Calendar for January 14, 2015

BULLETIN

Redistricting, Voting Rights, and Community Power
The districts for Illinois’s legislature stretch and contort themselves: the long arm of State Senate District 17, for instance, reaches from farmland in Kankakee County to the South Side of Chicago. The divisions are set in a closed process and frankly a political one, given that the political party in power can craft districts to their advantage. This debate, hosted at the Chicago Urban League, will weigh the disadvantages of smoky-room redistricting with the increased representation it has sometimes given to African Americans. Maze Jackson, executive director of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, and several other Illinois political figures will take sides in the debate. Chicago Urban League, 4510 S. Michigan Ave. Thursday, January 15, 6pm-8pm. (773)285-5800. thechicagourbanleague.org (Adam Thorp)

Reclaim MLK Day
In the years since MLK’s 1964 assassination, images of him as a radical civil rights activist have been watered down with a simpler portrait of the man as a pacifist pastor. In honor of MLK Day, over 1,000 Chicagoans led by young people of color will march to restore his radical legacy. The action, set to address mass incarceration and police brutality, will begin at 1001 W. Roosevelt Road and end, fittingly, at the Cook County Temporary Juvenile Detention Center. Event planners suggest that community members organize their own daytime actions before rallying for Thursday evening’s march. March begins at 1001 W. Roosevelt Rd. Thursday, January 15, 6pm. (Lauren Gurley)

MLK Celebration and Public Meeting
SOUL and Reclaim Chicago, two of the South Side’s most active social justice groups, are throwing their annual MLK Day celebration on January 17. Perhaps best described as a cross between a political rally, a public assembly, and a gospel concert, this event is a joyful and productive day of action. Admittance is free and attendees should expect music, speakers, an introduction to a slate of progressive Chicago City Council candidates, and an afternoon of canvassing and phone-banking. Participants should RSVP online and make their way to the Grand Ballroom (on the corner of 63rd and Cottage Grove) at 9:30am, ready to ring in a new year of action and resistance with fellow activists and community organizers from across the city. The Grand Ballroom, 6351 S. Cottage Grove Ave. January 17, 9:30am. Free. mlkchicago.com (Colette Robicheaux)

MLK 4 Mile March
4 Mile Marches, promoted by the Coalition Against Police Violence, are planned for MLK weekend in over twenty cities across the country. The march in Chicago, which is being organized by Total Blackout for Reform, will start from the City Gallery in the Historic Water Tower Place and will include several four-minute die-ins to remember the four hours Ferguson teenager Mike Brown was left lying in the street after being fatally shot by a police officer this August. 4 Mile Marches are primarily meant to achieve two goals: to call attention to police brutality and racial profiling, and to remember the victims of police violence. The organizers ask participants to bring a pocket-sized picture of one of the 1,038 people killed since the start of last year or an index card with the victim’s name written on it. City Gallery of the Historic Water Tower Place, 806 N. Michigan Ave. January 19, noon. 4milemarch.org (Zoe Makoul)

Watching the Watchers
In order to aid protests and action that address police violence and create a base of motivated citizens, the organizations We Charge Genocide and Project NIA have organized a day of workshops and discussions titled “Watching the Watchers: Strategies to End Police Violence.” Topics include reparations for victims, sustainable jail support, local rotating bail, the role of art in protests, youth involvement, and the impact of police violence on women and trans people. This program is part of a grassroots campaign advocating the end of oppressive policing, and is intended to be both an informational event and a call to action. Roosevelt University, 430 S. Michigan Ave. January 24, 9am-6pm. wechargegenocide.org (Akanksha Shah)

11th Ward Aldermanic Town Hall Forum
Here in Chicago, the new year could bring major changes: a new mayor, new speed limits, and even the resurrection of the Daley dynasty. A historic stronghold of the Daley political machine, the 11th Ward is set for a tight aldermanic race between community activist Maureen Sullivan, law student John Kozlar, and Patrick Daley Thompson, grandson of former Mayor Richard J. Daley. On January 25 the ward will host a town hall forum where candidates will assemble for a Q&A, and perhaps duke things out among themselves. The forum will allot equal speaking times for each candidate. Spanish and Chinese translations will be available. First Lutheran Church of the Trinity, 643 W. 31st St. January 25, 3pm. (Lauren Gurley)

