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5 things to do today: Saturday, May 18

Posted in #Chicago blog by Jessica Johnson on May 17, 2013 at 10:00pm

Dan Ghenacia

Photo: Luc Marciano

CLUBS
Dan Ghenacia + Dino G + Garrett B With Daft Punk the inarguable pop culture phenomenon of the moment, all eyes and ears are focused back on Paris. The man holding down the house in Paris is Dan Ghenacia. Founder of both the Freak N'Chic and Appollonia labels, Ghenacia released early works by deep house gurus Shonky and Jamie Jones. His work is heavy, simple and funky. In other words, while Daft Punk may have gone organic disco, somebody is still doing their Homework. Spy Bar. 10pm. $20, advance $15.

DANCE
Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble: "Touch and Mirrors" Chicago Danztheatre’s been whetting appetites over the winter months with short previews and workshop-type glimpses of its new project, inspired the poetry of mystical man Rumi. Finally, we get the world premiere of Touch, plus a remount of the contemporary company’s evocative Mirrors. It all happens at DEFIBRILLATOR gallery, which happens to be one of, if not the most underrated performance venue in the city. May 25 is benefit night, and tickets include the performance and an after-party with food and drink. DEFIBRILLATOR. 8pm. $20, advance $15, benefit night $30.

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Where to watch Kanye West's "New Slaves" in Chicago tonight

Posted in #Chicago blog by Brent DiCrescenzo on May 17, 2013 at 9:25pm

Jay-Z and Kanye West- Watch The Throne Tour, United Center 11/30/2011

Photo: Erica Gannett

Kanye West knows how to get attention. To announce his upcoming summer album, reportedly due on June 18, the Chicago-born rapper will project the video to his new single "New Slaves" on the sides of buildings in ten cities around the world. Already the black and white film of his Big Brother–like face delivering the song has appeared in New York City, as reported by Pitchfork.

Here's where you can check it out tonight in Chicago:
Wrigley Field; 9:50–10:05pm
Chicago History Museum; 10:35–10:45pm
North and Milwaukee Aves, Wicker Park; 11:15–11:25pm
University of Chicago Music Department; 12:15–12:30am
Field Museum; 12:55–1:05am
The Art Institute of Chicago; 1:30–1:40am
505 N Michigan Ave; 1:50–1:55am

Hurry. It's starting soon.

UPDATE: Watch a recording of the video. West sings, "I'd rather be a dick than a swallower." Bring the kids! Also, he sings falsetto?

Theater on the Lake 2013 lineup announced

Posted in #Chicago blog by Kris Vire on May 17, 2013 at 3:32pm

Theater on the Lake

Photo: courtesy of Chicago Park District

The 2013 lineup for the Chicago Park District's Theater on the Lake was revealed this week, to include encore presentations of works by the New Colony, MPAACT, Manual Cinema, Theater Oobleck, Barrel of Monkeys, the Den Theatre, Jackalope Theatre Company and the Chi-Town Clown Revue. Find the full schedule, including special events, at our Theater on the Lake hub page.

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How does the new Navy Pier stack up against our fantasy Navy Pier?

Posted in #Chicago blog by Brent DiCrescenzo on May 17, 2013 at 10:59am
Illustration: Ian Dingman

Yesterday, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced a plan to spruce up Chicago's downtown lakefront. The $1.1 billion project includes a new arena for DePaul University across from McCormick Place, a boutique hotel, flyover bike paths and a $278 million face-lift for Navy Pier.

It remains up for debate how much a 10,000-seat basketball arena for a team that hasn't won in years—soon to be playing schools like Creighton and Butler in a crumbling Big East Conference—will do to boost the economy of the South Loop. At least Fall Out Boy will have a new place to play.

The rehabilitation of Navy Pier is far more intriguing and overdue. The new construction, expected to begin in fall, includes a fountain, an expanded Children's Museum and more restaurants (whether those will be themed after Tom Hanks movies has not been disclosed).

Potential Navy Pier upgrades were initiated two years ago. We put together a feature about it, and envisioned 15 fantastical fixes for the tourist magnet. Compare our vision (pictured above) to the city's concept. We hoped for a water park, soul club, doughnut factory, microbrewery, floating car silo, storefront theater, skate park and more. But, you know, a fountain that transforms into a skating rink is cool, I guess.

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5 things to do today: Friday, May 17

Posted in #Chicago blog by Jessica Johnson on May 16, 2013 at 10:00pm

of Montreal

Photo: Katie Bell Moore

ART & DESIGN
Manifest Urban Arts Festival Columbia College's annual showcase for its graduating students takes over the South Loop. The 12-hour schedule includes art and photography exhibitions, dance performances, lectures, film screenings and the opportunity to test out some newly developed video games. Various Columbia College venues in the South Loop. See colum.edu/manifest-2013/schedule for the full schedule. 8am–8pm.

CLUBS
Vito & Druzzi (The Rapture DJs) Drummer Vito Roccoforte and keyboardist/bassist Gabriel Andruzzi of the Rapture explore the deeper ends of the punk and disco influences on their disco-punk. Beauty Bar. 9pm. $5.

