Overheard Illustrated Mon Apr 30 2012

Overheard Illustrated: "Club"

Friday, April 27, front seat of car--Clark Street, near Rogers Park

— Mark Addison Smith

Theater Mon Apr 30 2012

eta Creative Arts: Tangled

Stories of rampant gun violence in Chicago have unfortunately become a regular occurrence, having long-lasting effects on families, communities, neighborhoods and society at-large. But how, if at all, does it affect funeral and mortuary professionals--the eventual recipients of the victims of the violence?

This concept is explored in Nicole Anderson-Cobb's Tangled, a 'dramedy' about a family of African-American female funeral directors and their take on the problem of guns and violence from both a personal and business perspective.

Tangled runs Thursdays through Sundays through May 19 at the eta Creative Arts, 7558 S. South Chicago; show times vary. Tickets are $15-$30 and are on sale at the box office. For more information, call 773-752-3955 or visit the theater's website.

— LaShawn Williams

Theater Mon Apr 30 2012

Dreamgirls, Chicago Style

Dreamgirls is indeed one of the ultimate stories that centers on the ups and downs of music and show business; now, the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical that inspired the 2006 film of the same name and resulted in a Best Supporting Actress Oscar win for Jennifer Hudson, will have an encore run in Chicago.

Directed by John Ruffin, Dreamgirls, which debuted in Chicago in March, is returning by popular demand for two shows this month; and just like the Broadway and film versions, it contains plenty of energy, along with powerful singing, acting and musical numbers by a Chicago-based cast.

Catch Dreamgirls Saturday and Sunday, May 12-13 at the Harold Washington Cultural Center 4701 S. King Dr. Tickets are $40-$60; for show times and more information, call 773-225-2725.

— LaShawn Williams

Art Mon Apr 30 2012

Subterranean Experiments

Laura Elayne Miller describes the process of her work as an "archaelogical dig." Before creating any new work in mediums ranging from sculpture to filmmaking to printmaking (and many others), Miller must collect, read, look, listen, and jump into the themes and ideas of her work. In her latest work - an "artistic cartography" of her three interpretations of sensory experience and space - entitled Sentient Space at THE MISSION, Miller based the creation on a prototype from two years ago.

"I just find it really interesting that you could take the structure of cartography or the idea of concrete data or elements from environment, space, and place to combine that with metaphor and experiential ideas."

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— Britt Julious

Theater Mon Apr 30 2012

Earth Pearl Collective: A 'Streetcar' By A Different Name

Tennessee Williams' Pulitzer Prize-winning play, A Streetcar Named Desire, is indeed one of theater's most classic works; with social issues like culture and class at the heart of the story, it remains a popular, long-time favorite among theatergoers. Here, Iman Crutcher, co-founder and artistic director of Earth Pearl Collective, talks about the organization's adaptation of the play, as well as its mission to promote and enhance theater and performance art among queer women of color.

A Streetcar Named Desire is a classic play--why did you decide to perform it under the Earth Pearl Collective's umbrella?

We knew that we wanted to produce a show that was a classic so that we could merge our audiences. At our Monday variety shows that we do once a month at Hamburger Mary's, we definitely have queer women of color coming out to those performances and we have a lot of issues and things we wanted to bring to the general public's attention as well--we felt like we needed to do something that gets everybody in the same space. When we started thinking of classic plays, Tennessee Williams' [plays] were actually the first ones we picked up and started reading through.

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— LaShawn Williams

Event Sat Apr 28 2012

International Antiques Fair @ Merchandise Mart

The entry fee for this year's International Antiques Fair at the Merchandise Mart is $15, but considering the objects for perusal (and for sale if you've got several thousand dollars burning a hole in your pocket) it's worth the entry fee. I've never in my life stood so close to an original Marc Chagall lithograph, not even at a museum. Dinan & Chighine (Booth 7084) has it priced at $3,800, but I think I'll just remember what it was like to stand inches away from it. Also for sale at the Dinan & Chighine booth are original Henri Matisse lithographs at $1,650 each, and a set of 4 Karl Brodtuman lithographs at $9,600 for the set.

Continue reading this entry »

— J.H. Palmer

Art Around Town Fri Apr 27 2012

Art Around Town

Tonight:

Saturday:

Sunday:

Tuesday:

Thursday:

— Kelly Reaves

Column Fri Apr 27 2012

The Five-Year Engagement, The Raven, The Pirates! Band of Misfits, The Hunter, Monsieur Lazhar & Darling Companion

Before we dive into this week's releases, I wanted to let you know that since I've been oppressively busy lately, I missed last week's column despite there being a couple of solid releases worth your time and money. Top of that list is the extraordinary documentary Marley, the expansive, definitive chronicle of Bob Marley's life, music, and cultural impact, which continues its run at the Music Box Theatre for the next week. And while the film is sanctioned by the Marley estate, it is far from a glossy portrait of his life as director Kevin Macdonald does a fantastic job of assembling a balanced look at Marley as both a creative genius and a man who wanted to please everyone and achieve worldwide popularity. And yes, we do get a great deal of discussion about his having a whole lot of kids by a whole lot of women, many of whom appear in the film. Certainly fans of Marley's music will not want to miss this piece, but I also think casual admirers will get a great deal out of it.