STAGE & SCREEN

The Black West
This lecture, hosted by the DuSable Museum and given by critically acclaimed author Art T. Burton, will delve into the rich and storied history of African-Americans in the Old West—a history long ignored in popular culture and academia alike. Burton has written three books on the subject, which tell the stories of great generals, scouts, soldiers, and other adventurous black men each of whom made his own way through the wild American West. On January 15, you can hear these stories from Burton himself as he opens up the world of African-American pioneers living, fighting, and exploring during one of the most romanticized periods in American history. The DuSable Museum, 740 E. 56th Pl. Thursday, January 15. 6:30pm-8pm. Free. (773)947-0600. dusablemuseum.org (Colette Robicheaux)

Waiting for Godot
This season, Court Theatre will take on absurdist play Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot. The story follows two moody vagrant men, who are (you guessed it) waiting for a mysterious Godot. The tragicomedy has been interpreted in countless ways since its 1953 premiere. Court’s interpretation comes from accomplished director Ron OJ Parson, and the cast includes regulars A.C. Smith, Allen Gilmore, and Alfred Wilson. After Parson’s work on Seven Guitars in 2013, audiences waiting to see his returning direction at Court, whether or not Godot shows up in the end. Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave. January 15 through February 15. $35–$65. Discounts available for seniors and students. (773)753-4472. courttheatre.org (Sammie Spector)

Bad Grammar Theater
Despite the drama the name may suggest, Bad Grammar Theater is an evening of various Chicagoland authors reading their work. Every third Friday of the month, both recognized and up-and-coming authors gather to read new and published pieces. With host Brendan Detzner steering the show among genres including horror, fantasy, sci-fi, pulp fiction, and simply “the unexpected,” Bad Grammar Theater uses its diverse selection to put the focus on local authors and give fresh voices a chance to be heard. With stories starting every half hour, people are free to come and go as they please. Powell’s Bookstore University Village, 1218 S. Halsted St. Friday, January 16. 6pm-9pm. (312)243-9070. badgrammartheater.com (Akanksha Shah)

BAC Student Film Festival
As a student, having your work displayed in front of a large audience can be the difference between an artistic career and a day job. Twenty-six student filmmakers will have this chance at the Beverly Art Center’s Student Film Festival. As a festivalgoer, you will have the chance to become a film student for the weekend at the festival’s workshops and panel discussions on screenwriting, stop animation, directing, and genre filmmaking, as well as “other aspects of the creative process.” Spanning three days, from January 16 to January 18, the workshops and panel discussions will occupy the afternoons and the student films themselves will be screened in the evenings. Audience members will also have the chance to fill the role of film critic through Audience Choice awards that will provide funding for the winners’ future film endeavors. And in the true spirit of a student-centered event, students can attend the festival free of cost with ID. Beverly Art Center, 2407 W. 111th St. January 16 -18. Friday, 7pm; Saturday and Sunday, all day. $6 daily passes, $15 weekend passes. BAC member discount and students free with ID. (773)445-3838. beverlyartcenter.org (Maha Ahmed)

The Peasant and the Priest
Beyond the idealist’s vision of Tuscany—lush family-owned vineyards and olive groves, magnificent hilltop villas—there lie unsettling and oft-overlooked manifestations of globalization and corruption. Esther Podemski, acclaimed visual artist and filmmaker, provides the realist’s vision in her film The Peasant and the Priest. She profiles two Tuscan men who, paths never crossing, stand firmly with tradition in the face of changes that threaten to transform their home region and country, perhaps irreparably. The “peasant,” the last of his area’s sharecroppers, refuses to give up his practice of traditional farming in favor of the profit and efficiency promised by corporate agriculture; the priest is devoted to the fight against the rampant problem of human trafficking within Tuscany. The Film Studies Center brings this insightful film, its director, and UofC Professor Emerita Rebecca West together at the Logan Center for a screening with discussion to follow. Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St.. Saturday, January 17, 7pm. Free. (773)702-2787. arts.uchicago.edu (Emeline Posner)

