Musical Offering: In Tune with the Community

By Victoria Scott

The Musical Offering is composing an all-school opera for Oakton School, based on the WPA murals in the gymnasium. Pictured in photo is Rick Ferguson, one of the founders of the Musical Offering on Custer Avenue.

To say the Musical Offering, 743 Custer St., gives music lessons is to miss much of what makes the 8-year-old Evanston non-profit unique.

The MO is dedicated to the belief that "beauty, artistic freedom and self-empowerment" flow from "shared musical experience," says founder/artistic director Rick Ferguson.

The word "shared" is key to understanding this grassroots organization. The idea of community informs MO programs and plans -- from private instruction that segues into public performance to group classes that cultivate collaboration to the fundraising that facilitates outreach into District 65 schools.

"[The Musical Offering] is a community school," says Mr. Ferguson.

He was a concert pianist and piano teacher when he began talking about music and arts education with Kirsten Hedegaard, a former roommate of his wife, soprano Amy Conn. Like him, Ms. Hedegaard "saw the need for a place where a community of teachers could share space," Mr. Ferguson says.

About the same time, the church-based Reba Place Development Corporation was seeking "community-minded tenants" for the antique mall they had bought and rehabbed at 743 Custer Ave.

Mr. Ferguson and Ms. Hedegaard must have been the corporation's dream tenants.

They opened the MO officially in January 2000, with four teachers and 25 students. Eight years later the organization has grown to include 18 teachers and more than 200 students, many of whom can walk from their homes in the neighborhood. "It's very gratifying," says Mr. Ferguson.

With its performance spaces and small studios, the MO building accommodates a variety of classes (see www.themusicaloffering.org). Students of all ages, infant through adult, find a niche. The Music Together class, for example, is geared to infants through 5-year-olds and their caregivers. Participants join in instrumental jam sessions and singing, says Mr. Ferguson, in a "very movement-and exploration-based" format. "The best thing," he adds, "is the parental involvement."

Ms. Hedegaard specializes in comprehensive music lessons for children 4-8. In the course of a half-hour lesson, participants might increase fine motor skills with technical piano work; practice do-re-mi-style singing; develop rhythm by playing a percussion instrument; and engage in a composition project.

MO students may choose private instruction in piano, voice, string instruments (including classical and jazz guitar), winds (including recorder) and brass. Or they can participate in groups like the Chamber Ensemble, where 13 youth ages 8 to 15 are learning to play together under the tutelage of Mr. Ferguson.

The fiddle, tin whistle, Irish flute, guitar, banjo and concertina are the instruments of choice in the adult Irish music class. "Irish music is taught by rote," says Mr. Ferguson, so while one teacher, Jesse Langen, "gets them singing the tune," professional fiddler Sean Cleland regales them with the music's history.

The Evanston Children's Choir, now nearly 60 voices strong, began as a MO ensemble of four in 2003 and became its own entity last fall. They still practice in one of the building's large rooms. Another is the setting for the Musical Offering's free weekly Coffeehouse Series. Sunday afternoons at 4 p.m. students, faculty and guests perform or present workshops or classes for the public.

But Rick Ferguson's vision for promoting music does not stop at his door. Just three years after founding the MO, he took it on the road.

Realizing many Evanston families could not afford music lessons to supplement the schools' waning arts program, he wanted to "interact with kids in a school setting," he says. Given the small size of his organization, he says, "It made sense to be active in one school."

So five years ago he approached Oakton School to propose a collaboration that continues to blossom. Each year, in consultation with the Oakton music specialist (for the third year, Monica Blacconeri), the MO creates a series of live, interactive concerts to complement the curriculum.

Half the school attends a program each month. This year they heard an introduction to opera in October, a jazz band in November and in December, a recorder concert of medieval music that anticipated the year's culminating event.

On May 1 and 2 Oakton School will be premiering an opera, "Le Chanson de Roland." With a grant from the Evanston Community Foundation, the MO commissioned the opera to celebrate its five-year partnership with Oakton and the restoration of the school's Depression-era mural depicting the medieval tale of the knight Roland.

Composer James Falzone's opera "draws in components of traditions from around the world," says Mr. Ferguson. Based on medieval music forms, the work is a "celebration of diversity and of public art in Evanston," he continues. Along with parts for some 200 students, Mr. Falzone has written "The Song of Roland" for the whole school to sing together.

Mr. Ferguson's dream for the future is that the MO could raise enough funds to commission a musical work for one school each year. He says he envisions forging a relationship between composers and schoolteachers that could open "a window into the creative process" for children. "Who knows what it will spark?" he asks.

