Lions and Roller Skates!

Posted by Molly on March 8, 2014

That's Weird Grandma TWG Weekly Update

It’s Week 2 of “Behind the (Monkey) Music”.  We have two new stories added to this musical extravaganza

THE ZOO by Nakevia M, Paderewski Elementary Learning Academy
It was Saturday and my Grandma took me to the zoo and we went to go see the lion and my brother kept messing with the lion so the lion opened the cage and started to chase us and everybody else too. 50 people had got eaten in less than 1 minute. We went to hide under the elephants cage so the lion won’t see us and everybody was screaming the next two minutes it was bones everywhere but no people. When we came out the elephants cage the lion was gone and so was all the animals. My brother said dang the lion was hungry and we went home. The End

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THE SOUND OF CARMA!! by Kashmeire J, Morton Elementary School
On March first I turned ten. I went skating I kept on fallin on the skates. When I was falling a girl laughed at me. I felt sad but when she fall I felt better. She got carma. If you don’t know what carma is, carma is when you do something bad it comes back around. But when she fell I heard a Bang, Dang, Blang Boomarang fang’s Bang’s !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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For discounted tickets, say “Life is A Zoo” at the Box Office

The Big Prom: Space Horses in Space FEATURED Auction Items

Posted by Amanda Farrar on March 6, 2014

The auction for The Big Prom: Space Horses in Space is proving to be the most exciting auction yet! But you need to be at the event to bid on these incredible packages. Here are some highlights…

Disney Vacation
Feel like a kid again in the most magical place on earth! Experience all of the Disney theme parks with 4 one-day Park Hopper passes for Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. This amazing package includes a 5-night stay at Orlando’s world-class resort, The Fountains. Located, just minutes from Disney, The Fountains’ Villas are equipped with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, full kitchen, and private washer/dryer. All guests at The Fountains will have access to many amenities, including but not limited to: indoor/outdoor pool, water slides, hot tub, fishing, paddleboats, and live entertainment. Don’t let this magical vacation pass you by.

Space Horses in Space
Your mission: bring together the equestrian arts with the science of the cosmos. Inspired by tonight’s theme, this package includes 2 private horse-back riding lessons at the Moctezuma Stables, a riding lesson from Landmark Farm Inc., and 4 general admission passes to the Adler Planetarium.

South Carolina Vacation
Head to the beach! Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, that is, for one week in a beautiful 4br/4ba oceanfront condominium. Described as an “oasis of tranquility, relaxation, and fun. With 60 miles of sandy beaches, endless shopping, wonderful dining, and plenty of family activities, your Myrtle Beach vacation is sure to be unforgettable. Subject to availability from 09/02/2014 to 05/26/2015 only.

Downtown Excursion
Mile North is a sophisticated urban Chicago hotel that makes every guest feel at home. Enjoy authentic Chicago hospitality with a one-night stay at Mile North. Once you’ve had time to unwind in your luxury room, head down the street to the Signature Room, on the 99th Floor of the Hancock Building for some sky-high cocktails.

Crosstown Classic
4 tickets to U.S. Cellular Field to the Crosstown Classic. The Chicago White Sox vs. Chicago Cubs, Thursday 05/08/2014, at 7:10 p.m. Seats are in Box 115, Row 1, Seats 3, 4, 5, 6 (along first base line). Comes with one parking pass.

A Magical Evening
Check in to your luxury hotel room at the Westin Michigan Avenue for your one-night stay, then head to the Palmer House Hilton Hotel for an intimate magical experience! Award-winning, third-generation magician Dennis Watkins delivers an evening of sophisticated tom-foolery in one of the Windy City’s most unique entertainment experiences. The Magic Parlor is replete with mind-blowing magic and mind reading in an intimate suite. Enjoy 2 tickets to this highly-acclaimed spectacle. Wine and beer included.

Disney on Ice: Princesses & Heroes
Enter a world of wonder where heroes and hearts prevail, and believing is just the beginning. Enjoy 4 tickets to Disney On Ice: Princesses & Heroes; running 09/10 - 09/14/2014, at The United Center.

Baconfest 2014
“We are committed to creating shared bacon experiences that strengthen the bonds of the human community, across religion, across race, across gender, across class. That is the promise of bacon. That is the aim of Baconfest. “- From the Bacon Fest Manifesto—Enjoy 2 VIP all-access passes to Baconfest 2014!

