Bulletin
AWB Presents: Arisa vs the World
University of Chicago Hillel, 5715 S. Woodlawn Ave. Wednesday, October 21, noon. chicago.everyblock.com
Anat Nir, an LGBT cultural figure from Tel Aviv, will speak about the role that Arisa—an Israeli company that hosts controversial gay-themed parties—plays in challenging Israel on LGBT issues. (Yunhan Wen)
Chicago Elected School Board Town Hall: Southside
Grant Memorial AME Church, 4017 S. Drexel Blvd. Wednesday, October 21, 6pm. facebook.com
Budget cuts, financial mismanagement, school closings, and over-testing continue to exasperate South Siders. Join CODE Chicago for a town hall meeting to share your concerns, listen to the status quo, and fight for an elected school board in Chicago. (Yunhan Wen)
Rachad Bouhlal: Ambassador of Morocco to the United States
Quadrangle Club Library, 1155 E. 57th St. Wednesday, October 21, 6pm. Free. (773) 834-4671. politics.uchicago.edu
His Excellency Rachad Bouhlal, the Ambassador of Morocco to the United States, will be on location to discuss the challenges and opportunities of energy reform in his home country. The presentation will be followed by a discussion and Q&A session. (Christopher Good)
Fall Community Electronic Waste Dropoff Day
IIT Main Campus, 3241 S. Wabash Ave. Saturday, October 24, 10am–3pm. Free.
Did you know you might end up drinking the acidic remnants of your broken TV? Prevent water contamination and drop off your electronic waste to be properly disposed of or repurposed. Please make sure to remove any personal identification. (Jena Yang)
Fighting the Flood: Disaster Capitalism and Black Reconstruction
Grace Place, 637 S. Dearborn St. Monday, October 26, 6pm. Free. (312) 427-0510. thegrassrootscollaborative.org
Join the Grassroots Collaborative and the New Orleans Workers’ Center for Racial Justice for a dialogue and strategy session on the social and economic struggles, including school closures and unemployment, that have emerged in black communities in Chicago and New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina. (Lily Li)
Drug War Capitalism
The Orphanage, 683 W. 31st St. Thursday, October 31, 5:30pm–8:30pm. Free. semillasautonomas.org
Who is the drug war really against? Join journalist and author Dawn Paley to discuss her book Drug War Capitalism and explore the relationships among race, poverty, power, and terror in the United States’ crackdown on narcotics. Food and childcare will be provided during the presentation and discussion. (Anne Li)
South Side Pie Challenge
Hyde Park Neighborhood Club, 5480 S. Kenwood Ave. Saturday, November 7. Pie submissions at 11am, open to public at 2pm. Free entry, $25 to enter a pie. Register at southsidepie.com
Nothing’s as American as apple pie, and nothing’s as characteristic of South Side as the official Pie Challenge, which will raise money for Hyde Park & Kenwood Hunger Programs. Aspiring pastry chefs can submit a pie in any of four categories—fruit, nut, pumpkin, and crème—and the general public can stop by for pie, live music and coffee. Easy as… (Christopher Good)
Visual Arts
John Knight Museotypes
Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave. October 23–November 29. 10:30am–5pm daily, Thursday 10:30am–8pm. $20 for Chicago residents; discounts available for students and seniors. (312) 443-3600. artic.edu
In 1983, Hyde Park’s Renaissance Society exhibited John Knight’s Museotypes, which consists of different museums’ architectural floor plans presented on sixty bone-china dinner plates. It is currently presented in the Art Institute’s Modern Wing in celebration of the Institute’s work with the Renaissance Society. (Sonia Schlesinger)
Annual East Garfield Park Art Walk
The Switching Station, 15 S. Homan Ave. Apt. 212. October 24–25, 12pm–6pm. Free. (312) 945-2994. chicagoartistsmonth.org
Over the weekend, East Garfield Park will overflow with creativity as it celebrates art through open studios and live performances. All are welcome, from fans and collectors to designers and artists. (Christopher Good)
Cartoons with a Conscience
Carlos & Dominguez Fine Arts Gallery, 1538 W. Cullerton St. Saturday, October 24, 12:15pm through Sunday, October 25, 7:15pm. Free. (773) 580-8053.
