The Beautiful City Project Podcast

David goes behind the scenes with CAKE 4 KIDS, the organization where May's cabaret proceeds will be headed. Join us as we talk with Monica Zaknoun (the Chicagoland Ambassador of CAKE 4 KIDS, an organization that delivers free custom homemade birthday cakes to at-risk and underserved youth across the country! The youth they serve may be in foster or kinship care, living in group homes, survivors of domestic violence or human trafficking, living in low-income housing with or without a parent, or even homeless. It may just be a cake, but the children they bake for know that a stranger took the time and effort to do something special just for them. Catch the fine folks of CAKE 4 KIDS at PURE IMAGINATION, on Monday, May 5th at 7:30pm at the lovely home of Genevieve Thiers in Lincoln Park. General Admission (sold out) & VIP (handful remaining) tickets can be found here: ⁠⁠www.thebeautifulcityproject.com/shows-and-tickets⁠ Stay tuned! Join us for a show! Act up! Get involved!

David goes behind the scenes with SUNSHINE GOSPEL MINISTRIES, the organization where February's cabaret proceeds will be headed. Join us as we talk with Kimberly Salley (the Executive Director) and Margo Brooks (the Development Director) of SUNSHINE GOSPEL MINISTRIES, an organization whose mission is to seek the renewal of the city through ministries of discipleship, mercy, and justice. They seek to engage and empower youth, families, and guests of their community to thrive and lead fruitful, healthy lives through faith, connectedness and opportunity. They're the PERFECT partners for THE BEAUTIFUL CITY PROJECT's February production of THE GOSPEL TRUTH: SECOND EDITION. Catch the fine folks of SUNSHINE GOSPEL MINISTRIES at THE GOSPEL TRUTH: SECOND EDITION, on Monday, February 24th at 7:30pm at the lovely Chicago Theater Works on Belmont. General Admission & VIP tickets can be found here: ⁠www.thebeautifulcityproject.com/shows-and-tickets Stay tuned! Join us for a show! Act up! Get involved!

David goes behind the scenes with GILDA'S CLUB CHICAGO, the organization where October's cabaret proceeds will be headed. Join us as we talk with LauraJane Hyde, the CEO of GILDA'S CLUB CHICAGO, an organization whose mission is to uplift and strengthen people impacted by cancer by providing support, fostering compassionate communities, and breaking down barriers to care. They're the PERFECT partners for THE BEAUTIFUL CITY PROJECT's October spectacular. Catch the fine folks of GILDA'S CLUB CHICAGO at THAT'S WHAT SHE SANG, on Monday, October 7th at 7:30pm at the gorgeous Den Theatre. General Admission tickets can be found here: https://shorturl.at/shmQY And VIP tickets can be found here: www.thebeautifulcityproject.com/shows-and-tickets Stay tuned! Join us for a show! Act up! Get involved!

David goes behind the scenes with CHICAGO VOYAGERS, the organization where March's cabaret proceeds will be headed. Join us as we talk with Jesy Cordle, the Director of Programs for CHICAGO VOYAGERS, an organization whose mission is to empower youth through adventure therapy programs that foster healthy relationships and skills for life success. They describe themselves as "Adventure Programs for Teens", and they're the PERFECT partners for THE BEAUTIFUL CITY PROJECT's March spectacular. Catch the fine folks of CHICAGO VOYAGERS at MICKEY'S JAZZ CLUB, on Monday, March 18th at 7:30pm at the gorgeous Venus Cabaret Theatre. General Admission tickets are sold out, but there's a few VIP tickets still available. www.thebeautifulcityproject.com/shows-and-tickets Stay tuned! Join us for a show! Act up! Get involved!

David and Hershey go behind the scenes with MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION ILLINOIS, the organization where January's cabaret proceeds will be headed. Join us as we talk with Jessica Miller, The Senior Communication Manager of MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION ILLINOIS, an organization dedicated to granting wishes to some of our most vulnerable kids facing critical situations. Jessica and company are truly making a difference, striving to help build a Beautiful City. Which is why they're the PERFECT partners for THE BEAUTIFUL CITY PROJECT's January spectacular. Catch the fine folks of MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION ILLINOIS at MICKEY'S JAZZ CLUB, on Monday, January 29th at 7:30pm at the gorgeous Venus Cabaret Theatre. Tickets still available until they sell out! www.thebeautifulcityproject.com/shows-and-tickets Stay tuned! Join us for a show! Act up! Get involved!

