2011 was a banner year of programming at Center Portion, featuring the Mayoral Tutorial, a screening of indie film, Waste Land, and the Holiday concerts with The Crooked Mouth, just to name a few. We are still putting together this year's schedule, and look forward to hosting original writing and performance in our Logan Square space.
There is plenty going on elsewhere in Chicago, and here are a few things Sheila Donohue recommends checking out:
The Jamie O'Reilly Trio triumphantly returned to Center Portion, where they played to a full house their last time around. For the "Souvenirs" cabaret they shared a repertoire of torch songs, gypsy ballads, love songs, and anthems, triggering memory in the way that only music can—of rainy days, slow afternoons, endless summer
nights and winter snows. Of gardens and garrets, cafes and
subway trains, narrow foreign streets and Sundays in the park. Of
lovers and strangers, passion and regret. Of falling in love and saying
goodbye.
Hear Jamie & Sheila on WGN AM 720
Sheila Donohue and invited writers shared their latest musings on the allure and mystique of memorabilia, found and saved curios, collections, love letters, other people's grocery lists, photographs and souvenirs. The detritus of life stuffed in cedar chests, saved in scrapbooks, or otherwise hidden away.
The Writers:
Sheila Donohue and invited guests
The Musicians:
Jamie O’Reilly, Vocals
Bob Weber, Cello
Michael Smith, Guitar
"Souvenirs: Cabaret & Curios" featured in the Chicago Tribune
