Joining The "My Shot At Epilepsy" Challenge is 'Hamilton' Star Miguel Cervantes

Hamilton Star  Miguel Cervantes in the “My Shot” pose for raise awareness for epilepsy. [

Miguel Cervantes is an actor, singer, and performer known for his work on both the stage and screen. A year and a half ago, he had an audition for the role of a lifetime—playing Alexander Hamilton in the Chicago production of HAMILTON, the hottest musical of our time. Yet during the audition process, in front of the producers and creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, Miguel received news that would totally upend his world. His daughter Adelaide had been diagnosed with epilepsy, shortly to be confirmed as a severe, incurable form known as Infantile Spasms (IS). For Miguel and Kelly, that fateful day was life-changing. Miguel won the role of his dreams, but he and Kelly began a heart-rending journey that no parent ever should face. As they were moving to Chicago and Miguel was preparing to portray Alexander Hamilton, the Cervantes family was also learning about epilepsy, a medical condition that is still underestimated, underfunded, and—for far too many Americans—entirely misunderstood.

During this journey, Miguel and Kelly have devoted themselves to raising funds and awareness for epilepsy research. One day soon, breakthroughs in epilepsy research may be able to help the over 1 million Americans who—like Adelaide—are unresponsive to current treatments. But this will only be possible with your support. Please join us to make a difference, to assist the millions of families like the Cervantes, and to help fund a cure. 

CURE is joining forces with the Epilepsy Foundation for the #MyShotAtEpilepsy Challenge to promote awareness and raise funds for epilepsy research that will lead to a cure. All proceeds from the campaign will be split between both organizations and used to advance breakthroughs in epilepsy treatments and research. The initial proceeds will be used to support the genetic testing of hundreds of individuals from the Rare Epilepsy Network and their subsequent enrollment into the Epilepsy Genetics Initiative for recurrent analysis. These are individuals who suffer from severe epilepsies with an unknown genetic cause. 


For more information on 'My Shot at Epilepsy" campaign, and how you can help, visit: http://myshotatepilepsy.org/

YouTube published by CURE - Citizens United for Research In Epilepsy             

November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month, visit the Epilepsy Foundation for more information:  https://www.epilepsy.com/

Outtakes: 9th Annual Disability Culture Cabaret - Chicago Nov. 10, 2017 - free event

Come enjoy live performances of poetry, spoken-word, comedy, and more!

Artists:

Matt Bodett
Louis de Marco
Gary Arnold
Mike Ervin
Arlene Malinowski
Di Reed
Ben Saylor

Date: Friday Nov 10th, 2017
Time: 6:30 — 8:00 PM

Location:

Access Living

115 West Chicago Ave,
Chicago, IL 60654


Personal Assistants, Narrative Description & Sign Language Interpretation will be provided
Sponsored by: Access Living, Bodies of Work, UIC Department of Disability and Human Development, Illinois Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts

Crip Slam on October 19! Matt Bodett performs in Chicago

Crip Slam: Matt Bodett (in association with 3Arts and Bodies of Work) presents: IS: SI    NG Oct. 19th, 2017 at 7:30pm, Touch Tour at 6:30pm Run Time: 45mins with a 30 minute post-show discussion. Experimenting with abstract musical scores Matt Bodett and Christophe Priessing will explore the complex relationships within schizophrenia. This performance battles socially understood models of mental illness and reveals the human within. As a part of the Access Project at Victory Gardens and one part of “TWELVE: a series of performative koans” the conversation that this performance offers extends beyond the stage, beyond the performers, and instead permeates the conditions in which we comprehend others with mental illnesses as well as our own shortcomings. Diagnosed with schizo-affective disorder thirteen years ago, Matt Bodett’s performance series addresses his diagnosis, the symptomology, the difficulties, and the healing process. Following the performance there will be a short panel discussion with Matt Bodett, Christophe Priessing, and Arlene Malinowski, moderated by Carrie Sandahl. This performance is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, 3Arts, and Bodies of Work. mattbodett.com Zacek-McVay Theater Victory Garden Theater (2433 N Lincoln Ave) Tickets: $10

Open Captioning, Touch Tour, and Audio Description will be available Touch tour starting at 6:30pm will explore the unique and unexpected noise and music making instruments of the piece. For more information email access@victorygardens.org

A Reading by Kenny Fries and Conversation with Susan Nussbaum - Chicago Oct. 12th, 2017 - FREE

BODIES OF WORK

AND

ACCESS LIVING PRESENT:

A Reading by Kenny Fries and

Conversation with Susan Nussbaum

Kenny Fries will read from his new memoir IN THE PROVINCE OF THE GODS, and talk with Susan R. Nussbaum, author of Good Kings Bad Kings, at Access Living of Metro Chicago.