Also on the documentary front, the latest from Disney Nature was released last week, Chimpanzee, which presents a beautifully photographed slice of life look at a tribe of chimps doing everything from gathering food, using tools to crack nuts (which still blows me away for some reason), and fighting off attackers who want to take over their prized nut grove. As in many of the Disney Nature films, there's a surprising amount of inherent drama that is captured in this movie, including a significant amount of peril and even death (presented off camera, but still pretty harrowing). Perhaps my biggest complaint with Chimpanzee is the a-little-to-cutesy narration by Tim Allen (I guess Carrot Top wasn't available), but overall the film is a gorgeous document in a series of nature films that I've thoroughly enjoyed every year.

Finally, one of the biggest surprises in last week's rundown was the ensemble comedy Think Like A Man, not so much based on the relationship advice book by comic Steve Harvey, but more a story of how the book's "secrets" about men changed the dating world. While the film is overly long and the various plots progress and wrap up a bit too neatly, the film is also fairly insightful and extremely funny, due in great part to comedian Kevin Hart as a man in the middle of a divorce who has no interest in a relationship, watching his friends panic then rework their dating routines based on the book. At its core, the film is a call for honestly in relationships, and it certainly has a leg up on most typical romantic comedies (which this is not). The impressive (mostly African-American) cast includes Michael Ealy, Taraji P. Henson, Regina Hall, Meagan Good, Romany Malco and Gabrielle Union, all treating the subject and material seriously (for the most part). The result is a thought-provoking, quality comedy that has a lot to say to and about both sexes.

OK, now onto this week's offerings...

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— Steve Prokopy

Fashion Thu Apr 26 2012

SAIC Fashion Show Recap: Editor's Picks

Those of us who are lucky enough to go to SAIC's fashion shows each year covet them and look forward to them the way most children look forward to their birthdays. There are good art shows and there are bad art shows, there are good concerts and bad concerts, but usually even the best ones drag a bit and are slightly dissatisfying. I'm not gonna lie, the SAIC fashion shows are the only big, serious fashion shows I've been to, so I'm no authority on the matter. But I've seen quite a lot of "Project Runway" -- and this makes that look like child's play. I challenge even those who are the most ambivalent about fashion to go to one of these shows and not scoot to the front edge of their seats during the show with a string of drool hanging from their delightfully awestruck mouths.

Continue reading this entry »

— Kelly Reaves / Comments (2)

Art Thu Apr 26 2012

Ring Around the Rosie

Opening tomorrow at Linda Warren Gallery, Tom Torluemke's Ring Around the Rosie looks at life, packages it all up in beautiful colors, and presents it for us in all of its odd, conflicting and contradicting glory. As a seasoned artist Tom brings to the table maturity, deep exploration and a goofiness all his own, and to really appreciate it you would need to spend time absorbing what he has to offer in this, his first solo show at Linda Warren Projects. Also opening there tomorrow is Living Dead Girls, which features the work of Jeriah Hildwine. This group of paintings presents a body of work, created over the period of five years, that emanates from a slew of pop cultural influences.

— MartinJon

Theater Wed Apr 25 2012

Strawdog's The Duchess of Malfi: Too Much Stuff, Too Little Space

John Webster crafted the uber-tragedy The Duchess of Malfi in 1612, based on the true life events of Giovanna d'Aragona, widow of noble-borne Alfonso Piccolomini, who secretly married the lesser-borne Antonio Bologna (of the same name in the play). After a brief and secret courtship, Bologna (Stephen Dunn) and the Duchess (Justine C. Turner) seal their earthly bond, ignoring political and sexual jockeying from brothers Ferdinand (John Taflan) and The Cardinal (Christopher Walsh), who vow to destroy anyone, including The Duchess, that gets in the way of the fate they have planned for their sister's hand and wealth.

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— Alice Singleton

Art Wed Apr 25 2012

EXPO CHICAGO Announces 2012 Exhibitors

The inaugural EXPO CHICAGO, The International Exposition of Contemporary/Modern Art and Design, announced yesterday the following list of galleries that will exhibit September 20-23 at Navy Pier. This promising list, along with the ambitious idea of creating an all-encompassing sensory event, rather than just a bunch of art randomly stuffed into endless corridors of cubicles, leaves me confident that EXPO CHICAGO will do more than just fill the gap that Art Chicago/NEXT have left.