The spark Mr. Ferguson ignited brought 80 or 90 students to the MO on Feb. 10, the coldest day of the year, for the Music Marathon fundraiser.

In recognition of that sort of community spirit, Mayor Lorraine Morton will be presenting the Musical Offering with the 2007 Mayor's Award for the Arts on Feb. 22.

'Dream Team' Holds Mock Presidential Election.

The "Dream Team" (third- and fourth-graders) hosted the "Kids Voices Count, 2: 2008 Presidential Elections." The purpose of the event was to teach Family Focus participants how the process works.

Family Focus participants registered to vote, and the Dream Team discussed the voting process, the parties involved and the importance of voting in any election especially the Presidential election. The kids also learned about the Voters Act of 1965. Each participant also wrote one paragraph on the topic "Why Should We Vote?" Polls were setup, and election judges were on duty.

After everyone voted each participant received an "I Voted" sticker. "This was truly a learning exprience and a teachable moment that will last a lifetime. I was so proud of them. Great job!" said JoAnn Avery, senior staff project coordinator. The results were Obama - 103, Clinton - 3, Huckabee - 2, McCain - 1, Romney - 0.
Photo courtesy of Family Focus

GREEN COLUMN

Indoor Air Quality, Tight Houses and Energy Audits: Thinking About Fresh Air

By Ellen Galland, AIA

Recent subzero weather has kept everyone inside more than usual. Yet people rarely think about the quality of the air in the home or work space. Today's tighter houses have raised the question of indoor air quality. The general assumption is that it is better (healthier) to have a little air leaking through the house, to keep the air fresh.

Fresh air controls moisture build-up, which can contribute to mold growth. It also helps reduce indoor odors, as well as pollutants such as radon, formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Green building practices encourage the use of sustainable and non-toxic materials and formaldehyde-free and low-VOC paints, fabrics and carpeting. These certainly contribute to healthy indoor air quality.

But proper ventilation should not be confused with air leakage. It may seem counter-intuitive, but, except in mild weather, reliance on fresh air to "ventilate" a house is not an energy-efficient approach. Air leakage, determined by how leaky a house is or how hard the wind is blowing, is the unintentional, uncontrolled movement of air. Ventilation is the intentional movement of air, exchanging indoor air with outdoor air.

It is much more energy-efficient to insulate a house well, prevent air infiltration, and mechanically control how fresh air enters a house than to have a leaky house. This also applies in hot weather, when air conditioning is used. The building industry's motto in this regard is "build tight - ventilate right." The City of Evanston's energy code mandates higher levels of insulation than previously. There is also increased emphasis on sealing ductwork to minimize air infiltration even more.

Some preferred ventilation strategies for tight houses are as follows:

• ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilator) or HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilator):
These are heat exchangers that make it possible to bring in fresh air while reclaiming energy (60-80 percent of the conditioned space temperature) from the air that is exhausted (in winter use, heat is regained, and in summer use, the opposite). That way the incoming fresh air is tempered before it reaches the living spaces.
• Spot ventilation:
Exhaust fans in kitchens and baths are used to remove pollutants and moisture at their source. These can be designed to operate at preset intervals.

Determining how tight a house is and whether additional ventilation is needed falls to a group of professionals who do energy performance tests (also known as energy audits, energy surveys or home energy ratings.) Using specialized diagnostic methods, they assess the energy performance of a house. These include "blower door tests" (calibrated air leakage and duct air leakage tests) that push air out of the house to create enough of a pressure difference that smoke puffers can locate sources of air infiltration. Infrared scanners determine the location and amount of wall insulation, both observing bad insulation placement and determining poor insulating value. Laser thermometers measure wall temperature. One or more of these can be used to determine the cause of frozen pipes.

These tests are especially appropriate when purchasing a new house, so that utility bills can be anticipated. Best practices for air sealing can also improve fire safety by blocking air flow in building cavities. Energy audits reveal that 80 percent of home air leakage occurs in locations that are not windows or doors. They can also determine whether there is leakage between a garage and a house.

When mild weather makes it possible to have windows open, natural ventilation is the most efficient way to ventilate. Even then, building design can improve the way the air is brought in, using cross ventilation or by using a chimney or stack effect at a stairwell. Neither uses electricity. Window, room ceiling and whole-house fans, although they use electricity, are far more energy-efficient than air conditioners.

