Pivot Multi-Arts Festival Runs Now thru 6/22

Pivot Arts launches a new celebration of innovative theater, music and dance in unique and often historic spaces from today, June 6 - 22, 2013 throughout Chicago's Uptown and Edgewater neighborhoods. The inaugural PIVOT MULTI-ARTS FESTIVAL answers the City's call for a reinvigorated Uptown Entertainment District by uniting artists, businesses and local organizations around multidisciplinary "pop-up" performances occurring in a former Vaudeville Theater, an at-one-time Charlie Chaplin film studio and other historic spaces throughout these communities. Tickets are now on sale, with a range of free events and no more than $15 per event. To purchase tickets, and for complete festival information, visit www.pivotarts.org/festival or call 773-609-0782.

Over three weeks, audiences will have the opportunity to attend performances, many of which blur the boundaries between theater, music and dance or use some combination of performance disciplines in their work. Programming includes: live music, theater, dance, puppetry, a community picnic and performances for children.

Participating Groups/Artists at time of release: 6018NORTH, Backroom Shakespeare Project, Chicago Architectural Foundation, Colin Bunn & Los Hombres Perdidos, The Hoyle Brothers, Mehran Flamenco Quartet, Molly Shanahan/Mad Shak Dance Company, Manual Cinema, Mucca Pazza, Neo-Futurists, Theater Oobleck, RE|Dance Group, Ami Saraiya, Tricia Sebastian with C.A.T.S., Steep Theatre Company, Ruth Margraff and Café Antarsia Ensemble, Jorge Ignacio Cortinas, Alice Austen, Martin Zimmerman, Steve Moulds and Tanya Palmer.

Children's Performances by: Alternatives, INC. Youth Group, Crooked Door Storytelling, Dream Big Performance Workshop, Storytown Improv, People's Music School and more.

Venues: Berger Park, Broadway Cellars, Burke's Public House, Chase Park, Essanay Studios at St. Augustine College, FLATStheatre (an historic vaudeville space/bank building), Francesca's Bryn Mawr, Kitchen Sink Café, L'étage, Lickity Split, Senn High School, Uncommon Ground and The Waterfront Café at Berger Park. Food vendors include Dimo's Pizza, Heritage General Store and Goose Island Catering Co.

THE FULL PIVOT MULTI-ARTS FESTIVAL LINE-UP AS OF RELEASE TIME:

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22

FESTIVAL KICK-OFF EVENT

6 - 9 pm L'étage Wine and Cocktail Bar

5240 N. Clark St. $25 in advance ($30 at the door)

Join the Pivot Board and Festival Artists for a sneak preview of performances, wine and beer offerings of L'étage and Goose Island Catering Co. and fine foodstuffs of Brasserie 54.

To purchase tickets, visit pivotarts.org/festival

THURSDAY, JUNE 6

ICE CREAM AND IMPROV

4 pm LICKITY SPLIT $5 at the door

6056 N. Broadway Ave.

Interactive improv and storytelling for kids ages four and up at an old-fashioned sweet shop with Second City Alum, Jen Bills.

RE|Dance Group presents THE LONELY VISITORS

Choreography by Michael Estanich

8 pm SENN HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM $15

5900 N. Glenwood Ave.

This moving collection of 30 short episodes, performed by the eight members of RE|Dance Group, ponders the depths and desires of human longing. Senn High School is celebrating its "Centennial" anniversary and is part of the festival's tour of historic spaces. Opening night celebration at Broadway Cellars 5900 N. Broadway included with purchase of RE DANCE ticket.

FRIDAY, JUNE 7

LIVE BANDS ON LAWN

7 pm SENN HIGH SCHOOL FRONT LAWN $5 Suggested Donation

5900 N. Glenwood Ave.

Meet up on the lawn for live music including Colin Bunn's LOS HOMBRES PERDIDOS. A bring-your-own picnic, early summer celebration.

RE|Dance Group presents THE LONELY VISITORS

Choreography by Michael Estanich

8 pm SENN HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM $15

5900 N. Glenwood Ave.

(see above description)

COMEDY NIGHT hosted by 3PEAT

10 pm Burke's Public House $5

5401 N. Broadway Ave.

All African American comedy troupe brings together some of Chicago's best comedic talent all to be enjoyed over drinks at Burke's Pub.