Story Club South Side
At this point in time, you may as well be living under a rock if you’ve never heard of a poetry slam. But you’re wrong if you think the emotion and enunciation found at these events is reserved just for verse. Story Club Chicago, which considers itself part of the “live lit community” and holds monthly events on the South Side, makes a show out of nonfiction storytelling. The nights feature paid storytelling performers as well as an open-mic component—the four featured performers for the January show are all South Siders, and there will be two open mic spots. If you’re game to spin your own yarn, head down to Co-Prosperity, where Story Club will provide you with a mic, a music stand, a stool, and a timer that will stop you after eight minutes. The rest is up to you.Co-Prosperity Sphere, 3219 S. Morgan St. Tuesday, January 20 (every third Tuesday of the month). 7:30pm doors and open mic sign up, show at 8pm. $10 suggested donation. BYOB. (773)696-9731. storyclubchicago.com (Mari Cohen)

Chicago Filmmakers’ Dyke Delicious Series Presents: Sex(Ed)
Writer and director Brenda Goodman does not shy away from taboo subject matter in her film Sex(Ed): The Movie. Using clips from outdated informational films explaining the facts of life, she unabashedly addresses a topic that has kept parents squirming and kids in classrooms giggling: “the birds and the bees.” Goodman’s documentary covers the groan-worthy misinformation and heteronormative assumptions that have historically been a part of much sex ed, so that we can better get at the truth and witness the evolution in our societal attitudes toward sexuality. While entertaining and humorous, this film is honest and, at its root, educational. Who knows, you might even learn a thing or two about, you know, sex. Max Palevsky Cinema, Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 E. 59th St. Saturday, January 17, 4pm. $5. (773)702-8574. docfilms.uchicago.edu (Julia Tomasson)

DuSable Museum’s King Day 2015
Over fifty years after Martin Luther King’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech, the fight for justice continues. The DuSable Museum’s King Day programming, called “Reflecting On The Dream,” provides an opportunity to explore both the struggles of the past and the conflicts of today. Interactive programs include the King Day Read On, where community leaders will read moving civil rights passages, as well as a musical about Dr. King and his legacy, and family-oriented art, film, and literature events. In the afternoon, the Rev. Al Sampson will speak about lessons learned from his relationship with Dr. King, followed by a discussion with students from Chicago colleges and universities about #BlackLivesMatter, race, and non-violence. Come to the Museum’s King Day celebrations to both honor the work of Dr. King and explore the implications of his legacy. DuSable Museum, 740 E. 56th Pl. Monday, January 19, 10am-5pm. $10 admission. (773)947-0600. dusablemuseum.org (Akanksha Shah)

Love Is Strange
A beautifully written, directed, and acted film, Ian Sachs’s 2014 dramatic comedy Love is Strange explores the relationship of a post-middle aged couple, Ben (John Lithgow) and George (Alfred Molina), as they overcome the years-long hurdle of obtaining a marriage license. As they enter their newlywed status, they are forced to cope with the struggles of separation caused by economic hardship. Taking a unique intergenerational perspective, Ira Sachs and Mauricio Zacharias’s script takes on a new life onscreen at the Beverly Arts Center. Beverly Arts Center, 2401 W. 111th St. Saturday, January 21, 7:30 pm. $7.50, $5.50 for members. R-rated. (773)445-3838. beverlyartcenter.org (Itzel Blancas)

Critical Historical Studies Launch Party
Step into any college library and one might encounter hundreds of theories of yore, kept on life support by the many students breathing renewed life (often unwillingly) into the antiquated ideas of dead writers. These, however, are sometimes seen as stale. For detractors of those traditions, critical theory is an alternative: a grounded—albeit broad—way of keeping one’s ear to the floor and looking ahead, configured through the lens of the social sciences and humanities. Come to Seminary Co-op Bookstore as it joins the Chicago Center for Contemporary Theory (3CT) for the release party of its first two issues of Critical Historical Studies, a new journal seeking to contextualize recent changes in global capitalist society. A member of the University of Chicago Press will speak on the significance of print media in the age of digital information, and editors William Sewell and Moishe Postone will brief you on what’s so cool about critical theory while you inconspicuously try to stuff your face with refreshments and light hors d’oeuvres. Seminary Co-op, 5751 S. Woodlawn Ave. Wednesday, January 21, 6pm. Free. (773)752-4381. semcoop.com (James Kogan)