"We set out to re-establish Chicago as a preeminent art fair destination with solid collector, dealer, institutional, civic and city support," said Karman. "What has resonated with our exhibitors is our steadfast commitment to quality, our limit on the size of the exposition, our return to historic Navy Pier and the opportunity to open the fall arts season with a great international fair in America," he added. "With this extraordinary list of galleries, along with the contemporary and 20th century work that will be presented, I am confident that we will host an international exposition that truly befits the rich legacy of our city and exceed the expectations of the international arts community."

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— Kelly Reaves

Theater Wed Apr 25 2012

Street Tempo Theatre's Little Shop of Horrors: Still Kicking and Screaming

Oh, what price paid for fame and for-choon! Long before the rumors of the mythical and mysterious "Illuminati" of modern times, where celebrities are rumored to pay homage (see: Blue Ivy Carter, Nikki Minaj's Grammy Award performance) and human sacrifice (see: Michael Jackson, Amy Winehouse, Whitney Houston; On Deck: Lindsay Lohan), the thirst for exclusive club membership must be satiated by any means necessary. Writer Charles B. Griffith gave the musical theater world a taste of things to come with the 1960 movie The Little Shop of Horrors, directed by Roger Corman with an unknown Jack Nicholson portraying the sadistic cruel-to-cruel dentist. Made for less than $30,000, Corman's LSH raked in the money and went on to being performed on Broadway and worldwide stages, as well as a movie remake in '86.

Continue reading this entry »

— Alice Singleton / Comments (5)

Culture Wed Apr 25 2012

Help Fund Chicago's Newest Brewery

Last Spring, Gapers Block documented the art installation meets community-gathering project from Christopher Tourre titled PUBLIC BREWERY. During that project at the now-defunct Spoke Residency Project Space, Tourre revealed plans to create his own brewery based on some of the techniques he demonstrated and assisted others with during the multi-week project.

This year, Chicagoans were introduced to Arcade Brewery. According to Arcade, their goal is to "create amazingly delicious craft beer with the help of [their] customers." Similar to Tourre's PUBLIC BREWERY where participants could provide their own ingredients to help brew their own beer or soda, customers will be able to create different aspects of beer production from packaging and labels to certain ingredients to be included seasonally.

Continue reading this entry »

— Britt Julious

Review Tue Apr 24 2012

Beautiful Bombsites: Alison Ruttan at ADDS DONNA

Why make ceramic vases when you can construct realistic model cities instead and methodically destroy them? After all, if you've ever turned clay on a wheel, you know it really just wants to slump back into the lump from whence it came. In Natural Disaster, Allison Ruttan embraces ceramic's uncooperative nature, building intricate structures and craftily deconstructing them so that they look just like tiny versions of the bombsites we see on the news. Or, for a Chicagoan, like Cabrini Green looked a couple years ago. Despite the title of the show, Ruttan urges viewers to keep in mind that these are not accidents of nature but man made acts of destruction.

Continue reading this entry »

— Kelly Reaves

Comedy Tue Apr 24 2012

Spotlight: Creative Control

Creative Control is a new series produced and hosted by Joe McAdam, of the popular Late Live Show. The show is produced at saki, a Logan Square record store and art space, and is off to what promises to be a strong start with an impressive first lineup.

Musical guests Mannequin Men join local comics Cameron Esposito, Joe Fernandez and Andrew Smerker, with videos and sketches curated by McAdam. There are no boundaries at Creative Control: artists and performers are given the freedom to express themselves however they choose, as long as it's funny.

The great thing about this show is that it's completely free and BYO. Producing a show of this sort in a record store is a new and welcomed change from the usual dive bar or theater. The show takes place the final Friday of every month, beginning this Friday, April 27 with doors at 7pm. This month, audience members will have the chance to win tickets to see Jon Benjamin and Kumail Nanjiani.

My recommendation: go see this show. More information on Facebook.

— Nellie Huggins

Interview Tue Apr 24 2012

Funding in the Arts: Less Funds = More Work

An interview with Terry A. Scrogum of the Illinois Art Council reveals that, although less funding is available, selection processes remain rigorous. This forces arts organizations to do more for less.

— MartinJon

Overheard Illustrated Mon Apr 23 2012

Overheard Illustrated: "Least"

Friday, April 20, Unicorn Cafe--Evanston

— Mark Addison Smith

Improv Sun Apr 22 2012

Preview: 15th Chicago Improv Festival - North Coast

This week marks the 15th annual Chicago Improv Festival, bringing improv troupes from across the country and around the world to the city that's known far and wide for it's improv tradition. Among the many troupes visiting our fair city this week is North Coast, a troupe from NY that will be making their CIF debut. I spoke to troupe member James Robilotta, and he told me what the troupe is looking forward to this week.