David goes behind the scenes with GUITARS OVER GUNS, the organization where June's cabaret proceeds will be headed. Join us as we talk with Andre "Add2" Daniels, the Chicago Regional Director of GUITARS OVER GUNS, an organization that offers students from our most vulnerable communities a powerful combination of music education and mentorship with professional musicians to help them overcome hardship, find their voice, and reach their potential as tomorrow's leaders.  Andre and company are truly making a difference, striving to help build a Beautiful City. Which is why they're the PERFECT partners for THE BEAUTIFUL CITY PROJECT's June spectacular. Catch the fine folks of GUITARS OVER GUNS at 90s SUMMER BLOCK PARTY, on Monday, June 26th at 7:30pm at the beautiful Venus Cabaret Theatre. VIP tickets still available until they sell out! www.thebeautifulcityproject.com/shows-and-tickets Stay tuned! Join us for a show! Act up! Get involved! www.thebeautifulcityproject.com

David goes behind the scenes with URBAN REFORMERS, the organization where February's cabaret proceeds will be headed. Join us as we talk with Jonathan Reynolds, the Founder of URBAN REFORMERS, a creative coalition of young leaders who desire to have a direct impact on our local neighborhoods for the kingdom of God by practicing proximate justice, pursuing holistic restoration and promoting biblical ethics.  Jonathan and company are truly making a difference, striving to help build a Beautiful City. Which is why they're the PERFECT partners for THE BEAUTIFUL CITY PROJECT's February Black History Month spectacular. Catch the fine folks of URBAN REFORMERS at THE GOSPEL TRUTH, on Monday, February 27th at 7:30pm at the beautiful Venus Cabaret Theatre. Tickets still available until it sells out! www.thebeautifulcityproject.com/shows-and-tickets Stay tuned! Join us for a show! Act up! Get involved! www.thebeautifulcityproject.com

David goes behind the scenes with THE NIGHT MINISTRY, the organization where October's cabaret proceeds will be headed. Join us as we talk with Anthony Monterroso, a Diversion Specialist for THE NIGHT MINISTRY, an incredible Chicago organization that compassionately provides housing, health care, outreach, spiritual care, and social services to adults and youth who struggle with homelessness, poverty, and loneliness. Anthony and company are truly making a difference, striving to help build a Beautiful City. Which is why they're the PERFECT partners for THE BEAUTIFUL CITY PROJECT's October Halloween bash. Catch the fine folks of THE NIGHT MINISTRY at PROJECT MOONFALL, on Monday, October 31st at 7:30pm at the beautiful Venus Cabaret Theatre. Tickets still available until it sells out! www.thebeautifulcityproject.com/shows-and-tickets Stay tuned! Join us for a show! Act up! Get involved! www.thebeautifulcityproject.com

David goes behind the scenes with PROJECT ONWARD, the organization where June's cabaret proceeds will be headed. Join us as we talk with Nick Jackson, the Communications Director of PROJECT ONWARD, an organization that exists to give artists with disabilities a "visual voice" to tell their stories and change the perceptions of the world. Jack and company are truly making a difference, striving to help build a Beautiful City. Which is why they're the PERFECT partners for THE BEAUTIFUL CITY PROJECT's third show back from the break! Catch Nick at SUMMER ART PROJECT, on Monday, June 20th at 7:30pm at the beautiful Venus Cabaret Theatre. Tickets still available until it sells out! www.thebeautifulcityproject.com/shows-and-tickets Stay tuned! Join us for a show! Act up! Get involved! www.thebeautifulcityproject.com

David goes behind the scenes with Todd Rundgren's SPIRIT OF HARMONY, the organization where April's Cabaret proceeds will be headed. Join us as we talk with Jean Lachowicz, the Executive Director of SPIRIT OF HARMONY, who's a true advocate for music in our schools. Her belief, along with the organization, is that music education at the youth level is a moral imperative. Jean and company are truly making a difference, striving to help build a Beautiful City. Which is why they're the PERFECT partners for THE BEAUTIFUL CITY PROJECT's second month in! Catch Jean at DISNEY DEEP DIVE, on Monday, April 25th at 7:30pm at the beautiful Venus Cabaret Theatre. Tickets still available until it sells out! www.thebeautifulcityproject.com/shows-and-tickets Stay tuned! Join us for a show! Act up! Get involved! www.thebeautifulcityproject.com

This week David goes behind the scenes with some of the headlining cast of the February Fundraiser for THE BEAUTIFUL CITY PROJECT, supporting OPEN BOOKS. Featuring 4 interviews: -Brianna Borger (Co-Host for February, Chicago Actress - Writer's Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare, Drury Lane, Porchlight) -Kelli Morgan-McHugh (Drury Lane, Marriott, Chicago Shakes, Voice Professor at Northwestern University) -Leryn Turlington (Currently starring as Sandy in GREASE at The Marriott, Chicago Shakespeare, Paramount) -Brandon Dahlquist (Broadway, Paramount, The Royal George, Porchlight) Listen to these great souls talk about their favorite books, and why reading is so important to the fabric of our society. Do you have your tickets yet for February 2nd's Cabaret? Oh, you're waiting til the last minute? How does that usually work out for you? Stay tuned! Join us for a show! Act up! Get involved! www.thebeautifulcityproject.com