Global Voices Author Night with Eric Posner & Geoffrey Stone
Human rights law is in a golden age of hypocrisy. Saudi Arabia, which brutally suppresses free speech, and Sudan, notorious for war crimes and ethnic cleansing, have sat on the UN Council on Human Rights. At the same time, the nations that most vocally champion human rights laws flagrantly violate them. Slavery survives in democracies including India and much of Eastern Europe, and even the United States is not above torture. On January 27, legal scholars Eric Posner and Geoffrey Stone will examine this state of affairs, discussing Stone’s recently published book, The Twilight of International Human Rights Law. Stone addresses a wide range of relevant topics including the flawed role of international treaties, potential solutions to the current system, and related current events and controversies. Presented by the Seminary Co-op Bookstore in partnership with International House, the dialogue promises a healthy dose of righteous anger tempered with thoughtful analysis. Assembly Hall, International House, 1414 E. 59th St. Tuesday, January 27. 6pm-7:30pm. Free. (773)753-2270. ihouse.uchicago.edu (Kevin Gislason)

Missing Pages Lecture Series
Over the course of our lives, we have often been under the impression that we were presented with the whole story—after all, our high-school history textbooks must have covered everything we needed to know, right? The DuSable Museum doesn’t think so. Aiming to reveal the people, places, and events that haven’t gotten proper credit for shaping history, the lecture series Missing Pages, starting November 20 and running through March, is designed to address larger themes of politics, culture, race relations, and personal identity. The largely unknown figures and topics will be presented and discussed by nationally known speakers, and while their subjects never received much recognition in common memory or the media, now they take center stage. All this series asks of its audience members is that they remain open to what they might not have known and be willing to pick up a pencil and fill in history’s forgotten pages. DuSable Museum, 740 E. 56th Pl. Various Thursdays, through March, 6:30pm. $5. dusablemuseum.org (Emiliano Burr di Mauro)

VISUAL ARTS

People at Work
Who ever thought that everyday jobs could be interesting? Nobody, really, except Michael Gaylord James, who has captured the workday tasks of people around the world in photographs taken over the course of fifty years. Beginning in Chicago, James carried his camera everywhere from Cuba to Ireland to the late USSR, snapping pictures of the glamorous and the not-so-glamorous on the daily grind. Though this might seem like a mundane topic, beware of underestimating the intrigue of this show, for these aren’t your typical nine-to-fives. In photos selected from a larger collection, you will see President Kennedy in a motorcade, the unseen kitchen hands of Chicago, Muddy Waters and James Cotton playing music, dancers, mechanics, and many others on the job, all frozen in an almost eerie moment of monotonous movement. Take a break from your own job and visit “People at Work” to witness first-hand how beautiful everyday life can be. Uri-Eichen Gallery, 2101 S. Halsted St. January 9 through February 6. Opening and closing receptions 6-9pm. Additional hours by appointment. (312)852-7717. uri-eichen.com (Dagny Vaughn)

Mathias Poledna
The Renaissance Society is currently celebrating its hundredth anniversary. Their most recent showcase, the finale to this first century, not only celebrates the past decades of audiences and artists galore, but also considers, and dismantles, the very structure of the Renaissance Society’s gallery. Literally. Los Angeles-based Viennese artist Mathias Poledna has removed the gallery’s steel truss-gridded ceiling, an emblem (and tool) of the space since 1967. He is the first artist to physically alter the gallery, asking viewers to consider both iconoclasm and the nature of material property. This altering of the gallery will be supported by a 35mm film installation. The Renaissance Society’s invitation to Poledna to demolish the iconic grates, as well as the co-production of his film, stems from their readiness to enter their second century as a leading modern art gallery. Poledna’s work—highly concentrated film stills and their contextual contemplations—creates a dialogue between the historical legacy of the Renaissance Society and the avant-garde artworks within it. The Renaissance Society, 5811 S. Ellis Ave., Cobb Hall 418. Through February 8. Tuesday-Friday, 10am-5pm; Saturday-Sunday, 12pm-5pm. Free. (773)702-8670. renaissancesociety.org (Sammie Spector)

