“There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.”
― Beverly Sills
Jamie’s New Autumn Adventures
CHICAGO – Sweden Shop, a landmark business in Chicago’s North Park neighborhood for over four decades, is seeing big changes this fall with the launch of a series of family-centered programs and events with Performer/Community Arts Activist Jamie O’Reilly. Come see Jamie’s favorite home goods store’s fun new look, and its expanded Scandinavian food market. Bring the little ones to the first storytime. Stop at Tre Kronor Swedish Bistro next door for a meal.
“We want to share the traditions of our Scandinavian culture and local history with our community, and provide our customers with the ease that comes when shopping at a small, neighborhood boutique. We’ve lightened-up and modernized our space, and redesigned our window displays to bring attention to exciting in-store merchandise and specials. Jamie, who comes from a big theatrical family and is a grandmother, offered to host a monthly storytime for our younger patrons.” (Patty Rasmussen, Owner)
READ MORE HERE
A Note from Jamie
Sept, 2022
The Wonder of Working
“MusiCares helps the humans behind music because music
gives so much to the world.”
Thank you MusiCares! I am so pleased to be a recipient of a support-grant! These funds are awarded to members of the music profession with respect for our years of work, and awareness of the need that may arise due to ‘unforeseen circumstances.’ And in the past two years I’ve certainly had those! In my 40+ years as a freelancer in this business, I’ve found MusiCares style of philanthropy and adherence to mission to be singular in spirit and generosity. (Support MusiCares here.)
Thank you to our most recent contributors: Colleen, Cindy, Jenny and Rita.
News! I’ve joined the creative team at Sweden Shop, and will host a children’s storytime at the shop. I’ve been reading books from the shop to my grandchildren, and my sister Dorothy suggested I bring my storytelling to the community. Just planning this has freshened my outlook considerably.
We’re also moving our music series indoors to a sweet upper room of Tre Kronor, Sweden Shop’s companion business, on October 9 with Harvest Home, an autumnal soirée. And DO GET tickets now for In Old Chicago as we return to Chief’s O’Neill’s October 20, we tend to sell out!
Lastly, I would not have these swanky promotional visuals without my daughter Nia’s design artistry. Look at her work here: https://niaoreillyamandes.com/
P.S. The write stuff.
I’m delighted to be saying a few words and singing a song at the Fuller Lifetime Achievement Award event for Rick Kogan October 18, hosted by the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame.
“An enchanting evening and an incandescent performer.”
SAVE-THE-DATE FOR THESE FALL CONCERTS
Tre Kronor Swedish Bistro – upstairs
Sunday, October 9
7:00 PM
3258 West Foster Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
Roots@jamieoreilly.com
A Salon evening of songs and stories of home: heart and hearth, where we lived and loved, of pride of place, and as a final resting place. Jamie sings with John Erickson on piano. Judi Cogan Heikes reads poetry. Seasonal savories and treats. BYOB. Street parking.
Chief O’Neill’s Pub & Restaurant
Thursday, October 15
7:00 PM
3471 N Elston Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
Roots@jamieoreilly.com
Songs and stories of the feisty, artsy O’Reilly relations during the early 20th century Irish cultural renaissance. Jamie sings with John Erickson, piano. Judi Cogan Heikes and Christopher O’Reilly are Readers. Presented dinner theater style. Full menu available. Street Parking.
LOVE THESE GUYS!!
Don’t miss events with my pals Leo, Peter and Rick.
Leo Segedin’s work!
HAUPTSCHEIN / SEGEDIN: SELF PORTRAITS
Exhibition at Rare Nest Gallery Chicago
Opening September 10
5:00 – 9:00 PM
3433 North Kedvale
Chicago IL 60641
PH 708-616-8671
Reservations are required and space is limited. Visit the Gallery webpage rarenestgallery.com
Read Jamie’s Blog about Leo and the song Hey Kid.
Don’t miss Peter McDowell’s film!
Jimmy In Saigon
Wednesday, September 28
at 7:00 PM
Landmark Century Theater
2828 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60657
Peter and I have been colleagues for over 20 years. He was project director for my website redesign in 2019. This film is the powerful story of his late brother, and is winning accolades and awards internationally. The film is part of Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival
Buy your tickets now, before they sell out, at https://reelingfilmfest.eventive.org/schedule/62f6860a015ccc005bb9ad76
Chicago Literary Hall of Fame honors
Rick Kogan with the Fuller Award for lifetime achievement.
Tues October 18
7:00 – 9:00 PM
Chopin Theater
1543 W. Division Street
Chicago, IL 60642
Reservations required.
Go to: https://chicagoliteraryhof.org/events
More on Jamie’s Event Page
“I found Rick’s appreciation of my work and philosophy sincere, and benefited greatly from his generous imprimatur. Saying it changed my life is no exaggeration.”
Read Jamie’s blog about Rick
Six months in, still the war rages in Ukraine.
Read about WWI war poet Siegfried Sassoon.
Everyone Sang
by Siegfried Sassoon, 1919
Everyone suddenly burst out singing;
And I was filled with such delight
As prisoned birds must find in freedom,
Winging wildly across the white
Orchards and dark-green fields; on – on – and out of sight.
Everyone’s voice was suddenly lifted;
And beauty came like the setting sun:
My heart was shaken with tears; and horror
Drifted away … O, but Everyone
Was a bird; and the song was wordless; the singing will never be done.
Terence Davies’ autobiographical film Distant Voices, Still Lives ,set in Liverpool in the 1940s and 50s, is one of my favorite films. His mastery returns in his captivating new film Benediction. It’s the story of Siegfried Sassoon, “the war poet” of WWI fame, who was also one of England’s “Bright Young Things.” (That rambunctious group of bohemians of the Roaring 20s).
But it’s the chilling war footage Davies employed, with the voice-over recitation of Sassoon’s war poems that leaves you speechless.
Sassoon’s work will be included in our Oct 20 presentation of In Old Chicago. at Chief O’Neill’s.
Click Here To Keep The Work of Jamie & Co Thriving!
Logo and postcard designs: Nia O’Reilly Amandes
Visit her site: https://niaoreillyamandes.com/
Images:
Jamie headshots by Iwona iIedermann
Selfie with braids, Jamie & children family photos Jamie O’Reilly
Leo image by Mike Green
Copyright © 2022
Jamie O’Reilly J. O’Reilly Productions, All rights reserved.
Read the enewsletter
Our mailing address is:
jamie@jamieoreilly.com