"We're super excited for our first time at Chicago Improv Festival", he said. "We've done a number of other festivals but Chicago is where it all started -- it's the mecca of improv, when improvisers pray we all face towards Chicago. It will be great to do what we love doing in the city where it all started."

Continue reading this entry »

— J.H. Palmer

Art Around Town Fri Apr 20 2012

Art Around Town

Hi ya'll. I just wanted to let you know that I wasn't able to do the Art Around Town column this morning because I've come down with some terrible virus and I can't think or stand or do much of anything right now. Damn Chicago weather. I will post it ASAP. In the meantime, check out The Visualist, and have a better weekend than I will!

— Kelly Reaves

Review Fri Apr 20 2012

The March @ The Steppenwolf Theatre

In November and December of 1864 General William Tecumseh Sherman lead 62,000 Union soldiers through Georgia, from Atlanta to Savannah, on what came to be known as Sherman's March to the Sea. As the soldiers demolished everything in their path, refugees collected and joined the march so it became a swelling unit of black and white southerners and northerners, all with no one place to call home.

The history books will tell of General Sherman's campaign, which severely debilitated the south in the Civil War. However, The March, as adapted by Steppenwolf Ensemble Member Frank Galati from the book by E.L. Doctorow, tells the unrecorded chronicles of the individuals that didn't make history. This isn't a story of war; it's a story of people.

Consistent, but malleable, the characters show a sense of duality that allows them to survive. A high-class confederate woman becomes the assistant to a Union doctor; a mixed-race girl and newly freed slave passes as a white drummer boy; a confederate deserter teams up with a man whose loyalty can be swayed in amount of the time it takes to change his coat.

Continue reading this entry »

— Janna Dons

Culture Fri Apr 20 2012

In the 'ThYck' of Things: The ThYck Troupe of Chicago

For Tressa Thomas, founder and artistic director of the ThYck Troupe Organization, when it comes to the treatment of full-figured women in arts and entertainment, the industry still has a way to go. "Hollywood is still not ready to embrace the potential of the full-figured market," said Thomas. "I'm starting to see the winds of change come, though." Here, the model, singer and actress talks about the organization, its mission to eradicate negative images of plus-sized women, and her connection to a certain Chicago-born filmmaker and director.

How you did you get your start in the entertainment industry?

I've been in the entertainment industry ever since I was about 5-years-old. I started out singing and had my first live band by the time I was seven and was in my first feature film by the time I was eleven.

You had a live band when you were only seven?

Yes, I did. It was a trio, actually. I did live performances at probably every festival and outdoor concert in Chicago for about three or four summers straight. My mom really got me out there and helped me build my chops as a singer because I was singing all over the place. That was kind of how my career started and of course, I started to garner attention because of that, and the rest is history.

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— LaShawn Williams / Comments (1)

History Thu Apr 19 2012

Celluloid, Graft & Puppies: The (Abbreviated) Portage Theater Story

The Portage Theater Building at 4050 N. Milwaukee Ave. is built with bricks and history. You can never perfectly record a building's history in an essay or article. You can participate in it, live in it, or sample it, but the building itself can't be presented in words alone. When it's gone; when it's demolished or stripped of presence and purpose, its story is over.

Presently, both the Portage and its story are threatened. Last September, 45th Ward Alderman John Arena was visited by members of the Chicago Tabernacle Church, who asked for his support in pursuing the purchase and conversion of the historic theater. They wanted to remove the theater's snazzy marquee; alter the auditorium for worship services; evict current tenants living or operating out of the building's storefronts and apartments in order to build classrooms and offices; and end all current film programming. Arena declined, and suggested alternate locations. Likewise a large, audible faction of the local community — including the Six Corners Association, the Portage Park Neighborhood Association, and the Old Irving Park Association — said no, thank you, citing the theater's importance to the area as an economic anchor and a cultural landmark. Both alderman and associations welcomed the church to the community...only elsewhere. As yet, and despite mounting opposition, the church seems intent on buying and changing the property.

On April 6, the Commission on Chicago Landmarks gave the theater preliminary landmark status, but the fight isn't over. On Friday, April 20, at 9am, the matter will finally be brought before Zoning Board of Appeals at City Hall. While there's still time, perhaps it's best to revisit the theater's background, and discover what we stand to lose should the church remake the Portage into its own image and likeness.

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— Mr. Dan Kelly

Theater Tue Apr 17 2012

Silk Road Rising's Re-Spiced: A Silk Road Cabaret Stirs up Eastern Stereotypes

As I watched Re-Spiced: A Silk Road Cabaret in all its subtle magnificence unfurl, my mind clicked with alternate subversive titles, like Where Do These Westerners Come up With These Crazy-A** Ideas About My People, Anyway?, and It's a White Supremacist Manifest Destiny World, After All! I quickly regained my critical focus, shaking off those alternative titles, deeming both too long to fit a marquee.

