2013

CHICAGO – Everyday is a Winding Road, as pop-rocker Sheryl Crow once reminded us. But one of her recent days included the announcement that Ms. Crow was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. The new class will be inducted on November 3rd, 2023.

CHICAGO – The 2013 49th Annual Chicago International Film Festival and Michael Kutza – Festival Founder and Artistic Director – announced the competition award winners at a ceremony in the ‘W’ Hotel City Center on October 18th. The Gold Hugo for Best Film went to “My Sweet Pepper Land,” from Iraq, France and Germany.

CHICAGO – Hollywood stuntwoman Zoë Bell is best known for an acting bit she did in Quentin Tarantino’s “Death Proof,” playing “herself.” Otherwise she has had a prolific career doubling on stunts for Lucy Lawless, Sharon Stone and Uma Thurman, among others. She attended the 49th Chicago International Film Festival last weekend to premiere her new film, with director Josh C. Waller, called “Raze.”

CHICAGO – One of the great nights of the Chicago International Film Festival every year is the City & State “Local Heroes” Short Film program, as local filmmakers from Chicago and the State of Illinois present their work. Directors Shawn Spear (“KOFN”), Daniel Klein (“AB Negative”) and Robin McKay (“How to Abandon Ship”) spoke to HollywoodChicago.com after their screenings on October 15th, 2013.

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Opening Night! Director James Gray of ‘The Immigrant.’

CHICAGO – It was a spectacular opening night for the 49th Chicago International Film Festival on October 10th, 2013. Director James Gray (“Two Lovers,” “We Own the Night”) presented his new film, “The Immigrant,” featuring Marion Cotillard and Joaquin Phoenix. Plus on this Opening Night – taking place at the historic Chicago Theatre – there was a tribute to Roger Ebert, who passed away earlier this year.

CHICAGO – Pop star Sheryl Crow was recently in Chicago, performing on behalf of the 2013 Macy’s “Glamorama” Tour, “Fashion in a New Light.” The event is a fashion and performance show that raised over $250,000 dollars for the Ronald McDonald House near the Ann & Robert Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.

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John Hodgman of ‘The Daily Show’ headlined ‘Just for Laughs Chicago.’

CHICAGO – The annual “Just for Laughs Chicago” comedy festival, sponsored by the TBS network, is one of the highlights of the summer months in the Windy City. Each June, Chicago cements its reputation as the capital of hilarity, and the participating comedians are the top of the current crop.

CHICAGO – As the TBS Network’s “Just for Laughs Chicago” winds up on June 16th, the six-day comedy festival has become a major happening during the beginning of the summer entertainment season. Experiencing new comics on the local level is one of the joys of the event, and one of the places to find them is at hot new venue in the city, Stage 773.

CHICAGO – The great city of Chicago can’t stop the funny this week. The TBS “Just for Laughs Chicago” comedy festival returns for another hilarious six days. Highlights include performances by Russell Brand, John Hodgman, Seth Meyers, Bill Maher and the legendary Chicagoan Bob Newhart.

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CHICAGO – Last Thursday, January 17th, the 2013 Latino Film Festival kicked off its event activities by revealing their official poster. The poster was designed by Jori Cicale, a local graphic art student, and was selected from over 150 designs submitted. The 29th Chicago Latino film festival will take place from April 11th-25th.