Ground Floor
Marking the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Hyde Park Art Center, “Ground Floor” features artworks from prominent Chicago MFA programs, creating a biennial showcase of emerging talents so new they haven’t even begun their careers yet. The twenty artists, selected from over one hundred nominations, represent a wide range of mediums, forms, and universities: Columbia College, Northwestern, SAIC, UofC, and UIC. These artists have also had the chance to exhibit at September’s EXPO Chicago in HPAC’s booth. This unique program, showcased throughout the entirety of HPAC’s ground floor gallery space, offers the chosen artists a helpful push toward a career in the art world; “Ground Floor” alumni include two artists who have recently displayed artwork at the Whitney Biennial. Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S. Cornell Ave. Through March 22. Monday-Thursday, 9am-8pm; Friday-Saturday, 9am-5pm; Sunday, 12pm-5pm. Free. (773)324-5520. hydeparkart.org (Sammie Spector)

Lands End
Walk to the Point, to the edge of the rocks, where Lake Michigan meets your toes. “Lands end. They all do,” claims a new exhibition, curated by UofC alumna Katherine Harvath and faculty member Zachary Cahill. Starting this Friday, the Logan Center gallery will feature the work of thirteen sculptors, painters, and performance and installation artists from lands across the world, contemplating the role of landscape in contemporary life. Spectators will have a chance to ponder with five of them in person at speaker events throughout the exhibition’s run: on opening day, Canadian artist Gillian Dykeman will lead a guided tour and performance with Mountain Valley Mountain Tours. Norwegian painter Andreas Siqueland will give a talk the Monday following the opening, and on February 16, Logan will host a panel discussion with Brian Holmes, Claire Pentecost, and Dan Peterman, all featured in the exhibition. Come explore old lands through new eyes. Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St. January 9 through March 15, Tuesday-Saturday, 9am-8pm; Sunday, 11am-8pm. Opening reception Friday, January 9, 6pm-8pm. (773)702-3787. arts.uchicago.edu/landsend (Kristin Lin)

Exodus
Exodus: the triumphant escape from slavery into…into what? Into the desert for forty years? A collaborative new show featuring the works of Alexandria Eregbu and Alfredo Salazar-Caro, “Exodus” plays with and inverts the themes of liberation and migration in vivid multimedia. Eregbu’s installations employ curious combinations of industrial materials to probe the meaning of identity, belonging, assimilation, and alienation, drawing on her own Nigerian-American heritage. Salazar-Caro’s interactive installation, titled “Border Crossing Simulator Beta,” features a video game narrative of crossing the United States-Mexico border. His digital work complements Eregbu’s physical constructions while challenging the viewers with disorienting touches, demanding that the viewer engage with the world presented in “Exodus.” This installation was chosen as the winner for Arts + Public Life’s 2015 open call for proposals. Arts Incubator Gallery, 301 E. Garfield Blvd. January 16 through March 20. Opening reception Friday, January 16, 6pm-8pm. Tuesday-Friday, 12pm-6pm; Thursday. 12pm-7pm. Free. (773)702-9724. arts.uchicago.edu/ (Lillian Selonick)

Free at First
The Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM) is an experimental jazz collective founded in 1965 by Chicago musicians and composers interested in developing a radical infrastructure to support their unconventional style. Since its inception, AACM musicians have made monumental contributions to the development of free and experimental jazz. “Free at First: The Audacious Journey of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians” at the DuSable will take visitors on a journey through the early years of the AACM and the sociopolitical context of the musicians who liberated themselves through their genre-defying musical pursuits. In addition to archival photos, performance artifacts, and a musical soundscape, the interactive exhibition will feature a scavenger hunt-style game and a working recreation of AACM member Henry Threadgill’s “hubkaphone,” an instrument made of hubcaps. DuSable Museum of African American History, 740 E, 56th Pl. January 19 through September 6. Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm; Sunday, noon-5pm. $10 general admission; $8 Chicago residents; $7 students. (773)947-0600. dusablemuseum.org (Kirsten Gindler)

Boys Will Be Boys
There aren’t many things in this world sadder than the sight of a stripped Christmas tree shivering by the dumpster in January. While the smell of pine may linger on the pillows and curtains for a few days, most would say it’s time to move on from the last month of jolly excess and consumption. With an on-site installation featured at the Ordinary Projects, however, Kasia Ozga brings the Christmas tree back into the New Year with commentary on the events of the year past. Her giant sculpture of fifteen Christmas trees will challenge the ordinary conception of those skimpy green branches to trigger reflection on ties between consumerism and racism in America, including recent events of police brutality. After an encounter with “Boys Will Be Boys,” you might never look at your Christmas tree’s “unchanging leaves” the same way again. Ordinary Projects, 2233 S. Throop St., fifth floor. Through February 6. Gallery hours TBA. ordinaryprojects.org (Amelia Dmowska)

