Bulletin
The Future of Solar Energy
Illinois Institute of Technology, Perlstein Hall, 10 W. 33rd St., Room 131. Wednesday, March 2, 3:15pm–4:30pm. (312) 567-5835. RSVP to Donna Hale (dhale2@iit.edu) or Peg Murphy (murphym@iit.edu). c2st.org
Join the MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI) at a lecture given by Robert C. Armstrong on solar energy and its commercial, technical, and policy aspects. Professor Armstrong is MITEI’s director and a member of the MIT faculty and National Academy of Engineering. (Yunhan Wen)
Police and Capitalism: A Socialist Analysis
57th Street Meeting of Friends, 5615 S. Woodlawn Ave. Wednesday, March 2, 7pm. (773) 850-0476. chicagosocialists.org
A wide variety of views are currently being aired about policing in Chicago, but what do the Marxists think? At this meeting, members of the International Socialist Organization will share their understanding of the situation. (Adam Thorp)
Black Girls Code
Enova International, 175 W. Jackson Blvd., Ste. 500. Thursday, March 3, 6pm–8pm. (312) 568-4200. blackgirlscode.com
This revolutionary nonprofit, which provides girls of color with computer programming skills and experience in technological innovation, is kicking off its Chicago chapter. Register as a participant or volunteer, and stay to view the organization’s award-nominated documentary. (Sara Cohen)
Campus Wars: Free Speech vs. Safe Spaces?
Seminary Co-op, 5751 S. Woodlawn Ave. Thursday, March 3, 6pm–8pm. (773) 752-4381. semcoop.com
Supporters of the hard-line position in favor of campus free speech have rallied behind the UofC’s Statement on Principles of Free Expression. Professor Geoffrey Stone, the statement’s author, will consider the issue just south of the campus venue where Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez was prevented from speaking by protesters not three weeks beforehand. (Adam Thorp)
On the Table Information Session
Kennedy King College, Building U, Room 143, 740 W. 63rd St. Friday, March 4, 8am–9:30am. (866) 737-6951. onthetable.com
On May 10, the Chicago Community Trust’s On the Table talks return, engaging small groups of community members in discourse on unifying the Chicagoland community at large. Attend this preliminary information session to host your own conversation or learn more. (Sara Cohen)
Testifying for Climate and Reproductive Justice
Arts Incubator, 301 E. Garfield Blvd. Saturday, March 5, 4:30pm–6:30pm. (773) 702-9724. conceivablefuture.org
Consider our collective future at “Conceivable Future,” a lecture on how climate change impacts childbearing. Writer Josephine Ferorelli and sociologist Meghan Kallman present this open class on what their current demands for an end to U.S. fossil fuel subsidies mean for our children. (Anne Li)
Fundraiser Against Human Trafficking in Thailand
Pilsen Breakfast & Grill, 1454 W. 18th St. Saturday, March 5, 8pm–1am. (312) 631-3620. facebook.com/pilsenbg
Right now, Pilsen local Andrés Velarde is fighting against human trafficking in Thailand—but he can’t do it alone. Drop by for a Skype conversation with Velarde and a raffle fundraiser to support his work. Free appetizers will be provided. (Christopher Good)
The Pursuit of Happiness: Transgender Equality in 2016
Quadrangle Club, 1155 E. 57th St. Monday, March 7, 6pm–7:15pm. Free. (773) 834-4671. politics.uchicago.edu
Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, has been invited by the UofC’s Institute of Politics to speak about the ongoing fight against transphobic prejudice and violence. As a leading activist and authority, Keisling will be sure to lead a vital discussion. (Christopher Good)
Writing My Wrongs
Seminary Co-op , 5751 S. Woodlawn Ave. Tuesday, March 8, 6pm. (773) 752-4381. semcoop.com
Shaka Senghor, a former prisoner charged with second-degree murder, is now a leader in criminal justice reform and a motivational speaker. He will discuss his redemption story Writing My Wrongs at the Seminary Co-op. (Yunhan Wen)
Church in Social Action: Radical Nuns
First Lutheran Church of the Trinity, 643 W. 31st St. Thursday, March 10, 6pm–7pm. (312) 225-3099. darstcenter.org
American nuns were once a classic symbol of conservative values; in recent decades, they’ve developed a radical reputation. Dr. Joel Cruz, of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, will discuss the history of radical nuns like seventeenth-century scholar Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. (Adam Thorp)
Visual Arts
Voces de Mujeres 2016: Celebrating Women’s Month
Carlos & Dominguez Fine Arts Gallery, 1538 W. Cullerton St. Opening Friday, March 5, 6:30pm–10:30pm. (773) 580-8053. carlosanddominguez.weebly.com
Celebrate Women’s Month right by attending Voces de Mujeres 2016. The exhibit features seven local female-identified artists, each displaying a unique perspective on the world through stunning artwork. Food and refreshments will be provided. (Bilal Othman)
Bodies of Power and Desire for a New Architecture
Gray Center Lab, 929 E. 60th St. Friday, March 4, 3:30pm–5:30pm. Free. (773) 834-1936. graycenter.uchicago.edu
UofC professor Laura Letinsky is hosting a conversation in conjunction with her exhibition, “Unsuspending Disbelief”. Letinsky will teach artists to rethink the links between image and context in order to force their viewers to detach image from the frame of photography. (Sam Royall)
Pilsen Art House: Eye of the Beholder
Pilsen Art House, 1756 W. 19th St. Opening Friday, March 4, 6pm-11pm. Through March 31. Free. (708) 715-0995.
