Care to dance?

My, my, it's a busy season for dance in Chicago. It seems it happens this way every fall and every spring, all the dance events are piled around the same time. What's a dance fan to do? Why, get out and enjoy it!

We just had a couple of modern dance festivals wrap up. Weekend before last we saw the final run of The OTHER Dance Festival, a three-week showcase of some of Chicago's most adventurous modern dance companies and independent artists. We also saw the inaugural Harvest Chicago Contemporary Dance Festival, a three-night showcase with a different line-up of artists and companies each night. This is a brand new fest, so look for the roster to get steadily stronger as the producers get a few more years under their belts.

This past weekend was the fall engagement of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and what a show! Resident choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo presented two new works, Blanco and Deep Down Dos, both of which were beautiful and beautifully danced. Always a "cinematic" kind of choreographer, Cerrudo displays a masterful control of the stage image and is never short on inventive, original theatrical devices. We also saw Victor Quijada's new work, the hip-hop-infused PHYSIKAL LINGUISTIKS, which was a fun piece that allowed the dancers to explore some new movement vocabularies. And then came the delicious dessert that was Nacho Duato's Archangelo, the last section of which was worth the ticket price alone. It was truly stunning.

Coming up, one can't overlook two of my favorites (and--full disclosure--our clients), The Joffrey Ballet and Luna Negra Dance Theater. Joffrey is presenting a selection of ballet heavyweights in All Stars (maybe the title "Top Choreographer Masters" was taken), which runs October 13-24 at the Auditorium Theatre. The program includes George Balanchine's Stravinsky Violin Concerto and Tarantella, Christopher Wheeldon's After the Rain, and Jerome Robbins' The Concert (Or the Perils of Everybody). I don't know which piece I'm more excited for-- Stravinsky is devilishly difficult, with super fast tempos and hard-to-count rhythms. It will be a task for the dancers, but they're up to it. The Concert is also hilarious, with some zany, over-the-top characters. It's a beautiful example of exactly what Robbins was best at, combining physical comedy with stellar dance technique. Don't miss your chance to see the beauty and fun, get tickets here.

Luna Negra is presenting the first season under new Artistic Director Gustavo Ramirez Sansano in one performance only on Saturday, October 16 at the Harris Theater, which is followed by the annual Noche de Luna gala. The program for the performance will showcase a brand new duet by Gustavo called Toda una Vida ("All My Life") inspired by his mother and father and their endearing (and enduring) love, the kind of love that keeps people together through thick and thin. They will also present a North American Premiere by Brazilian choreographer Fernando Melo called Bate (pronounced "batche," which means "heartbeat" in Portuguese), a work for five men that balances a touch of humor with some powerhouse movement, including one section where the men, laying prone on their stomachs, literally pop off the ground like popcorn (I'm still not sure how they do it). And rounding out the program will be Luna Negra founder Eduardo Vilaro's Deshar Alhat ("Leave Sunday"), which was inspired by the Sephardic Jews in Latin America and their struggles and trials. It's a beautiful, non-linear piece for the whole company--who are looking especially strong these days--and the music, by Stefani Valadez, is poignant, bittersweet, and haunting. Get your tickets here.

A few others I'm looking forward to this season (this is by far not an exhaustive list): the all-female, Afro-Cuban-infused group Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba stops by the Auditorium Theatre, Oct. 28-29; Ballet Hispanico visits Chicago with Eduardo Vilaro now at the artistic head, at the Harris Theater, Nov. 5; SPDW Dance Theatre and Hedwig Dances co-presented Walking...Drifting, which runs at the Hamlin Park Fieldhouse, Nov. 4-5 and 11-12; and the Chicago Human Rhythm Project presents Global Rhythms IV, an extravaganza of jazz, tap, hip-hop and other rhythm-based dance companies, at the Harris Theater, Nov. 26-28. Fall is the perfect season to "fall" in love with dance, so get out there and take advantage of all the beautiful work!

Photos by Herbert Migdoll, Cheryl Mann and Jonathan Mackoff.

My Personal Fall Preview at The Silverman Group!

There’s a first for everything and I’m so excited to be writing my first blog entry as TSG’s Fall 2010 intern! I’d like to introduce myself briefly, explain why I love Public Relations, and share what I’ve been up to so far this Fall.

My name is Allison, I’m a senior at Columbia College Chicago and I will graduate in December (yes, two and a half months from now, ah!) with a degree in Marketing Communications and a focus in PR. I came to Columbia after transferring from the University of Iowa, and I am so happy I made the switch to such a wonderful city school. During my first semester at Columbia I focused on Advertising, but after one Intro. to PR class I was hooked.

PR encompasses so many things I love: writing, event planning, working with people, and getting exposed to different cultural events. Practicing PR is like an ethnographic study of your city as you interact with so many different people and discover what is important to them. At The Silverman Group, I can relate to many clients thanks to my personal love (read: lack of talent) for music, theatre and the arts. It’s safe to say I’ve had the entire scores and lyrics of Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat memorized since age five.

