play is a great tie-in with Walkabout, a festival that combines the performing and visual arts. “Acting can be just as much of an art as painting," he says. "It creates an image that leaves an impression in the mind of the viewer.”

Geiger and his cast have spent a lot of time discussing Van Gogh’s work, especially “Wheatfield with Crows” (a painting referenced in the play) and the emotion that may have been behind the way he laid paint on the canvas.

The challenge of the show, according to Geiger "is to show the complexity of this larger-than-life man in an entertaining, enlightening way."

"Netherlands" will be playing at the Ravenheart Cafe in downtown Elgin. It will be the second play presented in Walkabout. Find out more about Vex Theatre at http://www.vextheatre.org/

Heavy Metal Monday Night

2008-07-21T09:51:00.001-05:00

It all started in Paris, 2005. It's called the Festival of Music. And it happened in June.

My wife and I were staying on the left bank for our honeymoon. It was a Monday night and we went out to explore and not five minutes into our quiet walk, we came upon some street musicians playing some jazz. It was a small three piece combo of college students. We looked at each other lovingly and said "Paris" like a couple might say in a movie. It was soooo romantic.

Then we went another 60 feet and saw a full band playing "Killing In The Name Of..." by Rage Against the Machine. This time we looked at each other and said "Paris?"

It was not what we expected, which was a good thing, but it didn't stop there.

At first, it was odd. Seeing these students jamming away to this hardcore music. But our trip just grew more strange. Not a quarter of a block later, there was more music - a folk duo - and then there was classical, Calypso, Latin - you name it, all throughout the streets of the left bank.

We made our way to Montmarte, that mythological place where Moulin Rouge is still a vibrant place. It's also where many artists, poets and performers made names for themselves.

The music continued, but now we were engulfed by artists all around us. Painters, sculptors, craft artists - they were everywhere. And, of course, the whole experience with all the people filling the streets, made for great theater with all these"characters" that made you laugh, cry and just wonder "How did I get here?"

Fast forward to 2007.

Downtown Elgin is not Paris. But it is unique. And different from your typical suburb. It has character and history and much of this can easily be forgotten as the downtown undergoes construction to "revitalize" itself.

The idea to present a Theatre Walk/Art Show was presented to the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission in the fall of 2007. And it's very possible that the seeds for this were planted on that night in Paris.

This blog is about the people, places and art that will make Walkabout: Theater on your Feet a memorable experience.

Stayed tuned. There will be more to come.

Sean Hargadon