Home energy audits are an excellent way to learn what else should reasonably be done. If a house is quite tight, an energy audit can help determine the need to introduce fresh air through mechanical means.

Useful Websites:

• www.eere.energy.gov
(do-it-yourself energy audit)
• www.epa.gov/iaq
• www.commerce.state.mn.us
click on "Energy Info Center."
• www.energyvideos.com
• www.keepwarm.illinois.gov
• hes.lbl.gov
(do-it-yourself home energy audit from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)
• www.energydetectives.com
(Informed Energy Decisions, local provider of energy audits)

Softball Team Recycles Computers

The girls softball team at Evanston Township High School will be rounding up unwanted electronics for safe and secure disposal from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 1. Drop off unwanted gear during those hours at the northwest parking lot behind ETHS at 1600 Dodge Ave.; or call 847-648-4757 to arrange an at-home or at-office pickup.

Drop-offs will be charged 50 cents per pound (a typical PC CPU weighs 10 to 15 lbs.) and pickups, 75 cents per pound. Pickups outside Evanston Township will incur a small ($1/mile) surcharge. Payment is by cash or check only, with proceeds to benefit the ETHS girls' softball program."We're offering a safe, 'green' way to get rid of bulky e-junk that often contains hazardous materials like cadmium and mercury," said varsity softball Coach Amanda Carlson. "It's a chance to keep this stuff out of landfills, to recycle usable material and to help a good cause." Schools, governments, hospitals and businesses are welcome to participate, she said. Contact Coach Carlson at 847-648-4757.

ECDC Will Honor Holmes, Logan at Benefit

Fifth Ward Aldermen Delores Holmes and former Police Chief William Logan will receive "Outstanding Citizen" awards at the Evanston Community Development Corporation benefit, to be held from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on March 1 at the Unitarian Church of Evanston, 1333 Ridge Ave.

Ald. Holmes, co-founder and past executive director of Family Focus, has "made her mark in the Evanston community," said ECDC in selecting her for the award. She has been active in church and civic affairs in Evanston for more than two decades. Mr. Logan retired recently as director of safety at ETHS. His "commitment to the Evanston community is exemplified as a co-founder of both the Chessmen Club of the North Shore in 1958 and the Fellowship of Afro-American Men in 1967," according to ECDC.

The guest speaker will be Clarence Jones, former speech writer and counsel for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tickets, at $125 per person, are available by calling ECDC at 847-756-0159.

Shorefront Charts Evanston's African-American History

By Anne Bodine

Whoever steps into the Church Street office of Dino Robinson, founder of Shorefront, the not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to collect, record and preserve Chicago's North Shore Black history, should not expect to find an old-timer. Mr. Robinson is an energetic young graphic designer with a passion for sharing the history of the local African-American community.

Mr. Robinson's office, originally designed to be a children's daycare center, is painted in bright, cheerful colors, the walls covered with Shorefront's past traveling exhibits. Robinson, who came to Evanston at the age of 13 and refers to himself as a newcomer, says Shorefront was started by accident.

In 1994, Mr. Robinson was asked by a community member to write an article about African history in Evanston. After
an initial investigation, he was disappointed to find little documentation about the black community on the North Shore. Further research led him to old newspaper clippings, but he found no cohesiveness and no central location to access the
information.

"The North Shore's history includes many African-Americans who were movers and shakers," says Mr. Robinson. "Blocked by cultural barriers, they formed their own groups and organizations. I saw this discovery as an opportunity to start filling in the gaps."

As he compiled the information, he began to write about the findings. These early efforts were first published in the form of articles for Evanston's Clarion newspaper.

In 1996, Mr. Robinson raised $1,500 to compile the stories into a book, "A Place We Can Call Our Home." The next year he won a grant to publish "Through the Eyes of Us," a timeline and audio recording of the lives and experience of African-Americans in Evanston. The book and timeline "opened the doors for more communication," says Mr. Robinson.

In 1999, Mr. Robinson said he felt a need to organize his efforts formally. He and a core group of citizens created the concept of Shorefront and soon incorporated as a not-for-profit organization.
Its test program was a four-page publication distributed at the Evanston Farmers Market for free. The publication received an enthusiastic response.

"The next day, calls came flooding in with people inquiring about how they could subscribe or how they could get involved," says Mr. Robinson. "So we decided to create a journal with a scholarly aspect - something people could collect or use for research."

Today Shorefront is a 20-page quarterly journal. Each issue contains a feature about a prominent community member, either deceased or retired, and who is pictured on the cover.

