Opera
Congratulations to Sylvia Neil, Lyric Opera’s first female board chair
University of Chicago law lecturer Sylvia Neil has been named board chair of Lyric Opera of Chicago. She is the first woman to hold the post.
The board of directors elected Neil to the post at its meeting early this month. She joined the board in May of 2011 and for the past year has served as board chair-elect, a new position at the organization.
Neil succeeds David Ormesher, who becomes chair of the executive committee, and who was board chair during Lyric’s 2018 musicians’ strike. Lester Crown, who has been executive committee chair for 30 years, becomes executive committee chair emeritus. In the release announcing Neil’s appointment, Lyric management says that these events signify a “new plan of succession” for Lyric board chairs.
“Lyric is thrilled to welcome Sylvia as our new board chair,” said Lyric General Director Anthony Freud in the release. He went on to say that Neil has proved a “tremendous leader” for the organization, including establishing Lyric’s Heroes’ Fund, which has raised more than $10 million to offset the financial damages wrought by the pandemic.
“Sylvia’s background and commitment to equity and the arts come at a critical juncture for Lyric,” he said. “Her work will be challenging and I am confident in her abilities to find smart solutions to complex issues.”
In accepting the post, Neil said she was honored to be the first woman chair at Lyric, a company that has had two female general directors—Carol Fox and Ardis Krainik. “These are the folks that light my path forward,” Neil said.
Neil, former associate dean at the University of Chicago Law School, has also been an adjunct professor at Northwestern University’s Pritzker School of Law and taught at DePaul School of Law and Roosevelt University.
She and her husband, Dan Fischel, have sponsored a number of Lyric productions, including Elektra, Madame Butterfly, and The Marriage of Figaro. The two organized and sponsored the Heroes’ Fund after Lyric announced it would cancel its 2020 Ring cycle due to the pandemic.
Lyric Opera of Chicago is not the first major Chicago arts organization to have a female board chair. Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Shedd Aquarium, Joffrey Ballet, and the Field Museum have all had female board chairs.
-Lisa Bertagnoli, Crain’s
Entertainment, Events, Sport, We Recommend
Kentucky Derby 2020, Churchill Downs
America’s greatest race, the Kentucky Derby takes place where it began in 1875, at Churchill Downs. Saturday, September 5th, the best of the best horses will come together to race for the opportunity to win the golden trophy.
https://www.kentuckyderby.com/party
Sport
Stanley Cup 2020 – NHL start times for games Aug. 18, 19
https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-stanley-cup-playoff-start-times-august-18/c-318552370
NEW YORK — The National Hockey League today announced the following updates to the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round schedule for Tuesday, Aug. 18 and Wednesday, Aug. 19:
August 18:
• The start time of Game 4 between the Montreal Canadiens and Philadelphia Flyers is 3 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on NBCSN in the U.S. In Canada, the game will be on Sportsnet, CBC and TVA Sports.
• The start time of Game 5 between the Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars is 5:30 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on NBCSN in the U.S. In Canada, the game will be on Sportsnet and CBC.
• The start time of Game 4 between the New York Islanders and Washington Capitals is 8 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on NBCSN in the U.S. In Canada, the game will be on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.
• The start time of Game 5 between the Chicago Blackhawks and Vegas Golden Knights is 10:30 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on NBCSN in the U.S. In Canada, the game will be on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.
August 19:
• The start time of Game 5 between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Tampa Bay Lightning is 12 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on NBCSN in the U.S. In Canada, the game will be on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.
• The start time of Game 5 between the Boston Bruins and Carolina Hurricanes is 4 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on NBCSN in the U.S. In Canada, the game will be on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.
• The start time of Game 5 between the Arizona Coyotes and Colorado Avalanche is 5:30 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on NHL Network (and joined in progress on NBCSN) in the U.S. In Canada, the game will be on Sportsnet 360.
• The start time of Game 5 between the Montreal Canadiens and Philadelphia Flyers is 8 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on NBCSN in the U.S. In Canada, the game will be on Sportsnet, CBC and TVA Sports.
• The start time of Game 5 between the St. Louis Blues and Vancouver Canucks is 10:30 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on NBCSN in the U.S. In Canada, the game will be on Sportsnet and CBC
Sport
Stanley Cup 2020
Stanley Cup Playoffs begin today!
