About Face Theatre receives $10K grant
Chicago's About Face Theatre is among the National Endowments of the Arts' ( NEA's ) 2015 grant recipients.
The company received a $10,000 grant to support the commission and development of The Babe Didrikson Project with book and lyrics by Sarah Gubbins.
The musical will portray Babe Didrikson, a famous early 20th-century lesbian athlete who dominated golf, basketball, and track and field, and will explore how her ability to compete in a male-dominated sports culture was a crucial step in bringing visibility to women's sports.
In its first fiscal year 2015 announcement, the NEA will award $29.1 million in 1,116 grants in three categories: Art Works, Challenge America and NEA Literature Fellowships in Creative Writing, according to Arts.gov .
Illinois organizations will receive 60 grants. Some of the other Chicago awardees include the American Indian Center, Inc., the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lookingglass Theatre Company, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Theater Oobleck, Kartemquin Educational Films and Facets Multimedia Incorporated.
Jan. 10 YEPP show to feature Crys Matthews
On Friday, Jan. 10, the Unitarian Church of Evanston, 1330 Ridge Ave., will host singer songwriter Crys Matthews in a concert to benefit the Youth Empowerment Performance Project (YEPP).
Matthews' music blends American, folk, funk, blues and jazz, with influences ranging from Otis Redding to Ani DiFranco, according to a press release. She has penned three full-length albums and has already began working on a fourth.
YEPP will perform at 7:15 p.m., Matthews at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $20-$35 VIP passes that include a 6 p.m. dinner with Matthews; visit crysmatthewsatuce.brownpapertickets.com .
BETTY's show canceled
New York City pop/performance band BETTY's Dec. 15 show at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St., has been canceled.