Category: Entertainment

Casting announced for “Future Labs” reading of Layalina at Goodman Theater

January 27, 2021January 27, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Casting announced for “Future Labs” reading of Layalina at Goodman Theater Casting announced for the January 30, “Future Labs” reading of Layalina by Martin Yousif Zebari, directed by Azar Kazemi. The Goodman’s first streaming effort of 2021 is near capacity Goodman Theatre announces the full cast for the FREE live reading of Layalina, January 30…

Cook County, Entertainment, Features, NewsWire, Releases, Theater

Redbox lists top movie rentals and streams for 2020

December 31, 2020December 31, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Redbox lists top movie rentals and streams for 2020 With the Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic suppressing entertainment and public activities during most of 2020, Redbox lists the movies that were most popular for their customers, through Redbox rentals and also through Redbox Streaming. Here are the lists of the Top 10 films of 2020 including rentals…

Entertainment, Features, General Topics, Movies, Technology

Ridley play premieres free online at Goodman Theater

December 9, 2020December 9, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Ridley play premieres free online at Goodman Theater GHOST GUN BY OLIVIA RIDLEY MAKES ITS DIGITAL PREMIERE AS PART OF “#ENOUGH: PLAYS TO END GUN VIOLENCE,” SHORT PLAY COMPETITION FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, DECEMBER 14 – 20 ON BROADWAYONDEMAND.COM. RIDLEY JOINS PULITZER PRIZE NOMINEE DAEL ORLANDER SMITH, TONY AWARD WINNER DAVID HENRY HWANG…

Entertainment, Features, Releases

Geffen/UMe set to release new Mamas and Pappas vinyl album

December 4, 2020December 4, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Geffen/UMe set to release new Mamas and Papas vinyl album The Mamas & The Papas’ Chart-Topping Debut Album Set For Black And Color Vinyl Via Geffen/UMe On January 29, 2021. An Instant Classic, ‘If You Can Believe Your Eyes And Ears’ Features “Monday, Monday” and “California Dreamin’” On January 29, Geffen/UMe is set to release The…

Entertainment, Features, news release, Releases

Release of Alex Winter’s highly acclaimed documentary on Frank Zappa, “Zappa,”

November 29, 2020November 29, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Release of Alex Winter’s highly acclaimed documentary on Frank Zappa, “Zappa,” Forget Black Friday, Franksgiving is the real event as today ushers in the long-awaited release of Alex Winter’s highly acclaimed documentary, “Zappa,” about the prolific genius composer, free speech activist, cultural ambassador to Czechoslovakia and legendary musician, Frank Zappa, as well as the surprise digital…

Entertainment, Features

The Coronavirus versus the “cost virus,” the public is paying for it

November 21, 2020July 13, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

The Coronavirus versus the “cost virus,” the public is paying for it As American’s continue to suffer through the Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic, the virus continues to create opportunities for industries like Cable TV for price gouging and requires fees for everything. It’s not subtle. But Americans are being forced to pay a steep price to…

Blogger, Commentary, coronavirus, Entertainment, General Topics, Government, Movies, News, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Seniors

Survey urges hotels use technology, reduce cleaning, enforce face masks, social distancing

August 27, 2020August 27, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Survey urges hotels use technology, reduce cleaning, enforce face masks, social distancing Click HERE to download a one pager on the survey. A new national survey commissioned by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) conducted by Morning Consult shows that a number of improvements to health and sanitation protocol at U.S. hotels would have considerable…

Business, Chicago, Cook County, coronavirus, Entertainment, General Topics, Health, National, News, Regional Midwest, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland, Technology

Annual SouthSide pitch extended to Sept. 2

August 21, 2020August 21, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Annual SouthSide pitch extended to Sept. 2 Calling all South Side business owners! This is your last chance to apply for this year’s small business competition, South Side Pitch. Are you interested in a chance to compete for a top prize of $8,000? Would you like to expose your business to potential customers throughout Chicago? If…

Business, Entertainment, Features, news release, Suburban Chicagoland, Television

Lightfoot’s pandemic hypocrisy, and a Drive-In Theater revival

August 13, 2020August 13, 2020 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Lightfoot’s pandemic hypocrisy, and a Drive-In Theater revival Ray Hanania writes about Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s troubles addressing violence in Chicago and the COVID-19 pandemic, and reminisces about the enjoyment of Drive-In Theaters and the opening of one at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois By Ray Hanania Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot on her Twitter account criticized…

Blogger, Commentary, Entertainment, Government, Opinion, Politics, Racism, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland

Podcast: The assault of John Kass and the hypocrisy of the Left

July 29, 2020July 29, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Podcast: The assault of John Kass and the hypocrisy of the Left Chicago Tribune columnist comes under attack from his journalism peers and Left wing extremists who can’t argue facts and can only argue personalities and lies, calling critics of George Soros, the billionaire liberal political funder, “anti-Semitic” July 29, 2020, Season 2, Episode 7…

Blogger, Commentary, Entertainment, Media Bias, Opinion, Podcast, Politics, Racism, Suburban Chicagoland

Exclusive Garth Brooks concert to be performed at SeatGeek Stadium and 300 venues across America

June 16, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Exclusive Garth Brooks concert to be performed at SeatGeek Stadium and 300 venues across America Garth Brooks will perform a virtual show that will be broadcast on big screen drive in theaters around the country including on a “drive in” screen to be set up at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview The exclusive one night performance will…

Cook County, Entertainment, Festival, National, News, Suburban Chicagoland

“Sweet Home Chicago” Telethon to feature Mike Ditka, Chicago “Superfans” Joe Mantegna, George Wendt and Robert Smigel

May 22, 2020May 22, 2020 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

“Sweet Home Chicago” Telethon to feature Mike Ditka, Chicago “Superfans” Joe Mantegna, George Wendt and Robert Smigel Joining host Deon Cole and a list of celebrities, the telethon will feature appearances by Zach LaVine and Patrick Kane along with sports legends Horace Grant, Joe Maddon, Ryne Sandberg, Brian Urlacher And other members of the Bulls,…

coronavirus, Entertainment, News, Television

Gov. Pritzker authorizes restaurants to operate open air seating beginning May 29

May 20, 2020May 20, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Gov. Pritzker authorizes restaurants to operate open-air seating beginning May 29 Restaurants and bars will be permitted beginning May 29 to provide open-air seating to customers as long as tables are at least six feet apart. The idea has been circulating among legislators who have been working to find ways to ease the burden that…

Business, Chicago, Cook County, coronavirus, Entertainment, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Orland Park, restaurants, Suburban Chicagoland, Travel

Pritzker Announces New “All in Illinois” Kids Content Series Featuring Illinois Museums and Attractions

May 12, 2020May 12, 2020 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Pritzker Announces New “All in Illinois” Kids Content Series Featuring Illinois Museums and Attractions Today, Governor JB Pritzker announced that the All In Illinois website will now offer a kid-friendly content series to connect children and families with educational resources from Illinois museums and attractions. The content series features videos and activities to inspire, educate…

Chicago, Cook County, coronavirus, Entertainment, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Chicago Wolves 2019-20 Season cancelled because of Pandemic

May 11, 2020 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Chicago Wolves 2019-20 Season cancelled because of Pandemic The American Hockey League announced Monday it has canceled the remainder of the 2019-20 regular season and the Calder Cup Playoffs. This represents the first time in the AHL’s 84-year history a season has concluded without determining a champion. “After a lengthy review process, the American Hockey…

Chicago, Entertainment, General Topics, News, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

FX TV Series on funny vampires is a real entertainment bite

April 26, 2020April 26, 2020 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

FX TV Series on funny vampires is a real entertainment bite If you are looking for a funny series to watch during the coronavirus pandemic, try FX’s series “What We Do in the Shadows,” a hilarious comedic look at vampire life in America through the eyes of four vampires from the 19th Century (or older)…

Comedy, coronavirus, Entertainment, Features, General Topics, Humor, Movies, News, Television

New Novel: “Yellow:” Greed, Lies and Scandals of 1980s World Of Broadcast Television

April 16, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

New Novel: “Yellow:” Greed, Lies and Scandals of 1980s World Of Broadcast Television Author Jeanne Charters has authored a new book that pulls the covers off of the scandals, lies and greed of the mainstream broadcast journalism As one of the only women in the male-dominated industry of broadcast television for many years, Jeanne Charters…

Books & Films, Entertainment, Features, Media Bias, Releases, Television

Mineshaft, a song to calm concerns in the Coronavirus Pandemic wake

April 8, 2020November 13, 2023 Aaron Hanania 1 Comment

Mineshaft, a song to calm concerns in the Coronavirus Pandemic wake Student musician releases new song, “Mineshaft” to encourage calm during Pandemic (Watch a video interview with Aaron Hanania below) College freshman, writer and musician, Aaron Hanania, has composed a song to help ease concerns the public has over the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. The music,…

Aaron Hanania, Entertainment, Features, News, Review, Suburban Chicagoland