Tune-in beginning at 3pm EST
Best-of-7 series to be played in Toronto, Edmonton
Tuesday, Aug. 11
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Tampa Bay Lightning: Game 1 -3 p.m. ET| NBCSN, SN, TVAS
Calgary Flames vs. Dallas Stars: Game 1 – 5:30 p.m. ET | NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVAS
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Boston Bruins: Game 1 – 8 p.m. ET | NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVAS
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Vegas Golden Knights: Game 1 – 10:30 p.m. ET| NBCSN, SN, TVAS
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Philadelphia Flyers (1) vs. Montreal Canadiens (8)
Wednesday, Aug. 12, 8 p.m. ET: Canadiens @ Flyers | NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVAS
Friday, Aug. 14, 3 p.m. ET: Canadiens @ Flyers | NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVAS
Sunday, Aug. 16, 8 p.m. ET: Flyers @ Canadiens | NBC, CBC, SN, TVAS
Tuesday, Aug. 18, 3 p.m. ET: Flyers @ Canadiens | NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVAS
*Wednesday, Aug. 19, TBD: Canadiens @ Flyers | TBD
*Friday, Aug. 21, TBD: Flyers @ Canadiens | TBD
*Sunday, Aug. 23, TBD: Canadiens @ Flyers | TBD
Events, Music, We Recommend
For the Love of Lyric Concert
September has always meant the opening of a new season at Lyric, and though we can’t be together for live performances this fall, Lyric is excited to present a free virtual concert from the stage of the Lyric Opera House.
The starry lineup is led by world-renowned soprano Renée Fleming and features special guests, including Tony Award® and Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter-actress Heather Headley, soprano Ailyn Pérez, bass Soloman Howard, and mezzo-soprano and Ryan Opera Center alumna J’Nai Bridges, with Doug Peck serving as music director. Members of The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center Ensemble and members of the Chicago Children’s Choir will also perform in this enlightening and entertaining program of familiar and revelatory selections from the worlds of opera, Broadway, popular music, and some surprising sources.
Entertainment, Theatre
Goodman Theatre | Virtual Line Up
Intermission: A Weekly Goodman Update
Tune in every Friday
Goodman’s intermission was created back in April 2020. A weekly newsletter filled with past scenes, Goodman reads, new virtual art series, etc. Volume 13 will be out Friday, July 24.
Alone Together: A Solo Voices Project
Friday, July 24th at 5:30 pm CDT
If you could please find your seats that are center stage on the couch as we encourage WiFi to be turn on and volume on your computer tune to your liking. We hope you enjoy the showcase of 16 high school participants. As they broadcast their solo performance pieces from the page to your home virtual stage.
Strike! The Youth Political Theater Project
Saturday, July 25 at 5:30 pm CDT
Tune in to experience a piece that has been in development for the last few weeks by 10 local students. This virtual piece expresses the response to political as well as social events while representing their communities and as Goodman ambassadors.
Entertainment, Leisure & Recreation, Restaurants
Al Fresco Dining
Chicago Summer is in full bloom.
Escape your living room and find yourself on one of these gorgeous rooftops or patios.
Whether you enjoy your dinner with a lake view, cocktails surrounded by the skyline or
brunch overlooking the Lincoln park conservatory;
Get to be informed of the reservation request details through your CUI concierge.
So many Chicago hot spots to choose from but space is limited –
So hurry & Contact your CUI concierge to coordinate
your perfect Al Fresco experience.
Events, Museums, Music
05/14 – 8pm – Live From the Drawing Room – Driehaus Museum
| TONIGHT! LIVE From the Drawing Room Thursday, May 14, 8 PM, CDT It’s prime time, Gilded Age-style ! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJ9q75r3N60  Allow the stunning interiors of the Driehaus Museum to once again transport you to another time and place – now, from the comfort of your own living room. Celebrated local musician Patrick Donley will play a wide-range of selections from the period on the Driehaus Museum’s exquisite Chickering & Sons piano along with some discussion about the music and the instrument. From Schubert to Joplin, Donley’s joyful playing along with a cocktail demonstration and curatorial insights will provide plentiful after-dinner entertainment. |
Events, Sport
NBA All-Star 2020, Feb 14-16
The last time the NBA All-Star was in Chicago was in 1988. LeBron James and Giannis Anteokounmpo will be the captains for the All-Star Game.
Also, there will be performances by Chance the Rapper and Common.
Seasonal, Theatre
Chicago Theatre Week 2020, Feb 13-23
Presented by the League of Chicago Theatres in partnership with Choose Chicago, Chicago Theatre Week (CTW) is the celebration of the rich tradition of theatre-going in Chicago. The eighth annual Chicago Theatre Week will take place February 13-23, 2020.
