A Message from Variety, the Children's Charity of Illinois

Hi!

My name is Mike Murillo, and I’m one of the event coordinators at Variety, the Children’s Charity of Illinois. Variety is really excited to be one of the sponsors for the AXIS Dance Company’s performance at the Auditorium Theatre on November 19th and 20th.

Variety’s mission is to provide funding and services for programs that strive to alleviate suffering and improve the quality of life for children who are mentally and physically challenged, abused, sick, homeless or underprivileged. Our “Kids on the Go” program is dedicated to helping children with disabilities participate in some of the same activities as their able-bodied friends, such as bike riding, sports and dance. I enjoy seeing young people with disabilities just as active as anyone else!

As a recent addition to the Variety team, I was not educated on physically integrated dance, but after attending the AXIS panel discussion last Wednesday, at Access Living, I was really moved and gained a huge an appreciation for the art form. What I learned was that physically integrated dance is about the beauty of the human form and appreciating the movement of each individual. The individuals performing are interested in being seen for how their art inspires people’s perceptions of the opportunities the human body can create, regardless of physical ability.

I am inspired by the philosophy and mindset that physically integrated dance hopes to shift the way that society looks at disability. Whereas traditionally a lot of society sees physically disabled individuals as more helpless and less capable than able-bodied people, physically integrated dance is an avenue to the possibility that we as humans are all capable of amazingly creative and technical ability. I really believe that physically integrated dance, and activities like it, can begin to shift the society’s perspective of what being disabled is, from a medical view to a more social view, including looking at physical handicaps through the lens of social barriers, attitudes towards disability, and possibilities to better integrate individuals into society, which is also a goal of Variety of Illinois.

Finally, I’m really excited to see the AXIS Dance Company perform. They are one of the premier integrated dance companies in the US and it is going to be an honor to see and support them at the Auditorium Theater. I really hope that you join me in seeing the performance!

If you would like to continue the dialog, please “like” Variety on Facebook at www.facebook.com/varietyofillinois.

Building our future...one brick at a time

The Auditorium Theatre is currently immersed in one of the most ambitious and comprehensive restoration efforts ever seen in the building’s long and storied history. This massive undertaking comprises a variety of renovation initiatives including:

• Adding new and improved lighting throughout the building
• Replacing nearly 4,000 seats that comprise the Auditorium’s magnificent theatre
• Building a rehearsal space
• Re-plastering, painting and restoring the interior of the lobby to its original splendor

The extensive costs associated with these improvements create some unique challenges. Fortunately, a very dear friend to the Auditorium recently presented our theatre and our patrons with a special opportunity. His generosity is so profound that he’s willing to give $100,000 to set up a unique matching gift to assist with the operating costs and help preserve our theatre for future generations.

In other words, for every dollar given to the Auditorium Theatre as part of this challenge, one dollar will be matched from the $100,000 gift, thereby doubling the value of every donation we receive. This is truly an incredible gesture, one for which everyone at the Auditorium Theatre is immensely grateful.

If you would like to give to help support the Auditorium Theatre’s ongoing restoration and operating expenses, please contact Amanda Martinez at (312) 922-2110, ext. 368 or set up an account and give online. And please remember, any gift you can spare will double in value—and will make twice the impact on our future, and our legacy.

Guest post by Kevin Fitzpatrick, Director of Development.

This January, why freeze…when you can burn?

On January 15 &16, 2011, the Auditorium Theatre’s kinetic, self-produced musical event, Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah, will entertain thousands of audience members with a captivating tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This celebration of the Dr. King holiday is a cornerstone of the Auditorium’s season—and a truly diverse and inclusive musical experience.

You can help make this production a success by joining Friends of Too Hot to Handel, a group of esteemed individuals committed to the future of this transcendent cultural event. These gracious friends are dedicated to supporting and preserving Too Hot to Handel so that more patrons can continue to enjoy the sublime talent, dazzling music and infectious spirit of this one-of-a-kind production each year. Membership in Friends of Too Hot to Handel entitles you to a variety of benefits including: prime seats, a dinner with the Too Hot stars, recognition in the Auditorium Theatre playbill and a backstage champagne toast.

But more importantly, by joining Friends of Too Hot to Handel, you are helping sustain a production that is born from the Auditorium’s own blood, toil and sweat. All of us invest so much time and work into this production because the experience is one that must be shared with the people of this great city—not just right now, but for years to come. We hope you will consider joining today!

For additional information, please contact Amanda Martinez at (312) 922-2110, ext. 368.

Guest post by Kevin Fitzpatrick, Director of Development. 

Photo of Rodrick Dixon by Dan Rest.