Latest News
The Chicago sports scene is about to takes its first steps to a new era. And it has nothing to do with the Bears and their new coach Marc Trestman, as they play their first exhibition game Friday (Aug. 9). And, no, it has nothing to do with the Bulls and Derrick Rose starring in “The Comeback.”
Michelle Harris is the Bulls’ new director of entertainment.
OK, it might have a little to do with the Bulls. Mainly because it has a lot to do with the Luvabulls, the dance team that entertains at home games at the United Center and also has traveled all over the globe in expanding the brand.
The Luvabulls are holding auditions Saturday. There should be some familiar faces at the tryouts. At last report, 20 members of the 2012-13 Luvabulls planned to participate.
So what’s the new era part of the program?
For the first time since the days when Michael Jordan was early in his NBA career, Cathy Core will not be running the show. She had been the Luvabulls director since 1984.
Shante Roberts is taking her place as the Luvabulls administrator.
One of the first changes from years past is no appication is required. Registration for the open audition begins at noon and closes at 1 p.m. at the United Center. Aspiring Luvabulls must be at least 21 and bring a valid ID. Other requisites (from the listing on bulls.com):
* Training in jazz and hip hop dance with an emphasis on synchronized dance team choreography (tumbling skills, cheer stunts and pom experience are a plus).
* Be a Chicagoland resident and have reliable transportation.
Callbacks will be Sunday afternoon with guest choreographer Kristin DeCesare, who is touring with Pitbull. There will be a finalist training camp Aug. 13-15. Sad to report that none of this is open to the public.
The Bulls new director of entertainment is Michelle Harris, a former Knicks City Dancer. Bulls and/or Luvabulls fans shouldn’t hold that against her. After all, she is a Chicago native. She was gracious enough to take some time to chat with your humble correspondent (and, yes, I do plan on being at auditions — solely for the benefit of those who visit this space regularly (or irregularly).
Morena Baccarin is scheduled to be at Chicago Comic Con. Not sure whether she will be wearing this outfit.
For those looking to actually attend a fun event or two, the Wizard World Chicago Comic Con continues through Sunday at the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. For information about the event, you can click here.
The WNBA Chicago Sky has a home game Sunday against the Minnesota Lynx at 5 p.m. at Allstate Arena in Rosemont. The Sky contest also will be on WCIU. Also the Sky’s Aug. 24 game againt the Atlanta Dream will be televised on ESPN2.
For those who were unable to partake of the Aug. 8 “Sports & Torts” on Talkzone.com with co-hosts David Spada and Elliott Harris and/or for those who would like to enjoy an encore performance, the show is available on podcast at Talkzone. To acces the program, you can click here. The interview guests were a pair of Pro Football Hall of Fame platers, kicker Jan Stenerud and the late Baltimore Colts defensive tackle Art Donovan (in what in all likelihood was his last media interview).
Here is where to go for a daily dose of non-gratuitous video (thanks to the endearing efforts of the editorial and video departments at elliottharris.com and their delightful definition of “gratuitous”):
Advertising opportunities are available on ElliottHarris.com. For information and rates, contact sales@elliottharris.com.