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teejax:

People Against The “Malling of Wrigleyville”
Yesterday, I was the 14th person to join a little group called People Against The “Malling of Wrigleyville”.  Today, less than 24 hours after it was started, you can be the 1,671st person to join it.
Tara DeFrancisco has done an amazing job of rallying improvisers and community members from around the city & country to stand up for Wrigleyville’s small businesses and local merchants, which are slated for demolition under the current development plan.
Among the businesses that would suffer destruction are such neighborhood staples as: Mullens on Clark, Salt ‘n Pepper Diner, and the historic iO Theater - the home of longform improv and a performance venue for over 300 improvisers in the city.
In place of these long-standing, community-based small businesses, this Florida-based developer plans to insert CVS, 7-11, Best Buy, and Apple chain stores.
Tell the 44th Ward’s Alderman, Tom Tunney that we don’t want a strip mall in place of Chicago’s character by emailing him: ward44@cityofchicago.org
Also, consider joining ranks by joining the Facebook group for updates or attending a community event on Sunday at 6pm at iO to protest against the proposed cookie-cutter consumerism of Wrigleyville.
SAVE WRIGLEY!

teejax:

People Against The “Malling of Wrigleyville”

Yesterday, I was the 14th person to join a little group called People Against The “Malling of Wrigleyville”.  Today, less than 24 hours after it was started, you can be the 1,671st person to join it.

Tara DeFrancisco has done an amazing job of rallying improvisers and community members from around the city & country to stand up for Wrigleyville’s small businesses and local merchants, which are slated for demolition under the current development plan.

Among the businesses that would suffer destruction are such neighborhood staples as: Mullens on Clark, Salt ‘n Pepper Diner, and the historic iO Theater - the home of longform improv and a performance venue for over 300 improvisers in the city.

In place of these long-standing, community-based small businesses, this Florida-based developer plans to insert CVS, 7-11, Best Buy, and Apple chain stores.

Tell the 44th Ward’s Alderman, Tom Tunney that we don’t want a strip mall in place of Chicago’s character by emailing him: ward44@cityofchicago.org

Also, consider joining ranks by joining the Facebook group for updates or attending a community event on Sunday at 6pm at iO to protest against the proposed cookie-cutter consumerism of Wrigleyville.

SAVE WRIGLEY!

"Most improv groups don't take enough risks... BlackOut often takes too many." - Chicago Reader



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weekly radio show talking about pop culture, news, sports, each others flaws, and who knows what else. we also interview our upcoming guest that'll improvise with us on BLACKOUTpresents: White People

listen in every Thursday @ 6PM CST or click the player to the right to hear some highlights--------------->


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things we like:

shows
dominizuelan | cook county social club | improvised shakespeare company | the reckoning | tomato | tomatoe

music
band called catch | lola balatro | section 4

websites
The Laughing Parrot | failblog.org | ted.com | worldstarhiphop.com

blogs
tim o'malley's blog

places
iO Chicago

media:

live shows
BOPWP - Alex Fendrich

other stuff
our vocalo radio page

press:

Most improv groups don't take enough risks. The five members of BlackOut often take too many, challenging each other and tinkering with setups until bits are either stuck in the mud or an uproarious mess. At the show I saw, a hint of wrestling turned into full-out body-slamming. The chances of success are good, though, because these guys have a commitment to the moment and an impressive range of pop-culture references that leads to material both literate and lowbrow. Their flirtation with race--all are black--further adds to the surprises. A scene of God lecturing Jesus became a lot funnier when it turned into a movie starring Bill Cosby, with Will Smith as the jazz-playing messiah.

--Ryan Hubbard, Chicago Reader



other mentions
broadwayworld.com | the reader | examiner.com | showbiz chicago | steadstyle chicago | theatermania

bio:

Who Is BLACKOUT?
BLACKOUT is a cast of four black actors from different backgrounds, yet similar walks of life. They bring to improv comedy a voice that is rarely heard in this art form, the voice of the African American people. Improv comedy can be defined as the satire and honest depiction of human civilization, but unfortunately in an industry dominated by white males the more diverse influence of our society gets lost. BLACKOUT was formed to regain that often unheard perspective in this genre of entertainment/social study. In addition to their ethnicity and individuality, these men are also accredited improvisers. With training and professional experience in improvisational acting from such institutions as iO Chicago, Annoyance Theatre, ComedySportz Chicago and Second City Chicago, BLACKOUT also forms a virtual improv comedic power house.


What Does BLACKOUT Do?
BLACKOUT does a high energy long form improv show but the form is usually no form.


Where Has BLACKOUT Performed
CIC - Chicago Center for the Performing Arts – 2009 Chicago Impov Festival - ComedySportz – Cornservatory - 11th Annual Del Close Marathon - Donny’s Skybox Theatre - Gorilla Tango Theatre - Green Door Tavern Speak Easy - Playground Theatre - The Spot -


Who’s in BLACKOUT
Sherman Edwards | Darwin Smith | Ramon Smith | Warren Phynix Johnson


info@BLACKOUTcomedy.com | 312.772.3255
1403 N Wicker Park Ave #3 Chicago IL, 60622

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