SATURDAY, JUNE 8

Chicago Architectural Foundation presents UPTOWN TOUR

10:30 am Special tour for Festival starting at FLATStheatre, historic vaudeville theater

1050 W. Wilson Ave.

See a treasure trove of terra cotta ornament, learn about the adaptive re-use of buildings and hear about past and present uses of the entertainment palaces such as the Riviera Theatre, Green Mill, Aragon Ballroom and Uptown Theatre.

The two-hour tour is $15 or free for CAF members. For tickets/information call 312-922-TOUR.

ART IN THE PARK(ING) LOT:

A WEEKEND CELEBRATION AT FLATStheatre, FORMER VAUDEVILLE THEATER/ BANK

1050 W. Wilson Ave.

Performances throughout the day on Saturday June 8 and Sunday June 9 for all ages include: live bands, storytelling and activities for kids, Flamenco Dancing, a fashion show and more! Enjoy beer and food from Goose Island Catering & Events, Heritage General Store and Dimo's Pizza.

IN THE PARKING LOT SATURDAY, JUNE 8:

$5 • Free for children under 12

12 pm African Drum Circle

IN THE BANK BUILDING:

$15 (for over-21 years only)

At night, historic theater doors open for music entertainment. Sponsored by Goose Island Catering & Events.

8 pm Bank Building Opens with opener, AMI SARAIYA, and food/Goose Island beer for 21 years and up.

10 pm HEADLINER, Mucca Pazza, the 28-piece, punk marching band that thinks it's a rock 'n' roll band and is known to incite mass dance outbreaks.

SUNDAY, JUNE 9

ART IN THE PARK(ING) LOT:

A WEEKEND CELEBRATION AT FLATStheatre, FORMER VAUDEVILLE THEATER/BANK BUILDING

1050 W. Wilson Ave.

Performances throughout the day on Saturday June 8 and Sunday June 9 for all ages include: live bands, storytelling and activities for kids, Flamenco Dancing, a fashion show and more! Enjoy beer and food from Goose Island Catering & Events, Heritage General Store and Dimo's Pizza.

IN THE PARKING LOT SUNDAY JUNE 9:

$5 • Free for children under 12

For complete music line-up see pivotarts.org/festival

IN THE BANK BUILDING:

$5/show or $7/both

7 pm THE NEO-FUTURISTS presents THE CARTER FAMILY FAMILY SHOW

Written and Directed by Chloe Johnston

The Neo-Futurists present three solo pieces inspired by the lives of these musical pioneers, the original Carter family of country music.

MONDAY, JUNE 10

PIVOT ARTS presents THE COFFEE HOUSE MUSIC/PLAYS

Curated by Tanya Palmer

7 pm Uncommon Ground $5

1401 W. Devon Ave.

Support local coffee houses and enjoy new work by exciting young writers from across the country. Director of New Plays at Goodman Theatre, Tanya Palmer, curates shorts by six premiere playwrights including: Jorge Ignacio Cortinas, Alice Austen, Martin Zimmerman, Steve Moulds, Kristin Idaszak and Tanya Palmer - all inspired by a piece of music.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12

6018NORTH and PIVOT ARTS present FUTURE OF ARTS IN EDGEWATER/UPTOWN

7 pm 6018NORTH FREE

6018 N. Kenmore Ave.

Former MCA Curator and director of 6018NORTH, Trisha Van Eyk, and Pivot Arts co-host discussion on the future of the arts in Uptown and Edgewater with local community leaders.

THURSDAY, JUNE 13 - SATURDAY, JUNE 15 AT 7:30 PM; SUNDAY, JUNE 16 AT 3 PM

7:30 pm Manual Cinema and Theater Oobleck

ESSANAY STUDIOS at ST. AUGUSTINE COLLEGE 2 shows for $15

1333 - 45 W. Argyle St.

Essanay Studios was an American motion picture studio founded in 1907 best known for its production of Charlie Chaplin Films in 1915. Both Manual Cinema and Theater Oobleck's pieces are inspired by early film

MANUAL CINEMA presents ADA/AVA.

Set in a landscape of the New England gothic, ADA/AVA uses a story of the fantastic and supernatural to explore mourning and melancholy, self and other. Manual Cinema combines handmade shadow puppetry, cinematic motifs, and live sound manipulation to create immersive theatrical stories.

Theater Oobleck presents POSSESSION: BAUDELAIRE IN A BOX, EPISODE #5. Baudelaire poems set to music and performed in cantastoria style with original paintings. For Possession, Ronnie Kuller, Chris Schoen and Jeff Dorchen have each adapted five poems from Les Fleurs du mal with scrolls painted by Dave Buchen.

