VIA Times – May 2014 Issue Vital News, Vibrant VIews for Asian Americans in Chicago & Midwest
By: Jovie Calma
Spring has sprung in Chicago but the warmer weather is not upon us, just yet. It seems like the chilly season is obviously enjoying its extended time this year. Normally during this time of the year, we enjoy more outdoor events and festivities. Despite the cold weather, Hofbrauhaus Chicago officially launched their Spring event with the tapping of the much-anticipated Moiback brew on April 25. This annually produced spring brew will only be available for a limited time and has pleased the palette of beer drinkers since 1614. Maibock was created by Hofbrauhaus Brew Master Elias Pichler as an answer to the public’s desire for a newer and stronger brew. Pichler brought back an older brewing method that required dark beers to be heated to high temperatures so they could deal with the city leaders: in exchange for not pillaging and plundering the city, they would leave peacefully if given 362 buckets of Hofbrauhaus beer. In 1780, Mozart credited the Hofbrauhaus with providing him the strength to write his opera “Idomeneo.” On October 12, 1810, the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese Saxony-Hildburghausen involved all the citizens of Munich; the celebration grew into the Oktoberfest, an annual festival now so closely associated in the minds of many with the Hofbrauhaus. In January 1823, Hofbrauhuas beer was used to extinguish a fire at the Munich Opera when the firefighters discovered their water supply frozen. In 1935, composer Wiga Gabriel and lyricist Klaus Siegfried Richter wrote the famous Hofbrauhaus song- “In Munchen steht ein Hofbrauhaus- oans, zwoan, g’suffa!” (“In Munich, there’s a Hofbrauhausone, two, and down the hatch!”) Comedian Michael Palascak graced the event and did the keg tapping for the moiback brew. It was indeed celebrated as if it was Oktoberfest! As you all know, Oktoberfest is the world’s largest fair in the world, a 16-day festival celebrated in Munich, Germany during the late September to the first week of October which attracted millions of visitors from around the globe. Michael also had a show at the Zanie Comedy Night Club that weekend. He’s a biographical comedian from the Midwest, hails from Wabash, Indiana but moved to Chicago apparently. He’s been featured on the late night television circuit as he performed stand-up on both “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and “The Late Show with David Letterman”. He also won multiple stand-up comedy contests including a national HBO talent contest at The Comedy Festival in Las Vegas, The Lucky 21 as well as the Chicago region of Comedy Central’s Open Mic Fight and went on to make Comedy Central debut on Live at Gotham Season 3. He was also selected as one of 12 comedians in America and internationally to debut his half hour special on the inaugural season of Comedy Central’s The Half Hour. Michael took sketch and improv classes at The Second City in Chicago, iO and Annoyance with his desire to perform all forms of comedy. In Chicago, he debuted his one-person sketch show- Pursuing Happiness: A bunch of scenes about people that moved out of their parents’ house, got a real job and got married. Performed by a guy who didn’t. In his performances, Michael connects to the youthful innocence in everyone as he relates his stories onstage. His stories allow everyone to laugh a lot. At the event, there was an entertainment with a feel of Oktoberfest in Munich. A grand parade led by a lively German bugle corps. kicked off the festivities followed by the exceptional live music from an authentic “Oompah” band all the way from Austria. The traditional keg tapping ceremony followed thereafter. Stein-holding competition was also held with a trip to New York for the grand prize winner. After a year since its grand opening, Hofbrauhaus Chicago remained as the first and only German microbrewery beer hall and restaurant in the Chicagoland. Zicke Zacke, Zicke Zacke, Hoi Hoi Hoi! Before I end my article this month, allow me to express my big congratulations to Jing Quitain-Wenghofer for bagging the 2014 Global Pinoy Singing Idol for the USA sponsored by ABS-CBN and DZMM in partnership with ANCOP USA held in Orlando, Floida. She will fly to Manila to compete for the Grand Finals World Caravan in January 2015. Congratulations to 2011 VIAMan of the Year of the Chicago Filipino American Hall of Fame, Billy Dec of Rockit Ranch Productions on his appointment as one of the members of the President’s Advisory Commission of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. My special birthday wishes to Lindy Tan (May 4), Miggy Zamora (May 6), Trisha Guevara (May 10), Tita Belle Campo (May 14), Elsa Castillo (May 15), Sarah Lee (May 16), Gerry Rebello (May 16), Amie Hana (May 19), Kevin Santiago (May 20) and, of course, to my executive producer- Nangni Veronica Leighton (May 31). On this Mother’s Day, allow me to honor my dearest Mom Connie Calma who’s a special gift from above. You’ve given so much love from your heart and the warmth of your touch. Thank you for being the wind beneath my wings. Cheers to all the phenomenal mothers, most especially Nangni Veronica Leighton, my sisters Ate Jo Ann Alzol and Jennifer Zamora! To all Via Times Readers and CPRTV viewers, thank you for your continued support. Please continue to share your blessed Sunday with us at your favorite TV Show, The Chicago Philippine Reports TV (CPRTV), can now be viewed on Chicago Cable 25, every Sunday from 3:00-4:00 PM on Comcast, RCN and Wow Cable Channels. Until the next issue of Wassup?! Jovie Calma LIVE! God Bless Us All!
Hofbrauhaus Chicago’s spring event kicked off with
a live music from authentic “Oompah” band from
Austria.
Comedian Michael Palascak did the keg tapping
ceremony for the much-anticipated moiback brew
in Hofbrauhaus Chicago!
VT/CPRTV’s Jovie Calma interviewed the
International Artist and Author of Angel Song,
Michael Jewula.
Post- VT/CPRTV interview of Jovie Calma with
Jing Wenghofer, fresh from her big win at the
National Contest n Florida for the Global Pinoy
Singing Idol 2014!
Congratulations to Al Ricmand in winning the 1st
Place at Glenbard East High School’s Gymnastics
JV level for pommel horse!
Rovic Joseph turned 6! (L-R: Alric, Mom
Jovie and Rovic)