In other internships I have been one of 15 interns, so being the only one here makes a huge difference! I am so happy to have already been allowed the opportunity to write several press releases and a media advisory, attend the Black Ensemble Theater’s groundbreaking ceremony, and tag along with Laura to an interview at the Jane Addams Hull House Museum. Outside of the office, Beth was so kind as to include me in an outing to the Bank of America Theater for a performance of Rock of Ages, a stage musical featuring tunes from 80’s rockers Poison, Styx, Journey and Foreigner. Loved the show, thanks Beth!


This month I am looking forward to working on the Loop Art Crawl, which will launch Chicago’s inaugural Art Loop Open, WBEZ’s Climb the Tower at Lake Point Tower, planning for the McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade, and much more! I am thrilled to be at The Silverman Group during my last months of college and experience great hands-on work in PR for the arts!

Say HELLO to ALO!

It has been a while since our last post, so I thought I would take the time to announce an exciting new project that we have been working on over at the TSG offices. Chicago Loop Alliance - who is always thinking of innovative new ways to engage Chicagoans in our city's rich culture - has joined forces with the Chicago Artists' Coalition to present ART LOOP OPEN.

This name might seem kind of confusing as we spent the entire summer promoting ART LOOP 2010 and Tony Tasset's much talked about EYE. However, since this is another CLA public art initiative it seems sensible to keep the names similar for branding purposes. Art Loop Open (or ALO as we have taken to calling it) is a Chicago-wide art competition. This may seem simple and straightforward...but it is not. There are so many facets surrounding this project that I am still trying to wrap my mind around it. Don't get me wrong - in order for this project to be successful it must have many working components, but in order to explain myself better I'll break it down in 3 parts: VISIT, VIEW, VOTE.

VISIT - as with everything CLA does, the point is to bring visitors into the Loop area and ALO is no different. This initiative is reaching out to tourists and Chicagoans alike. If you are a Loop employee and you need a quick coffee break, you have the opportunity to step out of your drab office and into a world of culture by visiting one of the many participating venues (Macy's, theWit, Palmer House...to name a few) and check out the many installations created by artists within the Chicagoland area. OR if you are a tourist and you are picking up your annual supply of Frango Mints at Macy's you might also realize you in the middle of an art gallery featuring sculptures, paintings and video projects. I mean...how often does that happen at the Woodfield Mall?

VIEW - this part is pretty self-explanatory. CLA and the Chicago Artists' Coalition are essentially turning some of the biggest venues in the Loop into public art galleries. The participating venues will be opening their doors for the sole purpose of showcasing some of the most incredible art to the public. Each venue will contain a range of pieces and let me tell you...no two pieces are alike.

VOTE - this is the exciting part. WE, the people of Chicago, determine the winners of ALO. That means you don't have to have an art history degree, be a student at SAIC, or have curated a rave-reviewed exhibition at the MCA in order to place your vote. All you have to do is go into one of the venues (or a few or ALL!) in between Oct. 15 - 21, check out some pieces and vote for some of your favorites. Then on Oct. 22 the Top Ten pieces will be announced and you get to vote for your absolute favorite. The winners will be announced on Oct. 29.

There are many ways that you can place your vote. First you can text in your vote, or use a special Smart Phone application, OR you can visit HUB 37. No, this is not the restaurant on Dearborn and Hubbard. This is a special area in Block 37 that will be the hub of communication during ALO. HUB 37 provides many different and innovative ways for ALO participants to engage and immerse themselves into the project, but I do not want to give too much away beforehand...so go check it out!

That is all for now. There will be more updates to come...but until then GET EXCITED.

The Time Has Come to Break New Ground!

I've worked on a HUGE variety of clients and events since joining The Silverman Group almost three years ago (exactly three years will be this coming Friday Sept 17)! Anyway, during my time at TSG some of the more unique clients I've had the opportunity to promote include the World's Toughest Rodeo at the United Center, the International Kennel Club of Chicago Cluster of Dog Shows, a President Obama themed Advent Calendar, Altar Boyz - a musical about a Christian Boy Band, in addition to more mainstream theatre, art, comedy, and non profit events. However, until this past week I had never worked on a ground breaking! I've helped open new buildings, but that was it... until now!

This past Friday, September 10 the Black Ensemble Theater held a ground breaking ceremony for their new Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center. Originally I had a personal conflict and may have had to miss the event, but I'm so glad I didn't. It was tremendous! Albeit running a little long, the ceremony was incredibly smooth! Governor Quinn, Mayor Daley, Alderman Shiller and Schulter, Congresswoman Schakowsky, and Senator Raoul were all present at a ceremony emceed by Actor Harry Lennix. Joining them were members of the Black Ensemble Theater family including performers, donors, and members of the general public. Everyone who spoke praised Jackie Taylor and for good reason!

And from a PR standpoint, because really that's what this is about, it couldn't have gone better! Every single local TV station covered the event as did the Chicago Tribune, Sun Times, Time Out Chicago and more! What does that mean? Each outlet was represented by either a cameraman/photographer, a reporter, or both, basically equaling some great coverage!