Leftyoutthere
A sculpture of a pair of blue legs speckled with red daubs of paint. A green face almost buried in a sea of green, orange, and pink zigzags. With street artist Leftyoutthere, FLATspace’s newest exhibition seeks to explore “the intervention of line and its ability to interrupt and transform spatial and temporal orientations.” Leftyoutthere’s art uses multiple mediums—painting, sculpture—and features busy backgrounds and patterns combined with interjections of solid color. FLATspace’s mission is to aid early-career artists by providing a space for exchange with more established art organizations. The end result of this collaboration is an exhibit investigating the effect of the line in Leftyoutthere’s artwork and a short, two-day opportunity to view it. FLATspace, 2233 S. Throop St., fourth floor. Opening reception Saturday, January 24, 6pm-10pm; January 25, 11am-4pm. (312)647-6286. flatspace.org (Akanksha Shah)

Level Eater 5.0
Take up thine sword, young hero. The halls of the Co-Prosperity Sphere beckon thee toward a stop on your epic quest to fill your goblet with specialty-brewed ales courtesy of 3 Floyds and Marz Community Brewery, or to feast upon Dönerman Food Truck vittles. Limited-edition Level Eater hoodies will be available and add +15 defense when equipped. Art from all across the realm, curated by Ed Marszewski and Nick Floyd, will be on display for your inner nerd’s pleasure. The dungeon will house a secret band, which is much better than the traditional troll or ogre. Admission price will include a complimentary Level Eater beverage. Co-Prosperity Sphere, 3219-21 S. Morgan St. Saturday, January 31, 5pm-10pm. $15. (773)837-0145. leveleater.org (Mark Hassenfratz)

Nuestras Historias
From ancient Mesoamerican artifacts to contemporary artwork from both sides of the border, from neon pink protest art reading “Make Tacos Not War” to a sculpture about laborers made from a lawnmower, the latest exhibit at the National Museum of Mexican Art seeks to challenge the idea that there is a single history that defines Mexican identity in North America. “Nuestras Historias” draws an amazing range of pieces from the NMMA’s world-class permanent collection, creating a display diverse in both medium and narrative. The exhibition also features folk art, ceramics, and items from the colonial period, as well as a section devoted to artists from Chicago dealing with themes such as immigration, gentrification, and incarceration. National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St. Through November 30. Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm. (312)7381502. nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org (Akanksha Shah)

MUSIC

Southside Music Series ft. De La Soul
It’s high time someone decided to blend tasting plates with experimental jazz, wining-and-dining with hip-hop. This month the Promontory will present the Southside [sic] Music Series, focusing on the discography of the eight-piece band of brothers (really) known as the Hypnotic Jazz Band. Over the course of eighteen releases, these brothers have traveled the world with only their horns and their drum set, playing with the likes of Prince, Mos Def, and Gorillaz, as well as living up to the name of jazz legend Phil Cohran, their father (really). The band’s show at the Promontory will feature legendary guest artists De La Soul, a renowned hip-hop trio who revolutionized the genre in 1989 with their debut album. The collaboration between the two is sure to bring a night of innovative, witty, and masterfully played music. The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave. January 15, 9pm, doors at 8pm. $25-$60. (312)801-2100. promontorychicago.com (Sammie Spector)

KRS-One at the Shrine
As the entire country once again finds itself in turmoil over issues of race and civil rights, the city of Chicago makes ready for a visit from the rap legend known as “the Teacher,” KRS-One. One of the original hardcore rappers and the former leader of Boogie Down productions, KRS-One will be performing and empowering our great city for one night at the Shrine on January 16. Attendees should expect to hear all his classics and be ready to bounce to slamming, old-school beats and sharp, smart lyrics that have stayed bitingly relevant even as the man himself has aged. Tickets are going for $30, but early birds will get a ten-dollar discount. The Shrine, 2109 S Wabash Ave. January 16, 9pm. $30. 21+. (312)753-5700. theshrinechicago.com (Colette Robicheaux)