The journal offers informative, in-depth stories and commentaries that reflect the rich history and culture of local African- Americans.

Shorefront also accepts stories, photographs and other forms of art by professional, student or novice guest writers and artists.

Shorefront also educates the community with exhibits, such as the annual traveling exhibit it creates in partnership with area historical societies.

One such exhibit, "Music 4 the Soul," featured more than 40 nationally recognized African-American musicians who had lived in or still live in Evanston. Shorefront's outreach efforts also include slide lectures presented at area schools and libraries.

Today, Shorefront has a 10-member board and nearly 200 members across the nation and has become a well-respected
resource of information. When asked where he sees the future of Shorefront, Mr. Robinson replies, "Our goal right now is 1,000 members. I'd love to see a museum, a destination place for community members. African-American history
is everyone's history."

Each issue of Shorefront's quarterly journal features a prominent historical member of the North Shore's African- American community.

"What Makes Evanston Evanston" will be a regular feature of the RoundTable. This feature will explore the institutions of Evanston that are the foundations of civic and cultural live in Evanston. Anyone with an idea for this feature should call 847-864-7741 or e-mail info@evanstonroundtable.com, ATTN Evanston Institutions.

True Love, Teen Love From Paul McComas

By Allison Hagey

Author, Paul McComas offers a Valentine to the world. Photo by Neal Katz.

Evanston resident Paul McComas' most recent book, "Planet of the Dates," hit shelves on Feb. 1. Described by Mr. McComas as a book for "precocious 13-year-olds through senior citizens," the book is a coming-of-age-story about a teenage boy, Phil Corcoran, growing up in Milwaukee during the summer of 1980. Told in a profoundly humorous voice, the story tells of the "passion and pathos of growing up" during the 70s and 80s.

Mr. McComas says the book is "semi-autobiographical," because the story is set close to his own teen years. This is his first coming-of-age novel, and Mr. McComas says he is glad he waited to write it, because it "turned out to be funny. Time gives distance, and allows you to see the humor."

Mr. McComas says he is very happy with the book, four years in the making, and he says he feels that it stands out from the crowd, because it is not "deadly earnest. ... [The book] is new territory because it is primarily humorous. Because of that, the serious parts give added depth," he says.

Mr. McComas will hold readings and book signings on Feb. 22 and 23 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Pick-A-Cup Coffee Club, 1813 Dempster St. The events are free and open to the public.

Oscar Picks

By Joe Linstroth

While Bruce Vilanch cracks his knuckles and gets back to work in time for the 80th Academy Awards to go off without a joke on Feb. 24, the RoundTable took the time to weigh in with some award predictions:

Actor in a Leading Role
Daniel Day-Lewis
in "There Will Be Blood"

The other four nominees will merely be showing off their tuxedoes in what should be the most predictable category of the major awards. The other performances are notable -- George Clooney's, especially, as the title character in "Michael Clayton" - but the reclusive Englishman dominated the screen in "There Will Be Blood."

With just his third major role in the last ten years, Mr. Day-Lewis stepped away from cobbling shoes in Italy, or whatever he's into nowadays, to reaffirm that he is the best actor of his generation. Johnny Depp played another misanthropic creep in a Tim Burton movie; Viggo Mortensen another duplicitous creep in a David Cron-enberg movie. Not that they didn't play them well, they just played them again.

Actor in a Supporting Role
Javier Bardem
in "No Country for Old Men"

This may be the only major statue the deserving "No Country" picks up this year. Philip Seymour Hoffman is a perennial favorite for any award, and Tom Wilkinson is a dark horse with his portrayal of a mentally ill litigator, but Mr. Bardem's chilling Anton Chigurh will go down as one of the most memorable villains in film.

Actress in a Leading Role
Ellen Page in "Juno"

The surprise/upset pick. Julie Christie's portrayal of a woman with Alzheimer's Disease in "Away from Her," and Cate Blanchett's metamorphosis into Queen Elizabeth in "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" are the types of roles the Academy usually rewards, making them the frontrunners.

But Ellen Page shines as a pregnant 16-year old, shading her character's naiveté behind a heaping pile of biting, adolescent sarcasm. She may only leave her seat to go to the lavatory this year, but Ms. Page's performance in "Juno" shows the potential for a future filled with Oscar nominations.

