Authors Edward Kelsey Moore and Melanie Benjamin are keeping their wits about them during the pandemic by getting together (online) for wide ranging conversations several times a week — and you can listen in!  Who the Hell Are We? is an ongoing, free podcast hosted by these two bestselling authors, who have a lot to say about their lives and also a few things to say about books that they are reading.  
Mel and Ed have shared two special “Shelter In Place” episodes this week, with more to come in the days ahead!  Some of the recent ideas discussed have been:  Re-dicovering crafts (remember crafts?) that amused and entertained Edward in the past, and Melanie can’t stop herself from enjoying word puzzles.  Also movies and books that are lifting their spirits.  And, of course, America’s most pressing concern… toilet paper!
Note to parents that there can be an occasional cussword in some recent episodes — these are challenging times!

If you’re not yet a subscriber follow this link to find out (briefly) about podcasts, and how to subscribe -- free!  Or listen to the latest free podcast episode by clicking the play arrow> on the page here, or here.  You can also leave comments and your 5-star ratings!  If you have any suggestions for podcast discussions that you’d like to hear, or just want to send a pandemic greeting to Mel and Ed you can email them here: melanded@whothehellarewe.com

The Chicago Sinfonietta was founded in 1987 to address the need for diversity in orchestras and the lack of inclusive connection between classical musicians and the vibrant, nuanced communities where they live and perform.  Chicago Sinfonietta has made it their mission to represent the city of Chicago, reflecting the city’s diversity on stage and in Sinfonietta’s programming choices — making classical music accessible and enjoyable to everyone.  The orchestra's thirty two years have been highlighted by six European tours, two Kennedy Center performances, three Millennium Park concerts (attended by over 19,000 people), and sixteen vinyl LP, CD and digital recordings.  The Chicago Sinfonietta has been a recipient of the prestigious $625,000 MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions.

Chicago Opera Theater (C.O.T.) will present the world premiere performances of Dan Shore’s provocative Freedom Ride at the restored, 725 seat Studebaker Theater, located in the iconic Fine Arts Building in downtown Chicago.

During the sweltering summer of 1961 the Congress of Racial Equality is in New Orleans seeking volunteers to ride to Jackson to help combat segregation. Xavier University student Sylvie Davenport is handed a pamphlet and asked to board a Greyhound bus. Sylvie must choose between her academic future and the future of this nation in a story that highlights how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go. Developed at Xavier University in collaboration with some of the activists who lived this history, C.O.T. Music Director Lidiya Yankovskaya will conduct musicians from the critically acclaimed Chicago Sinfonietta.
Three performances only, February 8th, 14th and February 16, 2020.
Don’t miss this World Premiere event!

Edward Kelsey Moore is principal cello for these performances.

90 minutes, with no intermission.
Performed in English with English supertitles.

Chicago Opera Theater / Chicago Sinfonietta
Freedom Ride
Saturday, February 8th, 2020 | 7:30pm  World Premiere
Friday, February 14th, 2020 | 7:30pm    Performance
Sunday, February 16th, 2020 | 3:00pm  Matinee Performance

(Please note that February 8th is sold out.  Some tickets are available for February 14th, but only two dozen tickets remain for the February 16th closing performance — at the time of this posting.)  

The Studebaker Theater / Fine Arts Building
410 S. Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60605