Kenny Fries is the author of Body, Remember: A Memoir and The History of My Shoes and the Evolution of Darwin's Theory. He is the editor of Staring Back: The Disability Experience from the Inside Out. He teaches in the MFA in Creative Writing Program at Goddard College and is the recipient of a prestigious Creative Capital grant.

Susan R. Nussbaum is a playwright, novelist and longtime disability rights activist. She won the 2012 PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction for her novel Good Kings Bad Kings.

This event is wheelchair accessible. It is free and open to the public.

Personal Assistants and Sign Language Interpreters will be provided. Please refrain from wearing scented products.

The event is brought to you by Access Living, Bodies of Work: Network of Disability Arts and Culture and UIC Department of Disability and Human Development.

DATE:

October 12, 2017

TIME:

6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

WHERE:

Access Living

115 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60654

This event is sponsored by Access Living, Bodies of Work, UIC Department of Disability and Human Development and National Endowment for the Arts.

ReelAbilities Film Festival Chicago 2017 - Oct. 3rd to Oct. 8th

ReelAbilities Film Festival Chicago (presented by BACKBONES) is dedicated to sharing the human experience of disability through art and film. The Chicago festival is scheduled for October 3-8, 2017 and includes films with engaging panel discussions, guest speakers, exhibitions, and performances.

All films are captioned or subtitled (unless otherwise noted) and all venues are wheelchair accessible. We also offer audio description, ASL interpretation, CART, and information in Braille for select events and upon advance request.

2017 FILM AND EVENT SCHEDULE:
Ticket information: CLICK HERE

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2017

REELABS

6:00-9:00 PM
Location TBD
Invitation Only
Up to six independent filmmakers will be selected and have the opportunity to screen their work-in-progress to members of the Kartemquin and disability community. The screening is followed by a critique in an intimate feedback session.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2017 

OPENING CELEBRATION WITH COMCAST
7:30-10:00 PM
Comcast Studio Xfinity (901 W Weed St.)

Shorts Program starts at 8pm:
Birthday (16 min.) – A severely wounded Marine returns home to his wife after months of surgery and rehabilitation.

Children of God (10 min.) – A young amputee bets his prized possessions on his crush winning the boys vs. girls soccer match.
I Don’t Want to Go back Alone (17 min.) – A 15-year-old blind

teenager and his best friend face issues of jealousy and other new feelings when they befriend a new kid in their class.

Welcome to the Last Bookstore (11 min.) – A day in the life of a bookstore owner—a father, husband, small business owner, and paraplegic—showing the store’s magnetic appeal to the community.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2017

AT EYE LEVEL (100 MIN.)

6:30-9:00 PM
Chicago Cultural Center (78 E Washington St)

When 11-year-old Michi finds his estranged father’s address, he can’t believe his luck, but when they meet and Michi discovers that his father, Tom, has dwarfism, Michi and Tom are forced to confront both disability and fatherhood head on.
Panel discussion — 8:30 pm

At Eye Level - Trailer

YouTube published by BerlinBeyond

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2017

DO YOU DREAM IN COLOR? (76 MIN.)

6:30-9:00 PM
Chicago Cultural Center (78 E Washington St)

The poignant coming-of-age story of four teens who navigate the growing pains of high school, but, unlike most teens, face another challenge—they are blind. Through their personal stories, we learn of the experience of being blind and how these fearless teenagers navigate through it.

Short: Beyond Blind (5 min.)
Panel discussion — 8:00pm

Do You Dream In Color? - Official Trailer [HD]

YouTube published by IZZO

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2017

THE REBOUND (65 MIN.)

Washington Park Fieldhouse (5531 S. Martin Luther King Dr.)
10:30 AM- 1:30 PM

Follow the underdog journey of the Miami Heat Wheels wheelchair basketball team, in their quest for a national championship. It is a story of unwavering resolve and a testament to our innate ability to connect and work together despite challenges.

Short: 4 Quarters of Silence (17 min.) – The Texas School for the Deaf Rangers, the only high school football team serving students with hearing impairments takes on a competitive league.

Adaptive Sports Activity — 12:00pm

Wheelchair Basketball Documentary: THE REBOUND (Official trailer #1)

YouTube published by The Rebound: A Wheelchair Basketball Story (Documentary)

ENTER THE FAUN (67 MIN.)