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Art shows to see now

Posted in #Chicago blog by Laura Pearson on May 16, 2013 at 4:33pm

Amalia Pica, Eavesdropping (version #2), 2011. Photo: Robert Wedemeyer.

"They Seek a City: Chicago and the Art of Migration, 1910–50" | Art Institute of Chicago
Rarely seen works by artists such as Elizabeth Catlett reflect the experiences of the hundreds of thousands of people who moved to Chicago to escape persecution or poverty in the South, Eastern Europe and elsewhere during the first half of the 20th century. Through May 23.

"Amalia Pica" | Museum of Contemporary Art
In her first major solo museum exhibition (co-organized by the MCA and the MIT List Visual Arts Center), the London-based Argentine artist examines communication—in particular, the act of listening—and civic participation through drawings, sculptures, installations, projections, large-scale photographic prints and live performances. Incorporating simple materials such as flags, banners, confetti and brightly colored drinking glasses, her works are not only thoughtful but beautiful to behold. Through Aug 11.

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5 movies opening in Chicago

Posted in #Chicago blog by Jake Malooley on May 16, 2013 at 2:45pm

5 movies opening in Chicago
Star Trek Into Darkness Cumberbatch and Pine try to summon The Wrath of Kahn.
Sightseers
Leviathan.jpg
Stories We Tell
TheIceman.jpg
  • Star Trek Into Darkness Cumberbatch and Pine try to summon The Wrath of Kahn.

    Star Trek Into Darkness Hollywood churns out another vacuum of a blockbuster.

    star_trek_into_darkness.jpgStar Trek Into Darkness Cumberbatch and Pine try to summon The Wrath of Kahn.162413011
  • Sightseers

    Sightseers A sick gag of a film that’s bound to scar only the irony-challenged.

    Sightseers.jpgSightseers162413612
  • Leviathan.jpg

    Leviathan Patience pays off in this slow-building but riveting collage about sea workers.

    Leviathan.jpgLeviathan.jpg162413263
  • Stories We Tell

    Stories We Tell Sarah Polley's debut doc, a family memoir, is an artistic breakthrough.

    906.fi.STORIESWETELLrev906.jpgStories We Tell162413914
  • TheIceman.jpg

    The Iceman A wise-guy opera with barely one memorable aria.

    TheIceman.jpgTheIceman.jpg162413365

Star Trek Into Darkness Hollywood churns out another vacuum of a blockbuster.

Read more new reviews in Film.

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Youth Lagoon at Metro | Pictures and review

Posted in #Chicago blog by Zach Long on May 16, 2013 at 12:30pm

Trevor Powers brought his Wondrous Bughouse and a sense of unease to the Metro.

Zach Long
Youth Lagoon at Metro | Concert pictures
Trevor Powers's Youth Lagoon plays songs from "Wonderous Bughouse" at Metro Chicago, May 2013.
Trevor Powers's Youth Lagoon plays songs from "Wonderous Bughouse" at Metro Chicago, May 2013.
Trevor Powers's Youth Lagoon plays songs from "Wonderous Bughouse" at Metro Chicago, May 2013.
Trevor Powers's Youth Lagoon plays songs from "Wonderous Bughouse" at Metro Chicago, May 2013.
Trevor Powers's Youth Lagoon plays songs from "Wonderous Bughouse" at Metro Chicago, May 2013.
Trevor Powers's Youth Lagoon plays songs from "Wonderous Bughouse" at Metro Chicago, May 2013.
Trevor Powers's Youth Lagoon plays songs from "Wonderous Bughouse" at Metro Chicago, May 2013.
Trevor Powers's Youth Lagoon plays songs from "Wonderous Bughouse" at Metro Chicago, May 2013.
  • Trevor Powers's Youth Lagoon plays songs from "Wonderous Bughouse" at Metro Chicago, May 2013.

    Trevor Powers's Youth Lagoon plays songs from "Wonderous Bughouse" at Metro Chicago, May 2013.

    Photo: Zach Longyouth_lagoon_at_metro_may_2013_0008.jpgTrevor Powers's Youth Lagoon plays songs from "Wonderous Bughouse" at Metro Chicago, May 2013.162416161
  • Trevor Powers's Youth Lagoon plays songs from "Wonderous Bughouse" at Metro Chicago, May 2013.

    Trevor Powers's Youth Lagoon plays songs from "Wonderous Bughouse" at Metro Chicago, May 2013.

    Photo: Zach Longyouth_lagoon_at_metro_may_2013_0009.jpgTrevor Powers's Youth Lagoon plays songs from "Wonderous Bughouse" at Metro Chicago, May 2013.162416212
  • Trevor Powers's Youth Lagoon plays songs from "Wonderous Bughouse" at Metro Chicago, May 2013.

    Trevor Powers's Youth Lagoon plays songs from "Wonderous Bughouse" at Metro Chicago, May 2013.