Jackie Taylor and Harry Lennix being interviewed by WCIU-TV, respectively

For some insight into what the media thought, check out Time Out Chicago and the Chicago Tribune's post-coverage.

Getting back to where this post originated... it was my first ground breaking and it was a success! One of the reasons I still enjoy PR is because after three years I still have the chance to work on something new! Yes in the grand scheme how and what I do for each client is generally along the same lines, but the actual product is so different. A ground breaking can't be compared to a theater opening, which can't be compared to a dog show! Construction on the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center is estimated to take a year and having seen the very first moment when it stared makes it that much more exciting to see the final project! When we open the new Center in the Fall of 2011 I'll be able to say I was there when...

the ceremonial dirt pile to "break ground"

On that note of new buildings, openings, ground breakings... last week I also had the chance to re-open the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, which underwent a massive renovation this summer! More on that later...

It truly was a week of breaking new ground all around!

Season Finale

I can hardly believe it, but the 2010 season of Grant Park Music Festival is over. I feel as though there was a lot of build-up as I prepared for my first GPMF season. I am still relatively new at TSG, and I was very excited to have the opportunity to work with this particular client. I spent a couple months mentally preparing, drafting press releases, assembling artist headshots and bios, and pitching the season opening...and now it is all over.

Looking back on it - the season was exceptional. I have to say - it was not what I expected. Grant Park Music Festival has a way of keeping its traditional audience while still drawing in the ever-elusive younger crowd with contemporary and innovative guest artists. Being a twenty-something myself, I was particularly impressed with the range of talent GPMF was able to bring in this season.

The Independence Celebration concert had me smiling throughout the entire performance. This concert was able to juxtapose the contemporary BAM! dancers with the traditional Trinity Irish dancers in a way that I didn't expect. And Chorus Director Christopher Bell captured the audience with his skill and his phenomenal costume that consisted of American flag pants and platform shoes! Not a bad way to spend the holiday weekend!

Another personal highlight was the Planet Earth Live concert. I am a huge fan (and owner) of Planet Earth and have been known to watch hours of the documentary series on end. However, viewing this breathtaking series in the solace of my own home does not even hold a candle to the setting I was able to experience this summer. GPMF was able to have George Fenton, the original score composer, conduct the Grant Park Orchestra as parts of the series played on a hi-def screen behind the orchestra. I just remember taking a moment to look around me. The sky almost dark, the city is illuminated by the surrounding buildings, and a small breeze swept over the audience from nearby Lake Michigan...and here I am watching one of my favorite series among hundreds of people on a beautiful Chicago summer night...and this is part of my job. How lucky am I?!

The final concert was extraordinary. Principal Conductor Carlos Kalmar brings such energy to his work that I find to be extremely impressive. I for one was shocked at his ability to truck through Mahler's Symphony No. 2 (which by the way, is a very, very long piece). Afterwards, Beth and I had a chance to attend the wrap-up party for staff and guests at the Goose Island beer garden where we listened to a few closing remarks and chatted with everyone who had helped make this season such a success. Not to mention this furthered our new obsession with everything Goose Island. For all of those who have not tried "Green Line" I suggest you get on it...it has been the topic of conversation at the TSG offices ever since our Cubs outing!

Anyways, I could go on forever about my favorite concerts but I'll try and keep this brief and sum it all up. There were so many things that I gained from the last couple months, but I am especially appreciative for two reasons.

1. GPMF season opened my eyes in many ways and allowed me to embrace a kind of music I had not truly appreciated before.

2. I had a chance to have some serious face-time with multiple members of the media. Usually our communication is limited to email or the phone, but this allowed me to build a repertoire with some of the major music critics in Chicago (which is crucial in this business!).

Ok - this post is getting a little long so that is all for now!

It's the weak end!

And no that isn't a typo. This final post for the week is going to be a weak one. It's a Friday in August, one of our final weeks of "summer hours" and the crickets have returned (as has the bird that just flew perilously close to my open window).

Time to take advantage of the quiet and quit complaining about it.

So I'm off to check out a new Blackberry.

Not surprisingly, I've become somewhat addicted to the practice of blogging (aka, talking about myself). Who knew?

And PS. the new business meeting this morning went VERY well. Am providing a proposal next week. I am 100% sure we can deliver what they're looking for - and we'd enjoy working on it! Just a matter of money, and what they can afford. Hints were made about tight budgets, the need for sponsors, etc. Will keep you posted... promise!

Unfinished business

So, yesterday's post touched on reasons why The Silverman Group (or any publicity firm) might take on a new client even if the fee is less than we usually accept (reasons such as: the cache, our passion for the product, the ability to maintain relations with niche media contacts, etc).


On the flip side, it is worth noting that there are also reasons why we might NOT take on a new client, even if the fees are acceptable. These are fewer and far between, and typically make for better stories.