This month’s First Friday Art Show at the Pilsen Art House displays the work of Chris Hodge, who made the poster for the 2014 Art In Your Eyes festival, alongside fluid works by Lorie Ranker and angular pieces by Matthew Christopher. Acoustic folk musician Scott William will be performing. (Alex Weiss)
Art Show: Collective Voices
Montgomery Ward Lounge, University of Illinois at Chicago, 750 S. Halsted St. Friday, March 4, 5:30pm-8:30pm. (773) 883-4633. apnaghar.org
Explore themes of gender violence, immigrant rights, incarceration and discrimination at “Collective Voices, Shared Journeys”. The show is presented by Apna Ghar, an organization that provides services for victims of gender violence in immigrant communities. (Anne Li)
Chicago And Vicinity Opening
Shane Campbell Gallery, 2021 S. Wabash Ave. Opening Saturday, March 5, 1pm-4pm. Through April 23. Wednesday through Saturday, 12pm–6 pm. (312) 226-2223. shanecampbellgallery.com
The Red and Green lines meet at Cermak, just blocks away from Shane Campbell Gallery. Drop by to witness another convergence: fifty local Chicago artists get together in an exhibit that champions creativity, diversity, and collaboration. (Bilal Othman)
Artist Talk: Sabina Ott with Chris Kraus
Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S. Cornell Ave. Sunday, March 6, 2pm. Free. (773) 324-5520. hydeparkart.org
With household items like spray paint and insulation foam, Guggenheim Fellow and Jackman Goldwasser artist-in-resident Sabina Ott creates hermetic, self-contained worlds. To celebrate her new installation at HPAC, who cares for the sky, Ott will be joined in conversation by radical filmmaker and literary critic Chris Kraus. (Christopher Good)
Music
Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah
The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave. Friday, March 4, doors 7pm, show 8pm. $15 standing room, $20-$30 seats. (312) 801-2100. promontorychicago.com
Whether scoring movies or collaborating with the likes of Prince and Thom Yorke, trumpeter Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah is a tireless innovator: he’s singlehandedly pioneered the “whisper technique” and the “forecasting cell,” what he describes as a “complete hybrid of a consonance and a dissonance.” The future has never been brighter. (Christopher Good)
Ms. Lisa Fischer
Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St. Saturday, March 5, doors 7:30pm, show 8:30pm. $29–68. All ages. (312) 526-3851. thaliahallchicago.com
After appearing in the acclaimed 2013 documentary <i>20 Feet from Stardom</i>, Lisa Fischer—who sang background for many of the most influential musical acts of the past forty years—has broken out into a solo career of her own. She will be joined by Grand Baton, a backing band that draws influence from African, Middle Eastern, and Caribbean music traditions. (Jake Bittle)
B. Dolan and Ric Wilson
Reggies, 2105 S. State St. Tuesday, March 8. Doors 8pm. $10 in advance, $13 day of show. 18+. reggieslive.com
B. Dolan, a rapper incubated at the renowned Nuyorican Poets Café in New York City, brings his sometimes cynical and always unique sound to Reggies. Ric Wilson accompanies with his own glitchy, sunny brand of hip-hop, along with FelixFast4wrd and Haphduzn. (Jonathan Poilpre)
Freida Lee
Mo Better Jazz Chicago, 2423 E. 75th St. Friday, March 11. Doors 7pm. $10 donation. (773) 741-6254. mobetterjazzchicago.us
Come enjoy food and drinks as singer Freida Lee takes the Mo Better stage. A twenty-one-year veteran with experience alongside jazz greats including Chicago pianist John Young, Freida and her singing style are reminiscent of past jazz pioneers while affirming her place as a living legend among us. (Kezie Nwachukwu)
Fantasty
Wesley Kimler Studio, 2046 W. Carroll Ave. Saturday, March 12, 9pm. Free with RSVP. 18+. do312.com/fantasty
VAM Studio celebrates its one-year birthday with a huge exhibition, featuring live performances and visual art from the city’s coolest underground talents. Prepare for 3D video, performances by Glass Lux, Daryn Alexus, Owen Bones, DJ Taye, Sirr Tmo, and more…and possibly live animals. (Zoe Makoul)