PIVOT ARTS and BUENA PARK NEIGHBORS present JUBILEE

10 pm at 4136 N. Broadway St. $5 suggested donation

Pivot teams up with Buena Park Neighbors for an evening of short performances at a defunct cleaners space by: Lacy Katerine Campbell, Jeff Trainor, Max Wirt, Caitlin Costello, and more.

FRIDAY, JUNE 14

7:30 pm MANUAL CINEMA presents ADA/AVA and Theater Oobleck presents POSSESSION: BAUDELAIRE IN A BOX, EPISODE #5.

ESSANAY STUDIOS at ST. AUGUSTINE COLLEGE 2 shows for $15

1333 - 45 W. Argyle St.

See description above.

PIVOT ARTS and BUENA PARK NEIGHBORS present NIGHT OF LEPUS

10 pm at 4136 N Broadway St. $5 suggested donation

SATURDAY, JUNE 15

1 pm STORYTOWN IMPROV presents ICE CREAM AND IMPROV

Francesca's Bryn Mawr $10

1039 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.

Complimentary gelato sundaes and ice cream floats combine with interactive performance for kids.

7:30 pm MANUAL CINEMA presents ADA/AVA and Theater Oobleck presents POSSESSION: BAUDELAIRE IN A BOX, EPISODE #5.

ESSANAY STUDIOS at ST. AUGUSTINE COLLEGE, 2 shows for $15

1333 - 45 W. Argyle St.

See description above.

10 pm at 4136 N Broadway St. $5 suggested donation

STEEP THEATER presents BACKYARD BBQ READING SERIES

11 pm at Steep Theater $10

1115 W. Berwyn Ave.

One of Edgewater's most exciting young theater companies, Steep Theater presents reading of new work accompanied by BBQ.

SUNDAY, JUNE 16

3 pm MANUAL CINEMA presents ADA/AVA and Theater Oobleck presents POSSESSION: BAUDELAIRE IN A BOX, EPISODE #5.

ESSANAY STUDIOS at ST. AUGUSTINE COLLEGE 2 shows for $15

1333 - 45 W. Argyle St.

See description above.

MONDAY, JUNE 17

PIVOT ARTS presents THE COFFEE HOUSE MUSIC/PLAYS

Curated by Tanya Palmer

7 pm 6/17 at Kitchen Sink Café $5

1107 W. Berwyn Ave.

Support local coffee houses and enjoy new work by exciting young writers from across the country. Director of New Plays at Goodman Theatre, Tanya Palmer, curates shorts by six premiere playwrights including: Jorge Ignacio Cortinas, Alice Austen, Martin Zimmerman, Steve Moulds, Kristin Idaszak and Tanya Palmer - all inspired by a piece of music.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19

Jessica Thebus and Theater Oobleck present ROUGH MAGIC!

Oobleck at 25: The Then and The Now

7pm National Pastime Theater $10 at door goes to local charities

941 W. Lawrence Ave.

Curated by Jessica Thebus, Performed by Theater Oobleck

Theater Oobleck celebrates its 25th anniversary with an evening of "Rough Magic!" including excerpts from shows past and new pieces from Dave Buchen, Martha Bayne, Diana Slickman, and Mickle Maher, with songs by Chris Schoen.

The ROUGH MAGIC series is the Chicago Theater Community's celebration of creative abundance: one-night-only performances that provide an opportunity to learn about and give to local, national and international organizations who are practicing daring, inspired, creative innovation for good.

THURSDAY, JUNE 20

MOLLY SHANAHAN/MAD SHAK presents THE DELICATE HOUR

Choreographed by Molly Shanahan

7:30 pm Senn High School Auditorium $15

5900 N. Glenwood Ave.

The Delicate Hour is Molly Shanahan/Mad Shak's most recent ensemble work for Shanahan, Kristina Fluty, Ben Law and Jessie Marasa. The evening-length work premiered to critical acclaim in 2012 at The Dance Center of Columbia College. TimeOut Chicago's Zac Whittenburg described The Delicate Hour as "... a next step in the evolution of a singular voice in Chicago performance..."

PIVOT ARTS and VINTAGE THEATER COLLECTIVE present THREE GRACES

8:00 pm Berger Park $15

6205 N. Sheridan Rd.

Libretto by Ruth Margraff, music by Nikos Brisco and the Café Antarsia Ensemble band, directed by Kate Hendrickson.

THREE GRACES blurs the boundaries between speaking and singing, concert and play. Two blood brothers - Turk and Greek - wrestle the epic darkness of their fates at the end of the Ottoman Empire. This panoramic Iliad for modern Greece is inspired by the Nikos Kazantzakis' novel Freedom or Death, as well as the raw lyric passion of Greek blues and Cretan rebel songs.