Oi! with the Punk Boys Already
“It’s time for an old-fashioned hippie ass-whomping!” proclaims the sampled voice of The Simpsons’ fictional Police Chief Wiggum at the start of “Ain’t Gonna Win,” the best-loved track on Brass Tacks’ 1999 album Just The Facts. This week, the Madison, WI natives will bring their hardcore sound to headline the Oi! punk show of your guitar-slamming nightmares, whomping some serious hippie ass alongside seasoned acts with such intense names as Assault and Battery, Degeneration, and Brick Assassin. Rooted deep in the working-class struggle, the Oi! punk scene eschews commercialization and extols a kinship born of the hard-knock life. So, if your New Year’s resolution is to embrace your inner rage and assert a sense of tough-scrapes brotherhood, this Reggies lineup is your first (and likely your best) opportunity to make good. Reggies Chicago, 2105. S. State St. January 16, doors at 7:30pm. $10-$12. 18+. (312)949-0120. reggieslive.com (Olivia Myszkowski)

Gregory Alan Isakov
Thalia Hall, Pilsen’s freshest renovated venue, will play host to singer-songwriter Gregory Alan Isakov on January 17. Raised in Philadelphia, but with strong artistic roots in the American West, Isakov’s music is lyrically driven, often reflective, and could easily be compared to the softly sung storytelling of Leonard Cohen or Josh Ritter. Parallels aside, Isakov is a talented artist all his own, dishing out acoustic ballads lush with skilled instrumentation and his unique lilting voice. Although Isakov’s music lends itself best to solitary listening, Thalia Hall offers you the chance to listen to his melancholic, emotional compositions in the company of others who may be equally moved. Pass the tissues. Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St. January 17, doors 6:30pm. $21. (312)526-3851. thaliahallchicago.com (Elizabeth Bynum)

Hell on Wheels Birthday Bash
Rockford, Illinois, conveniently placed between Chicago and Galena on the banks of Rock River, has long been a center of manufacturing production. Furniture, tools, and heavy machinery of all sorts have been churned out of Rockford factories since before anyone still alive today can remember. Perhaps it makes sense, then, that Rockford has become something of a factory for heavy metal bands, too. 99 Proof Devils, So Called Saints, Devolve, and On My Six will represent the “Forest City” on Chicago’s South Side this Saturday, bringing their raw Rust Belt sensibilities to a big city stage for the Hell on Wheels Birthday Bash. If you’re feeling especially metal, hit up the pre-show party at Rockford’s own Whiskey’s Road House—buses to see the hometown boys play leave for Chicago at 6pm. Reggies Chicago, 2105 S. State St. Saturday, January 17, doors 9pm. $5. 21+. (312)949-0120. reggieslive.com (Olivia Myszkowski)

Patrice Michaels with INTERSECTION
If you find yourself growing weary of the barrage of brain-invading hooks and repetitive lyrics thrown at you every time you turn on the radio, a Sunday afternoon spent listening to Patrice Michaels may be just the respite you need. The celebrated soprano will be offering her own classical interpretations of jazz and blues, backed by a trio of musicians playing the violin, cello, and piano. The concert will feature songs both familiar and not, by composers like Duke Ellington, Chuck Israels, and Randy Bauer. Come in with an open mind, leave with the knowledge that innovation and creativity are still alive in the music world today. Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St. Sunday, January 18, 4pm. $15; free with UofC ID. (773)702-8484. arts.uchicago.edu (Eleonora Edreva)

Yesterday I had The Blues: The Music of Billie Holiday
You may have missed your chance to see the real Billie Holiday live in concert, but her music lives on. This Sunday, José James will present “Yesterday I had The Blues: The Music of Billie Holiday,” a tribute to the famous singer’s influence on James’s own music. In addition to Holiday, James has drawn inspiration from notables like Nirvana, Radiohead, and Marvin Gaye. In the enigmatic world that is the contemporary jazz scene, James has carved out a place for himself with his eclectic music. Sam Trump, a Chicago-based trumpeter, will also be performing. The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave. Sunday, January 18, 8pm, doors at 7pm. $16-$36. (312)801-2100. promontorychicago.com (Elizabeth Bynum)