2:00 PM- 5:00 PM
Chicago Cultural Center (78 E Washington St)

The unlikely collaboration between a veteran choreographer and a young actor with cerebral palsy delivers astonishing proof that each and every body is capable of miraculous transformation. It challenges the boundaries of medicine and art, as well as the limitations associated with disability.
Inclusive Dance Workshop with Momenta — 3:30pm

ENTER THE FAUN Trailer

YouTube published by Enter The Faun

MY FERAL HEART (83 MIN.)

5:30 PM- 7:30 PM
Chicago Cultural Center (78 E Washington St)

A sudden bereavement throws Luke, a fiercely independent young man with Down Syndrome, into a care home, where his frustration finds release in unexpected friendships and the revelation of long-buried secrets.

Short: I Don’t Care (14 min.) – A mother-to-be faces the possibility of having a child with Down syndrome.
Panel discussion — 7:00pm

MY FERAL HEART Official Trailer

YouTube published by BritFlicks.Com

IMAGINE (105 MIN.)

8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Chicago Cultural Center (78 E Washington St)

Ian, a specialist in spatial orientation, teaches his blind students to move around without using their canes, encouraging them to risk the unknown.

IMAGINE Trailer

YouTube published by TIFF


SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2017

DEAF JAM (70 MIN.)

7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Victory Gardens Theater (2433 N Lincoln Ave)

ASL poetry changed Aneta Brodski’s life. Poetry, friendship and respect transcend politics as Aneta finds herself in an unexpected collaboration and bold journey into the spoken word slam scene.
Performance & Reception following the film.

Independent Lens | Deaf Jam | Trailer | PBS

YouTube published by PBS

Source: ReelAbilities Film Festival Chicago

Access Theater Performances of "Fun Home" - Victory Gardens Theater - October in Chicago

Join us for the Access Performances of Fun Home! You're invited to ACCESS PERFORMANCES for our season opener: Fun Home. Hailed as one of Broadway’s most original musicals and the winner of 5 Tony Awards, Fun Home is a groundbreaking story inspired by Alison Bechdel’s best-selling graphic memoir. In this intimate musical, Alison sets out to unravel the many mysteries of her childhood through a series of memories and conversations – from her coming out to her moving journey to acceptance. Gary Griffin (Hand to God, Never the Sinner) directs this emotionally charged family drama that The New York Times calls “extraordinary,” and “a rare beauty.” Check out the performance schedule below for dates, times, and details about services offered at each access performance. To purchase tickets, click the button below or call into the box office at 773.871.3000.  Victory Gardens Theater 2433 N Lincoln Ave Chicago, IL 60614 All Access performances are only $20 with the promo codeACCESS CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS! Schedule of Access Services for Fun Home Friday, October 6, 7:30pm ACCESS NIGHT ASL Interpretation, Open Captioning, Audio Description, Touch Tour Touch Tour at 6:00pm. Postshow Discussion captioned by CART Services Saturday, October 7, 3:00pm Open Captioning Wednesday, October 11, 2:00pm Open Captioning Post-Show Discussion captioned by CART Services Sunday, October 15, 3:00pm Audio Described, Touch Tour Touch Tour at 1:30pm SOURCE: Victory Gardens Theater

Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks 2017 tour of "Romeo and Juliet“, with ASL, & Audio-described Accessible Performances

One of my favorite rites of summer in Chicago has become Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks, and with the amount of people asking for information on the 2017 season, (with accessible performances), it appears on all sides of the city, I'm not alone. 

Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier, with the producers, actors, stagehands working with the City of Chicago, volunteers, local Park Advisory committees, and of course sponsors continue this wonderful new tradition in Chicago. The information posted below is from the "Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier" website.

All performances are posted, with the "Access Shakespeare" schedule posted also. ENJOY! - Jim

 Dvorak park - 2013 - Jim Watkins/Ability Chicago Info photo        

THE PLAY

Join us for one of our city’s favorite summer traditions! Now in its sixth year, the FREE FOR ALL Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks tour heads out for another summer. This free 75-minute abridged production of Romeo and Juliet is coming to neighborhood parks across the north, west and south sides of the city. At each tour location, a specially equipped truck rolls into the park, a stage unfolds, and a company of professional actors shares Shakespeare’s story of star-crossed lovers with families and neighbors of all ages.

The feud between the Capulets and Montagues divides a city. From these two proud families, Romeo and Juliet fall in love. Can these star-crossed lovers bring peace to Verona?