Where do the most insidious and more detrimental stereotypes get their staying power? Borders are redrawn, people mix and migrate, but ethnic and cultural stereotypes die hard, for they serve the purpose to define and divide us, and there is eternal afterlife for any given stereotype that is put to song and dance. For a few weeks, the Silk Road players run through a millennium of pop production, delivered in cheery and worthwhile song and dance cabaret in faux nightclub setting that makes an audience member bop and weave to the beat of great performances that makes one almost forget that they've spent the living years grooving to the beat of global-scale racial oppression with the Monroe Doctrine as our sheet music.

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— Alice Singleton

Fashion Tue Apr 17 2012

Hot Dada Runway

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago's annual fashion show -- probably the tastiest treat for your eyes in Chicago all year -- is taking place this Thursday in Millennium Park. This year's show, featuring more than 300 garments from SAIC's Fashion Design BFA candidates showcased by more than 70 hot and sexy professional models, will be the largest ever in the show's 78-year history. It will conclude with the elaborate and diverse creations of more than 40 seniors, the largest graduating class in SAIC Fashion Design history.

I was able to go last year (and I'll be posting all about this year's show here next week) and I had to pick my jaw up off the floor at the end of the show. While some of the designs are just okay, and most of them are not "ready to wear," the vision and spark that these shows feature is astounding. This is SAIC, people. Nobody's cutting corners or playing it safe. Who says Chicago doesn't know fashion? It's right in front of us, slapping us in the face at this show. I highly recommend you pick up a ticket immediately.

Tickets aren't cheap, though. The 9am dress rehearsal will run you $40. The noon and 3pm shows are $75, and admissions to the super hot-shit evening gala, "THE WALK" (which includes cocktails and dinner) costs a steep $500. BUT, it is a benefit, with proceeds supporting scholarship funds for future visionaries. For tickets and more information, visit SAIC's site. For Mia DiMeo's coverage of last year's show, click here.

— Kelly Reaves

Theater Mon Apr 16 2012

Starball: A Dreamy Musical Astronomy Show

It's all about meteors and music and asteroids and acting in Starball: A Dreamy Musical Astronomy Show, the critically acclaimed theatrical production whose mission is to heighten audiences' understanding--and interest--in the sky above. Presented by the Adler Planetarium and Ethereal Mutt Limited, the show, which is making its return to Chicago, is put on by performance artists and writers who are not only experienced in the theater but who also have backgrounds in science.

Continue reading this entry »

— LaShawn Williams

Television Mon Apr 16 2012

Da Brat: Stylin' and Profilin'

Chicago native Da Brat has always been known for her tomboyish appearance, sporting everything over the years from oversized t-shirts to baggy jeans to baseball caps to bandanas; with the exception of a few music videos, magazine spreads and awards show appearances during her heyday, the rapper has always been more than reluctant to show--or embrace--her girly side.

Working to craft a new look in an effort to restore her self-esteem and help get her career back on track in the fiercely competitive hip-hop industry, celebrity fashion stylist June Ambrose gives the rapper a complete style makeover in her VH1 reality series, "Styled by June." In the half-hour episode, which airs tonight at 8:30pm, it becomes obvious early on that Da Brat is one of Ambrose's more challenging clients. Click below for a sneak peek:

— LaShawn Williams / Comments (1)

Overheard Illustrated Mon Apr 16 2012

Overheard Illustrated: "Other One"

Friday, April 13, my kitchen--Uptown

— Mark Addison Smith

Column Fri Apr 13 2012

The Cabin in the Woods, The Three Stooges, Lockout, Bully & Nailbiter

The Cabin in the Woods

The day has arrived. The Cabin in the Woods, the film many of you have been waiting years to see, has finally made it to theaters. If you've chosen to, you've read virtually unanimous positive reviews, but hopefully you played this one smart and went with the advice of many of us who saw this a while back to stay away from any reviews or descriptions of the film, whether they have spoilers or not. There is something to be said for the days when the most you could ever know about a film before sitting in the theater to watch it might have been one trailer and one or two TV commercials. And few people have benefitted from the less-is-more approach to movie promoting like director and co-writer of Cabin Drew Goddard, who last writing gig, Cloverfield, seemingly came out of nowhere.

But The Cabin in the Woods is a different monster entirely. No, it isn't a game changer that is going to set the horror movie-making community on its head and make it rethink the way it operates from here on out. But the film clearly comes from a place of frustration with, as well as love of, the genre. It lets those who make horror films know that we see into their bag of tricks, their basements filled with artifacts that may trigger any manner of scary creatures, their paint-by-numbers approach to knocking off young victims, their loud music crashes that make us jump at nothing.