Distillery Tour and Barrel Naming
Come see whiskey and gin, as they are meticulously crafted at the hands of a Master Distiller. And while you are there, name a barrel of whiskey in your honor, knowing the name will appear on every bottle of whiskey that comes from that barrel!

That’s Weird Grandma:  Behind the (Monkey) Music! March 2-March 31

Posted by Molly on March 1, 2014

That's Weird Grandma TWG Weekly Update

PEOPLE OF MONKEYS!

We are proud to present our very first ALL MUSICAL GRANDMA.  Opens Sunday, March 2.  Runs Sundays at 2 and Mondays at 8.  Featuring an all-star cast and a marvelous lineup of stories from our Barrel of Monkeys Students, including:

Wanting Meatloaf by by Montez P, Jayzoun N, James M, Emmanuel L, Kristyle Y, Reyna J, and Fayome M, Dixon Elementary School
Once there was a boy named Jackson who craved meatloaf with nothing else. He hangs out in a mansion that has a pool table, a pool, bunk beds, and a club with a bar. He lays in bed cause he is so sad about the meatloaf. He wishes for meatloaf. He wishes so much he falls asleep. He wakes up it appears by itself. He eats some and he loves it. All he does is eat meatloaf all day. His therapist named Bob tells him to stop eating it, he doesn’t listen and wakes up with a meatloaf head! He sings the meatloaf song* and the meatloaf head disappears. The End

*THE MEAT LOAF SONG: I would do anything for meatloaf, But I won’t do that OH! I won’t do that!


Space Horses in Space by Ruth B., TLC at U of C (Diana Lawrence composed)
M: Hi I’m Midnight. (gleefully shyly waves)
N: Hi I’m Navy (cooly waving)
M: Wow your navy coat is really pretty.
N: So is your black one.
M: We should be best friends.
N: (nod)
M: Come to my stable (wave toward stable)
N: OK (walk away with him)
M: Here it is (point to stable)
N: That was a great meal.
M: Oh, thank you, I liked the fried hay too!
N: Well good night!
M: Same to you
M and N: (Stand in a comfy position) zzzzz he haw zzz he haw (float around)
The End


Untitled Argument:  Elephants Come to My House by Jeffrey H, Learn Campbell Academy (EDD Composed)Elephants come to my house. My reason why they should not come to my house is they play my wii and play Michael Jackson and they break my bed when I’m in it and they write on my notebook and they ring my doorbell eat all my food. They furt in my room, my Mom room and I had kick them to the cover. The End.

Flower Argument by Natalie, Lorca School (Jeff Trainor Composed)
I’m a flower and I believe that people should not pick me. My first reason is that I won’t grow. My second reason is when they pick my I will die. My third reason is I will not swell good any more. In conclusion, I believe that people should not pick me.
I am a flower and I believe that people should pick me. My first reason is I will look good one some one’s hair. My second reason is I will smell good. My third reason is I will get to go every were. I believe that Should.
The End

Not so Much Pressure by Lazaireus P., Morton Elementary (Nick composed)
I am Batman and I believe that I shouldn’t save the world every day. One reason why I think I shouldn’t have to save the world every day is because I is saving the world every day and he has a life and it should not just be about saving people because he could probably die just like other humans could. One more reason is because while he is outside trying to save the world who will save his family from danger because it’s not like he could teleport. The end

Untitled:  There was Nothing by Giovanny M., Seward School (Curtis Composed)
I remember that I went to my friends house then I got happy cause we watched a movie and we talked to each other that made me happy, and I was sad cause one day I never went back to his house cause we moved to a other house and I never got to see my friend again. Once I was happy that we went to the park and we played so much and one day I was sad cause we never got to play in the park again. I remember too that once I rode my bike and I had fun and I could ride past and I was happy but one day I was gonna ride my bike outside then there was nothing so I started to cry. So now I can not ride my bike any more and now I don’t have nothing to do in my house just watch the t.v. and once I had playstation 2 but we went to our house we looked all over it and there was nothing so then I got so so sad and cry. And when I moved I went to a new school and I made new friends so I got happy cause I made new friends. And I had a hamster and one day I play with my hamster and a other day he die and I got sad and cried. And I liked my uncle and he died. I miss all of the once that died and I mist all of them and I am sad.

