Time to Dance

It’s here, it’s finally here! After a hellish February in the city (and to be honest, it’s still going on what with this icing rain falling this morning?! It’s almost April Mother Nature…cool it), let the madness begin!

Last week, my gal pal Katie sent me a Gchat saying “Come to Kansas City and watch Big 12 tourney games with me.” Seeing as I couldn’t quite do that, I instead, booked a trip for the next weekend. Well that weekend is just four days away and what do you know? With a #1 seed in the South Region, Katie and I will indeed watch Kansas tourney games together.

It’s been awhile since I’ve been back in Kansas City (let alone Lawrence). And I for one am so ready to escape Chicago for a little reunion with a ton of Jayhawks. Plus I’ll get to stay in the room under the stars at the Zeller Casa. Throw some Rock Chalk time on that and man oh man, this little gal pal weekend is going to be oh so stellar.

Our last game viewing streak ended pretty well in 2008…

Reely Excited

Every year, the Junior Board for Cinema|Chicago and the Chicago International Film Festival puts on a spring fundraiser. The night raises funds for the outreach education program, which gives Chicago Public School students the chance to see an independent/international film and meet with cast from the film. Last year we did the Film Noir event and this year, we’re raising the stakes.

We’re holding “The Reely Teeny Weeny Film Festival Spectacular” and asking anyone in the Chicago area to submit a 60-second film that either recreates a favorite scene or sums up the whole movie in the 60 seconds. Our Junior Board will select 15 films to screen and show at the event, allowing partygoers to vote on the winning entry. The event will take place atop the Dana Hotel at Vertigo Sky Lounge (so fingers crossed for unseasonably warm April weather).

The winning entry will be shown during the Junior Board Night at the 48th Chicago International Film Festival this October. Pique your interest? Know of someone who would be perfect for the event? Head here for more information.

I can’t remember the last time I was this excited for April.

Dancin’ in the Sun

It’s no secret my love, passion and obsession with Indie films and film festivals. Seeing as Sundance is the one on my list of “Must-do,” I was immensely excited to learn of Sundance Film Festival U.S.A. last year. This one night event selects cities throughout the US to screen a Sundance film and hold a Q&A with filmmakers. Last year I saw Jack Goes Boating and Philip Seymour Hoffman came out to hold a Q&A. I think these Q&As with filmmakers really make the festival atmosphere. Even if a film is not something I enjoyed, a director can totally change my mind just be detailing all of his trials and tribulations in the film.

One of these days, I will make it to Sundance. But until then, I’ll keep my fingers crossed for the Sundance Film Festival U.S.A. coming to Chicago.

And another cool thing about Sundance U.S.A., you get a Festival program, as if you’re in Park City. I even got swag this year with a really cool Festival mug and gloves.

This year, Chicago got to see The Music Never Stopped. It was amazing. Truly amazing. And thankfully, the film got picked up by Roadside Attractions before Sundance even started. So it should be hitting most markets around March/April. It’s one I’m definitely going to see again and buy the soundtrack to. If you’re a music lover of the 50s, 60s, 70s; then you’ll enjoy as well. My review of the film is on The Parallax Review.