Continue reading this entry »

— Steve Prokopy / Comments (2)

Art Around Town Fri Apr 13 2012

Art Around Town

Tonight:

Saturday:

Sunday:

— Kelly Reaves

Dance Thu Apr 12 2012

The "Inaside Chicago Dance Project"

For Inaside Chicago Dance (ICD) Artistic Director Richard Smith, the art of jazz dancing is real, honest and most of all, human. "Jazz always deals with human issues, human relationships, and life that we all are a part of," said Smith.

This month, ICD presents the "Inaside Chicago Dance Project," a concert that will debut three new works by both established and up-and-coming choreographers. One of the new works in this annual spring showcase is Smith's Lady Justice-inspired The Sides of Every Story, set to Ólafur Arnalds' "Til Enda." Rounding out the trio is a personal work by ICD's own Courtney Kozlowski, and Sinead Gildea's capsule, a story centered on the impact and effect of time in people's lives.

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— LaShawn Williams

Film Thu Apr 12 2012

CIMMfest Opens Tonight

CIMMfest (the Chicago International Movies and Music Festival) opens tonight at 7pm at the Wicker Park Arts Center, 2215 W. North Ave., with Queens of Country, a short film created by Ryan Page and Christopher Pomerenke, and starring Lizzy Caplan (Mean Girls, Cloverfield). I will be attending as many of the weekends events as possible, and reporting back.

The four-day festival features films, music and live events showcasing the best creative talent from all over the world. The festival brings music and film together, using music as the tie-in that connects them all.

Tonight's schedule includes music from popular local circus-punk band Mucca Pazza, film and music at the Wicker Park Arts Center and an afterparty at Rodan.

View the full schedule for more information on individual shows.

— Nellie Huggins

Art Thu Apr 12 2012

The Civil War in Art

The American culture is highly visual, and always has been, with the creation of great works of art punctuating some of our darkest days. A joint effort between seven premier cultural organizations in Chicago has resulted in a new website that will connect students to a piece of American history through art, fostering critical thinking and a deeper understanding of our national roots.

The online resource, The Civil War in Art: Teaching & Learning through Chicago Collections, has culled nearly 130 works of art and uses them as a basis for discussing the Civil War in the classroom. Funded and developed by the Terra Foundation for American Art, the tool was created in conjunction with teachers, historians, and museum and library professionals.

The artwork features photos, paintings, prints and sculptures. They invite students to experience the war through the lens of a camera, feel the celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation through the strokes of a paintbrush, and recognize the sacrifices of families and soldiers as reflected in memorials made of stone and clay.

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— Janna Dons

Bucket List Thu Apr 12 2012

My Chicago Bucket List: Learning Resilience from Preteens

Previous Entry: Embrace "Yes And"
Next Entry: Riding a Bike in the City

Number 11: Volunteer, preferably with cute kids

I never understand people who say they don't like kids. What is not to like about energetic, idealist little balls of human potential? How can you not love each little putty ball of kid, each so unique because they haven't yet been smashed into the square beige cubes of society expectations? Kids rock!

Kid awesomeness is something I've been missing my past three years in Chicago. I am entombed 9-5 into my 3.5-wall office and my nights are filled with very adult-like activities such as pop culture trivia and kickball leagues. In high school and college I tutored ESL kids, taught at-risk first graders after school and was an official "parkee" during the summers. Kids could be exhausting but the kind of exhaustion that is worth it.

I was pumped when Chicago Social Guru Saya Hillman said our Fear Experiment group would have the opportunity to volunteer with the middle schoolers at Marconi School in West Garfield Park. I've never been to Garfield Park and I've never worked with middles schoolers. To be honest, both terrified me.

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— Niki Fritz

Dance Wed Apr 11 2012

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: The Annual "Homecoming"

In his inaugural season as Artistic Director, Robert Battle and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater return to Chicago for the annual engagement at the Auditorium Theatre.

"This is the beginning of a new adventure - for the company, for me and for our audiences," Battle said recently.

Like past years, this year's engagement includes a grouping of new, eclectic, and contemporary pieces as well as the show-stopping, American classic, "Revelations." Hip-hop choreographer Rennie Harris uses a score of gospel house music for "Home," a work inspired by people living with or affected by aids. Like many of the dance theater's past works, "Home," ties together social issues and histories facing communities of color with stylistic choreography that is refreshing and new.

