Drop by for a colorful (and voluptuous) new show by two Foreign born Chicago artists who have painted and printed on very tactile handmade paper.   Now that Summer threatens to arrive, you'll appreciate the "calme, luxe et volupte" of these works in our very own Couloir Bleu.   Closing party is final chance to BUY.

      MAPIE has been always around art and craft as a kid... from with street clay pottery  in the countryside baked in wooden kilns (saltdough),    After earning a college degree in tourism/languages (English German, Italian), she lived in Bordeaux, Toulouse, Paris and in London ....
     Following her arrival in Chicago, she met the artist, Penny Michel, who encouraged her to investigate American culture and to pursue what she always wanted to do (‘’no it is never too late!’’)  : ART.
    From classes in chalk and paint on wood, she began working with watercolor at the Ed Hinkley studio in Chicago over 20 years ago then Ceramics at Lillstreet Art Center and Drawing classes at Sora, (School of Representational Art).
     Mapie has since exhibited in Southwest France, (Marmande, Clairac, Luz Saint Sauveur…..) as well as Chicago (Three Arts Club, Alliance Francaise, Stone Building, August House Gallery and her own Studio, now called Atelier54Chicago).
    The current show is derived from her enjoyment of good food and company and walking  along the lakefront and seaside observing birds …  Born of French parents from Tunisia, she has always found the light and colors of the Mediterranean and Southern France to be inspiration for her paintings.
VIVE LA DIFFERENCE!

ESPERANZA GAMA was born and educated in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. She received her BFA from the School of Fine Arts of the University of Guadalajara, Mexico. Gama later moved to Paris, France where she studies printmaking at the Ecole Beaux-Arts.
      In 2005 Gama was featured in Poetas y Pintores, a traveling exhibition featuring contemporary Latino art and poetry. In 2006, she became the first Latina to exhibit at the Union League Club Gallery of Chicago. On exhibit was the series Los Magicos. Also in 2007 Gama’s piece Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz was part of the Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead : A New Beginning Exhibition. In 2008 her work was included in an exhibition called Catholicism in the City at the Chicago History Museum.
     Her work is also shown in and collected by the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago, considered the most important museum of Mexican Art in the United States. Her work is in their permanent collection. She also has work in the permanent collection of the Snite Museum of Art. Gama’s work was included in the exhibition Soldaderas y Adelitas at Women Made Gallery in Chicago in 2010. In 2012 Gama was featured in a joint show at Galeria 147 in Phoenix, Arizona.
       She has been the recipient of several awards and grants among them the Sor Juana Achievement Award for Visual Arts (2003, Chicago, National Museum of Mexican Arts), Illinois Arts Council Partial Support Grants (2005, Chicago), and an International Artists Residency Program Grant (Guadalajara, Mexico, 2007). Gama has lived and worked in Chicago since 1994.

       buddha/model walk
                       two walks
                     one in desire
              one cessation of desire
                     this in beauty
                     that in peace
      he, you should not ask for so much
            she, why not ask for more
                    one bowl sings
                   one bowl’s brass
          one for songs and one for ass

For the months of March and April, the Couloir Bleu ha been transformed into a walkway of shrines to very separate views of the world.  Where they intersect and where they oppose is for the promeneur to discover.   A reception for the artist is SUNDAY, MARCH 10TH AT 2:30 PM.   Drop by for some refreshment and a chance to meet Jens in person.

Artist's Statement

The Buddha/ Model Walk was inspired by a walk my wife and I took when we were in Bangkok at a Buddhist Wat.  There were one hundred Buddhas all in the same pose.  Each, however, was distinct from different craftsmen sculpting at different times and weathering differently over time.

In front of each Buddha was a singing bowl in which devotees tossed small coins.  I was mesmerized by the music of these offerings.

When we returned to our hotel I looked at a Thai fashion magazinethat was slicker than any fashion magazine from New York or Paris.  All the models had a sculpted Western appearance.

The Buddha/Model Walk plays with the surprising combination of traditional Thai culture and western celebrity capitalist culture.

Mr. Brasch received his Master of Arts from NIU and taught art for many years at high schools in Wheeling
and Rolling Meadows.   His works have been exhibited in group and solo shows from SAIC and Lipa Gallery to the NAB Gallery, Gallery Chicago, Riverside Arts Center and, of course, the Bridgeport Arts Center where he has his studio.    Jens works with many media, including film, and has created mosaic looking paintings, constructions . . .  and always a fascination with words.  His most recent exhibition featured stunning large paintings of women with neon captions again juxtaposing common expressions with themes of violence and overcoming.

Enjoy the show.  For more information about Jens Brasch or for contact, visit /www.jensbrasch.net/.

The cold is coming to a close:  get on your spangles and feather cap and have that last feast before Lent at Wishbone!  Renowned Boogie pianist, the inimitable
ERWIN HELFER will be setting the mood while
Chef Paulino and crew will be dishing out special
Mardi Gras Platters with Crawfish Etoufee, Jambalaya, Red Beans and other Cajun/Creole treats.   There's no cover and we've got the beads and masks to help pretend we're in the French Quarter and not shivering in the Windy City.  Sazeracs and HURRICANES de rigeuer with a contest for who gets the baby in our home baked King Cake!  Come one and come all.  Laissez le bon temps rouler!   There is NO COVER but calling for reservations is recommended.