Four actual reasons we have turned down business:


1. Potential client has unrealistic expectations. This usually becomes apparent in the first meeting, when we are asked about our contacts with Oprah! (For those unaware, just because she lives here does not make it a Chicago television show.) This has happened less over the years, as I believe the show's ratings have decreased and clients have recognized the national focus of the show (which is not to say local clients don't believe they have national appeal.) "Getting on Oprah" is an extreme example, but we frequently have potential local clients who desire (or should I say "require") us to deliver national coverage (such as a review in the New York Times or having The Today Show broadcast live from client's site) which realistically, based on our past experience, is a long shot. It's not impossible - depending on the client's national newsworthiness and the travel schedule & budget of desired medium - we just don't want to set ourselves up for failure! I tend to be more of a realist - better to under-promise and over-deliver as they say -so if national exposure is a must for the client, as a Chicago-centric firm, we might likely turn it down rather than under-deliver results.

2. Potential client would make our lives miserable. Have learned over the years, the hard way, that even a good paying client is not worth the fee if we dread their emails or calls. Clients become avoidances generally when they have false expectations (see above) and will not accept rational explanations for why we are not able to accomplish something they see as a "slam dunk." What we are able to accomplish (which usually is a great deal) is not good enough - or could have been achieved by anyone - and the expression "what else?" becomes a common retort. Life simply is too short to be spent defending one's good work.

3. Potential client in a field we're not passionate about nor familiar with. I'd like to think that The Silverman Group is successful because we take our jobs seriously and sincerely want to spread the word about our clients! We are each, in our own way, passionate about culture - be it a pop culture film festival or the more higher brow, fine arts. Being fond of, and familiar with, the clients we represent makes our jobs more enjoyable (and ultimately makes us more successful at what we do). I have in the past, accepted contracts for publicity projects outside of the entertainment or non-profit realms, with limited success. Spending your time immersed in an environment in which you are not comfortable (or excited about) will generally produce fewer results and become a frustration. We all want to produce for our clients, and when we can't, it's morale draining and generally time wasting.

4. Potential client wants to pay in cash... with $100 bills... pulled from back pocket. True story and something about that gesture read to me as unprofessional (and potentially illegal).

And so I await tomorrow's new business meeting!

Mundane, Mundane

So, when people (usually job applicants) ask what a "typical day" is like at The Silverman Group, I usually respond that "no two days are alike," which I consider to be a good thing. However, the last few days have been unusually similar: slow and filled with mundane bookkeeping tasks, health insurance renewals, and scheduling meetings to discuss the (aforementioned) Fall season. All necessary evils but not exactly energizing endeavors.


I know that soon I will wistfully recall these less hectic days, when I have the luxury of focusing on one client at a time, instead of seven, but right now, I miss the drama - and the multi-tasking. The running from one client's meeting to assist at another client's interview to the office and out again.


And having a legitimate excuse why I can't hit the gym after work.


***


So, we're meeting a potential new client on Friday, for a festival which we're perfectly qualified to represent, and I look forward to selling the company's services. Hopefully the fest director can afford us, but this reminds me that new business acquisition is not always about the fee. One retains new clientele for a variety of reasons. For instance, The Silverman Group represents a diverse range of cultural organizations: theater, dance, film, comedy, music, visual arts and assorted non-profit institutions, such as WBEZ FM/NPR and the Chicago Loop Alliance. I have sometimes accepted lower fees for projects in any of those fields of expertise so as to continue utilizing the valuable media contacts we've compiled and to keep us front-of-mind with those contacts. For example, soon after we promoted the opening of the new Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies building - and had initiated some great relationships with architecture and "green" building press - I definitely wanted to take advantage of having established those contacts, and sought to secure other new building projects, which we did. Utilizing existing media contacts made it easier to produce solid coverage for the new clients, and having other relevant clients to "pitch" helped to solidify our relationship with those particular members of the media....which will make it easier to produce solid coverage for the next client!


Other reasons for accepting less-than-acceptable fees might include: the high profile nature of project/personality will add cache to our client list; I have staff who have the necessary expertise, and at the time could afford to be busier; given the familiar nature of the project, we have the ability to produce results with little effort or time; it is personally important to - or would prove especially enjoyable for - someone on staff; and/or perhaps an initial low paying project will lead to further work in the future.

I will let you know how the new business meeting goes and ideally prove to the prospective client that The Silverman Group is worth its weight in, er, gold!

The dog days of summer

The dog days of summer are upon us....

And it's not just because I'm a cat lover, that I'm feeling a bit frustrated.

Typically, the last days of August are a bit, er, quiet around Ye Olde Silverman Group. (Let's just say I'm wearing jeans to work again with no fear of a meeting interrupting my casualness). Folks are out of town, I get it. Families taking vacations before school starts, others using up vacation days to attend baseball games or other summer pursuits left to the last minute.

So while phones aren't ringing and meetings are few and far between, we typically all try to use this time to work ahead: get press releases written, media lists updated, maybe even some desk straightening or blogging! One gets lulled into somewhat of a false complacency (not to mention a 5:01pm departure time).