    Photo: Zach Longyouth_lagoon_at_metro_may_2013_0010.jpgTrevor Powers's Youth Lagoon plays songs from "Wonderous Bughouse" at Metro Chicago, May 2013.162416263
  • Trevor Powers's Youth Lagoon plays songs from "Wonderous Bughouse" at Metro Chicago, May 2013.

    Trevor Powers's Youth Lagoon plays songs from "Wonderous Bughouse" at Metro Chicago, May 2013.

    Photo: Zach Longyouth_lagoon_at_metro_may_2013_0011.jpgTrevor Powers's Youth Lagoon plays songs from "Wonderous Bughouse" at Metro Chicago, May 2013.162416314
  • Trevor Powers's Youth Lagoon plays songs from "Wonderous Bughouse" at Metro Chicago, May 2013.

    Trevor Powers's Youth Lagoon plays songs from "Wonderous Bughouse" at Metro Chicago, May 2013.

    Photo: Zach Longyouth_lagoon_at_metro_may_2013_0012.jpgTrevor Powers's Youth Lagoon plays songs from "Wonderous Bughouse" at Metro Chicago, May 2013.162416365
  • Trevor Powers's Youth Lagoon plays songs from "Wonderous Bughouse" at Metro Chicago, May 2013.

    Trevor Powers's Youth Lagoon plays songs from "Wonderous Bughouse" at Metro Chicago, May 2013.

    Photo: Zach Longyouth_lagoon_at_metro_may_2013_0013.jpgTrevor Powers's Youth Lagoon plays songs from "Wonderous Bughouse" at Metro Chicago, May 2013.162416416
  • Trevor Powers's Youth Lagoon plays songs from "Wonderous Bughouse" at Metro Chicago, May 2013.

    Trevor Powers's Youth Lagoon plays songs from "Wonderous Bughouse" at Metro Chicago, May 2013.

    Photo: Zach Longyouth_lagoon_at_metro_may_2013_0014.jpgTrevor Powers's Youth Lagoon plays songs from "Wonderous Bughouse" at Metro Chicago, May 2013.162416467
  • Trevor Powers's Youth Lagoon plays songs from "Wonderous Bughouse" at Metro Chicago, May 2013.

    Trevor Powers's Youth Lagoon plays songs from "Wonderous Bughouse" at Metro Chicago, May 2013.

    Photo: Zach Longyouth_lagoon_at_metro_may_2013_0015.jpgTrevor Powers's Youth Lagoon plays songs from "Wonderous Bughouse" at Metro Chicago, May 2013.162416518

Trevor Powers's Youth Lagoon plays songs from "Wonderous Bughouse" at Metro Chicago, May 2013.

Photo: Zach Long

On Youth Lagoon's latest record, Wondrous Bughouse, Trevor Powers looks inwards while channeling a lush, psychedelic sound that envelops his abstract odes. It's a slight departure from the intensely intimate anthems that populated the 24-year-old's debut record—songs which were characterized by a sense of immediacy and honesty.

Playing to a dense crowd at the Metro last night, Powers and his band seemed intent on letting their newest compositions breath, making their way through a set filled with extended interludes and outros. Easing into the woozy shuffle of "Mute," the group began the evening silhouetted by an array of multi-colored lights that illuminated a backdrop of large white sails. Stationed behind an array of keyboards, Powers casually conducted each track, occasionally picking up his microphone to belt out a particularly impassioned verse.

5 things to do during Chicago Craft Beer Week

Posted in #Chicago blog by Brent DiCrescenzo on May 16, 2013 at 12:02pm

Photo: Colin Beckett

Look, I know you want to get into swimsuit shape, but it's Chicago Craft Beer Week, and it's not going to drink itself. The 11-day festival kicks off today, running through May 26. There are dozens and dozens of events on the schedule, spread all over Chicagoland, from downtown to Elgin, Rosemont and Oak Park.

The complete schedule might be a little overwhelming. Turns out, people really love beer. Ancient humans brewed beer before they learned to make bread. Fortunately, food has caught up and many restaurants celebrate CCBW with pairings and tasting menus.

Below are five highlights.

Best weekend events in Chicago

Posted in #Chicago blog by Jessica Johnson on May 16, 2013 at 12:00pm

Rodriguez

Photo: Theo Jemison

FRIDAY

Manifest Urban Arts Festival Columbia College's annual showcase for its graduating students takes over the South Loop. The 12-hour schedule includes art and photography exhibitions, dance performances, lectures, film screenings and the opportunity to test out some newly developed video games. Various Columbia College venues in the South Loop. See colum.edu/manifest-2013/schedule for the full schedule. 8am–8pm.

Rodriguez + Jenny O Though the 1970 album has long been a cult must-own amongst music nerds, Rodriguez's Cold Fact hit a startling level of fame recently thanks to the Oscar-winning doc, Searching for Sugar Man. The 70-year-old guitarist now rightfully seeks belated fame for his arresting, lightly psychedelic folk-rock songs. Arie Crown Theater. 8pm. $25–$50.

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