Look between the lines at this exhibition, “Cartoons with a Conscience,” curated by well-known political cartoonist and Chicagoan Eric J. Garcia. The exhibit examines the cartoon as a satiric tool for making a social or political critique. (Elizabeth Xiong)
Cut-Outs at Mana Contemporary
Mana Contemporary Chicago, 2233 S. Throop St. October 24–November 8. Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm; Saturday, 12pm–5pm. (312) 850-0555. manacontemporarychicago.com
A Southern Californian born to immigrant parents, Ramiro Gomez expands upon the 1960s works of David Hockney. Using his own experiences in this innovative exhibit, Gomez fuses painting, sculpture, and cutout techniques to form an enthralling tribute to the hardworking SoCal laborers of that era. (Sara Cohen)
Gramsci Monument Discussion
Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St. Tuesday, October 27, 7pm. Free. (773) 702-2787. arts.uchicago.edu
The Gramsci Monument, a “living sculpture” built by the residents of the Forest Houses project in South Bronx, graced the Forest Houses courtyard for the summer of 2013. Artist Thomas Hirschhorn and curator Yasmil Raymond, both participants in the project, will discuss the extensive outdoor structure at Logan next Tuesday. (Sonia Schlesinger)
(re)Working Architecture
Co-Prosperity Sphere, 3219-21 S. Morgan St. October 30–November 1. Opening reception Friday, October 30, 6pm–11pm. Free. (773) 655-6769. coprosperity.org
Chicago’s Architecture Biennial is in full swing, and on October 30, the Co-Prosperity Sphere will unofficially join in the festivities by unveiling an art installation by the Architecture Lobby that aims to reflect the “absurdities of architectural practice/labor/work.” Through critique and commentary, the role of the architect will be reconsidered from the ground up. (Christopher Good)
Día de los Muertos at the National Museum of Mexican Art
National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St. Sunday, November 1, 4pm–9pm. Free. (312) 738-1503. nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org
This year’s Day of the Dead celebration will be far-reaching and all-inclusive. Visit chicagodayofthedead.org to honor deceased loved ones before stopping by the museum, which will feature artwork depicting the holiday’s backstory. Venture to Harrison Park afterwards for delicious pan de muerto and more festivities. (Sara Cohen)
Music
Cécile McLorin Salvant
Logan Center for the Arts, Performance Hall, 915 E. 60th St. Friday, October 23, 7:30pm. $35, $5 with UofC ID. (773) 702-8484. arts.uchicago.edu
Born in America, Cécile McLorin Salvant moved to France in 2007 to study both law and voice. In 2010, she won the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition, and in 2014, was nominated for a Grammy for her album WomanChild. Heralded as a virtuoso and likened to Ella Fitzgerald, Cécile always ends on the right note. (Lauren Poulson)
Carolyn Fitzhugh
Quarry 75 Event Center, 2423 E. 75th St. Friday, October 23, 7pm. $10 suggested donation. (773) 741-6254. mobetterjazzchicago.us
This Friday, Mo Better Jazz will host a performance by Carolyn Fitzhugh, the town’s “Best-Kept Secret.” Fitzhugh, a gifted singer and pianist with a wide repertoire of soulful jazz standards, is sure not to disappoint. (Christopher Good)
Howard Hewett
The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave. Saturday, October 24, doors 6pm. $40-$75. (312) 801-2100. promontorychicago.com
According to his Twitter handle, Howard Hewett is @justavocalist. But for a singer whose smooth voice has heralded hits in the R&B group Shalamar, as well as surprise gospel chart-toppers, being “just a vocalist” may be more than enough. (Hafsa Razi)
Amigo the Devil
Reggies Chicago, 2105 S. State St. Sunday, October 25, 8pm. $7. 21+. (312) 949-0120. reggieslive.com
Orlando natives Amigo the Devil might be standard-sounding folk-punk at a glance, despite those “dark metal” tags on their Bandcamp. But when you pick apart the songwriting, it’s not hard to notice these songs are a little bloodier than your average “Blister In The Sun.” Make a pre-Halloween trip out of it this weekend—they call it “murderfolk,” after all. (Austin Brown)
Jeezy
Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St. Tuesday, November 17. Doors 8pm, show 9pm. $48 standing room, $58 seats. 21+. (312) 526-3851. thaliahallchicago.com
Atlanta trap juggernaut Jeezy—aka Pastor Young—will be stopping at Thalia Hall to deliver a “one-of-a-kind experience” in support of his upcoming album, Church in These Streets. Street disciples should expect powerful sermons propelled by equally powerful beats. (Christopher Good)