The citywide tour is made possible by a renewed civic, cultural and corporate partnership between Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the City of Chicago, Chicago Park District, Boeing and BMO Harris Bank. Since the inception of the Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks program six years ago, more than 100,000 Chicagoans have taken advantage of free performances in their communities.

YouTube published by Chicago Shakespeare Theater
400 years after Shakespeare's death, thousands of Chicagoans came out to their neighborhood parks to celebrate what his means to them and why his work truly is for everyone.

Where and When

Navy Pier
Polk Bros Park                                                                   
Wednesday, July 26, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 27, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.
Friday, July 28, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.​ ​
600 E. Grand Ave.

Ellis Park
Sunday, July 30, 2017 at 4:00 p.m.
3520 S. Cottage Grove Ave.

Gage Park
Wednesday, August 2, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.
2411 W. 55th St.

Kelvyn Park
Thursday, August 3, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.
4438 W. Wrightwood Ave.

Eckhart Park
Friday, August 4, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.
1330 W. Chicago Ave.

Welles Park
Saturday, August 5, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 6, 2017 at 4:00 p.m.
2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.

Columbus Park
Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.
500 S. Central Ave.

Tuley Park
Wednesday, August 9, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.
501 E. 90th Pl.

Humboldt Park
Thursday, August 10, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.
Friday, August 11, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.
Near The Boathouse
1301 N. Sacramento Ave.

Frank J. Wilson Park
Saturday, August 12, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 13, 2017 at 4:00 p.m.
4630 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Garfield Park
Wednesday, August 16, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.
At Jackson and Central
100 N. Central Park Ave.

Dvorak Park
Thursday, August 17, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.
1119 W. Cullerton St.

Ridge Park
Friday, August 18, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 19, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.
1817 W. 96th St.

Steelworkers Park
Sunday, August 20, 2017 at 4:00 p.m.
E. 87th St. at Lake Michigan

Hamilton Park
Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.
513 W. 72nd St.

Piotrowski Park
Thursday, August 24, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.
4247 W. 31st St.

Loyola Park
Friday, August 25, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 26, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.
At Farwell Ave. Entrance
1230 W. Greenleaf Ave.

Ping Tom Memorial Park
Sunday, August 27, 2017 at 4:00 p.m.
1700 S. Wentworth Ave.

Access Shakespeare

Chicago Shakespeare strives to make its performances accessible to all patrons. Our staff is ready to help in any way possible. Below are scheduled Access performances for Shakespeare in the Parks Romeo and Juliet:

 ASL Duo-interpreted Performances:

Eckhart Park
Friday, August 4, at 6:30 p.m.
1330 W. Chicago Ave.

Welles Park
Sunday, August 6, at 4:00 p.m.
2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.

Ridge Park
Saturday, August 19, at 6:30 p.m.
1817 W. 96th St.

Hamilton Park
Wednesday, August 23, at 6:30 p.m.
513 W. 72nd St.

Loyola Park
Saturday, Aug 26, at 6:30 p.m.
At Farwell Ave. Entrance
1230 W. Greenleaf Ave.

Ping Tom Park
Sunday, August 27, at 4:00 p.m.
1700 S. Wentworth Ave.

All performances interpreted by Will Lee (NIC) and Elizabeth Bartlow Breslin (CI/CT).

 Audio-described Performances:

Frank J. Wilson Park
Sunday, August 13, at 4:00 p.m.
4630 N. Milwaukee Ave

Described by Jason Harrington

No reservation is required—a section for patrons utilizing the service will be held near the stage.

Assisted listening devices are available for all Shakespeare in the Parks performances at our Welcome Table near the park entrance.

Phone: 312.595.5600
TTY: 312.595.5699
Email: access@chicagoshakes.com

Learn about additional Access Shakespeare services for the Season.

Madagascar — A Musical Adventure - ASL Duo-interpreted / Audio-described performance at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier - August 20th

A wild and wacky adventure awaits Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Gloria the Hippo, Melman the Giraffe and those pesky, plotting Penguins when they stage a jailbreak from New York’s Central Park Zoo. After busting out of their home and landing on the faraway island of Madagascar, these furry friends encounter the madcap antics of the outrageous King Julien and his fellow island inhabitants in a musical celebration of friendship. The nonstop escapades and rollicking pop score will have audiences of all ages wanting to “Move It, Move It!” with their favorite characters. Share the wonder and delight of live theater with the young people in your life this summer with this family-friendly 70-minute adaptation.