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— Britt Julious

Art Wed Apr 11 2012

Hypnosis as a Vehicle for Art/Moon Pondering at New Capital

As you might imagine, there are difficulties that come along with hypnotizing groups of people at a time, and Jacob C. Hammes certainly faced these difficulties on Friday night as the small room he performed in at New Capital coursed with 50+ fidgety onlookers, awkwardly trying to cram themselves closer together so that they could take part in the action, or at least get a glimpse. About an hour into it, the room had emptied to about a dozen people - about five who seemed to be hypnotized and the rest along for the ride. The hypnotized slouched in their chairs, eyes closed, mumbling about balls of gas and floating inside of diamonds when engaged by Hammes.

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— Kelly Reaves / Comments (2)

Art Wed Apr 11 2012

The red, black and GREEN Movement

It is not that Marc Bamuthi Joseph sees the world differently, but that he sees the world - and some of the world's problems and challenges - more clearly than others. Much of his past work and his current performance project investigates and dissect issues of the environment for the underserved and communities of color. The rise of the green movement - despite the movement's power and importance - has also created a limited, often one-sided interpretation of and reaction to environmental issues.

"It became clear," Bamuthi began, "that there was a homogeneous population with a certain kind of literacy and a certain kind of vocabulary that bordered on jargon in terms of environmental consciousness and environmental actions."

Bamuthi's latest project at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago (MCA), red, black and GREEN: a blues, a multimedia performance work combining text, dance, and visuals and in collaboration with Chicago-artist Theaster Gates, addresses the discrepancies of the goals and actions of the environmental and green movements with the various communities often ignored.

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— Britt Julious

Theater Tue Apr 10 2012

Step Up Productions' The Sweetest Swing In Baseball

In The Sweetest Swing in Baseball, the latest work by Chicago-based playwright Rebecca Gilman and directed by Audrey Francis, life can be full of strikes and curveballs; read on as Elizabeth Antonucci, artistic director for Step Up Productions, talks about the play, its message and how she hopes to hit a home run as a rookie in the Chicago theater scene.

You've stated that you are "committed to bringing truthful, powerful, and relevant theater to Chicago"--relevant in what way(s)?

"Relevant" in meaning that there's so much going on in the world and in everybody's lives--everybody feels hurt, mistrust and all these different emotions. I feel like there are so many great theatrical scripts out there that speak to this time in our lives and who we are in society and bringing those to light is what we're really interested in doing. I think that's what's important to us as a theater company--evoking that emotion out of people and really having them come along on the ride with us. That's something I've always wanted to do so I figured through this company is the best way to do it.

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— LaShawn Williams

Overheard Illustrated Mon Apr 09 2012

Overheard Illustrated: "Skirts"

Saturday, April 7, Chicago Dramatists--River West

— Mark Addison Smith

Interview Mon Apr 09 2012

Interview: Judah Friedlander

Judah Friedlander, arguably most popular for his role as Frank on 30 Rock is visiting Chicago this week for his one-night only show at Mayne Stage, 1328 W. Morse Ave.

People know you as Frank, but a lot of people don't know that you have this stand-up career that is sort of your home base.

So far you are correct on everything.

How often do you perform standup?

Just about every night. Usually when I'm in New York a couple shows a night.

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— Nellie Huggins

Review Mon Apr 09 2012

Why the Long Facebook Sketch Comedy @ Stage 773

There's a new sketch group on the Chicago scene. Created by veteran Chicago writers, actors, producers and a few new faces, Dark Humor Productions is presenting its first sketch comedy show,Why the Long Facebook? at Stage 773.

The show is anchored on the platform of self-involved virtual interaction. The crew pokes fun at the absurdist online realm in which people share their every waking moment with the world, from the emotional to the mundane. Though punctuated with pithy one-liners about status updates, the show branches out beyond satirical Facebook posts to create a well-rounded production with some clever scenes that not only ridicule the ridiculous, but also reflect the humor in humanity.

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— Janna Dons

Benefit Mon Apr 09 2012

Rhythm Method Fundraiser for Chicago Women's Health Center

The rhythm method as a form of contraceptive may be woefully ineffective, but the improv group of the same name is actually doing quite a bit for reproductive health this month. Rhythm Method, Chicago's premier rock 'n roll improv ensemble, is delighted to announce Chicago Women's Health Center as the charity partner for their April run of shows at the
Playground Theater. Rhythm Method performs with Bella and one additional improv ensemble as part of the Sandbox Improv Showcase on Mondays in April at 8 p.m. Tickets are $5 and available at the box office located inside the theater at 3209 N. Halsted St. in Chicago.

Reservations for Rhythm Method or any Playground show can be made at (773) 871-3793 or www.the-playground.com. All shows are BYOB for audience members age 21 and up.

