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caption for xixiKicking off the celebration of Chinese Cultural Week in Chicago and the Chinese Fine Arts Society’s 25th Anniversary on Sunday, July 19 at 2:30 pm is the China Spectacle in Millennium Park – an engaging performance of music and dance which celebrates Qi Xi, pronounced Chee-Shee – the ancient Chinese love story of Niulang and Zhinu, the cowherd and the weaver fairy.This colorful presentation travels from Cloud Gate to Wrigley Square to the Crown Fountain and back, and features Little Star Dance Troupe, Skyland Chinese Opera, Chicago Chinese Cultural Center Lion Dancers, Betty Haag Magical Strings of Youth, Cheng Da Percussion Ensemble, All Star Kung Fu and Championship Martial Arts Academy – truly an experience not to be missed!

Concept/Artistic Direction: Nina Chen
Choreography: Jin Qiu Yue

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Baguette_000I first met Colleen McHugh in Chicago when she was just beginning to publicly attract attention for her extraordinary singing. An accomplished comedienne and improv performer, Colleen is also blessed with a lovely, powerful voice and excels in heartbreaking and hilarious interpretations of songbook standards. In November of 2008 she started a monthly residency – “Calendar Girl” – at the Duplex in New York. Now in its ninth month, on Monday July 13th, the series will feature  Colleen’s Bastille Day French-themed show. McHugh promises”beautiful music, improvisation, sparkling cocktails, witty banter – a true celebration of all the things you love (and love to hate) about the French.” Featuring songs by Piaf, Bricusse, Porter, Legrand, Gershwin, and more! Special Chicago guests Miriam Plotkin and Chuck Larkin appear in this hilarious, always-sold-out, soignee soiree!

$25 Cover & a 2 Drink Minimum
Time: 9:30pm-10:30pm
Online reservations

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jody2flatterThis weekend, Jody Redhage and her band, Fire in July will celebrate the release of their first album with a special preview show @ Barbes.  Their debut album, “Ancient Star,” hits streets Sept. 15, but they’ll have a limited number of pre-release copies available on Sunday.  They’re also celebrating their two year anniversary as an ensemble: says Jody: “we played our first public performance on July 3, 2007, and it was a fiery night of energy!”

Hope to see you! Come celebrate with us this holiday weekend!

JODY REDHAGE & FIRE IN JULY
CD RELEASE PREVIEW SHOW

Celebrating the album “Ancient Star”
Sunday, July 5, 2009
@ Barbes 7:00-8:30 pm
376 9th St. (@ 6th Ave)
Park Slope, Brooklyn
347-422-0248
www.barbesbrooklyn.com
F train to 7th ave.
tip jar

FIRE IN JULY
Jody Redhage, cello/voice/compositions
Ken Thomson, clarinet/bass clarinet
Alan Ferber, trombone/bass trombone
Tim Collins, vibraphone
Dan Tepfer, piano
Fred Kennedy, drums

ANCIENT STAR, the debut album from cellist, composer, & vocalist Jody Redhage and her ensemble Fire in July, is a collection of 14 of Redhage’s original art songs. Produced by Ben Wittman and featuring an ensemble of voice, cello, clarinets, trombones, vibraphone, piano, and percussion, “Ancient Star” reflects the 21st century trend of straddling genres, melding the detail and finesse of chamber music with the energy and drive of pop, rock, and jazz improvisation. On “Ancient Star” Redhage proves she has found her perfect collaborators: her ensemble is a group of multi-skilled, talented and sensitive chamber musicians who can also shedd with the best.