Actress in a Supporting Role
Ruby Dee in "American Gangster"

Cate Blanchett's Bob Dylan in "I'm Not There" is a close second, especially if Academy voters turn elsewhere for best actress. The Oscars, however, have a long tradition of being more than just a recognition of the nominated work, and the voters might take the opportunity to honor one of the African-American pioneers in film. It is the first Oscar nomination for the 83-year old Ms. Dee, whose career has spanned the stage and screen for over five decades. A statue and an ovation would be a fitting tribute.

Achievement in Directing
Paul Thomas Anderson
for "There Will Be Blood,"

Much like his leading man, Mr. Anderson chooses his projects carefully.

With tons of natural light and an attention to the finest details, he translated Upton Sinclair's vision of the oil-rich, dirt-poor West at the turn of the century into a dusty, haunting epic.

Joel and Ethan Coen deserve some consideration for their faithful adaptation of McCarthy's remorseless novel, "No Country for Old Men." And it is interesting to note the rare nomination for a comedy director, Jason Reitman ("Juno"), instead of a more traditional option such as Tim Burton for "Sweeney Todd."

Best Motion Picture of the Year
"There Will Be Blood"

This year the Academy finally managed to eliminate all unworthy candidates for best picture. Last year "Babel" was among the top five, and of course 2005's stinker "Crash" actually won the award. The nominated films - two original stories and three adaptations of novels - are all near the top in what was a strong year for movies.

"Juno" is probably the sentimental favorite for many, and "No Country," with its striking lack of sentimentality, was the second-best film of the year. But overall, from the soundtrack and the cinematography to the acting and the story, "There Will Be Blood" was the best film of 2007.

A Film Review

"In Bruges "

By Brian Murphy

"In Bruges" is a rare gem in a rather obscure genre that can best be described as the "hitman comedy." Among the finest examples of this expectation-bending type are "Grosse Point Blank" and "The Matador." Even Javier Bardem brought a twisted sense of humor to killer-for-hire Anton Chigurh in "No Country for Old Men." One thing all these films have in common is that, no matter how witty the dialogue, no matter how erratic the actions of these men can seem when juxtaposed with their everyday lives, an underlying, foreboding tension always seeps into their every pore as a byproduct of their morally bankrupt profession.

Writer/director Martin McDonagh, who began his career as a playwright (Mr. McDonagh's "The Pillowman" was nominated for a Tony in 2005), has a knack for snappy dialogue and complex characters whose morals toe a thin, gray line.

"In Bruges," a huge hit at recent film festivals, also showcases Mr. McDonagh as a fine director with a solid visual sense.

The story takes place after the film's two antiheroes, Ray (Colin Farrell) and Ken (Brendan Gleeson), have executed someone for their boss, the shadowy Harry (Ralph Fiennes, heard only in phone tirades for the first two-thirds of the film). Ordered by Harry to hide out in Bruges, Belgium, the two mobsters have very different takes on their imposed "vacation."

Ken, the more reflective and reserved of the duo, seeks to take in the culture and history of this sleepy town. He takes joy in visiting the ancient churches and buildings, marveling at the gargoyles and gleefully telling Ray that that Bruges is the most "well-preserved, medieval town" in Eastern Europe. Mr. Gleeson, a fine actor whose credits include "28 Days Later" and the "Harry Potter" franchise, gives the film's finest performance. If honor exists among thieves and murderers, Ken is a fine example.

Ray, on the other hand, finds Bruges dreadfully boring. As occasional narrator, Ray sports a full-on Irish brogue, never wasting an opportunity to insult Bruges and comparing it to hell on more than one occasion. Ray is a loud, obnoxious hooligan who prefers to visit the local pub, watch a Hollywood crew filming down the street and pick up women instead of staying put in his hotel room as instructed. He is prone to breaking into tears far more often than one would expect a hitman to do, as he harbors a secret that is tearing him apart.

The two misfits do anything but stay incognito - fighting tourists, getting drunk and hanging out with movie stars and prostitutes. When Harry shows up to enact revenge on Ray for botching a hit and on Ken for not
rubbing Ray out, the film races toward a thrilling climax.

Mr. Fiennes gives a tour-de-force performance as a foul-mouthed boss whose thick English accent and perfect mix of comedic timing and menace are reminiscent of Ben Kingsley's 2004 Oscar-nominated turn as a gangster in "Sexy Beast." His Harry is an eccentric family man first seen while being scolded by his wife.

The meat of "In Bruges" lies in the rapport between Ken and Ray. While they annoy each other, we never see them direct any malice toward one another. Rather, they are like an old married couple who, despite their bickering, just want the best for each other.

