Living Just Enough for the City

I've been kickin' it in the Chi for about three weeks and officially loving it! Outside of the fact that I have a tastee roommate, I also have an AMAZING view of Lake Michigan. I literally wake up and look out over this beautiful peaceful blue expanse. Add to that fact this fabulous Indian Summer we have this September and I am in heaven.

I made this move to get a change of scenery and start living the life I want and tonight I did just that. I love the theatre, and one of the reasons Chicago drew me is b/c it has a wonderful theatre district. It's often the first stop many shows make after leaving New York! Tonight I went to see The Color Purple and it was breath-taking. I was a bit worried that it may not live up to the hype, but it surpassed my greatest expectations.

This was the final night of its Chicago run and I bought the ticket on impulse. Yes I know I haven't quite found a job, or established my revenue streams here, but there was no way I was letting that show close without checking it out. So I took myself out on a date. Dinner at a wonderful restaurant, 312 Chicago, where I had this fish I never heard of before but found quite flavorful and popped around the corner to check out the show at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. For the final show of a great run!

I was captivated from the moment I sat down! It was wonderful to see so many people of color at the show and even better to see many other people there as well. Ms. Winfrey gets mad props for putting this production on!

I don't know how to describe it, but what I can say is that I could feel this show. The first big number "Mysterious Ways" was soul-stirring. Like being in church and feeling the spirit come over you. Not a get up and do the holy dance spirit, but like you can feel a presence and it feels good! I would say the number "Hell No" performed by Sophia (the character) was hilarious! All the women in the audience were in stitches. Then Shug Avery showed up on the scene (let me say that Michelle Williams (of Destiny's Child) did an excellent job!) and the show was never the same. I will say that this stage production definitely took the relationship between Celie and Shug a step further than the movie, but more inline with the book.

Everyone knows the story, and if you don't, read the book and rent the move before going to see this production, but seeing it performed live is still full of surprises. I was on my feet by the time the final number was performed and hooted and hollered my appreciation for a fabulous performance during the curtain call. Even though we had very lively audience member who felt the need to shout out and clap and odd moments, I found my this theatrical event to be thoroughly enjoyable and can't wait to see my next production!

When The Color Purple comes to your town, make sure you take the time to see it. This production is on its way to San Fransisco, so if you're looking for a great reason to visit out west, this could be it! We have to support shows like this so we can see more quality theatre that tells stories pertinant to African Americans!

Chippendales Failed :-(

Okay, but really. I was all excited (well maybe not excited, but eagerly anticipating, but I guess that's the definition of excited right? whatever) about going to see the men of Chippendale's at Casino Windsor for Valentine's Day. Now I didn't have a Valentine's so I thought this would be fun.

For the record I am not a big fan of male dancers/strippers. Yes I know I teach Exotic Dance, but in my limited experience there is just not enough sensuality or showmanship to make me really get into it. I did think however that b/c Chippendales is world renown that I was going to be in for a real treat.

WRONG!!

I will give them this, they looked good. Damn Good! I mean there were abs, pec, and biceps for days. But first of all there were no chocolate honey's. I am an equal opportunity woman, but I do have special love for the brothas and there was not a one on the team.

Secondly, this must have been the B or maybe even C squad b/c the dancing was a little shady. It was choppy, lacked flow and there was almost no sychronicity (is that even a word?).

Then, the music was WACK!! Everything was this superfast techno bull shit with little to know bass. If you are trying to get women hot, you don't just start out at turbo speed and stay there. An Exotic Dance should be like sex. You need to start out slow and sensual and then build up to the climax. Jeez you can't just start out banging (well I guess a lot of men do and that's why there are soooo many unhappy women).

Finally, the MC was a little to vulgar. Maybe its the midwest girl in me, but he just was not hyping me up.

I needed to see more ass, more sensual dancing, and hear some better music. I didn't have to be R&B, I like a lot of Pop & Rock, but all techno? Come on.

Chippendale's didn't deliver totallly on my Valentine's wish, but it didn't cost me anything and I did see some good-looking men, something we are sorely lacking in the "D". Then of course I had a great meal, Casino food ROCKS!!