LIVE MUSIC (FREE) AND GREAT FOOD . . . You bring the Valentines.  We'll have special PRIXE FIXE Dinners for Two (or multiples of two) that run from Appetizers to house baked Desserts as well as family menu specials that include Do-It-Yourself Valentine Card making.

Have a fun night:  the PRIX FIXE menu is 22.95 and you can get anything from our Southern Calamari to Bread Pudding with bourbon caramel.   The Rib Eye roast and Salmon cooked in parchment with shrimp and vegetables are not to be missed.  

It's Chef Paulino at his best.  
Call for reservations.   773.549.2663.  Note that the 'KIDS EAT FREE THURSDAYS" does NOT apply oo

     The day before Valentine's, Wishbone will host a benefit for "TOUCHED BY AN ANIMAL," a unique and tactile shelter for much maligned cats!
     Come on by!  Donation only with Silent Auction goodies:   the food buffet is good (with drinks) and the cause worth three MEOWS.
    We're normally closed Wednesday Nights, so this is an exclusive event and should be a lot of fun.
     For more information, call 847.912.6069 (Melanee) or 773.319.7409 (Julia).   They can also tell you more about the shelter and volunteer possibilities.

By Special Request, the ELF in RED will make a personal appearance SATURDAY MORNING from 9 to 1 PM in Wishbone's THRONE ROOM for all good boys and girls.  
As a benefit for our neighbor, the Lakeview YMCA, Santa has  agreed to be photographed with families for a donation of $10 while Wishbone extends a 15% discount to all Y Members choosing to eat or drink before or after visiting.   It will be a fun time and there will be activities in Toyland for participating families.  Come one, Come all!

      Once again, share the love with turkey, sides and desserts from Wishbone as your offering to the American communal feast.    Sure you could cook it all . . . but it's a question of time and what you want to concentrate on.   And with Wishbone, you're getting food that is pretty much cooked the way you would without processing, engineering . . . or packaging.   
     From HALF PANS that serve up to 15 . . . to QUARTER PANS serving 6 to 8, you can supplement your banquet with easy heating instructions and a taste like nowhere else.   You can also order full turkey meals with sausage or cornbread stuffing, fresh cranberry sauce and YOUR choice of two sides with corn muffin.  (We roast the full birds and breasts right here--as well as smoke our own brisket.)
     As in years past, PICK-UPS (pr Deliveries) are on WEDNESDAY, but Turkeys come in sealed bags for reheating and pies on real pans just the way they were baked.
    Click on the Patriotic Turkey below for an ORDER FORM and call us soon--BEFORE WE RUN OUT!

Lakeview for Troy
Invites you to meet
 Troy LaRaviere
Candidate for Mayor

Tuesday, September 25th
6:30 – 8:00 PM
Many of you know him as the former Principal of Blaine and now he is President of the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association (CPAA) and outspoken critic of city corruption.  Now you can catch the inside story and participate in our democracy:

"I believe in the power and wisdom of the people of Chicago. When we stand up and fight together against corruption and the political machine to demand justice, we will win true reform in this city.
 
The hard work and courageous actions by the Campbell Plaintiffs and other community organizations of Chicago show us what is possible when we unite against a failed political system and say “enough is enough.”

Co-Host Committee in formation:
Stephanie Skukan, Lauren Trost, Catherine Francis
 
There will be food and refreshments.  Come by the Wishbone for the this meet and greet event.

 
Or to make a contribution by check:
Troy for Chicago
PO Box 2619
Chicago, IL 60690

Election Day is less than two months away!  On Saturday Evening, September 22nd, OUR REVOLUTION ILLINOIS will hold a FREE buffet dinner at Wishbone as part of a BIKE-A-THON to spread the message about progressive electoral engagement from cities to FOX country and beyond.   Bikers will be listening and talking to Americans along the route about candidates, strategies and need for a CHANGE in campaign financing and the "Democracy Show" as it exists today.

A buffet meal is being provided as a chance to meet organizers in the Midwest Midterm Progressive Bike-a-thon and to discuss participation in the on-going "Pedal Power" initiative to take the conversation to where it counts.   Candidates to support and ballot initiatives will be part of the evening's discussion along with live music provided by DANNY CHICAGO.

Drop by from 7 to 10 PM for some food and a chance to meet fellow activists at WISHBONE of course!

The current exhibition of  photographs by Marc PoKempner is a journey through the musical byways of Havana, New Orleans and Chicago's south side from Maxwell Street to the old Checkerboard Lounge.   Marc's black and white photos have been featured before in the Couloir Bleu and many know his work for the Reader.

On Friday, September 7th, Wishbone hosts a reception for Marc and friends with some refreshments--and of course good company.   Come by between 6 and 8 and join. the fun! 

For more information about Marc's work and his photographs for sale, visit http://www.pokempner.net/