10pm at 4136 N Broadway St. $5 suggested donation

A riotous, energy charged cooking lesson with Marie Antoinette created and preformed by Elizabeth Lovelady

FRIDAY, JUNE 21

MOLLY SHANAHAN/MAD SHAK presents THE DELICATE HOUR

7:30 pm Senn High School Auditorium $15

5900 N. Glenwood Ave.

(see description above)

PIVOT ARTS and VINTAGE THEATER COLLECTIVE present THREE GRACES

8:00 pm Berger Park $15

6205 N. Sheridan Rd.

Libretto by Ruth Margraff, music by Nikos Brisco and the Café Antarsia Ensemble band, directed by Kate Hendrickson.

(see description above)

SATURDAY, JUNE 22

DREAM BIG PERFORMING WORKSHOP presents A TASTE OF DREAM BIG

1pm Chase Park $5

4701 N. Ashland Ave.

Interactive performances for kids by the popular Dream Big performers.

PIVOT ARTS and VINTAGE THEATER COLLECTIVE present THREE GRACES

7:00 pm Berger Park $15

6205 N. Sheridan Rd.

Libretto by Ruth Margraff, music by Nikos Brisco and the Café Antarsia Ensemble band, directed by Kate Hendrickson.

(description above)

CLOSING RECEPTION

8:30 pm at Waterfront Café, Berger Park

6205 N. Sheridan Rd.

Music by the Café Antarsia Ensemble at the beautiful, lakefront setting of the Waterfront Café.

ABOUT PIVOT ARTS: Pivot Arts develops new work and presents performances throughout the year culminating in a large-scale, multi-arts festival. Our vision is that of a vibrant community where unique collaborations between artists, businesses and organizations leads to the support and creation of innovative performances. Pivot Arts was founded in September 2012.

"We are thrilled to partner with Pivot Arts and contribute to making Uptown and Edgewater a continued destination for entertainment," states Jay Michael, Chief Creative Officer of FLATS. "The Pivot Arts Festival is directly in line with FLATS Chicago's mission to be a true community partner and foster an appreciation for the arts and culture."

Premiere Festival Sponsors: Broadway Cellars, Essanay Studios at St. Augustine College, FLATS Chicago, Goose Island Catering & Events, L'étageand Brasserie 54, Northern Trust, Senn High School and Uptown United.

Additional Festival Sponsors: Alderman Cappleman, 46th Ward; Alderman Osterman, 48th Ward; Bridgeview Bank, Burke's Public House, Dimo's Pizza, Francesca's Bryn Mawr, Heritage Bikes, Kitchen Sink, Lickity Split, Loyola University Chicago, National Pastime Theater and Uncommon Ground.

Pivot Arts Staff/Associates: Katy Collins, Dan Cox, Julieanne Ehre, Tanya Palmer, Eric Reda, Temple Schultz, Emily Wall, Genevieve K. Waller.

Pivot Arts Board: Alyssa Berman-Cutler President/CEO Uptown United; Katy Collins Pivot Arts; Julieanne Ehre Pivot Arts; Dr. Mark E. Lococo Director of Theatre, Loyola University Chicago; Susan Lofton, Principal, Nicholas Senn High School; Matthew Pryor, Counsel, Shakman Compliance;Kathy Van Zwoll, Marketing Consultant.

Pivot Arts Advisory Board: April Browning, Managing Director, Loyola University Chicago; Alderman James Cappleman, 46th Ward;Sarah Gabel, Chair of Department of Fine Arts, Loyola University Chicago; Peter Kuntz, Arts Consultant; Kristin Larsen, Executive Director, Stage 773; Jay Michael, Chief Creative Officer, FLATS Chicago; Alderman Harry Osterman, 48th Ward; Michael Rohd, Artistic Director, Sojourn Theatre; Steve Scott, Associate Producer, Goodman Theatre.

Website: www.pivotarts.org; Email: info@pivotarts.org; Phone: 773-609-0782; https://www.facebook.com/PivotArts; https://twitter.com/PivotArts

Photo Credits: Mucca Pazza (28 piece, punk marching band) - Photo by 8 Eyes Photography; MadShak Dance Company (2 photos) - Photos by William Frederking; Dream Big Performance Workshop (Interactive performances for children) - Photo by Lisa Lang.

Mucca Pazza

Mad Shak Dance

Mad Shak Dance

Dream Big