Bulletin
Katha Pollitt: PRO: Reclaiming Abortion Rights
Kent Hall at the University of Chicago, 1020 E. 58th St., Room 107. Wednesday, January 20, 4:30pm–6:30pm.
Lost when it comes to the abortion debate? Join Katha Pollitt, author of NYT Notable Book of 2014 PRO: Reclaiming Abortion Rights to hear myths surrounding abortion debunked and learn why she believes “abortion is an issue of fundamental human rights.” (Maddie Anderson)
Corporate Social Responsibility
Seminary Co-op, 5751 S. Woodlawn Ave. Wednesday, January 20, 6pm. (773) 752-4381. semcoop.com
The idea that corporations ought to improve the world as well as their profit margins is variously a source of hope and a target of suspicion. At this event a pair of professors will present their new book, which explores the intellectual foundation of corporate social responsibility. (Adam Thorp)
How to Apply for Educator Positions
St. Paul Community Development Ministries, 4550 S. Wabash Ave. Thursday, January 21, 9am–11am. (773) 528-5120. Stpaulcdm.org
Interested in becoming an educator? As President Bush once said, “Is our children learning?” Attend this session to learn about the jobs available with the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice and the Illinois Department of Central Management Services. (Abe Friedman)
National Black Wall Street Power Lunch
4655 S. King Dr., Suite 203. Thursday, January 21, 1pm–3pm. (773) 268-6900. nationalblackwallstreetchicago.org
Explore this exciting forum on black economic empowerment. Come hear speakers including Greg Hinton, Chief Diversity Officer for the Democratic National Committee. Network with business leaders and other attendees at this program based on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s grassroots economic ideas. (Anne Li)
Are Demographics Destiny in Presidential Politics?
Institute of Politics, 5707 S. Woodlawn Ave. Thursday, January 21, 4:30pm–5:45pm. (773) 834-4671. politics.uchicago.edu
American elections are changing. People of color encompass over thirty percent of eligible voters. With election season looming, how will these trends play out in both parties’s politics? (Abe Friedman)
Put the Guns Down 2016 Protest
Chicago Police Headquarters, 3510 S. Michigan Ave. Sunday, January 24, 3pm–7pm. on.fb.me/1OCrjXX
This protest against gun violence, organized by Chicago youth, will begin at CPD headquarters and make its way through Englewood to 79th Street. Attendees are encouraged to bring balloons and memorabilia to remember loved ones lost to gun violence. The protest will culminate in a prayer vigil and balloon release to honor the victims of gun and gang-related violence. (Zoe Makoul)
The Insane Chicago Way
The Seminary Co-op, 5751 S. Woodlawn Ave. Tuesday, January 26, 6pm. (773) 752-4381. semcoop.com
Have you heard of Spanish Growth & Development? Join John Hagedorn, author of The Insane Chicago Way: The Daring Plan by Chicago Gangs to Create a Spanish Mafia and emcee Bernadine Dohrn to learn everything you ever wondered about this organization of Chicago Latino gangs and what its history tells us about Chicago’s gang landscape today. (Maddie Anderson)
State of African-American Same Gender Loving Black LGBTQ Chicago Address
Carter G. Woodson Regional Library, 9525 S. Halsted St. Sunday, January 31, 2pm–4pm. (773) 340-3751.
