The Chicago Activator, May 15, 2014

Official E-Newsletter of the SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local

May 15, 2014

IN THIS ISSUE LIVE from Mayne Stage Conversations with Dan Navarro Senior Radio Players

This is a MUST SEE Show!

Save the Date - Talkin' for Bucks July 12 George Manisco at CIFF

LIVE from Mayne Stage

Volunteer at GCFD May 29 Everything You Want to Know about Low-Budget Films

An evening full of great entertainment to benefit the Kaufherr Members Resource Center!

Special SAG-AFTRA Discount on Sound of Music Tickets

6-9 p.m. Monday, May 19

Holiday Schedule

Details below.

Tickets Available Now! LIVE from Mayne Stage On May 19, the Mayne Stage in Rogers Park will be the backdrop for the second annual Live from Mayne Stage event to benefit the Kaufherr Members Resource Center (KMRC).

This year's event features critically acclaimed singer/songwriter and SAG-AFTRA National Vice President, Recording Artists Dan Navarro; comedian Russ Williamson; chanteuse Claudia Hommel accompanied by Bob Moreen; song-and-dance man Dennis Kelly; rhythm and blues vocalist Lynne Jordan; and world-class entertainer Greta Pope. Chicago broadcast legend Richard Steele will be the evening's master of ceremonies.

The KMRC is a multipurpose facility available at no cost to SAG-AFTRA and Actors' Equity members. Its mission is to support Chicago's professional performers in enhancing their skills and marketing their talents. The KMRC has a deep and profound commitment to Chicago's actors, singers, theaters and the arts.

"Chicago-area performers are very fortunate to have access to this comprehensive resource. The KMRC contributes greatly to the rich performing arts scene in Chicago, giving performers the tools for excellence," said SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local Board member and benefit chairperson Greta Pope.

When: 6 - 9 p.m. May 19, 2014 Where: Mayne Stage, 1328 W. Morse Ave., Chicago Tickets: $25 in advance, $50 at the door. Purchase tickets online at Eventbrite.

To purchase by mail, send a check payable to the KMRC to: KMRC c/o SAG-AFTRA Chicago 1 East Erie, Suite 650 Chicago, IL 60611 Silent Auction Items  Weekend Getaway in New Buffalo  Dockside Dinner at Montrose Harbor  Chicago Cubs Tickets  iO Theatre Tickets  Autographed Studs Terkel Book  Know No Limits Gym Pass  Living Well Therapy - Zero Balancing Session  Hair Loft Cut and Massage  The Grille on Laurel Gift Certificate  Lettuce Entertain You Gift Certificates  Fern Persons Biography  Midwest Independent Film Festival Membership  Coaching by Greta  Autographed Chicago Bears Photo  Cook Book autographed by Charlie Trotter  1-Hour Life Coaching Session with Certified Coach Courtney Rioux This event is being produced and administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA.

Conversations with Dan Navarro On May 19, SAG-AFTRA National Vice President, Recording Artists Dan Navarro, a Los Angelesbased singer/songwriter, voiceover artist and recording artist, will engage in conversations with SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local members. Dan will answer questions about navigating a successful performing career, share some tales from the road, talk about his union and much more. He has worked in many areas of the business and has a wealth of knowledge to share. Don't miss this opportunity to converse with one of the best.

When: 1 - 3 p.m. May 19, 2014 Where: KMRC, 1 East Erie, Suite 660, Chicago RSVP to jolene.jones@sagaftra.org About Dan Navarro Dan started his career as a songwriter, often with Eric Lowen, for artists as diverse as Pat Benatar (the Grammy-nominated We Belong), The Bangles, Jackson Browne and many more. In the 1990s, he recorded and toured with Lowen in the acoustic duo Lowen & Navarro.

A singer and voice actor for 25 years, his credits include The Lorax, Rock of Ages, Happy Feet, Rio (Oscar-nominated Real In Rio), Ice Age (2 & 3), Prison Break, Family Guy and The Cleveland Show; recordings with Neil Young, Andrea Bocelli, Luis Miguel, Jose Feliciano, Susanna Hoffs and commercials for Shakey's Pizza, McDonald's, Toyota, Coca-Cola, Honda, El Pollo Loco, Nationwide and hundreds of others.

Dan has contributed countless hours in Washington on performers' issues, including testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Copyright Royalty Board supporting Nashville Songwriters Association International, SAG-AFTRA, NARAS, BMI, SoundExchange and musicFIRST Coalition.