However, the trouble is that within days (okay, 10) it will be Labor Day weekend and then.... the official START OF THE FALL SEASON. Sorry to yell, but every year it plays out the same. While now, virtually ever email sent out this week and next receives an "out of office" reply, on the Tuesday after Labor Day (September 7, this year), members of the media, clients (and presumably the public) are jolted from summer thoughts and suddenly focused on what's taking place September - December. (Let's not even discuss the holidays). It's time to get serious and we're all running around like chickens with our heads cut off because "September is nearly half over"! (There's alot of animal analogies in this blog, and you can see there's alot of drama in our world.)

And at the risk of sounding as though I'm complaining (which I'm not), this year, the abbreviated Labor Day work week includes not only a major Jewish holiday (Rosh Hashanah, Thursday Sept. 9) resulting in two days off work for many (Monday and Thursday) but also we've got two major events to promote that week- the re-opening of the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum on Wednesday afternoon and the ground breaking for the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center on Friday afternoon! That will make for one crazy "welcome to Fall" week!

And in the meantime.....crickets.

Monday, Monday

So today is meeting-free, which is much appreciated, since I awoke late and in a jeans-mood. Yes, we all wear jeans to work on a somewhat regular basis, however, my fear (one of many, you'll learn) is that I'll be in full GAP regalia and a more formally-attired client will want to meet - or even worse, I will be asked last minute to meet with a potential new client! Yes, we promote entertainment organizations, many non-profit, so it's hardly a corporate climate in which we operate. However, as I always say, we Groupers (staff of The Silverman Group, myself included) are a young looking bunch and we do ourselves a disservice by dressing casually (since I tend to think that then our opinions are taken more casually). I recall a client, meeting the new Assistant Account Executive assigned to her account, who mistook the AAE for a summer intern! Not necessarily the best first impression for this AAE who expects the client to take her and her work seriously (and who has by now, of course, earned the client's respect). My two cents: The younger your appearance, the harder you have to work to be taken seriously.

Moving on, today have to tackle one of my least favorite tasks as a business 0wner - shaking down the clients for money! Some months are better than others, in that we receive our monthly fee and expense checks without having to ask - other months, like this one, checks are slow to come in so I've got to send out a few reminder emails. The mail hasn't arrived yet* - no doubt one of those checks will be in the mail - annoying the client who has just received a reminder. ah well.

(*Update: Mail arrived, let's just say there were no wasted emails.)

Enough musings for now. I must get back to doing the work for which I'll (eventually) be paid.

Do as I say AND and as I do

Apparently the expression, "Do as I say, not as I do," only applies to parenting, not to leadership, as far as my staff is concerned. At the risk of a mutiny, I can no longer request that they contribute regularly to the silvermanifesto blog, without my doing same. (You'd think being a boss would have some perks. Dictatorship is not one of them.)

So with that, the Beth blogs begin. Jumping right in, I will attempt to log in daily for a week, with the intent of providing insight into my role as the head of a "small, but mighty" Chicago arts publicity firm. I hope to share some valuable tips about contemporary leadership and entertainment publicity, but above all, I hope you find his remotely entertaining.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame...

The whole Silverman Group team (all 4 of us!!) went out on our summer outing on Monday. We celebrated the end of another great Chicago summer in the best way possible - the Cubs game. It is no secret that the Cubs have had yet another dismal season. However, Chicagoans do not go to game after game, summer after summer holding their breath for a World Series title...we do it because the Cubs are a Chicago institution and Wrigley Field is a destination during the summer months.

Sadly, I had not been to a game all season as I missed the game when artist, Tony Tasset, threw out the first pitch in July. So I was thrilled when Beth mentioned a possible company outing to Wrigley Field. On Monday, we had the chance to see the game from a completely different view - a rooftop! These rooftops offer never-ending food and beer, great people watching, and a great view of Wrigley...and I have to say, we had the best seat in the house!

We were all able to sample Goose Island's relatively new beer GREEN LINE (named after the L line), jalepeno/cheddar pretzels and pub chips...

(the one that got away!)

Oh and the highlight of the night: meeting a professional wrestler - what was his name again? - and securing a signed picture which will obviously hang up in TSG office in between the Cirque de Soleil posters. Not sure what the score was - I am sure we lost - but the game was an overall success! This summer has been pretty crazy over here at TSG (in a good way!) so this was a great way to close out summer together.

THANKS BETH! :)

Potential Interns – TSG Wants You!

It's that time again! Are you a current college student pursuing a degree in Public Relations, Communications, or another arts related field? Do you strive for success and enjoy fine arts engagements including theatre, dance, music, art and more? Are you searching for an internship to combine your current skills, education, and personal interests? Then The Silverman Group has a great opportunity for you!

The Silverman Group is currently accepting applications for a Fall Intern position.

TSG interns have the unique opportunity to assist in all aspects and the overall success of operations at the company. Because this is a boutique firm, all members of the team pitch in wherever needed. As an intern, you have the chance to be exposed to every facet of activities at a full-service public relations agency as well as experience a variety of types of entertainment clients. Interns will have the opportunity to participate in media interaction and tracking, writing, promotional planning, event facilitation, and market research in addition to some day-to-day administrative duties.

Students pursuing a career in public relations, communications, or arts management who are willing to immerse themselves in the fast-paced work environment are encouraged to apply!

