Who doesn't like a good dinosaur exhibit? Especially at Chicago's Field Museum? This month on Backstage with Lisa Fielding, we switch things up and talk with paleontologist and scientist Jingmai O'Connor about her work, Sue the dinosaur, and more.

-----

Thanks to Jingmai O'Connor, Bill Simpson, Kate Goalembesske. Caleb Bohus, Sue the T-Rex and podcast producer Arielle Raveney for their contributions to this month's episode.

In the latest episode, we talk with an iconic Chicago-based children's choir that was created in a direct response to the civil rights movements to bring people of all background together.

From the suburbs to the city proper, we hear from a student who's been performing since she was a child, the president of Uniting Voices of Chicago, a parent looking for enrichment for her daughter plus, a look at how this group continues their efforts to instill the arts into the youth of today.

-----

Thanks to Josephine Lee, Judy Hanson, Mitchell Owens, and Ella and Donna Anello for their contribution to this month's episode

Follow the UVC to stay up to date on their initiatives:

-Uniting Voices: FB, Insta, Twitter

-Josephine Lee: Insta, Linktree

-Mitchell Owens: Insta

-----

Have an arts/culture/entertainment idea for us to cover in an upcoming Backstage episode? Tweet @Lisa_Fielding

In the latest episode, we talk to a circus power couple. He is a professional juggler, a AGT finalist, a family man, and proud Ukrainian. His wife, a world famous Mongolian contortionist. Viktor Kee and Ulzii Mergen talk about their experiences in the spotlight, her harrowing journey from war-torn Ukraine and their hopes for their new lives in Chicago.

The podcast will continue on a monthly basis where we'll give you an inside look at the arts & culture scene around the Chicagoland area.

-----

Thanks to Victor Kee, Ulzii Mergen, Broadway In Chicago, America's Got Talent, Cirque de Sole, Moulin Rouge and Cabaret Zazou "Luminaree" for their contribution to this month's episode.

Keep tabs on where Kee and Mergen are in the world:

-Viktor Kee: Website, Insta, Twitter

-Ulzii Mergen: Insta, YouTube, Facebook, Masterclass

And check out their show: Cabaret Zazou, Broadway in Chicago

-----

Have an arts/culture/entertainment idea for us to cover in an upcoming Backstage episode? Tweet @Lisa_Fielding

We're back! We're turning the lights on and opening up the curtains for Backstage Chicago with Lisa Fielding.

The podcast will continue on a monthly basis where we'll give you an inside look at the arts & culture scene around the Chicagoland area.

In the latest episode, we spotlight the Chicago International Film Festival. We take you back to where it all began, we'll talk to up and coming directors, we'll tell you how films are chosen each year and how the event has become THE platform for new directors to showcase their work.

-----

Thanks to Michael Kutza, Mimi Plauche, Mercedes Kane, and Alex Thompson for talking with us for this episode.

Stay up to date the the Chicago International Film Fest on their Twitter & Insta.

And follow:

-Mercedes Kane: Insta, Daisy May Films; "Art & Pep": Insta, FB

-Alex Thompson: Insta; "Rounding": Review

-Michael Kutza: Insta

-----

Have an arts/culture/entertainment idea for us to cover in an upcoming Backstage episode? Tweet @Lisa_Fielding

This week on Backstage Chicago, She's one of the few women calling the shots backstage in the live performance industry. Rachel Tobias has been the stage manager for the Lyric Opera for 20 years. She calls herself the air traffic controller of every stage production. We'll talk to Rachel about being a mega multi-tasker and what it feels like when the curtain rises and falls and why the adrenaline rush arrives AFTER the show is over.

This week on Backstage Chicago, Lisa sits down with a group of performers bringing the first Cabaret Week to the city of Chicago May 6 - May 16. Each performer talks about the joys of live performance and the road to discovering their creative talents.

This week on Backstage Chicago, Lisa travels to a hidden treasure in Wrigleyville called the Otherworld Theater. It's considered the premiere Sci Fi/Fantasy production company in North America and houses two stages, a bar, a dragon head and other oddities. Lisa sits down with the company’s founder to talk about the latest immersive sci fi whodunnit, the new improv, how Live Action Role Playing is taking off and how their mission is to unite gamers and theater nerds everywhere.

On this episode of Backstage Chicago, Lisa travels to Sway Dance studio on the north side to talk to three amazing burlesque dancers about the history of burlesque, their unique approach to the art form, and what people can learn about self-love.