Stage & Screen
Story Club South Side: Turning
Co-Prosperity Sphere, 3219-21 S. Morgan St. Tuesday, October 20, 8pm. Free. (773) 837-0145. storyclubchicago.com
Twist and turn with storytellers Elizabeth Gomez, Kevin Gladish, and Maura Clement as they take you on the imaginary adventures of a lifetime. Show up at 7:30pm to spin your own yarns, participate in an open mic night, or, if you’re feeling less bold, kick back with a slice of pie. (Sarah Liu)
Forms of Imagination: South Side Home Movies
Arts Incubator, 301 E. Garfield Blvd. Thursday, October 22, 7pm-9pm. Free. (312) 857-5561. arts.uchicago.edu
Come see the South Side from the perspective of a legion of handheld home video recorders. Film historian and scholar Jacqueline Stewart, in collaboration with Black Cinema House, presents a collection of home movies that promise to provide a glimpse into the gloriously mundane imagery of everyday history. (Lewis Page)
7 Stories: Mouthful
The Orphanage, 643 W. 31st St. Friday, October 23, 9pm–11pm. $10 or pay what you can. (269) 808-2430. thegroupproject.wordpress.com
Feeling hunger in both belly and mind? The Group Project invites you to a comfort meal of soul food stories as your entreé, live music and amuse-bouche as your sides, plus the most guilt-free and gratifying dessert—three minutes of open mic to share your own food story. (Jasmin Liang)
Black N Tan
The Silver Room, 1506 E. 53rd St. Saturday, October 24, 7pm. Donations suggested. (773) 947-0024. chicagoartistsmonth.org
Is Black N Tan the new black? This Saturday, Sadie Woods and Ricardo Gamboa will make a strong case, through a one-night celebration of black and Latino artistry and culture. From old-school R&B to Latin funk, music will be spinning all night—don’t miss out. (Christopher Good)
“The Voodoo of Hell’s Half-Acre:” The Travelin’ Genius of Richard Wright from Natchez to Chicago: A Blues Opera
Transition East Studio, 2548 E. 83rd St. Saturday, October 24 and Saturday, November 14, 7:30pm-9:30pm. $10. (312) 282-7590. voodoo-blues.squarespace.com
This “operatic dialogue” concerns the life of the writer Richard Wright and the two places that influenced his work. History and art—ranging from spoken word to live painting—join forces as the opera traces Wright’s journey from Natchez, Mississippi, to the vibrant city of Chicago. (May Huang)
Horror and Suspense in the Old-Time Radio Tradition
Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hyde Park, 5500 S. Woodlawn Ave. October 24, 8pm. $10 in advance; $12 at the door. hydeparkcommunityplayers.org
Join the Hyde Park Community Players for this now venerable combination of classic horror stories and scintillating sound effects from the golden age of broadcasting, just as Halloween begins its menacing approach. (Adam Thorp)
South Shore Opera: Composers Unmasked
South Shore Opera Company of Chicago, 7059 S. Lake Shore Dr. Sunday, October 25, 4:30pm. $100. (773) 677-9790. southshoreopera.org
Immerse your ears in aural black excellence as the South Shore Opera presents work from black composers ranging from the eighteenth century to today. The event showcases arias and duets from Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges, Harry Lawrence Freeman, and Nkeiru Okoye, and includes a reception and dinner. (Elizabeth Xiong)
Son of BEWARE or Be Square
Co-Prosperity Sphere, 3219-21 S. Morgan St. Sunday, October 25, doors at 5:30pm. $12 suggested donation. (773) 837-0145. coprosperity.org
If you’ve ever wanted to experience an old-fashioned scary radio play without dealing with the hassle of listening from the comfort of your home, come to a live re-enactment of some of the genre’s best moments at this benefit for Lumpen Radio, or just listen in on lumpenradio.com. (CJ Fraley)
Tele-novela HIGHLIGHTS Watching Party
Mana Contemporary Chicago, 5th floor, 2233 S. Throop St. October 25, 2pm–4pm. Free. (312) 850-0555. acretv.org
ACRE TV has been screening Robyn Farrell’s curation of experimental film and video inspired by telenovelas for the past two months, but those more efficient with their time can watch a selection of work by several dozen artists all at once. (Julia Aizuss)
The Cronus Land
The Shoreland Ballroom, 5454 S. Shore Dr. Through November 13. $10-250. (312) 646-9548. khecari.org
Experience a stimulating contemporary dance performance at the site of Hyde Park’s legendary Shoreland Hotel. Dance company Khecari will engage the audience with interactive performance, involving set design and ample refreshments. Explore their dancer-filled labyrinth… if you dare. (Sara Cohen)