In addition to SAG-AFTRA, he also serves on the boards of Folk Alliance, The Levitt Pavilions LA, The California Songwriters Association and the Golden West Chapter of the ALS Association, fighting the neuromuscular disease better known as Lou Gehrig's disease, which tragically took Lowen's life in 2012. More about Dan at dannavarro.com.

Double Indemnity May 20 Don't miss the SAG-AFTRA Senior Radio Players' next performance.

Double Indemnity 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) Tuesday, May 20 Claudia Cassidy Theater, 77 E. Randolph, Chicago Directed by Guy Barille, the show's producers are Ernie Lane and Connie Foster. Admission is free, however seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Save the Date -

Norm Woodel is back with his Talkin' for Bucks voice over workshop. So mark your calendar now and save the date: 8:58 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, July 12.

This is an amazing, priceless, hands-on seminar conducted by one of the best in the business! All the details to reserve your spot will be in the next Activator. You will receive a discount if you bring along a pre-union performer, so put your thinking caps on and consider who you would like to mentor through this process.

SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local board member George Manisco attended the 50th Annual Chicago International Film Festival Television Competition in April.

This year the festival honored SAG-AFTRA member Jesse Spencer with the Artistic Achievement Award.

SAG-AFTRA to Volunteer at GCFD on May 29 SAG-AFTRA Chicago is returning to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Join staff and members from 1 - 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 29. The GCFD is at 4100 West Ann Lurie Place in Chicago. This is near Midway Airport. Free parking is available.

We never know exactly what we'll be doing, but volunteer opportunities include repacking bulk products to individual/family sizes, assembling boxes with assorted food, checking expiration dates, labeling products, sorting products, etc. Participants must be at least 14 years old.

The Greater Chicago Food Depository is a nonprofit food distribution and training center providing food for hungry people while striving to end hunger in our community. The GCFD distributes donated and purchased food through a network of 650 pantries, soup kitchens and shelters to 678,000 adults and children in Cook County every year.

This event is open to everyone. Please ask family and friends to join you. To volunteer, please RSVP to Linda Swenson at linda.swenson@sagaftra.org.

Everything You Wanted to Know about Working on Low-Budget Films, but Were Afraid to Ask 5:30 - 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 17 KMRC 1 E. Erie, Suite 660 Chicago, IL 60611 Are you and a bunch of your friends getting together and making short films? Webisodes? Spec TV pilots? Didn't think you needed to worry about being under contract? Well...

This is your chance to ask all of your questions about working in low-budget films. And, you'll probably get the answers to some questions you haven't even thought of yet. Remember, as a SAG-AFTRA member, you need to be under contract for all work that you do. This includes student films, your best friend's pet project, and your self-produced short film and "no-budget" features.

Find out what to expect on set and how these films differ from the studio features and episodic television shows that you are used to. Learn where to find out about these auditions and how to flip a non-union film to a SAG-AFTRA covered project!

Ever wonder how to properly fill out a time sheet; how, where and when to sign your employment contract; or how to negotiate on your behalf? This is the workshop for you!

Space is limited. RSVP to Kathy Byrne at kathy.byrne@sagaftra.org. Dinner will be served.

Park for $11 at 10 East Ontario. Enter on the north side of Ontario between Wabash and State, then take a ticket. When you sign in, you may purchase a four-hour ticket for $11. You will need both tickets to exit the parking structure. Cash or credit card accepted.

Special Discount for SAG-AFTRA Members SAG-AFTRA members are eligible for a special price on tickets to The Sound of Music at the Lyric Opera House. Balcony seats - and possibly others - are available for matinee and evening performances for $39, Tuesday - Friday only. You must use promo code SAGAFTRA to receive the discounted tickets. Enjoy!

Holiday Schedule for Office and Special Hours for KMRC SAG-AFTRA Chicago and KMRC will close at 1 p.m. Friday May 23 and be closed all day Monday, May 26 in observation of Memorial Day. The KMRC will be closed on May 19 from 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

There will be no evening hours or training on Wednesday May 28. The KMRC will close at 5 p.m.

In response to members' requests to stay informed, The Activator may include notice of rallies, pickets and other actions by unions and the labor movement that have not been sanctioned by the National or Chicago Board of Directors of SAG-AFTRA. This information is provided as a convenience.

The information contained herein regarding workshops, vendors, special offers and the like is provided for informational purposes and is not intended to imply endorsement by SAG-AFTRA of them or the information, material, products or services provided. SAG-AFTRA makes no warranties or representations regarding the use of the material or the quality of the services or service providers.

SAG-AFTRA Chicago: (312) 573-8081 Email: chicago@sagaftra.org Website SAGAFTRA.org/chicago