David & Jess go behind the scenes at the Lake St. location of OPEN BOOKS, the organization where February's Cabaret proceeds will be headed. Join us as we talk with Eric Johnson, the Executive Director of OPEN BOOKS, who's not only knowledgeable, well-spoken and compassionate, but a true fighter on the front lines of literacy for our children. He, and his fantastic team, are truly making a difference, striving to help build a Beautiful City. Which is why they're the PERFECT partners for THE BEAUTIFUL CITY PROJECT's second month in! There's nothing better than like-minded individuals and organizations. And this Podcast puts OPEN BOOKS front and center. Check them out, and check US out on February 3rd, 8pm - at Davenport's Piano Bar & Cabaret. Stay tuned! Join us for a show! Act up! Get involved! www.thebeautifulcityproject.com

This week David goes behind the scenes with some of the headlining cast of the Inaugural Cabaret of THE BEAUTIFUL CITY PROJECT. Featuring 2 sets of interviews: -Paul Lisnek (Multiple Emmy-Winner, Political Analyst, Philanthropist) & Tracy Elliott (President of The Anti-Cruelty Society) -Matt Crowle (Multiple Jeff-Winner, Broadway/National Tours/Chicago) & Erin Parker (AEA Performer, Seamstress) Listen to these great souls talk about their furry friends and what's to come on Monday, January 6th! Do you have your tickets yet for January 6th's inaugural Cabaret, benefiting The Anti-Cruelty Society of Chicago? Oh, you're waiting til the last minute? How does that usually work out for you? Stay tuned! Join us for a show! Act up! Get involved! www.thebeautifulcityproject.com

In David's first episode in the monthly series called "Aficionado Avenue", David and special guest Christopher Pazdernik bring you a top 20 list (with some extras) that you can really sink your teeth into over the next few days. In just over an hour, David & Chris break down some of the best holiday songs that musical theatre has to offer. But we won't give any spoilers...you've got to listen. The Podcast is complete with sound clips of every song, and hilarious & sassy banter, carefully cultivated over the last few years for your enjoyment today.  Christopher is known for having a near-encyclopedic knowledge of musical theatre, and is a fine Director, earning a Jeff Award for his production of HIGH FIDELITY. A big presence at Porchlight Music Theatre, he's recently directed CALL ME MADAM, DO RE MI, and a slew of NEW FACES SING BROADWAY concerts. Do you have your tickets yet for January 6th's inaugural Cabaret, benefiting The Anti-Cruelty Society of Chicago? Oh, you're waiting til the last minute? How does that usually work out for you? Stay tuned! Join us for a show! Act up! Get involved! www.thebeautifulcityproject.com

David & Jess go behind the scenes at one of the most powerful, generous, kind-hearted organizations in this whole city - The Anti-Cruelty Society of Chicago! Join us as we talk with Lydia of ACS, who's not only knowledgeable, well-spoken and compassionate, but a true asset to Dogs and Cats across this whole fine town. She, and the ACS, are truly making a difference, striving to help build a Beautiful City. Which is why they're the PERFECT partners for THE BEAUTIFUL CITY PROJECT's inaugural cabaret! There's nothing better than like-minded individuals and organizations. And this Podcast puts the ACS front and center. Check them out, and check US out on January 6th, 8pm - at Davenport's Piano Bar & Cabaret. Stay tuned! Join us for a show! Act up! Get involved! www.thebeautifulcityproject.com

And thus begins the long reign of official Podcasting for THE BEAUTIFUL CITY PROJECT! David and Jessica go behind the scenes to bring you all sorts of fantastic content. This week is just a preview of what's to come. Podcast features will include: -Guests from the charities and organizations we're raising money for every month. -Interviews with performers who's charity and organization they're performing for is dear to their hearts. -A Musical Theatre Aficionado series with David and Guests! -A Business of the Business series with Jessica. -And, I mean, just so much more... TODAY, you'll hear about: -Our performance season -Our inaugural cabaret fundraiser for The Anti-Cruelty Society of Chicago -Our fantastic Board of Advisors -Our Podcast series, and the type of content you can expect -General mayhem and silliness Welcome to the beginning, friends! THE BEAUTIFUL CITY PROJECT is officially launched! Stay tuned! Join us for a show! Act up! Get involved! www.thebeautifulcityproject.com