CheekyChicago

With a new self-produced album Felony Flats coming out on March 13 and a tour with Scars on 45, Anya Marina is the definition of a talented, independent and Cheeky female artist that’s ready to give rock a run for its money. Cheeky: Tell us a little about yourself. Anya Marina: Well, I’m a Libra. I live in Portland, Oregon. I was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan and grew up in Northern California. I lived and worked in Southern California for a really long time doing radio as a DJ in San Diego, and then I moved up to L.A. after I got signed to Chop Shop (record label) and started working …  Read more

Glenn Close is heartbreakingly good as the role of Albert in Albert Nobbs, a film based on the short story by George Moore, adapted to screen by Glenn Close, John Banville and Gabriella Prekop, and directed by Rodrigo Garcia. Close plays a woman passing as a man in order to make a living in 19th century Ireland. Thirty years after taking on this persona, Albert realizes the boundaries she has set for herself and wonders what it would take to step outside of them. The entire beginning of this film is quiet as Albert is largely an observer. Serving as a butler in the hotel owned by the self-important Mrs. Baker …  Read more

When I think of dance, I’m more the So You Think You Can Dance type of gal. That is to say that, when I witnessed River North Dance Chicago’s offering of Love Is… at The Harris Theatre this past weekend, I had relatively no clue what I was in for. The annual weekend engagement featured six numbers from 11 members of RNDC. Opening number “Risoluta” reverberated throughout the audience, with its pounding drums and exact movements from the dancers. Each step carefully choreographed, with lights alternating red, then slightly dimmed but not completely black, it symbolized that love is a force to be reckoned with. Two world premieres debuted: “Contact-Me” by Mauro …  Read more