Honey West part
of writers' festival
Chicago North Side and north suburban playwrights will premiere 13 new plays and musicals at Next Theatre Company, 927 Noyes St., Evanston, during the Chicago Writers' Bloc 2013 Festival of readings April 29-May 22.
The fest begins with a gala benefit performance of Genderella, an original musical (by Honey West and Joanne Koch) that launches the festival at 7 p.m. with free food and drinks, a silent auction and a raffle.
Tickets for the gala are $20; all other shows are $10 and begin at 8 p.m. See www.writersblocfest.org .
Bobby McFerrin to
perform April 20
Grammy-winning vocalist, improviser and musician Bobby McFerrin returns to Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., for a special performance on Saturday, April 20, at 8 p.m.
McFerrin's performance centered around his latest recording project, spirityouall, available on audio release May 14. Tickets are $30-$110; call 312-294-3000 or 800-223-7114, visit www.cso.org or stop by the Symphony Center box office.
Another gay man
up for 'Check, Please' post
Last week, Windy City Times spotlighted Tommy Walton, an openly gay man vying to be the next host of the WTTW show Check, Please!
However, he is not the only one.
Anthony Todd, another hopeful, is food editor of Chicagoist, and works for Citysearch Chicago, the Chicago Sun-Times, Time Out and BlackboardEats. He has been on ABC/Cooking Channel and is also working on a Ph.D. at the University of Chicago and is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Law.
Todd states on the voting website: "Check, Please! is an exercise in culinary democracy. It's like Yelp, except way, way betteran opportunity for ordinary diners to voice their opinions on their favorite restaurants. That's why we watch it! We all want to argue with them and imagine what we would say in their places.
"Because of that, the host of Check, Please! shouldn't be a 'personality' or a 'star.' He or she should be a knowledgeable, articulate person who is there to make everyone else shine. I know a ton about food and drink and can speak well on my feet, but I'm also invested in learning what diners and guests have to say and in making sure their voices get heard. I'm also committed to making sure all Chicago restaurants, not just the fancy ones with great PR, get their place in the sun, and Check, Please! is great for finding unique spots that deserve extra attention."
To vote for Todd (by April 17), visit http://checkplease.wttw.com/checkpleasehost/vote.
Sister Spit Lit Tour in town April 20
The performance gang Sister Spit will perform at the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave., on Saturday, April 20, at 9:30 p.m.
The 2013 Sister Spit event features host Michelle Tea (Best Music Writing 2010, Valencia, Chelsea Whistle, Rent Girl) along with Ali Liebegott (The IHOP Papers and The Beautifully Worthless), DavEnd (How to Hold Your Own Hand), Daniel LeVesque (Hairdresser on Fire), Cristy C. Road and TextaQueen.
Tickets are $15 and may be purchased in advance at cimmfest.org/sister-spit/ .