Music & Movie Mojo: Chicago International Film Festival's Opening Night, Michael Jackson's & Prince's Protegee Perform In Chicago & The Amazing Race's Casting Call

Roger Ebert didn’t just write about the movies — he was the movies. Roger Ebert didn’t just live in Chicago — he was Chicago. The 49^th Chicago International Film Festival is proud to dedicate this year’s Opening Night, Thursday October 10 at The Chicago Theatre (175 N. State St.), to the man who, for more than 40 years, was the beloved face (and the thumb) of film criticism.

The event will include a short video tribute to the Chicago Sun-Times’ Pulitzer Prize-winning movie critic and will precede the screening of the Festival’s Opening Night Film, The Immigrant, directed by James Gray and starring Academy Award®-winning actress Marion Cotillard (in her first English-language lead role), Joaquin Phoenix and Jeremy Renner. The event starts at 7 p.m. preceded by red carpet arrivals.  Ebert’s wife, Chaz Ebert and director James Gray are scheduled to attend.

Considering the Festival “an adornment to our city,” Roger Ebert credited the event for introducing him to the work of Martin Scorsese, Werner Herzog, Rainer Werner Fassbinder and Gregory Nava. Over the years he collaborated with the Festival on such projects as the special appearance of Kim Novak during a presentation of the restored Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo, and discussions with luminaries including George Cukor, Sydney Pollack and Alan Parker.

“Roger has been an integral part of the Chicago International Film Festival from its earliest days,” said Festival Founder and Artistic Director Michael Kutza. “He long supported our mission of introducing Chicago moviegoers to the newest and brightest filmmakers from around the world. He leaves a strong legacy not only through his website, RogerEbert.com, where a large roster of top critics continue in his footsteps, but in the works of many filmmakers who fell in love with the movies through his reviews.”

“Roger admired how Michael Kutza kept the film festival going all these years and I thank him for honoring Roger once more,” said Chaz Ebert, Roger’s wife and publisher of Rogerebert.com, the website she co-founded with her husband. “I would also like to thank the Festival for their support.”

Opening Night Ticket Information
Tickets for Opening Night of the 49th Chicago International Film Festival are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.thechicagotheatre.com or in person at The Chicago Theatre (175 N. State St.) box office (Monday to Friday, 12-6 pm). Film-only tickets are: Balcony, $25 for Cinema/Chicago members and $30 for non-members; Main Floor, $30 for Cinema/Chicago members and $35 for non-members.

VIP Ticket packages including a main floor seat and admission to the after-party at The Preston Bradley Hall of The Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington St.) are priced at $150 per ticket and can be purchased online at www.chicagofilmfestival.com or by calling the Festival Hotline at 312-332-3456 (FILM).

Judith Hill, who was selected as a featured background performer by the late Michael Jackson for his "This Is It" tour and was seen on the last season of NBC's "The Voice", has been tapped by multi-platinum-selling singer, songwriter and actor Josh Groban as support for his fall "In The Round" tour, which kicks off tonight at Taco Bell Arena in Boise, ID. In addition to opening the show, Hill will join Groban during his set for two songs: "The Prayer" and "Remember When It Rains." Judith, who contributed backing vocals to three tracks on Groban's latest album, All That Echoes, will also be playing a series of headline dates this fall. See below for itinerary.

Praised by Rolling Stone for her "stellar powerhouse vocals," Hill has signed with Sony Music. In addition to penning and performing her own material, Judith - who wrote her first song at the age of four - has also backed such artists as Stevie Wonder and Elton John. Hers is one of the stories told in director Morgan Neville's acclaimed 20 Feet From Stardom, a film that shines the spotlight on the untold true story of the backup singers behind some of the greatest musical legends of the 21^st century. Hill, who was also featured on the film's soundtrack, is also finishing up her debut record, which will be released in early 2014.   

Judith Hill - Fall 2013 Tour Dates

All dates are supporting Josh Groban unless otherwise noted.

Additional headline dates to be announced.

October

2 - Boise, ID @ Taco Bell Arena   

3 - Portland, OR @ McMenamins Crystal Ballroom (headline show)

4 - Seattle, WA @ KeyArena
6 - Sacramento, CA @ Sleep Train Arena
7 - San Jose, CA @HP Pavilion at San Jose
9 - Phoenix, AZ @ US Airways Center
11 - Salt Lake City, UT @ EnergySolutions Arena
13 - Las Vegas, NV @ MGM Grand Garden Arena

15 - Denver, CO @ The Soiled Dove Underground (headline show)
16 - Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center

17 - St. Louis, MO @ Lumiere Place Casino & Hotel (headline show)
19 - Minneapolis, MN @ Target Center
20 - Chicago, IL @ United Center
22 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Van Andel Arena
23 - Detroit, MI @ The Palace of Auburn Hills
25 - Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre
27 - Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre
28 - Boston, MA @ TD Garden
30 - Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center    

November

1 - State College, PA @ State Theater (headline show)

2 - Pittsburgh, PA @ CONSOL Energy Center
3 - Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center   

4 - Annapolis, MD @ Rams Head On Stage (headline show)

6 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ BB&T Center
8 - Tampa, FL @ Tampa Bay Times Forum
9 - Orlando, FL @ Amway Center
12 - Houston, TX @ Toyota Center
13 - Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center   

December

4 - San Francisco, CA @ San Francisco War Memorial Opera - Glide Holiday Celebration

Liv Warfield, one of the most dynamic members of Prince's New Power Generation band will visit Chicago this Friday to debut songs from her forthcoming album, "The Unexpected."  Warfield, who we introduced readers to last October after she visited Chicago on Prince's "Welcome To Chicago" benefit tour, will perform on Friday, October 11th at Red Kiva.  To attend the performance send your name and email address to RSVP@CapitvateMarketingGroup.com.

The Amazing Race - Current Cast Members

Finally, if you think you have what it takes to join the next cast of CBS's "The Amazing Race," an open casting call will take place this Saturday, October 12th at the Marmot Store located at 932 N. Rush in Chicago.

The casting call will be held from 10 am. until 3 pm.  For more information on how to apply go to http://chicago.cbslocal.com/contests/the-amazing-race-casting-call-at-marmot/.