In a networking event hosted by the Coalition for Justice and Respect, African-American LGBTQ attendees will attempt to bridge the gap between the community’s needs and their resources. Several speakers, including public and elected officials, will be addressing politics, faith, health, equality, and marriage. (Zoe Makoul)
Visual Arts
Unsuspending Disbelief
Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St. Opening Friday, January 22, 6–8pm. Through March 13. Monday–Saturday, 8am–10pm; Sunday, 11am–9pm. Free. (773) 702 6082. arts.uchicago.edu
Focusing on the relation between photograph and subject, this exhibition features the work of eleven contemporary international artists including Yamini Nayar and Mickalene Thomas. Expect conventions of photography re-contextualized at this Logan Center Gallery exhibition. (Isabelle Lim)
Nothing Personal
The Art Institute of Chicago, Gallery 188, 111 S. Michigan Ave. January 23–May 1. Open daily 10:30am–5:00pm; Thursday, 10:30am–8pm. Included in museum admission, $14-$25. (312) 443-3600. artic.edu
This three-artist photo and video exhibition treats “the passage from personhood to persona.” Focusing on famous women and their personae, Lorna Simpson, Cindy Sherman, and Zoe Leonard comment on modern America’s need to sweep women’s fame, roles and personhood under the rug. (Margaret Mary Glazier)
MoCP at 40
Museum of Contemporary Photography, 600 S. Michigan Ave. January 25–April 10. Open Monday–Wednesday, Friday–Saturday, 10am–5pm; Thursday, 10am–8pm; Sunday 12pm–5pm. Free. (312) 663-5554. mocp.org
From January to April, the MoCP will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a new exhibition of rare works from the likes of Diane Arbus and Andy Warhol alongside archived papers, letters, and original prints. Four decades of photographic culture are condensed into this can’t-miss showcase. (Christopher Good)
The City Between Image and Fact
Kanter Meeting Center, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, 220 E. Chicago Ave. Tuesday, January 26, 6pm–7pm. Included in museum admission. (312) 280-2660. mcachicago.org
The first of a two-part panel discussion, experts from the Art Institute of Chicago, Concordia University, and Columbia College Chicago examine the city as represented between image and fact, using examples from photography, film, advertising, and art. Reception to follow. (Isabelle Lim)
America, the End
Averill and Bernard Leviton Gallery, 619 S. Wabash Ave. Opening reception Thursday, January 28, 5pm–7pm. Through February 20. Open Tuesday–Wednesday, Friday–Saturday, 12pm–5pm; Thursday, 12pm–7pm. Free. (312) 369-8687. events.colum.edu
Artists Carol Jackson, Mike Olson, and Julie Potratz join forces to offer a visual examination of threats to policy and the state. They don’t urge for revolution, but they do persuade the viewer to press pause and look at America through a more critical lens. (Margaret Mary Glazier)
Call for Entries: Bridgeport Art Center’s 4th Annual Art Competition
Bridgeport Art Center, 1200 W. 35th St. Application deadline January 30. $35 application fee. Applicants must be over 18 and live within a 150 mile radius of Chicago. (773) 247-3000. bridgeportart.com
Looking to showcase your art or earn up to $1000 in prize money? Mary Ellen Croteau and William Lieberman will judge artwork in six categories, selecting the best pieces for display in the Bridgeport Art Center’s fourth floor gallery. Submit yours today! (Sara Cohen)
Music
General Zod at Reggies
Reggies Rock Club, 2105 S. State St. Wednesday, January 20, 8pm. $5. 21+. (312) 949-0120. reggieslive.com
As it applies to the five-piece fusion band General Zod, fusion seems to mean a fusion of literally anything with anything else—from Jean-Luc Ponty to Tony Williams. In this local band’s lineup, an accomplished violinist heads a group of rock instrumentalists. Zod will be joined by Shawn Maxwell’s New Tomorrow alt-jazz quartet. (Jake Bittle)
Ginuwine
The Shrine, 2109 S. Wabash Ave. Saturday, January 30, doors 9pm, show 11pm. $35 early bird, $42.50 general admission, $100 meet-and-greet. 21+. (312) 753-5700. theshrinechicago.com
R&B’s eternal golden “Pony”-boy Ginuwine heads to The Shrine for a special meet-and-greet show to support his as-yet-unreleased tenth album, titled Bachelor Again but Wiser, a nod to both his début album, Ginuwine…the Bachelor, and his recent divorce from Solé. This is the first we’ve heard from Ginuwine since his R&B supergroup, TGT, broke up in 2013, and it’s been too long. (Sam Stecklow)
Stalley
The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave. Thursday, January 28, 9pm. $15-$20. 17+. (312) 801-2100. promontorychicago.com
Right now, Ohio is known for football, Cudi, and Kasich, but with bearded MC (and Maybach Music signee) Stalley on the top of his game, the state might soon have another claim to fame. Stalley’s touring in support of his 2015 “Laughing Introvert” mixtape, but introvert or not, he’s sure to have the Promontory booming. (Christopher Good)
Avery*Sunshine
The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave. Thursday, February 4, doors 7pm, show 8pm. $20-$40. (312) 801-2100. promontorychicago.com
Avery*Sunshine prides herself on creating a true, human-to-human connection with her audience. Her upcoming performance at The Promontory is the perfect opportunity to ditch the winter wind howling in your ears in exchange for an intimate listening experience of her warm and soulful music. (Alexandra Epstein)
The Renaldo Domino Experience
Reggies Music Joint, 2105 S. State St. Thursday, February 4, 8pm. $10. 21+ (312) 949-0120. reggieslive.com
Indefatigable tenor Renaldo Domino has spent a lifetime crooning soul and R&B, and his six-piece Experience band has been helping him fill rooms since 2008. Opening for Domino are the Get Up With The Get Downs, whose punk-funk covers have included Domino’s songs in the past. (Neal Jochmann)
Konshens and Trina
The Shrine, 2109 S. Wabash Ave. Friday, February 5, doors 10pm. $30. 21+. (312) 753-5700. theshrinechicago.com
Dancehall/reggae artist Konshens is on tour and coming to Chicago. The well-known rapper Trina, whose sixth album is set to drop this year, will be performing as well. Fans can look forward to a mix of riddims and raw verses, including the classic “Look Back at Me.” (Jennifer Hwang)
Stage & Screen
SEMBENE!
Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St. Thursday, January 21, 7:45pm. $11 general admission, $6 for members. (312) 846-2800. siskelfilmcenter.org
“Let me tell you the story of the father of African cinema…” says the narrator of SEMBENE!, a new documentary chronicling self-taught Senegalese filmmaker Ousmane Sembène’s ascent to the spotlight. Footage in English, Wolof, and French gives dimension to this tribute to a cinematic legend. (Sara Cohen)
The Frunchroom
O’Rourke’s Office, 11064 S. Western Ave. Thursday, January 21, 7:30pm. Free. (773) 429-1598. thefrunchroom.com
For all those now battling the winter blues, The Frunchroom is designating the fourth installment of its reading series a “Fight the winter doldrums edition.” Your cozy company, consisting of five writers from across the city, will read on topics from cycling to real estate battles to Comiskey Park. (Neal Jochmann)
Seeds of Disunion: Classics in Black Stereotypy Film Series: King Kong
Black Cinema House, 7200 S. Kimbark Ave. January 22, 7pm-9:30pm. Free. (312) 857-5561. rebuild-foundation.org
In commemoration of the hundredth anniversary of The Birth of a Nation, BCH has been hosting a film series exploring the strong influence of racism in Hollywood’s foundational films. This latest screening, and the following discussion, will consider the suggestion that King Kong is an allegory for the slave trade. (Adam Thorp)
Stir-Friday Night—An Asian-American Comedy Party!
The Revival, 1160 E 55th St. Friday, January 22, 8pm. $10 regular, $5 student. (866) 811-4111. the-revival.com
Stir-Friday Night graces the stage at The Revival with an act created and executed by an all Asian-American team. The comedy troupe, whose alumni have gone on to appear on Broadway and star in shows such as Community and The Walking Dead, will showcase a bounty of up-and-coming performers. (Alexandra Epstein)
BAC to Broadway Cabaret
Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St. Saturday, January 23, 8pm. $21. (773) 445-3838. beverlyartcenter.org
This immersive offering by the Beverly Arts Center creates a portal to Broadway by seating its audience alongside performers on the Baffes Theatre stage, amid hometown performers who have volunteered for the love of the art. Ticket and beverage proceeds benefit the BAC, which is a nonprofit. (Neal Jochmann)
The Early Films of Kartemquin
Chicago Filmmakers, 5243 N. Clark St. Saturday, January 23, 8pm. $8. (773) 293-1447. chicagofilmmakers.org.
Chicago Filmmakers is celebrating Kartemquin Films’s anniversary, recognizing fifty years of producing powerful local documentaries. Step back in time to the cinematic powerhouse’s beginnings with this screening of three of its earliest films: What the Fuck are These Red Squares? (1970), HUM 255 (1969), and Parents (1968). (Sara Cohen)
Level Eater 6.66
Co-Prosperity Sphere, 3219 S. Morgan St. Saturday, January 23, 5pm-1am. $25. (773) 655-6769. coprosperity.org
If your mortal soul yearns for adventure, craft beer, and free T-shirts, come join this Dungeons and Dragons campaign (5th Edition). With food, libations, and merchandise for sale and a live role-playing session, the revelry will last well into the night. (Anna Christensen)
WS (WS)
Film Studies Center, Cobb Hall, 5811 S. Ellis Ave. Sunday, January 24, 1pm. Free. Mature content. (773) 702-8596. filmstudiescenter.uchicago.edu
Mirror, mirror, on the wall…Originally designed to accompany artist Paul McCarthy’s notorious White Snow installation, the film WS (WS) focuses on both the seven deadly sins and the seven dwarfs over the course of its seven-hour runtime. Given McCarthy’s taste for depraved antics, the film is not for the squeamish. (Christopher Good)