5 things to do today: Friday, June 14
Kim Deitch
AROUND TOWN
Taste of Randolph Street 2013 Don't sleep on the Taste of Randolph fest. Every year, Star Events slides in a handful of fantastic bands to play Restaurant Row. Superchunk and Los Campesinos! graced street stages in years past. This summer, we get two of TOC's favorite new rock acts of the last few years—the Joy Formidable and Divine Fits, the side project of Spoon's Britt Daniel. Also on tap: disco revivalist Escort, Genesis devotee Bear in Heaven, feel-good L.A. indie-pop group Milo Greene and many more. The Mid hosts a DJ stage. Plus, sample some of the West Loop's best cuisine, including grub from Publican Quality Meats, bellyQ and de cero. 900 W Randolph St. 5pm–10pm. $10.
ART & DESIGN
"Battles in the State Capitols: The Right to Have a Union" This group show features 20 artists and activists from Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. Also included are art displays, poetry, posters, stories from each of the states, live music and a screening of the film We Are Wisconsin. Plus, don’t miss the roundtable discussion at 7:30pm moderated by Illinois Labor History Society President Larry Spivack. URI-EICHEN Gallery. 6pm–11pm.
Just for Laughs 2013 | Paul F. Tompkins interview
DRESSING HIS BEST Tompkins [pictured sans 'stache] rivals Don Draper in the dapper department.
Blame it on the bowtie, the mustache, the distingué inclusion of a middle initial (F. for Francis, natch): Paul F. Tompkins may be the dandiest comedian in the game. We tend to imagine him most at home in a low-lit study, sitting in a tufted leather chair, puffing away at a cigar and swirling a snifter of cognac. (Make that a lowlit bar, sipping fancy cocktails with Alison Brie and others. Close, but no cigar!)
At this point in his career, it's kind of lazy to dwell on his dapperness and decorum. The media always does. (Maybe it's just 'cause we're more used to cargo shorts–wearing, five-'o-clock-shadow–sporting, dick-joke–dropping stand-ups?) A more meaningful point to make is that PFT may be the most down-to-earth, unpretentious dude in the game. I spoke with him today in advance of his Just For Laughs appearances and he was disarmingly casual despite his rat-packy uniform.
How many times have you done Just For Laughs Chicago?
This is my second year. Last year, or the year before, I did a show with Demetri Martin, called Demetri Martin and Friends, at the Chicago Theatre.
And now you're part of David Cross and His Super Duper Pals, so more friends. Old friends. Deep cuts.
[Laughs] That's right. My ol' stomping grounds. [Tompkins was a writer and performer for HBO's Mr. Show with Bob and David.] I'm also doing the Combo with me and Brendon Walsh, which is curated by Team Coco. That's the first time I've said "curated," which I don't enjoy. I don't know when we started saying the word "curated," but now everyone's saying it all the time.
Lillie's Q reopening today at 5pm
Lillie's Q
Forgive us for being a little jaded, but when Lillie's Q said it was going to reopen mid-June, we didn't honestly believe them. Shows us right that word just came in that Charlie McKenna is firing up the 'cue at his Bucktown barbecue spot—which has been shuttered since a fire on March 14—tonight beginning at 5pm. McKenna and crew will be serving Lillie's Q's full menu: pulled pork, tri tip, baby-back ribs, hot links, chicken, shrimp-and-grits, fried pickles—wait, you know all this already. Just go eat!
RECOMMENDED: The Southern guide
Best festivals in Chicago this weekend
Scottish Festival and Highland Games
6 Corners BBQ Fest Celebrate your pops and pig out at this 'cue fest. The Meat on Milwaukee Cookoff heats up Sunday, when contestants pull out all the chops to compete to become the block's best backyard chef. We need a wet nap just thinking about it. 4000–4080 N Milwaukee Ave. Jun 15, noon–10pm; Jun 16, noon–8pm. $5.
Fiesta Puertorriqueñas One of the Midwest's largest Puerto Rican communities, Humboldt Park celebrates its heritage with four days of Caribbean-infused cuisine, Latin music and carnival rides. On Saturday at noon, out come the meticulously decorated floats and lowrider car clubs as the Puerto Rican Day Parade marches down Division Street under the giant metal Puerto Rican flag. Division St and California Ave. Jun 13, 3pm–10pm; Jun 14, 3pm–10pm; Jun 15, noon–10pm; Jun 16, noon–10pm.
