WindyCityOperaman

Dan Soda (Windy City Operaman) is a Chicago native whose first visit to opera was at age 17 and Massenet’s Werther with Troyanos and Kraus. Nothing was ever the same. Opera and concert performances, recordings and video are an obsession. He prepares Parterre Box’s daily birthday and anniversary tributes. He also enjoys concerts, live theater and movies.

“The world worships the original” “The world worships the original”

Born on this day 1915 actress Ingrid Bergman.

By on August 29, 2022 at 3:26 AM
67 comments
“What am I trying to do?” “What am I trying to do?”

Born on this day in 1889 cinematographer James Wong Howe.

By on August 28, 2022 at 7:24 AM
50 comments
Starry-eyed again Starry-eyed again

Born on this day in 1916 actress and comedian Martha Raye.

By on August 27, 2022 at 2:43 AM
5 comments
You can’t ignore convention You can’t ignore convention

Born on this day in 1897 director and screenwriter Douglas Sirk.

By on August 26, 2022 at 2:47 AM
39 comments
Go into your dance Go into your dance

Born on this day in 1909 dancer and actress Ruby Keeler.

By on August 25, 2022 at 8:00 AM
24 comments
“Typecasting is a good thing” “Typecasting is a good thing”

Happy 64th birthday actor Steve Guttenberg.

By on August 24, 2022 at 1:07 PM
3 comments
“I couldn’t kill a fly” “I couldn’t kill a fly”

Happy 93rd birthday to actress Vera Miles.

By on August 23, 2022 at 1:43 AM
37 comments
With scented dew still wet With scented dew still wet

Born on this day in 1893 poet, short story writer, critic and satirist Dorothy Parker.

By on August 22, 2022 at 12:31 PM
19 comments
“A woman is closest to being naked when she is well dressed” “A woman is closest to being naked when she is well dressed”

Born on this day in 1883 designer Coco Chanel.

By on August 19, 2022 at 12:59 PM
60 comments
That afternoon changed my whole life That afternoon changed my whole life

Born on this day in 1920 actress Shelley Winters.

By on August 18, 2022 at 8:00 AM
34 comments
I’m the girl on the scene I’m the girl on the scene

Born on this day in 1893 actress and icon Mae West.

By on August 17, 2022 at 11:41 AM
37 comments
Was I soft or was I tough? Was I soft or was I tough?

Born on this day in 1928 singer Eydie Gormé.

By on August 16, 2022 at 10:05 AM
66 comments
“I was unbelievably lucky” “I was unbelievably lucky”

Born on this day in 1912 actress Wendy Hiller.

By on August 15, 2022 at 12:06 PM
75 comments
A girl who’s merely me A girl who’s merely me

Born on this day in 1923 actress and comedian Alice Ghostley.

By on August 14, 2022 at 12:23 PM
30 comments
Only one is a wanderer Only one is a wanderer

Born on this day in 1899 producer and director Alfred Hitchcock.

By on August 13, 2022 at 7:16 AM
44 comments
Take good care of yourself Take good care of yourself

Born on this day in 1883 actress Marion Lorne.

By on August 12, 2022 at 7:18 AM
28 comments
“Acting is not rocket science” “Acting is not rocket science”

Happy 57th birthday to actress Viola Davis.

By on August 11, 2022 at 8:00 AM
69 comments
Queen of MGM Queen of MGM

Born on this day in 1902 actress Norma Shearer.

By on August 10, 2022 at 10:15 AM
57 comments
Unrelenting determination Unrelenting determination

On this day in 1975, Liza Minnelli jumped into the role of Roxie Hart in Chicago, the start of a five-week stint filling in for Gwen Verdon, who was recovering from throat surgery.

By on August 09, 2022 at 9:16 AM
71 comments
“Prima donnas in anything are bad” “Prima donnas in anything are bad”

Born on this day in 1910 actress Sylvia Sidney.

By on August 08, 2022 at 5:52 AM
93 comments
Who can I get at this hour? Who can I get at this hour?

Born on this day in 1886 actress and producer Billie Burke.

By on August 07, 2022 at 6:04 AM
73 comments
Give him the ooh-la-la! Give him the ooh-la-la!

Born on this day in 1911 actress Lucille Ball.

By on August 06, 2022 at 6:39 AM
67 comments
“The easiest job in the world” “The easiest job in the world”

Born on this day in 1911 actor Robert Taylor.

By on August 05, 2022 at 2:31 AM
28 comments
The Queens gambit The Queens gambit

Born on this day in 1910 actress Anita Page.

By on August 04, 2022 at 8:00 AM
33 comments