My only disappointment in Mr. McDonagh's direction is that, despite shots of Bruge's medieval buildings and stone alleyways, his pacing is so crisp it left me wishing he had lingered a bit for a better feel of the city, as Carol Reed did in his languid filming of Vienna in "The Third Man."

1 hour 47 minutes. Rated R for violence and language.

They Have Arrived

Girl Scout cookies are being delivered this week. Dick Peach, manager of Dempster Auto Rebuilders, again allowed the Girl Scouts to use his shop to unpack crates and sort boxes.

The Girl Scout cookie quiz on the website Fact Monster from Information Please gives the following answers: Thin Mints are the best-selling cookie; 60 cases of Girl Scout cookies can fit into an SUV or a mini-van; the first Girl Scout cookies made were the shortbreads. "Thanks-A-Lots" are shortbread cookies with the words "thank you" in different languages on top and fudge on the bottom; and "Do Si Dos" are peanut butter sandwich cookies.

ABC Bakers, one of the "Official Girl Scout Cookie Bakers," says on their website the first national Girl Scout Cookie sale was held in 1936, and each season Girl Scouts sell almost 200 million packages of cookies. For every box of Girl Scout Cookies bought, more than two-thirds of the purchase price stays right in the community. This year, the Girl Scouts introduced "Cinna-spins," cinnamon-flavored cookies that are shaped like miniature cinnamon rolls and come in 100-calorie packs.
In photo at right, Elizabeth and Shannon Ryan delivered cookies to the RoundTable office on Presidents'Day.

Top photo courtesy of Dick Peach; photo at right by Evanston RoundTable.

Brillianteen Brings Man-eating Plant to Life in 'Little Shop of Horrors'

Brillianteen, the McGaw YMCA's longstanding Evanston tradition, will present its 2008 musical production, the dark comedy "Little Shop of Horrors," March 7-15.

"Brillianteen ... brings the community together year after year, giving students who otherwise may not have the opportunity a chance to be involved in music and the arts," said Judy Hughes, McGaw YMCA arts program manager. "The program has become a staple of the Evanston community and has grown exponentially over the past 57 years, largely due to our local volunteers and teens who take ownership of the production."

"Little Shop of Horrors,"by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, is a black comedy about a down-on-his-luck flower shop worker, Seymour Krelbourn, who discovers his new pet plant can talk and craves human blood. In exchange for a little bit of "the red stuff," the rapidly growing plant promises the nerdy florist fame, fortune and a shot at romance with his longtime crush, Audrey. But the plant may have a nefarious plan: world domination. This gleefully gruesome musical has songs in the style of 1960s rock and roll, doo-wop, and early Motown, including such show-stoppers as "Skid Row (Downtown)" and "Feed Me (Git it)."

The musical stars Evanston Township High School students Alan Newman (Seymour), Kira Novak (Mrs. Mushnik) and Ross Donnan (Orin "The Dentist"), with "the Urchins" played by ETHS's Sarah Bernstein (Chiffon), Liz Sieck (Crystal), Melissa Torma (Ronnette), Charlotte Page (Chontelle), Rachel Kamienski (Vandella), and Claire McFadden (Shirelle). Ben Caroli voices the man-eating plant Audrey II.

The creative team includes adult volunteers Judy Kemp, Cindi Schuneman, Linda Perney, Trimmy Stammel, Sarah Flax, Charlie Gaidica and Jan Perney, as well as ETHS student Megan Vandehey. Judy Hughes and ETHS senior class president Jim Berry lead the 2008 Showboard. A list of the complete Showboard, as well as the 250 members of cast and crew, appears at www.brillianteen.org.

"Little Shop of Horrors" will be presented March 7, 8, 14 and 15 at 7:30 p.m. and March 9 at 2 p.m. in the King Lab School auditorium, 2424 Lake St. To purchase tickets, priced at $10, visit www.brillianteen.org or call 847-475-7400, ext. 277.

In honor of Black History Month...

the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes St., is showcasing the work of African-American artists with two exhibits. "Kindred Spirits" features the clay pots and carved wooden staffs of Chicago artists Marva Jolly and David Philpot.

The Gallery II exhibit upstairs focuses on the work of African-American artists with ties to Evanston. Bottom, local painter Margaret "Peggy" Tarr stands in front of an oil painting of her mother, whom she describes as "intelligent, ethical and humorous."

Nadine "Yadi" Royster's work (above) explores issues surrounding homelessness. Both exhibits will run at the Arts Center through March 14.