This is an unpaid internship, school credit is available. Length of internship is 3 months minimum, 6 months maximum and at least 20 hours/week.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and two writing samples to laura@silvermangroupchicago.com

Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

A new Chicago EYE-con

It is true - the puns have been overplayed since the unveiling of Tony Tasset's "Eye" sculpture. Just to list a few:

- EYE-conic

- EYEsore
- EYE-catching

- EYE-popping

I could probably go on forever. But I won't. I would just like to state for the record that working for the Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA) on their public art initiative, Art Loop 2010, has been a true pleasure. I am not only talking about the expansive coverage it has received, but I am also proud that I got to be a party of something so monumental. I don't care how many times I take the Brown Line past Pritzker Park, I still get giddy as the train rounds the corner and the brilliant iris comes into view.

Tasset's oddly beautiful yest grotesque sculpture has garnered attention around the world from India to Wichita, Kansas. Some have marveled at its beauty while others mark its lack of subtly. To see some of the more creative interpretations visit BBC's Magazine Monitor: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/magazinemonitor/2010/07/caption_competition_142.shtml.

CLA has made a commitment to develop and support artistic, cultural and public events in the Loop. Recently, many of their efforts have been toward a public art initiative. I have come to find that public art either evokes a positive or negative reaction - hardly anything in between. Personally, I am a big supporter of public art. I was fortunate enough to grow up in downtown Chicago. As a child I was fascinated by "Cows on Parade." I even had a chance to help my elementary school art teacher create her own cow that was proudly displayed on the streets of Chicago. These kinds of initiatives put our humble city on the map and continues to foster Chicago's reputation as a notable cultural destination.

Stay tuned for CLA's next project - ART LOOP OPEN!

The first time often falls short of expectations

And lest you think I'm referring to anything beyond posting one's first blog entry, shame on you!

So welcome to my first missive on The Silverman Group's blog. As the self-proclaimed "Leader of the Flacks" (and a practitioner of arts PR in Chicago for some 23+ years), figured that it was finally time to put pen to paper, er, fingers to keys.

I hope my unique point-of-view running a successful public relations firm (knock on wood), and also the lessons I've learned working in the industry for so long will at least prove entertaining, if not somewhat educational.

A brief start--what more did you expect?

Chicago Underground Film Festival

The Silverman Group has just been hired to help promote the 17th Chicago Underground Film Festival (CUFF) that will take over the Gene Siskel Film Center this summer, June 24 - July 1.

We couldn't be more excited as CUFF is one of Chicago's leading film events and stands out on the festival circuit for having a unique programming niche, garnering a following among avid film fanatics, media, and industry alike. Each year, CUFF presents an accessible, savvy program of film and video exploring the many definitions and interpretations of the 'underground' concept. Selected films often ignore limitations of genre, and are made with passion and drive.

CUFF is a great time for attendees, filmmakers, and industry, where great screenings are followed by great nights of parties, events and concerts! As Roger Ebert referred to the festival, "What you get for your money is not just admission to the films, but admission to a subculture."

For more information about CUFF check out http://www.cuff.org/.

Eva Marie Saint Q&A at the Music Box

Emmy- and Academy Award winning actress Eva Marie Saint will be at the Music Box tonight, Tuesday March 30, for a question and answer session preceding a screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s famous film, North by Northwest. Saint grew up in Newark, New Jersey and started her television career in NBC’s famous page program and then went on to do several Broadway plays. She got her first big film break in 1954 for the film On the Waterfront where she acted with Marlon Brando and eventually won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

It is said that Hitchcock shocked everyone in his decision to cast Eva Marie Saint as Eve Kendall in the film because she had never performed in a non-dramatic role. Hitchcock persuaded Saint to cut her famous long hair to give her a more exotic and glamorous look. Hitchcock wanted her to dress like a kept woman-smart, simple, subtle, and quiet and even worked with her to make her voice lower and huskier. Saint continues to act on the big and small screen and has accumulated numerous awards, several stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and remains a well-known and loved actress among her fans.

North by Northwest ranks number forty on the American Film Institute's list of the 100 Greatest American Movies of All Time. The film is a thriller about mistaken identity and follows a Madison Avenue advertising executive as he is followed across the United States by agents of a mysterious organization who plan to stop his interference with their plans to smuggle microfilm containing top-secret government information. North by Northwest is said to be one of Hitchcock’s best films and has won several awards.

Eva Marie Saint can be seen tonight, Tuesday March 30, at the Music Box, 3733 North Southport Avenue, preceding the screening of North by Northwest at 7:30 p.m. The screening is part of Turner Classic Movie’s Classic Film Festival which is taking its love of great movies to five different cities

Nicholas Kristof Making a Rare Chicago Appearance March 15

Nicholas Kristof is a two-time Pulitzer Prize winning New York Times columnist and the subject of the new documentary produced by Ben Affleck and directed by Eric Daniel Metzgar called The Reporter. The film focuses not only on Kristof, but delves in to the massive transformation journalism is going through by stressing the importance of real news gathering in enabling democratic nations to function and illuminating a world in chaos.

