Rene Marie part of Marsalis show
Jazz singer Rene Marie will be part of a Feb. 14 show as famed trumpeter/bandleader Wynton Marsalis and his Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO) return to Chicago for three concert programs over Valentine's Day weekend at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave.
Marie self-released her debut, Renaissance, in 1998. She toured as Ella Fitzgerald in a regional play, and has received awards such as the Best International Jazz Vocal CD (edging Cassandra Wilson and Joni Mitchell).
Marsalis and his band's two-day residency opens with a Symphony Center Presents Jazz series concert on Friday, Feb. 13, at 8 p.m. and continues on Saturday, Feb. 14, with a "Jazz for Young People" matinee concert at 1 p.m., followed by an 8 p.m. concert featuring the full 15-piece JLCO, as well as a selection of jazz standards with special guest vocalist Marie, in her Symphony Center debut.
Tickets for the concerts can be purchased by phone at 800-223-7114 or 312-294-3000; online at cso.org; or at the Symphony Center box office, 220 S. Michigan Ave.
'Fireball' returns to House of Blues
Revolution Chicago and CircuitMOM Productions, Inc. are presenting the revival of the historic dance party "Fireball" on Saturday, February 14, at the House of Blues Chicago, 329 N. Dearborn St.
Originally, started as "The Hearts Party"—a small HIV/AIDS fundraiser in the early '90s—the event grew into a four-day festival of music, entertainment, giving, educational seminars and parties attended by thousands of people from around the world.
The original series ran through 2005. However, the Hearts Foundation ( the sponsoring organization ) issued a press release stating, "After an eight-year run, the Board has made a business decision that the financial return does not support a justifiable reason to continue with the Fireball Festival."
Individual tickets or weekend pass online at www.circuitmom.com .
'Hollywood on State' Oscar event Feb. 22
The Gene Siskel Film Center ( GSFC ) of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago ( SAIC ), 164 N. State St., will host "Hollywood on State: A Red Carpet Celebration," for the 87th Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 22.
Doors open at 6 p.m. The 87th Academy Awards® HD Telecast begins at 7:30 p.m.
Before settling into the theater, attendees will be treated to a buffet provided by Pure Kitchen Catering along with sweet treats from Jewell Events Catering, Sugar Bliss Cake Boutique and Eli's Cheesecake as well as beverages from Guinness Blonde American Lager, Sterling Vineyards, Stellina di Notte Prosecco and Bow Truss Coffee Roasters.
Tickets ( $100 general admission/$200 VIP ) can be purchased by visiting www.siskelfilmcenter.org or by calling 312-846-2072 .
'On the Red Carpet' Feb. 22
Center on Halsted will hold its annual "On the Red Carpet" Academy Awards party Sunday, Feb. 22, at the Park West, 322 W. Armitage Ave.
The red carpet is at 6 p.m. The telecast will start at 7:30 p.m., with the silent auction ending and event drawing at 9 p.m. There will also be a predict-the-winner contest; ballots will be $10 at registration, and the person with the most correct picks will split the winnings with the Center.
In 2014, 425 people attended "On the Red Carpet," raising more than $70,000 to support the programs and services at Center on Halsted.
Tickets are $40-$125; see www.centeronhalsted.org/otrc/ .
Full event calendar at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/chicago/events/upcoming.php .