Sunday, August 20, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.
Access Prices: $31 Adults, $17 Children (12 & under)

For more information, please visit 

www.chicagoshakes.com/madagascar

Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier800 East Grand Avenue • Chicago, IL • 60611 • Box Office 312.595.5600

Tellin' Tales Theatre presents " Divercity" June 16 -18 in Chicago - Accessible Performances

 St. Patrick's Day Shenanigans, runaway wheelchairs, Barbra Streisand and Mayor Emanuel...

exposed by 8 performers with disabilities!

One Weekend Only.

Sign language interpretation & audio description available.
Discounted tickets for people with disabilities!
ORDER TICKETS HERE NOW

Prop Theatre      

3502 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 742-5420

Audio-Described Theatre Performance June 14th at Northlight Theatre in Skokie, Illinois

Northlight Theatre is offering an upcoming Touch Tour/Audio-Described performance of our current production, Relativity, a new play about Albert Einstein. 

In 1902 Albert and Mileva Einstein had a baby daughter. After 1904 she was never seen or spoken of again. Forty years later, a reporter interviews Einstein about this mysterious piece of his past, revealing shocking secrets about his family and his personal life. While the reporter questions Einstein on his theory of relativity and his decisions, she also poses a query of her own: to be a great man, does one first need to be a good man?

Relativity ​by Mark St. Germain
​June 14 at 7:30pm Touch Tour/Audio-Described performance 

This performance will include a live audio-description of the visual and physical events on-stage for patrons who are blind or have low vision. A pre-performance touch tour begins at 6pm, preceding the performance at 7:30pm. The touch tour will include information about the design and characters that add to the world of the play. $40 tickets using code AUDIO. Call the Box Office at 847.673.6300 and please indicate interest in the touch tour when you order your tickets;

 or buy online at: http://bit.ly/2rV2p58​

​Northlight Theatre is located at 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, Illinois, inside the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts.​

Steppenwolf Theatre presents Accessible Performances of 'The Infinite Wrench' on June 2 & 3 in Chicago

The Neo-Futurists are taking our new late-night show The Infinite Wrench (one of The Chicago Tribune's "Top 30 Shows to See This Summer") to Steppenwolf's 1700 Theatre for two accessible performances on June 2nd and 3rd. The Infinite Wrench is a show that unleashes a barrage of two-minute plays that each offer something different—some are funny, others profound. Some are elegant, disgusting, topical, irrelevant, terrifying, or put to song. All of the plays are truthful and tackle the here-and-now, inspired by the lived experiences of the performers. The Infinite Wrench - Friday, June 2nd - 7:00pm Open Captioning and ASL The Infinite Wrench - Saturday, June 3rd  - 7:00pm Audio Description & Touch Tour (touch tour begins before the show, at 5:30pm) Both performances are in The 1700 Theatre (wheelchair accessible and equipped with an induction hearing loop for people who use personal hearing devices that have a T-coil). Front Bar, directly in front of the 1700 Theatre, has a push-button entrance, wheelchair accessible seating and multi-stall all-gender restrooms. We'd love to share it with you. Click below to purchase tickets. Buy tickets to The Infinite Wrench at Steppenwolf

Steppenwolf Theatre 1650 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614 Phone: (312) 335-1650 Copyright © 2017 The Neo-Futurists, All rights reserved.

Brilliant Imperfection: Grappling with Cure; Book Reading with Eli Clare - Chicago April 28, 2017

(click to enlarge)

Join Eli Clare for a reading from his new book Brilliant Imperfection: Grappling with Cure. Eli combines memoir, history, and critical analysis to explore cure—the deeply held belief that body-minds considered broken need to be fixed. Cure serves many purposes. It saves lives, manipulates lives, and prioritizes some lives over others. It provides comfort, makes profits, justifies violence, and promises resolution to body-mind loss. Eli grapples with this knot of contradictions, maintaining that neither an anti-cure politics nor a pro-cure worldview can account for the messy, complex relationships we have with our body-minds.

Friday, April 28, 2017

6:30-8:00 pm

Access Living

115 West Chicago Ave,

Chicago, IL 60602

https://www.facebook.com/events/182282048939936/

This free event is wheelchair accessible. It is free and open to the public. 

Personal Assistants and Sign Language Interpreters will be provided. Please refrain from wearing scented products.

The event is brought to you by Access Living, Bodies of Work: Network of Disability Arts and Culture and UIC Department of Disability and Human Development