Northbrook Star

‘Epic’ makes room for melancholy

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:16:02 -0500

It’s not surprising that the latest animated adventure from Blue Sky Studios would look great and serve up plenty of slam-bang action and comedy.

Movies opening, still in theaters

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:20:01 -0500

Miniature forces of good and evil battle big-time in “Epic,” Vin Diesel revs up yet again for “Fast & Furious 6,” Greta Gerwig’s gotta dance in “Frances Ha” and the Wolfpack boys return for more headaches in “The Hangover III,” all in area theaters.

Butterflies in bloom at Botanic Garden

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:31:39 -0500

Hundreds of brilliantly colored butterflies will soon dart around the “Butterflies & Blooms” exhibition at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Arts and entertainment calendar for May 30

Fri, 24 May 2013 20:21:12 -0500

Check out the variety of fun events and activities in your area this week!

Family Friendly: Miss Wendy will take kids on a trip with songs

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:04:01 -0500

Wendy Morgan of the Vocal Gymnasium loves performing for kids. “It’s so lovely to see the smiles on their faces and to take them on a journey,” Morgan said.

Choir showcases vocal shadings

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:22:12 -0500

The beautiful Italian word “chiaroscuro” originally referred to the use of light and darkness in Renaissance painting. However, according to Jennifer Whiting, conductor of the Northbrook Community Choir, it can also be used by singers to describe the balance of dark and bright timbres of the voice.

Rachleff steps down at Chicago Philharmonic

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:48:01 -0500

Lawrence Rachleff has conducted the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra since it was founded as Symphony II in 1988. “I used to come for at least three concerts a season,” said the maestro, when reached in Houston where he is professor of music and music director of the Shepherd School Symphony and Chamber Orchestras at Rice University. He is also in his 17th season as music director of the Rhode Island Philharmonic, a professional regional orchestra based in East Providence, more than half a continent away from Texas. “My activities in Rhode Island increased and pretty soon I was only able to …

For de Rossi, return to ‘Arrested’ surreal

Thu, 23 May 2013 15:46:47 -0500

Portia de Rossi remembers a time when she couldn’t get “Arrested.” To land the role of Lindsay Bluth Funke in the cult hit “Arrested Development,” she pulled out all the stops.

‘The Liar’ a study in untruth and consequences

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:20:01 -0500

Moving to Paris gives Dorante the opportunity to reinvent himself. And he does it with a vengeance in David Ives adaptation of “The Liar,” Corneille’s classic 1643 farce. You see, once Dorante starts lying, he can’t stop so his tales become more and more complex.

Stingrays easy to handle in new Shedd exhibit

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:14:01 -0500

In her 24 years as a Shedd Aquarium member, Joan Reylek has only once touched a Shedd animal, during an errant encounter with a sea otter.

Star power: Technology revolutionizes Sky Show

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:18:01 -0500

As a pulsing nebula races toward the watchful audience, a hand shoots up to touch it. More hands follow suit, straining skywards. For the kids taking in the Adler’s newest show, “Cosmic Wonder,” outer space is just out of reach.

Table Hopping: Norton’s secret for success? Simply good food

Thu, 23 May 2013 04:33:43 -0500

“Give people what they want,” is the no-nonsense motto of Richard Holleb, owner of Norton’s restaurant in Highland Park. The casual and friendly atmosphere he and partner, Jeffrey Mages, have created over the last 14 years in their “Cheer’s”-worthy haunt is a direct result of that credo.

New releases on DVD, Blu-ray

Thu, 23 May 2013 03:02:43 -0500

Young love casts a powerful spell in “Beautiful Creatures,” Arnold Schwarzenneger returns to action in “The Last Stand,” Jude Law writes a prescription for disaster in “Side Effects” and Pacino, Walken and Arkin have a big night on the town in “Stand Up Guys.”

Billboard awards are Taylor-made

Mon, 20 May 2013 07:44:01 -0500

Another day, another domination for Taylor Swift: She was the red hot winner at the Billboard Music Awards. Swift won eight of 11 awards, including top artist and top Billboard 200 album for “Red.” She told the crowd: “You are the longest and best relationship I ever had.” She also had a colorful performance of her hit “22” — starting backstage and working her way to the main stage on the back of a bike with help from a dozen background dancers and a flurry of red balloons.

Arts and entertainment calendar for May 23

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:16:42 -0500

Check out the variety of fun events and activities in your area this week!

Teen promoter battles cancer with concerts

Thu, 16 May 2013 10:58:01 -0500

The bands battle each other, of course, but their true, common enemy is cancer. Back in 2009 Alec Lopata, now a sophomore at Deerfield High School, learned that his friend Jack had been diagnosed with leukemia.