Chicago tips

Turn ON Your Cell For This Concert!

current calendar, music, culture

The Chicago Sinfonietta needs you and your cell phone,  Monday, October 2 at Orchestra Hall at 7:30 PM.  It's for the world premier of David Baker's Concertino for Cell Phones and Orchestra.

Do hurry because tickets are selling very quickly.  The same program will be presented at Dominican University, 7300 W. Division in River Forest on Sunday, October 1 at 2:30 PM.  (See photo of composer David Baker at left.)  Call 312.236.3681, extension 2 for tickets.
Orchestra Hall and Dominican University are the two permanent performance halls for the orchestra.

Yes, there are other offerings on the program including Liszt's Piano Concerto No. 2 in A Major. 

The Chicago Sinfonietta is celebrating its' 20th anniversary this year and its' mission, "Musical Excellence through Diversity" captivated my attention right away.  The innovative programming includes, classical, romantic and contemporary offerings and the artistry is of the highest professional quality.  That's no doubt why they're the official orchestra of The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago.  The diversity of the group is reflective of the very rich cultural landscape Chicago offers.

Mark your calendar right now with the dates:  Nov.7;  Jan. 15;  March 19;  June 4.  All these performances will be at Orchestra Hall at 7:30PM;  duplicates at Dominican University ...check website below for other presentations and complete orchestra schedule.

Access Chicago Sinfonietta's excellent website http://www.chicagosinfonietta.org and you'll learn much more. Featured artists may be as prominent as Poi Dog Pondering and Rachel Barton Pine or lesser known talented musicians you've yet to encounter.

Their education and outreach after-school program, for '06 and '07 is available at no cost to participating schools and is aimed at 3rd through 8th graders.  There are additional educational programs as well, such as Audience Matters and SEED, among others.  Call Erika Walton at 312.236.3681, extension 1552 for all kinds of info.

If you're looking for musicians for a special event, large or small, a corporate gathering or an intimate wedding, Chicago Sinfonietta can assist.  They'll help with program and instrument choice too.  Roughly speaking, costs are from $150 to $300 per musician per hour.  I love this idea, having found a harpist for my sister-in-law's home wedding many years ago.  Call Erika for this too.

The Sinfonietta is always looking for volunteers for the variety of such opportunities it offers throughout the year.  For each three hour volunteer stint you will be given one free concert ticket!

Chicago Sinfonietta, 312.236.3681.

Join The Volunteer Gardeners At The Lincoln Park Zoo

gardening, parks, volunteer

I almost thought I was part of a fairy tale while biking past a tiny cottage just south of Cafe Brauer in Lincoln Park, but a sign proclaimed it  the headquarters of the Volunteer Gardening Program of the Lincoln Park Zoo.

If you used to have a garden but have moved to an apartment in the city or if you hope to have a garden some day, this may be a perfect solution.

Gardeners are a special breed so it's quite fitting that this organization is supremely flexible.  Members range from complete novices to master gardeners and schedules are varied to suit one's own.  Volunteers may work on a regular weekly schedule or a monthly one (such as once a month) or even work occasionally.

Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30AM to 12Noon.  No application is necessary and on the job training is available.  The areas covered include those within and around the zoo from Fullerton on the north to Armitage on the south.  The Farm in the Zoo  and the South Pond are serviced as well.  The program continues from May through October and all tools, water and snacks are provided.

This program has been ongoing for ten years and boasts from 80 to 100 volunteers.  For further information contact 312.742.2124 or volunteer@lpzoo.org.

Teach Someone To Read In Your Spare Time

volunteer

Awa, a student from Ivory Coast was having difficulty with her English as a second language class in the Chicago area.  Small wonder since her native language Bombara, is not a written language  but is only a spoken one.  Her teacher Dorothy Carlson devised a system of sight word flash cards for Awa and soon the two were stringing sentences together. Now Awa is writing stories a paragraph long.

An inspiring story from the work being done by Literacy Volunteers of Illinois, a group founded in 1979 that matches tutors and learners based on a variety of factors.  Importantly, this group also acts as an umbrella resource center for all kinds of literacy programs throughout the state which enables more people to connect for a common purpose.  Check out their website at www.literacyvolunteersillinois.org for much more info.

Among programs one finds are one for Illinois Youth Centers in the Department of Corrections and an AmeriCorp operated program. 

My friend Katherine, herself a volunteer tutor, (right, above) alerted me to this program.  She has been working with a young woman from Siberia (left, above) who knows limited English and wants to improve her writing and speaking skills, particularly since her job in a pediatric dentist's office requires teaching dental hygiene to young patients.  Katherine is focused and enthusiastic as is her student and it sounds as if they have made great progress.

Literacy Volunteers of Illinois itself specializes in free one-to-one tutoring for low literate adults and others who want to learn English.

Most programs urge potential volunteers to prepare by attending twelve hours of training which are generally offered on evenings and Saturdays, enabling them to learn some of the problems of illiteracy.  Some programs also offer additional training year round to help strengthen skills of tutors.

Once training is complete, tutor and learners are matched according to schedules and locations.  A commitment of three to six months is required from both parties and sessions are from one to three hours weekly, based on mutual agreement.  Check the Volunteer Directory on the website for other options.

You may contact Literacy Volunteers of Illinois by sending them an email: INFO@LVILLINOIS.ORG