5 movies opening in Chicago
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Yesterday, I spotted a teenager walking around the Loop sporting a Man of Steel T-shirt. The spindly fanboy had already sliced and diced the tee into a tank top, caring little that the film he was advertising hadn't even been released. I suspect much of the audience for Zack Snyder's franchise reboot has the same attitude: It's Superman—we're going.
That's not to say the caped crusader is invincible; in the realm of comic book blockbusters, 2006's Superman Returns is generally considered a failure. But Christopher Nolan and Man of Steel's other producers seem confident the box office predictions—more than $100 million on opening weekend—are on point, because faster than a speeding bullet, Warner Bros has green-lit production of the sequel. Yep, whether you like the first one or not. Some kid already has the T-shirt.
Read reviews of all of the week's new movies in Film.
RECOMMENDED: Best June film festivals and movie events in Chicago.
Patty Griffin at Athenaeum Theatre: Concert review
Patty Griffin
Had the cataclysmic storm prophesied by meteorologists last night brought with it a violent flood, it's unlikely Patty Griffin fans would have taken notice till the waters reached chin-level. Touring in support of American Kid, her first album of original material in more than six years, the Maine-born singer-songwriter made quick work of selling out the Athenaeum Theatre, and the venue proved a cozy harbor for her poignant and vital brand of Americana.
Best weekend events in Chicago
Taste of Randolph Street | Randolph Street | June 16, 2012
FRIDAY
Crystal Fighters + Alpine London-based (but internationally bred) outfit Crystal Fighters fuses traditional Basque folk tunes with club-friendly dance rhythms. We adored their irresistible debut, which could shift gears from Tropicalia to drum 'n' bass in a heartbeat. The celebratory troupe returns to promote its new Cave Rave. It's probably the first time Lincoln Hall has hosted musicians playing the txalaparta, a wood-and-stone percussion device; be there or be square. Lincoln Hall. 10pm. $17, advance $15.
Taste of Randolph Street 2013 Don't sleep on the Taste of Randolph fest. Every year, Star Events slides in a handful of fantastic bands to play Restaurant Row. Superchunk and Los Campesinos! graced street stages in years past. This summer, we get two of TOC's favorite new rock acts of the last few years—the Joy Formidable and Divine Fits, the side project of Spoon's Britt Daniel. Also on tap: disco revivalist Escort, Genesis devotee Bear in Heaven, feel-good L.A. indie-pop group Milo Greene and many more. The Mid hosts a DJ stage. Plus, sample some of the West Loop's best cuisine, including grub from Publican Quality Meats, bellyQ and de cero. 900 W Randolph St. 5pm–10pm. $10.
Just for Laughs review round-up
David Cross
Last night's overhyped storms couldn't keep Just for Laughs down, nor the intrepid TOC staff. Check out our reviews of Second City Alumni, featuring Scott Adsit, Kevin Dorff, T.J. Jagodowski and David Pasquesi; the top-secret [Redacted] show, which brought out David Cross, John Hodgman, Kyle Kinane, Doug Benson and more; MADtv's Anjelah Johnson; and online favorites Tripp & Tyler and The Katydids.
5 things to do today: Thursday, June 13
AROUND TOWN
Date with the '80s Isn’t the ’90s supposed to be the nostalgia decade of the moment? (See: New York’s New Museum show “NYC 1993: Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star.”) Yet the Cure and New Order are playing Lollapalooza; the Museum of Broadcast Communications is mounting a summer Gary Coleman exhibit; and through July 4, the Gene Siskel Film Center steals a little TBS steeze, screening a collection of popular ’80s movies. Yeah, you’ve seen all of these eleven films before, or perhaps you still have the VHS tapes in a closet somewhere. But think of this as an opportunity to watch some of your faves as they were shown back in the day, in 35mm. See siskelfilmcenter.org/80s for the full schedule. Gene Siskel Film Center. 2pm. $11, students $7, members $6, School of the Art Institute students and faculty $4.
BOOKS
Laydeez Do Comics Chicago This installment of the monthly women-run comics salon is a special edition in conjunction with CAKE (Chicago Alternative Comics Expo) and features Mita Mahalo and Zan Christensen. Quimby's. 7pm.
Just for Laughs 2013: The Shit Show review
Ever Mainard
The Shit Show, the rowdy monthly comedy showcase hosted by Ever Mainard and Rasa Gierstikas, got a special late-night outing on the first night of Just for Laughs. Which comic got my heartiest "Best Joke" chant? Read my review to find out.