Stone Villain by Tiara H., Morton Elementary School. (Immanuel Composed)
There once was a boy, girl and another boy all of their names was Kelly Brian and last Mary. Kelly Brian and Mary were all friends. They all went to the same school. But one day Mary and Kelly ran into an evil villain named Stinky Stone. he wanted their marbles but they said no so he said “Since you guys don’t want to give me those marble I”m going to put stinky stone on your feet until you have to give the marbles up!” They went to school with the stinky stones on their feet. The End.

Women Rampage by Dante H., Loyola Park After School Program (Geoff Rice Composed)
Once upon a time there was a room full of food and men, but no women. Women always wanted to get in that room, but women were not allowed! One day women started throwing rotten eggs at the room because they were so angry that they started breaking in to the room, gobbling the food, and beating up the men. It was a women rampage. Then after all that they rebuilt the room and women were finally allowed to go in.

New Jersey by Nia H., Loyola Park After School Program (Jeff Trainor composed)
New Jersey, New Jersey Big Ocean New Jersey, New Jersey Better get some sun tan lotion Never thought I would have this much fun I have the silly potion Waiting to be cast on you, New Jersey Hey Hey Hey better get some sun tan lotion. The End

Grannies Lean Like a Cholo by Stephaun B., Loyola Park After School Program
(Rap 2 actors)Grannies had a sport call basketball
Most of them were short and most of them were tall.
They didn’t have grandpa’s they have grannies.
One of them was the best his name was Dani.
Dani was a fish he ate corn
They told him he was 26 when he was born.
When Grannies shoot they don’t pass the hoop.
They are just like babies they always poop.
Since Grannies have no teeth they eat hay.
They always east they sleep
When they are playing in the game
When Grannies los they will say “you will pay”
When they sleep they are on the floor.
they break their backs the announcer says, “Lean like a cho lo.”

Untitled:  Abe Lincoln by Deanna C., Dewey School of Excellence (Eric Composed)
Once upon a time there was a man who work at a London. He was forced to make a dog house by Abe Lincoln. Abe Lincoln was a great man to help people to see. The End

Dog Was Dead by Dinelle H., Dewey School of Excellence (Mike Tutaj composed)
The dog was dead. He Hit His Head and He come Back to life. He was nice this time to the cat that had hated him the cat was just so mad Because the dog was dead and now he’s alive and the cat touch the dog and the dog said Wolf Wolf Wolf. and the dog said mmmm and it was so sad the dog was back alive. The dog was dead. He Hit His Head? He Came Back to life He Was So Nice.

Say:  “I Would Do Anything for Meatloaf” for discounted tickets!

Matinee Round Wrap Up

Posted by Jason on February 23, 2014

That's Weird Grandma TWG Weekly Update

Wow, these five weeks have flown by!  Our annual matinee round is coming to a close…

Show me that smile again
Don’t waste another minute on your crying
We’re nowhere near the end
The best is ready to begin

Wow, Alan Thicke.  You knew what you were talking about. image

‘Cause guess what, y’all?  We’re coming at you full speed for this last show.  Last week we added Mariah Carey’s Dream, by Jujuan D. from Burnham Anthony Elementary
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and When I Was Playing With My Toys by Tony O. from Lorca Elementary.
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This week we’re adding Vampire or Not? by Ileana H., Tetta D. and Carmen O. from Avondale Elementary
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and an untitled piece about an ice cream man by Marcellious G. from Stockton Elementary.
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Even though this round is ending, March 2 starts a round of both Sunday matinees AND Monday night shows!  Come see us off in style!

We got each other, Sharin’ the laughter and love. (Speaking of sharing: the code word for this week’s discount tickets at the box office is “ICE CREAM!”)

Monkey-O-Kee 2014 recap!

Posted by Julia on February 9, 2014

Despite the snow and cold, we had a great turnout at Monkey-O-Kee 2014!  Thank you all for helping to make it a success. We had Sponsored Monkeys who sang their hearts out, people lined up to spin the prize wheel - it was a great night for us Monkeys and for the Chicago Public School students who benefit from all the funds raised at Monkey-O-Kee.

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Check out more photos from the event by BB Photography on Facebook or Flickr.

If you couldn’t party down for Monkey-O-Kee but would like to support our work AND like a fancy night out, check out The Big Prom: Space Horses in Space coming up on March 29!