Metzgar tracked Kristof as he and two young Americans traveled during the summer of 2007 through the Congo to report on the conflict and desperate poverty plaguing the African republic in an attempt to put the problem on an international agenda. The Congo is a country rife with humanitarian crises and in the last decade 5.4 million people have been killed due to a brutal war that has been raging since 1998.

Kristof wanted to grab his readers’ interest and compassion and went in search of individuals with stories that capture the essence of the country’s crisis by visiting ravaged villages and displacement camps. Kristof even visits Congo’s reigning rebel warlord, General Nkunda, at his jungle hideout. The film aims to immerse the viewer in a discussion of the ways this kind of journalism reaches the public, creates change, and elicits a humanitarian response.

Nicholas Kristof will be making a rare Chicago appearance at the Facing History and Ourselves program, “Community Conversations” on Monday, March 15, at 5:30 pm. The discussion will take place at the Thorne Auditorium of Northwestern University, 375 East Chicago Avenue. Facing History and Ourselves is the educational partner for The Reporter and scenes from the film will be shown during the discussion. Tickets are free, but must be reserved by calling 312-345-3203 or visiting www.facinghistory.org/allstate.

The DVD will be available to purchase on March 21. Check out The Reporter website to learn more about the documentary and Nicholas Kristof: http://www.reporterfilm.com/main.html

The Fulcrum Point New Music Project’s Upcoming Shows

The Fulcrum Point New Music Project is an organization that has intrigued me since my first day at The Silverman Group. They have done so many unique performances and I wish I had known about them since I first moved to Chicago three years ago. They now have two exciting concerts coming up within a few weeks of each other that I’m sure will be huge hits that everyone should go see! Fulcrum Point New Music Project strives to be a leader in diverse new music in Chicago and has presented multi-media performances, created educational programs, and commissioned innovative works since its start in 1998. Here is what they have coming up next:



The first of the two is a free concert called Hong Kong at the Fulcrum Point Celebrates the Year of the Tiger. This will feature the North American debut of the Windpipe Chinese Ensemble, who is known throughout Hong Kong for performing new and traditional works on authentic, indigenous instruments. This performance will feature two World Premieres created specifically for this event including a piece called “Tiger Sketch” that showcases award-winning Chinese Manga artist, Lee Chi-ching, creating a unique tiger themed painting through a video presentation. Although the concert is free, tickets must be reserved and can be done so here: rsvp@fulcrumpoint.org. The concert will be held at the Thorne Auditorium of Northwestern University, 375 East Chicago Avenue, Thursday, February 25 at 7:30pm.




The second show is called Art Without Boundaries, a unique performance combining improvisational art created by a local Michigan/Dutch design team, Two Designing, famous Dutch musician Wilbert de Joode, and Fulcrum Point live music. Art Without Boundaries will be held at the Space at Evanston, 1245 Chicago Avenue, Wednesday, March 10, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15.00 and can be purchased online at http://www.evanstonspace.com/buytix.html.

Cirque du Soleil’s Alegría Comes to Chicago and Champaign

Cirque du Soleil is known for its elaborate sets, fantastical characters, breathtaking costumes and most of all, the mind (and body) bending stunts executed by the performers. Now, they are coming back to Illinois for a short time only to present their popular show, Alegría. However, most people don’t know that Cirque du Soleil had modest beginnings and took a fascinating path to get to where they are today.

Guy Laliberté and his friends Gilles Ste-Croix and Daniel Gauthier, came up with the idea of putting together a performance troupe while they were managing a youth hostel for performing artists in Quebec. To get the ball rolling on this idea, Ste-Croix took matters in to his own hands, and walked 56 miles on stilts to Quebec City as a publicity stunt to convince the Quebec government to help fund his production. The ploy worked, and the three men hired 20 street performers in the summer of 1980 to create the Les Echassiers performance troupe and start touring Quebec.

Three short years later, the Quebec government gave Laliberté and Ste-Croix a $1.5 million grant to fund a production the following year as part of Quebec’s 450th anniversary celebration of the French explorer Jacques Cartier’s discovery of Canada. Laliberté named this production "Le Grand Tour du Cirque du Soleil".

With its premiere in 1984, Le Grand Tour du Cirque Du Soleil became a success and began to reinvent itself as a full blown circus. Laliberté accomplished this by hiring the head of the National Circus School, Guy Caron, as their new artistic director and making some changes in the overall production. Laliberté and Caron decided to create a performance accompanied by strong emotional music that played from beginning to end by live musicians while having each individual act tell a story. Their vision also included having the performers, instead of a technical crew, move props on and off stage and to create a modern day circus without rings or animals.

Cirque du Soleil got its next big break in 1987, when they were invited to perform at the Los Angeles Arts Festival. The performance troupe was in such financial trouble at the time, that they could only afford a one-way ticket to California. If the show had not been a success at the festival, the entire group would be stuck in Los Angeles. Luckily, Cirque du Soleil was successful both critically and financially and was able to not only return home, but to continue performing.