— Dyan Flores

Art Around Town Fri Apr 06 2012

Art Around Town

Tonight:

Saturday:

Sunday:

Monday:

Wednesday:

Thursday:

— Kelly Reaves

Comedy Fri Apr 06 2012

Brunch Punkx at The Annoyance

If you want to hear a cast of gifted singers belt some classic showtunes, you should've gotten a ticket for "Showboat" at the Lyric Opera. If you want to experience a really fun, dysfunctional night of musical comedy, check out "Brunch Punkx" at The Annoyance. There may be the occasional off-key note, but the show is so bizarrely comical and the performers so talented that you don't even mind.

"Brunch Punkx" follows a rag-tag group of aspiring brunch chefs as they struggle to find their calling after their culinary school's brunch program shuts down. The group eventually establishes itself as the newest "it" craze in foodie circles, and word of their culinary prowess reaches a former child star who's locked up for a homicidal rampage, and wants the Brunch Punkx to cater her last meal. The plot is a little convoluted, but the hijinks of the group are so enjoyable to watch that you don't even mind how they got there because they're so fun to watch unfold. The songs are catchy and the lyrics sharp, and musical theatre aficionados will enjoy playing "Guess the Pastiche" with the musical numbers that lovingly pay tribute to other musicals.

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— Dyan Flores

Column Fri Apr 06 2012

American Reunion, Jiro Dreams of Sushi, Four Lovers & A Trip to the Moon/The Extraordinary Voyage

American Reunion

This fourth (and hopefully final) installment of the American Pie series feels different than the previous, not especially inspired sequels, and that may have something to do with it having been written and directed by Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Scholossberg (the writers of all of the Harold & Kumar movies), who have had nothing to do with this franchise until this film. American Reunion feels like it was made by fans of the series and its characters, and like most fan-driven writing, the movie relies a lot on knowledge of the previous films (especially the first one) and adds very little in terms of funny or inventive new material.

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— Steve Prokopy

Event Wed Apr 04 2012

The Homocult Show Shakes Up Bridgeport this Weekend

This is not for the faint of heart, but few good things are: The Homocult Show (featuring a screening of Homocult & other Esoterica) takes place this weekend at S&S Project(NSFW) in Bridgeport, and a visit is highly recommended, especially if you're looking to step a little outside of the box.

Homocult & other Esoterica is a group of short experimental queer films focused on magick & the occult, curated by Daniel McKernan.

Many of the films capture the spirit of arch-gay cinematic spell-casters Kenneth Anger and Derek Jarman, especially those made by the program's more (in)famous participants, such as Throbbing Gristle alumni Genesis Breyer P-Orridge and Peter Christopherson. The younger contributors, such as Black Sun Productions, are clearly influenced by P-Orridge and Christopherson's bold career choices; their homages make the films crackle with cross-generational currents of erotic, creative energy. -- Flavorpill

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— Kelly Reaves

Art Wed Apr 04 2012

$10 Million Gift for the MCA

The Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago (MCA) today announced a gift of $10 million from Stefan Edlis and Gael Neeson. Long-time supporters of both the arts and the MCA, Edlis also serves as an officer of the MCA Board and an MCA Trustee. Edlis led the museum's Collection Committee from 2004 to 2008. Neeson serves on the Exhibition Committee.

In 2000, Edlis and Neeson gave a major gift to establish the Edlis/Neeson Art Acquisition Fund that has enabled the MCA to acquire significant works for the collection, including Maurizio Cattelan's Felix (2001), Thomas Schutte's Ganz Grosse Geister (Big SpiritsXL) (2004), Jenny Holzer's For Chicago (2007), and Olafur Eliasson's Your eye activity field (2009).

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— Britt Julious

Feature Tue Apr 03 2012

Saying Nothing -- Changing Everything

Every day, people face the constant struggle for approval - from superiors, peers, even strangers - and fear of reprimand. It's basic psychology; we seek reward and avoid punishment. This process, though, can be detrimental to an individual's creative outlet.

The concept of the Open Studio Project is an oasis in a dry desert of criticism. The only rule in the small Evanston art studio is that there is to be no comment. The classes held here aren't about learning technique or drawing a perfect circle. They are truly about self-expression -- which is a lesson that can be learned time and time again. Neither the facilitators nor class members are allowed to make a comment on someone else's work -- positive or negative, and the result is a liberating environment full of opportunity.

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— Janna Dons

Literary Tue Apr 03 2012

Paperback Adventures in Dark Dream Play

Those who enjoy directing their own artistic experiences should check out I Take Back the Sponge Cake, a "lyrical choose-your-own-adventure" book, illustrated by SAIC alumna, Loren Erdrich. Erdrich's simple yet gritty drawing style compliments Sierra Nelson's poetry nicely, giving us disorienting sensory experiences to dip our toes into and leaving us to sink or swim from there.

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— Kelly Reaves

Overheard Illustrated Mon Apr 02 2012

Overheard Illustrated: "Library"

Saturday, March 31, North Webster, Indiana

— Mark Addison Smith