News and Posts

Featured

Elly Toyoda and Friends – Saturday, November 21, 2020

On Saturday, November 21, 2020, we hosted Dr. Elly Toyoda, a world-class violinist, and her artist/composer friends for a fun salon of music and discussion.

The program was streamed LIVE on Facebook and YouTube – although we had some difficulties with the YouTube stream and resorted to inviting participants into the zoom room. We will do that in the future so they can participate in Q/A if they desire.

The artists and composers who will joined Dr. Toyoda are as follows:

  • ·      Martin Bresnick – Composer
  • ·      Cherylyn Lavagnino – Contemporary Dancer
  • ·      Scott Ordway – Composer
  • ·      Sabina Petra – Actor, singer, composer, writer
  • ·     Matthew Duvall – Percussionist and co-founder of Eighth Blackbird

You can view the entire event by clicking HERE. The actual event starts at approximately 3:50 into the video. Enjoy!

Fun Salon with Legendary Sportscaster Jim Rose

What a night!

Saturday night at our Chicago Salons event, Dr. Nancy and I had the great pleasure of hosting Jim Rose, the legendary Chicago sportscaster from ABC-7.

Jim captivated about 30 guests with stories from his extraordinary career—sharing hilarious and heartfelt moments with icons from the Chicago Bulls, the ’85 Bears, the Blackhawks, Cubs, and White Sox.

But what truly stood out was Jim’s humanity—his deep concern for the future of young people in this country and his powerful words about the importance of empowering women.

Our guests were absolutely thrilled! The conversations flowed, the food and wine were plentiful, and the energy in the room was unforgettable. An evening to remember!

Next on tap for Chicago Salons will be an evening on Tuesday, April 29, with the “Watergate Girl,” Ms. Jill Wine-Banks. Jill will share stories about prosecuting a criminal president and his staff as well as her and her Sisters-in-Law podcast colleagues about today’s political environment.

If you want an invitation, send me an email at ccjett@msn.com!

A Taste of Opera LIVE!

Patrice Michaels, Justice RBG & Evan Bravos

On Saturday, May 30, we hosted opera singers Patrice Michaels and Evan Bravos for “A Taste of Opera LIVE!” This is a prelude to our upcoming October 24 salon, “The Notorious RBG in Song!”

This was the first of our “virtual salons” – graciously given to us by the COVID-19 “stay at home” policy. So – we “stayed at home” and connected with our guests and guests from all over the nation.

There were a few technical difficulties – it took us about five minutes to go live (and I take the responsibility for those difficulties!).

You can view the recording of the salon by clicking HERE!!

Big Shoulders “Chamber Jam” a Hit!

On Monday evening, December 5, the Big Shoulders Ensemble joined enthusiastic guests with a delightful “chamber jam!”

Musicians traded off as they filled the evening with works of Mozart, Wagner, and others – playing together unrehearsed for the first time and filling the room with chamber music – the “way it was originally conceived.”

As the philosopher Goethe explained, chamber music is an “Intelligent conversation” – and the musicians of the Big Shoulders ensemble proved his point completely!

The ensemble WILL BE BACK in the spring – so stay tuned!!