Throughout the years, Cirque du Soleil has had its ups and downs, but they have now reached a pinnacle of success most other performance troupes can only dream of obtaining. They entertain almost 100 million people in over 300 cities on five continents and have expanded to 5,000 employees, including 1,200 artists from 50 different countries.

Cirque du Soleil is now back in Illinois to share its critically-acclaimed show, Alegría. Alegría is Spanish for jubilation and is a Cirque du Soleil classic that is sure to dazzle audiences with its breathtaking acrobatics, creatively wild costumes, and original music from Cirque’s best selling album that ranges from jazz, pop, tango, and klezmer. The performance also features characters such as clowns, nymphs, and nostalgic birds that have entertained over 10 million people worldwide since Alegría, first debuted in Montreal in 1994.

Be sure to check out this amazing performance, coming to Hoffman Estates at the Sears Centre Arena from March 3 – 7 and Champaign at the Assembly Hall from March 17 – 21. Go to Cirque du Soleil’s website to purchase tickets or for more information.
http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/alegria/default.aspx

Columbia College Chicago's Media Production Center

On Friday, February 5, 2010, Beth Silverman invited me to help with the ribbon cutting ceremony taking place in the new Media Production Center at Columbia College Chicago. Being a student at Columbia, I’ve heard the buzz surrounding this building for months and I was excited to see if it lived up to the hype.

Located on 1600 S. State St., the enormous building is eye-catching with its multi-colored windows and giant Columbia sign displayed proudly above the front door. The Production Center is also LEED certified and contains a 50% green roof, radiant heating and cooling in sound stage spaces, and lighting fixtures that progressively increase as natural outdoor light decreases.

Once inside, Beth gave me a quick tour while we waited for people to arrive. Every corner we turned seemed to amaze me in a new way-the building looks exactly like a professional film studio. Everything in the building was designed for a specific use; even the lobby and mezzanine provide a gathering place for students to watch films. Next we visited the spacious motion capture studio, where there were giant screens and wires where the actors would be hooked up and then converted in to a 2D or 3D computer animated character.

My favorite part was the sound stage located in the rear of the building because it’s about three times the size of the sound stages located in Columbia’s film building. The soundstage gives the building a professional air and it was exciting to see a scene being shot by Columbia students in this space. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see the open air theater or the outdoor rooftop, but that means I will just have to go back again!

When the event got rolling, I stood in the lobby to greet guests that arrived and direct them to the press table. I didn’t get to see the ribbon cutting, but I did shake Mayor Daley’s hand which was an exciting moment for me. I also got to meet Columbia’s public relations department, work with a fellow student, and see what a publicist does during events they worked on. Overall, it was a great learning experience and a neat way to get acquainted with a new addition to Columbia

New Year, New Intern

Being The Silverman Group’s new intern and hearing about all the previous interns, I know I have big shoes to fill. I started with The Silverman Group a little under a month ago, and I find that I’m learning something new every time I come in to the office. I can’t believe in the last four weeks I have already created a media list, written a press release, put together clip packets, written a media advisory, helped staff an event, and am now embarking on contributing to the blog and pitching the media for Cirque du Soleil’s new show Alegria. I am so excited to be a part of The Silverman Group and all the work they do for the arts, and I can’t wait to see what I will learn in the next few months. Since everyone else shared a little about why they got in to public relations, I would like to give a little background on myself.

After high school I attended Marymount Manhattan College in New York City because I was sure I wanted to be an actress. I had performed in every play at my New Jersey high school and most of the time I could also be found in various community plays and performing in a show choir called Harmony. However, after not getting in to the theater program at Marymount the first time I auditioned, I had to reevaluate what I wanted to do- at least until I could audition again. It was during this time that I chose to take Communications classes because I knew I loved working with people. This turned out to be a great decision because I soon discovered I had a passion for this fascinating subject and I wanted to learn more. At the end of my first semester, I decided I wanted to pursue a career in radio, not theater, and that the best place to do this was Columbia College Chicago.

Much to my parent’s dismay I packed my bags and headed half way across the country to a city I’d only visited once, but felt I belonged in. I’ve been at Columbia for three years now and have since changed my major to public relations. Like most people, I feel like it took me a while to find public relations, but now that I have I can’t imagine myself doing anything else. I love that within the realm of public relations there are so many possibilities, and promoting what I’m passionate about such as theater, art, classical music, and film instills a sense of pride in my work. I will be graduating in May, and looking back on my four years of college I can’t believe how much I’ve grown and changed. I can’t wait to see what my professional career holds for me at The Silverman Group and beyond graduation.

Celebrating 10 Years of Service!

This week The Silverman Group celebrated its 10th Anniversary! Over the past ten years TSG has had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of people and businesses and it has been extraordinary! Click to see the full list of clients from the past decade.

TSG could not have made it to this remarkable anniversary without the support, loyalty, and business from media, clients, friends, family, and former employees. So thank you to everyone who has been a part of the past 10 years! It really is quite an accomplishment and we are looking forward to the next 10!

Laura (no relation) Silverman, Eric Eatherly, Beth Silverman, Farrah Malik