Stage & Screen
The Amazing Nina Simone
Studio Movie Grill, Chatham 14, 210 W. 87th St. Thursday, March 3, 7pm. $6. blackworldcinema.net
Join Black World Cinema for their celebration of Women’s History Month by watching the amazing documentary The Amazing Nina Simone. Simone, a versatile artist who spoke against injustice with her songs during the Civil Rights Era, remains an inspiration for many. (Yunhan Wen)
Seeds of Disunion: Classics in Black Stereotypy Film Series: Gone With the Wind, part 1
Black Cinema House, 7200 S. Kimbark Ave. Friday, March 4, 7pm–9:30pm. (312) 857-5561. rebuild-foundation.org
At this screening of the first half of Gone with the Wind, you can critically evaluate the historical revisionism and romanticization of slavery in the movie, in addition to admiring Vivien Leigh. Conversation led by UofC Professor Jacqueline Stewart and Northwestern Professor Miriam Petty will follow. (Yunhan Wen)
Trifles Staged Reading
Augustana Lutheran Church, 5500 S. Woodlawn Ave. Friday, March 4, 8pm. $5. (773) 493-6451. hydeparkcommunityplayers.org
Celebrate Women’s History Month with a salon-style, staged reading of Trifles, an example of an early feminist one-act where the stereotypical understanding of the “women’s sphere” is brought out in high relief. Enjoy the performance, the talk, the friendly atmosphere—and all the snacks. (Yunhan Wen)
Indie City Writers Suspense Workshop
57th Street Books, 1301 E. 57th St. Saturday, March 5, 10am. Free (with the purchase of a Libby Hellmann novel). (773) 684-1300. semcoop.com
Award-winning author Libby Fischer Hellmann is teaming up with Indie City Writers for a book signing of her new novel, Jump Cut, and a writers’ workshop. With advice on how to seamlessly incorporate basic techniques of suspense into any genre of writing, it should be a thriller. (Martin Awano)
South Side Irish Parade Film Fest
Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St. Saturday, March 5, 6pm. $16 general admission. (773) 445-3838. southsideirishparade.org
If you’ve been waiting with bated breath for the Chicago River to run green, we’ve got great news for you: the South Side Irish Parade Film Festival will make for the perfect head start. Drop in for several short films about Irish culture and a screening of the 2015 Best Picture nominee Brooklyn. (Christopher Good)
Reading the Black Library: Baldwin and Bowers
Stony Island Arts Bank, 6700 S. Stony Island Ave. Tuesday, March 8, 6pm. Free. (312) 857-5561. rebuild-foundation.org
At this reading, Chicagoan author Tony Bowers will reinterpret his autobiographical book of short stories, On the Nine, through the lens of James Baldwin’s classic “Sonny’s Blues.” In the following discussion, audience members are welcome to share their own experiences. (Christopher Good)
The Set Speaks
Propeller Fund Studios, 4th floor of Mana Contemporary at 2233 S. Throop St. Through March 31. Open Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm; Saturday, 12pm-5pm. Free. (312) 850-0555. acretv.org
For ACRE TV’s new programming block, seven groups of artists will take turns broadcasting a nonstop camera feed from their studio. Falling halfway between the schlock of Big Brother and the avant-garde stylings of Hito Steyerl, the exhibition—which will be streamed live—promises to deliver everything from #newglobalmatriarchy to soap operas for two months straight. (Christopher Good)
Lines in the Dust
eta Creative Arts Foundation, 7558 S. Chicago Ave. Through March 27. Friday and Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 3pm. $30, discounts available for seniors, students, and groups. (773) 752-3955. etacreativearts.org
“Who gets the best education in America?” This is the question asked by Lines in the Dust, playwright Nikkole Salter’s gripping look into education inequity, poverty, and its human cost. Join director Phyllis E. Griffin for the play’s Chicago premiere. (Christopher Good)