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Published on Monday, 16 April 2012 09:39
The Chicago/Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) -- often referred to as the Chicago Emmys -- will be holding their annual Silver Circle Honors gala on Friday evening. The Chicago Silver Circle Awards honor individuals who have have made a significant & outstanding contribution to Chicago television and have spent at least 25 years doing so. This year, The Chicago/Midwest chapter of NATAS will be inducting seven deserving individuals.
The 2012 Chicago Silver Circle Honorees are:
* Jorge Barbosa -- WGBO News Anchor; 17 years with WGBO + 10 years with WCIU
* Marshall Brodien -- 25+ year contributor to WGN's "Bozo's Circus," primarily as Wizzo the Wizard; TV spokesperson for numerous toys and his own magic kits.
* Jim Disch -- Current Director of Radio and Television for the Archdiocese of Chicago; former Director of News and Programming for CLTV; former Assistant News Director for WGN; Columbia College Chicago TV Journalism instructor.
* Steve Lasker -- 26 year cameraman for WBBM and a 15 year photographer for the Chicago American before that; winner of numerous Emmys.
* Norman Shapiro -- Longtime President of Weigel Broadcasting.
* Ed Spray -- Former WBBM Broadcasting Director/Program Manager; former WMAQ Producer/Director; worked in LA television; became Vice President for Program Development for CBS Television Stations and Network President of Scripps Broadcasting.
* Burr Tillstrom -- pioneering creator/puppeteer of the Kuklapolitan Players and the famed children's show "Kukla, Fran and Ollie."
Burr Tillstrom, who passed away in 1985, will be given the NATAS Silver Circle's Pioneer Award posthumously, with Tillstrom's nieces and members of his family accepting the award in his name.
The host/emcee for the evening will be Bruce DuMont: the Founder and President of the Museum of Broadcast Communications, National Radio Hall of Fame Chairman, political radio show host, former TV producer with WBKB/WTTW/WBBM/WGN/WLS, and a former Silver Circle honoree himself in 1999. He is also a former board member of the Chicago/Midwest NATAS.
Thea Flaum, Chairperson of this year's Silver Circle event, said in a statement: "Given Bruce's history with our chapter, we're thrilled to have him as our host this year. As the person responsible for preserving Chicago's television history, it's especially appropriate that Bruce will be making the presentation to TV pioneer Burr Tillstrom's family."
The 2012 Silver Circle Honors Dinner will be held on Friday, April 20th, at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel, (163 E. Walton, Chicago). The event begins with a cocktail reception at 5:30pm, followed by dinner and a Student Award Presentation at 6:30pm, and the Silver Circle Award presentation beginning at 7:45pm.
TV Academy members can still purchase tickets at this link
HERE, while non-members can purchase tickets at this link
HERE. If available, tickets may also be purchased at the door.
For those who would like to see a list of past Silver Circle inductees for the Chicago market, visit this link
HERE.
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